The Paul Ogrady Show

Tuesday 14th October 5pm featuring Sammy Dee and the Duffy dancers

Use much of that in Warrington do they Barry

Nice avatar BTW but prefered no 3

It's called 'irony' Cunnie.

And I'm sticking with No.2 son.

(No.2's have always been close to my heart)

Karens brother rang her yesterday afternoon to let us both know about tonights POGS. Admittedly we werent expecting anything amazing or in depth and i said to Karen before it started "I bet they play Farnk Wilson". And low and behold they did!!!! I think sometimes that Frank Wilson and The Snake are the only two tunes readily available to the TV moguls.

Anyway besides the point. IMO the show was more a memory lane trip for Paul O'Grady than a indepth up to date look at the Northern Scene of today. You knew what was coming when he came on dressed like something out of "Robins nest". The guests he had on were endorsing and reminiscing along with Paul O'Grady regarding their experiences. They did touch on the fact that the scene isnt underground anymore and is worldwide which i dare say that in the begining the thought that venues would be playing Northern in Isreal, Japan etc.... would have been deemed ridiculous. I think the show should only have been taken for what it was meant to be, a nostalgia trip. It wouldnt really have gone down too well on teatime tv to explain how the attendees managed to dance for 12 or so hours.

Come on guys lets not get too het up about it, i really dont think that soul nights or allnighters are now going to be swamped by 18 to 25 year olds dressing up in baggies and carrying beertowels, trying to do spins and drops all over the place whilst spilling Barcardi Breezers on the floor. It may make people go to HMV etc... and buy a CD with the Wigan badge on it that was displayed on the dresser just to hear what the music was. Having not been to Wigan etc...(i never went either) they will not get the same buzz that many Soulsourcers got whilst there or attending events in the early days or today. The show will in no way dilute the scene or make us out to be freaks.

As you all know full well the love of the Music is paramount and to be hooked by it is something that we cant explain, it just happens. The MAJORITY of people dont get it, and thats fine by me. When i have tried to explain to people about the music 9 times out of 10 they always say but its Motown isnt it? If i had hair i would have pulled it out a 1000 times by now.

If it makes one or two people attend an event and get hooked for the right reasons and not because it was on TV is great for the scene surely. Because once they are through the door, wherever it is and the music filters into their ears, they are accosted by the atmosphere and their feet start to twitch then then will be a part of something that never leaves your heart. And wether you want to wear 26inch flares, do backdrops and spins or carry a bag with patches sewn onto it surely doesnt matter. As i have put before Northern Soul is IMO the only music and dance culture where we are "umbillical in an individualistic way".

Kind regards

Kev Such

Edited October 14, 200816 yr by kev such

Just watched it thanks to the power of Rita on facebook...(thanks Rita)

As light hearted entertainment goes it was a giggle,

As a fan of northern soul it wasnt really a true reflection of the scene any longer but the past (again), those clothes were an embarrassment particularly the shiny material of the skirts it looked more like a rock and roll convention, at least the lads looked half decent, but the ladies come on, what happened to the black????

It was never gonna be an in-depth look at Northern on the POG show,was it?

Why this feigned shock,horror,hostility from the usual suspects. I can read more inane drivel in the Events section from the cognoscenti than I heard from Sandy and the two ladies tonight.

Sorry, but the dancers were in the main a bit naff, although Andantes did them no favours.

ROD

I think you're missing the point. The overwhelming response is that of embarrasment.

If you feel any sense of pride in the way that our scene was portrayed then you're a better man than me.

Come on folks...get a grip...twas a little light entertainment thats all...I actually found it quite funny...made me smile...but in a good way...Liam texted me earlier and knew he was gonna get crucified for it on here...but I say fair play to him

Come on folks...get a grip...twas a little light entertainment thats all...I actually found it quite funny...made me smile...but in a good way...Liam texted me earlier and knew he was gonna get crucified for it on here...but I say fair play to him

================================================================================

===

Tell u what Liam came out of it quite well ..What a brilliant dancer he is !!!! Even i cant dance like that

after 15 bottles o Bud ( can i Gasher )

I keep reading posts tinged with embarassment and apology!?

