Legend has it that the term Northern Soul was invented by a record shop manager in Soho. When on Saturdays Northern football fans would come into the shop looking to buy obscure soul records that the Southern Jass Funk and Soul fans were not into. These records were parked in a corner of the shop and the Manger said that's the soul the northerners buy, and the Term NORTHERN SOUL was born.
More or less correct Ralph, it was Dave Godin a soul music journalist who had a shop "Soul City" in Deptford High Street & Northern footie fans would be looking for uptempo 60s which was out of fashion for a lot of people in about 71/72 down here & that's right a throwaway remark & the term Northern Soul was born. Prior to that it was just called rare soul which is how a lot of people refer to it again these days having become sick & tired & trying to distance themselves from the whole circus of fancy dress & the tacky commercialism that has sprung up i.e. Northern soul duvet covers, NS kitchen clocks etc etc etc. It's a fucking joke It used to be about the music & discovering new tunes. Of course after 50 years of searching the states there must be practically nothing left to be found but the search still goes on through unreleased acetates & studio tapes & there is still amazing stuff being found. Right I'm off out to look for a Northern Soul teatowel.
I’m doing caister soul Weekender next May with some pals, this old Elvis fan/rockabilly might look out of place, but I do like the music
Caister was always jazz / Funk though ? I really can't imagine they will be playing any Northern
I can’t comment obviously, as never been, but one of the fellas I am going with is a regular, and he says they play some northern soul and Motown
Ah well times change I guess, back in the mid/late 70s when Caister was probably at it's height with Chris Hill at the helm you wouldn't have heard any Northern & rightly so Caister was a Jazz Funk night & never the twain should meet ...... except one hilarious all dayer at Reading Top Rank about 76/77. Northern was downstairs in the main room & jazz funk was upstairs in a smaller room. Late afternoon Jazz funkers did a conga down into the main room, chris hill took to the stage, took off the Northern record playing (should of been lynched for that) & said over the mic some shit like "we're all into soul lets dance together" (ooh how lovely) & then stuck on not a soul record but Space Magic Fly which as you probably know is some dreadful Euro electro disco record. With this a character known as Cockney Mick (from darkest Windsor) who may have been the DJ whose record was taken off grabbed the mic & said you can fuck right off & grabbed magic fly off the deck & fly it did ............... frisbee like above the heads of a few hundred people across the dance floor. Cue some handbags at dawn type of stuff, pushing & shouting nothing serious & the funkers fucked off back upstairs. Happy days :-)
I listen to a lot of Jackie Wilson, strikes me that some of his more obscure stuff would go down well with northern soul crowds, maybe it already does?
Yes, great singer. "Because of you" probably played the most, but you will also here well known numbers like higher and higher.
3 days, 1 hour, 30 minutes
does that get a play?
Just had a listen, can't believe I've never heard that, I would say without a doubt that would of got plays somewhere.
Great track thanks DA9
I play a lot of his stuff as some of it gets played at rockabilly/rocking nights
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
Inferiority complex, 100%.
Its Soul music, just that, nothing more than wonderful, high tempo soul music, loved up and down the land but, because of a few shirt lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
That said, living in Hertfordshire I am a Northern Monkey to most of you anyway.
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
Inferiority complex, 100%.
Its Soul music, just that, nothing more than wonderful, high tempo soul music, loved up and down the land but, because of a few shirt lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
That said, living in Hertfordshire I am a Northern Monkey to most of you anyway.
Thanks. That was kinda what I was getting at.
Still, when you live in somewhere like Wigan in the 60s I bet you were just crying out for something to claim as your own.
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
Inferiority complex, 100%.
Its Soul music, just that, nothing more than wonderful, high tempo soul music, loved up and down the land but, because of a few shirt lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
That said, living in Hertfordshire I am a Northern Monkey to most of you anyway.
All true, especially you being northern but in and around London soul fans moved on to Funk and disco while a lot of the northern scene got stuck in a purist, no new music, time warp.
Love a lot of the music claimed as northern but give me Sly, Stevie or funkadelic anytime.
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
Inferiority complex, 100%.
Its Soul music, just that, nothing more than wonderful, high tempo soul music, loved up and down the land but, because of a few shirt lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
That said, living in Hertfordshire I am a Northern Monkey to most of you anyway.
Thanks. That was kinda what I was getting at.
Still, when you live in somewhere like Wigan in the 60s I bet you were just crying out for something to claim as your own.
