Saxafone

Has anyone seen the new film "All Together" Film 4 production, supposed to be a comedy? with Danny Dyer & Martin Freeman. Total Northern soundtrack, Martin Freeman co starring running around in a Wigan All Nighter T shirt and riding a Lammy. Absolute cack film though - how did our music end up in this hell hole ? The plague and avoid like, should always be used when discussing this turkey ! Link to review and pic below. All Together Pic & Review

Southend last night, choice - Heartbeat, Songs of Praise and I'm a celebrity X factor big brother gone dancing twaddle v Temps and 4 Tops. They mullered a couple (particularly Tops, something about you, eh whossat the Korean version ????) They pratted about cabaret style once or twice (wave your mobile phone in the air, ehh nahhh !!!) They played the audience like pros, gerrup and dance to this (result a "standing" ovation) They did that uneccessary Heatwave thang that someone mentioned earlier They were brilliant. Taff

Got mine on Friday, just in time for a domestic all - nighter. Thanks Richard, a classy job all round. Taff

Just to establish there's no North / South prejudice going on here, I'll be in tropical Morecambe over the weekend. Seaside Soul Club, get the hypothermia gear out !!!! Taff

Mark, I suspect you live North of that Mason Dixon line where there are more soul nights to choose from than you can waggle a stick at. I think I can honestly say that down here in the sunny Sarf there is still an unbridled enthusiasm and appetite for our music that is maybe borne of it's relative rarity and scarcity of regular venues. (or maybe there's just more sunshine lol!) We all worship at the altar of the perennial 100 Club every now and then, but hey that's been our only constant. The 100 also brings together exiles from many diverse soul backgrounds which serves as a brilliant melting pot for the London / Southern scene. I also suspect that the very longevity of the 100 and it's establishment as the South's Taj Mahal of Soul has forged a different expectation to that which may prevail up North where the centres of influence change over the years as venues rise and fade. Since moving to London many, many moons ago, I have been struck by the dedication and committment of the troops down here, to create something that I recognise as having evolved from the traditional "Northern" night but at the same time being more willing to explore different strokes - and I don't mean modern, far from it. A gang of us are just about to set off on our first venture to organise a soul night here in deepest Essex, ego stroking most defo not, we'll all probably lose a few (many) quids - but we're determined to have a great time spreading the gospel - we're in it for the music and sod all else. The interest and support we have received has been fantastic and attending other "nearby" nights like Kent SC & Bisley is a throw back to the days of old where friendship and enjoyment of the music was all that mattered. So get yourself under that UV lamp till the sun reappears, things are not that dark or f***ed up. Well not here anyway ! Taff the uncynical p.s. 3 hours of sunshine predicted for the north on bank holiday weekend - get the speedos ready !

Bearsy, given that we've already established that I consider lancing my own piles as being preferable to listening to "Modern" you can take it that I am firmly in the underplayed and rarely heard 6ts soul camp. Just chilling and listening to this little ditty right now - "Long Ago" think he means the 6ts ! Taff 24___Long_Ago.mp3

A flamenco tapas bar in the centre of Seville about 12 years ago, over there on an university study thing (ok jolly) and had made this bar next to our hotel the tour hq. Anyone who has listened to more than 2 flamenco numbers on the trot will know that it's not the grooviest kind of choon to party to. Anyway about 2am and the place is packed and on comes Crackin up, blasting out of the speakers - cue 20 "mature" stoodents (london guildhall uni's finest) dancing on the tables, bar and any horizontal surface in there. This was followed by just like the weather, exus trek, angel baby and many other classics.. The locals were somewhat surprised, the bar owner was totally gob smacked, the uni lecturers over there with us held their heads in their hands at the thought of the diplomatic incident that was sure to follow - cue one giggling welshman who had managed to open the bar's cd juke box and swapped the local variety for something a bit more soulful. Fortunately the owner loved it, the locals joined in and we carried on into the small hours - one of those nights where you just had to be there. Intoxicated by this wonderful and bizarre sight and probably a few sherberts too many I whacked some pesetas in the bar's pay phone to let the other half share this magical moment at home, "do you know what f%*..ing time it is" followed by the sound of a phone being slammed down did take some of the shine off it for about 20 seconds.... till the next sound came on !! So if you are ever in a flamenco bar in downtown Seville and the opening bars of Cracking up come out of the speakers, please ask for my cds back. Happy days - Taff

