The Brits

[Ian Dewhirst]

 

Wasn't there a big hoo-ha about This England back in the day? Surely being "underground" is actually a good thing? One of the things that really attracted me to Northern Soul when I was young was the chance to escape from the squares, and a big part of its continued popularity is (was?) the fact that there was no commercial value to it and so it was never taken out of the hands of the guys who had the passion to dedicate themselves to it, unlike every other "cult" that comes along. It's a crucial part of what makes Northern Soul what it is. Or am I missing something?

 

 

 

No commercial value? All I can remember from 1968-75 were lots of Northern Soul being in the UK charts - "This Old Heart Of Mine", "Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache", "Heaven Must Have Sent You", "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me", "There's A Ghost In My House" etc, etc. I think there's always been periods when the scene has been 'on the radar' of the general public before slipping back underground again......

 

Ian D   

[Barry]

One of the things that really attracted me to Northern Soul when I was young was the chance to escape from the squares

 

 

...or maybe attaching yourself to the cool folk?!

[Ian Dewhirst]

N.E.R.D. meets nerds !

 

Clever!

 

Ian

[Winsford Soul]

Can see it now in twenty years time. Someone posts where there any older guys at the brits.  Steve

[Scal]

IMHO, as a young soulie of 16 myself, the scene I LOVE, and many others love, for it to have any chance of surviving needs new blood, a load of whiney soul snob bastards with comments like "Where did it all go so, so wrong?!!" are never going to take this scene anywhere.... fresh, enthusiastic, music-loving kids (similar to a bunch of kids who went to an old casino club in Wigan in the 70's) who have discovered this fantastic sound of black American soul music, with a heavy beat to die for, and fast tempo.... Remember that first record that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end? They're are kids out there now, finding a euphoria with Northern Soul, some 50 years after teenagers first had it... Now if that's not the magic that will keep this scene going, I don't what is....   

 

So, as well from being of pensionable age I am now a person of uncertain parental lineage, put in my place by a keyboard enthusiast.

Your comments are borne of the spotify, two dimensional, instant recognition of propinquity. 

If you want to play to the audience like a judge on a cheap Saturday evening talent pantomime dross-a-thon then you are nearly ready to be famous.

 

Obviously you are the most soulful person in the history of soulfulness and your love of Northern is paramount as you strive to reach music nirvana;

could I ask you, as you are a Guru of Northern Soul.......

Pharrell Williams "Happy", is it the first 'Northern' record you heard......where did you 'discover' it, on the telly, radio or your PC.  

[KevH]

No commercial value? All I can remember from 1968-75 were lots of Northern Soul being in the UK charts - "This Old Heart Of Mine", "Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache", "Heaven Must Have Sent You", "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me", "There's A Ghost In My House" etc, etc. I think there's always been periods when the scene has been 'on the radar' of the general public before slipping back underground again......

 

Ian D   

 

Ian ian ian,back of the class for you.1968.? Northern Soul.?  Great list of tunes though. 

[KevH]

...or maybe attaching yourself to the cool folk?!

 

I tell you what Barry,it aint half a strain being cool for 35+ years.

[Guest Rodney LeePeace]

I just saw the video not bad it didn't and won't ruin our reputation,but there's always been a pop side to the soul scene,just because a pop singer cuts a soul track suddenly he/she is the next soul superstar,Paul young,joss stone,Duffy etc,there will always be those who think they know northern etc and those that know the truth, but we need these young uns to pass it on because there's a lot of important music on he scene,all soul genres,but I have faith in the true young soul fan to do the right thing they'll learn as we did .weve made great strides in prolonging that part of black music history that was all but forgotten in the states and we've made some forgotten soul singers famous and more familiar as a lot of the records/music we discovered would have been used as land fills,and we should be proud of that, we kept the faith but we need to pass it on.

[Barry]

I tell you what Barry,it aint half a strain being cool for 35+ years.

 

I feel your pain Kev

[Winsford Soul]

I feel your pain Kev

Me to Barry.     Steve

Edited February 20, 2014 by Winsford Soul

[Guest MrC]

So, as well from being of pensionable age I am now a person of uncertain parental lineage, put in my place by a keyboard enthusiast.

Your comments are borne of the spotify, two dimensional, instant recognition of propinquity. 

If you want to play to the audience like a judge on a cheap Saturday evening talent pantomime dross-a-thon then you are nearly ready to be famous.

 

Obviously you are the most soulful person in the history of soulfulness and your love of Northern is paramount as you strive to reach music nirvana;

could I ask you, as you are a Guru of Northern Soul.......