Why?

You know what you are, where you're from, how deep it runs - don't you?

Who exactly are you worried about?

Paul O'Grady's target audience maybe (which it appears is a great deal of this board)?

Tell u what Liam came out of it quite well ..What a brilliant dancer he is !!!! Even i cant dance like that

after 15 bottles o Bud ( can i Gasher )

I think so too...his enthusiasm for the scene is second to none in my opinion...and to be honest he won't be phased by the negativity towards his appearance on here...

Just watched it thanks to the power of Rita on facebook...(thanks Rita)

those clothes were an embarrassment particularly the shiny material of the skirts it looked more like a rock and roll convention, at least the lads looked half decent, but the ladies come on, what happened to the black????

IMO the girls looked no more or less embarrassing than any other wearer of circle skirts. I thought you was of the 'wear what you like' school of thought Dawn?

IMO the girls looked no more or less embarrassing than any other wearer of circle skirts. I thought you was of the 'wear what you like' school of thought Dawn?

You see I loved the fcs and pastie look - that was a soulie bird to me.

IMO the girls looked no more or less embarrassing than any other wearer of circle skirts. I thought you was of the 'wear what you like' school of thought Dawn?

So long as its indicative of what is retro and within the boundaries of such

sorry was retro

Edited October 14, 200816 yr by Sister Dawn

I thought it was dead funny. Some of the "burn the heretics" comments have been good comedy too. Shouldn't we have some perspective?

The soul scene is best kept off the big screen, telly, stage and generally out of the limelight imho. The scene was built on underground cult ethics and thats how it should always stay.

Thats what gives it its edge and still attracts certain younger people in to it who appreciate real passion & music as high art, which is what these records are.

The soul scene and by default, soul music is not something to use as a springboard to having your own mug being plastered everywhere, these records are far more important than that.

Edited October 14, 200816 yr by mulf

Shouldn't we have some perspective?

Come on folks...get a grip...twas a little light entertainment thats all...I actually found it quite funny...made me smile...but in a good way...Liam texted me earlier and knew he was gonna get crucified for it on here...but I say fair play to him

kinda contradicts everything they say B.B's about but that's another issue.

now I've stopped laughing, I think this thread's hillarious!.

The programme was shite but this has cheered me up. Though I appreciate that

for those who love their music and their memories, seeing them exploited in such a way can't be

viewed as a little light entertainment.

Jayne.x

The soul scene is best kept off the big screen, telly, stage and generally out of the limelight imho. The scene was built on underground cult ethics and thats how it should always stay.

Thats what gives it its edge and still attracts certain younger people in to it who appreciate real passion & music as high art, which is what these records are.

The soul scene and by default, soul music is not something to use as a springboard to having your own mug being plastered everywhere, these records are far more important than that.

yep, spot on.

I think so too...his enthusiasm for the scene is second to none in my opinion...and to be honest he won't be phased by the negativity towards his appearance on here...

DIDNT SEE MR O'GRADYS SHOW THIS EVENING,BUT BY THE COMMENTS IT DIDNT SEEM TO GO DOWN TOO WELL....... LIAM DO WHATEVER MAKES YA HAPPY SON IT'S A WHOLE NEW GENERATION.......... I KNOW WHERE YOUR FROM BROTHER!!!!

So long as its indicative of what is retro and within the boundaries of such

Sounds a bit fashion police to me, someones circle skirt is or isn't acceptable based on its fabric being retrospectively correct

Edited October 14, 200816 yr by Byrney

Never mind, the Souled Out film will soon be out to show the general public a true puicture of the northern scene

I thought it was hilarious-I was squealing with embarrassment/delight!

It really doesn't have any bearing on anything-it doesn't matter-it was merely a pastiche.

Indeed! A wigan pastiche!

Which differs from a cornish pastiche in that it contains potato rather than swede.

Damn, missed it! Did Liam wear his Ashford & Simpson jacket??? Did you Liam? Where are the people from the show anyway? Hiding in deep holes somewhere in the woods?

