Northern Soul At The BBC Proms 2023

[Happy Feet]

Nick Shirm "I'm On My Way 

Nick Shirm " Long after to night is all over 

 Vula Malinga "Time Will You Pass You By 

What a way to end ,

Can't wait to see it , 

Vula Malinga, Tainted Love 

Even Dily sounded great ,  IMO. Well done The BBC Symphony Orchestra, 

[HRPufnstuf]

That was absolutely fabulous. The whole Albert Hall was on their feet. What a fantastic night!!!!

[Paul-s]

We must be on different scenes......im totally bemused.

 

[Jimmy Mack]

Over all a very enjoyable Saturday night well done to the singers and musicians ,It just goes to show how good the original artists and musicians were back in the sixties/seventies .

[Amsterdam Russ]

We know many of our favourite tracks have orchestration in them - but the BBC Orchestra took that orchestration to a new level that all the producers, arrangers, songwriters of the songs covered would have absolutely loved! I was doubtful at the start, but wow... the whole performance was outstanding!

 

Edited July 15, 2023 by Amsterdam Russ

[Seano]

Just now, Amsterdam Russ said:

We know many of our favourite tracks have orchestration in them - but th BBC Orchestra took that orchestration to a new level that all the producers, arrangers, songwriters of the songs covered would have absolutely loved! I was doubtful at the start, but wow... the whole performance was outstanding!

 

As I'm maxed out on being able to just post likes; I completely agree.

Obviously it was total nostalgia, but even without being able to watch as yet, just listening and knowing it was all live it was hugely impressive.

[Happy Feet]

We must do this more often ,here's to Wigan 51 , Cleethorpes, The Torch ,Catacombs, The Twisted Wheel , Up the Junction, Blackpool Mecca , Stafford ,The 100 Club ,Yate , Rotherham, Blackburn, Bolton ,in no particular order , just do it 

[Happy Feet]

9 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

We must be on different scenes......im totally bemused.

 

Just for once Paul  , let it go ,  it was entertainment, that's all .

[Kev Wood]

I enjoyed it very much- it could have been awful but it sounded great. No big surprises and all well-worn selections but it worked. The best Radio 3 I’ve listened to (probably ever!).

[Maxwell]

27 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

We must be on different scenes......im totally bemused.

 

What did you expect? 

[Happy Feet]

1 minute ago, Kev Wood said:

I enjoyed it very much- it could have been awful but it sounded great. No big surprises and all well-worn selections but it worked. The best Radio 3 I’ve listened to (probably ever!).

I'm sorry I to like Seano have had too many likes to respond to , but like where your coming from 

[Soulfulsolutions]

Doubters, its a celebration of our music, not a replacement, great vocalists and orchestral arrangements doing it proud, a rampant albert hall full of frontline Soulies absolutely beside themselves cant be wrong, personally I thought it was a brilliant listen and did the scene proud unlike other efforts over the years, the first ever proms overrun. If you tune in now you get the real proms dross, its obvious the previous 2 hours excelled and the streets around the Hall’l be talc’d up.

[Happy Feet]

32 minutes ago, Soulfulsolutions said:

Doubters, its a celebration of our music, not a replacement, great vocalists and orchestral arrangements doing it proud, a rampant albert hall full of frontline Soulies absolutely beside themselves cant be wrong, personally I thought it was a brilliant listen and did the scene proud unlike other efforts over the years, the first ever proms overrun. If you tune in now you get the real proms dross, its obvious the previous 2 hours excelled and the streets around the Hall’l be talc’d up.

