Drewtg

It's in a box with Schrodinger's cat

Not my era but by christ these are some good sounds. Good old Butch.

When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331302559643?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I don't remember The Carstairs as "tearing the scene apart". It was BIG everywhere! I know it's often cited as the "first" contemporary sound played on the scene but that is a bit of self promotion by you know who. I personally think that The Temprees was more of a sign-post of the so called oldies/newies rift.

Just listened to "The Price", if that's the track you mean. It's nice, but it is not what I'd call a good Northern dance song. It's soul-pack fodder that all collectors had a box full of once upon a time. Nice to listen to, sounds like maybe an Archie Bell or a Philly album track but to play to a room full of dancers? Noooooooooooooo.

I've got to weigh-in with Pete here. A lot of the sounds are new to me, and to be honest I really like most of them. However Pete is right that the music just doesn't cut it with most of the older stuff. The reason it was probably passed-over and wasn't played back in the day is because it's not Northern Soul. It's good soul music (mostly) but it doesn't raise any goose-bumps. You can't imagine people jumping over tables to hit the dance floor to this stuff. It's "nice", chill-out music for after you've been to an all-nighter.

In my opinion no. The thousands that went through those doors were winnowed down to a relative few who 'kept the faith' long enough to re-gain the lost audience. Without such large numbers it would probably be a bit like The Blues scene, it's still there but not nearly as healthy or robust.

Surely any definition of N. Soul must have the word 'dance' in it. Whilst not active on the scene any more as I live in Malta, last year I went to a so-called Northern night in Cheshire and the floor was empty for most of the night. The music was very good, the sort of sounds you would play at home or at your mate's when you couldn't afford to go out at night. The sort of sound that we would 'discover' and like, but know instinctively that it would never get played in a club. Few of the sounds had any charisma or presence and the vast majority of people sat around listening and nodding, sagely. It wasn't my idea of Northern and I felt cheated that I couldn't hit the floor more.

Wigan Casino Plaque Unveiling View full article

...and of course, Cool Off over The Mighty Lover nonsense.

Na mate, she likes Tom Jones and Lulu, never liked Soul apart from the odd Motown.

It's what we used to call Soul Music back in the sixties and seventies. Tell me Green Onions don't have soul. Don't stop looking - Anne D'andrea is my contribution. I can't understand anyone liking the vocal, it sounds like something my mum would have liked!

Otis Blue, most listened to by me, four Tops Live at The Roostertail also took some hammer.

I had a green one, but Theresa never got her hands on it No micrometer jokes please.

It's not nostalgia, it's history. Think of say the history of Formula one. People may revere and be knowledgable about Brooklands and Fangio but still appreciate modern drivers and circuits. It's not living in the past it is just a doffing of the cap. It's not THAT important. The music will survive, chill.

For what it's worth, when we did the collection for a blue plaque for Wigan Casino (soon to be installed thanks), Kev and Richard were the the only promoters who donated. I'd call that putting something back in the scene.

Forgive me but I haven't the time to read the whole thread but for my twopennorth: 1. I wasn't skint, I was still at school and ALL of my older mates had jobs (if they wanted), the economic decline came more to the end of the seventies with Thatcher et al. 2. There were people from everywhere, southerners being allowed to jump t'cue, don't make me laugh. 3. Anyone who danced to Tony Blackburn, Joe Ninety, etc. was either a tourist or off their box on speed. It was a disaster. BTW if anyone tries to tell me there is a N. Soul track by Lulu or Tom Jones I have the same response. 4. Nice to see Fran. 5. Can someone PLEASE give us some decent talking heads without recourse to Waterman, Almond and Stansfield. Surely researchers get paid to do this! 6. On the whole it were'nt bad.

I'll get me coat.

I watch some records just to see what they eventually sell for and how many bidders. This gives me a guide price (not value) for some of my records. Thought everyone did it.

I watched the top Motown hits thing on ITV and it's been bugging me for some time. Did Levi go to prison in the late 70's? I'm sure I went to see The Tops in Manchester just after he got out but I can find no record of it on the net. Maybe it's something to do with Google having to erase history for rehabilitation of offenders or maybe I'm just getting to that age where memories invent themselves. I have the greatest respect for Levi and mean no harm by asking this question. Anyone else with similar memory of this event?

Not an answer but I always thought it stood for Cash On Delivery. I know the USAF has a Combat Operations Division but it seems that, just like in England, it would be unlikely that poor blacks would get anywhere near the Air Force.

Absolutely brilliant. Not surprised by number one, I remember as a ten year-old watching Pan's People dance to it in some sort of graveyard and they still couldn't kill the song! Number two, Jimmy always refered to as his pension plan so had to be up there somewhere. What fantastic clips and sassy wardrobes. The anecdotes have obviously been polished over the years but who gives a ........ When the lie becomes the legend; print the legend. Now, can we have one for Chess records?

Brilliant, thanks a lot mate

Any chance someone can whack this on you-Tube or somewhere please? I can't watch it in Malta Thanks in advance.

Ray Charles was a massive influence on all our heroes and his country blues helped to define our music. I like Country, but I hate Western. Good post.