So, we live in a society where cutlery rattling across a table accompanied by a mind-numbing bass line sprung straight from N-Dubzs' video set dominates the "chart".
"The charts", since when did a chart dominate the soundtrack to somebody's life? The claim of "no decent music about nowher days" simply cries out with naivety. Now, we are the luckiest we've ever been. I am able to whisk myself to any era, from the flick of a needle, click of a button or even shake of a device.
There has never been a better time for the exploration of soul music, the gems have been hunted an are waiting to be embraced; it is your own journey to uncover them yourself. One thing I enjoyed about finding my feet in the soul scene was that I am constantly discovering new tracks, my own gems. I was sick of hearing Indie playlists breakfast, lunch and dinner. At every corner there is something new and exciting, something to dance around your room to, something to break your back doing ( attempting) back lunges for, something to look like a lune in front of your friends for. A discovery putting in place another piece in this strange jigsaw of life. Tomorrow, I start my one hour "Soul Sunday's" slot at the URY uni radio; and my what a privilege to share these gems to new, young ears.
-Even if only one ear hears just how sweet music can truly be it will be worth those outrageous jingles.
"Living for the weekend" epitomises a soulful lifestyle, a welcomed escape from reality. It was an escape for the industrialised North many years ago, yet an equal escape for the young souls of today. A modern "Nite Klub", the only connection fuelled in lust and dirt-cheap doubles, and yes the beer does taste 'just like piss'. But the connection fellow soul fans share is again- an escape from these realitys. Life- long friends share a feeling of acceptance felt at all soul events. David Nowell's book "Too Darn Soulful" weeps emotion as strong as the music itself. Diary entry's depict friends traveling the best part of the country, connected through soul music, a buzz far more than seeing a familiar face. Two friends reunited after tough years; a sight like no other. Hugs,handshakes, their eyes, smiles more alive than ever as they reunite the sweetest of memories.
They are connected till the day they stop ticking, soul music will always be a part of them.
Something that scares me about other music scenes is the fear of my passion dying, the scene fizzling out to be nothing more than a Kate Bush reunion concert far away in the futile future. Not soul music. Much alike the scene itself, it will keep on burning brighter than ever, and my I am excited for the future.
"Soul is the humanity and emotion in all of us". David pins the tail on the donkey here;
soul music burns deep inside of you, this music will touch your soul.
http://ury.org.uk
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Kings Hall All Nighter
No experience can top your first Soul All Nighter, it's everything you've been looking for. An escape from the revolving dance floor, charts ridden Pop World the locals have to offer. You'll never understand the expression "once you go, you'll never turn back"; until the atmosphere hits you.
What better place to smash it than Stoke Kings Hall, home of the most popular current all Nighter. The heart of the revival and only 20 minutes down the road-some things are just meant to be. Sat there at 9pm eating groovy biscuits like a kid before the school disco, wondering when the "normal" time is to rock up, wondering if 4 sugars in me tea will keep me going. The people there had seen it all, Casino years, the originals- and here I was in my tartan trousers and shiny shoes.
But then you get in there, you feel the music, stronger than ever, it hits you. Then you look around, and smile. Nobody gives two what you look like, your age, gender, class or race; this Is our music. A unity hard to find, a unity no outsider could understand. Much like the look on people's faces when you claim you danced for 7 hours without anything to help you along the way. Much like the look on friends faces when they realise Gloria Jones' "Tainted Love" is far from Soft Cells original.
Spins, high-kicks, clapping to the last beat; I've never seen Stoke so alive.
Dancing... now I'm no Fred Astaire but you feel on bloody fire on that dance floor. The first song, maybe the casual shuffle, but then you really start to feel the music. Forgetting everyone around you, the music lifting you as high as the rooftop around you. This is soul music.
You wake up looking forward to the next All Nighter. It's the reason you get up, the reason you don't care about failing your driving test for the third time. The reason I stay up till stupid hours writing these blogs. Your first all Nighter might change your life, it changed mine, you'll never look back.
