By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

The UK's love affair with Soul Music is examined in a three part documentary starting Tuesday night at 11.10pm.

From R&B thru to the Northern Soul Scene, this sounds like it should be worth watching.

Channel 4 in the UK.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 04:33 pm:

HEY DAVID,THAT SOUNDS GREAT,BUT IS IT GONNA BE SHOWN HERE BECAUSE IF NOT I DON'T THINK MY CABLE IS GONNA PICKUP CH.4 IN THE U.K.

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 04:44 pm:

I really don't know about UK-US transmissions.

If Carl Dixon reads this beforehand he may be able to help as he works in satellite TV.

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 02:10 pm:

I don't want any of you Brits out there to miss this!

By GrahamD (62.254.0.9) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 03:51 pm:

Thanx David,I have passed the word around about the program you mentioned and will be watching with interest. GrahamD

By stephanie (64.63.221.196) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 04:14 pm:

Those Brits dont miss a thing they sniff and hunt out every obscure thing there is. Its a wonder that half of the research labs in America arent British..
Stephanie

By John Lester (81.132.36.130) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 05:03 pm:

LOL!

Steph........you'd love it here! We are YOUR kind of music lovers!

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 05:19 pm:

David,

I thought this thread was about the SoulfulDetroit pledge of allegiance. An excerpt:

"...and to the republic, for which it stands,
a 'Soul Nation', under G-d, with liberty and the Funk for All!"

By David Meikle (80.5.115.241) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 05:31 pm:

Larry

I like the name of this programme a lot. Let's hope it hits the mark.

Others in the last 30 years missed the point.

Thanks for the Oath...Cool!

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:59 pm:

I do not think Channel 4 (UK), broadcast outside the UK and it is unlikely to be available in the States. Here is some info about it:

http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/S/soul_nation/index.html

By soulboy (213.105.242.133) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 01:53 pm:

I saw soul nation last night, On the northern soul scene, i'd have loved to have been there, unfortunately i was too young.
The seventies/eighties soul movement in the south was great too, but the allnight partying/hedonistic lifestyle has never really been my scene.

By FRANCIS T (195.92.168.177) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 04:45 pm:

I saw Soul Nation last night and once again northern soul was portrayed in the usual format-DANCERS,DRUGS,WORKING CLASS ONLY,BREAKING IN TO CHEMIST (FOR MORE DRUGS),DEATHS FROM DRUGS,AND SO ON.
Am I just over sensitive about this view of the scene at the time,or did other UK contributors find this aspect tiresome?

REGARDS FRANCIS T

By David Meikle (81.109.33.165) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 05:23 pm:

I felt we did not get enough time on the programme for one thing.

The Chris Hill stuff was just one big party and not in the same league as our scene in terms of quality of music, love of music, and love of the people who made it.

I also got annoyed with Trevor bleating about going to Wigan and finding nothing there....as if he didn't know in advance.

I enjoyed Keb Darge talking and dancing...he can still cut it....amazing!

The programme missed a number of points in not mentioning the search for records, the vast sums paid, the search for the artists, the artists coming over to the UK to perform even to this day etc etc.

I also couldn't believe Trevor's evaluation that some British acts were right up there with the Americans. That is total nonsense (IMO).

On the subject of drugs, when I was going to the Twisted Wheel, Torch, Up the Junction, Blackpool Mecca, Catacombs... most people were on speed.

Clubs were closed because of concerns and a number of people died as a result of drugs over the years. So in my opinion drug taking was a major issue back then.

Finally, I was well bored after 15 minutes.

That's how I saw it.

By FrankM (81.152.61.85) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 06:20 pm:

also couldn't believe Trevor's evaluation that some British acts were right up there with the Americans. That is total nonsense (IMO).

David,

This is the agenda behind the programme. Trevor Nelson was interviewed on Radio Scotland and he mentioned these UK bands were the first to be recognised in teh USA. The Interviewer Ian Anderson asked about The Average White band USA #1 and R&B top Ten. Trevor stumbled on this and then mumbled that AWB had produced more soulful records than Pick up The Pieces.
I enjoyed the show but then again I like shouting at the TV and amusing the kids by pointing out the paucity of the arguments. As far as Trevor is concerned Soul in the UK started in the seventes and was better "Dahn South".

