A youth culture left in the hands of old men'

[Timillustrator]

Not exactly soul and I am going off topic here but in reply to Spain Pete's post above - Zappa was a massive Doo Wap fan, very early Mothers Records had some strong Doo Wap influences particularly How Could I Be Such A Fool. He also wrote this: 

 

[Guest Spain pete]

12 minutes ago, Joey said:

Aaah, the age old question, "What is Soul"?

Buggered if I know the answer to that. Better ask Bobby Womack, or Ray Charles, or Sam Cooke !!!!  

Ben e king would be my favorite

[Guest]

Just now, Spain pete said:

Ben e king would be my favorite

Yep, pretty sure Ol' Ben would have the answer!  

[Rick Scott]

Well, i think i'm going to go and listen to the England v Nigeria build up on Radio 5 Live and get ready for the kick off on ITV at 5pm.

Maybe they will play a few good Northern Sounds at 1\2 Time, who Knows Ha HA   Won't Hold My Breath Though ! 

[Robnewbury]

Roy Orbison-In Dreams.....soulful .

[Chalky]

16 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

OK, to bring the thread right back to topic!

'A youth culture left in the hands of old men' My A**e!

These are just a few I know personally, and I live in the back of beyond and don't get out much! Beautiful lads and lasses, all members of our Soul club 'Soul on Wax', full of energy, absolutely cracked on Soul, a joy to be around and I'm proud that when I go and they're there, they know my name, want to shake my hand... Hell I even get a peck on the cheek from the gorgeous lasses!

These are some of the New Breed who aren't afraid to be seen out enjoying themselves with folks who maybe a little bit older than themselves, they have a good time and I for one absolutely love 'em, and I'm far from being alone in that!

They know their Soul in a big way, and, shock horror... They might even like a bit of Punk, Ska, Reggae, Mod, Rockabilly too even!

So yeah, as stated in the first sentence, that attention grabbing fake controversy headline, made-up s***e!

Take those out who have been around the block and leave just the youngsters and you won't have enough to run a nighter, not of those who travel anyway.  They make up a fraction of the scene.

Don't get me wrong, they are all enthusiastic, energetic and many have a deeper love for the music, collecting etc.  But there isn't enough to sustain a future, not as we know it today.  Maybe that isn't a bad thing, change is as good as a rest so they say and maybe it will have to change to some degree to carry on?

[Hornet]

52 minutes ago, RICK SCOTT said:

As i reflect on a lot of things mentioned in this thread Some wonderful things said by (and it has to be said by some wonderful people) that looking back on the Scene how things have changed so much in nowadays when discussing a Nite out or a Day out you hear more these days about is there a Bar and how expensive are the drinks going to be and not Who will be spinning the Music, booze being more important as to what is going to be played (Quality Wise) Do people to day realise the a lot of the venues we went to were Alcohol Free, Wigan Casino, Cleethorpes Pier (If memory serves me right), and many others Mainly Niters, but there were many others that you Wise Old Owls probably remember better than me, but we didn't mind as It Was About The Music, I still remember that famous line quoted in a N. S. Documentry about going out dancing all nite  (what you go out dancing and thy don't serve beer and you don't go to pick up Birds) Still makes me Smile 

Have a Great Week End Everyone Oh and by the Way, mines a pint of Orange and Lemonade, Thanks

Do people realise !!! A lot of the people who want niters in the 70s Wigan etc weren’t old enough drink 

[Guest Spain pete]

13 minutes ago, Timillustrator said:

Not exactly soul and I am going off topic here but in reply to Spain Pete's post above - Zappa was a massive Doo Wap fan, very early Mothers Records had some strong Doo Wap influences particularly How Could I Be Such A Fool. He also wrote this: 

 

It's all fascinating stuff , much better than listening toThe top 500 AGAIN.

