Silent But Soulful - Is It Ok?

[Kev Rodgers]

I've been out twice this weekend to different places and listened to two & a bit sets by three different dj's - about 2hrs 20 mins - where the "dj's" didn't use the mic. It's not the first time I've come across this phenomema, but three times in one weekend ....is it a growing trend? and is it ok?

Musically, all three were fine, well mostly, but I'm not sure it's what I want when I go out to a soul night. Obviously, not speaking, doesn't change the musical content but for myself, I feel a bit let down - not that I want to know every last detail about every record played but surely, some communication from the dj is a good thing, isn't it? At it's lowest level, it addresses that most basic of questions..Who's this? and/or What's the title? - I accept that there are probably a few tunes that almost everybody knows & don't need introductions, although, having said that, if you're only just getting into soul music, maybe you wouldn't.

Isn't passion, part of the whole soul music scene and how as a dj, do you convey that passion about a particular record that you want people to listen/dance to, if you don't use the microphone? Do you hold up 'score-cards' with marks out of 10 or wave your arms up down, getting more vigourous the more you personally like it? I know, standing out in front of a crowd can be daunting, but it's all part of being a dj, otherwise, arguably, why bother turning up ......just send a cardboard cut-out & a cd / tape with all the tracks on it!

Theoretically, non-verbal dj's - is that the right term? NV-DJ or NM-DJ non-microphone? - pose a problem for promoters. What happens, if you inadvertently book two or three for your soul event and they're on, one after another?

I guess at times, it's not easy being a dj - no matter what you play, the dancefloor stays empty or you're on really early or late, when the only people around are the promoters and the barstaff - but for me, you're not really a dj if you ain't talking!

Kev

[Little-stevie]

This is another topic thats been done a few times i guess..

Like to have a Mic sometimes and say a few words that can add to the spot.. Other times i just like to play the tunes and talk to folk as they come up to the deck..

Don't like or want any set rules, just take it as it comes and keep the mic away from the djs who act like bingo callers

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

i would like to know all tunes played and expect all DJ's to talk although 1st spot no need when there is not many there like if your doing a 7.00 - 8.00 spot and most people don't get there till 8.00 no need to talk for what the few who are there 1st

[Amsterdam Russ]

For a while now, and as an expat in the Netherlands, I've been attending the monthly nights hosted by the Amsterdam Soul Club. The mike is never used and you wonder, well, what's the difference between this and someone just sticking on a few cd's instead of vinyl. You'd never know the difference. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the night, dj's or promoters, just questioning the 'mike' policy.

The point is that each dj creates their own playlist. In that lies their own preferences, personality and character. Vocalising those traits over the mike is what helps punters differentiate between dj A and dj B - and the tracks they play. If it's not about personality and playlists then why not have the dj's out of sight so that punters can't distinguish? If so, then why not just play a few tapes and cd's..?

Edited August 23, 2009 by rigilbert

[paup-ine]

For a while now, and as an expat in the Netherlands, I've been attending the monthly nights hosted by the Amsterdam Soul Club. The mike is never used and you wonder, well, what's the difference between this and someone just sticking on a few cd's instead of vinyl. You'd never know the difference. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the night, dj's or promoters, just questioning the 'mike' policy.

The point is that each dj creates their own playlist. In that lies their own preferences, personality and character. Vocalising those traits over the mike is what helps punters differentiate between dj A and dj B - and the tracks they play. If it's not about personality and playlists then why not have the dj's out of sight so that punters can't distinguish? If so, then why not just play a few tapes and cd's..?

Totally agree.

Otherwise, just put on the Juke Box.

I like to hear the DJs talk to the crowd, tell us what they are spinning. But for gods sake get a decent sound system, cos sometimes its..". er, thank you very much that was bllllll blllurr bllurr, and the next is blurr bllurr bllurr.."

And not so loud plz.. Distortion is a no no..

P

[Guest dundeedavie]

It's very much dependent on the crowd and the venue in that if you have a traditional northern soul crowd then if course use the mic .... BUT.... We found at BASICS that the crowd don't really like it that much , preferring to dance rather than listen to someone telling them " it's a detroit cracker" etc . We do provide a mic fir those that feel the need but that not all that many

[Jumpinjoan]

Is it me or is it getting like groundhog day on here?

That said, I can't resist

I for one couldn't care less whether a DJ talks or not. In fact a lot of the time I wish they'd shut the fcuk up!

