Interesting development of the scene?

[Paul-s]

Firstly, I don't pop on here much nowadays, but just read some great sharing of stuff, so thanks.

Just saw this line up of mainly white lead vocalists and a statement that it's   "Performed by one of the world's greatest and most authentic touring Live Band Northern Soul. shows"

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/northern-live-do-i-love-you

 

Interesting times and growing markets as the scenes original folk grow older.

My questions are:

• How many touring Northern Soul bands are there to warrant such a statement of authenticity and what makes them authentic and great?
• Do the scenes original (or other) scene goers attend this stuff?

 

Best

Paul

 

[Mark B]

No idea paul but I wouldn’t attend

[Staceys Dad]

not for me...

[Solidsoul]

I would not like it. I always preferred to hear the proper records as opposed to live bands.

I wondered what Nosmo King was up to these days!.

Edited May 5, 2022 by D9 Ktf

[Bo Diddley]

I wouldn't be interested either. 

You can type "Northern Live" into youtube and see some of their performances. The Snake, The Night, I'm on my way, Do I Love You, etc. They seem to attract a good size audience. However, based on the youtube vid's, you can make your own mind up if they would be in the running for the title of "THE BEST".

Also, a bit of an eyeopener if you type "Northern Soul Band" into yourtube to see who they would be up against! There seem to be a number of others having a go at it. 

 

[Simon T]

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

Firstly, I don't pop on here much nowadays, but just read some great sharing of stuff, so thanks.

Just saw this line up of mainly white lead vocalists and a statement that it's   "Performed by one of the world's greatest and most authentic touring Live Band Northern Soul. shows"

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/northern-live-do-i-love-you

 

Interesting times and growing markets as the scenes original folk grow older.

My questions are:

• How many touring Northern Soul bands are there to warrant such a statement of authenticity and what makes them authentic and great?
• Do the scenes original (or other) scene goers attend this stuff?

 

Best

Paul

 

Dr Sadot

When you next pop in, could you please point me in the direction of a complete posting of  'Once Upon A Time In Wigan'. I've  seen various snippets and am assuming the whole thing does exist?

TIA

PS a PM a will do, if you want to 'Sonny and share'

Edited May 5, 2022 by Simon T

[Amsterdam Russ]

“The best”, in my view - Dutch band The Originators - seen in the vid below at the Amsterdam Soul Club in 2013. They’re still going strong, albeit with some different personnel.

 

[Tomangoes]

Plenty of bands imitate the motown sound..

Must be a market for the Northern Sound...unless they just do it for fun. 

Harmless in my opinion, but I would not pay to see it.

Ed

[Chatty]

43 minutes ago, D9 Ktf said:

I would not like it. I always preferred to hear the proper records as opposed to live bands.

I wondered what Nosmo King was up to these days!.

 "Nosmo King - Speaks" on YouTube

Not quite "these days" but interesting all the same

[Simon T]

6 minutes ago, Chatty said:

 "Nosmo King - Speaks" on YouTube

Not quite "these days" but interesting all the same

what a fantastic post

[Wiganer1]

good on em - wish em luck

[Davey S]

Don't see the problem there are thousands of Cover Bands making a nice living . Not sure why there's a colour reference. 

[Wiganer1]

me too pal

[Geeselad]

1 hour ago, Davey S said:

Don't see the problem there are thousands of Cover Bands making a nice living . Not sure why there's a colour reference. 

It is, and isn't relevant but let's stick to the thing about bands; I agree, it might be personally distasteful to some but I wouldn't begrudge any musician a gig. There was plenty British bands playing soul covers in the 60's. As an interesting side, was snake Davis the first guy to do the 'northern live' thing? or was there UK  bands around in the 70's playing Northern live, did Nosmo or Wigans ovation tour? Or was it just studio based.   

[Tomangoes]

1 hour ago, Geeselad said:

It is, and isn't relevant but let's stick to the thing about bands; I agree, it might be personally distasteful to some but I wouldn't begrudge any musician a gig. There was plenty British bands playing soul covers in the 60's. As an interesting side, was snake Davis the first guy to do the 'northern live' thing? or was there UK  bands around in the 70's playing Northern live, did Nosmo or Wigans ovation tour? Or was it just studio based.   