[Rick Scott]

8 minutes ago, hornet said:

Do people realise !!! A lot of the people who want niters in the 70s Wigan etc weren’t old enough drink 

Yea, but how OLD did you  have to be to be a member  You weren't Naughty and told a fib i hope!

Edited June 2, 2018 by RICK SCOTT

[Guest Spain pete]

Gene Pitney ,  she's a heartbreaker ,  CHUGGER

17 minutes ago, ROBNEWBURY said:

Roy Orbison-In Dreams.....soulful .

 

[Chalky]

39 minutes ago, hornet said:

Do people realise !!! A lot of the people who want niters in the 70s Wigan etc weren’t old enough drink 

But a helluva lot who went to nighters did drink before the niter, on the coach, at a nicer warm up etc.  To say there was never any beer (I know you don 't but other have and still do) is way off the mark.

Edited June 2, 2018 by chalky

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

9 minutes ago, chalky said:

I don't deny I have gone off topic on occasion, but usually a light hearted interjection, joke but I hope not too far off topic and certainly try not keep out going over a couple of pages.  I agree it can be too serious and that isn't always constructive but it seems to be going too far the other way lately and it has ben detrimental to the site.  A lot of knowledgeable people no longer bother and that has to be a worry, I can certainly understand why they no longer bother, I don't bother no where near as much as I once did.  I agree it wasn't about the music, rarely is these days but neither is Zappa.  But if folk are happy talking about that then fine, I ain't going to argue.

A for flagging?  You are reading it and contributing, should we need to flag something all the time when a mod is involved?  I was once a mod on here and rarely was anything flagged.

Anyway back to the soul music

Thanks Chalkie, last thing I want to do is fall out with a valued contributor. 

If you go back, I did have a word with SoulSilks about his posting manner and attitude and it seems to have been noted by him/her. I allowed a couple of posters to have a retort back at him and that has now all died down.

I have to admit that I would like to see more talk about the scene on threads like this, I love hearing about memories, anecdotes and adventures having had a lot myself, I can spin a good yarn and relish the opportunity.

A great many of the 'old men' I come across on the scene are vibrant, funny, snarky, and have great fun with it!

I'm very reluctant to shut people down unless I think it's absolutely necessary as I thought about that guy schooling others on what is and isn't acceptable, I thought I'd dealt with that pretty well tbh.

But members are invited to have a look at the poll, members wishes will be final and there will be no subsequent referendums till I get the result I want! LoL...

I just want to rub along ok and it be enjoyable for everyone, and if it isn't then that is a valid concern. Cheers matey!

[Mr Fred]

I would be interested to know where Rob newberry saw this statement applied to Northern Soul? 

My take is that Northern Soul is a subculture and  music genre that is listened to by Men and Women Boys and Girls all over the world.It is a music that has transcended barriers and brought people together worldwide to one common like minded music.It is the music we all love, to many grew up with,to others still growing up with and others never left them till their dying day.The question remains will Northern Soul cease to exist once a generation of followers pass on, or will it continue many years into the future as we have seen it continue, evolve and grow to where it is today. Personally I do believe it will given the younger generation that is coming on to the scene. Regards Fred.

Edited June 2, 2018 by Mr Fred

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

Let's keep it to topic now lads and lasses please.

I don't want to lock it because if we can get a link then we can see what it's about properly and discuss it more seriously.

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

On ‎24‎/‎05‎/‎2018 at 11:47, ROBNEWBURY said:

Just saw this applied to Northern soul.....didn't quite know what to make of it....your take?

Rob, can we get a link or some info so we can read precisely what has been said? Cheers bud!

[Robnewbury]

3 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Rob, can we get a link or some info so we can read precisely what has been said? Cheers bud!

.I have already been asked this by Chalky .I wish I could remember but it was a few months ago but I kept mulling it over in my head hence posting the thread to get some feedback.I will try and find the source...sorry to have started such a controversy...not my intention.