Again to many likes but" if I could I Would " ,,,, 

[Stevegods]

What a great night - did justice to everything , including Frank Wilson - just missed the orchestra doing “ Afternoon with the Rhino “

[Frankie Crocker]

Absolutely awesome. Thirty one tracks of pretty-near perfection. Kicking off with the MVP’s, a tough number, the BBC Orchestra smashed it. The Trammps went down well with the audience as did the Just Bros, one of two instrumentals played. Frankie Valli and ‘TheNight’ received the most audience participation and by then a lot were dancing in the stalls and boxes. The Albert Hall was virtually full to capacity with a lot of knowledgeable soulies in the house, many spot-on with the syncopated hand-claps and a good few dancing on the main floor. Stuart Maconie did an excellent job introducing each section and was visibly moved by the success of the event. The evening finished on a high note with the Three Before Eight and an encore of Gloria Jones then Frank Wilson, all cleverly done. The singers did a great job overall with every tune recognisable for what it was. All in all, a brilliant experience and congratulations to the BBC for getting it right.

[Frankie Crocker]

Tonight’s programme.

[Twoshoes]

7 hours ago, Frankie Crocker said:

Tonight’s programme.

Cheers for that, the question and answer part with Joe Duddell is very enlightening as to the process involved. I hope somewhere we find out the reactions of some of those  involved in the night.

To the naysayers I'd say a British institution , The Proms has paid homage to the music we all love and did it very well, shouldn't we be in some small way proud of that.

[Solidsoul]

3 hours ago, Twoshoes said:

To the naysayers I'd say a British institution , The Proms has paid homage to the music we all love and did it very well, shouldn't we be in some small way proud of that.

I enjoyed the show. Some bits more than others. Great backing tracks from the orchestra.

I just hope that any music business Soft Cell, Bruce Springsteen types, don't get any idea's to cover more tracks after watching this!

The proper classic records are precious and I don't want them to be trashed and exploited as per usual.

Next thing we know they will be on cat food adverts.

Edited July 16, 2023 by Solidsoul

[25miles]

9 hours ago, Frankie Crocker said:

Tonight’s programme.

THOUGHT LAD WHO DID "THE DRIFTER" DID A GRAND JOB !!

[Mick Holdsworth]

If anyone wants to listen to the audio recording, it's up on BBC Sounds now . . . It's only there for for 29 days though.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001nnsq

 

[Soulandy]

Just listened to the 2nd half as I was out last night and what a way to start Sunday morning. A really enjoyable listen and a great tribute to some fine tunes done in a really professional way. Hats off to all involved. It must of been a great evening to all who were present at the Royal Albert Hall. Looking forward to seeing it when it becomes available and seeing the reaction of the audience. Good stuff

[Twoshoes]

11 minutes ago, Solidsoul said:

The proper classic records are precious and I don't want them to be trashed and exploited as per usual. Next thing we know they will be on cat food adverts.

I don't disagree with most of what you say though I don't see any exploitation in this case.Much as the majority who have contributed to this thread whilst listening  enjoyed it and I may well be wrong here I doubt many would buy a recording of it were such a thing made available taking it into the realms of exploitation depending on your view.

Much as we might like to think of the music as ours it never has been and never will be.

[washlively]

How good were the versions of The Drifter and You're Gonna Love My Baby! Absolutely outstanding......Fabulous.

[Twoshoes]

1 minute ago, washlively said:

You're Gonna Love My Baby! Absolutely outstanding......Fabulous.

As I said during the performance definite highlight for me

[Soulandy]

20 minutes ago, Mick Holdsworth said:

If anyone wants to listen to the audio recording, it's up on BBC Sounds now . . . It's only there for for 29 days though.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001nnsq

 

Thanks for the link. A bit of a bummer really, as my TV recording finished at the end of Tainted Love so missed the DILY and the ending so thought I'd catch it on this, only to find it ends halfway through Tainted Love! Dam, I'll have to hang on in there now not knowing what I missed

[Owd Codger]

6 minutes ago, Twoshoes said:

I don't disagree with most of what you say though I don't see any exploitation in this case.Much as the majority who have contributed to this thread whilst listening  enjoyed it and I may well be wrong here I doubt many would buy a recording of it were such a thing made available taking it into the realms of exploitation depending on your view.

Much as we might like to think of the music as ours it never has been and never will be.

