Leaderboard

Let’s see where they all are in a few years time when work and family stress and strain kicks in. We saw it with the bunch who came when the film was about, mostly all disappeared now. Lets be honest, Bristol, London and other large cities have large student populations and if you can’t fill a venue in these places then you are doing something wrong.

There was a lot who came to the scene in the 80s and many still here, collectors & dancers as well.

What it is is that they seem to be pressed to be in the 'highlights' and not underground. Not bothered to play OVO or to worship the soulful artistry more than themselves (as a group at least). Nothing seems 'sacred'. Making it another thing than what the 'codes' (no matter how evolutive) of the old and few in-betweens were / are since... Borrowing the 'Northern Soul' brand and its 'clichés' more than its 'sub-culture' and "values". Good or bad I don't know. For sure not my thing. Never would have been. Although am an 'in-between' (54 years old only) and seen as a youngster on the scene once. Looking up and learned from those I looked up to.

Merry christmas to all the team

Probably because the nights in Nottingham are run by veterans and aimed and marketed at veterans. No young Djs as such and no marketing like Bristol has.

Some of them appear to be dressed up for a magazine shoot copying to closely the clothing and dancing of the past and capturing that perfect photo for the internet. Maybe trying just a bit too hard instead of just going with it ? I hope the scene continues and some of this crowd carry it on so good luck to those with the right intentions.

This is some album, probably one of the best for quite some time. Well done Alex, great job, I hope it sells well. Peter

Great Alex ! Jimmy Jules is a marvellous find, six cracking LPs in a row, well done... great Christmas present for us...Best John

The third 45 JIMMY CONWELL - LET IT ALL OUT / I'M AM SO GLAD - SOUL HARMONY SH 03 - Out 29 Nov 2024 was released last Friday and is now available via Ace Records website - (tap), and various record stores including our very own Source Store - (tap)

Great stuff! Thanks for this post!

Great to see young people enjoying them selves at soul events again. I go to lot and its 99% old folk like me. I wish I could understand what the commentator was saying though I guess he was just saying how good it is that the scene was enjoying a revival with young people in London - which is great - its been going on a whilst I guess the German TV have only just heard about it so its news to them. When we were young we hated that news stuff and commercialism but I think now it needs it as we are all getting on and we may not be here in another 10 - 20 years, So long may the scene last forever. Keep the faith.

Was there an influx of new young blood in the 80s who didn’t attend the well known 70s venues ? ideally I think there should be one scene with a steady flow of people joining but that seems impossible now.

From my experience the East Midlands has struggled attracting a younger crowd on to the soul scene. London and Manchester usually do much better. Bristol more recently but they have always had a strong musical identity with massive attack, trip hop, drum and bass etc so it’s no surprise it has worked there. Nottingham has 2 universities I don’t see a rare soul night aimed at them. And still only a handful of younger attendees at the nights I’ve been to which is a shame.

The music to me has to be the main focus. Looking smart or dressing a bit different to the regular pub crowd great but show some creativity don’t just copy.

Think some do get caught up in looking and dancing like they’re from a specific point in the history of the scene rather than just enjoying it for what it is.

Brilliant Ken I have the found link from 2005 which may be the start of the story http://www.heybabydays.com/Aqua_Lads.pdf "Donald Eugene Swift was a singer, a drummer, a song writer, mostly Carolina Beach music. He and his cousin – more like a brother – Darryl Harringon, started bands, played together and apart -- starting the Psychotic Reactions and playing with the Aqua Lads, the Soul Review, and The Entertainers, among others. Donnie sang and drummed up and down the Carolina coast for 18 years." https://www.marionnelson.com/obituary/2536137 In concert with The Drifters and another with The Tams

I think a little bit of interest is talked up continually way beyond its actual size. If they are happy, that's great but it often feels like hype in the way others report it.

Revival? They continually talk as though it went away and these few clubs brought it back to life again