Is It Acceptable To Do A Soul Night With Cd's

[Goldsoul]

About 15 years ago I used to do a lot of DJ/MC work with local and national Soul Bands which ran side by side with DJ'ing and running Northern nights/allnighters etc. the band nights were more general public type nights and the most important factor was having a good time, I took 45's/Albums and CD's more based on having a large selection of tunes to select from, sometimes I used CD only it depended on the gig really, in the band sitation my job was to supply music before the band took to the stage, during their break and party time after they finished, for about four years on the trot I did a New Years Eve gig in Buxton with a soul band playing to well over 500 people and not once did anyone question me using CD's as to them it did'nt matter, however it would have been a problem if I was unable to play a Sam And Dave or Otis Redding request due to not having it on vinyl oh and before you say something here the next weekend I could be guesting at The 100 Club or some other hardcore Northern gig where Eddie Parker, Jimmy Burns, Brooks Brothers, Cashmeres etc. would feature all from authentic original USA first generation records so it's basically horses for courses, I was asked a few years ago to DJ for a guy at Stockport Football Club a Northern Night, the gig paid well was pitched at the Northern crowd but he only had or put in CD decks, the night was rammed with hardcore soulies and a mixed Motown type crowd, I did the whole night myself and the floor was buzzing, from a music perspective did it matter? did it bollocks again not once did anyone kick off about the CD format being used.

Yes of course there is something special about doing the DJ thing with authentic records and I can do both, I think the fundimental point here is that from an entertainment perspective does format really matter? and my opinion is no and certainly not for a charity night as the original poster here was trying to do, the I want to listen to a bit of Motown brigade could'nt care less what format it's played to them on, how rare it is, how much it costs or anything to do with this stamp collector mentality, their only concern is what time does the bar shut? and to have a good night out.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Exactly what I said near the start of this thread. Thanks for outlining the difference.

Any chance you can hammer it home 'Tevez/Bellamy' style to some of the thick sods that sadly don't get it and continually ambush threads such as this without any thought or reason.?

Sorry about your loss yesterday at the Bridge. Your former hometown crushed us 5-0 yesterday!

RARE Nights and QUALITY/Enthusiasts SOUL Nights-OVO HANDBAG Nights/Parties Motown etc-CD/LAPTOP Simples.

Edited February 28, 2010 by The Golden 101

[Guest]

Exactly what I said near the start of this thread. Thanks for outlining the difference.

Any chance you can hammer it home 'Tevez/Bellamy' style to some of the thick sods that sadly don't get it and continually ambush threads such as this without any thought or reason.?

Sorry about your loss yesterday at the Bridge. Your former hometown hammered us 5-0 yesterday!

RARE Nights and QUALITY/Enthusiasts SOUL Nights-OVO HANDBAG Nights/Parties Motown etc-CD/LAPTOP Simples.

'SCENE DO' - No, OVO 45s, LP tracks...

'NON SCENE DO' - Who gives a damn? Nobody. Surely it is all self-evident?

[KevH]

Cost of rare/enthusiast night = endless if you include the vinyl per dj.Profit - minimal.

Cost of Handbag/motown nite = cost of cd's,only one dj needed?.Profit - quite a bit better than above.

Outcome - more profit from handbag nites,you know,from those who don't care.?

[Mark Bicknell]

Exactly what I said near the start of this thread. Thanks for outlining the difference.

Any chance you can hammer it home 'Tevez/Bellamy' style to some of the thick sods that sadly don't get it and continually ambush threads such as this without any thought or reason.?

Sorry about your loss yesterday at the Bridge. Your former hometown crushed us 5-0 yesterday!

RARE Nights and QUALITY/Enthusiasts SOUL Nights-OVO HANDBAG Nights/Parties Motown etc-CD/LAPTOP Simples.

Lol, you had to mention Tevez and Bellamy did'nt you,

Mark

[Spanner]

On the contrary Mark, it's been an education. I'm fascinated!

Gazza

Here u are Gazza you need a t shirt m8

[Guest bazabod_downunder]

NO....Irrespective of your charitable reasons.

