Paul-s

Ive had many interviews too. I would disagree, and found that you can say what you need and not have words put into your mouth. For instance, you can acknowledge that you are not taking NS into the 21st century, that its a 'scene' and already existed very strongly in Bristol, that the new release is to celebrate the musicians who were not celebrated at the time etc. BUT, if you are selling something, its just a marketing exercise devoid of ethics and care. As this demonstrates.

I failed my geography CSE....

Just listened to entire thing and as you say it was Edwin at Hinkley. Guess 'up north' is a term used by anyone who lives south nowadays. More problematic for me was the (cod history) description of NS as just 'its from up north': Its being washed clean of its complexity: 'working class roots', its cultural politics, its reactionary beginnings, pharmaceutical liberation, the pioneering spirit of those who created it and basically its history. Its being cleaned up, like Brixton has been or soho. Eve started in the 80's as a mod she says (original 80's soul girl as Abby describes her), but seems to have left very little trace in terms of people who know her as a regular on the NS scene, particularly Stafford. She plugs a Stafford record as her favourite because they have "just brought it out on a single" The final part when they say "NS has left the North to make Bristol its home" is astonishing and totally ridiculous. Its gaslighting. Perhaps all the other clubs and actual all nighters may find that a shock. Wigan Young Souls, Rugby, 100 club, etc. Eve also says that they are taking NS into the 21st, as if the NS promoters have not done that through the decades. Or as if we have not done that through the decades of dedication and knowledge. 2000 was 23 years ago and this outfit have started 7 years ago and don't run all-nighters or go to many despite the quotes about "going out at weekends to dance all night" As for the 'their album'?! Its a compilation and obviously to us, as we know if we compile an album, its about celebrating the music and musicians: Not us! There is no mention of musicians in any of this interview. Charly Records and others are trying to attach themselves to the manufactured celebrity (soulless some argue) to do what many have failed to do over the decades, to market a person or figure to sell their merchandise.They could not do it previously as it was about the vinyl and the original musicians and the incredible music, not celebrity. Now, largely due to the ability to fabricate provenance and celebrity on social media, they are selling NS not as the music, but as a product endorsed by another product who has been created precisely for that purpose. I have a lot of information and interviews about this, and as Ive said, I am writing a book about this souless co-optation of a soulful scene. I'm hoping to publish this year, we shall see.

Yes, but its not 'up north'. If your from the North you will know. If i live in Margate and go into London, its not referred to as 'Up North'.

I believe she DJ'd as 'Jackie Brown', not Northern but, like Winstanley (before the Casino), a disc jockey (ette) type of thing playing a bit of everything. Levanna's name is Abby, so it seems to be an identity created at the time she began dancing for the Iphone online: in order to market/sell something or other. Definitely a production team (duo). Nowt wrong with that, but lets not pretend there is any Northern Soul history behind it, or any general participation in the Northern Soul scene. It's a kind of Northern Soul tribute act I think. Its all very neatly packaged middle class BBC (Proms, Woman's hour etc.).

That not 'Up North"?

Questions: I've been on the scene since 76 and have no recollection of Eve Arslett? Nor has anyone else when I have asked around. Northern Soul DJ? Where? The part about Bristol has never heard of northern soul demonstrates a severe lack of knowledge or an ignoring of.Ricky Brown organised Bristol nighters/dayers, Yate etc and can't recall her apparently? More interestingly, is the fact that she cannot recall him or other Bristol soulies. A random guy took her 'up north' to an all-nighter in a sports hall 40 years ago that held 1000 or more people? Name that 'sports hall? I don't know about you, but i remember the name of my first all-nighter and those i went with. It feels like a made up history to me... Is anyone fact-checking this stuff? The BBC are usually all about that 🙃

Spot on.

I have never liked this record. And, its played to death.

Its all small home made UK dance groups who make themselves sound official. Like a dodgy plumber or builder uses made up accreditation. Difference is people usually check if the builder is the real Mcoy (Van), a quick search shows nothing for this. Try tracking down UKAPTD of which the she is a fellow: Mickey Mouse comes to mind. Most of these type orgs ask for a fee and then give you a title, and then you carry on the same route with your students. Dance Teacher Kenny, the next in line, as Hoagy might say, has an interesting background. https://www.northernsouldance.co.uk/ Head of Dance is someone called Sharon: its all very Italia Conti, Bonnie Langford misinterpretation of the Northern Soul Scene and its culture

