The Northern Soul movement has marked 2 significant anniversaries this year – the launch of the weekly All-Nighters at the scene’s most famous venue, Wigan Casino, in 1973, as well as the opening of its foundation club, Manchester’s Twisted Wheel, 10 years earlier. A new book, ‘Northern Soul – An Illustrated History’ was recently published by Virgin Books, its co-author, Bury-born Elaine Constantine, also the director of the upcoming film ‘Northern Soul’. The book has been well received by Northern aficionados, Constantine (and Gareth Sweeney) congratulated for their insightful overview of the movement, which is enhanced by the anecdotal offerings of some of the DJs, dancers and collectors who epitomized Northern Soul. Alongside the music and the clubs in which it featured, the book also highlights the drug culture that played such a major role, amphetamines fuelling its development.
Archive | Film
Henry Miller Asleep & Awake
Last weekend, just before I set off to the airport, and back to the UK, following my tour dates in Australia and on the US West Coast, I spent a highly enjoyable lazy Sunday afternoon sat in the home of Abe Alvarez-Tostado & Sarah Nocktonick, friends of my Los Angeles promoter, Leonard ‘Mozza’ Donjuan, passing the time in interesting and insightful conversation before I headed homewards.
Video Blog – Wild Style At The Amphitheatre
Double Trouble / Rammellzee & Shockdell / Rock Steady Crew / Grandmixer D.ST
From ‘Wild Style’ 1982
Sylvia Kristel
The Dutch actress, Sylvia Kristel, known to a generation for her iconic role in the softcore blockbuster, ‘Emmanuelle’ (1974), died last Friday, aged 60.
Living To Music – Arctic Monkeys ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’
ARTIST: ARCTIC MONKEYS
ALBUM: WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT’S WHAT I’M NOT
LABEL: DOMINO
YEAR: 2006
This Sunday (October 7th) at 9pm, you’re invited to share a listening session with some likeminded souls, wherever you might be. This can be experienced either alone or communally, and you don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home to participate. If it’s not possible to make the allotted time, hopefully you can join in at your convenience at some point during the following week. See update here:
https://blog.gregwilson.co.uk/2012/07/living-to-music-update-july-2012/
Video Blog – Judy Garland Sings ‘The Trolley Song’
Judy Garland ‘The Trolley Song’
From ‘Meet Me In St Louis’ 1944
And also CBS TV Special 1962
Video Blog – ‘Mein Herr’ From Cabaret
Liza Minnelli (as Sally Bowles) ‘Mein Herr’
Choreography by Bob Fosse
From ‘Cabaret’ 1972
Beware The Moon
Tonight something happens that only happens every blue moon – a blue moon. This provides the perfect excuse for me to watch a favourite film of the early ’80s, the John Landis comedy horror, ‘An American Werewolf In London’ (1981).
Video Blog – ‘The Rich Man’s Frug’ From Sweet Charity
‘The Rich Man’s Frug’
(‘The Aloof’ / ‘The Heavyweight’ / ‘The Big Finish’)
Choreography by Bob Fosse / Lead Dancer – Suzanne Charny
From ‘Sweet Charity’ 1969
Video Blog – Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers In Hellzapoppin’
The Harlem Congaroos / Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers ‘Hellzapoppin’ Jam’
From ‘Hellzapoppin’’ 1941
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