A Reluctance To Move On?

[Little-stevie]

Just a quick pop in while at work...

This thread is getting some attention...

With regards to cheap records or not, i don't give a flying f"ck what it costs, many many £10 unknown records to me than £1,000 unknown records, not matter at all.. You will find me playing the rather cheaper options with some imagination i hope... There are just so many great unknown ( to me ) very good and very cheap records, makes a Yorkshire man very happy...

Lets get away from cheap/ rare/ known/ unknown, maybe a mix of all these is what i look for in my nights and dj selections..

We just play records....

Just as long as you play with imagination ....

Would like people to pop along and see whats played, a playlist alone says little sometimes about how they were played, in what order and how the reaction was, sometimes a tune will get little or no reaction for a small dancefloor but get the place buzzing and many asking what the tunes is.. What you see in one of them windows in Amsterdam can be a total different thing to what you get behind the curtain... Any djs at Soul Or Nothing are welcome to post a playlist if they wish, some do at times and some don't... I don't mind either way... For me, its no playlist, i want people to come and find out whats on offer, maybe they will get a nice surprise, would you want your partner sending you an email telling you what they are gonna do to you when you get home , if so then fine, i would like to wait and see, much more fun for me that way.... Maybe the ones who want playlists are the same ones that as children would hunt for xmas presents round the house a week before, just wait and see, as Cilla says " surprise surprise" or maybe not for the brainiacs of the soul world, who gives a foooooooooooook... Not me..

Just do what you wanna do, some are fine inside a comfort zone while others would like to explore the universe on the look for the holy grail, no problem with both at all, do what makes you happy as much as possible..

No fuss...

Go easy, its the Monday after the weekend after all...

[Garethx]

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of 'big name' DJ's would love to play the smaller rooms now and again to show they aren't the one-trick ponies that they sometimes get slated for being, I bet they could knock spots off the majority of the vocal wannabee's who like to have a go at them, without even having to try.

I think that's all true, to be honest.

[Mace]

For me what I want to hear and what I play are often two different things as I want to hear things I haven't got and by definition can't play them if I don't have them. I play what I think the crowd would like to hear and this changes by venue, but of course I know what you mean.

Wasn't actually aiming that comment at you Ged, but glad you bit anyway

I'm referring to DJs who get the opportunity to play something different at an 'Upfront' event and still play the same old records.

There's nowt wrong with playing predominately oldies at an oldies night etc cus that's what you have been booked to do.

I believe that the problem lies with DJ sets being dictated by the dancefloor.......previous comments on this thread about not dancing to something that you've never heard before highlight this point IMO.

Mind you, I hardly ever dance but I do tap my foot and stroke my chin a lot

[Guest Matt Male]

The good thing is that a lot of the best stuff from back then remains underplayed.

I agree, it can't always be about newies. I doubt very much we play anything that are strictly newies. We've had a couple and people play cover ups all the time, whether they are newies though is debatable. I think the good thing is that nobody has heard everything, especially the stuff that was played only a few times in the past and then dropped as turnover was fairly rapid. the neglected quality sounds that are now criminally ignored and underplayed are what i want to hear. As times and tastes move on a lot more that was ignored in the past is now being played out. Not 'newies' but 'new to my ears' and, judging from the response we get, new to a lot of people's ears as well.

[SOULCENTRAL]

These kind of rooms are often a side room for a reason, they appeal to a minority, sadly. The format would never work in a main room and you certainly wouldn't get the support at a large regular venue no matter how good the records are. The only way to change things is bit by bit, maybe promoters should insist on the dj's they book play 5 records that aren't the norm. Until then oldies rule at the majority of your larger venues be them soul nights or all nighters.

Well Chalky i think you have hit the nail squarley on the head with your reply. Back in the days of the Torch,Mecca,catacombs,Casino you actually did get very mixed spots from all the dj's playing in demanders and some obscure stuff as well. The reason for this is that almost everything that was being played at the time was relativly new to all in attendance, both soul fans dj's and record collectors alike. The soul scene and its rapidly expanding portfolio of infectious "northern" dance music had no history for comparison as to wether it was new or an oldie!!. Therefore you did get the obligatrory 5+ records that were not the norm and then some.

There have been many exceellent posts on this thread with many touching on the "better known" tunes against the "lesser known" tunes and suggestions on what works and what does not. I believe there now exists clear sections within the soul fraternity consisting of The same old,same old crowd-The norther soul followers and The rare/crossover/70's group. It would be almost an impossibility these days to get tunes from the last of these groups played at the previous two which is as you say Chalky is sad. What seems to work at many venues these days is the two/three room option which gives everbody the oppertunity to sample all generes of soul music so allowing everyone in attendance to listen and dance to whatever they please. Prestatyn,Brid Weekender are for me the leaders here and others like Bury,Barnsley Metrodome to mention a few will bring on the youth and convert some of the die hard oldies fans to a different outlook on what is soul music.