By John Lester (81.132.9.136) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 06:48 pm:

I watched it but like David I got fed up with it.

Trevor Nelson seemed a nice guy and it appeared that he was going to provide a decent insight into the Northern and Southern scenes. However, I felt that he was on a downer when talking about about the North. I really got the impression that he wouldn't have gone to Wigan if it hadn't been for the sake of this programme. I suspected something when I saw his personalised car number plate and I was right.

I knew drugs were part of the Northern scene but after seeing that programme, I think I go away with the impression that it was all drugs. But where were the many people that I have met over the past 30 odd years who were part of the scene. None of them did drugs, why were they not represented. I thought the programme was about the music but I was clearly wrong.

I know I haven't seen Chris Hill for ages but I wouldn't have recognised him. I guess he must have had a hard life since his exodus from the Ensign label

I was disappointed with the programme...to the point that I turned it off and went to bed. The best two minutes was when the KTC advert came on and they played Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You".

Sorry to be negative but I really did not enjoy this show.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170) on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 07:55 pm:

The programme research was terrible. The last 40 minutes were poorly produced and incorrect. There were other groups from the UK who made an impact on the UK scene in the 70's, like Heatwave and The Real Thing, not mentioned. With programmes like this, there is a danger the new folks will get the wrong story and never learn the truth. However, I know somebody who is starting to get hooked on Northern Soul, who watched the programme last night and wanted more of what he saw in the first part. He was frustrated when they left the Norther Soul topic. The programme changed direction. He is just 20 years old and interested in buying the 'The strange world of Northern Soul' DVD set. There is a market for the truth and if produced correctly, will be a testament to the scene here in the UK and initiate further interest in the records.

Most of the positive issues were not covered. In particular, how some of the fans still continue to revere the records and want to find those who were responsible for making them. Making trips to meet them and seek out their soulful roots and thank those who are still around for their efforts all those years ago. In addition, seeking those who are not around, to pay their respects to these special people who have helped us become the sensitive and thoughtful people we are today.

I read Kevgo's production ideas on the other thread. Maybe we should, for the record, produce the truth in a positive television manner, the legacy of Northern Soul and its importance both here and in the States.

It was a poor effort, but, it may be a spark to try and learn more about the scene over here.

By soulboy (80.0.251.19) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

In retrospect as a programe representing classic soul music it misses the mark,come to think of it to try and cover almost four decades of music in three episodes (i think) is rather ambitious!!

By Ade (212.240.250.99) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 12:02 am:

Hallo All

I watched the programme too. It was a tad disappointing (I agree with most of the comments above). The relentless focus on Drugs just serves the "tabloid" journalistic approach of a lot of Lazy researchers. I get the impression that they think unless you can sensationalise a subject by trucking out the stereotypical "demons" (drugs, reds under the bed, sex scandals) then the average joe public won't be interested. its a shame. On the whole I agree that the drug situation shouldn't be ignored, but hell, theres more to northern (Or rare soul) than black bombers and back drops. The saddest thing for me was that I told all my workmates here at my new job to watch the show, and to get a bit more of an insight into why I harp on about the soul scene so much, when I should really be listening to "tribal trance" or whatever the music marketeers are forcing on my ears. Ultimately, they all think I'm a speed freak now, instead of a bit of an anorak (Make that a parka)!

A shame, but at least they showed a bit more than the usual formulaic "wide eyed skinny youngsters in bags and vests doing back drops, followed by 250 40 somethings with taches still "keeping the faith" today".

Keep your eyes peeled for the other programme on ITV (should be coming to Scottish soon David) called SOUL - Sounds of underground london. This week its "Skinheads" (I wonder if they say that we're all right wing glue sniffers?) but next week its supposed to be about "Soulies". Fingers crossed

By GrahamD (62.254.0.9) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 04:16 am:

What a load of Toss the program was!! I sat up hoping that i will see something of interest and was disappointed to the MAX.The only consolation was seeing Keb Darge!a true bloke,always speaks his mind!!my type a Guy. I have emailed Channel Four and Complained About the poor effort on the program but the havnt got back to me.I think there is to many organisations trying to portray their opinions and cash in on the Scene while its hot! CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!!!! GrahamD