KTF

Baz

Back in the day, in the early 70's all my mates used to travel from the North East over to Wigan Casino for the all-nighters. At the time I had no interest in Northern Soul, I liked soul music but as there was generally no wider release of these records they were unknown to me. I was 17 and more into what Roxy Music, David Bowie and the like were doing at the time. I never really got the Northern Soul thing and couldn't see the attraction of a 3 hour bus ride to Lancashire to take drugs and dance all night. When I went to the local discos at the time and they put on things like Skiing in the Snow and The Bandwagon's Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache I would see my some of my mates doing some of the most amazing acrobatic dance moves. It always intrigued me. I did a disco in the late 70's and was occasionally asked to play some Northern Soul, I only had Fathers Angels and Robert Knight and a couple of others perhaps, plenty of other soul though but the Northern stuff just wasn't widely available, my mate lent me 3 of his records, he emigrated and I've still got 'em (sorry Andy if you're out there you can still have 'em back!!). Disco was popular at the time though and most people i played to just wanted to hear Donna Summer, Trammps Disco Inferno, Parliament, Herbie Hancock and the like, oh and Lynyrd Skynrd!. Skipping forward to now I have been doing a disco again for the last 6 years, in that time after hearing some of the Northern Soul that is now so widely available on CD I have fallen completely for this music and wished so much I'd made that trip to Wigan all those years ago to see what the fuss was about. I have quite a large collection of Motown, Atlantic, Stax and especially Northern Soul on CD now. I would like to do a Soul Night, too this end I have a venue booked with a large wooden dance floor, Bourne Corn Exchange in Lincolnshire. However, after talking to one of my old mates who is still into the Northern Soul scene in a big way he reckons Northern Soul fans won't come and dance to it if it's not vinyl and I'm not known on the scene, which I'm definitely not. After taking some advice from the people also who promote events and run the Corn Exchange I am on the brink of pullling the whole thing as they reckon I'd be lucky to cover my costs. I wasn't intersested in making money from this event, I just wanted to do it and try to make a success of it and make a donation to the British Heart Foundation after covering my expenses. I'd be interested to hear anyone's s thoughts on this.

[Little-stevie]

'SCENE DO' - No, OVO 45s, LP tracks...

'NON SCENE DO' - Who gives a damn? Nobody. Surely it is all self-evident?

And now you must define non scene?????

I did a night many moons ago where we could use vinyl and cd, i put on a cd track and popped off for a piss, while in the toilet i could hear that sound of the cd skipping, came back out and had the packed house laughing at my misfortune

It was a sign from the gods i think, never used the fooking cd option again...

The answer is do what you want mate... Many don't care what is played on...

We have been in bars with djs and heard a good tune, gone over to the dj to pay respect and then see they are using the cd decks,could not help thinking we were being cheated, but thats just some of us i guess.....

The doctor calls it a black plastic condition....

Can't say i would ever get moist seeing a dj walk in with a box of cds...

[Guest Heartnsoul]

But what is wrong with that?

If I was 20 (and I wish I was ) given the choice of getting music I liked for free or paying thousands for tunes on a retro format it would be a no-brainer.

If you could have got free records in the 70's would you have turned them down insisting on ......

...... what was the format before records?

Oh yeah! The human voice.

"No thank you, keep your new fangled record thingys - I prefer my artists to be in the room with me"

I got plenty of 'free' records back in the 70's! I 'downloaded' them from my mates 45's onto a c90 cassette! Thing is Paul, I didn't have the brass neck to saunter into a soul do (proper' or otherwise - not sure what the boundary line is?), shove some guy out of the way and start pretending to DJ with my crappy little tape. To be honest, the thought of some spotty little deejay oik sat on his lazy arse in front of a laptop downloading the whole portifolio of tunes from the last 40 odd years of 'the scene' as opposed to putting the graft in, is frankly, unpalatable. Ther's nowt wrong with spreading the faith but let 'the scene' retain it's dignity/imtegrity for Christ sake!

Only my opinion of course....

Rich

Edited March 1, 2010 by Heartnsoul

[Guest]

Sorry I agree with Kev(!) & Mark - who cares.

If we all stuck to OVO we deffo would be fed up with the same old sounds - not all of us are able to afford the prices of ultra rare stuff etc etc etc

Just because its CDs you should always offer a twin decks option, and CDs don't just

mean you only have 1 DJ. I been promoting 15 years, we offer all 3 formats, OVO CD & IT. Its nearly always first 2 options tho. We also operate with 3 residents AND 2 guests at every or just about every night. Does it mean I hae no credibility, or no soul? I doubt it.

