Poll: Bbc Culture Show - Northern Soul - Your Take ?

[Little-stevie]

Didn't I glimpse you dancing in the programme Stevie?

I did see a split second of my gimp face.... Can i claim any compo for that..

[Paulb]

Didn't watch it and yet its sad that this has happened

 

Same here. Had multiple phone calls and texts politely informing me it was on. Avoided it like the plague. It simply can't be caught on camera as it's far too diverse and means different things to different people.

[Stevie T]

I did see a split second of my gimp face.... Can i claim any compo for that..

 

well if your putting a claim in so am I

[Northernjordan]

I was pleasantly surprised. Normally, I find myself dreading watching programmes like this beacuse of the circus they normally are, but cant help but watch them anyway. It showed the scene in a pretty possitive light IMO. It was genuine and the pressenter seemed to actually have some passion for the scene and music.

 

It would have been nice to have a feature on gritty cool clubs like the Black Bee over the Kings Hall and maybe a little less focus on the 70s fashion. Maybe a general overview on how clothing has changed over the years.

 

Overall it was decent...

[Guest brivinyl]

SAD

EMBARRASSING

CLOWNS

[Peter99]

It could have been far worse - in fact I think it was good. It kept me entertained for half an hour. As I think Steve G pointed out it was all oldies and memories - nothing about the contemporary side of the scene/music, but hey it was only half an hour.

 

Peter

 

Edited September 26, 2013 by Peter99

[Ted Massey]

Paul Mason, away from the scene for 35 years. Were his clothes researched and funded by the BBC for his first visit to a niter in three decades? As for those two eejots who featured throughout... they make a mockery of the scene by turning it into a fancy dress party. Baggy trousers, circle skirts, just a case of re-living what they missed out on I guess whilst living a "normal" life away from the scene for many years IMO. It's what's in the groove that counts so FFS... GROW UP!      

well that's just a load of bollocks

[Ted Massey]

Same here. Had multiple phone calls and texts politely informing me it was on. Avoided it like the plague. It simply can't be caught on camera as it's far too diverse and means different things to different people.

Yes but if it hadn't happened Paul you probably would not be playing and buying the stuff you are now and being so enthusiastic about the music

[Steve G]

It could have been far worse - in fact I think it was good. It kept me entertained for half an hour. As I think Steve G pointed out it was all oldies and memories - nothing about the contemporary side of the scene/music, but hey it was only half an hour.

 

Peter

 

 

I think we just have to accept that the "northern soul scene" is mostly a revival / social scene, and those that are trying to take anything forward today are a small minority, who also happen to be often fragmented and divided by genre, egos and sub-groups, often organised around individual venues or groups of DJs.

 

Any chic, cool or hipness that was involved in digging black american music, dressing smart cas. and going to underground clubs - "this thing of ours" as it was - was abandoned by most on the scene many years ago. Commercialism, retro clothes, musical stagnation all played their part, and for most people today "northern soul" is like the old Teddy Boy scene of a couple of decades ago, a social craic, a chance to dress as you did when you were a teenager, and dance to the same records too.

 

It's a real shame it went that way, but it did.

[Soulsaddler]

It was better than I expected, and some good music was played.

 

The sad thing though is what a colleague said to me at work this morning:-

"That was good last night - never been to a Soul night  but that music made me want to go, but I didn't like all those clothes you wear"

 

i did explain to him that not everyone dresses like that.

[Steve Foran]

I gave it 4/5. I think if you want wear those clothes thats fine. This scene has always been a remarkable scene for friendlyness and your own expression. Think about the various takes on dancing for example. Thought both Elaine and Paul came across well. Good to see Dickie and Dave Withers. Good stuff. Gonna get the new book now.  