Best 

Rob

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

Just now, ROBNEWBURY said:

.I have already been asked this by Chalky .I wish I could remember but it was a few months ago but I kept mulling it over in my head hence posting the thread to get some feedback.I will try and find the source...sorry to have started such a controversy...not my intention.

Best 

Rob

I'd appreciate it if you could remember, we can then discuss the issue without the distractions.

Don't apologise Rob, your OP was very valid, others drifted from the subject not your good self.

[Guest Spain pete]

Seems to me the said article is irrelevant, the question asked is A youth culture ? Bla bla bla ,  it's gone!  never to return in it's original sense , underground and all that long gone ,,but the music then and now lives on  , ffs it's only about the music , the rest is a sideshow .

[Mark S]

The common denominator is Soul music thats why we are here but its a bit like verbaling its not all about soul . So what if the thread drifts a bit not the end of the world .

But got to admit Wanky Frankie was a step to far 

[Peter99]

Three for two quid anyone?

[Jez Jones]

3 hours ago, RICK SCOTT said:

As i reflect on a lot of things mentioned in this thread Some wonderful things said by (and it has to be said by some wonderful people) that looking back on the Scene how things have changed so much in nowadays when discussing a Nite out or a Day out you hear more these days about is there a Bar and how expensive are the drinks going to be and not Who will be spinning the Music, booze being more important as to what is going to be played (Quality Wise) Do people to day realise the a lot of the venues we went to were Alcohol Free, Wigan Casino, Cleethorpes Pier (If memory serves me right), and many others Mainly Niters, but there were many others that you Wise Old Owls probably remember better than me, but we didn't mind as It Was About The Music, I still remember that famous line quoted in a N. S. Documentry about going out dancing all nite  (what you go out dancing and thy don't serve beer and you don't go to pick up Birds) Still makes me Smile 

Have a Great Week End Everyone Oh and by the Way, mines a pint of Orange and Lemonade, Thanks

It is still about the music to some nowadays............HOWEVER the environment we listened to it in the 60's/70's etc...has changed completely.One thing that can't be understated is that 90% of a steamy,sweaty, smelly and on occasion bloody venue was made up of under25's. ...and THAT feeling you got when you first heard Eddie Parker 'Love you Baby (insert classic oldie of choice)...can never be replicated again.....we can't turn the clock back...despite attempts to do so...some admirable, some not so admirable !

THE BAR HAS BEEN SET HIGH on this 'obi wan'

We can all wish we were 16 again but that aint never gonna happen. We can all wish the influx of 'rules' would disappear, that aint gonna happen whilst everyone has social media to air the opinions

Those that 'fawn' over events/sounds using words like 'awesome and monster ( i'm guilty on occasion myself) may well be describing current environments quite well in their opinions....however don't forget

THE BAR HAS BEEN SET HIGH

 

Can ANYONE really say  that 'bar' has been surpassed ??...Maybe its rose tinted glasses or convenient selective memory loss...but good luck to the individual that claims that 'bar' has been surpassed in the 21st century..it must be a great feeling for you AND am jealous

It seems that attending an allnighter is still a 'badge of honour' that some wear proudly...........but ffs 'fings aint like what they used to be'...because 

THE BAR HAS BEEN SET HIGH

That BAR has got a lot to answer for.......and somehow needs to be laid to rest somehow (dont ask me how) !! herein lies the problem.............

The current 'youngsters that are active on the nighter scene..ARE fantastic and as has been mentioned are avid collectors/dancers and enthusiasts and its great to see.

One who shall remain nameless....said to me. The nighters nowadays are OUR wheel,Torch, Wigan etc...and THAT is how it should be, they're making their own memories to take into THEIR dotage..just like we did

So..its up to 'old men' to gradually erode memories  of that BAR and consign it to history books. 

Whether there is that apetite to do so amongst the scene now.... that is liberally dotted with Koko and Ktf advocates...is another question

Some may argue that it is 'memories' of that BAR....that keeps the scene going commercially...whether thats right or wrong is another question.........