Here's a an interesting read about some of this....

Ed

https://www.last.fm/music/Wigans+Ovation/+wiki

[Geeselad]

1 hour ago, Tomangoes said:

Here's a an interesting read about some of this....

Ed

https://www.last.fm/music/Wigans+Ovation/+wiki

Thanks for that, great bit of pop, soul and chips and gravy.  doesn't say much about playing the northern stuff live.  

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by Geeselad

[Mal C]

I think authenticity for me might be a band like Snake Davis, I've no idea whether they are still together, but if you want a 'Northern Soul' band, well they have been there with so many of the biggest American singers haven’t they. You might call them a backing band, but I bet you they would say otherwsie...

I agree with some of the above comments, the reference Paul to white lead singers, we all know Northern soul has been built on blue eyed soul singers, and black singers alike, if you knew anythig about NSoul its not an issue, and if it is, you need to do a bit of digging about the music you love...

Love the Nosmo King clip, he came over as a genuinely nice guy didnt he, we all like a bit a 'Northern Pop' now and again, makes me happy

Edited May 6, 2022 by Mal C

[Chalky]

I've heard one or two and they were terrible, murdered classic Northern. I generally associate them with handbagger and div events.  They aren't for traditionalists and have no effect on what I do or where I go.  I would generally avoid any event with one on.  But Northern seems to be a popular bandwagon to jump on so I expect to see more of this kind of rubbish.

[Simon T]

17 minutes ago, Chalky said:

I've heard one or two and they were terrible, murdered classic Northern. I generally associate them with handbagger and div events.  They aren't for traditionalists and have no effect on what I do or where I go.  I would generally avoid any event with one on.  But Northern seems to be a popular bandwagon to jump on so I expect to see more of this kind of rubbish.

A tad harsh post, that Karl.

My missus, enjoys going the the 'handbagger and div events' I'm sure next time she comes back from one she'll appreciates  the fooking good clonking I'll give her for going out, spending her hard earned money, dancing, singing, whatever next? Care to pick her out from the video? There's two 'traditionalists' handbagers to the far left, one of whom is holding a handbag, they are my nieces. Well, i say traditionalist, but  they say they have never chugged down on Butch's 3" acetate.

 

[Smudger]

Have been going out for last 40 years to local W.M.C. On Sunday night and hear cringe worthy versions of Do I love you coming from the concert room nearly every week nowadays

Not for me thanks

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by Smudger

[Chalky]

4 minutes ago, Simon T said:

A tad harsh post, that Karl.

My missus, enjoys going the the 'handbagger and div events' I'm sure next time she comes back from one she'll appreciates  the fooking good clonking I'll give her for going out, spending her hard earned money, dancing, singing, whatever next? Care to pick her out from the video? There's two 'traditionalists' handbagers to the far left, one of whom is holding a handbag, they are my nieces. Well, i say traditionalist, but  they say they have never chugged down on Butch's 3" acetate.

 

You are probably right it is a tad harsh. At the end of the day it's each to their own.  As long as everyone enjoy's what they do then everything is fine.  As I said not for me and I would generally avoid that kind of gig.

[Keamus]

Not for me. Be a waste of precious listening time to go to a gig to hear covers of 9 times out of 10, Out on the floor, What etc

[Happy Feet]

Surely it's all pop at the end of the day , the vast majority weren't intentionally produced for the Northern Soul Scene, just that we thought otherwise , and created a scene playing a mix of musical types stitching it together and calling it Northern Soul.

There is no denying that some of them if played in the public arena at their time of release would surely have made the charts , I'm not talking of the tailor made shit , live bands playing Northern Soul Classics in 2022  just goes to show just how good this music is , I bet most if not all of the audience retired from the scene years ago , or on their Butlins " Motown" weekend in between the bingo , We had an holiday in Majorca Monday ,The Tops , Tuesday ,The Platters ,Washed Ashore ,With This Ring ,Sweet Sweet Lovin , dancefloor packed , didn't look like a soulie in the house , neither at The Tops but still the same reaction we skipped The Drifters on later in the week , 

But my original point was it's still all pop music not exclusively for the Northern Scene so can't be a bad thing if it's keeping some musicians in work , and I bet they do weddings too , just like Mr Parrish 

[Billy Jo Jim Bob]

There is a whole 'nostalgia scene' which 'normal' soul fans don't tend to frequent, but I understand that many people enjoy. At my local theatre we have shows called 'Northern live - do I love you', 'Magic of Motown', 'American 4 Tops' and so on all lined up over the next few months. 