Pharrell Williams "Happy", is it the first 'Northern' record you heard......where did you 'discover' it, on the telly, radio or your PC.  

 

A bit harsh.... Where did you hear some of the big 'proper' northern tunes?  On a cassette I'll bet same as a lot of others.... pretty much the same as kids today hearing stuff on their PC or through shared mp3s.

[Pete S]

IMHO, as a young soulie of 16 myself, the scene I LOVE, and many others love, for it to have any chance of surviving needs new blood, a load of whiney soul snob bastards with comments like "Where did it all go so, so wrong?!!" are never going to take this scene anywhere.... fresh, enthusiastic, music-loving kids (similar to a bunch of kids who went to an old casino club in Wigan in the 70's) who have discovered this fantastic sound of black American soul music, with a heavy beat to die for, and fast tempo.... Remember that first record that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end? They're are kids out there now, finding a euphoria with Northern Soul, some 50 years after teenagers first had it... Now if that's not the magic that will keep this scene going, I don't what is....   

 

Wow, so because you're young and into it we all have to doff our cap to you and say thank you for saving the Northern soul scene.  Guess what, we were all young once, we had to start somewhere, and we had to earn respect, that was done by gradual working our way up through the scene not coming in and gobbing off and telling everyone that it's our fault that the scene is falling to bits.  I couldn't give a f*cking f*ck if there are kids on the scene or not.  Bring something to the table, earn the respect, don't tell people in their 50's we should respect you just for turning up and wearing a few patches.

[Pete S]

Man, my prozac must be wearing off, I'd better up the dose 

[Barry]

[Guest MrC]

Man, my prozac must be wearing off, I'd better up the dose 

Too Right! Made me laugh, 'Happy' even.......

[Steve S 60]

I tell you what Barry,it aint half a strain being cool for 35+ years.

 

True, tis a heavy burden to bear, but bear it we must, for the sake of future generations.

[Barry]

True, tis a heavy burden to bear, but bear it we must, for the sake of future generations.

 

The future generation hates us.

[spot]

Just watch it on You Tube at the Airport, without any sound as I'm in the Business Lounge, thank God I'm getting on a plane and will miss all the shrapnel flying about, it'll be a great memory for those on the night and good on em. Nice of nstomp97 (?) to call us Barstewards, that will endear all the young guns to us old gits, hope their love of it runs like ours for the next 40 years. Now where's that departure gate?

Spot.

Edited February 21, 2014 by spot

[Steve S 60]

The future generation hates us.

 

Wouldn't have it any other way.

[Quinvy]

I'm all for young people getting into Northern. And I much prefer to see young people dancing [especially lovely young females  ] than us OAP's. But like Pete said, find your own scene and fashion, don't just copy a hackneyed view of what the media have fed you. Take the music and leave the comedy clothing for the Teddy Boys.

[KevH]

A bit harsh.... Where did you hear some of the big 'proper' northern tunes?  On a cassette I'll bet same as a lot of others.... pretty much the same as kids today hearing stuff on their PC or through shared mp3s.

 

I bet they've never had to wind a cassette tight, with a pencil at Knutsford services.

[Barry]

I bet they've never had to wind a cassette tight, with a pencil at Knutsford services.

 

Is that what you called it then?

[KevH]

The future generation hates us.

 

Wake up and smell The Parma Violets. Hot Cocoa Power.!!

[KevH]

Is that what you called it then?

 

Its all true i tells ya.Except for the cassette ...and the pencil.

[Bossfourpart1]

Caught the "Happy" performance from start to finsh while flicking through the channels late last night.

 

It had a great "get up and dance" feel to it and looked really good and then i caught sight of the dancers . At this point i froze .

Then as i watched i could see they were having a great time doing their "kick -drop  and spins ! "

 

It is extremely difficult to find any filmed footage that captures our great scene with its  hair tingling , foot tapping  atmospheric Grip  !

Last nights performance was "Staged " but good  and with a Modern day twist.

 

I liked it .

 

Lets hope a flood of genuine interest from younger blood  fuels the scene for the future.

 

Frank

[Guest Matt Male]

Blimey all this fuss. Thank God we at least agree on original vinyl only.

