Dave2

You'd be surprised at the some of the top dancers on the floor in their fifties. Huge respect. You'll be at the bar - and naturally get chatting with other punters; old/ new, some have never been away, or like yourself, possibly back after a long absence. What I would say is, tek it in your stride, don't pull too many muscles or strain yerself with acrobatics on the floor - believe me, if the musics right, you'll think you've never been away! - but you haven't been on a floor in 30 years, so ease into it. At the end, you'll ask yourself ' Do I want to go again?' A re-sounding yes, I hope is the answer. I'd also mention, if you don't enjoy it for what ever reason, don't be put off. There are, on average, 50 odd venues running in the UK every week. It takes time, literally years to find your favourite venues - which is also part of the excitement. Have a great night! atb Dave

I did. Its fcuking excellent! This footwork is top. If I could dance like this, I'd probably have people constantly bugging me, asking how it's done? They'd probably be enough of them to hire a place and show them properly. By demand, some media footage/ instruction to accompany the moves, would only serve to piss off elite original fifty somethings - the only ones to actually really ever "get it" first time around.... So, thank god for workshops and those top Northern Soul Film Dance Club clips that appeared on Youtube 3 years ago... Jobs a good un! Whilst we're 'here' I'm selling my pristine c/u Johnny & The Westons - Soul Strut No.14 (Jessica) ...only one other known copy!

Post #312 Frank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXrDnCiaDEE or the whole BBC episode (includes wasps, aphids, elephants etc) broadcasted on 26th: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007tcw7/episodes/player Good luck with the filters. UK soul police you understand...

Never sussed the full lyrics - thanks for posting. My obvious interpretation is always an ironic lament at the end.... There's no way she's ever coming back you knob...!!! How many more times you gotta keep repeating yourself until you get the message!! Kin' move on! (Else you'll end up old & lonely... living in your allotment shed - surrounded by rubble, garden canes, and discarded piles of Baileys... (her favourite drink) er.... (lyrics to bricks, broken bottles & sticks. anyone?) Killer strings.

Vogue! Oh My God!!

Didn't see the full Brits but if this Pharrell clip is anything to go by, looked like a top night! Like it or not, 'the Brits' represent the UK's finest (allegedly) of the British music industry. So, we were bloody lucky to have Nile & Pharrell on! The soulful-pop monster that is 'Happy' has yet to grate on me. I thought the girls were awesome, and quite naturally brilliant. (Anyone dancing regular in the UK south of 'Manchester' might already know this!) It's not every day NS young regulars get the chance to add character to a predictable (albeit, 4 minute) 'professional' live stage performance - but they gave it large, looked cool throughout (I especially liked the choreographed 'Freeze!' moves ), and did themselves proud. Oh Yeah! Take a bow ladies.

It's Gonna Rain - Gentleman June Gardner (Emarcy) Storm Warning - The Volcanoes (Artic) And The Rains Came - The Millionaires (Specialty)

Nice mix of tunes fitting for the end of the Atomic... Hope it was well & truly rammed! Last one next week? ATB Dave (UK)

Captions then! "...slight edge warp (barely noticeable!), but does not affect play (time)..."

Cheers Winnie. I think its out of order if there's full blown instruction being taught on a floor during a nighter/ allnighter - its going to affect the overall atmosphere for sure. Anyway, now off to Hamburg weekender - where I will expecting to dance around piles of coats, beer bottles and punters that just stand in the middle of the floor necking beer. (I shit you not). Bring it ON! ATB Dave.

That'll be me then. I attended several of Sharon's """Workshops""" five years ago (see post 66). I found them absolutely brilliant. I learned more in 1 hour, than in the last 30 years; giving me confidence to get back out there (first attempted 'dancing to Motown' late 70's youth club). Sharon's sessions reinforced basic knowledge I already had, showing techniques that massively built confidence to attempt more advanced moves. That's the reason I attended. They were excellent. It was either stand there like a twat at an allnighter for 8 hours getting pissed - watching everyone else have a good time, or get back to the UK, get some basics learnt, and give it a go. I tried watching other dancers to learn stuff, but found a variety of styles. There is no role model collective on the scene today - only top dancers who have the foresight, intelligence and enthusiasm to run teaching workshops for anyone who wants to learn. 35 years ago your average Northern soul dancer was simply awesome. Today's average northern soul dancer - and no disrespect to anyone here - are well past their physical best (me included). There isn't going to be an 'apprenticeship' for youngsters if the master craftsmen are seemingly overweight, bald, grumpy, pissed up middle-aged blokes lining themselves around the edges of the country's top promoted dance floors. How are you expected to observe and learn to dance from that? Game over. The younger dancers of today have therefore been influenced by some of the best seniors by attending sessions/ dance clubs that have helped develop young thrusters to an excellent standard. Tommo (post 134) is just one of them. More of that in a film later... I would recommend to anyone who wants to get back into dancing, to consider it. And I sing praise of the senior dancers who teach (i.e. Tommo, Chippy, Paul Sadot, Fiona Smith, Sharon Sullivan and those that support). It will not turn you into a 'clone' of the person showing you the moves - you obviously further develop your 'own style' based on your own personality!! It simply gives beginners or those returning to the scene the confidence to get out & dance.