U could always say on flyers "unless you own these records u can't come in"

Unless you can quote the catalogue number or run out groove number then I'm not letting you on the dancefloor - oooh it goes on don't it?

BTW Kev our Owls are dire right now - think I'll start following Dinnington Town

Soul Galore @ Lyric, Dinnington - judge us on the quality of sound thru the speakers, a no fuss, no bull, no egos event - I'll get me coat "purists"

[Guest Beeks]

Sorry I agree with Kev(!) & Mark - who cares.

If we all stuck to OVO we deffo would be fed up with the same old sounds - not all of us are able to afford the prices of ultra rare stuff etc etc etc

I'm sorry but that's a crock of sh*t

What? Do you want to play the same old sounds every other DJ plays or do you want to make an effort and go out and find good soul music that doesn't cost the earth that you can put your own stamp on the scene musically?

Suppose the question is do you want to be another

Or do you want to follow your own path

CDs to me is a cop out from someone who cannot find their own original sound and decides to join the other 20 dozen DJs playing their top 500 megamixes

OVO doesn't have to be expensive...it's not about the price of a record...it's about taste...and if you have taste...and you stay true to the values and traditions of this scene...then you can't go wrong IMO

Edited March 1, 2010 by Beeks

[Guest Heartnsoul]

I'm sorry but that's a crock of sh*t

What? Do you want to play the same old sounds every other DJ plays or do you want to make an effort and go out and find good soul music that doesn't cost the earth that you can put your own stamp on the scene musically?

Suppose the question is do you want to be another

Or do you want to follow your own path

CDs to me is a cop out from someone who cannot find their own original sound and decides to join the other 20 dozen DJs playing their top 500 megamixes

OVO doesn't have to be expensive...it's not about the price of a record...it's about taste...and if you have taste...and you stay true to the values and traditions of this scene...then you can't go wrong IMO

Very astute - and a philosophy passed down to me by my elders many years ago.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

well if you look at records you can do a night with just records and play rare and cheap records.

if he wanted to put a night on playing some popular Northern/Motown tunes the general public like and know as well as some more hardcore Northern he could do it with records if he had some. or get someone in we all own a lot of the popular northern/motown surely and can play it.

[Rugby Soul Club]

Sorry I agree with Kev(!) & Mark - who cares.

If we all stuck to OVO we deffo would be fed up with the same old sounds - not all of us are able to afford the prices of ultra rare stuff etc etc etc

Just because its CDs you should always offer a twin decks option, and CDs don't just

mean you only have 1 DJ. I been promoting 15 years, we offer all 3 formats, OVO CD & IT. Its nearly always first 2 options tho. We also operate with 3 residents AND 2 guests at every or just about every night. Does it mean I hae no credibility, or no soul? I doubt it.

U could always say on flyers "unless you own these records u can't come in"

Unless you can quote the catalogue number or run out groove number then I'm not letting you on the dancefloor - oooh it goes on don't it?

BTW Kev our Owls are dire right now - think I'll start following Dinnington Town

Soul Galore @ Lyric, Dinnington - judge us on the quality of sound thru the speakers, a no fuss, no bull, no egos event - I'll get me coat "purists"

But then you also steal other peoples artwork from their flyers...

[Little-stevie]

Sorry I agree with Kev(!) & Mark - who cares.

If we all stuck to OVO we deffo would be fed up with the same old sounds - not all of us are able to afford the prices of ultra rare stuff etc etc etc

Just because its CDs you should always offer a twin decks option, and CDs don't just

mean you only have 1 DJ. I been promoting 15 years, we offer all 3 formats, OVO CD & IT. Its nearly always first 2 options tho. We also operate with 3 residents AND 2 guests at every or just about every night. Does it mean I hae no credibility, or no soul? I doubt it.

U could always say on flyers "unless you own these records u can't come in"

Unless you can quote the catalogue number or run out groove number then I'm not letting you on the dancefloor - oooh it goes on don't it?

BTW Kev our Owls are dire right now - think I'll start following Dinnington Town

Soul Galore @ Lyric, Dinnington - judge us on the quality of sound thru the speakers, a no fuss, no bull, no egos event - I'll get me coat "purists"

I did not know of all these places using cds, never been to a soul event with cd playing djs, must be just the places i go, i have always thought it was just the very very odd event that did this, how wrong i was..