[spin]

I must be the dancer.......dont know who would d j though.....orange squash & chocky biscuits .......yate soulies on tour

[Guest BAKUNIN]

I think we just have to accept that the "northern soul scene" is mostly a revival / social scene, and those that are trying to take anything forward today are a small minority, who also happen to be often fragmented and divided by genre, egos and sub-groups, often organised around individual venues or groups of DJs.

 

Any chic, cool or hipness that was involved in digging black american music, dressing smart cas. and going to underground clubs - "this thing of ours" as it was - was abandoned by most on the scene many years ago. Commercialism, retro clothes, musical stagnation all played their part, and for most people today "northern soul" is like the old Teddy Boy scene of a couple of decades ago, a social craic, a chance to dress as you did when you were a teenager, and dance to the same records too.

 

It's a real shame it went that way, but it did.

BANG ON!

[Wally Francis]

Just watched it over here in Kazakhstan via Youtube, I thought it was a pretty good effort, the clothes Yes, they did and do make me cringe a bit. Fair play to the young guy putting the nights on, big respect to you fella.

[Guest Liz Brown]

I thought it was a pretty good summary of the oldies / revival scene. Better than most I've seen. Good comments from Elaine, Ian, Richard, Dave etc....and Paul Mason.

 

Only downside that bird at the end from Notts spinning to reveal a pair of...... Big Daddy's old spotty underpants - Yikes!    :hypo:    

X-Rated!  Someone have a word with her tailor please!

That bird is one of the scenes most genuine and lovely people who lives and breathes Northern Soul along with her husband . ... trying to publicly humiliate such a nice person , our soul sister , is in my opinion lower than low ....

[Chris Anderton]

The problem is that a passionate group of people carrying it on through the 80s,90s and early 2k wearing normal clothes, having normal haircuts and playing to packed all-nighter venues of 2-300 is not a story the TV viewing public are interested in.

 

In saying that I quite enjoyed it and gave it a 4.

 

 

Chris

[Mal C]

Really enjoyed the show, thought Paul did a great job, he was clearly moved by the experience and that came through, but it's a shame the 9ts London scene wasn't mentioned, or the Kent Generation, were still about you know....

As for the Richard Serling interview, is there anywhere we can see that in its entirety?

Mal.c

[De-to]

imo a nice programme not so sure about the bruce lee/kung fu connection... but a couple of nice dancers here backing carl douglas, lol  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqqjaSneSSQ

[Guest Andy Kempster]

already I have had numerous people ask me what I thought and how close to the truth I believed this program to be, not only that people commenting on the music, the camaraderie and such

 

i have even had my local social club asking me to do another soul and motown night for them

 

all brought about by the culture show

 

the burning question I have is this....

 

 

if (and it seems there may well be) there is an influx of new people whether they be old returnees or new young blood how will they be received?

 

will it be with open arms or will it be with the disdain that so often seems to be the case?

 

just a thought!

 

[Guest northernsoul62]

I loved it and welcome anything to do with the scene that will hopefully get more youngsters into soul music.I have 4 children ,one ex wife and my present partner(an essex girl ) who i have got into the music.Plus if more youngsters get into it i can sell my record collection and retire lol.

[Guest Liz Brown]

Why the personal assaults on this couple ?? so not called for 

[Steve G]

That bird is one of the scenes most genuine and lovely people who lives and breathes Northern Soul along with her husband . ... trying to publicly humiliate such a nice person , our soul sister , is in my opinion lower than low ....

 

Tongue in cheek. If you are going to appear on TV etc........Look if it really does offend them I'll edit it.....

[Guest ShazSoul]

What is wrong with Circle Skirts or Baggy trousers??
If people choose to wear them that's up to them,
It's part of where we came from right??
I personally have never worn a circle skirt or baggy trousers for that matter,

Each to their own that's what i say!!
Some of us like to keep that part of the scene alive...
It's all about the music and enjoying ourselves...
It doesn't matter what you wear just as long as you are there..

Well done to all involved in the making of the programme..
K T F and be happy!!

