Independent Leyton Orient Forum

I’m off to Blackpool in a few weeks with a group of mates for a Northern Soul night in the Tower ballroom
Must admit I haven’t really listened to Northern Soul before so I found some on the Apple Music store
How have I missed this some great tunes



Any recommendations stick em here please

Gloria Jones - Tainted Love

Tom Chance wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:35 am Gloria Jones - Tainted Love

Nice one and here was me thinking that was a Soft Cell original oops

Frank Wilson - Do I Love you
The Flirtations - Little Darling

Was into Northern Soul in my youth, influenced by my big sister, this was a favourite of mine.

Cheshunto wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:05 pm Frank Wilson - Do I Love you
The Flirtations - Little Darling

Frank Wilson one I know my old mum used to play it when I was younger didn’t realise it was Northern Soul though

Al Wilson - The Snake
Dobie Gray - Out on The Floor

O my gawd wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:09 pm Was into Northern Soul in my youth, influenced by my big sister, this was a favourite of mine.

That’s a proper banger innit

Wow is this like pre rave days

Just read a little article on Northern Soul
Did it catch on in the South back in the day?

Not to anything like the same level I believe fella

Try Seven Days too Long - Chuck Wood
Stick By Me Baby - Salvadors and Cashing In - Voices of East Harlem

Mate of mine is an ex Pro DJ (a look at me threadette!) and he plays a load if Northern Soul, fantastic dance music. Sam Cooke's Sugar Dumpling is also worth a go. Loads of it on YouTube, fill yet boots.

Serious question as I dont know, but have a huge interest in music.

What makes something Northern soul? From what's been posted, what's the difference between that and Motown? A faster beat?

No 1 answer but Google it and you'll see the origins and claimed differences. There's no doubt that some of the tracks show a crossover between the two.

Apple Wumble wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:37 pm Serious question as I dont know, but have a huge interest in music.

What makes something Northern soul? From what's been posted, what's the difference between that and Motown? A faster beat?

With you on this one Wumble the tracklist I’m listening to via Apple Music few of the songs I’ve heard before but like you have just thought it was either Motown or Soul
Can one of the high waisters sages enlighten the rave scene please

Lucky7 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:23 pm Just read a little article on Northern Soul
Did it catch on in the South back in the day?

There are still many soul clubs around the Country, not just in the North. Most will advertise Northern Soul as part of their offering. The motto often used is "Keep the Faith" - I agree, someone needs to keep him.

Apple Wumble wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:37 pm

What makes something Northern soul? From what's been posted, what's the difference between that and Motown? A faster beat?

In general bigger, faster beats (hence the term 'Northern Soul stomper'). Rarity / obscurity of records coupled with what was a massive underground scene in the north featuring all - night sessions with no alcohol on sale but plenty of amphetamines. The scene split into 2 in the early to mid 70s, with the Stafford / Wigan element favouring the old school stompers & the Blackpool Mecca branching out into more of a funky sound (Philadelphia etc).

Here're a few good 'uns which tend to feature at Northern nights (Wade Flemons' 'Jeanette' posted above is a classic, btw):

I used to go to “ The Wolsey “ in Cheshunt on a Sunday night.
Regularly played were,
Frankie Valli - You’re Ready Now
Edwin Starr - War
Freda Payne - Band of Gold
Not sure if these are Northern Soul or not ??

Thanks Grealish

Lucky7 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 2:24 pm Thanks Grealish

You're welcome, hope you like them mate.

So is this Northern Soul /Disco?

I’ve never heard this song before

Cheshunto wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 2:22 pm I used to go to “ The Wolsey “ in Cheshunt on a Sunday night.
Regularly played were,
Frankie Valli - You’re Ready Now
Edwin Starr - War
Freda Payne - Band of Gold
Not sure if these are Northern Soul or not ??

Yes CheshuntO they all qualify, particularly War & Band of Gold from the Blackpool era & Valli from the earlier phase.Edwin Starr was & still is a cult figure in the Northern scene, so much so that he eventually based himself in England. There're loads of good tracks by him, but this one's my fave...if you take a look at the record label, the record came out in 1967 on the 'Gordy' label (as in Motown's Berry Gordy), & the producer is 'N. Whitfiled who went on in the 70's to produce soul acts like Rose Royce.

Lucky7 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 2:29 pm

So is this Northern Soul /Disco?

I’ve never heard this song before

Great song, from the late 70s disco times..he was more mainstream by then, & of course had released 'War' a good while before that which also made the UK charts.