Never mind, the Souled Out film will soon be out to show the general public a true puicture of the northern scene

Well that just added another 30 pages to the thread crumb

Sounds a bit fashion police to me, someones circle skirt is or isn't acceptable based on its fabric being retrospectively correct

Of course should it be any other way?? Nice black FC Skirt with pockets, in a nice material, (non rock n rollish i.e shiny silk type fabric), taken to just above the ankle as spencers intended.

or that they want to know about the way a minority of the scene has evolved into the small upfront nights that a few hundred anoraks attend today?

It's not life and death!

========================================================================

Tell u what if it was,nt for your so called few hundred anoraks the scene would,nt be what it is today

all the soul nites all over the country and behond is because after Wigan Cas shut its doors and thousands

drifted away from Northern Soul your anoraks kept the scene going via Stafford.. Parr Hall. Saints Club

Leigh Miners / Legion.. Earlstown Irish Club ect ect from these nites soulies started coming back to hear the music then started to open up there own nites resulting in a big revival of Northern from the 90,s onwards...

THIS IS SOUL..REMEMBER BUT FOR BLACK AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC WE WOULD NEVER HAVE MET SO MANY

NICE PEOPLE, BECAME VERY GOOD FRIENDS WITH SO MANY OR HAD OUR LIFES FULFILLED BY A TYPE OF

MUSIC WHICH FOR MANY OF US IS NOT A HOBBY BUT A WAY OF LIFE... DONT KEEP THE FAITH...

SPREAD IT !!!

LOVE..PEACE & HAPPINESS

XX ANORAK IAN CUNLIFFE

Yes, yes.. I know. I don't need a history lesson.

The point I was making was that the audience of a lightweight tea time prog wouldn't be interested in facts as we know them. Much better to present a bit of easily digestible nostalgia in fancy dress.

Liam kept that quiet, is weird seeing people you know on tv!

He did mention it to me as he was leaving my house, he thought I would tell him he couldn't do it...

He's gotta do what he wants, and he did...

They should show the real northern soul..

... ...They'd all wanna come along...

Yes harmless fun and the best foooking laugh i have had for a while...

You can't have expected anything else on that silly cun'ts show... It fills the gap after Deal Or No Deal and before the Simpsons...

It won't change anything, its just a bit of fun and a big up for the Casino circus

True.

wonder how many on here went to wigan ? in its day it was brill [ in its day lol ]

carn,t see what all the fuss is about . it was at tea time light hearted show that did a feature on wigan casino .they didn,t show it in a negative light it was just abit of light entertainment fun .or did you lot expect full blown reality drugs etc.as for slagging off sammy and liam and the rests dancing is beyond me there wasn,t a bad dancer on there and sammy and liam are some of my favorites to watch. still mussent grumble

I was fortunate enough to have it on V+, so I could fast forward the boring bits

BUT

now I have Liam on record forever...

My daughter (11) did ask, why are they dressed like that...

Indeed! A wigan pastiche!

Which differs from a cornish pastiche in that it contains potato rather than swede.

Correct!

Correct!

damn I missed the pastie, please dont make me watch it again

What did everyone expect it was the Paul O'Grady show after all. My only

gripe was that there wasn't a kind of helpline phone number shown after show

for people who have been affected or distressed by the images shown to ring

What did everyone expect it was the Paul O'Grady show after all. My only

gripe was that there wasn't a kind of helpline phone number shown after show

for people who have been affected or distressed by the images shown to ring

Missed the show , anyone got a link to to watch it on the net .

Missed the show , anyone got a link to to watch it on the net .

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kMND-7fu194

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-IOS74GOh-Q

brace your self

Missed the show , anyone got a link to to watch it on the net .

THINK I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT TOO!!! someone put it on up on youtube please!

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kMND-7fu194

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-IOS74GOh-Q

brace your self THANKS DAWN BUT THE LINK WONT WORK MUST BE MY ANTIQUE PC.. I'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IT AGAIN SOMETIME

Karens brother rang her yesterday afternoon to let us both know about tonights POGS. Admittedly we werent expecting anything amazing or in depth and i said to Karen before it started "I bet they play Farnk Wilson". And low and behold they did!!!! I think sometimes that Frank Wilson and The Snake are the only two tunes readily available to the TV moguls.