DJ stands for Disc Jockey doesn't it?

Not talk as much as you can, as incoherently as you can Jockey.

Granted, done well it can be good. But no amount of well delivered flannel is going to make bad records sound good.

Like I said, I don't care either way. It's the music I go out for

[KevH]

Is it me or is it getting like groundhog day on here?

That said, I can't resist

I for one couldn't care less whether a DJ talks or not. In fact a lot of the time I wish they'd shut the fcuk up!

DJ stands for Disc Jockey doesn't it?

Not talk as much as you can, as incoherently as you can Jockey.

Granted, done well it can be good. But no amount of well delivered flannel is going to make bad records sound good.

Like I said, I don't care either way. It's the music I go out for

same for me Joan,don't care about mic use.Sometimes it can be mic abuse .A lot find it easy,no so others.To each their own.

[steve]

It's very much dependent on the crowd and the venue in that if you have a traditional northern soul crowd then if course use the mic .... BUT.... We found at BASICS that the crowd don't really like it that much , preferring to dance rather than listen to someone telling them " it's a detroit cracker" etc . We do provide a mic fir those that feel the need but that not all that many

It seems to be the same at Banbury, they just want to dance, A guest DJ got told off by the crowd once for talking to much

Edited August 24, 2009 by steve

[Steve L]

In 35 years of attending venues I can recall very few times when I've actually heard what DJs have said, the vast majority of the time its just a jumbled noise. While I can see both sides of the argument, its often pointless saying anything

[KevH]

In 35 years of attending venues I can recall very few times when I've actually heard what DJs have said, the vast majority of the time its just a jumbled noise. While I can see both sides of the argument, its often pointless saying anything

You want to try stopping talking,then you might hear 'em .btw..that jumbled noise is me .

[spirit]

I doubt that it's always a technical decision, and for new DJs at least, we shouldn't underestimate the mind-over-body power of sheer terror.

The only DJ recently I can remember listening to (because I had no choice) between the records was an idiot who seemed to think he was a local radio 'personality' DJ judging by the length of his spiel.

He all but gave us the weather forecast, traffic conditions and a couple of unfunny prank phone calls.

[Davenpete]

I for one am there for the music (when I am actually there and of course apart from the verbals etc) and as such am only interested in hearing from the DJ if he actually has something worthwhile to say - telling me what a record is if I'm (that being the royal 'I'm' - the crowd as a whole) not likely to know or some other interesting nugget - what I AIN'T up for is listening to someone grandstanding and looking for adulation coz he has just played X on XX (fill in the blanks) and wants you to be impressed - to me DJing should be about answering the needs of the floor blended with evangelising - the 'if you like that one - how about THIS that you don't know that's similar but even better' approach.

As for the 'without speech you might as well shove a CD on' view - well if the clubs you go to have DJ's that blindly play whatever with no adjustment of the playlist (as if they were just spinning a CD compilation) in reference to the behaviour of the floor and the tatstes of the crowd that are in - they AIN'T DJ's and that AIN'T a proper spot.

Dave

Edited August 24, 2009 by DaveNPete

[funkyfeet]

I would guess most DJ's have tended to come from the mobile/club route so know how to speak behind the decks, the ones that don't/can't speak behind the decks are just collectors with a passion to spin their own records to a dance floor.

[Paul-s]

This is another topic thats been done a few times i guess..

Like to have a Mic sometimes and say a few words that can add to the spot.. Other times i just like to play the tunes and talk to folk as they come up to the deck..

Don't like or want any set rules, just take it as it comes and keep the mic away from the djs who act like bingo callers

nuff said!

[Geoff]

As someone who is occasionally allowed behind the decks I'd like to comment on this. DJing can be quite scarey at times for those of us who are inexperienced. You have to learn which bits are for which turntable, etc, and on occasions using the mike can involve more bits to pull or push. Combine this with trying to cue records in with headphones which don't seem to block out the record currently being played, and all you really want to do is go from one record to the next without any mess ups.

At the MonuMental weekend set I did, everything seemed to go well and I used the mike without too much trouble. At Soul In The Sun last year in Lanzarote I used a mike with a battery, dead easy to use. However in the past I had trouble which put me off using the mike. And does anyone really want to hear my words of wisdom anyway?

I've often wondered if most DJs have been to a special school to learn to talk in a way that no one can understand. Hope I'm not offending anyone, just always makes me laugh. People who are very articulate seem to start to mumble when behind the decks. I will say that Jo Wallace is a notable exception. Plenty of others but none spring to mind as I type this.