Gave some folk a lift to Prestatyn from Essex, they tell me that tonight's C4 10pm film wedding belles has N Soul & dancing. Probably wrong forum and maybe totally wrong, I have passed it on. Taff

Hiya Pete, getting me Ben E kings and King Solomon Burkes confused obviously, still in rehab after my 50th saturday but well spotted that man. Will give the next episode a coat of looking at and let you know if I agree !!! Taff

A far better programme on UKTV Documentaries today (repeated tonight) Soul Deep, part of a series apparently. Had Ben E King, Staples, Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, Solomon King and dozens of brilliant archive clips. They also defined the origins of the term crossover far better than anyone on here! Was the term applied to anyone off the gospel circuit that crossed over to sing secular music which was considered a no no. Even Sam Cooke apparently went under the name of Dean Cooke with his first releases because of the grief he knew he'd get. Noticed at the end that it had the bbc logo in the credits, maybe someone there does know what they are doing, worth catching as I'm sure the future editions will be. I was also at the Barbican concert and if it came over as brilliant on the telly, then the camera does tell lies ! Taff

Went to the Soul Brittania concert at the Barbican last night, being transmitted as part of this series on Feb 16th. Madelline Bell, Geno, Jimmy James, Eddie Floyd and Sam Moore all performing against a backdrop of soul vids - wigan shots and scooters aplenty. Madelline did a reasonable version of picture me gone having been introduced as the darling of Northern Soul Too many of em on one after the other and a crappy cod committments finale with em all on stage. Less would have been more with none at all of Eric Burdon even better. Never seen Geno live before - he stole the show last night - top man and a nutter to boot ! Taff

Won't help ya but had a strange experience in Rock nd Roll Heaven Orlando about 8 years ago, quietly shuffling through the stuff on offer - but conspicuously wearing my Everton shirt - a guy with a North Wales accent shuffles up to me and asks where I'm from, North Wales I reply. I'm only here coz a mate of mine (Cel T) asked me to drop in and see if there was anything worth picking up. The Bas*ard he said that's the only reason I'm here as well ! Went to pay and the geezer at the counter (sure he said he was brother to KC of sunshine band fame) asked if I knew a certain Mr King. Explained he wanted to do nasty unbiblical things to him on account of some alleged dodgy dealing shennanigins. No records bought, just get me outta here and exit straight to the bar across the road !!

Many fine sentiments, all of which I agree with, but if we mean what we say, let's make the first night at Jacks the best 6ts night - ever ! There's many that can't be with us but let's make sure we toast them in style at the start of the next chapter. We didn't go to the 100 coz they played country n western - it's the music that counts ! Let's end the wake and start the new beginning - erm they do sell incohol there don't they ? Taff

No debate Tops Second Album - end of ! Haydn

Tip her bollox and tell her to get her arse to Prestatyn ! Setting off now, listening to - You can't be happy until you love someone - the tops - unless you get the sax, she's wasting her time and yours ! In this world - just had another orgasm ! Love you girl - need you girl ! It's what it's all about - & weeks on the pi** ! Prestatyn I'm on my way - then spain - somewhere called Luanco - happy days !

Tammi - Tears at the end of a love affair Stevie Wonder - I gave up quality for quantity (may b other way round) Supremes - you gotta pay the price Tops - Something about you Jimmy Ruffin - I've passed this way b4 Edwin Star? - He who picks a rose No change the plan just get her the Tops "Second Album" - the biz

One reason could be that when you post on here about a new soul night (in a barren part of the country - Essex) and try to get some people enthusiastic about attending - arrange transport etc - the bloody post gets moved !!!!!!!!!!!!! What's all that about ?

The one with the big jugs out of 3 degrees ! Sheila Ferguthingy - some top tunes (on Swan? god my brian hurts) ! Amazed she hasn't been dragged out to perform and she could sing a few songs too afterwards !

