Ady Croasdell

Vive la difference!

I don't agree with that and I was doing it before the term was coined. "Northern" was the description of the music and "Nighters" the description of where we went.

You're not a soulie Manus, but you're the type of chap I'd have at my dances any time. I think the scene got so weak in the early 80s, especialy up North, that the Stafford crusading was neccessary and revitalised it. However some may have then seen this as a blueprint for how it should always be. When the scene started out it was only underground because it needed to be, you couldn't get licenses for nighters and the drugs made it taboo to society. These days things are more relaxed and if you don't affect others you can get on with enjoying the music in relative peace, underground or overground. In the Northern Soul book a point is made about it being a scene for disenchanted youth. I was a youth but wasn't remotely disenchanted, we were living through exciting times with loads going on and I went to the dos for love of the music and to have a whale of a time. In the 80s Stafford definitely lead the way with the music but I don't think you could beat the 100 Club (or Leicester for a closer geographical example) in terms of a brilliant night out.

Nearly recovered from the stag weekend that started on Wed night so here comes my six pen'orth. I thought it was an excellent show, 4 outta 5. I was worried when he was sat on a fire escape outside a derelict building that it was going to be all cliches but it wasn't too bad throughout in that respect. I enjoyed the juxtaposition with the straight life of the times and thought the music choices excellent though I found Turley Richards to be a poorer copy of Bettye Lavette's earlier I Feel Good All Over. There were a few repeated falacies like it being very working class, I always found it an eclectic class mix though not too many toffs certainly. Also I don't think the majority of sounds would be cut in small cheap studios, think of all the major label monsters and even the smaller labels used to use good studios, there weren't many ghetto studios. The baggies were overdone but it doesn't bother me too much, I'm mainly interested in music from a certain era so if somebody's thing is fashion from a certain era I can't knock them. The US/UK comparison was good, it would have been great to get an act or two on but hopefully that will be in Part 2, if there is one. Bruce Lee was unfortunate but Fran's description of her experiences were excellent and would be an eye-opener for a lot of people; something to be proud of. The dancing lesson was a bit boring but maybe neccessary for the personalisation of the show and its reason for being made. The Black & Whites in the film looked on the large side, a couple would have seen me through the weekend- I always was a gear lightweight. I think I spotted the Teapot dance move which was fun. So for Part 2; what happened after Wigan-Northern goes back under the ground. How the US artists, writers and producers relationships with collectors and dancers have developed over the years. The internationalisation of the scene. Collecting goes bonkers. Tape vaults get raided and waistcoasts and mug production booms!

If any of the indignant ones want to hear some quality rare Northern Soul sounds they won't hear anywhere else in the world, feel free to visit us down at the 100 Club in sunny London. I do get the feeling some people don't know we're here sometimes. Maybe I should promote it? But then it wouldn't be underground anymore Though it is in the basement

Probably not on styrene, just a hope as the sound can be better when mintish. We'd love a proper dub Bob but time's a bit short, PM me the chances of it please. Thanks Ady

It's fine leave it, I'm sure it's of interest to some. I had no idea you could experience situations without actually doing them!

I'm not following most of this Dave, i just asked how would you know if you'd never been straight to a do.

I said in his county Pete, different county but I didn't want to be specific.

How do you know if you've never been straight at a do? One of my ex-employees says he is the only geezer in his county to have a permanent speed prescrition.

Make it Revilot or we'll sue

As you say Kev unless it's a weekender it is almost impossible to break even on presenting a live act in this country and probably elsewhere. I think the NYC guys and probably our own Dave Box do it for the love of the music and are in reality philanthropists for some of their gigs. I was only able to present the Kent 25th bash a few years ago and Darrow Fletcher's gig due to Ace backing.

Were there any styrene pressings? Anyone got an almost unplayed copy, styrene or vinyl? Ady

Keb was always a great dancer, never a soul fan like Guy, that's why he changes scenes every 5 years. On the Northern scene he switched from 70s to 60s newies overnight. He's got some good obvious points in there though too. Each recors should be judged for its music, not where it was played.

The obvious one would be the Torch but there were others around the north and Northants too. I loved Wigan, I was just saying it wasn't busy from the first night as that article stated.

Did Wigan Casino explode into action from the first all nighter? I went early on and it was half empty and just an average nighter in a great big hall

Don't get excited folks I was in it and its "what was Wigan" lile all over again. There's a bit of a Jap angle but the questions were mundane and I couldn't inject anything very interesting.

And Yate, and London wasn't too shabby since 1979

Richard Lewis "Wayne" Parker apparently but not the Chicago/LA Richard Parker soul man

Ha, the Parker who co-produced the 45 was Wayne Parker who I think was a staff producer at Era. I don't know anything else about him.

You're right Jock; and it works. ta

Thanks Mark, very helpful. They should update their historical details though. Should I tell them? If so any idea who?

No, keen as mustard. He's still writing and playing today. Trying to do some things with Brenda Holloway.

So Caught Up was popular for a short while on the Modern scene then but it didn't get any "Northern" spins?

Was this popular on the Modern Soul scene in the 90s? Any others apart from Sandbox? ta Ady