yes! spot on.... Nauseating Shi$£ Disconnected Lame Prancing Tap Dance

Notably Shi££ Disconnected Leaping Prancing Tap Dance

Mmmmm, well, for me something does die, as with most culture when it becomes purely about packaging a product and selling it: devoid of context, lacking care, connection, knowledge, community, musical roots, class roots, architecture, history, connection to the scene etc. Driven by the narcissism of wanting to be a northern soul dance star and the arrogance of telling others how to hear and dance to northern soul (just like you hear it and dance to it). Where does the arrogance of thinking they must intervene to help dance evolve on a cultural scene that has managed over 5 decades without their presence? Telling punters that NS dancing is actually difficult to learn, and that they can only access it via your limited knowledge classes, and your embarrassing rendition of what you think it is, is killing the whole point of the 'soul' in the title. The 'soul' in the term 'northern soul, is about going out, listening, watching, talking, connecting, meeting, feeling the movement of a venue and the other souls dancing, and giving time. Perhaps most importantly, not regarding it as disconnected from the music, loving the music first: patience and a hint of devotion perhaps. The onslaught of all these crassly packaged classes treats NS like a musical theatre, performing arts course excursion, or a get fit class. The music and the artists, and link to that primary source, is driven out. Its a way of preparing punters for a Darby and Joan night out or a good old knees up at Blackpool. The scene I know is different, the opposite of that. Firstly, its a NS 'scene', full of complexity, driven by a love of, and connection with, the music. The dancing is a response to that connection. The classes create a disconnection, the important initial stages are missing: terrible cod dancing, taught by soul vampires, that creates soul-less, disconnected punters looking to hop around somewhere. No discerning taste involved. I think the fact that people are dim enough, or fooled enough by false sales narratives, to pay for it, does not qualify it as 'fair enough' for me. I'm always shocked by blasé comments like "well its ok no one dies" or "why should I care", "times are changing". As I've said before, I must have a very different experience over the past 47 of being part of scene that carried on way past Wigan. A scene that went underground, overground, but never Wombling free: picking up any old rubbish.

Risky behaviour!

Benji, we are obviously so very different in our connection with the scene. I love the spot on and often hilarious critiques that 'Waldorf and Statler' do, so thanks for the compliment. I prefer them to the empty headed, narcissistic, wishful thinking of Miss Piggy: which has to be your Northern Soul Muppet character, judging by the spurious, empty headedness of this post You seem to never have been a part of anything "manamana doo doo di do do", so nothing to get over I guess.

Personally, I can't keep up with the ridiculous dance related idiocy. Interested In thoughts on this:

UPDATE: Still no response from Kev Roberts....

Captions version of - Turn Out the Lights

Rising Suns version of 'One Night Affair'

The Five Chances - Ill Miss You / Stranger I Love You Delon Washington - Getting Mighty Close / Princess of my Dreams Sinceres - Girl I You / Don't Waste My Time Bethea the Mask Man - Ghetto Love / Stand Up Early Clover- Think It Over / Freedom Quintessants - Image of a Man / Movin' On Joey Irving - Can you Handle Me Girl / What Happened To The Love We Knew Lovations - Drifting Offshore / Later Baby Sag War Fare - Don't Be So Jive / Girl! You Better Change

Yes, but its time to care. The BBC presenting a mediocre non-northern soul scene dancer as The World Champion, and calling the awful show she is in a cross between 'Phoenix Nights and Northern Soul' says it all. No doubt Mr R doesn't care as it seems to be all about product and paypal soul streams. For example, when Wigan closed, if a relatively small group of us hadn't cared enough to carry on, week in, week out, truly underground, travelling miles to support venues, there would be no scene for returnees and online soul curators to swamp and parody. I care about the roots of this culture and, for me, it was built on decades of dedication, tenacity and caring enough to maintain connections to the musicians that created it, the vinyl, the dancing, the real souls and a collective understanding that its not all about 'you' or 'I'. I often see these online Northern Soul celebrity dancers, filming themselves alone on the dance floor and thats very emblematic really...

Not sure I understand? For it to be a World title, you would need to have a representation of dancers from other countries, invites sent out, qualified judges, a federation, rotating locations etc: not just the absence of other competitions.

What do you mean by recognised? By who?

It was input from many people who went and who Elaine interviewed> It was also my sentiment too when interviewed. Just saw this clip that demonstrates why in a modern context! The level of narcissism and misguided self-belief is beyond words. Thats what happens when you host a ridiculously title competition. Still no response from Kev on why yet. WhatsApp Video 2023-12-01 at 15.32.30.mp4

Update> No reply from Kev R regarding the questions about the 'World' in the title of the dance competition. So, the speculation and deduction must continue I guess.