Sharon Cooper

Apart from all the theories, ideologies and psychological meanderings about whats a burnt out oldie and what isn't.... Why is it that people just don't get bored with listening to the same predictable sounds over and over again?? Thats what amazes me

There is a difference between having an opinion that may be different from others and 'Saying something nice' If we all said 'something nice' all the time wouldn't the world be such a boring, monotonous, dreary, pathetic, sad, hum-drum, pathetic, run of the mill, predictable etc. etc. place?? I'm not knocking (?) Just stating a very clear fact. Anyway : what is a 'soulie'??

Exactly Kev : Hence; "again there is no such thing as an oldie because just about everything we play is old and when we went to our youth clubs and early soul nights weren't we in fact listening to modern music????, well we didn't know what it was and we had never heard it before, so at best it had to be crossover" The sentiment of 'knocking your head against a brick wall' comes to mind though when trying to get this point across to an out and out 'soulie' (Whatever that is!!) Perhaps they are recognisable by the outfits they wear (OOPS! Thats for another thread)

I agree whole heartedly with this Ged.

Thats a bit sad isn't it??

Ok I'll say my bit now the missus has said hers,,, First if its in the groove that counts then there is no such thing as an oldie, modern tune , cross over or what, because all that counts is in the groove, secondly if its all that is in the groove, why do people run 'oldies nights' and advertise them as for 'soulies only' as if they are the only people who know what soul music is. again there is no such thing as an oldie because just about everything we play is old and when we went to our youth clubs and early soul nights weren't we in fact listening to modern music????, well we didn't know what it was and we had never heard it before, so at best it had to be crossover. No, oldies are to do with nostalgia and going out and listening to them again is a nostalgia trip. To be true to northern soul you have to remember what northern soul was about and that was discovering 'new music' rare and obscure records, the rarer the better. That remains for me the heart of northern soul. I love my oldies and I do like to hear them but going to some soul nights is like listening to the oldies radio stations. We can keep the oldies (played out tunes) but we need to rediscover some of the excellent oldies never or hardly ever played whilst remaining true to the desire to discover new music.

Exactly...wheres the imagination?

The list for me would include: What I ain't going nowhere Talk of the grapevine You didn't say a word I've got to find me somebody Time Call me(??) ANY Tommy Hunt stuff My weakness is you Wade in the water Baby hit and run + others but its giving me a head ache to think about them Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

I think you were the one who mentioned 'modern' so the onus is really on you I think to clarify what you mean. Sorry don't quite understand the term 'TECO' either. Is that some type of 'Oldie' I've yet to have the pleasure of hearing??If we guess that your 'youth' was mid 1960's to mid 70's then do mid to late 70's tunes constitute modern to you? Anything that wasn't heard by you in your youth is modern then? Just really trying to see what is behind all this oldies and modern talk. Even though I think the whole subject has been done to death on here.

"'A'cross the board policy then you would hear less of the oldies and more of the modern" Just as a matter of interest what would constitute a 'modern' record to you? As I have had many discussions with people regarding what they would say is a modern record when in fact its as old as the hills but has not been heard by them before and has a slightly different sound to it! There is in fact far too much elitism and sectarianism in my opinion in the scene. If you are going to try and give a name to a section of the scene such as 'modern' then I think there needs to be some clarification as to what is actually meant. I have my opinion of what 'modern' means and I know that I would not hear that at our night but we would say that we play Across the board. A comment such as that highlighted just serves to create a greater sense of division.

Just bought 'Save room' by John Legend; Great - Well worth a listen! Sharon

Last time I heard that played was at Pilsley Saturday 6th September 2006 at approx 11.45pm!! Decent number danced

Thats true Dante but there are some brilliant less played tunes of that era unfortunately not all will listen to them at times and has been said to us when we've been at venues where a DJ has played something not in the 'top 10' (Pop pickers! ) 'Whats this modern crap' and 'Why can't he play stuff we know?'' when its actually been a tune played at Wigan ! (I'll let you know what they were later when my memory serves me better!!) we didn't know all the tunes that were played at Wigan, whats wrong with breaking a few different ones now and again??

No its alive and kicking in many smaller venues but remember to wear the right stuff or you'll look a real Div!!

I am of the opinion that some of the 'regular top 50' northern oldies have become nothing more than 'pop' tunes with 'pop' being meant in the true sense of the word;- 'popular' Therefore you could go to an Abba tribute night or Status Quo night and know all the words to the popular stuff churned out if that was your bag and think you'd had a brill night. I think thats the way with some of the northern oldies brigade.. Just keep turning out the same top popular tunes and they're happy... Each to their own I suppose.

Must have been about 74/75 when I went. I remember it changing hands (and name). Northern night was a bit nondesript from what i can remember but was one of those places that we went coz there was no where else to go on a week night

A point in relation to attendances, Sean, could be the creation of factions within the scene on a local level. Factions are not aways to do with music or music policy but often in relation to personalities. There have been threads on this site over the years in regard to promoters trying to do other promoters down and that will always, I`m sure continue because thats within some peoples nature. There will always be people putting gigs on in competition with others. That again is in the nature of some and I am well aware that we are not about trying to change the way people behave, thats up to them but some, like us try to keep out of the confrontational aspects of this type of thing and therefore become choosy in where we go, not just because of music policy but also because of 'internal politics'. I work in a stressful work environment and I don't particularly want to be bothered with personality clashes etc when going out to what is when all is said and done 'just a night out'. I know that to some its 'A way of life' but even though we've been around this scene for 36 odd years and love it and always will, there are more important things worth living for Just a thought.........................

how about the Marvellos, Let Me Keep You Satisfied

with all the talk about the amount of soul nights around at the moment i was wondering what you think constitutes a good soul night.??? imo not in order of priority, good venue that lends itself to a good atmosphere even when not too many turn out. good promoters who are friendly and approachable good music mix, not the same top 50 cheap beer. different faces, (shows there,s new interest) not knowing what will be played each month. good djs, but not neccesarily top names. knowing the djs have spent their money on originals but not too bothered if a few re-issues are played. safe parking?? friendly bar staff.

Hi sean Think the Pilsley post answers your questions. Is that ok for a start??