 

Don't blame Zappa...don't blame it on the boogie...blame it on the BAR

 

btw here's something thats dawned on me...Eddie Parker LYB...isn't that great a record when I hear it now.......

right I'm off to the BAR ..Im spitting feathers....cheers

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2018 by jez jones

[Geeselad]

3 hours ago, chalky said:

Take those out who have been around the block and leave just the youngsters and you won't have enough to run a nighter, not of those who travel anyway.  They make up a fraction of the scene.

Don't get me wrong, they are all enthusiastic, energetic and many have a deeper love for the music, collecting etc.  But there isn't enough to sustain a future, not as we know it today.  Maybe that isn't a bad thing, change is as good as a rest so they say and maybe it will have to change to some degree to carry on?

There probably as many youngish punters here as say, japan, and most would say they have some kind of scene, small scale, but still a scene.

Take all us over 40 away and they'd most likely end up doing edgy, naughtier things. Well, would you with your mum/gran around?

The music would probably evolve on a new direction we'd all hate. But it would be a good thing. Sadly it's not going to happen because we're not dying quickly enough. 

[Chalky]

52 minutes ago, geeselad said:

There probably as many youngish punters here as say, japan, and most would say they have some kind of scene, small scale, but still a scene.

Take all us over 40 away and they'd most likely end up doing edgy, naughtier things. Well, would you with your mum/gran around?

The music would probably evolve on a new direction we'd all hate. But it would be a good thing. Sadly it's not going to happen because we're not dying quickly enough. 

I don't disagree but many don't travel.  It is very regional with many.  You go to a venue and still the large majority are nearer and some have one foot in the grave than the nappy.  Also will they be there when commitments come calling, work house and a family etc etc?

I hope it does continue in whatever capacity and shape others see fit, no other music comes close nor the lifelong friendships you make.

[Guest Spain pete]

Can we start another thread about the merits of soul music without talking about the so called soul scene , any old fogeys out there enjoying the stay at home listening to new tunes scene  that l'm a part of now , that neurons tune,  all of my life,  is something else , my music scene will never die .

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

2 hours ago, Kenb said:

forgive me for being sniffy, but surely enough is enough? close the thread.

pictures of Sid James, Donnie, The Clash, etc etc.

Answer to your question Ken...NO!

Don't like this thread? Ignore it. If you want to go talk among yourself, make your own thread!

Some of us want to get Robs' original source for the statement so we can discuss it further.

As I've said the whole forum is open 24/7, please give us your contribution, I for one want to see more discussion and wouldn't mind learning something! Go for it son! The forum is gonna be positively buzzing from all the alternative threads that are gonna be posted! I'm itching to learn about all these rare soul records people are gonna be talking about!

People want to air their views in this thread I'm not locking it, as long as it remains civil I'm good, I've taken the thread right back to topic and am waiting to hear the OP come back with a link so we can read the original statement in it's context.

20 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

Can we start another thread about the merits of soul music without talking about the so called soul scene , any old fogeys out there enjoying the stay at home listening to new tunes scene  that l'm a part of now , that neurons tune,  all of my life,  is something else , my music scene will never die .

Great idea Pete, when you're ready old son!

[Guest Spain pete]

Not so much of the old , l'm still young at heart , but a bit craggy in the face .

37 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Answer to your question Ken...NO!

Don't like this thread? Ignore it. If you want to go talk among yourself, make your own thread!

Some of us want to get Robs' original source for the statement so we can discuss it further.

As I've said the whole forum is open 24/7, please give us your contribution, I for one want to see more discussion and wouldn't mind learning something! Go for it son! The forum is gonna be positively buzzing from all the alternative threads that are gonna be posted! I'm itching to learn about all these rare soul records people are gonna be talking about!