I go to a soul night to hear the music, nice if a DJ says what the record is, not sure if I want to hear that it's another one from Detroit, Chicago, etc (take your pick) or it was played at the Casino, Torch, etc. Surely a good DJ plays good music that people enjoy, either dancing or listening. A bonus if you are good on the mike but the way a set goes musically is surely more important.

Just my opinion, no intention to offend anyone.

[Guest moggy]

I like to hear jocks, not to excess mind, no mumbles or shouting down a mic

just a bit of info, like the label or year is suffice followed by the artist/s and title, and whenever possible done in a way that can be heard

agree with previous post, when no talking is involved it usualy signals a collector at the decks as opposed to a DJ

[Jumpinjoan]

agree with previous post, when no talking is involved it usualy signals a collector at the decks as opposed to a DJ

DJ's aren't collectors then?

[Guest moggy]

Of course they are are you looking to stirr it Joan

but proper djs for want of a better phrase or term use the mic in my opinion

[Rugby Soul Club]

In fact a lot of the time I wish they'd shut the fcuk up!

DJ stands for Disc Jockey doesn't it?

It's the music I go out for

Ditto...

Less chat = more music...

But done well (Dave Rimmer is a prime example), then I'll listen to that as well as the music...

[Guest]

DJ's aren't collectors then?

Hi,

I'm having groundhog day with you too Joan.. lol

I think there are very very few who are good entertaining DJ's who can clearly communicate without going

over the top on the mic and can build a bit of atmosphere.

Most of the time on this scene the promoter is either inviting a record collector along to share an amazing

collection of rare vinyl with folks who appreciate what the collector is bringing, don't give a monkey's about

whether the collector uses the mic or not as long as they can appreciate fab tunage without any other entertainment. The records are more important than who's playing them..

or the promotor is booking a dj to play a mixed set, build a bit of atmosphere and a bit of fun and

the personality / DJ is as much a draw to the crowd as the music or the social side, meeting up with

friends and having a bit o'fun..

or maybe that's all a load of sterotyping rubbish..

Personally, I prefer DJ's who use the mic and entertain rather than just someone who can cue a bunch of records, I can do that myself, I want a bit of entertainment too..

Jayne.x.

[kim]

Is it me or is it getting like groundhog day on here?

That said, I can't resist

I for one couldn't care less whether a DJ talks or not. In fact a lot of the time I wish they'd shut the fcuk up!

DJ stands for Disc Jockey doesn't it?

Not talk as much as you can, as incoherently as you can Jockey.

Granted, done well it can be good. But no amount of well delivered flannel is going to make bad records sound good.

Like I said, I don't care either way. It's the music I go out for

the last twice I've seen joan she hasn't used the mike and hers were ace sets

[Guest]

As someone who is occasionally allowed behind the decks I'd like to comment on this. DJing can be quite scarey at times for those of us who are inexperienced. You have to learn which bits are for which turntable, etc, and on occasions using the mike can involve more bits to pull or push. Combine this with trying to cue records in with headphones which don't seem to block out the record currently being played, and all you really want to do is go from one record to the next without any mess ups.

Surely a good DJ plays good music that people enjoy, either dancing or listening. A bonus if you are good on the mike but the way a set goes musically is surely more important.

good point Geoff, I agree, the way a set goes musically is key to being a good DJ.

Your top paragraph is interesting too, and very true, I get narked when less experienced DJ's won't take the time to get the hang of it (for want of a better phrase) and suddenly think they're ready for 'top of the night' spots whilst still feeling like the above which isn't going to go down well at all venues. (Not, that I'm suggesting this is where your coming from Geoff, its just a really good point)

I'm tempted to say, DJ's stick with earlier spots until confident with all of the above, especially when I think of some of the issue's I've had in the past with Dj's who've refused to use the mic at all but then I'm drawn back to

your other point that the way a set goes musically is more important..

OOh I guess I just can't decide on this one.

Jayne.x.

[spirit]

But done well (Dave Rimmer is a prime example), then I'll listen to that as well as the music...

Yeah, MC Rimmer is a damn good exception, though he should try some cough sweets.

[Jumpinjoan]

Personally, I prefer DJ's who use the mic and entertain rather than just someone who can cue a bunch of records, I can do that myself, I want a bit of entertainment too..

Jayne.x.