I myself was very much from the school of oldies and nothing else until about five years back when firstly events like Soul in the Sun started changing my perspective and oulook about soul music. Followed by the weekenders listed above along with Red Bar,Empress,Metrodome and many others i now frequent for a taste of something different. The only music i dont take to is R & B as it is exactly what it says on the tin, rythm and Blues.

Now reaching for my tin hat and bullet proof vest while avoiding the shots from the r&b fans out there.

ROY

[Mark Bicknell]

Not just the music/records is it? it's about time this 'jobs for the boy's' bollocks was put to rest, should be about what contribution you can make as a DJ to the scene rather than you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, all that suffers is the quality of music nothing more, some venues seen to be a closed shop when it comes to booking DJ's on merrit, reputation and depth and quality of collection, collectives and upfront attitudes are all well and good but if the door is closed on some DJ's for whatever reason then what's the point?

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[Ged Parker]

Wasn't actually aiming that comment at you Ged, but glad you bit anyway

Did I come over a bit defensive then

I didn't think you meant me particularly. There is always the pressure to please the dancefloor but as I have said before your job as a DJ is to play the type of stuff the promotor wants you to play. It's his / her job to please the punters not yours. The promotor sets the tone because they know the type of event they want to promote. If they don't all a DJ can do is play to the floor.

[Mace]

The only music i dont take to is R & B as it is exactly what it says on the tin, rythm and Blues.

ROY

It actually says Rhythm & Blues on the tin.....if you want to be exact about it....

[pikeys dog]

It actually says Rhythm & Blues on the tin.....if you want to be exact about it....

No wonder he doesn't like it, he's been listenening to an entirely different kind of music... that rythm stuff is shite....

[Citizen P]

I was at the Radcliffe nighter last night and made my way in to Steve's room at 3am. What I heard simply blew me away. The music from the dj's in there was amazing. This is proper rare soul. Every genre was covered and the consistency and calibre of each record was staggering.

But where are the supposed 'big name' dj's? Why would they not want to sit in that room and listen to these amazing records? Are they scared of what they hear because they can't compete with that or does it genuinely not interest them?

Dj's like George, Val, Wayne and Paul are playing exciting, fresh and inspiring music but it almost seems like they get ignored in favour of the classics from 30 years ago.

What inspires the supposed 'big guns' of the soul scene? Are they happy filling dancefloors with oldies and safe bets? For me its lazy and boring and isn't really going anywhere.

Personally, I've been buzzing all day about some of the tunes I heard last night in that room. I've no idea what they are called, how much they are, what genre they even fall under, whether they are available on a cd or whether i'll even hear them again. But rooms like that make me realise that there's enough of these amazing records to keep me digging for a long time yet and most importantly keep me excited about it all.

I don't want this to be an oldies v's newies debate, its more about the attitude of the soul scene and how UN inspiring it can be at times compared to the total opposite in rooms like Steve's.

Maybe there's only a few of us that feel this way?

There are a lot that say they feel this way,

Unfortunately Saying and Doing are two different things.

if you dragged your arse to Heywood on Friday i guarantee you'll hear the following....

Some you know

Some you don't

and

Some you should!

Regards

Tony

[Wrongcrowd]

Some 'big name' DJs are still pushing the boundaries Paul. But agree with you that Steve's room at Cleethorpes often has some of the best music that weekend, from guys with a good ear for something less obvious.

I would say Ady C has always sought out new stuff for the 100 club regulars to enjoy.

Steve's room or Tef's room.... ?

[Guest Bearsy]

So you're saying that in order to dance to the tune you have to know it? Surely you're joking? Good music will keep me on the floor whether i know it or not.

As for 2-3 unknown to me in a set, well that's a stone cold oldies night for me and the kind of night i'd prefer to avoid. I agree Simon, the 'comfort zone' is the problem.

coudnt agree more Matt

I was talking to someone at the last Rugby who had never been before and she came into the freestyle room that was kicking all night and i asked her if she was having a good time and she sad "No" i asked why and she said its cos she cant dance cos she dont know the tunes, for her it is all about how she looks when she is dancing and i told her to just chill take the tunes in and dance dance dance and before you know it she was dancing to everything and ended up having a brilliant night

for me i just love hearing new tunes and go to certain venues for that and i also like hearing tunes i do know but i go to certain venues for that, best of all is when you get a 2 or 3 room event and a choice cos if im hearing stuff that dont flaot my boat i go into another room and so on but if nothing floats my boat i go out for a fag and a chat

keep it fresh and interesting but most of all enjoy whatever you do

[Dave Abbott]

These kind of rooms are often a side room for a reason, they appeal to a minority, sadly. The format would never work in a main room and you certainly wouldn't get the support at a large regular venue no matter how good the records are. The only way to change things is bit by bit, maybe promoters should insist on the dj's they book play 5 records that aren't the norm. Until then oldies rule at the majority of your larger venues be them soul nights or all nighters.