Edited September 26, 2013 by ShazSoul

[Simsy]

Tongue in cheek. If you are going to appear on TV etc........Look if it really does offend them I'll edit it.....

 

Not on my account, you were spot on.

 

A light hearted comment on someone's hilarious bloomers, doesn't warrant comments about 'assaults' on said persons..

[Simsy]

What is wrong with Circle Skirts or Baggy trousers??

If people choose to wear them that's up to them,

It's part of where we came from right??

I personally have never worn a circle skirt or baggy trousers for that matter,

Each to their own that's what i say!!

Some of us like to keep that part of the scene alive...

It's all about the music and enjoying ourselves...

It doesn't matter what you wear just as long as you are there..

Well done to all involved in the making of the programme..

K T F and be happy!!

 

If only they would think better of it when appearing in a tv documentary about our scene. Makes us all look like idiots.

[Pete S]

Tongue in cheek. If you are going to appear on TV etc........Look if it really does offend them I'll edit it.....

 

No you were right Steve, if you put yourself out there people are within their rights to comment, the pants have been offered their own show by the way

[Guest Byrney]

I personally don't have an issue with people dressing in that baggy stuff on what I consider to be a separate scene to the real Northern scene.

My issue is that this image is then associated with the Northern Soul scene and the media pick up this as easy visual spectacle

However for the majority of the scenes history Baggies played little part, yet this becomes the dominant image and in my view it's not a good one

Can see why filmmakers would do this, It's easy television, a bit like my big fat gypsy wedding does. Yet the real scene gets lumped in with this.

This look was prevalent on the scene for what five years, On a scene spanning over 40....

It's just not a reflection of Northern Soul it's a reflection of something different - the nostalgia scene.

[Guest Byrney]

No you were right Steve, if you put yourself out there people are within their rights to comment, the pants have been offered their own show by the way

Got to agree, same as if you let yourself be filmed at a dance competition or posting vids on YouTube, you've allowed yourself to be portrayed in the public domain so take the rough with the smooth.

[Winnie :-)]

Just heard a rumour that Jackie Chan has been lined up to appear at a northern soul weekender next year. He is to be backed up by Chuck Norris and the Nunchucks....

[Len]

I have always thought kung fu and northern was a wicked combination - and both were high fashion at about the same time - so there is some truth in it in wider UK culture at the time

 

 

I just caught the 'back end' of guys wearing head bands, wrist bands, and the Kung Fu slippers things (in some cases) so, although not the 'roots' of the dancing, she was correct about that fashion (Bruce Lee) being of some influence.

 

All the best,

 

Len  (Yellow Belt)

[Zed1]

Just heard a rumour that Jackie Chan has been lined up to appear at a northern soul weekender next year. He is to be backed up by Chuck Norris and the Nunchucks....

 

They've all pulled out, Winnie..... apparently someone shown them the costume department.

[Citizen P]

 

 

 

if (and it seems there may well be) there is an influx of new people whether they be old returnees or new young blood how will they be received?

 

will it be with open arms or will it be with the disdain that so often seems to be the case?

 

just a thought!

 

 

 

Surely it depends on the attitude of "the new blood" , if they come to take the p*ss or are not prepared to listen to something that wasn't played  before they fell asleep on the night they went, what do you think.??

 

You gotta give respect to earn respect, we all learned somewhere and (mostly) kept our traps shut while we were doing it.

[Len]

The ‘young ones’ should rip up the rule book up, and try their best not to ‘carbon copy’ those before them. I’m hoping they are being influenced, but are doing it their way. I was a Mod in the 80’s (a very cool one btw)   .....and I would expect the 60’s, or 70’s Mods would have frowned upon me……and that’s the way it should be.

 

Ref the retro clothing, I don’t particularly like it on older folk, but it’s their choice and they are obviously having a ball ‘doing what they do’ - I wouldn’t want them ridiculed. Similar to the old 50 year old Teddy Girls that still wore pop socks - again, their choice and their past time.

