What's the difference?

One to ponder on this. I don't travel up north as much as I'd like to, or as much as I used to (Age, time, family etc). But is there a difference between a typical Northern set (ie played in the North) as opposed to that played at a Southern do? Same dj's travel the length and breadth of the country to do their sets right? So it should be the same. I can't help thinking it's not though somehow.

Couple of things made me think this over a period of time. As I know some Southerner's who think that the South is cutting edge in some respects, in terms of new sounds broken etc. But hang on I thought, this must be hooey, as it's NORTHERN soul we're into right!?

I did see some (quite lengthy) clips on the NCSC website the other day, of the Manchester nighter - main room etc and It seemed I knew almost every track. Whereas perhaps, in my soft southern existence do's wise at least, it's common for twenty minutes or so, (less and more) sometimes to go by without having heard of a single number. Why is that? Does Geography play a part or what?

I know I can't use the website thing as a basis for this query, but it was just that small point coupled with those Southern rural myths over time, that lead me to think - I wonder what views others might have on the subject?

FOOT NOTE:

1. Patriot first an foremost, love every inch of England's green and pleasant land.

2. Without Northern Northern Soul, there wouldn't be any Northern Soul.

"LESS AVE YA"

Edited May 13, 200520 yr by Ian Sims

well you learn something every day and i thanks you for that, dave.

however, you're riddled with split infinitiveswhich makes it 1-1.

nuneaton is the pits, by the way, but the ladies can be very sympathetic. or so i recall.

link

Wasn't trying to score points, just answering your post....note the smilies.

There is an element of young mod types who attend the London events but they form no greater proportion than the "younger soulies" such as yourself, Rachel et al who frequent Sheri's.

Dave

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Are you on about Shane with the hooped top. Thought he was about 40?

:graynone:

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you can f*ck off. I am still standing by my opinions regardless of what Andy, Janine and Dave say.

Shane

Coz everything South of Sheffield is the Midlands first, then the Sarf. 

Derbyshire and Notts are near Kent for Gods sake 

link

I think I went to Derbyshire once. It was really rather nice. Or am I thinking of somewhere else?

Are you on about Shane with the hooped top. Thought he was about 40?

link

I look older mate cos you and your mate Colin are always treating yourself at those beauty counters in Selfridges

Shane

I think I went to Derbyshire once.  It was really rather nice.  Or am I thinking of somewhere else?

link

Deffo somewhere else.

I look older mate cos you and your mate Colin are always treating yourself at those beauty counters in Selfridges 

Shane

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Because im worth it....

Because im worth it....

link

Wasn't trying to score points, just answering your post....note the smilies.

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sorry dave, inability by me to get across intended tone of comment...i knew you weren't point-scoring and neither was i - my reply was meant very light-heartedly. in order to prove this i have deliberately put one past my own keeper and gracefully concede 2-1

There is an element of young mod types who attend the London events but they form no greater proportion than the "younger soulies" such as yourself, Rachel et al who frequent Sheri's.

Dave

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Had a strange moment at the last Lifeline when I looked round the dancefloor at one point and everyone on it was early 30s or younger!

so you do agree then Dave?

All I said was that there seems to be less wigan attire down south. I wasnt talking 'greater proportions' etc.

Hardly right to call my post 'bollox' imo but I am not one to get ruffled by things like this. I will take it nicely and see you Friday hopefully mate. 

Shane

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Wasn't trying to ruffle you mate

No, I don't agree....there is as much "Wigan attire" on the general scene below the midlands as above IMHO

And I used to see more young soulies at CIS than anywhere.

Dave

Are you on about Shane with the hooped top. Thought he was about 40?

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you can f*ck off. I am still standing by my opinions regardless of what Andy, Janine and Dave say. 

Shane

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Good for you Shane!

Had a strange moment at the last Lifeline when I looked round the dancefloor at one point and everyone on it was early 30s or younger!

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I remember that. Good to see.

Shane

sorry dave, inability by me to get across intended tone of comment...i knew you weren't point-scoring and neither was i - my reply was meant very light-heartedly. in order to prove this i have deliberately put one past my own keeper and gracefully concede 2-1

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Good for you Shane!

