Paul-s

Okay so theres dance lessons and soul mugs and Frank Wilson watches - but really, so what? How does it actually affect you? Does it do any harm? Yes it does Pete. It means that the conncern is for making money, rather than making a cohesive, open minded scene. People who want to make money from the scene via mugs, lessons, baby grows etc, seem to be taking more than giving. Its also not why a lot of us got into it in the first place for, so i guess we should be able to voice our horror and derision at these HIGHLY COMMERCIALLY motivated enterprises. Im not into football, but from observations, people go crazy if teams are sold to, for example, to Arab owners who are not at the games, in the country or really give a shit about the team. So if this passion and concern for authenticity pervades football (which everyone seems to be very passionate about!) why should we not be as concerned. Sharon? who is she? I never see her out and about? Or does she nip to her local do? After Wigan, did she go to Stafford...carry on through all those wilderness years, after a load of Wigan goers stopped and a small group of dedicated soulies continued on (where dance styles changed)? Does she teach that history and style? If she reckons herself a genuine authority and Guru, surely she must! Its just seems to be motivated by money and no sign of 'soul'. As for mugs, baby grows etc...come on ...its just f--king naff and as embarrassing, same as seeing a 50 year old Punk Rocker walking out with a mohican, bondage chains and piercings! Sad in fact!

i guess the flyers just reflect the confusion and lack of cohesion and unity on the "rare soul" scene or whatever the hell its supposed to be called now for the sake of political correctness or groovyness or coolness or whatever . it never used to be that way , f**king hell its changed so much why cant it all be under one banner and in one room ? northern soul has always had r n b, latin, boogaloo, funk ect so why is it all split up now into different rooms with silly names ? why cant the progressive events be across the board the way the oldies events are (mixed genres and decades).

Brilliant. Beginning of a new play...

Hi mate, yes, used to love Dingwalls, blue note etc..guess every scene has its plastic people. Dont mind all the split genres within the soul scene. But i think now, as someone said ealier, the term Northern Soul has been hijacked by people who left the scene and then returned wanting to relive their lost youth, rather than develop their present soul! Therefore i only use it in a derogatory sense nowadays, as it bares little or no resemblence to the original scene i got into in 76. And Northern Soul dance classes and schools can stay with that scene...its a WOMBLE hijack!

...lots of Keb re-issues and boots in japan aswell. Thats trouble with people copying, going to soul dance school, instead of listening and doing their own thing. They all end up dancing like clones of their teacher and get stuck within the limitations of the teacher. Do you think Sharon teaches all styles...wigan, stafford, wheel , Torch, stomping, shuffling, acro, freestlying.ha!? they were all different. She says Northern Soul dance school and courses, so that means she would have to.

No, we had copyright for the two cd soundtrack releases. I never tried really.to tell the truth. Ive said before, it was like a nighter...a live experience and a dvd would not do it justice and would lose a lot of the context of the event.

What a beautifully open and admirable attitude. I love the old each to their own theme. So if people decide to come on mass and crap on the floor at your favoutrite venue, you will just chill and pat them on the back. What a guy, everyones soul friend, Mr nice. I think its called apathy isn't it...

. A dance school gets ridiculed this time, but not before. The oldies brigade get slagged off, yet its its ok for the (Wigans) chosen few to attend/create revival events when it suits and on and on. The artful dodger A dance school!? You think we need schools to educate us how to listen and dance to soul music? A School has to provide a syllabus, education and method of assessing. So i guess you think those things can be applied to the soul scene? Is it that homogonised for you. Wow, how things have changed over the years. I must have missed the Northern Soul dance academy bit... But if thats your style mate, good luck and hope your enjoying ALL dancing the same as you graduate out the academyYou mention the 'Chosen Few' , is that the academy's theme tune?

Loads im sure....Wankstainley (love that name) is involved!

PMSL

GOD, didnt know Chris did that!! Why...Is it a multi award winning dance academy now? What happened?

[ I don't think it's hard to understand that some people on here are 'hurt' or made to feel worse off by these dance classes taking place under the banner "Northern Soul", No James...im just taking the piss out of this tacky crap. The term Northern Soul means f---k all nowadays. Its a mis-nomer, actually meaning 'no more soul'.

Hi mate. The play was a brief homage to a scene i love and respected. That had changed my life. Didn't intend to make a hit or money (lost £35,000, but didnt come on here begging!) When it became a parody and Russ was wanting memorabelia and West End producers wanted White artists singing songs on stage, they wanted a Gravy train, I pulled it! Deleberately havent released DVD etc. I didnt off the back of it start a Northern Soul dance School. I didnt teach the actors to dance, i taught them haer the beat to listen to and love soul music and make it their own.

From me YES. I think its pretentious and arrogant to offer 'how to dance to soul music' classes. Whoever does them.

NO! Its the flip thats great. Destination Unknown.

...like a 'womble' revival. Maybe thats a good generic term for them? Wombles...they were once underground, but now overground, Wigan Wombles! In fact, perhaps thats a good Team name for Sharons competition crew! Uncle Bulgari is, of course, our own Mr RW. Uncanny resemblance me thinks! Underground, overground Wombling free, the Wombles of Wigan C, soulies were we, Making good use of old tunes that we find, no OV vinyl, cos boots will do fine! Uncle Winstanlia, he can remember the day when he wasn't behind the times, with his plan for the world, take the Casino and turn it into mugs and teee ee eeeeees! Oh yes please! singalong to tune below...

Maybe she could come to Lifeline or another allnighter and promote her services. Do a 3 record demo dance and give us an insight? Oh no! Even as im saying it, i have visions of a special room at weekenders for beginners with low self esteem...a salon even,Healthy eating and such!

No. Just the fact someone is deluded enough to think they can teach people HOW to dance to soul music. Formalise it. You dance how the f--k you want to a tune. Who judges? Or thinks they can judge? You need to listen to music, love it, feel it and move....any way you want. End Of.

[Our precious underground scene is overground. Steve

Love this thread. Very funny. Allows us to grieve through tears laughter

She couldn't Pete. There is no (recognized) governing body. No qualifications (i hope she has public liability & Indemnity & a CRB check for young dancers). You can get sued if someone follows a dvd and can then prove they were injured as a result of bad teaching. So she cannot prove she is qualified and therefore her qualifications to teach this in a formal way can be questioned. Though maybe universities may give it accreditation.

iv been thinking that she might be a really good dancer and could teach us all something , you never know . she could turn up at a rare/underplayed nighter and put everyone to shame . doubtful..

I agree with you about those records & someone bringing a cd player to a venue But Paul would you go up to someone & tell them that you did not like what they were wearing?...........i dont think any of us would do that Debbie x