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
The fact is it was a northern thing in as far the type of the music played. At the beginning of the 70s there was very little of what became Northern played in the south, there was the occasional night but very little for years. Of course at that time you might hear the occasional track when out but actual clubs catering to "northern" was extremely rare
It doesn't & didn't become "Northern" or belong to the north & nobody to my knowledge has ever claimed it was (apart from you). As has already been mentioned it was a throw away remark made in a record shop in DEPTFORD & the term stuck. So if anything it's the thick suvern munkees to blame.
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
The fact is it was a northern thing in as far the type of the music played. At the beginning of the 70s there was very little of what became Northern played in the south, there was the occasional night but very little for years. Of course at that time you might hear the occasional track when out but actual clubs catering to "northern" was extremely rare
It doesn't & didn't become "Northern" or belong to the north & nobody to my knowledge has ever claimed it was (apart from you). As has already been mentioned it was a throw away remark made in a record shop in DEPTFORD & the term stuck. So if anything it's the thick suvern munkees to blame.
Sorry, but that post contradicts itself.
You're saying it was a northern thing , the name says "northern" but somehow it's me that invented the term?
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
It doesn't & didn't become "Northern" or belong to the north & nobody to my knowledge has ever claimed it was (apart from you).
Its Soul music, just that, nothing more than wonderful, high tempo soul music, loved up and down the land but, because of a few shirt lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
That said, living in Hertfordshire I am a Northern Monkey to most of you anyway.
Inferiority complex, 100%. ? cultural identity ?
Good grief what fucking nonsense you talk. Did you get a good kicking from a northerner once ?
few shirt (assume you mean short?) lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
As you seem so knowledgeable would you like to let me know the names of these shirt lived clubs ?
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
Rare soul (the clue is in the name) wasn't available to the masses in the way that, Motown, Stax or TSOP was so not sure how you were listening to it unless you were on the coaches that went from Hertfordshire to various locations around the north & midlands so a bit further than the 25 miles that you claim.
In the early 70s I was going to soul clubs in the west end Columbos (Carnaby St) Countdown, 100 club, The Horseshoe & others that played current imports & UK releases & not once did I hear any Northern soul.
A thing ? It was a sizeable minority music scene that was termed "Rare Soul" to differentiate between current release soul / funk & uptempo 60s so nobody was claiming it to be a Northern thing & the term Northern soul only appeared after Dave Godin told his staff in a London record shop to put certain things aside as it was the style of record that the Northern blokes were after.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
Well done I have a few bits by Otis Clay myself.
Would that be the chips that seem to weigh heavily on your shoulder ?
So, the thing that always makes me laugh about "Northern Soul" is that the music wasn't from the north at all.
Thick norvan munkees.
Think someones looking for a bite
No, not at all.
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
It doesn't & didn't become "Northern" or belong to the north & nobody to my knowledge has ever claimed it was (apart from you).
..... you didnt actually mean it.
All clear now.
I'm sure that you have many interesting conversations with yourself. Please continue
@Hastingsaddick and @hoof_it_up_to_benty and for any other fans not going to Reading today. Wendy is spinning the wax at my mate Nick's club this afternoon.
First Friday of every month the Volunteer in Bexleyheath has a Motown/Northern Soul evening. Not going tonight as off to Madrid in the early hours, but worth knowing. Anyone been previously?
Legend has it that the term Northern Soul was invented by a record shop manager in Soho. When on Saturdays Northern football fans would come into the shop looking to buy obscure soul records that the Southern Jass Funk and Soul fans were not into. These records were parked in a corner of the shop and the Manger said that's the soul the northerners buy, and the Term NORTHERN SOUL was born.
More or less correct Ralph, it was Dave Godin a soul music journalist who had a shop "Soul City" in Deptford High Street & Northern footie fans would be looking for uptempo 60s which was out of fashion for a lot of people in about 71/72 down here & that's right a throwaway remark & the term Northern Soul was born. Prior to that it was just called rare soul which is how a lot of people refer to it again these days having become sick & tired & trying to distance themselves from the whole circus of fancy dress & the tacky commercialism that has sprung up i.e. Northern soul duvet covers, NS kitchen clocks etc etc etc. It's a fucking joke It used to be about the music & discovering new tunes. Of course after 50 years of searching the states there must be practically nothing left to be found but the search still goes on through unreleased acetates & studio tapes & there is still amazing stuff being found. Right I'm off out to look for a Northern Soul teatowel.