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thank you david

Shane

thank you david 

Shane

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Don't wave to me from your car again :angry:

I remember that. Good to see.

Shane

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So "you do agree" with me then, Shane?

So "you do agree" with me then, Shane?

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It was a one-off seeing all those 'younger ones' hence the reason Rachel brought it up mate. If it was the norm we wouldnt be talking about it.

Shane

Don't wave to me from your car again  :angry:

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I thought Shane hadn't got a car since the accident?

Isn't that why you and Mark always drive?

So "you do agree" with me then, Shane?

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Of course he does Dave. He agrees with everybody eventually. Like that bloke on the Fast Show. (Not unlucky Alf )

I thought Shane hadn't got a car since the accident?

Isn't that why you and Mark always drive?  

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i do drive to and from work for a few weeks now.

Shane

thread closed for a bit

due to the amount of recent off topic posts

Most members have took notice of the request to try and get the balance of off topic posts right, however its a pain to see one which was going well been damaged this way by a few members.

"Interesting threads" are the lifeblood of this forum, to see one being choked by a few members, who for some reason think its ok to post up a constant stream of off topic/in-jokes/chat, is annoying and is unacceptable.

These recent off topic posts are out of order to the topic starter, and to the members who have contributed or are following the thread and are out of order to the forum itself.

Thread is now open, the three members involved in the last spate of off topic posts should be aware that if similar occurs action will be taken

Apologies to Mike, topic starter and anyone else annoyed by the off-topic posts. I hold my hand up accordingly.

Shane

60s (mod) look  -  aint seen many done well lately.... more Austin Powers, flower power, and Mary Quant styles, which is fine if you like that sort of thing. I think they look pretty good doing the swim or the hitch-hike.

Now, who does that comment remind me of?

So are we any further on in finding out if there is a difference in north/south music policy?

Not really. What do the dj's think?

They must be living in a bubble.

The only other thing I'd like to add regarding upfront rare soul down south that hasn't been already mentioned is the Southern Soul Club.

Steve C & Molly work really hard putting on soul nites in the Portsmouth area.

Col.

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Nah not living in a bubble, some are well travelled and think there is a difference in sets between north and south. Must be the more oldies nighters in the north thing.

Edited May 12, 200520 yr by Ian Sims

Nah not living in a bubble, some are well travelled and think there is a difference in sets between north and south.  Must be the more oldies nighters in the north thing.

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Think it boils down to what clubs you go to, plus there aren't big, regular oldies nights in London, which may create a false illusion that there is a general difference?

Think it boils down to what clubs you go to, plus there aren't big, regular oldies nights in London, which may create a false illusion that there is a general difference?

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That's true Stu, good point. Don't you think the fact that there aren't oldies nights in London tells a story?

That's true Stu, good point.  Don't you think the fact that there aren't oldies nights in London tells a story?

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I think there are though, just not massive ones, and I reckon that most clubs are playing a greater proportion of well known records, or maybe staying with records which have now become well known and not moving on. London is heading increasingly towards concentrating on playing records that people know, and people demanding oldies. I think that there has been either a change in attitude or a change in the make up of the audience. Not sure which.

I think there are though, just not massive ones, and I reckon that most clubs are playing a greater proportion of well known records, or maybe staying with records which have now become well known and not moving on.  London is heading increasingly towards concentrating on playing records that people know, and people demanding oldies.  I think that there has been either a change in attitude or a change in the make up of the audience. Not sure which.

link

Thinking about it you know, I'm not so sure I have seen any 'oldies nights' advertised in London specifically in the recent past. Gonna sound like an argumentative bastidge here, but I still think the emphasis is on breaking new sounds and people demanding oldies? Not so sure about that either

Thinking about it you know, I'm not so sure I have seen any 'oldies nights' advertised in London specifically in the recent past. Gonna sound like an argumentative bastidge here, but I still think the emphasis is on breaking new sounds and people demanding oldies?  Not so sure about that either