Lets not get into another cd/ ovo debate .... Its been done to death..

As we have said, the answer is yes, some folk/ promoters/ venues don't care what format is used...

Will it get to the stage where each flyer will have to state what format is used

So mr Soulmanash, you call me a purist, ha ha, thats a new one on me... I just thought soul events played vinyl, thats the way i was brought up and the people i knock around with i guess...

rest in peace....

[Guest Marsha Gee]

Do you honestly think my team at the Kings Hall are not playing the real deal? For crikes sake!

Realise the difference between Motown nights, Soul/Northern nights and All nighters. I only subscribe to the Motown night theory of cd/laptop as those punters do not care.

My other events are all OVO and I would not want it any other way.

Oh really Mr Roberts. Keith Fletcher plays CD's at your events. (Blackpool Tower)!!

Edited March 2, 2010 by Marsha Gee

[Soulacola]

why does everyone want to do everything now and instantly. DCs are just a symptom of cant be bothered finding that tune so i'll down load it now and play it tomorrow. I cant afford to buy every tune i love but the ones i have i share on the decks with passion, committment and sheer bloody love of a bit of vinyl!!!

[Goldsoul]

Oh really Mr Roberts. Keith Fletcher plays CD's at your events. (Blackpool Tower)!!

Keith is a different animal entirely. Our Friday at the Tower Weekender is a Party night.

And though the rest of us are playing vinyl, Keith, who is not a collector, but hosts the Soul show on BBC Radio Lancs, I find it perfectly acceptable.

His brief is to play very commercial Northern. I don't want to hear Helpless-KimWeston off scratchy vinyl either.

Anyway....who's promotion is it...mine or yours. If it offends...don't go.

[Roger Williams]

NO....Irrespective of your charitable reasons.

KTF

Baz

Yes, tell somebody dying of heart failure "I'm sorry mate, the money we could have raised to go towards helping you have a longer life won't actually materialise now because we weren't allowed to hold our event because the format from which we would have played the music wasn't acceptable to 20 or so people on a soul music forum, sorry you'll just have to die quietly now, but Bazabod sends his regards and says KTF so take solace in that".

[Guest becchio]

Im only a punter, a mere mortal so excuse me if i sound silly, i just dont understand what format has got to do with wether or not someone is a good dj. Surely its the CHOICES a dj makes that determines that and not the format . Format is irrelevant . This arguement that "youv got to pay your dues " (sorry lol) over time and learn the craft falls a bit flat when a young un or newbie comes along packs the floor with fresh leftfield and exciting tunes and stuff an older dj had forgotton or dismissed . I think someone new/young can have a less traditional and more fresh exciting and enthusiastic perspective . Maybe ?

[Guest dj dek one]

no never, no excuse..not in the uk or u.s. where the records are easily available at least.

[Guest Beeks]

This arguement that "youv got to pay your dues " (sorry lol) over time and learn the craft falls a bit flat when a young un or newbie comes along packs the floor with fresh leftfield and exciting tunes and stuff an older dj had forgotton or dismissed . I think someone new/young can have a less traditional and more fresh exciting and enthusiastic perspective . Maybe ?

I think this is a little patronising to the younger DJ to be honest...Not everyone on this scene is 50+...there are my age(36) and considerably younger who follow the traditions laid out by our peers...just look at the Beat Boutique lot...or young Aaron from Leeds...the Barnsley All Nighter organisers...none of which are out of their twenties who adhere to the OVO policy...

You talk about fresh leftfield and exciting tunes and stuff an older dj had forgotton or dismissed...do you really think you will find those tunes on a CD? Anything released on a CD has already been found and played enough times that someone thought it should be on one!

Best way to play fresh music is find it on vinyl...so you're somewhat missing the point

[Guest Marsha Gee]

Keith is a different animal entirely. Our Friday at the Tower Weekender is a Party night.

And though the rest of us are playing vinyl, Keith, who is not a collector, but hosts the Soul show on BBC Radio Lancs, I find it perfectly acceptable.

His brief is to play very commercial Northern. I don't want to hear Helpless-KimWeston off scratchy vinyl either.