I understand what you are saying Jayne but I have never come away from a venue moaning because the 'talk' wasn't up to much

The music yes. Frequently.

As for 'someone who can cue a bunch of records' I have to say there is a little more to it than that. There is for me anyway.

[Guest]

I understand what you are saying Jayne but I have never come away from a venue moaning because the 'talk' wasn't up to much

The music yes. Frequently.

As for 'someone who can cue a bunch of records' I have to say there is a little more to it than that. There is for me anyway.

I still can't make my mind up, I've done both, left venues' with people commenting on DJ's who've tripped themselves up when they don't shut up, I've known DJ's bang on about 'classic wheel sounds' which most people in there knew hadn't been played until the Casino, and similar silly statements..

I've stood at the back of the DDA room listening to your spots and found myself still there longer than planned because I've enjoyied what you've played and equally, I've stood for a few tracks at various venues bored silly, wishing the DJ would break it up a bit and liven it up with a few words..

saying all this - I've just been phoned by the local radio station and asked to do a few jingles - I nearly had kittens!!, I felt very silly and hated it.

Jayne.x.

[Guest Ollie Lailey]

Just play the records please! if someones car is about to be towed away or someones ahstma inhaler has been handed in at the bar, use the mike

95% of the time you cant understand what the bloody hell is being said anyway.

[Dave Rimmer]

Yeah, MC Rimmer is a damn good exception, though he should try some cough sweets.

ha ha, I've stayed out of this one because it's fairly obvious where I stand on the question.....but here's my view anyway.

A good DJ will use the mic to his advantage, personally I think it's an essential piece of kit when you 'work the floor'. You can easily just play records when the floor is busy, or if you don't care whether the floor is busy or not, but I'm firmly in the camp of believing people want to dance and have a good time, and be entertained. That's what they have paid their money on the door for. so if using the mic helps create that atmosphere, helps fill the dancefloor, and aids you as a DJ to fill the dancefloor it's a must. I also use the mic on very, very rare occasions to take the piss out of mates

On the even rarer occasion that I cock up behind the decks I also use the mic to take the piss out of myself but some people can waffle on too much, and I certainly try to avoid doing that because I know it can spoil the flow of a set.

It is though, a personal choice, and I've heard some great sets from people who never pick the mic up, that's just not my style though.

And I do agree that it is the most scary part of DJing when you first start out.

Cough sweets, I don't need cough sweets, I just need plenty of beer !

[Guest Matt Male]

I think the mic should be an extension of the DJs personality (if they've got one) and i agree with Dave an essential piece of kit. I like DJs who make their mark as much with the Mic as with their records, but i agree i don't like mic abusers. The best DJs are those with a sense of humour, after playing a couple of New Orleans releases at Keele Butch cued up the next non-New Orleans release with, 'Back on dry land' and Ted Massay at the Marrs Bar introduced 'You're On Top Girl' as 'one for the big fellas'.

[Richard Bayley]

Using the mic's fine for those who know know how to use it, but let's be honest, most of the time it sounds like an over-enthusiastic member of the "Norman Collier Appreciation Society" has seized control of the decks

[Chris Anderton]

A DJ using the mike definatly adds to the atmosphere at a soul night/helps to get the dancers on the floor etc. I am suprised so many disagree with this and want to hear an hour of music with no interjection from the Dj, tell me the last great spot you heard with no DJ talking between the records.........

Personally i could`nt DJ without a mike, as Dave says its an integeral part of the kit...

Agree with you Kev....

Keep my Forest ticket warm til Saturday mate!

Chris

Edited August 25, 2009 by Chris Anderton

[Little-stevie]

Using the mic's fine for those who know know how to use it, but let's be honest, most of the time it sounds like an over-enthusiastic member of the "Norman Collier Appreciation Society" has seized control of the decks

Yes indeed..

I go to more small rare soul events and they don't all use the mic like the bigger events and all niters...

The mic is like making love..

Sometimes you like to be vocal and tell your partner whats going on .... Other times you like to enjoy in silence and think shut the fu"k up..

[spirit]

A DJ using the mike definatly adds to the atmosphere at a soul night/helps to get the dancers on the floor etc. I am suprised so many disagree with this and want to hear an hour of music with no interjection from the Dj

I agree, but am not interested in any idiot waffling into a microphone he or she has no idea how to handle. The main purpose of the DJ is to provide the music - I am not paying to hear their philosophy on life.

The point is not that they should stay silent, but if they open their mouth, there should be a reason for it.