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I think the folk want to hear bigger well known stuff at larger venues,big dancefloor,big venue better atmosphere...Smaller places can be more cutting edge....The way forward for promoters is large events,established floorfillers in the main room with a smaller cutting edge room,quite easy really..At the end of the day though we have different promoters out there with very diiferent reasons for being in the game...The night in Derbyshire run by Mr Roberts is along the lines of the weekenders,he's got about four different rooms with something for everyone,that makes a lot of sence but i still want to be in one room with everyone but then we have people with no give and take at all..Some things will never change...We have many different animals on here,i can drink with most but some people could start a fight if they were on there own ..Never been a north/south thing for me because i travel around...We can't even divide on beer anymore,most drink lager.....At the end of the day you can't start talking about the north south divide without going to all the venues and seeing what they play...That aint possible now because we can have about 20 on the same weekend.... Sorry rant over and i hope i did not stray too far off topic...

Joe Jama. Joseph Webster, Margaret Little etc etc.....they're forgotten oldies are they?

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Didnt say all Dave,but quite allot really!!!!!

Some good points there Stevie Spose it does boil down to what people want to hear. For me, I wanna hear a mixture - new discoveries, current biggies, the occasional forgotten oldie and maybe a wee bit of seventies. Now I'm not sure how that mix spreads across the country, but that's the norm for me and that's what I'm used to hearing round these parts.

Edited May 12, 200520 yr by Ian Sims

The further south you go, the punters seem a lot younger - or at least they look a lot younger.

Music policies - well the Lifeline is streets ahead of anything and aligned to what a soul night should be all about IMHO. A very consistent and well thought through gig.

On the north vs south thing, I have to confess that I prefer northerners. I don't trust southerners in the slightest - mainly due to my own prejudice, but 20 years of watching Eastenders has also taken its toll. Seeing those frightfully vulgar little urchins on Albert Square talking out the side of their mouth makes me want to take the 'stick' to them.    Also there is an 'element' on the southern scene that seems to spend more time fretting over the width of their trousers, and the correct side-vent alignment, than music. My own eccentricities apart, such behaviour is impossible to fathom for me. And I refuse to countenance sideways glances from anything in 'period costume' either....

Hammy

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Hi just to let you know Im a Londoner - even though I live just outside now! I do not watch eastenders as in my view it should go 'east' and 'ender'!! Its crap, not like true life, I know life can be miserable but watching eastenders should have a health warning - if you feel sad then you will feel suicidal after watching that!

Sorry off topic but just wanted to get that straight that not all 'Londoners/Southerners' watch Eastenders!

My view is both North and South 'people' can be and cant be friendly - just my opinion as I know/met both.

Its a shame you dont trust Southerners as some of the people I trust the most are Southerners, been v.good to me, etc. maybe you just dont know the 'right' ones!

Thinking about it you know, I'm not so sure I have seen any 'oldies nights' advertised in London specifically in the recent past. Gonna sound like an argumentative bastidge here, but I still think the emphasis is on breaking new sounds and people demanding oldies?  Not so sure about that either

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I don't think people advertise them as oldies nights but so often that is what you tend to get, granted not the Snake or Right Track but you don't get an emphasis on new sounds from a lot of people. I reckon. I don't think there is a regional divide on this but you can have advertise massive oldies night up north or in the midlands because there are enough people up there to fill it, whereas the London and nearby scene is quite small.

No no no..Not regional please....Dave and In Town Mikey would be running over the sheep from Ponds Forge with tractors Then there are the pie eaters,scallwags alongside bloke who still tuck jumpers into jeans   ...Lets keep it a uk thing and we can all laugh at each other...Kenny aint sure what he is any more....He shouts loads a money with a Barnsley twang Most of that London lot are from all over,north v south don't exist ok...We are all one Well most of us...

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Loads a money with a barnsley twang!!I WISH

I don't think people advertise them as oldies nights but so often that is what you tend to get, granted not the Snake or Right Track   but you don't get an emphasis on new sounds from a lot of people.  I reckon.  I don't think there is a regional divide on this but you can have advertise massive oldies night up north or in the midlands because there are enough people up there to fill it, whereas the London and nearby scene is quite small.

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Yeah, you mention the Snake Stu. I remember the ill fated Rocket allnighters run by Ian Levine Metro Soul Club, with them playing the Snake and Interplay there one night We were agog. That is a wild exception for the south, he was an idiot and unsurprisingly it didn't last.