Anyway besides the point. IMO the show was more a memory lane trip for Paul O'Grady than a indepth up to date look at the Northern Scene of today. You knew what was coming when he came on dressed like something out of "Robins nest". The guests he had on were endorsing and reminiscing along with Paul O'Grady regarding their experiences. They did touch on the fact that the scene isnt underground anymore and is worldwide which i dare say that in the begining the thought that venues would be playing Northern in Isreal, Japan etc.... would have been deemed ridiculous. I think the show should only have been taken for what it was meant to be, a nostalgia trip. It wouldnt really have gone down too well on teatime tv to explain how the attendees managed to dance for 12 or so hours.

Come on guys lets not get too het up about it, i really dont think that soul nights or allnighters are now going to be swamped by 18 to 25 year olds dressing up in baggies and carrying beertowels, trying to do spins and drops all over the place whilst spilling Barcardi Breezers on the floor. It may make people go to HMV etc... and buy a CD with the Wigan badge on it that was displayed on the dresser just to hear what the music was. Having not been to Wigan etc...(i never went either) they will not get the same buzz that many Soulsourcers got whilst there or attending events in the early days or today. The show will in no way dilute the scene or make us out to be freaks.

As you all know full well the love of the Music is paramount and to be hooked by it is something that we cant explain, it just happens. The MAJORITY of people dont get it, and thats fine by me. When i have tried to explain to people about the music 9 times out of 10 they always say but its Motown isnt it? If i had hair i would have pulled it out a 1000 times by now.

If it makes one or two people attend an event and get hooked for the right reasons and not because it was on TV is great for the scene surely. Because once they are through the door, wherever it is and the music filters into their ears, they are accosted by the atmosphere and their feet start to twitch then then will be a part of something that never leaves your heart. And wether you want to wear 26inch flares, do backdrops and spins or carry a bag with patches sewn onto it surely doesnt matter. As i have put before Northern Soul is IMO the only music and dance culture where we are "umbillical in an individualistic way".

Kind regards

Kev Such

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/rare-northern...ady-horror-show

heres end bit

The Nodding Buster Tombola topped off the full Northern surrealism of it all. Genius.

The Nodding Buster Tombola topped off the full Northern surrealism of it all. Genius.

=====

what a great show!!

The Nodding Buster Tombola topped off the full Northern surrealism of it all. Genius.

did anybody on here win a nodding buster seen as your all such avid watchers of pog.

Karens brother rang her yesterday afternoon to let us both know about tonights POGS. Admittedly we werent expecting anything amazing or in depth and i said to Karen before it started "I bet they play Farnk Wilson". And low and behold they did!!!! I think sometimes that Frank Wilson and The Snake are the only two tunes readily available to the TV moguls.

Anyway besides the point. IMO the show was more a memory lane trip for Paul O'Grady than a indepth up to date look at the Northern Scene of today. You knew what was coming when he came on dressed like something out of "Robins nest". The guests he had on were endorsing and reminiscing along with Paul O'Grady regarding their experiences. They did touch on the fact that the scene isnt underground anymore and is worldwide which i dare say that in the begining the thought that venues would be playing Northern in Isreal, Japan etc.... would have been deemed ridiculous. I think the show should only have been taken for what it was meant to be, a nostalgia trip. It wouldnt really have gone down too well on teatime tv to explain how the attendees managed to dance for 12 or so hours.

Come on guys lets not get too het up about it, i really dont think that soul nights or allnighters are now going to be swamped by 18 to 25 year olds dressing up in baggies and carrying beertowels, trying to do spins and drops all over the place whilst spilling Barcardi Breezers on the floor. It may make people go to HMV etc... and buy a CD with the Wigan badge on it that was displayed on the dresser just to hear what the music was. Having not been to Wigan etc...(i never went either) they will not get the same buzz that many Soulsourcers got whilst there or attending events in the early days or today. The show will in no way dilute the scene or make us out to be freaks.