Anyway....who's promotion is it...mine or yours. If it offends...don't go.

You quoted: "My other events are all OVO and I would not want it any other way". Why make this statement when it is Not True.

Obviously the likes of; Colin Curtis, Ginger Taylor & Richard Searling (Blackpool Tower on 27th Feb) have now become Party DJs???

With regards to "who's promotion is it"?? Who cares, I don't. My point is you make statements on here that are Not True.

[Guest becchio]

I wasnt JUST talking about young uns beeks i mentioned people "new" to it too. Mp3 or even a usb stick ? you can get some decent ones for a tenner. Wich brings me to another point . Talking about money is vulgar i know BUT what if a dj is poor ? . Sorry if i came across as patronising i didnt mean to be. Iv said over and over on many threads how much i actually admire nsoul djs and that its probably the toughest dj job in world.

[Goldsoul]

You quoted: "My other events are all OVO and I would not want it any other way". Why make this statement when it is Not True.

Obviously the likes of; Colin Curtis, Ginger Taylor &

Richard Searling (Blackpool Tower on 27th Feb) have now

become Party DJs???

Yes we are all now Party DJs. So avoid us at all costs.

Edited March 2, 2010 by The Golden 101

[Guest Simon]

Iv said over and over on many threads how much i actually admire nsoul djs and that its probably the toughest dj job in world.

No it's not, it's a piece of piss, working down the docks or on the roads is a tough job.

Saying that plenty of peeps seem to get it so wrong....

Simon

[CAMBRIDGE SOUL]

if you want to promote a night of 60's soul and play with cd's then thats up to you , there are loads of soul & northern soul night on around the uk that use cd only, you just dont get many regular northern fans go to them...do what you want to do and if you make money for charity then bonus :-)

[Guest Marsha Gee]

Avoiding you Mr Roberts is certainly very easy. However, you seem to avoid the point I made, which I will remind you;

You quoted: "My other events are all OVO and I would not want it any other way". Once again, why do you make such a statement on here when you know fully well it is not true.

[Guest becchio]

I meant in comparison to other dj jobs . the dancefloor, stood hands on hips waiting for the next record , is so discerning . Different genres ,tempos ! ! ! , decades and at events with people of all ages who have so many differing preferences . Maybe "tough" was the wrong word though.

[Guest Simon]

ame='The Golden 101' date='02 Mar 2010 - 01:42 PM' timestamp='1267537342' post='1276252']

Avoiding you Mr Roberts is certainly very easy. However, you seem to avoid the point I made, which I will remind you;

You quoted: "My other events are all OVO and I would not want it any other way". Once again, why do you make such a statement on here when you know fully well it is not true.

I wouldn't bother if i was you, you're just wasting your breath, the people in the know know who does things the right way & those who don't.

Just vote with your feet as i do, spend your cash on events promoted & run the right way.

Saying that i believe hardly any promoters or djs are 100% pure, i've certainly heard stories of certin djs who would be beyond reproach who have used the odd bootleg in their time & there's others who change the rules when it suits them, i remember a few years back it being ok for certain 'special' djs to play The Swans "Nitty gritty city" from i do believe 45s cut from the original acetate, not an official release as far as i'm aware so no difference for me than playing a bootleg, my apologies in advance if this is a mis-truth.

Simon

[Goldsoul]

I wouldn't bother if i was you, you're just wasting your breath, the people in the know know who does things the right way & those who don't.

Just vote with your feet as i do, spend your cash on events promoted & run the right way.

Saying that i believe hardly any promoters or djs are 100% pure, i've certainly heard stories of certin djs who would be beyond reproach who have used the odd bootleg in their time & there's others who change the rules when it suits them, i remember a few years back it being ok for certain 'special' djs to play The Swans "Nitty gritty city" from i do believe 45s cut from the original acetate, not an official release as far as i'm aware so no difference for me than playing a bootleg, my apologies in advance if this is a mis-truth.

Simon

I think you are following a false trail. Our events are generally full and better organised than most....hence the numbers.

Our feeling(not policy) is...if there's a Motownish/Handbag crowd in, I have no problem with CD's and or Laptops. You won't see that at Stoke or any other RARE SOUL gig we promote. However you might see it at Long Eaton, traditionally a regular hit soul night. 700 attend....not one person has ever complained.