[Spacehopper]

I respect the young guns cos they are OUT every week DANCING!...no they don't need to wear the bags and big skirts but if they wanna so what..they look better than a lot of the oldies still wearing them  I know some of them and they are very respectful to all those who have gone before

 

so I don't think the post earlier was calling all old people bastards..only those who are whiney soul snobs..of which there are some on both sides of the rare/oldies fence aswell as the young/old debate

 

I don't think the poster ever claimed to 'save' our scene but lets face it you only have to look around at a lot of venues and do you honestly think those who are 55+ and are still out on the floor every week will be in 10 years?..im only 46 so hopefully I will..just!  ..people talking on pcs every nite about a subject does not a scene make

 

yes there may have been a bit of attitude in the post...BECAUSE THEYRE YOUNG!!!

 

strange how people read posts differently

 

atb

 

happy

[Barry]

Note:

 

Not one mention of NS on The Brits by any one of the non-NS fraternity on my FB...FB Keepin' It Real

[Guest in town Mikey]

...they had a woman on Sunday Brunch last week playing a saw....I'll bet the freaks in the saw-playing community are blowing their message boards up right now waiting for everyone to go out and buy a saw and bow and start rattling out Lena Martell numbers

 

 

I've actually hung up my saw after witnessing that, Barry.  F#cking sell outs!!

 

 

I've got a 1970 bow saw in original box if someone wants to make me an offer.In Mint condition.

 

I belive they have formed a help group called

 

One Day At A Time

 

[hipshaker 05]

I didn't watch it on tv ….. but saw the clip. one of our friends (local soulie and DJ) was dancing. i thought it looked like a bit of fun, no harm at all. not sure her "costume" was her own though 

[KevH]

I belive they have formed a help group called

 

One Day At A Time

 

 

 

Theme song is "Don't be saw at me".

[Md Records]

Well, from my simple perspective - my two teenage kids hijacked the telly for just over 4 hours (with all the "fascinating" extra bits) to watch the spectacle unfold, making me realise how little I knew about modern music and their world, and when they didn't know who Lenny Henry was in the ad break, after I commented that I was sure he didn't  stay in Premier travel inns, I realised that perhaps they knew very little about my world. For a few minutes during the infamous finale our worlds almost collided, and after that we returned to our respective trenches - Me disliking their music, and them disliking mine - Maybe they'll have a Damascus moment and join me at Lifeline on Saturday, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

Des

[Guest Carl Dixon]

Some fabulous observations on this thread. What fantastic recognition of the youth of yesteryear aspiring to this dance technique (and the music) and seeing it portrayed by a generation still maybe in their teens seeking out something different today....and look what they got. 

[Barry]

I belive they have formed a help group called

 

One Day At A Time

 

 

'ODAAT' (who-dat?) surely

[Back Street Blue]

Wow..can't get over how tame this thread is....thought it would've reached "lock down" bitchfest status by now.

Watched the show with my 15 year old daughter as she wanted me to see the Arctic Monkeys.

She thought the dancers were "cool" but didn't really spot they were NS dancers 'til I brought them to her attention.

She didn't know what I meant when I asked "where are Davey Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter and Mike Nisbit" when AM came on either!

Her view of what her mates might think of the NS dancers was "oh....they won't have noticed them"

For the record, kids are supposed to be cheeky, so the youngster is excused for rebuking Scal, but Scal often got to hear the next big thing before everybody else 'cos Searling used to give him emidiscs to check out before he broke stuff in!

[Mike]

edited - wrong button

Edited February 20, 2014 by mike

[KevH]

Nothing wrong with The Arctic Monkeys.In fact my son has been hoovering up their vinyl.All he needs now is his own record player.

[Barry]

Mike's name appears on the bottom of the thread - everyone rushes for the keyboard to see who is getting a bollocking

[Winsford Soul]

I belive they have formed a help group called

 

One Day At A Time

 

Didn't saw that coming.   Steve

Edited February 20, 2014 by Winsford Soul

[Chippy Minton]

Looks as if I'm in a small minority here, but I can't stand either Pharrell Williams or the poxy song - it's one of those irritating tunes that just, well, grates, really. Before anyone starts getting all precious about it, I realise that many do like it and that's fair enough, but the only two bits that I enjoyed was the Bowie part and Nile Rogers.

 

As for the dancers, yeah, it was alright, but is it really that big a deal? Not for me, I'm afraid.

 

As an indication of the general UK music scene it was as appalling as ever with dilute rubbish served up from Lorde (really?), Disclosure (who?) and One Direction (says it all really) - I'm afraid I can't remember anyone else, although I'm sure there was another young lady and a boy band with all the threat and venom of a cuddley toy in there somewhere.