 

Elaine was good, and it was a great ad for the film - I hope it adds to the success of her project that she has worked so hard for.

 

The presenter was also good - It was his own honest view, and I liked the fact that he hadn’t been to a Nighter in 35 years, but you could see that he still 'felt' the music - That showed how special it is.

 

I gave the programme a 3

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Edited September 26, 2013 by LEN

[Biggordy]

It was okay and a decent introduction for those who are new to the scene and music.  I guess once new blood arrives on the scene then it's up to the rest of us to show them that there's a whole lot more to it than just Wigan and oldies.

[Biggordy]

Dunno what the chap bleating on about has beens is on about.  Myself, I'm 44 and went to my first soul night in the early 90s!!!!

[Guest Andy Kempster]

Surely it depends on the attitude of "the new blood" , if they come to take the p*ss or are not prepared to listen to something that wasn't played  before they fell asleep on the night they went, what do you think.??

 

You gotta give respect to earn respect, we all learned somewhere and (mostly) kept our traps shut while we were doing it.

of course if they come to take the piss then they are not really new blood are, that wasnt really what i meant

 

what i meant was will they be welcomed with open arms or just looked upon by the institution that is northern soul as divvies

[MrsWoodsrules]

 

It was an obsession with Weller and co that first ignited an interest in the mod thing, which then moved onto the soul and R&B sounds of the late fifties / mid-sixties. This programme was always going to have the Casino at it's core, although I'm glad that the Wheel also got in there, too.

..

Hey Chippy, not having a go, just my opinion.

Isnt that the wrong way round?

I detest this whole Weller/Soul thing.

He aint nothing but a bandwagon jumper.

I was/am familiar with all his very first records and onward.

Athough say....In The City etc, wasnt bad, I was listening to Gary Haines or J D Martin when he was playing at being a punk, my mother knew more about soul than him.

So, he then becomes a star (rightly so), as he is very talented too (and I do like him), but then, all of a sudden, he's some kind of soul guru.

We had finished with his style and music before he even started on it.

Rant over :-)

Back on topic.

[Guest bleusuperb]

I enjoyed it,  30 minutes was obviously not long enough to cover 40 years, to all those whining about what was not mentioned or included.......it was 30 minutes!!!

 

Enjoyed the passion that it reignited in the presenter, same thing most of us feel when hearing a tune we have not heard for a while, how often do I here someone saying " I had forgotten how good that was". 

 

To those slamming it......er OK........To those who refuse to even watch it......LOL.

[Mrs Williams]

We really enjoyed it

 

Debbie & Roger xx

[Citizen P]

of course if they come to take the piss then they are not really new blood are, that wasnt really what i meant

 

what i meant was will they be welcomed with open arms or just looked upon by the institution that is northern soul as divvies

When we/I first started you were treated with caution until you'd been seen around a bit and tried to find out what was going on.. people soon suss if you are really into it or not..

 

When I came back in the early nineties I soon realised that I had missed a helluva lot, but didn't go around DEMANDING to hear Richard Searlings playlist from 1977.

[Guest manusf3a]

When the assertion was put forward as to why we all dance as we do......I pi^^ed meself and had to stop the proggy whilst I recovered.......and after I had.....took it serious!! Never figured that.....!x

In fact...when I was living in Grimsby and moved to Cambridge in 73/4...my mates reckoned I looked like him....North and South!!x

 

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

 

From a film makers perspective....and thinking 1/25th of a second...or frame at a time....and given the 26 minute window.........I believe the time available was maximised with the most positive comment/imagery and reflection....as could possibly have been given to it. From that perspective.....I think it was great...X

According to the song"Kung fu fighting", those cats were fast as lightning? Was it because they were on speed thus not only influencing the way people danced(?)at all nighters but also what drugs were consumed,,good old Bruce though he came from the east and said"Throw out all your ,skate,boogaloo,mash potatoe etc that mr temple and mr chandler tell you to do,no good when dance all night you must learn the way of orient kick,chop,punch,leap and scream,every now and then you must all clap in unison to show utmost respect for music,So you listen good to Bruce Carl when he say Marble and Iron little sammy chun will crumble it to pieces with one kick  ooooohhyyyyyeeeeecha .