The only stupid comments without any foundation are on forums!

[Chalky]

I wouldn't bother if i was you, you're just wasting your breath, the people in the know know who does things the right way & those who don't.

Just vote with your feet as i do, spend your cash on events promoted & run the right way.

Saying that i believe hardly any promoters or djs are 100% pure, i've certainly heard stories of certin djs who would be beyond reproach who have used the odd bootleg in their time & there's others who change the rules when it suits them, i remember a few years back it being ok for certain 'special' djs to play The Swans "Nitty gritty city" from i do believe 45s cut from the original acetate, not an official release as far as i'm aware so no difference for me than playing a bootleg, my apologies in advance if this is a mis-truth.

Simon

there is though an original 45 release of the Swans Nitty Gritty City.

Back to your comment I don't know what source was used for the discs given to some DJ's some years ago. But for the sake of argument what if a track only exists on an acetate and the owner gives a few cuts to DJ's to give it exposure/get it out there so to speak. I know of several records that have been made into scene biggies this way, others taken form master tapes. It is practically impossible for one DJ to break a record these days unless the record is exceptional and the DJ in question gets a lot of bookings.

[Guest Simon]

I meant in comparison to other dj jobs . the dancefloor, stood hands on hips waiting for the next record , is so discerning . Different genres ,tempos ! ! ! , decades and at events with people of all ages who have so many differing preferences . Maybe "tough" was the wrong word though.

Fair enough, i've never personally found it tough though.

As long as your armed with good taste, good tunes, your own personality & not trying too hard to impress you should in the main be fine.

Simon

[Chalky]

Im only a punter, a mere mortal so excuse me if i sound silly, i just dont understand what format has got to do with wether or not someone is a good dj. Surely its the CHOICES a dj makes that determines that and not the format . Format is irrelevant . This arguement that "youv got to pay your dues " (sorry lol) over time and learn the craft falls a bit flat when a young un or newbie comes along packs the floor with fresh leftfield and exciting tunes and stuff an older dj had forgotton or dismissed . I think someone new/young can have a less traditional and more fresh exciting and enthusiastic perspective . Maybe ?

I've seen and heard many so called young uns and not many have anything left field or different to what is already on offer. Many are an image of their parents taste...they play oldies, but because they are young they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Older or more experienced DJ's should not be discarded just because someone is 17 years old. They have the experience and the knowledge, it does help, and there are plenty of experienced DJ's out there who will play something different. The problem is with the promoters, many are frightened to go the little bit extra and program DJ's with something different to offer, mainly sticking by the safe tried and tested route!!

[Kev Cane]

I'm sorry but that's a crock of sh*t

What? Do you want to play the same old sounds every other DJ plays or do you want to make an effort and go out and find good soul music that doesn't cost the earth that you can put your own stamp on the scene musically?

Suppose the question is do you want to be another

Or do you want to follow your own path

CDs to me is a cop out from someone who cannot find their own original sound and decides to join the other 20 dozen DJs playing their top 500 megamixes

OVO doesn't have to be expensive...it's not about the price of a record...it's about taste...and if you have taste...and you stay true to the values and traditions of this scene...then you can't go wrong IMO

Bang on ! Venues like Just Soul and Room With A View (formerly DDA) are testament to this theory, and incidentally promoted by guys who could play the so called "big tunes" if they wished but prefer to search the vaults of great soul music, most of which are very accessable.

Kev

[KevH]

there is though an original 45 release of the Swans Nitty Gritty City.

Back to your comment I don't know what source was used for the discs given to some DJ's some years ago. But for the sake of argument what if a track only exists on an acetate and the owner gives a few cuts to DJ's to give it exposure/get it out there so to speak. I know of several records that have been made into scene biggies this way, others taken form master tapes. It is practically impossible for one DJ to break a record these days unless the record is exceptional and the DJ in question gets a lot of bookings.

and a UK release.Therefore an UK original.

[Ged Parker]

On the original topic.

If you want to run an event using CD's then do so but be open about it and let the punters make an informed choice.

If you don't want to hear CD's there's plenty of OVO venues that need your support.

As a promoter, DJ or punter you have choices to make, make them and live with the results.

It's not rocket science and it will take just one night for most people that care to know what your approach is, to both original vinyl and the progressiveness of the music policy.