 

If this really is the best that UK music has to offer it's a poor job. But then again, anyone who is a music fan will know that this isn't the case at all, but The Brits sadly continues to be a self congratulatory back slapping piss-up for the twats who provide Radio One with their staple diet of utter b*llocks. Anyone for the latest creation from DJ Wank Stain Ft MC Knobsock? Nah, didn't think so...

 

There's simply no danger in any of this, nothing to outrage parents or piss-off Fleet Street Journos into a moral crusade. Radio One  doesn't seem to ban (it is, however, banned in our house, 6music only) anything anymore and everything's just too bloody cosy, so much so that my teenage daughter who was rabidly looking forward to this, promptly fell asleep inside an hour while attempting to watch, and eventually I succumbed to plugging in the earphones and watching a 1977 gig from The Ramones on Youtube...

 

The yoof of today, when the fuck are they going to wake up and rebel, for christ's sake...

Edited February 7, 2015 by pikeys dog
swearing - workplace filters

[Guest MrC]

What about that One Direction then....

 

[Tailormade Gaz B]

I thought it was a good vibe and the young people into soul now owe a lot to the first small, but influential wave of young soulies that put the effort in, long before it was cool  - Liam, Azza, Callum, Rich E, Maxwell et al. 

 

Its a lot easier to walk into a soul night now, in your 20's then it was 10 years ago for example (not that folk are unwelcoming, by all means, its the opposite, but in terms of having a peer group for example).

 

And people will bemoan the styles and and the commercialism but those who made the effort ten yrs ago are still sticking with it and moving it forward, and i'm sure these even younger guys will too - all good I say. 
plus, aesthetically, its a performance at the end of the day - you need cliches, and stereotypes to play to the common denominator, it is the Brits! And those keen on it will get involved, buy big shit pants, bin them in a years time and go on to add value and make a solid contribution to the scene in years to come

Edited February 20, 2014 by TailorMade Gaz B

[KevH]

Mike's name appears on the bottom of the thread - everyone rushes for the keyboard to see who is getting a bollocking

 

Gulp.!!

[Simsy]

I thought it was a good vibe and the young people into soul now owe a lot to the first small, but influential wave of young soulies that put the effort in, long before it was cool  - Liam, Azza, Callum, Rich E, Maxwell et al. 

 

Its a lot easier to walk into a soul night now, in your 20's then it was 10 years ago for example (not that folk are unwelcoming, by all means, its the opposite, but in terms of having a peer group for example).

 

And people will bemoan the styles and and the commercialism but those who made the effort ten yrs ago are still sticking with it and moving it forward, and i'm sure these even younger guys will too - all good I say. 

plus, aesthetically, its a performance at the end of the day - you need cliches, and stereotypes to play to the common denominator, it is the Brits! And those keen on it will get involved, buy big shit pants, bin them in a years time and go on to add value and make a solid contribution to the scene in years to come

 

I like that mate, well said.

 

Nothing changes, the scene goes on, the music goes on and evolves, dancers come and go.

 

Few people I have heard say they hate soul music, though granted I wouldn't be the best person to say that to, but generally speaking a good soulful vocal and beat is difficult to keep your feet still. Ergo dancing - and the show goes on..

 

Keeps on burning ting well I hope so and can I still get at least a hundred and fifty quid a pop for my RCA Victor demo's before I pop off?

[Soulman58]

Every time I see the younger folk at a Niter it gladdens my heart (especially when they're dancing or got their head in a sales box) and so it should with anybody who truly cares about this scene of ours. The scene hasn't been underground since Gethro & Co pitched up on Top Of The Pops in 1975, so having some youngsters dancing on the Brits isn't exactly giving away any secrets is it.

To those dancers I say well done, ignore the moaners and the jealous, just get on with enjoying the music in any way you want to

Spot on, without fresh blood any scene, not just NS, will die.  We all started somewhere and it sure as hell looks better than a bunch of 50+ trying to recreate their youth.   Actually wiggyflat's comment about strictly sums it up for me, who would folk rather see dancing, Russell Grant or Louis Smith, regardless of the music?   At 55 I'd rather sit down and really listen to some soul than try and pretend the scene is the same for me now as it was in my youth.