People want to air their views in this thread I'm not locking it, as long as it remains civil I'm good, I've taken the thread right back to topic and am waiting to hear the OP come back with a link so we can read the original statement in it's context.

Great idea Pete, when you're ready old son!

 

[Guest Spain pete]

Apparently the fantastic a capella group the persuasions were signed by Frank zapper  , STRANGE WORLD AND ALL THAT !

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

41 minutes ago, Spain pete said:

Apparently the fantastic a capella group the persuasions were signed by Frank zapper  , STRANGE WORLD AND ALL THAT !

Yes Pete the music business is a business, folks don't understand that, they think you slash your palms mingle blood and it's (Mick Jagger voice) 'The band's my life man' it isn't, and it's all connected.

People think the Northern scene was once an 'underground' scene, they bought the hype, once you paid your 50p entrance fee that was it, it was a business, always was always will be.

Btw Pete, I'm in the business meself, have been 36 years!

That's one thing I like about the internet, folks don't know who they're dealing with sometimes, it can and does lead to considerable embarrassment at times.

Get a thread started man c'mon, talk about your all time fave soul sound, we wanna hear it mate, and it's history, discover, label all that!

I'd do it but I don't know much about music... I want the Soulsource lads to share some of their knowledge!

I'm working on bringing some women into the chats, we need some female input here badly!

[Guest Spain pete]

6 hours ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Yes Pete the music business is a business, folks don't understand that, they think you slash your palms mingle blood and it's (Mick Jagger voice) 'The band's my life man' it isn't, and it's all connected.

People think the Northern scene was once an 'underground' scene, they bought the hype, once you paid your 50p entrance fee that was it, it was a business, always was always will be.

Btw Pete, I'm in the business meself, have been 36 years!

That's one thing I like about the internet, folks don't know who they're dealing with sometimes, it can and does lead to considerable embarrassment at times.

Get a thread started man c'mon, talk about your all time fave soul sound, we wanna hear it mate, and it's history, discover, label all that!

I'd do it but I don't know much about music... I want the Soulsource lads to share some of their knowledge!

I'm working on bringing some women into the chats, we need some female input here badly!

A lot of me favs have been discussed to death on here , don't think the likes of Arnold Jarvis and Michael Watford would be of any interest to most peeps on here , Barbara tucker any body.?

[Geeselad]

3 hours ago, Spain pete said:

A lot of me favs have been discussed to death on here , don't think the likes of Arnold Jarvis and Michael Watford would be of any interest to most peeps on here , Barbara tucker any body.?

Certainly of interest to me, I'd add Michelle weeks, shay Jones and obviously Robert Owens to the list tho

[Guest Shufflin]

maybe not all old men, found this interesting, see y'all at Cleethorpes

 

[Guest Gogs]

Great dancer from my neck of the woods, but us oldies still rule

Edited June 3, 2018 by Gogs

[Kenb]

On 02/06/2018 at 20:18, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Answer to your question Ken...NO!

Don't like this thread? Ignore it. If you want to go talk among yourself, make your own thread!

Some of us want to get Robs' original source for the statement so we can discuss it further.

As I've said the whole forum is open 24/7, please give us your contribution, I for one want to see more discussion and wouldn't mind learning something! Go for it son! The forum is gonna be positively buzzing from all the alternative threads that are gonna be posted! I'm itching to learn about all these rare soul records people are gonna be talking about!

People want to air their views in this thread I'm not locking it, as long as it remains civil I'm good, I've taken the thread right back to topic and am waiting to hear the OP come back with a link so we can read the original statement in it's context.

Great idea Pete, when you're ready old son!

I find this a bit harsh from a moderator- but OK i'm off.

[Chalky]

13 hours ago, gogs said:

Great dancer from my neck of the woods, but us oldies still rule

Watch this on silence and I wouldn’t have believed they were dancing to Epitome of Sound, the guy in the middle especially.