As you all know full well the love of the Music is paramount and to be hooked by it is something that we cant explain, it just happens. The MAJORITY of people dont get it, and thats fine by me. When i have tried to explain to people about the music 9 times out of 10 they always say but its Motown isnt it? If i had hair i would have pulled it out a 1000 times by now.

If it makes one or two people attend an event and get hooked for the right reasons and not because it was on TV is great for the scene surely. Because once they are through the door, wherever it is and the music filters into their ears, they are accosted by the atmosphere and their feet start to twitch then then will be a part of something that never leaves your heart. And wether you want to wear 26inch flares, do backdrops and spins or carry a bag with patches sewn onto it surely doesnt matter. As i have put before Northern Soul is IMO the only music and dance culture where we are "umbillical in an individualistic way".

Kind regards

Kev Such

Well kev it seems like you and Little Miss Soul have come out tops as regards the most objective and least embarrased opinions given on this subject this evening. In defense of the people who appeared on they show, they were there by invitation and not purley "to get their mugs on tv". As for the dancers attire they were directed to the wardrobe department to dress suitably for the show. If you had seen any of these young people at the various soul nites/all nighters then you would realize this is not their regular dress.

WHERE THE SHOW DID FAIL was to highlight and be a little bit more in depth regarding the fact that many young people are coming into the scene at present as a result of their parents and older peers love of the music and the scene in years gone by.

This younger generation will develop their own ideals and perception of the music,the dancing and the venues long after we older soulies are pushing up worms!!

In the meantime we still have the credibility police force of Steve-m, Eggman, Paul-s, Stevie and their erstwhile superintendant - Malc Burton to tell us what the scene should be like, how we should dance and dress!!!!!!!. Long live objectivity.

did anybody on here win a nodding buster seen as your all such avid watchers of pog.

I won the rarer 'Nodding Russ' as it happens.

Well kev it seems like you and Little Miss Soul have come out tops as regards the most objective and least embarrased opinions given on this subject this evening. In defense of the people who appeared on they show, they were there by invitation and not purley "to get their mugs on tv". As for the dancers attire they were directed to the wardrobe department to dress suitably for the show. If you had seen any of these young people at the various soul nites/all nighters then you would realize this is not their regular dress.

WHERE THE SHOW DID FAIL was to highlight and be a little bit more in depth regarding the fact that many young people are coming into the scene at present as a result of their parents and older peers love of the music and the scene in years gone by.

This younger generation will develop their own ideals and perception of the music,the dancing and the venues long after we older soulies are pushing up worms!!

In the meantime we still have the credibility police force of Steve-m, Eggman, Paul-s, Stevie and their erstwhile superintendant - Malc Burton to tell us what the scene should be like, how we should dance and dress!!!!!!!. Long live objectivity.

how about an intro ?

dont wanna start taking posts off but no intro no name posts calling other members are not on

I won the rarer 'Nodding Russ' as it happens.

does it play frank wilson?

does it play frank wilson?

No...but it can beat Churchill Insurance at Mastermind

does it play frank wilson?

No, but it shakes it's head and explodes if you play Coffee's - 'Casanova'.

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/rare-northern...ady-horror-show

heres end bit

just wacked up the intro and talking bit

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/rare-northern...-intro-and-talk

Just caught up with it and it wasn't really the end of the world as we know it. Some cringey bits but some good spots too, all done up as entertainment for grannies and schoolkids. POG seemed genuinely interested even though he obviously only dipped his toe into the scene, the dancers were pretty good, it just looked a bit silly on a set. Mind you my daughter thought it was naff, so I'm not sure it'll get any new hip recruits. 6 out of 10 for what it was.

Of course should it be any other way?? Nice black FC Skirt with pockets, in a nice material, (non rock n rollish i.e shiny silk type fabric), taken to just above the ankle as spencers intended.

IMO yes, for me its about enjoying the music, the dancefloor, the record bar, the people and the banter rather than being embarrassed by someone not ticking all the soul uniform boxes.

Never been keen on uniforms and being tied in to someone elses style rules.