These are not for me and I wont be anywhere near, but I don't begrudge people who have a passing interest in soul and Motown who want to attend and have a good night out. 

[Happy Feet]

This sort of thing has been going on for a hell of a long time especially in the Theatre , long before even Once Upon A Time In Wigan ,,.  In the Midnight hour , With Geno Washington , doing Wilson Pickett  , The Carole King story I forget the title but great theatre , The Motown stories etc all great bands and singers forget how many I've been to at Coventry Belgrade theatre but an excellent nights entertainment and always packed out long live nostalgia , take it for what it is wether play or live band a night of live entertainment , not to be confused with the Northern Soul scene we all love and wanted to keep it an underground secret til that fateful night at the Casino .

[Davey S]

1 hour ago, Simon T said:

A tad harsh post, that Karl.

My missus, enjoys going the the 'handbagger and div events' I'm sure next time she comes back from one she'll appreciates  the fooking good clonking I'll give her for going out, spending her hard earned money, dancing, singing, whatever next? Care to pick her out from the video? There's two 'traditionalists' handbagers to the far left, one of whom is holding a handbag, they are my nieces. Well, i say traditionalist, but  they say they have never chugged down on Butch's 3" acetate.

 

Sorry I don't mean to be negative as they all look like they are enjoying themselves but WHAT IS IT ? looks like line dancing.

Dav.

[Petesi]

1 hour ago, Simon T said:

A tad harsh post, that Karl.

My missus, enjoys going the the 'handbagger and div events' I'm sure next time she comes back from one she'll appreciates  the fooking good clonking I'll give her for going out, spending her hard earned money, dancing, singing, whatever next? Care to pick her out from the video? There's two 'traditionalists' handbagers to the far left, one of whom is holding a handbag, they are my nieces. Well, i say traditionalist, but  they say they have never chugged down on Butch's 3" acetate.

 

Ouch !  Thank`s for posting this..... I nearly went to the last one, and whilst they all may be enjoying themselves (and good luck to them) it would not have been for me, it looks more like line dancing than the traditional northern events I attend, but hey ho "horses for courses".... its all entertaining and it certainly attracted a crowd!

[Simon T]

11 minutes ago, Davey S said:

Sorry I don't mean to be negative as they all look like they are enjoying themselves but WHAT IS IT ? looks like line dancing.

Dav.

 

[Simsy]

That's put me off my lunch. 

Sickening.

[Simon T]

9 minutes ago, Petesi said:

Ouch !  Thank`s for posting this..... I nearly went to the last one, and whilst they all may be enjoying themselves (and good luck to them) it would not have been for me, it looks more like line dancing than the traditional northern events I attend, but hey ho "horses for courses".... its all entertaining and it certainly attracted a crowd!

You'll like this.... not on drink or drugs..... my dog Tosh's , best friend is called Butch (no not Mark Dobson, either would be a daft name for a dog). His owner, Jean, went to the Gliderdrome and saw a young lad called Stevland Hardaway Morris who came on and did, or pretend to, trip over the microphone cord, saying 'sorry i didn't see that there'!

 

[Chris Turnbull]

38 minutes ago, Davey S said:

Sorry I don't mean to be negative as they all look like they are enjoying themselves but WHAT IS IT ? looks like line dancing.

Dav.

The B&D Shuffle, a Peterborough / Norfolk thing as I understand it, to the Len Boone tune 

[Mal C]

20 minutes ago, Chris Turnbull said:

The B&D Shuffle, a Peterborough / Norfolk thing as I understand it, to the Len Boone tune 

Massive handbag alert, I love it..   that actually looks like a laugh...  line dancing with a room full of women... !  traditionalists' handbagers' god I never knew they existed!