Well done Mike and moderators. I only joined a few years back. But I often tell people about the site when referring to events and articles. So well done all! and dealing with all unwanted/ undesirable comments, can't be easy - and developing and improving the site throughout the past 16 years!! ATB Dave

Did you get requests via sign language?

were you tempted to follow up with a "Lets be havin' ya!!" ?

As long as there's venues.., there's dancing. As for dancing. Yeah. Expect to slow with age wrt physical ability. But I see very little evidence of that! - i.e. Sammy, Carl Piper, Pete Davies, Chippy, Patrick (wears beenie hat @Stoke - never leaves the floor that bloke, except to change into sharper threads), still moving, still grooving, still individual, still feeling it. Most of these guys have 10+ years on me. But I look to the future with a massive grin on my face - cos that could be me in 10 years time - if I don't completely wreck me knees/ hips. And surely, they'll still be there - like hundreds of others -on the floor giving it large. Everything's going to be alright mate.

Sounded pretty tight! Just 6 musicians for the whole 'Chic' sound. Nile on rhythm/ lead guitar, no other backing geetars required! And a few popular tracks from his producing days: Madonna's Like a Virgin, Bowies's 'Lets Dance'.. Nile's on fire at the moment - what with Daft Punk's recent monster! Great stuff.

Maintain a positive and professional attitude throughout. You'll love it (hopefully!) and want to DJ again. So come across as someone that's competent, professional, friendly, absolutely loves and knows what they are doing, and you'll get invited back. (In a few years time you'll still be DJ'ing. Then you can really enjoy blanking /slagging off other jocks, the odd expletive into the mic, and miss cue-ing records cos you're so unbelievably pissed beyond control - with the best of 'em... )

IMHO I don't think so.. It's BBoys. (Check out this clip and see what the kids of today are capable of - Meno is just feckin' unbelievable - And yes, they teach it.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s0pmCYyUdU Also the BBoy crews in Asia seem to be in a league of their own. But we have skilled dancers in the UK also (one's called Sunni). But Northern Soul dancing is not about the offering 'best style' and actual talent is it? As Len says, its about 'feeling it'. And that's why people move to the music... any damn way you feel like. (I'm now off to GoGo, where i'll be mostly stepping from side to side and falling on my arse....)

Sorry mate, I was being serious with the alternative record. No idea where the smiley came from - apologies if there's confusion. Rarer P.S. is difficult to get without spending loads, so I was genuinely suggesting the cheap as chips alternative legit gold MET label, repro =black MET label. Some folks (me included) have a dilemma of what and when to buy (including demo v. stock) entirely driven by the dosh available. ATB Dave

Thought I'd post, I just picked one up last Saturday@ Bamberg Weekender for 30 Euro's. Love the intro, but personally I'd fade it out after 1:30 when the insane sax starts to go ape. I know I'm mad. ATB Dave

You could consider the gold colour MET label version? That's tons cheaper.

I usually just say 'Soul music'. Occasionally I'll say 'northern soul' but always further add: 'uptempo soul music that you can dance too'. To be honest I'm a bit embarrassed as to the general public's perception of northern soul at the moment. Maybe because it's media flavour of the decade what with fast food, advertising and general mainstream recognition - when it's been around for 40 odd years. Every Xmas I get "KTF logo" presents off the family; clocks, key rings, coasters... Jesus.

'Underground' will only keep things exclusive, contained and insular. PS. Hope it's not too difficult to approach a club venue with floor - see if they'll give you a Tower Soul night (not wanting to start a different thread on this topic!) - but I'm sure you'd like enjoyment for all. (Good luck on the search.)

Played at a few bars in Munich, and the main factor to people enjoying themselves is alcohol consumption. People will actually try and dance at some stage, regardless of a dedicated floor being there. Also the majority will chat more about the music being played. I don't think you enjoy yourself more if you are a regular dancer - you can't express yourself without a decent floor! However, the level of alcohol consumed soon counter balances this! People get up on tables, strip off, argue over the track! Use bar furniture as percussion instruments, and harass you more! They look like they're enjoying themselves more... but really they're just pissed up.

Wonderful. To me, this is a bit of soul archive. Wigan Casino probably not yet open - no mention of the list. 'Decimalisation' 2 years previous, package and posting 5 pence...! There's a Richard Selwood thread on here circa 2007 re:Jerry Williams - If You Ask Me. Could the Jerry Williams "Stu-pendous" reference a mate/ dj called Stuart/ Stewart? Who's he then? Maybe not - just the way it's typed it on the list. Seems Cheltenham & Gloucester was a pioneering area of Northern Soul for the midlands. And this list proves it!