[Soulman58]

Those dancers might not have been "pros", but like said above, the customized show made them look like some caricatures. Sorry for them, but true to my eyes. Just like Pharrell, who's only pro to show his "me, myself and I" face since 10 years or so all over the TV's. Now it's been two month since that "happy" got more and more plays on airs and all over and now it's getting a bit hammering to my ears. At first I found it funny to see the barmaid humming to it while serving me my Guiness. Other people a bit into music coming to me about it and me pointing them to listen to the one on Snoozi (to make them maybe realize what a genius Pharrell Williams really is) even if I never liked the Velvet Hammer in the first place. Now I hope no one out there plays this out at northern SOUL (the most important word out of the 2) nights. I hope and pray it's only a too expensive 45 for those DJ's who need to have it on 45 to distinguish themselves (the original is CD though) and play a convenient tune to bring together all those who can't get on a records that didn't achieve "universal" acknowledgment status yet. I may always have been old as such, I never have been into drugs (legal and not), but I always enjoyed music and danced to when it suited me. I have nothing against old or young people tall or small, large or thin... I truly believe that young blood is always needed to keep any boat afloat, but if a critic can't be formulate more on the base of "like or not" but on a dreadful show like the Brit Awards, I mean let's go mainstream all the way if that's the way 4 NS. It's been tried/done/dropped before wasn't it ? ...

tls.  All very valid comments, however, too each his own I say, therefore I'm not sure it is worth getting that hot under the collar, apologies if that is not the case 

[Soulman58]

So, as well from being of pensionable age I am now a person of uncertain parental lineage, put in my place by a keyboard enthusiast.

Your comments are borne of the spotify, two dimensional, instant recognition of propinquity. 

If you want to play to the audience like a judge on a cheap Saturday evening talent pantomime dross-a-thon then you are nearly ready to be famous.

 

Obviously you are the most soulful person in the history of soulfulness and your love of Northern is paramount as you strive to reach music nirvana;

could I ask you, as you are a Guru of Northern Soul.......

Pharrell Williams "Happy", is it the first 'Northern' record you heard......where did you 'discover' it, on the telly, radio or your PC.  

 

Looks as if I'm in a small minority here, but I can't stand either Pharrell Williams or the poxy song - it's one of those irritating tunes that just, well, grates, really. Before anyone starts getting all precious about it, I realise that many do like it and that's fair enough, but the only two bits that I enjoyed was the Bowie part and Nile Rogers.

 

As for the dancers, yeah, it was alright, but is it really that big a deal? Not for me, I'm afraid.

 

As an indication of the general UK music scene it was as appalling as ever with dilute rubbish served up from Lorde (really?), Disclosure (who?) and One Direction (says it all really) - I'm afraid I can't remember anyone else, although I'm sure there was another young lady and a boy band with all the threat and venom of a cuddley toy in there somewhere.

 

If this really is the best that UK music has to offer it's a poor job. But then again, anyone who is a music fan will know that this isn't the case at all, but The Brits sadly continues to be a self congratulatory back slapping piss-up for the twats who provide Radio One with their staple diet of utter b*llocks. Anyone for the latest creation from DJ Wank Stain Ft MC Knobsock? Nah, didn't think so...

 

There's simply no danger in any of this, nothing to outrage parents or piss-off Fleet Street Journos into a moral crusade. Radio One  doesn't seem to ban (it is, however, banned in our house, 6music only) anything anymore and everything's just too bloody cosy, so much so that my teenage daughter who was rabidly looking forward to this, promptly fell asleep inside an hour while attempting to watch, and eventually I succumbed to plugging in the earphones and watching a 1977 gig from The Ramones on Youtube...

 

The yoof of today, when the f*ck are they going to wake up and rebel, for christ's sake...

Hi Chippy, serious question do you think NS has been rebellious at any stage since the term was created?

Edited February 7, 2015 by pikeys dog
swearing - workplace filters

[Pete S]

Hi Chippy, serious question do you think NS has been rebellious at any stage since the term was created?

 

Name's not Chippy but back in the early 70's, staying out all night alone was considered "rebellious", let alone any of the other baggage that went with being seriously on the Northern scene.

[Steve S 60]

I belive they have formed a help group called

 

One Day At A Time

 

 

Did bring out some live performances on DVD entitled Saw, Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV which sold really well but the feedback seemed to be that it wasn't quite what people were expecting when they bought them.

[Guest Krissii]

The Brits , like anything , is so manipulated toward the massive American market . Choreographed to the slightest move , tartan ? costumes, even the ad libs ,"hey Marnchestar" are likely rehearsed and about the dollars . Its the same with all UK films and some TV shows. They seriously couldn't give a toss about England/UK or the northern soul scene, only what they can make out it . Its all about the money.

Love the young uns though . They really are fantastic dancers. Great to see them at venues. Needs young people to keep it fresh and carry it on.

Not keen on Pharrells song, find it a bit irritating lately , liked his stuff in the 90s but they all sell out in the end