E-nun-ci-ate. Get to the point.

[Richard Bayley]

The mic is like making love..

Sometimes you like to be vocal and tell your partner whats going on .... Other times you like to enjoy in silence and think shut the fu"k up..

It all falls into place now....... James Trouble likes to talk dirty.......

[Tykarim]

Not sure if i'm able to talk for the rest of Europe, but the use of the mike has never been too popular outside UK...I'm not knocking it, but it certainly does nothing for me: i rather hear the music flow and the songs to nearly blend with the next; the "storytelling" that comes with djing is much smoother this way IMO...and, agreed, most of the times you don't hear anything - or you wish you hadn't!

Best!

Edu

[Guest]

ha ha, I've stayed out of this one because it's fairly obvious where I stand on the question.....but here's my view anyway.

A good DJ will use the mic to his advantage, personally I think it's an essential piece of kit when you 'work the floor'. You can easily just play records when the floor is busy, or if you don't care whether the floor is busy or not, but I'm firmly in the camp of believing people want to dance and have a good time, and be entertained. That's what they have paid their money on the door for. so if using the mic helps create that atmosphere, helps fill the dancefloor, and aids you as a DJ to fill the dancefloor it's a must. I also use the mic on very, very rare occasions to take the piss out of mates

On the even rarer occasion that I cock up behind the decks I also use the mic to take the piss out of myself but some people can waffle on too much, and I certainly try to avoid doing that because I know it can spoil the flow of a set.

It is though, a personal choice, and I've heard some great sets from people who never pick the mic up, that's just not my style though.

And I do agree that it is the most scary part of DJing when you first start out.

Cough sweets, I don't need cough sweets, I just need plenty of beer !

well summed up Dave!

Jayne.x.

[Guest]

Yes indeed..

I go to more small rare soul events and they don't all use the mic like the bigger events and all niters...

The mic is like making love..

Sometimes you like to be vocal and tell your partner whats going on .... Other times you like to enjoy in silence and think shut the fu"k up..

LOL - brilliant!

Jayne.x.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Any DJ who doesn't use the mic is not a DJ, he or she is just someone who puts records on. No exceptions, sorry...

...when you play it, SAY IT, for God's sake.

[Guest dundeedavie]

Any DJ who doesn't use the mic is not a DJ, he or she is just someone who puts records on. No exceptions, sorry...

...when you play it, SAY IT, for God's sake.

bollox .... a DJ who uses the mic to break the flow so they can change tempo and / or style because they aren't technically competent enough to do it through music is no DJ

[Tykarim]

bollox .... a DJ who uses the mic to break the flow so they can change tempo and / or style because they aren't technically competent enough to do it through music is no DJ

Agreed...funny how some other not so rarety obsessed music scenes don't need to use the mike as a regular basis on their nighters....maybe there's a certain need to say I AM HERE and THESE ARE MY RARE RECORDS? Let's face it, nobody needs to hear "and here comes this, that and the other" when most of people that go to parties know 80 % of the records anyway (not so many venturous Dj's out there, are there? )...and, if by chance something you don't know -and may be interesting- is played, there are high chances that it's going to be covered up and, therefore, announced under a false name...so, again, what's the point?

Let the music speak by itself: if it's good, people will dance to it...if they don't, it's for reasons non musically related. But, alas, this is the northern soul scene, isn't it?

And one last point about the use -and, more like, abuse- of the mike...why people have the need to let all their testosterone and aggressiveness go when presenting some of the most sophisticated pieces of music ever created...? That REALLY turns me off, big time!

Best!

Edu

Edited August 25, 2009 by tykarim

[Professorturnups]

Is it me or is it getting like groundhog day on here?

That said, I can't resist

I for one couldn't care less whether a DJ talks or not. In fact a lot of the time I wish they'd shut the fcuk up!

DJ stands for Disc Jockey doesn't it?

Not talk as much as you can, as incoherently as you can Jockey.

Granted, done well it can be good. But no amount of well delivered flannel is going to make bad records sound good.

Like I said, I don't care either way. It's the music I go out for

Heard your set at the 100 Club last year Joan which I loved. Only thing was you weren't using the mic and as I didn't know quite a few of the tracks I never found out what they were...

Mark C

[Guest kid mohair]

Well i personally think if the mic is done occasionally its OK, but a waffling DJ after or before every record is a no no................