Don’t get me wrong they got the moves but they aren’t dancing, just doing tricks.  There used to be a time and a place to do the spins and tricks in a record but now it is all the way through and totally out of rhythm to the record in question. 

I know its a dance comp but give me a proper dancer with good footwork who does the tricks and spins in the breaks and appropriate places or preferably just one with classy footwork  

As I said great at the tricks as are a lot but they ain ‘t dancing anymore. 

Edited June 4, 2018 by chalky

[Peter99]

12 minutes ago, chalky said:

Watch this on silence and I wouldn’t have believed they were dancing to Epitome of Sound, the guy in the middle especially.

Don’t get me wrong they got the moves but they aren’t dancing, just doing tricks.  There used to be a time and a place to do the spins and tricks in a record but now it is all the way through and totally out of rhythm to the record in question. 

I know its a dance comp but give me a proper dancer with good footwork who does the tricks and spins in the breaks and appropriate places or preferably just one with classy footwork  

As I said great at the tricks as are a lot but they ain ‘t dancing anymore. 

Where's Back Drop Billy when he's really needed?

 

 

[Rick Scott]

The Scene WAS an Underground Scene in the beginning until the MEDIA and the TELEVISION stuck their noses into it and no one will convince me any different. That is why when punters found out TV Cameras were going to visit a certain venue Soulies stayed away.

 

THEY DID NOT WANT THE PUBLICITY because they knew what the out come would be, and they were right.

This is my last contribution to this thread as it has lost it's way and i can't be arsed with it.

[Guest]

30 minutes ago, chalky said:

Watch this on silence and I wouldn’t have believed they were dancing to Epitome of Sound, the guy in the middle especially.

Don’t get me wrong they got the moves but they aren’t dancing, just doing tricks.  There used to be a time and a place to do the spins and tricks in a record but now it is all the way through and totally out of rhythm to the record in question. 

I know its a dance comp but give me a proper dancer with good footwork who does the tricks and spins in the breaks and appropriate places or preferably just one with classy footwork  

As I said great at the tricks as are a lot but they ain ‘t dancing anymore. 

Couldn't agree more. I returned to the scene in the early 90's, after leaving at the end of 75, and the very first thing that struck me wasn't the change in the types of tunes being played, but that most people couldn't dance anymore. There seems to be an emphasis on the acrobatics, without any thought given to the natural breaks in the record where the backdrops and spins used to be performed. Plus, I have still to see anyone actually spin properly, I.e., in the same bloody spot, without falling over and/or bashing into umpteen other dancers. Dance floor etiquette seems to now be a thing of the past? Finally, when did people decide to give up on using their hands and arms whilst dancing? These were always used to illustrate the lyrics, and show feeling etc., for want of a better description. Then again, who am I to complain. Bloody hips and knees prevent me from even shuffling these days, and running up walls is only a distant blurry memory!

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, RICK SCOTT said:

The Scene WAS an Underground Scene in the beginning until the MEDIA and the TELEVISION stuck their noses into it and no one will convince me any different. That is why when punters found out TV Cameras were going to visit a certain venue Soulies stayed away.

 

THEY DID NOT WANT THE PUBLICITY because they knew what the out come would be, and they were right.

This is my last contribution to this thread as it has lost it's way and i can't be arsed with it.

What some of us have been saying for forty odd years. 1975 was the death of the scene, and it was replaced with something exactly the same, but different. If that makes sense. One thing I would take issue with, is that it wasn't the media and the TV people at fault, it was the handful of people who brought them in, in order to make more money off the back of the scene, and us. The old guard weren't having it, so drifted away, leaving the new kids to make it THEIR scene. C'est la vie. We've all moved on, and surprisingly the scene is more or less where it's always been, albeit with zero edge, no danger, and a plethora of silly old buggers like me. Will it last forever, regardless of who are the caretakers? Will it buggery. No chance. But it has lasted far longer than anyone would have originally thought, and so who knows? 