Well kev it seems like you and Little Miss Soul have come out tops as regards the most objective and least embarrased opinions given on this subject this evening. In defense of the people who appeared on they show, they were there by invitation and not purley "to get their mugs on tv". As for the dancers attire they were directed to the wardrobe department to dress suitably for the show. If you had seen any of these young people at the various soul nites/all nighters then you would realize this is not their regular dress.

WHERE THE SHOW DID FAIL was to highlight and be a little bit more in depth regarding the fact that many young people are coming into the scene at present as a result of their parents and older peers love of the music and the scene in years gone by.

This younger generation will develop their own ideals and perception of the music,the dancing and the venues long after we older soulies are pushing up worms!!

In the meantime we still have the credibility police force of Steve-m, Eggman, Paul-s, Stevie and their erstwhile superintendant - Malc Burton to tell us what the scene should be like, how we should dance and dress!!!!!!!. Long live objectivity.

not sure about that invited on the show and dress suitably...have you heard of the word "NO" thats all they had to say. You have to want to go on there dressed like that. as for kev s....these are just the type of venues he subscribes to,so l guess thats why he has no embarrasment ...T

Just caught up with it and it wasn't really the end of the world as we know it. Some cringey bits but some good spots too, all done up as entertainment for grannies and schoolkids. POG seemed genuinely interested even though he obviously only dipped his toe into the scene, the dancers were pretty good, it just looked a bit silly on a set. Mind you my daughter thought it was naff, so I'm not sure it'll get any new hip recruits. 6 out of 10 for what it was.

Thanks Ady, think that sums it up. At least there was a measure of genuine affection there - what did some people expect, an Open University dissertation? Let's all just keep on doing what we're doing, it was a light entertainment piece, that's all, and I've seen far worse!

Well kev it seems like you and Little Miss Soul have come out tops as regards the most objective and least embarrased opinions given on this subject this evening. In defense of the people who appeared on they show, they were there by invitation and not purley "to get their mugs on tv". As for the dancers attire they were directed to the wardrobe department to dress suitably for the show. If you had seen any of these young people at the various soul nites/all nighters then you would realize this is not their regular dress.

WHERE THE SHOW DID FAIL was to highlight and be a little bit more in depth regarding the fact that many young people are coming into the scene at present as a result of their parents and older peers love of the music and the scene in years gone by.

This younger generation will develop their own ideals and perception of the music,the dancing and the venues long after we older soulies are pushing up worms!!

In the meantime we still have the credibility police force of Steve-m, Eggman, Paul-s, Stevie and their erstwhile superintendant - Malc Burton to tell us what the scene should be like, how we should dance and dress!!!!!!!. Long live objectivity.

Where do I begin.

I have to question anyones intention, when they turn up to a show, and they are told to dress like that. Surely the alarm bells should have rung?? Is the piece going to be positive, or is it going to be an embarrasement? Even Declan or whatever his name is, the guest on first, looked embarrased.

Had the show just been the two girls and Sandy reminiscing about the good old days, I'm sure it would have been fine as just that, but the later piece where they dragged on a few performing seals for old ladies to laugh at? Come on. Where is the dignity, and where is the 'love' of the scene??

I have no doubt at all that Liam, Paul etc have as much, maybe more passion for Northern Soul than I do. But I have to ask what on earth are they thinking by agreeing to do that?

People who enjoyed it, can justify it to themselves, by calling those of us who hated it, as Soul Police, or Chinstrokers, or whatever name you want. thats fine. But I ask you to think back to what attracted you to Northern Soul in the first place. Leaving aside the sounds of the records. Was it the Roly polys singing 'Put your arms around me' on the Saturday night big top? Was it Wigan's Ovation and the scarf waving on Top Of The Pops?

Or was it, cool kids diappearing at night, only to return next morning with tales of staying up all night listening to records nobody had heard of. Was it the thought of meeting like minded people in total safety and mutual respect?

Liam, I am not busting on you. I dont understand for one second why you went on the show, and agreed to all that. I just happen to have a totally different idea of what Northern Soul means to me. And if you are allowed to take your aspect to a national audience, I should be allowed to voice my displeasure, to the only audience I have access to. Its nothing personal. Like my disagreements with the guys on Freebasing over football, I would gladly spend an evening in their and your company.