And you can come on here and say black is white but people that know will know.

[ImberBoy]

The layer cake, cracking film that was. I hadn't heard of that expression before watching the film.

The Northernsoul Scene, if that what we are called, is multi layered and like it or not where you go, what you listen to and how it is played to you falls very easily into its own little layer of the cake. There is an argument to avoid here as to what layer is or should be at the top and there will be an argument as to what tastes the best and what gives the best quality.

I for one have no problems with visiting an old friend who has just celebrated his 60^th birthday in his local pub and the music was off an usb stick, no one paid to get in and no one traveled particularly far.

In my glorious local area of South Yorkshire we have a plethora of soul nights some dia fookin bolical and some that are very good, I'm not too fussed at the CD thing here as long as the price I am being charged doesn't creep past say a fiver, I have lost larger amounts of change down the back of my settee.

I do kinda like to go to Allnighter and spend an affordable amount of money getting there, getting in and driving for a few miles in my car. When I go to an allnighter the only CD I want to hear being played is the one that is announced with "This is only available on CD", the chances are that this will be a fantastic soul record that a well versed and well respected Northernsoul DJ will play staking his reputation on its acceptance, doesn't work all the time but some times it blows you away.

If I ever went to an allnighter and they were playing CD's I would not go back, full stop.

You do vote with your feet.

I don't profess to be a Northernsoul Ninja, well I do when I'm pissed, and I don't do the baggy pant thing, well I do some times if the mood takes. I do like my music, I do like my dancing and I will be at Stoke on Saturday Night rubbing shoulders with friends who I have made over the last couple of decades, CD's nah, they are for divvies!

[Sean Hampsey]

When I go to an allnighter the only CD I want to hear being played is the one that is announced with "This is only available on CD", the chances are that this will be a fantastic soul record that a well versed and well respected Northernsoul DJ will play staking his reputation on its acceptance, doesn't work all the time but some times it blows you away.

If I ever went to an allnighter and they were playing CD's I would not go back, full stop.

Hi Simon,

From what you're saying though, its clear you would go back to an Allnighter if the DJ was playing tracks which are 'only available on CD'.

If only that were possible, because, in my experience, most promoters just don't provide the equipment.

I DJ all over the country with a Big Box of vinyl... and yet I always carry a bunch of CD's containing unreleased tunes or tracks that are only available in CD format.

Would never play 'Vinyl Releases' off a CD incidentally, but it breaks my heart when the promoter hasn't catered for 'unreleased on vinyl' tracks and am limited solely to vinyl.

The customers at those venues are missing out on some incredible tunes.

Very frustrating.

Sean

[Mark Bicknell]

I think this is a little patronising to the younger DJ to be honest...Not everyone on this scene is 50+...there are my age(36) and considerably younger who follow the traditions laid out by our peers...just look at the Beat Boutique lot...or young Aaron from Leeds...the Barnsley All Nighter organisers...none of which are out of their twenties who adhere to the OVO policy...

You talk about fresh leftfield and exciting tunes and stuff an older dj had forgotton or dismissed...do you really think you will find those tunes on a CD? Anything released on a CD has already been found and played enough times that someone thought it should be on one!

Best way to play fresh music is find it on vinyl...so you're somewhat missing the point

What about the unissued material such as stuff put out by Ady Coasdell at Ace/Kent etc. where the original format is CD only? or do we dismiss that material also, still I guess you could alway's dub material from a modern retro sounding R'n'B artist and cover it up lol

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Edited March 2, 2010 by Mark Bicknell

[Mark Bicknell]

Hi Simon,

From what you're saying though, its clear you would go back to an Allnighter if the DJ was playing tracks which are 'only available on CD'.

If only that were possible, because, in my experience, most promoters just don't provide the equipment.

I DJ all over the country with a Big Box of vinyl... and yet I always carry a bunch of CD's containing unreleased tunes or tracks that are only available in CD format.

Would never play 'Vinyl Releases' off a CD incidentally, but it breaks my heart when the promoter hasn't catered for 'unreleased on vinyl' tracks and am limited solely to vinyl.

The customers at those venues are missing out on some incredible tunes.

Very frustrating.

Sean

I just said that lol

Mark Bicknell.

[Sean Hampsey]

I just said that lol

Mark Bicknell.