What better place to smash it than Stoke Kings Hall, home of the most popular current all Nighter. The heart of the revival and only 20 minutes down the road-some things are just meant to be. Sat there at 9pm eating groovy biscuits like a kid before the school disco, wondering when the "normal" time is to rock up, wondering if 4 sugars in me tea will keep me going. The people there had seen it all, Casino years, the originals- and here I was in my tartan trousers and shiny shoes.
But then you get in there, you feel the music, stronger than ever, it hits you. Then you look around, and smile. Nobody gives two what you look like, your age, gender, class or race; this Is our music. A unity hard to find, a unity no outsider could understand. Much like the look on people's faces when you claim you danced for 7 hours without anything to help you along the way. Much like the look on friends faces when they realise Gloria Jones' "Tainted Love" is far from Soft Cells original.
Spins, high-kicks, clapping to the last beat; I've never seen Stoke so alive.
Dancing... now I'm no Fred Astaire but you feel on bloody fire on that dance floor. The first song, maybe the casual shuffle, but then you really start to feel the music. Forgetting everyone around you, the music lifting you as high as the rooftop around you. This is soul music.
You wake up looking forward to the next All Nighter. It's the reason you get up, the reason you don't care about failing your driving test for the third time. The reason I stay up till stupid hours writing these blogs. Your first all Nighter might change your life, it changed mine, you'll never look back.
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
So it begins...
How I got into The Northern Soul scene.... Well I never really understood the famed "Keep the faith" badge I wore on my bucket hat- until I discovered soul music, and probably my own soul.
Rob in the record shop would play unknown tracks behind the piles of the stuff, I guess this is where the obsession really began. This strange music I overlooked, maybe a bit of Stevie Wonder on the radio. My first real love for Motown was "Stoned Love" by "The Supremes", then the wheels were in motion. I started with the odd compilation album, getting a taste for the stuff. I knew something was changing when I chose The Four Tops over a Stone Roses single at Rubber Soul Records.
I've always been interested in Djying , choosing the music at any occasion going; its the buzz you get when people like your stuff. Rob set me up to learn the basics on the turntables, I did in between and after a Who tribute band at The Underground- accompanied by an ex Wigan Casino DJ. If there's a moment in my life I can say I was happy-it was then. From then on Soul music grabbed my life by the strings and shook me right back to 1973. I began buying random singles, then you know this is the bloody dogs bollocks. By Christmas I accumulated a box of my favourite singles and my first set of Numark DJ turntables and mixers, haven't put them down if I'm honest. I remember dancing around the living room to "The Night" - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons; I felt like I'd never heard music before, not like this.
But now, Away from the glory years of the Northern Soul scene, I believe it's revival is more alive than ever.
Rob in the record shop would play unknown tracks behind the piles of the stuff, I guess this is where the obsession really began. This strange music I overlooked, maybe a bit of Stevie Wonder on the radio. My first real love for Motown was "Stoned Love" by "The Supremes", then the wheels were in motion. I started with the odd compilation album, getting a taste for the stuff. I knew something was changing when I chose The Four Tops over a Stone Roses single at Rubber Soul Records.
I've always been interested in Djying , choosing the music at any occasion going; its the buzz you get when people like your stuff. Rob set me up to learn the basics on the turntables, I did in between and after a Who tribute band at The Underground- accompanied by an ex Wigan Casino DJ. If there's a moment in my life I can say I was happy-it was then. From then on Soul music grabbed my life by the strings and shook me right back to 1973. I began buying random singles, then you know this is the bloody dogs bollocks. By Christmas I accumulated a box of my favourite singles and my first set of Numark DJ turntables and mixers, haven't put them down if I'm honest. I remember dancing around the living room to "The Night" - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons; I felt like I'd never heard music before, not like this.
But now, Away from the glory years of the Northern Soul scene, I believe it's revival is more alive than ever.
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