I thought it was a great showcase of 60s Soul Music ( that the media tag as Northern Soul) that didn't revert to the cliches of Satanic Mills, Unemployment, Dead End Jobs, Factory Low lifes , Drugs, Fights etc...although Stuart Maconnie nearly went there at times. Hopefully Non- Soul fans who listened to it saw it in a new light...just fantastic music without imagery.

[Zoomsoulblue]

Stuart Maconnie Born in 1961

Casino shut in 81 - he was 20 and never went in his home town ?

guess that would answer why the 3 before 8 were round the wrong way

 

[Frankie Crocker]

A few photos...sadly the video clips are too long...

[Owd Codger]

10 minutes ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Stuart Maconnie Born in 1961

Casino shut in 81 - he was 20 and never went in his home town ?

guess that would answer why the 3 before 8 were round the wrong way

 

I had a radio show on FC United of Manchester web site. Helping out in the office, posting out season tickets, i came across Mr Maconnie's season ticket. I took the opportunity to include in his pack my "Soulful Shack" radio show business card ( showing FCUM details, complete with an email should his interest in NS prompt him to get in touch).

 

He Didn't.  perhaps it was a different Stuart Maconnie.

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Owd Codger

[Solidsoul]

19 minutes ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Stuart Maconnie Born in 1961

Casino shut in 81 - he was 20 and never went in his home town ?

guess that would answer why the 3 before 8 were round the wrong way

 

If there is any justice in the world, it should of been Richard Searling hosting the show!

Edited July 16, 2023 by Solidsoul

[Mick Holdsworth]

1 hour ago, Soulandy said:

Thanks for the link. A bit of a bummer really, as my TV recording finished at the end of Tainted Love so missed the DILY and the ending so thought I'd catch it on this, only to find it ends halfway through Tainted Love! Dam, I'll have to hang on in there now not knowing what I missed

I think because the show overran by about 10 mins, the archive system just cut off at 10:00, much like your TV planner.

The next show picks up on the end of Time Will Pass You By. and then it's TL and DILY.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001nnsx

Edited July 16, 2023 by Mick Holdsworth

[Frankie Crocker]

46 minutes ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Stuart Maconnie Born in 1961

Casino shut in 81 - he was 20 and never went in his home town ?

guess that would answer why the 3 before 8 were round the wrong way

 

He justified the re-ordering so the concert could end with Tobi Legend BUT they’s really planned it to end with Gloria Jones and Frankie Boy Da Dee Da Doo. Before the concert, I re-read chapter 6, Out On The Floor of ‘Cider With Roadies’ to remind myself of Maconie’s credentials; yes, he hails from west Wigan and was touched by NS subculture. Actually he’s a good-egg all round plus a fervent advocate of Northern Soul at the Beeb. That said, Maconie’s playlist is very limited and largely restricted to the 70’s hay-day eg Dobie Gray, Tony Clarke, Judy Street, MVP’s (shades of This England programme here) etc.

Maybe there’ll be another NS Prom and Soul-Source contributors will be invited to expand on the 300 tunes considered...

[Zoomsoulblue]

Maconie was born in Whiston.[6] He was raised in Prescot, Merseyside. 

[Jumpinjoan]

Have to say I really enjoyed listening to that. Some songs were stronger than others but none were bobbins, far from it. Sounds like it would have been great to be there, fantastic atmosphere. 

[Magpie69]

Stuart has been a great supporter of NS during his shows on Radio 2 and Radio 6 and I don’t think he deserves some of the flak he’s getting here. The event was never going to be a rare/underplayed night. I didn’t like some of the choices (can’t understand Frankie Valli being seen as soul) but let’s be honest, the selection was pretty representative of what’s played at most mainstream NS venues.

If you accept that NS deserved a showing at the Albert Hall/Proms (a bit ambivalent about it myself) I reckon it was as good as it could have been. Despite my misgivings, I actually enjoyed it!

[Imperial C]

A wonderful thing! To hear so much happiness over the airwaves was joy all the way. 3 before 8 was beautiful 

[Chalky]

Only had a quick listen this morning.  MVPS wasn't bad, second track the singer murdered it.  I will watch when it is on TV, maybe listen in wagon whilst working.