Yes Mark... but I said if before you!

Sean

[Mark Bicknell]

Yes Mark... but I said if before you!

Sean

I did'nt read yours though until after I said it second after you lol

[Guest soulboy]

no one seems to be bothered at SOUL IN THE SUN , and i dont think you can call them 'motown handbag'ers ' what ever that means, thank god for scooter people !

[Petebangor]

Is it acceptable then for a big name DJ to play carvers out,that have been cut off a CD only release?

[Sean Hampsey]

I did'nt read yours though until after I said it second after you lol

Great minds mate!

Sean

[Mark Bicknell]

Is it acceptable then for a big name DJ to play carvers out,that have been cut off a CD only release?

Yes as long as they get permission from the record company or compiler.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[viphitman]

I think this is a little patronising to the younger DJ to be honest...Not everyone on this scene is 50+...there are my age(36) and considerably younger who follow the traditions laid out by our peers...just look at the Beat Boutique lot...or young Aaron from Leeds...the Barnsley All Nighter organisers...none of which are out of their twenties who adhere to the OVO policy...

You talk about fresh leftfield and exciting tunes and stuff an older dj had forgotton or dismissed...do you really think you will find those tunes on a CD? Anything released on a CD has already been found and played enough times that someone thought it should be on one!

Best way to play fresh music is find it on vinyl...so you're somewhat missing the point

and thank god that they will carry the torch.....!!!!!!

Edited March 2, 2010 by viphitman

[viphitman]

Will it get to the stage where each flyer will have to state what format is used

People already do say so and I think it is good and important to carry that message!!!!

[viphitman]

What I find intriguing that in Europe and other countries more and more people try to live up to the original format only soul night/allnighter.....AND THOUROULY ENJOYING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the Uk it is somehow split with the traditional elder statesman of soul and some young ones keeping the faith...and lets say the more commercial end of affairs...

Hm, at least there is light at the end of the tunnel I think!!!!

I do have a question for everyone in the UK??? I always wondered whether the amount of events which do play CD'S and do not give a toss about..... has increased since lets say the rather more lean years of soul during the end of the 80's & 90's?????????

[Guest staxman]

Back in the day, in the early 70's all my mates used to travel from the North East over to Wigan Casino for the all-nighters. At the time I had no interest in Northern Soul, I liked soul music but as there was generally no wider release of these records they were unknown to me. I was 17 and more into what Roxy Music, David Bowie and the like were doing at the time. I never really got the Northern Soul thing and couldn't see the attraction of a 3 hour bus ride to Lancashire to take drugs and dance all night. When I went to the local discos at the time and they put on things like Skiing in the Snow and The Bandwagon's Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache I would see my some of my mates doing some of the most amazing acrobatic dance moves. It always intrigued me. I did a disco in the late 70's and was occasionally asked to play some Northern Soul, I only had Fathers Angels and Robert Knight and a couple of others perhaps, plenty of other soul though but the Northern stuff just wasn't widely available, my mate lent me 3 of his records, he emigrated and I've still got 'em (sorry Andy if you're out there you can still have 'em back!!). Disco was popular at the time though and most people i played to just wanted to hear Donna Summer, Trammps Disco Inferno, Parliament, Herbie Hancock and the like, oh and Lynyrd Skynrd!. Skipping forward to now I have been doing a disco again for the last 6 years, in that time after hearing some of the Northern Soul that is now so widely available on CD I have fallen completely for this music and wished so much I'd made that trip to Wigan all those years ago to see what the fuss was about. I have quite a large collection of Motown, Atlantic, Stax and especially Northern Soul on CD now. I would like to do a Soul Night, too this end I have a venue booked with a large wooden dance floor, Bourne Corn Exchange in Lincolnshire. However, after talking to one of my old mates who is still into the Northern Soul scene in a big way he reckons Northern Soul fans won't come and dance to it if it's not vinyl and I'm not known on the scene, which I'm definitely not. After taking some advice from the people also who promote events and run the Corn Exchange I am on the brink of pullling the whole thing as they reckon I'd be lucky to cover my costs. I wasn't intersested in making money from this event, I just wanted to do it and try to make a success of it and make a donation to the British Heart Foundation after covering my expenses. I'd be interested to hear anyone's s thoughts on this.