Edited May 6, 2022 by Mal C

[Simon T]

15 minutes ago, Chris Turnbull said:

The B&D Shuffle, a Peterborough / Norfolk thing as I understand it, to the Len Boone tune 

Yes guilty as charged! But Boston, did have the clap (ing)

Apparently, choreographed by Professor of dance 'Dr' Paul Sadot.

 

[Simon T]

First 360 degrees thread on SS?

Anyway, load of old people, some of them under the influence of legal or not drugs, dancing around in their own little zone, not bumping into each other, enjoying life, happy, feeling the worse for it the next day.

I think I'll patent it...........  "East Midlands Soul"

miserable sad old crate-diggers gits at the front , not joining in, "40 plus years I've been looking for a copy of Nosmo King......... there's one on JM's auction, vinyl is shagged, but the label is only showing hairlines under a 3000kw light bulb"

 

 

[Pilgrimsoul]

5 hours ago, Simon T said:

A tad harsh post, that Karl.

My missus, enjoys going the the 'handbagger and div events' I'm sure next time she comes back from one she'll appreciates  the fooking good clonking I'll give her for going out, spending her hard earned money, dancing, singing, whatever next? Care to pick her out from the video? There's two 'traditionalists' handbagers to the far left, one of whom is holding a handbag, they are my nieces. Well, i say traditionalist, but  they say they have never chugged down on Butch's 3" acetate.

 

Not sure why you've posted this video as it isn't remotely associated with Northern Soul, they have different nights at the Gliderdrome and judging by the amount of women and the tune I would say this is an 80s night.

 

[Simon T]

19 minutes ago, Pilgrimsoul said:

Not sure why you've posted this video as it isn't remotely associated with Northern Soul, they have different nights at the Gliderdrome and judging by the amount of women and the tune I would say this is an 80s night.

 

I'm not sure why i have ever posted anything on SS. I'll endeavour to never do it again.

[Chris Turnbull]

11 minutes ago, Simon T said:

I'm not sure why i have ever posted anything on SS. I'll endeavour to never do it again.

[Pilgrimsoul]

27 minutes ago, Simon T said:

I'm not sure why i have ever posted anything on SS. I'll endeavour to never do it again.

You can post what you like,just be accurate.  You've portrayed the Gliderdrome as being a handbaggers venue by posting a video of an 80s night, do you work for the BBC by any chance? 

[Mach]

On a side note, something i noticed down the years is some people will dance to literally anything, if a dj mistakenley plays a flipside thats unremotely Soul they,ll just carry on dancing. (nothing wrong with that suppose) but just an observation, its also quite funny watching people spin or do acrobatics completely out of synch to records theyve never heard before.. but if there enjoying themselves thats all that matters.

Always remember a guy came upto our table at a Soul Night a few years back singing loudly Talk to me Talk to me, whilst Sue Lynn was playing..I,didnt have the heart to tell him it was "Dont Pity me..which i did.

[Shinehead]

Non of the videos remotely look like a Northern soul night or Northern soul music as I know it , great that people are enjoying themselves but looks more like Tiffany's in the 70s/80s to me with the emphasis on beer and dancing.

[Hooker1951]

What a load of bollocks, This is close to the end, Frightening , depressing,

We are all Doomed

ML

[Leicester Boy]

It's obviously not going to go down well on a forum like this. Not for me and many others but if people enjoy it fair play but northern soul as we know it ... Nah.

[Harrythedog]

Lord forgive them for they know not what they do - and that is the bottom line

[Rob Wigley]

20 hours ago, Simon T said:

You'll like this.... not on drink or drugs..... my dog Tosh's , best friend is called Butch (no not Mark Dobson, either would be a daft name for a dog). His owner, Jean, went to the Gliderdrome and saw a young lad called Stevland Hardaway Morris who came on and did, or pretend to, trip over the microphone cord, saying 'sorry i didn't see that there'!

 

I know someone who went to the Stevie gig at the Gliderdrome and tells that exact same story ! 

Trust you're keeping well Simon !

Rob

[Jnixon]

I hate seeing people enjoy themselves especially when they are doing it all wrong. 

You just have to learn to get over yourself and understand that some people quite enjoy The Ladyboys as confusing as they are to others. 