 

[Roburt]

Really enjoyable. A fine effort from everyone involved.

[Stateside]

Sounded really good through my sonos and the fact that I couldn't see the artists singing added to it, rather than took anything away.

[Soulfinger]

I normally belong to the anorak fully zipped up school of don't you dare mess with my music...but I thought this was very well done. 

[Roburt]

A BBC piece about the concept of this BBC prom ... go to 27mins + in to catch the relevant bit ...

he impresses me coz he says straight out that this isn't aimed at the purists, just connoisseurs & others. As he says ... "We're taking [Northern Soul] to a grander and fuller stage in every sense... For me it will be thrilling / emotional that they'll be records I heard as a 12 year old!"

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001npdh?fbclid=IwAR3peXf8mjQA6Lfmq22nAgyN6p-Y5p5tr7GcbpzdCaqpDECz1HDiYABF1hY

Edited July 16, 2023 by Roburt

[windycity]

20 hours ago, Soulfulsolutions said:

Doubters, its a celebration of our music, not a replacement, great vocalists and orchestral arrangements doing it proud, a rampant albert hall full of frontline Soulies absolutely beside themselves cant be wrong, personally I thought it was a brilliant listen and did the scene proud unlike other efforts over the years, the first ever proms overrun. If you tune in now you get the real proms dross, its obvious the previous 2 hours excelled and the streets around the Hall’l be talc’d up.

Very true words Lee after 45 years on the scene this has to be one of the finest Northern related events i have attended which gave our scene the finest and upmost respect it deserved at the home of the Greatest Classical music event on Planet earth this was worth every mile and penny from Carlisle and to those who find their place to critise and wish this and that was played what i say is this get a life. take care my friend atb Tony

[Fiftyboiledeggs]

As the proms is known for its  Orchestra-  all instrumentals would have satisfied everybody.

I understand why cover versions of sacrosanct songs annoy people.

[Soul Shrews]

To hear those tracks with a fine orchestral backing was great I thought.

Would not have been my choice of material but it was a good overall view of the nostalgia scene.

Crowd seemed to love it (although Proms crowds do seem to do that whatever) so a decent couple of hours radio.

Will also check out the T.V. version in August.

Cheers Paul

[Fiftyboiledeggs]

That guy murdered Landslide

 

but the music is superb, the orchestra

Edited July 16, 2023 by Fiftyboiledeggs

[Tlscapital]

56 minutes ago, Soul Shrews said:

To hear those tracks with a fine orchestral backing was great I thought.

Would not have been my choice of material but it was a good overall view of the nostalgia scene.

Crowd seemed to love it (although Proms crowds do seem to do that whatever) so a decent couple of hours radio.

Will also check out the T.V. version in August.

Cheers Paul

Very pleasant indeed my dear  Tidy, polite and very British aren't we all... Just how we like it  A proper family telly time. Reminiscing how grant were those Wigan's Ovation  A little bit of good old nostalgia can be so exulting 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Tlscapital

[Stevegods]

1 hour ago, windycity said:

Very true words Lee after 45 years on the scene this has to be one of the finest Northern related events i have attended which gave our scene the finest and upmost respect it deserved at the home of the Greatest Classical music event on Planet earth this was worth every mile and penny from Carlisle and to those who find their place to critise and wish this and that was played what i say is this get a life. take care my friend atb Tony

Tony , agree completely, and that guy who sang “The Drifter “ was my highlight too. 

Don't forget that this was also an Orchestra that was threatened with severe cuts less than a year ago by the BBC and only saved by a huge petition .

I get the fact that some want to only hear the originals done by original artists, but that ain’t going to happen any longer without it being on vinyl. This was a very close second and paid true homage to the music that we all love . 
 

The venue and all the artists were a fitting tribute to the all the past years . Well done BBC Proms. 