Edited August 25, 2009 by kid mohair

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

bollox .... a DJ who uses the mic to break the flow so they can change tempo and / or style because they aren't technically competent enough to do it through music is no DJ

I agree with that up to a point - but someone who uses the mic to entertain an enlighten in equal measure without getting in the way of the music they are playing, as so many great ones have done in the past - from Alan Freeman to Richard Searling to Chris Hill and beyond - is worth 100 'record-putter-onners', who work in silence under the mistaken idea that they are disc jockeys.

If I want to listen to lots of rare records played end to end, with no words of encouragement from the person who's playing them, I might as well sit at home and play my own 45s, albums and CDs all night.

Sorry to reiterate, but people who put records on without communicating something about them to punters are not DJs. They are - and always will be - just people who put records on...

[Tykarim]

Well i personally think if the mic is done occasionally its OK, but a waffling DJ after or before every record is a no no................

...and there's people out there that can do a great job with it; Roger Banks springs to mind (not to mention Terry Jones, but that's really going to the fun fair...and -me, personally- enjoying every minute of it )...but the usual mumbling cacophony reminds me way too much of being in a not so glamurous bingo...

And, as i said before, don't get me started on the "get on the f****n floor" distasfeful howls...

Best!

Edu

Edited August 25, 2009 by tykarim

[Tykarim]

I agree with that up to a point - but someone who uses the mic to entertain an enlighten in equal measure without getting in the way of the music they are playing, as so many great ones have done in the past - from Alan Freeman to Richard Searling to Chris Hill and beyond - is worth 100 'record-putter-onners', who work in silence under the mistaken idea that they are disc jockeys.

If I want to listen to lots of rare records played end to end, with no words of encouragement from the person who's playing them, I might as well sit at home and play my own 45s, albums and CDs all night.

Sorry to reiterate, but people who put records on without communicating something about them to punters are not DJs. They are - and always will be - just people who put records on...

I don't need to be encouraged to dance, sorry...

Best!

Edu

[Paul-s]

I want to hear the music flow. Not some 'SMASHEY & NICEY' type telling me how good and rare a tune is! If i want to know, i will go and look or ask. That promotes a better interaction between dj and punter.

Also, lets be honest, the sound sytems at 98% of Northern Soul events are appalling...massive hall and two tiny speakers on the stage, as if surround sound or modern equiptment didn't exist. So, the day this improves and we can actually understand what a dj is saying, maybe i will listen...unless of course they are actually saying "argh, yah, eeeeeee, trust, laootyy, me, rare,klau, doogs,arhyy bollocks!!!"

[Tykarim]

I want to hear the music flow. Not some 'SMASHEY & NICEY' type telling me how good and rare a tune is! If i want to know, i will go and look or ask. That promotes a better interaction between dj and punter.

Also, lets be honest, the sound sytems at 98% of Northern Soul events are appalling...massive hall and two tiny speakers on the stage, as if surround sound or modern equiptment didn't exist. So, the day this improves and we can actually understand what a dj is saying, maybe i will listen...unless of course they are actually saying "argh, yah, eeeeeee, trust, laootyy, me, rare,klau, doogs,arhyy bollocks!!!"

Spot on, Paul!

Edu

[Guest]

Spot on, Paul!

Edu

Yep who wants a nighter sounding like the waltsers at the fair,me i just say something now and again depending on the system and think of something to say but do pick up the mike alot then bottle it,if i sounded like Rob Smith i wouldnt stop talkin' but a Yorkshire accent is not dj freindly is it!!.

[Dysonsoul]

I agree with that up to a point - but someone who uses the mic to entertain an enlighten in equal measure without getting in the way of the music they are playing, as so many great ones have done in the past - from Alan Freeman to Richard Searling to Chris Hill and beyond - is worth 100 'record-putter-onners', who work in silence under the mistaken idea that they are disc jockeys.

If I want to listen to lots of rare records played end to end, with no words of encouragement from the person who's playing them, I might as well sit at home and play my own 45s, albums and CDs all night.

Sorry to reiterate, but people who put records on without communicating something about them to punters are not DJs. They are - and always will be - just people who put records on...

Quite right, ireally think it's unproffesional not using the mike - anybody can play a hours set one after another.infact our lass knows bugger all about the music but pointed out to me at a venue when some one played without speaking " i could have done that " . of course each to their own but it's certainly compulsary at lifeline regardless of the profile of the dj....

[Guest]

When its full its easy,when the place is empty its impossible.