Facts which appear irrelevant to this argument; CDs are little discs that contain digitised music as opposed to the very flawed medium that is vinyl Many people including myself love travelling to obscure outposts of the Northern Soul world to hear the latest and greatest discoveries played in the atmosphere and environment that befits the music - in the company of fellow travellers (preface with) In my opinion, There is sod all wrong in a local piss up or soul night - call it what you will, playing the sounds on CD or any other medium provided that's what it is advertised as - an extension to every Friday night at my house ! Neighbours would love it in fact ! A gang of like minded people gathering to listen, enjoy and share our music played on CD - FANTASTIC ! For the Taliban Fundamentalists - this will never ever replace what you seek to protect at all costs, it is just another way for more people to enjoy what we all love.

Argument ? Debate ? Discussion ? Bollox - The Tops every time over the psychadelic could have beens - yes they had Dave Ruffin (for a while) and did some half decent stuff - did they ever turn up at Morecambe ? No Did they record Four Tops, Second Album - Just as Long as You Need Me, I'm Grateful, SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, No ! Compare how many classics we revere that were on early Tops albums - Amazing Tis like the old Lambretta v Vespa "argument" there is only one true way and the Tops win every time - ask my neighbours !

Disgrace if even a hint of truth ! Kev, I have just been on the soul-source web-site and read the e-mails regarding Whitby. Unfortunately, the administrator has closed the site to any new replies so I am taking this opportunity to warn you of the information that I intend to distribute among the hundreds of "misinformed" people. I had a very polite conversation with you on Sunday afternoon giving you the chance to explain why the ticket situation arose. I was totally horrified to hear you tell me that all the people who weren't allowed in on Saturday night, had knowingly, bought counterfeit tickets at £10 each and that's why they weren't allowed in. As I then informed you, I was one of those people who was refused entry. Let me remind you that I, along with the many genuine Northern Soul fans of many years, had bought our tickets months ago costing us £25 each. Where did you get that informationt from? If you'd actually had the courage to come upstairs to face us, then you would have seen many very familiar faces. Another lie that surfaced was that you had left the building on Saturday night and that is why Snowy came up to try and calm the situation. This is all fact - I was there. I was told on Saturday morning by a very dependable source that 2000 tickets had been sold. The poor guy you have all chosen as a scapegoat actually only sold 30 tickets. As for the so-called allocated 1500 wristbands, there was another full box waiting to be used by yourselves. Can you tell me what colour wrist bands were used for New York? As Friday night was well over the maximum capacity allowed for the venue, there were complaints and the authorities were informed and that's why there was a clamp down on Saturday night. Realising your greediness couldn't be explained away, I wouldn't be surprised if you planted that poor chap outside - your scapegoat! On Saturday night, when the police eventually arrived, we were told by them at around midnight that they were going to close the event. You, as promoter, then panicked and started asking people to leave - how desparate was that! Have you refunded their money yet? After waiting for over 2 hours, we were then told that 105 people could go downstairs. By this time and after all the emotional trauma we had been through, we were certainly not in the mood to be dancing. We waited for some compensation and an apology - guess what - we got neither! You didn't even have the decency to say SORRY - you just defended yourselves and put the blame on someone else!!! So, a message to all the people who can't understand what all the fuss is about, put yourselves in our shoes. We had looked forward to this event all year, paid our money, travelled miles and got stabbed in the back in return. One more point - I hope no-one buys their tickets yet for next year's event because when the police and council in Whitby have had their say on the situation, there probably won't be an event. I await your reply. I've said it too now - registered letter pleeeez ! Personally I find it much more enjoyable abusing Ady at th'100 club - he even smiles sometimes !

Just noticed there's a Soul Night at Rochester on 12th August !!! OK haven't found it on the map yet but it's in Kent apparently (that's the strange place you can see over the big bridge next to Lakeside, for those that have never been ) No it's not France - that's an even stranger place ! Any takers for a mini bus laden with soul music and jellied eels, Southend, Rayleigh, Wickford, Basildon etc - alternatively suggest any other event and let's do it!