Edited May 12, 200520 yr by Ian Sims

Its a shame you dont trust Southerners as some of the people I trust the most are Southerners, been v.good to me, etc. maybe you just dont know the 'right' ones! 

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I don't think Hammy said he doesn't trust Southerners, just people in period costume. I'm presuming that he applies the same rule to men in checked skirts with fruit knives tucked into their socks?

I don't think Hammy said he doesn't trust Southerners, just people in period costume. I'm presuming that he applies the same rule to men in checked skirts with fruit knives tucked into their socks?

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Ive re read it Stuart and it seemed to be thats what he said, Im not having a go, just stating my case. Sure if Hammy came down south to some clubs and met up with us lot, he might change his mind.

Some good points there Stevie   Spose it does boil down to what people want to hear.  For me, I wanna hear a mixture - new discoveries, current biggies, the occasional forgotten oldie and maybe a wee bit of seventies.  Now I'm not sure how that mix spreads across the country, but that's the norm for me and that's what I'm used to hearing round these parts.

link

Hi Ian

I have said just that for many a year....Its that easy aint it..And thats what most people i know want..plus a some RnB also....I think most people on this site think along those lines,well the ones that post anyway...There could be a lot of traditional folk on here just spitting at the screen and saying we are all wa"kers..but i don't think so...Soul source is a progressive site that covers most spectrums of soul music,not sure if thats a good thing for some if they can't see past December 1969 I aint saying i can a long way past that but i have been known to play the and dance to the odd 70s thing ..Its live and let live...I like to think that the best soul record in the world is one that i aint heard yet,i can dream ...At least me and Ian can drink together then,plus a few more i hope, a good few more..

Rev..Derek Griffiths says....peace love and Play Away...

Yeah, you mention the Snake Stu.  I remember the ill fated Rocket allnighters run by Ian Levine Metro Soul Club, with them playing the Snake and Interplay there one night   We were agog.  That is a wild exception for the south, he was an idiot and unsurprisingly it didn't last.

link

I never attended a Rocket MSC allnighter but they did have some startlingly different ideas about playlists . Not a big enough audience for a massive oldies venue in London/SE IMO and no reason why people elsewhere would have felt the need to travel that far from elsewhere in the country for what was on offer, they could get the same nearer to home and not have to listen to fat boy prattling on. Anyway, wasn't the Rocket oop north? Its at least 4 miles in the direction of Scotland from the Thames, and it gets really cold up there too.

I never attended a Rocket MSC allnighter but they did have some startlingly different ideas about playlists .  Not a big enough audience for a massive oldies venue in London/SE IMO and no reason why people elsewhere would have felt the need to travel that far from elsewhere in the country for what was on offer, they could get the same nearer to home and not have to listen to fat boy prattling on.  Anyway, wasn't the Rocket oop north?  Its at least 4 miles in the direction of Scotland from the Thames, and it gets really cold up there too.

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I was with you there Stu, then you lost me near the end

Dont know?,but i think we allready have a name for so called up/front soul "6ts newies",if it aint broke why fix it!but this a northern soul term proberly forgoten,there twas a time once not too many moons when the only arguement was between oldies fans and the more progresive 6ts newies fans,who may i say kept the scene fresh in the 8ts,and alive

Hi Ian

I have said just that for many a year....Its that easy aint it..And thats what most people i know want..plus a some  RnB also....I think most people on this site think along those lines,well the ones that post anyway...There could be a lot of traditional folk on here just spitting at the screen and saying we are all wa"kers..but i don't think so...Soul source is a progressive site that covers most spectrums of soul music,not sure if thats a good thing for some if they can't see past December 1969   I aint saying i can a long way past that but i have been known to play the and dance to the odd 70s thing ..Its live and let live...I like to think that the best soul record in the world is one that i aint heard yet,i can dream ...At least me and Ian can drink together then,plus a few more i hope, a good few more..

Rev..Derek Griffiths says....peace  love and Play Away...

