Prom 2: 'Northern Soul'

[Andrew Slater]

Saturday 15 July 2023
20:00
Royal Albert Hall

Programme TBA, curated by Stuart Maconie, focused on British club culture of the 1960s & 1970s

BBC Concert Orchestra
Edwin Outwater, conductor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/eq2z3d

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tick...northern-soul/

[TarandeepKang]

I'm a little late to this one, because I only just realised the forum was back online again. As I said elsewhere, this is only the third season of the Proms that I've given a serious attention to. This particular Prom caught me by surprise. I turned on the radio at the regular time expecting "regular" music. Yes, I know there is a mix of some world music and jazz sometimes as a part of the programme. But I wasn't really sure where something like this particular performance fits in? I would be glad of some opinions from people who know more than I!

[bluestateprommer]

I'm a little late to this one, because I only just realised the forum was back online again. As I said elsewhere, this is only the third season of the Proms that I've given a serious attention to. This particular Prom caught me by surprise. I turned on the radio at the regular time expecting "regular" music. Yes, I know there is a mix of some world music and jazz sometimes as a part of the programme. But I wasn't really sure where something like this particular performance fits in? I would be glad of some opinions from people who know more than I!

Semi-full disclosure: I'm probably the one person here who had never heard the term "Northern Soul" before, which is so very ironic given that the provenance of the music is American. So this Prom was definitely a total novelty to me, as an American.

With that said, this Prom was a great surprise to me also, in the best possible way. In addition to getting the very quick general education about Northern Soul, every song except one was totally new to me, the exception being "Tainted Love" (which I know from the 1980's Soft Cell hit cover, not the 1960's Gloria Jones original). The musicianship was splendid, with terrific singers all around, and what sounded to me like very skilled arrangements by Joe Duddell and Fiona Brice. Just as one example, Darrell Smith momentarily stopped the show with his rendition of the tearjerker "The Drifter", and Georgia Mann's hyperbolic reaction was quite justified, IMVHO.

I honestly had absolutely no idea of what to expect, and went into hearing this Prom completely cold, in total ignorance of the subject, no advance listening or reading up on Northern Soul, none of that. On the one hearing, this struck me as the best kind of "crossover" Prom. I can strongly recommend it.

[smittims]

I'm the opposite viewpoint. Having spent most of my life in Cheshire and a frequent visitor to Manchester, I did know what 'Northern Soul' is and have heard as much of it as I want to hear. Consequently I didn't listen to this concert so I cannot comment on its content.

However, I do feel that non-Classical events don't 'fit in' or belong in the Proms. If the BBc wants to mount a concert of this type of music, I've no objection, and I hope the audience enjoy it . But inserting it into the Proms seems to me a mistake. We've often comented here on the extent to which Radio 3 is expected to play music of many different genres, where other radio channels are not expected to do so, or we'd have a complete 'Wozzeck' on Radio 2 and Mozart divertimenti on Radio One. If that's not acceptable (and I agree it would be bizarre) It shouldn't happen to Radio 3.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'm the opposite viewpoint. Having spent most of my life in Cheshire and a frequent visitor to Manchester, I did know what 'Northern Soul' is and have heard as much of it as I want to hear. Consequently I didn't listen to this concert so I cannot comment on its content.

However, I do feel that non-Classical events don't 'fit in' or belong in the Proms. If the BBc wants to mount a concert of this type of music, I've no objection, and I hope the audience enjoy it . But inserting it into the Proms seems to me a mistake. We've often comented here on the extent to which Radio 3 is expected to play music of many different genres, where other radio channels are not expected to do so, or we'd have a complete 'Wozzeck' on Radio 2 and Mozart divertimenti on Radio One. If that's not acceptable (and I agree it would be bizarre) It shouldn't happen to Radio 3.

"Northern Soul" was (and for all I know maybe still is) a sort of subdivision on late 70s/early 80s Disco, one that came about in the brief interregnum between that and the beginnings of also so-called Dance Music - Techno, Drum&Bass, Jungle, Garage etc etc. I likewise don't know what object the promoters and go aheaders had in mind; there is nothing original about Northern Soul - what's it doing being promoted in London 40 years too late? its rightful place would be Radio 2.

[TarandeepKang]

It would seem, that I partially agree with each of you. I personally don't think that Northern soul belongs anywhere near a classical music festival, and yes my first thought was exactly that it would be better on Radio 2 or perhaps even 6 Music.

I didn't really enjoy this performance, but now, at least I know perhaps this particular kind of music isn't for me. In that sense, I think the station has done its job in that it has broadened my horizons. That being said, although I didn't enjoy, I hope others certainly did!

[Serial_Apologist]

It would seem, that I partially agree with each of you. I personally don't think that Northern soul belongs anywhere near a classical music festival, and yes my first thought was exactly that it would be better on Radio 2 or perhaps even 6 Music.

I didn't really enjoy this performance, but now, at least I know perhaps this particular kind of music isn't for me. In that sense, I think the station has done its job in that it has broadened my horizons. That being said, although I didn't enjoy, I hope others certainly did!

I'm afraid I don't, because if large numbers did enjoy it will only encourage them to repeat the concert in future years.

[smittims]

That's a good point. I've often wondered how much evidence there is that Radio3's 'crossovers' are indeed increasing the number of listeners or changing listening choices. I've yet to come across anyone saying they were attracted to R3 by a pop concert and stayed to discover Monteverdi or Schoenberg.

[cloughie]

Watched this Prom last evening on BBC2. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great performances of the songs by all 6 singers - lovely to see them all acting as backing singers and taking their turns as soloists. The BBCCO were excellent too - never overblown and the arrangements very much in keeping with the original songs. Really nothing not to like - a great evening’s listening and viewing.

[french frank]

I'm afraid I don't, because if large numbers did enjoy it will only encourage them to repeat the concert in future years.

The point we make over and over again. It isn't about what YOU (i.e. individual X) like or enjoyed. It's about the content versus the concept of a 'classical music festival'; or how far to stretch the range of music performed within the context, in this case, of the Proms. One thing: it sure as hell has nothing to do with increasing the audience for classical music. And the more the range is expanded, the less it has to do with that.