Chasing Rainbows

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Film Title: Chasing Rainbows (A Nation and its Music) 1986

Description: Documentary about Northern Soul Music based around Stafford's 'Top of the World Club'

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This documentary focused on Stafford's 'Top of the World' Club which kept the soul flame alive throughout the eighties after the Casino had shut down. Unlike many other documentaries its main concern was the music and the scene in general and did not have any hidden agenda. There was the usual footage of people dancing, the usual background information but the highlight of this film was unquestionably the interviews.

Members of the club were questioned to at length but once again the programme makers failed to identify the person speaking. They started with an un-named Scot who described Soul as a form of escapism. He claimed that as soon as he began listening to the music he would just shut himself off from everything going on around him. A little extreme perhaps, but on the whole fair comment. If he is truly capable of that then good luck to him.

Probably the most interesting interview is with singer Eddie Holman who describes how he heard about the Northern Soul Scene whilst over in the states and had difficulty in understanding it, so he decided to come over to see for himself. He admits he had never seen fans who were so 'committed'. The documentary also showed footage of him in concert, singing "She's Wanted" to which the commentators were unkind enough to imply he was a bit past it.

If they were unkind to Eddie, then in the final interview the camera crew were clearly taking the piss. They picked the most inarticulate Neanderthal they could find and just left him to knock the nails into his own coffin. By his own admission he was unemployed and on this evidence I would guess that he is likely to remain so. This toothless Muppet explained that at the age of 12 he knew his life would be dedicated to attending all nighters. Really?? It was a calling he felt, a bit like being a missionary. Hmmm? I too would have laughed had I not been too busy squirming with embarrassment. Believe me he was not the ambassador Northern Soul wanted.

All in all a rather superficial treatment though lively and entertaining. Somehow I doubt that it brought many new members flocking to the fold.