[Guest Matt Male]

They couldn't even be arsed to sort out The Vel Vets from The Velvelettes.

Mind you, there is a film due for release on the horizon.....was that the point?

 

 

I thought the point was the 40 anniversary of Wigan opening.

[Guest Bearsy]

At least DILYIID didn't get a mention :-)

[Guest kev such]

Me and Karen watched it. Thought it was well put together and came across well as Paul had been there and wasnt some lacky reading from a script.

When Elaine was talking me and the Mrs looked at each other and compared goose pimples, spooky.  Loved seeing the passion on the "young uns" faces.

 

Kev

[Mick Shaxted]

Cant really understand when we as soulies who all have the love and passion choose to criticize this documentary ,Having been on the scene for 40yrs,  the first all-nighter i went to was Wigan,only went a couple of times as i was one of the younger ones and didn't have much money lol.the atmosphere, music, clothing was all part of the scene then ,I'm not going to say Wigan was the best all-nighter but as regards  to the atmosphere it was  I.went to Clifton halls from the first one to the last one ,the clothing was part of the scene then everybody had wide trousers ,i got married in my 36" parallel trousers lol , it's the same with the skirts the shoes etc It was later when the scene for me went through a change in music ie- new 60s as i called them at the time ,but really we only called the records oldies and newies ,newies being 70s , That the clothing seemed to change at that time..  We are the best people on the planet, when we are out at our venues so why slate other people if they want to stay with the oldies then that's fine ,that's where we all started,some of us prefer 60s - 70s - 80s and so on ,but i really do think that the lady in question doesn't deserve the criticism that a few people have put on here, over flashing her pants..lets remember where we come from, where we go and what we do and what we are - Soulies!!! KTF always,There is no stronger family in the world

Edited September 26, 2013 by Mick Shaxted

[Len]

of course if they come to take the piss then they are not really new blood are, that wasnt really what i meant

 

what i meant was will they be welcomed with open arms or just looked upon by the institution that is northern soul as divvies

 

For me, it will completely depend on their attitude (As 'Citizen P' pointed out).......Old or young, it don't matter which, the same applies. I hope they respect what the Scene is really about....

 

......and I hope they enjoy the 'added bonus' of that music we listen to as well   

 

All the best,

 

Len  

[Steve S 60]

I just caught the 'back end' of guys wearing head bands, wrist bands, and the Kung Fu slippers things (in some cases) so, although not the 'roots' of the dancing, she was correct about that fashion (Bruce Lee) being of some influence.

 

All the best,

 

Len  (Yellow Belt)

 

Bruce Lee has an influence on my current dance moves.  I call it "The Art of Dancing Without Dancing".

[Guest]

I enjoyed the programme. I was pleased the records shown were originals. Overall everyone put their points over well and honestly.

 

The comments about the Northern Soul Scene being like the rave scene of the 90's i did not agree with.

Bit like comparing a round of golf at St Andrews with pitch and putt at the park! The quality is totally different!

Edited September 27, 2013 by Guest

[Premium Stuff]

Bruce Lee has an influence on my current dance moves. I call it "The Art of Dancing Without Dancing".

Clever post that!

Cheers

Richard

[Russoul1]

and the point was ?

atleast they showed a clip of your favourite record - duffy, so the point was? lol

anyway back to topic, I thought the programme was well put together with some reievent points about the soul scene

and not just about wigan, only thing that spoilt it imo was the footage from the new film...looks abit wishy washy lol

overall an enjoyable watch I gave it a rating of 4