As for the credibility jibe. If the Northern Soul scene doesnt have credibilty, what does it have?

Surely our scene attracts a certain type of individual. We seek out something thats a little differnt to the norm. We enjoy the fact that our scene and music is different to anything the majority of people we meet could ever understand. Being different, is seen by many as being better. Like the old mod ethic of moving onward and upward. this is what the Northern Soul scene does, without the oxygen of a fancy dress segement on a TV show.

If Northern Soul was just a dance thing, we could go to our local gym and join a get fit club, or we could go to the local club and hop about to the radio 1 top twenty. But its more than that. Its important to many people that the exclusivity, and underground aspect of Northern Soul is kept strong.

I cant say what I really feel, and have cut about 50 times more words than all these here. But the whole point I'm trying to say is, Northern Soul is the 100 club, Stoke, Lifeline...as different as they all are, they define Northern Soul today. Northern Soul isnt daytime TV, and remixed mega 2008 versions. Not to me, and not to some others, and YES I get very angry when watching utter toilet like the last bit of that programme yesterday. If you cant see why, then I dont really care. But my right to say how I feel is just as justified as the Russ Winstanley Wigan roadshow has to appear on whatever media outlet will massage him.

Where do I begin.

I have to question anyones intention, when they turn up to a show, and they are told to dress like that. Surely the alarm bells should have rung?? Is the piece going to be positive, or is it going to be an embarrasement? Even Declan or whatever his name is, the guest on first, looked embarrased.

Had the show just been the two girls and Sandy reminiscing about the good old days, I'm sure it would have been fine as just that, but the later piece where they dragged on a few performing seals for old ladies to laugh at? Come on. Where is the dignity, and where is the 'love' of the scene??

I have no doubt at all that Liam, Paul etc have as much, maybe more passion for Northern Soul than I do. But I have to ask what on earth are they thinking by agreeing to do that?

People who enjoyed it, can justify it to themselves, by calling those of us who hated it, as Soul Police, or Chinstrokers, or whatever name you want. thats fine. But I ask you to think back to what attracted you to Northern Soul in the first place. Leaving aside the sounds of the records. Was it the Roly polys singing 'Put your arms around me' on the Saturday night big top? Was it Wigan's Ovation and the scarf waving on Top Of The Pops?

Or was it, cool kids diappearing at night, only to return next morning with tales of staying up all night listening to records nobody had heard of. Was it the thought of meeting like minded people in total safety and mutual respect?

Liam, I am not busting on you. I dont understand for one second why you went on the show, and agreed to all that. I just happen to have a totally different idea of what Northern Soul means to me. And if you are allowed to take your aspect to a national audience, I should be allowed to voice my displeasure, to the only audience I have access to. Its nothing personal. Like my disagreements with the guys on Freebasing over football, I would gladly spend an evening in their and your company.

As for the credibility jibe. If the Northern Soul scene doesnt have credibilty, what does it have?

Surely our scene attracts a certain type of individual. We seek out something thats a little differnt to the norm. We enjoy the fact that our scene and music is different to anything the majority of people we meet could ever understand. Being different, is seen by many as being better. Like the old mod ethic of moving onward and upward. this is what the Northern Soul scene does, without the oxygen of a fancy dress segement on a TV show.

If Northern Soul was just a dance thing, we could go to our local gym and join a get fit club, or we could go to the local club and hop about to the radio 1 top twenty. But its more than that. Its important to many people that the exclusivity, and underground aspect of Northern Soul is kept strong.

I cant say what I really feel, and have cut about 50 times more words than all these here. But the whole point I'm trying to say is, Northern Soul is the 100 club, Stoke, Lifeline...as different as they all are, they define Northern Soul today. Northern Soul isnt daytime TV, and remixed mega 2008 versions. Not to me, and not to some others, and YES I get very angry when watching utter toilet like the last bit of that programme yesterday. If you cant see why, then I dont really care. But my right to say how I feel is just as justified as the Russ Winstanley Wigan roadshow has to appear on whatever media outlet will massage him.

Great post Mikey