 

 

[Tai-pan]

On 05/05/2022 at 19:36, Paul-s said:

Firstly, I don't pop on here much nowadays, but just read some great sharing of stuff, so thanks.

Just saw this line up of mainly white lead vocalists and a statement that it's   "Performed by one of the world's greatest and most authentic touring Live Band Northern Soul. shows"

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/northern-live-do-i-love-you

 

Interesting times and growing markets as the scenes original folk grow older.

My questions are:

• How many touring Northern Soul bands are there to warrant such a statement of authenticity and what makes them authentic and great?
• Do the scenes original (or other) scene goers attend this stuff?

 

Best

Paul

 

 

It was always going to happen Paul, the scene has become far too big globally and over the past decade a big change has been happening, northern soul (in it's many sub genre forms) has transcended from being a music of the past to become a current genre, with new and old releases now starting to blend together into what I believe will lead to exciting and creative times ahead. Whether Motown ever get their act together again is anybody's guess

Answer to questions;

How many touring Northern Soul bands are there to warrant such a statement of authenticity and what makes them authentic and great?

Many are out there. They will all claim to be authentic and great and many of them are definitely great performers, but in my opinion they are authentic only if they are recording and releasing new material or are the original artists.

Do the scenes original (or other) scene goers attend this stuff?

You bet they do, and why not it's fun and introduces many people to this wonderful music and global scene that is 'Northern Soul'.

My only comment is, I hope the live events stays fresh and don't give over entirely to purely tribute bands playing endless oldies and Do I Love over and over again.

 

[Paul-s]

22 hours ago, Simon T said:

First 360 degrees thread on SS?

Anyway, load of old people, some of them under the influence of legal or not drugs, dancing around in their own little zone, not bumping into each other, enjoying life, happy, feeling the worse for it the next day.

I think I'll patent it...........  "East Midlands Soul"

miserable sad old crate-diggers gits at the front , not joining in, "40 plus years I've been looking for a copy of Nosmo King......... there's one on JM's auction, vinyl is shagged, but the label is only showing hairlines under a 3000kw light bulb"

 

 

Superb....

[Paul-s]

On 05/05/2022 at 22:02, Davey S said:

Don't see the problem there are thousands of Cover Bands making a nice living . Not sure why there's a colour reference. 

Thats a bizarre statement...(the last part).

[Paul-s]

On 06/05/2022 at 11:17, Happy Feet said:

This sort of thing has been going on for a hell of a long time especially in the Theatre , long before even Once Upon A Time In Wigan ,,.  In the Midnight hour , With Geno Washington , doing Wilson Pickett  , The Carole King story I forget the title but great theatre , The Motown stories etc all great bands and singers forget how many I've been to at Coventry Belgrade theatre but an excellent nights entertainment and always packed out long live nostalgia , take it for what it is wether play or live band a night of live entertainment , not to be confused with the Northern Soul scene we all love and wanted to keep it an underground secret til that fateful night at the Casino .

Once Upon A Time In Wigan (original production 2003-2005) didn't use live music (deliberately so) and was a celebration of collecting 45s, it used a soundtrack. I believe the playwright sold it off (sold it out) after that so The Flying Pickets bastardised it, apparently, with a live music. Not sure what happened to it after that.

https://paul-sadot.squarespace.com/once-upon-a-time-in-wigan

On 06/05/2022 at 12:35, Simon T said:

Yes guilty as charged! But Boston, did have the clap (ing)

Apparently, choreographed by Professor of dance 'Dr' Paul Sadot.

 

I choreographed all of the line dances on here and will continue to do so.....

Edited May 9, 2022 by Paul-s

[Baz Atkinson]

Every thing is a red flag these days for the purist but I guess there’s a world out there away from the real scene where people are actually enjoying there selves lol . 

Its happened with other scenes where the ultimate accolade is mass appeal thus leading to parody and  cliche . These bands are hard working bands making a living never seen one but saw lots over the years supporting many great artistes , the best being the Japanese Support Band of Marva Whitney and there were outstanding. 
I don’t think the bands are authentic and I also don’t think many people from the original scene entertain these bands , I could be wrong my predictions on the madness of this scene are usually way off now , I’m a record collector so far removed from it all in many respects !