I believe the name Northern Soul did originate in Deptford. Soul City had a box full of uptempo (pop pickers) soul that people from the north sought out when visiting London. That box had the phrase "Northern Soul" written on it ie platters for the peeps from the north. It was of course played in Wigan etc but the name is south London born and bred.
Have been to the Deptford Northern Soul Club on occasion. It's a great night out. Not much of that authentic clobber and moves but the music is great. https://deptfordnorthernsoulclub.co.uk/
My mum used to go to weekenders at Camber Sands and told me how great they were. I actually quite liked listening to her music collection when i was young
Thanks. I've just watched loads of her vids. Enjoyed her dancing.
I stumbled across Shuffle Dancing whilst trawling about on YouTube and cant stop watching this one. I am not even perving at the girls, I am so transfixed by their foot movements I am not looking above the ankle.
Thanks. I've just watched loads of her vids. Enjoyed her dancing.
I stumbled across Shuffle Dancing whilst trawling about on YouTube and cant stop watching this one. I am not even perving at the girls, I am so transfixed by their foot movements I am not looking above the ankle.
Yep same game Russ, I deserved mine to be fair, was walking back to the station in a bright green benetton jumper, and gazelles, one red/one green to show Northerners I could afford 2 pairs...you all went home but I was on a driving course at Leconfield and went with one if the Dundee/Charlton lot who was in the army with me.
I attend various scooter club events and northern soul is prodominently played at all of them. Although I enjoy some tracks, 90% are all a bit "Meh" and unless I'm absolutely shit-faced, you won't catch me dancing to it..........
Comments
I just dont understand how something becomes "Northern" just because it was popular there. Bit like "Yorkshire" tea i suppose, which comes from nowhere near Yorkshire!
Its Soul music, just that, nothing more than wonderful, high tempo soul music, loved up and down the land but, because of a few shirt lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
That said, living in Hertfordshire I am a Northern Monkey to most of you anyway.
Still, when you live in somewhere like Wigan in the 60s I bet you were just crying out for something to claim as your own.
Love a lot of the music claimed as northern but give me Sly, Stevie or funkadelic anytime.
It doesn't & didn't become "Northern" or belong to the north & nobody to my knowledge has ever claimed it was (apart from you). As has already been mentioned it was a throw away remark made in a record shop in DEPTFORD & the term stuck. So if anything it's the thick suvern munkees to blame.
You're saying it was a northern thing , the name says "northern" but somehow it's me that invented the term?
I'm confused now. And it seems that you are too!
Somebody in the south called it Northern Soul
I know that somebody wasn't you but then I never said it was.
Lets hope you're no longer confused.
So when you said ...
..... you didnt actually mean it.
All clear now.
cultural identity ?
Good grief what fucking nonsense you talk. Did you get a good kicking from a northerner once ?
few shirt (assume you mean short?) lived club nights around Wigan 'claimed' as being a Northern thing.
As you seem so knowledgeable would you like to let me know the names of these shirt lived clubs ?
Whether its 'rare Soul', 'Motown', 'Stax' or 'TSOP' it was all listened to the same degree within 25 miles of the Valley but, we are comfortable enough with our cultural identity to not claim it as a 'thing'.
Rare soul (the clue is in the name) wasn't available to the masses in the way that, Motown, Stax or TSOP was so not sure how you were listening to it unless you were on the coaches that went from Hertfordshire to various locations around the north & midlands so a bit further than the 25 miles that you claim.
In the early 70s I was going to soul clubs in the west end Columbos (Carnaby St) Countdown, 100 club, The Horseshoe & others that played current imports & UK releases & not once did I hear any Northern soul.
A thing ? It was a sizeable minority music scene that was termed "Rare Soul" to differentiate between current release soul / funk & uptempo 60s so nobody was claiming it to be a Northern thing & the term Northern soul only appeared after Dave Godin told his staff in a London record shop to put certain things aside as it was the style of record that the Northern blokes were after.
I will still listen to Otis Clay without the need to wear clogs or put gravy on my chips.
Well done I have a few bits by Otis Clay myself.
Would that be the chips that seem to weigh heavily on your shoulder ?
https://youtu.be/49fAGR0BFhA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQrlBIMTzIM&list=RDMQrlBIMTzIM&start_radio=1
Sorry I got you so vexed and happy speaking bollocks, I do it for a living.