[Chalky]

4 hours ago, Joey said:

What some of us have been saying for forty odd years. 1975 was the death of the scene, and it was replaced with something exactly the same, but different. If that makes sense. One thing I would take issue with, is that it wasn't the media and the TV people at fault, it was the handful of people who brought them in, in order to make more money off the back of the scene, and us. The old guard weren't having it, so drifted away, leaving the new kids to make it THEIR scene. C'est la vie. We've all moved on, and surprisingly the scene is more or less where it's always been, albeit with zero edge, no danger, and a plethora of silly old buggers like me. Will it last forever, regardless of who are the caretakers? Will it buggery. No chance. But it has lasted far longer than anyone would have originally thought, and so who knows? 

Not quite sure about the death of the scene but yes it has changed and continued to change.  It went through the 80s with little intrusion from the outside and went back underground only to re-emerge in the 90s and commercialisation continued unabated into what it is today, largely a parody of what it once was. 

Edited June 4, 2018 by chalky

[Robnewbury]

I have been unable to find the original source of the quote which is the subject of this thread .

I apologize for that since I seemed to have stirred up a hornets nest which was not my intention.

So in the interests of peace and harmony I would suggest the thread be closed.

I started my own journey at The Mecca in 1971 left it in 80 and returned again in 2003 only to leave again in 2009 I think it was.I enjoyed it all but it like me had 'aged'...it certainly had lost something but then perhaps so had I.

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, chalky said:

Not quite sure about the death of the scene but yes it has changed and continued to change.  It went through the 80s with little intrusion from the outside and went back underground only to re-emerge in the 90s and commercialisation continued unabated into what it is today, largely a parody of what it once was. 

Seeing as the OP has suggested we bring this thread to an end, may I just respond to Chalky. I really should have qualified my opening statement to say  "the death of the (real, original) northern scene". It died as soon as that fateful decision to bring it out of the shadows and into the full glare of popular culture was made. It was replaced by something called northern soul, but which to me, and many others, was a completely different animal indeed. 

Soulies are now several different types of people. Those who were there at the start, left in 75/76, and never came back. Those who were just beginning their own personal soul scene journey, and didn't notice much difference. Those who began said journey well after the changes had been wrought, and also never knew the difference. Then there are those of us who left, and came back again. Still a little bitter about what, in the face of overwhelming opposition, was done to our little underground scene. But now older and wiser enough for it not to make us (too) twisted about it. And also pleasantly surprised to see that one way or another, we, and the soul scene itself, have survived. Not as it was, no, but still mostly recognisable through the sanitisation and commercialism. 

Many will disagree with my assessments and assertions, and it is their inalienable right to do so. Its just that they're wrong, and I'm right   

Keep dancing 'til the big man stops you!

Over and out, and I'm starting another thread!!!!!

[Zed1]

The original title was 'A Youth culture left in the hands of old men'. And much of the scene today is the exact Result of that, ie a scene run by and aimed at the over 50's, VERY loosely based around a few dozen Northern Soul Records. As long as you hand your cash over at the door & the bar and perhaps massage the DJ's ego a little with a round of applause at the end of his spot for his stunning ability to play the exact same tracks in the exact same order as he's done every month for the last two years, then does anyone really give a fook?.

The interesting irony for me is that the scene has turned into the very thing I joined it to get away from in the first place. 

Edited June 4, 2018 by Zed1

[Frankie Crocker]

5 hours ago, chalky said:

Watch this on silence and I wouldn’t have believed they were dancing to Epitome of Sound, the guy in the middle especially.

Don’t get me wrong they got the moves but they aren’t dancing, just doing tricks.  There used to be a time and a place to do the spins and tricks in a record but now it is all the way through and totally out of rhythm to the record in question. 

I know its a dance comp but give me a proper dancer with good footwork who does the tricks and spins in the breaks and appropriate places or preferably just one with classy footwork  

As I said great at the tricks as are a lot but they ain ‘t dancing anymore. 

