Amsterdam Russ

I have to ask all of you who are moaning about the quality of the events you attend - why do you go to them? Isn't stupidity defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome? Wouldn't it make more sense to go to somewhere you're sure of having a good time, or are you just suckers for punishment? Better still, if you don't think your soul needs are being catered for, why not do as so many others are doing and organise your own events? Then your punters can come on here and moan about how crap it and the music policy was.

Jeez!! Don't recall reading about that on here, but yes, a lucky, lucky escape all round - in some respects! And now "Ironside - DIY that will blow your mind" makes sense.

Lucky escape? Do tell!

Here you go. Bearing in mind the pics of all the experienced cyclists taking part in a charity ride, here's how not to ride a bike at about 5 in the morning after you've been on the lash all night. I filmed this from the balcony in the summer. It was great to watch - you just didn't know what they were going to do next!

We are posh, Peter. Viewed from the other side of the fountain we see out front, this is what we look like to the common folk hereabouts. From the outside it's a bit like being in the mayor's residence or something and sometimes I fee we ought to stand on the balcony and wave regally at the crowds beneath us. Joking aside, we were fortunate to find this place nigh on two years ago and really love living here. The place we were in before was a right dump, so this is a great improvement. It also provides great entertainment in the early hours of the weekend when the local youngsters come back from the nearby club/pub. I posted up a bit of vid to YouTube of their drunkenness, which is great to watch. Will post it here when I've found it...

A great description - I love it! A new expression for the Northern Soul lexicon to match the term "top 500" when used in a derogatory fashion!

Just now witnessed what must be at least 1,000 cyclists come through town in a charity fun ride. From the vantage point of our front balcony, it was very impressive to watch!

Surely reflections on things that are "killing the scene" are really a nostalgic cry for days gone by - days where there were limited venues, and getting there (if you could get there) required lengthy journeys up and down the country. Likewise it seems somewhat ironic to say that one of the things contributing to the supposed death of the "scene" (whatever that is) is an abundance of venues that are considerably more accessible than in those nostalgic years. It might be true to say that "it's not like the old days", but things move on and evolve. Today we have a scene that's thriving not just in the UK, but far beyond. Events are happening all over Europe every week, for example. That also means that more people are part of the scene. In fact, there are probably more people with a passion for Northern Soul now than there ever were in the much talked about Golden Years. And records - courtesy of the internet - are much more accessible than ever before, which certainly ain't a bad thing. Thousands upon thousands of people are listening to stuff they might never get a chance to hear courtesy of YouTube, Soul Source, iTunes and lots more. As far as record buying is concerned, I've bought way more from European dealers these last 12-18 months than I have from the UK. Exchange rates are a part of that (I'm in the Netherlands buying in euros), but at the same time it highlights to me the incredible choices I have in which dealers to buy from. In the last few years we've seen the scene expand its musical church to embrace more R&B, gospel, funkier grooves and boogie flavours. At the same time, djs in the upper echelons continue to play new sounds and refresh their playlists. Sure, a strong nostalgia scene has also developed, but so what? Each to their own. We all have our individual preferences. Live and let live Nope, it's not like the old days, and that's not a bad thing. Far from it to my mind.

An incredible achievement without a doubt. Congratulations, not just for achieving this milestone, but also for all the effort, dedication and patience that running this place must demand. As members I doubt we can appreciate to any real degree the amount of work that's required behind the scenes to maintain and manage what without a doubt is a fantastic place and an essential soul resource!

But isn't that the case with many 45s fetching high amounts today?

We're all expecting great things from you when it does turn up, Steve. No pressure, mind.

It's actually the first episode of series five, although it's possible they were shown in a different order outside of the UK. The episode opens with Aretha Franklin - I say a little prayer. Next up is The Olympics - Baby do the philly dog, followed by Patti & the Emblems - I'm gonna love you a long, long time. That's followed by Chuck Woods - Seven days is too long, and the Four Tops - Sweet was the love (I think - the song plays quietly in the background). None of those match your lyrics!

Here... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHAPTER-FIVE-YOU-CANT-MEAN-IT-LOVELY-TOP-END-ULTRA-RARE-1966-CBS-202395-7-/252038554949?hash=item3aaeab2545&nma=true&si=8pjLgkZmpCmM5SI7%2BPJUjlIFbeI%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Don't see why he'd not want the money sent through Paypal as family/friends!

Fill your boots... 40,000 45s for a mere $80,000.00. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40-000-lot-45s-NOS-MINT-MINT-unplayed-Rock-Soul-Funk-R-B-Detroit-Indie-Local-/161784694354 Want a closer look? The seller's kindly provided photos of the lot right here… https://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=%2FUNOEr7SSoWX0c7bcmze6A%3D%3D Don't forget the shipping charges - $4,000.00 seems reasonable.

Will there be subtitles for our American cousins?

As the old saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It just goes to show how influential the film is out there.

Turn it into an allnighter and you can stay for the... Bit of a bargain compared to the Northern Soul classes as well!

Haha - nicely done.

If I recall correctly, wasn't Top Shop "doing" Northern Soul about 10 years ago in what was possibly the first wave of renewed media attention. The actual timeframe eludes me, but this would have been around when rare records were first featuring in a story lines on Coronation Street. Ooh, hold on. I'm getting a strong sense of dejavu!

Nicely captured, and nicely blending in with the autumnal browns of the leaf.

I've seen specially constructed platforms on top of chimney stacks here , specifically placed to encourage storks to build a nest. Apparently stork numbers started to decline very rapidly in the Netherlands during the 20th century because of changing agricultural methods, and it's said that by 1969 only 19 nests were still in use across the whole of the country. Conservation and breeding efforts have been quite successful since then although something like only 10-20% of the young make it to their first breeding season meaning that much more work needs to be done.

Thanks, Steve. And thank goodness for digital. Would have wasted an awful lot of rolls of film just to capture just the few I posted here!

I'm sitting on the back balcony now at a time when the swifts would be at their most active and vocal. There's not a one to be seen or heard. They're gone from here for sure.

Thanks, Dave. The plan was to get some shots from above of a coot while it was diving underwater. A waterway runs along side our building and it was very clear today. I could see the coot thrashing about under the water with its legs going all over the place. Thought it could make for an interesting shot or two. Darn thing got camera shy though and so the bees - which absolutely love the lavender we've grown on the balcony this year - got my attention instead!