The Flirtations - Nothing But A Heartache

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39SjyMvBbk4

1965 vintage and a big British hit in 1971, but strangely rarely compiled...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAwYfd2vnAA

This is my favourite Northern Soul record.  It reached #3 in the UK charts in 1974.

R.Dean Taylor - Ghost in my House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EInKyh5QXQ&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJtpLtXOiGg

Maybe it's a good idea to explain what "Northern Soul" is in the first place...'cause I don't have a clue.
Judging by the links/songs posted so far, it has completely missed Europe (mainland). But I could be wrong...


Yeah, I know there's a Wiki article on the subject, but it's too comprehensive to read. :P

Maybe it's a good idea to explain what "Northern Soul" is in the first place...'cause I don't have a clue.
Judging by the links/songs posted so far, it has completely missed Europe (mainland). But I could be wrong...


Yeah, I know there's a Wiki article on the subject, but it's too comprehensive to read. :P


Motown & Stax/Volt recordings that weren't popular, but are sought after by people in Northern England.  There are dance halls that play nothing but Northern Soul.  Generally upbeat singles.

Maybe it's a good idea to explain what "Northern Soul" is in the first place...'cause I don't have a clue.
Judging by the links/songs posted so far, it has completely missed Europe (mainland). But I could be wrong...


Yeah, I know there's a Wiki article on the subject, but it's too comprehensive to read. :P


link to wiki article for those who want to read the full article.

Taken from the full article

Northern Soul is a music and dance scene based largely in the North of England.  It came out of the mod scene.  It uses fast tempo music with a heavy beat, based on the Tamla Motown sound.  The dancing (as I remember seeing as a kid) is athletic, using spins and flips, very similar to early break dancing.  It started in the late sixities, reached its peak in the seventies.

Motown & Stax/Volt recordings that weren't popular, but are sought after by people in Northern England.  There are dance halls that play nothing but Northern Soul.  Generally upbeat singles.



link to wiki article for those who want to read the full article.

Taken from the full article

Northern Soul is a music and dance scene based largely in the North of England.  It came out of the mod scene.  It uses fast tempo music with a heavy beat, based on the Tamla Motown sound.  The dancing (as I remember seeing as a kid) is athletic, using spins and flips, very similar to early break dancing.  It started in the late sixities, reached its peak in the seventies.



That's somewhat helpful, but it's not very conclusive. Define "not popular" or "sought after"... "fast tempo music" or "heavy beat"... That could be a number of things. Don't get me wrong: I'm not trying to make things overly complicated, it's just an observance.
What I would like to know, for example: Karen posted an R. Dean Taylor song. Does that mean ALL R. Dean Taylor songs qualify as Northern Soul? ??? If not: why not? Where do you draw the line?


Well, to make things easier someone has already compiled a Top 500 of Northern Soul. And as I expected, practically none of these songs rang any bells. ;D

However...When I scrolled down the page to the Bubbling Under section (another 100 titles) I found that the next tune also qualifies for Northern Soul. For many years, it was used as a signature tune for a radio show in Holland.

André Brasseur - The Kid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CX3LVCjJ78


Sorry 'bout the incomplete video. And FTR: this is definitely "The Kid" - not  "Holiday". People seem to mislabel the two all the time.

Turns out there is a song on the list that I actually know & like... :o


Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK5GZKtSdy8

Another song you might know - but probably won't recognise the artist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXYZWNguDD0



Under My Thumb - Wayne Gibson

Another song you might know - but probably won't recognise the artist!

Under My Thumb - Wayne Gibson


Never heard that version, no. I know the Rolling Stones version, and there was a 1983 (horrid) version by Fast Radio that I know of... but this is news to me.



Think this also qualifies....it reached #18 in Holland. 8)


My Pledge Of Love - Joe Jeffrey Group

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7j6rNVWx2g

That's somewhat helpful, but it's not very conclusive. Define "not popular" or "sought after"... "fast tempo music" or "heavy beat"... That could be a number of things. Don't get me wrong: I'm not trying to make things overly complicated, it's just an observance.
What I would like to know, for example: Karen posted an R. Dean Taylor song. Does that mean ALL R. Dean Taylor songs qualify as Northern Soul? ??? If not: why not? Where do you draw the line?

Indeed! Where does one draw the line?

The 'fans' were to blame as there was a certain element of 'snobbery' involved! As soon as an obscure (or sought after) track started to become popular (or even worse, charted!), the hardcore fans immediatley disowned it!

And once the record companies sensed some money could be made from the back catalogue, they tried to pass almost anything off as 'Northern Soul', as long as it had a certain 'beat' to it! Example...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAOLH-miVfw&feature=related

Like R. Dean Taylor, Gary Lewis was not a Northern Soul legend!

The Flirtations - Nothing But A Heartache

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39SjyMvBbk4


Great song!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-wYb5uGv7Y

The MVP's - Turning My Heartbeat Up



Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW-gCKPw-l4

Terry Callier - Look At Me Now {1968}



Dan