 

[Happy Feet]

2 hours ago, Tlscapital said:

Very pleasant indeed my dear  Tidy, polite and very British aren't we all... Just how we like it  A proper family telly time. Reminiscing how grant were those Wigan's Ovation  A little bit of good old nostalgia can be so exulting 

Let's be frank here ,

No Footsie ,

No Wigan's Ovation ,

No Tony Blackburn,

No Joe 90,

No Gary Lewis etc,

No Sounds Of Lancashire,

There's a theme here shite all of them and yet not one of them was chosen , to be played last night , yet during the so called Halsyon days of the WC most of the above where played at some point . With a few Levine productions thrown in .

Last night was a celebration of 50 yrs. of WC , we all know it ran for 8 but as the general consensus proves most people who listened last night and probably frequented the place , enjoyed it for whatever their reasons.

I went to the WC from 73 til 76 then moved on to pastures new , why ?  like most it was becoming too commercial, once it hit the tabloids and our little secret scene was out time to bugger off .

Last night The BBC Symphony Orchestra plus a handful of well chosen singers put on a magnificent performance of Northern Soul tunes from 50 yrs ago that's all , a reflection of what was popular at the time , without the shite mixed in , I have said in the past , thank Mike Walker for Mr Ms without it I'd have given up on the WC probably in 75 .

I know some great tunes where played there after 76 , but by then so many other venues with forward thinking djs where also playing them too, so let's just enjoy last night for what it was , yes a little shaky on one or two of the vocals , but so can the original artists be when singing live , with a live audience who knows the tune better than they do .

 

[Tlscapital]

4 hours ago, Happy Feet said:

Let's be frank here ,

No Footsie ,

No Wigan's Ovation ,

No Tony Blackburn,

No Joe 90,

No Gary Lewis etc,

No Sounds Of Lancashire,

There's a theme here shite all of them and yet not one of them was chosen , to be played last night , yet during the so called Halsyon days of the WC most of the above where played at some point . With a few Levine productions thrown in .

Last night was a celebration of 50 yrs. of WC , we all know it ran for 8 but as the general consensus proves most people who listened last night and probably frequented the place , enjoyed it for whatever their reasons.

I went to the WC from 73 til 76 then moved on to pastures new , why ?  like most it was becoming too commercial, once it hit the tabloids and our little secret scene was out time to bugger off .

Last night The BBC Symphony Orchestra plus a handful of well chosen singers put on a magnificent performance of Northern Soul tunes from 50 yrs ago that's all , a reflection of what was popular at the time , without the shite mixed in , I have said in the past , thank Mike Walker for Mr Ms without it I'd have given up on the WC probably in 75 .

I know some great tunes where played there after 76 , but by then so many other venues with forward thinking djs where also playing them too, so let's just enjoy last night for what it was , yes a little shaky on one or two of the vocals , but so can the original artists be when singing live , with a live audience who knows the tune better than they do .

 

OK I hear you and respect your (as others) path, memories and make-out of what it was. So go on and celebrate (if one fancy that ) or commemorate (I've read that... strange as it's a term aimed for political institution - people might commemorate Elton John one day ) the Wigan Casino 'Hey-Day's of the past. Plenty of such big events happening surfing on that 'past vibe' celebration. Rarely commenting those as to each its own and that's that. Yet never my thing.

But here it's a well promoted (financed, in a fashion (what's not to like or on the contrary) and made 'politically correct'  acceptable (meaning in liberal language ; commercial) event made by the BBC (not sacred to me) for public broadcast. That makes it evidently open to one and all point of views, critics and more evidently. And just as it's always been the BBC policy to review the public 'critics' on their programs. So I don't see it's 'spoiling' one's pleasure to comment it.

As for the 'tune selection' fine if one feels that they are not 'over sensitive' matters. Truly I still love my 'guilty secrets' records like the invitations 'skying in the snow' or others so I can't be bothered with that 'beneficial' factor if ever. As for the interpretation in performance that's where to me they sounded as good as the Wigan's Ovation. Just sharing what my earbuds heard. So I'll leave others who enjoyed it. We're all used to that between mates with what one loves...

[Andybellwood]

If only an 'inspired' BBC would find a way of releasing via vinyl LP/LPs ?