Spot on Chalkie. For sure, it’s a competition of sorts but an awful spectacle to watch. Perhaps this sideshow harps back to the Anniversary events of the 70’s but it is not representative of what the scene is about today. Dance competitions, dance classes, YouTube dance tips...all could be swept away and no one would miss them.

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

8 hours ago, Kenb said:

I find this a bit harsh from a moderator- but OK i'm off.

Before you go Ken, we have another whole rake of posts here in this thread, while I had yesterday out. Please explain to me the logic in locking it?

Me harsh? You have to be having a Turkish, I'm absolutely laid back, to the point that I'm getting one or two complaints, two members, one is yourself have had a little whinge about this thread, which is still going strong.

So I think it's you being harsh mate not me. By the way there's no snark in this comment, I'd rather you had something that you felt would be a valued contribution, you haven't really said much, just asked for a busy thread where it's all civil and conversational to get locked.

Don't forget I can clean the thread up when we have enough satisfactory content that is on-topic. 

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

53 minutes ago, ROBNEWBURY said:

I have been unable to find the original source of the quote which is the subject of this thread .

I apologize for that since I seemed to have stirred up a hornets nest which was not my intention.

So in the interests of peace and harmony I would suggest the thread be closed.

I started my own journey at The Mecca in 1971 left it in 80 and returned again in 2003 only to leave again in 2009 I think it was.I enjoyed it all but it like me had 'aged'...it certainly had lost something but then perhaps so had I.

As I said to Ken, no way I'm locking it.

Hornets' nest? Are we reading the same thread? I'm not seeing anything other than a civil chat, that cat who was being a bit belligerent got a telling off and he hasn't been back to it, as I said to Ken, why shut a conversation down when it isn't offensive and people are chatting away?

Btw Rob I tried looking into the phrase 'A youth culture left in the hands of old men' came up with nothing, it does sound like an attention grabbing headline from a pretty poor music journalist, but can find nothing.

Like every Youth culture, the people who started it got old, but time didn't pass them by, they're still out there enjoying it, people are still around from youth cultures that pre-date the Soul scene, they are having just as much fun!

My recommendation is a bit like this thread, as long as folks are enjoying it keep on keeping on with it, I know folks who went to the Wheel, L'Ambassadeur, Vavas. Catacombs and even venues that pre-date them who are still mad for it, that's why we're here now talking about it, just like I know eighty year olds still talking about Elvis!

Once the thread slows down I can always clean it up and condense some of the noise out of it, no problem, a lot of my methodology is geared towards getting to know the members and their posting styles, sense of humour and personality generally, elsewhere I'm being complimented on the new approach I'm taking.

Hell I notice even Chalky has come back to the thread, as long as it continues to have something to offer then...

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

I've done some streamlining of the thread as a compromise.

Apart from a handful of posts that are basically white-noise, most of it is pretty relevant that I can see, I'll streamline it a bit more later.

 

[Mark S]

Be interesting to get some views from young uns if they are on here , been ineresting so far

[Timillustrator]

1 minute ago, Mark S said:

Be interesting to get some views from young uns if they are on here , been ineresting so far

What would you define as "young"?

 

[Mark S]

1 minute ago, Timillustrator said:

What would you define as "young"?

 

There is allways one

20/ 30 somethings

[BabyBoyAndMyLass]

OK Been keeping this post for the right moment...

When I came to the scene I was late teens coming on twenty, this is 86ish, average age out of the thousand or so that have been estimated to have kept the scene alive during that period was late twenties early to mid thirties. I was at that time probably if not the youngest, certainly considerably younger than the vast majority. I came to be very well known (you have to read my first ever post here to get the full drift of that!) as 'Babyboy' after the Fred Hughes number!

I'm now fifty and still in the youngest 10% and the scene has increased massively in size!