Sharon Cooper

In all honesty, there are nights that you could write up the playlist before you get there. This isn't of course down to the promoters only but also the guests they bring in. Just coz someone is a 'big name' doesn't change that. I decided some while ago that some places were on my 'no go' list because I just couldn't hack standing one more night listening to the same tunes over and over whilst watching embarrasing antics on the dancefloor. I suppose that you have to be discerning in this game and make your own decisions. Promoters and certain DJ's aren't going to change what is pulling in a decent size crowd (and the cash of course) because it brings with it a certain amount of kudos. In all reality by running a soul night and owning a few records gives some a sense of oneupmanship and can inflate egos that have not much else in life to be inflated about! Anyway instead of wanting to change these people- vote with your feet. Which I have done- I spend too many hours at work dealing with real life issues without spending time being bothered about trying to change the music policy of my local soul night. Go where they play what you want to hear.. Don't waste time being 'annoyed' about it.

'Downhill' is of course your opinion (Not so to others) and also 'let down by it' is again very subjective. The point is you pay your money... you make your choice.. But please try not to give an overall impression that North Notts/North Derbyshire is full of gigs with promoters without imagination and also who like us (who have been around the scene for the past 35+ years) also have seen and felt a need to move on and not remain static (in a time warp some might say!)

If you really want to hear what you are asking for definately try us for our anniversary in April with Nige Brown and Mark Bicknell (Try him currently on Solar radio) I can guarantee you;ll hear some stuff on there that is up tempo and unknown to you and also will be played at our anniversary. You missed him at Christmas as I can't recall seeing you at Pilsley. The impression is that most gigs here in North Notts/North Derbyshire play the same tired old tunes which is really an unfair slant on what is happening in some places in this area.

With all due respect Lynsey/Wez when did you last try Pilsley/Attic/Back room at Bentinck/ Annesley to name a few gigs local to you? Listening to what people say to you is not as good as actual trying places for yourself. Times do change and music policies evolve which we at Pilsley have taken into account as we like yourselves were sick and tired of listening to the same top/pop sounds. The Attic plays a great mix of stuff that you may not know at all (not all slow or mid tempo) Annesley has always been known for giving lesser known stuff an airing and Bentinck again has incorporated another room to cater for what you are asking for. Instead of going on what you heard when you went to these places, how ever long ago that was why not give them another chance? I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised. Chris and Sharon

As the 'Rhythm and Soul' movement developed and evolved into Northern Soul, the term began to apply to anyone who was not into Soul music (ANY Soul music), and that is the way we used it in the early '70s as I remember, the expression being shortened to "Div" Yep bang on this, thats exactly what the term was used for and always will be I guess, I still hear folks using it today, 37 years on(oh my God 37years) especially in some oldies venues. thing is most groups who follow particular styles, fashion, music whatever have a term to describe those not on the inside. Div records imo: Frank Wilson Do I Love You Nosmo King Goodbye Nothing To Say AL Wilson The Snake and that dam awful Lost Summer Love, Mr Bridget

I think perhaps you misunderstood my comment, By asking about divs I wasn't refering to mods etc, it was that at the time (early 70s) anybody outside the Northern Scene were generally referred to as divs. it was a second though and out of interest as to where the term originated from. Mr Bridget.

Reading back my post I can't see where I was offensive?

No chuck, off to the Attic (Chris is DJing) and then home to bed-ee-bys!!

Go steady, Bazza,don't start 'em off again!!

Great stuff Geoff and it's this era that I was referring too, that is the sixties mods, when mods were mods and rockers were rockers; can't see how the mods of the late 70s early eighties could influence a scene that was well established by then. The halcyon days of the northern scene for me were the late sixties early to mid 70s. Chris

Its been a really excellent thread.. and yes, whilst I would agree about the 'cliche' comment I think this thread has given a slighty different angle to it (Just my own opinion)

in that case you'll have to pick Chris Cooper whos runs a soul club ( Pilsley) and is a Pastor

bought a couple of Mod cds and was surprised at some of the tunes listed, some northern and some sounding very northern. My older brother was a big mod and motown fan and then later in life got into northern. Do you think the mod scene played an important role as a fore runner to the northern scene?. the reason I ask is that it seems lots af credit is given to the black music scene in the early mid sixties, motown and R&B, but little is mentioned about the mod scene and its role. Would love more info on the mod scene.

hi macca Bought this last week from a very very reputable source who took it from his own collection for me. has had it for years and I trust him implicitly. I paid over a ton for it Mine is Olive green, vinyl and reads, tampete-5444-A in the dead wax, furhter round it has what looks like MZe also in the dead wax. no sign of a raised x and is definatly not styreene. hope this helps Chris Just noticed that my b side reads tampete-5544-B

BIG BIG apologies...sorry didn't realise that you had to have a formal interview and be accepted onto each section of the site before you could pass a very small comment Sharon

Are you referring to Bridget being seen before? Cause she's a regular on SS but is not a Dj. I'm her husband and I'm the dj. you can check her out on her blog if you want

The Delreys Incorporated, Destination Unknown, Tampete. Wonderful, can smell Cleethorpes Pier from here. love it. Chris

"dancing my heart away to some fantastic tune that send a shiver down my back, and meeting like minded people,going home after a great soul nite , and wishing I could do it all over again,and glad that I still love the soul after all these years" This really sums up my feelings too Mark, I would also like to add: anticipation of forthcoming soul nights that you KNOW are just going to be the bees knees. S xx

Chris plays this at Pilsley and around off the LP. Great tune!!

Agree..Can also be seen on my Blog

His name was Chick Wilson (Or so my dad used to say) S