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Yes R&B of course! Great post Stevie

Ive re read it Stuart and it seemed to be thats what he said, Im not having a go, just stating my case.  Sure if Hammy came down south to some clubs and met up with us lot, he might change his mind. 

I dont worry about width of my trousers, I worry that they will stay up!   

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I believe that Hammy has been to the CSC at least, and I am not aware that he made any complaints at the time about being surrounded by mohair wearing Austin Powers look alikes ruining his night with their cockerney rhymin' slang.

Mind you, did he ever come back again?

I can't really comment on music policy as I haven't been to a Do up North, yet. Although I'm going to Derby (that's Up North to me!) on Saturday, although I believe the music there will truely be across the board, as all those who are DJing are from all over the UK. I also think forums like this enable people to hear different tunes to what they'd normally hear out and about. The recent CD exchange being a good example (if anyone wants to give me a free CD, I'm not too proud to ask! ).

As for people making you feel welcome, well I've attended a few Do's on my own. Only time people have spoken to me is when I've prearranged to meet them, like the time I met Gene at Soul In The City. Another time was back in January before the 100 Club, meeting Jamie, Rich, Janine, Brett and the others in the Pub beforehand. Generally though people in the South will not talk to you, I say this after attending a Do (just down the road from me, NOT Chalfont), where I stood at the back of a fairly small room and nobody approached me, I got bored and went home (doubt if I'd return to be honest).

My opinion of Northerners, which goes back to when I attended scooter runs in the 80's, is that they are generally friendlier, and are initially more welcoming than Southerners.

As for oldies events down South (not all Soul Events are held in London!), may I suggest Bisley? I would say they play predominantly Oldies, always a good turn out and a good night (just wish they'd get rid of the Fullers bitter, yuk!)

In the future I plan to travel to some events up North. The strange thing is, it's probably easier to book a BnB up in Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester or somewhere, than try to get home from Central London in the early hours of the morning, after a few beers!

Not been "Darn sarf" for a while now, but people are people, good n' bad, irespective of location.

When we lived in London we met great folk from the smoke, and travelling to Scotland (Shots) met some top Scots too. Now residing back "oop 't North" , met great people here as well. Ok, so there are tossers everywhere too, but thats always the way!

As to a north v south thing, perhaps people don't, in the main, travel around as much as we once did, (age, commitments etc) so it is a bit more segmented. But hey, as long as we are getting out, and getting down to tunes we love, old or new, thats what counts!

I can't really comment on music policy as I haven't been to a Do up North, yet.   Although I'm going to Derby (that's Up North to me!) on Saturday, although I believe the music there will truely be across the board, as all those who are DJing are from all over the UK.  I also think forums like this enable people to hear different tunes to what they'd normally hear out and about.  The recent CD exchange being a good example (if anyone wants to give me a free CD, I'm not too proud to ask! ).

As for people making you feel welcome, well I've attended a few Do's on my own.  Only time people have spoken to me is when I've prearranged to meet them, like the time I met Gene at Soul In The City.  Another time was back in January before the 100 Club, meeting Jamie, Rich, Janine, Brett and the others in the Pub beforehand.  Generally though people in the South will not talk to you, I say this after attending a Do (just down the road from me, NOT Chalfont), where I stood at the back of a fairly small room and nobody approached me, I got bored and went home (doubt if I'd return to be honest).

My opinion of Northerners, which goes back to when I attended scooter runs in the 80's, is that they are generally friendlier, and are initially more welcoming than Southerners.

As for oldies events down South (not all Soul Events are held in London!), may I suggest Bisley?  I would say they play predominantly Oldies, always a good turn out and a good night (just wish they'd get rid of the Fullers bitter, yuk!)

In the future I plan to travel to some events up North.  The strange thing is, it's probably easier to book a BnB up in Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester or somewhere, than try to get home from Central London in the early hours of the morning, after a few beers!

link

Hi mate

Not sure if we have met or not..Take a trip up to Manchester and we will look after you...It aint the other side of the world....I can't believe there are people in the south who aint been to most parts of this country yet they know and travel to destinations all over the world... ...Welcome anytime and you just might like it...Its a bit cooler but the girls still dress like its Florida ..We are a happy go lucky bunch as long as the pie shop is well stocked..