Bang on. Though i think 'bit by bit' is probalby still too quick for some!

how some DJ's can go out and play the same records all the time without getting bored is beyond me...

and IMO the 'rare' soul scene of people that actually want to go out hear diferent stuff is quite small.

it's all very depressing

[Agentsmith]

Not just the music/records is it? it's about time this 'jobs for the boy's' bollocks was put to rest, should be about what contribution you can make as a DJ to the scene rather than you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, all that suffers is the quality of music nothing more, some venues seen to be a closed shop when it comes to booking DJ's on merrit, reputation and depth and quality of collection, collectives and upfront attitudes are all well and good but if the door is closed on some DJ's for whatever reason then what's the point?

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

me all over mark,

its obviously about the face fitting, there'sa lot of in each others pockets and up each others arses where djing is concerned....good job the scene's not unionised or djing would be white collar.....you know.....if you haven't got a brother, cousin or friend who's in it, you face dont fit....it dosnt matter how many tunes you've got. and another thing......we should i keep paying and supporting gigs month in month out and watch other people get spots with a wink of the eye or click of the finger and im totally blanked???.

WE'RE TALKIN ABOUT VARIETY HERE, IN WHAT DJS PLAY....EVERY DJ HAS HIS OR HER IDEAS AND THIS IS WHAT PROVIDES VARIETY, SO THE MORE DJS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PLAY FROM THEIR BOXES, THE BETTER...SO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP FUNDING GIGS AND HAVE TO WATCH OTHERS GETTING SPOTS EASY AND IN SOME CASES, REGULARLY AND WHEN I ASK, IM TOLD "SORRY MATE, WE'RE BOOKED UP FOR MONTHS"......RIGHT......SO EVERY SINGLE GIG IN THE COUNTRY IS BOOKED UP SOLID THEN?.....YEAH RIGHT!....WHO'S LIVIN IN CLOUD CUCKOO LAND NOW THEN??

its like when you go for driving lessons, isnt it? you keep payin and payin and when you ask "when are you going to put me in for my test?", the instructor says "soon mate soon", in other words there are unscrupulous people who want to milk you as much as possible and promise you nothing.

i wont support gigs in the west mids because djs and promotors alike are "cliquey", they're lovely and pally with their mates but if i broach the question its like having a tooth extracted....but they still want my hard earned money!, thats why i headed north and, thanks to terry davies, barry maleedy, ginger and kev & richard, ive had a chance to play MY tunes.

right on mark, you deserve better mate and so do i

rob.h

[Guest]

Just a quick pop in while at work...

This thread is getting some attention...

With regards to cheap records or not, i don't give a flying f"ck what it costs, many many £10 unknown records to me than £1,000 unknown records, not matter at all.. You will find me playing the rather cheaper options with some imagination i hope... There are just so many great unknown ( to me ) very good and very cheap records, makes a Yorkshire man very happy...

Lets get away from cheap/ rare/ known/ unknown, maybe a mix of all these is what i look for in my nights and dj selections..

We just play records....

Just as long as you play with imagination ....

Would like people to pop along and see whats played, a playlist alone says little sometimes about how they were played, in what order and how the reaction was, sometimes a tune will get little or no reaction for a small dancefloor but get the place buzzing and many asking what the tunes is.. What you see in one of them windows in Amsterdam can be a total different thing to what you get behind the curtain... Any djs at Soul Or Nothing are welcome to post a playlist if they wish, some do at times and some don't... I don't mind either way... For me, its no playlist, i want people to come and find out whats on offer, maybe they will get a nice surprise, would you want your partner sending you an email telling you what they are gonna do to you when you get home , if so then fine, i would like to wait and see, much more fun for me that way.... Maybe the ones who want playlists are the same ones that as children would hunt for xmas presents round the house a week before, just wait and see, as Cilla says " surprise surprise" or maybe not for the brainiacs of the soul world, who gives a foooooooooooook... Not me..

Just do what you wanna do, some are fine inside a comfort zone while others would like to explore the universe on the look for the holy grail, no problem with both at all, do what makes you happy as much as possible..

No fuss...

Go easy, its the Monday after the weekend after all...

Nice post Stevie , imo its all about the quality of soul being played the price tag on the record is a bunch of shit who gives a fu*k if it sounds good thats what matter if you think it dosent dont listen to it or if you are a stuck up prick and dont like it because its a so called cheapie dont go slagging it off . Rant over

Kieran

[Margo]

me all over mark,

its obviously about the face fitting, there'sa lot of in each others pockets and up each others arses where djing is concerned....good job the scene's not unionised or djing would be white collar.....you know.....if you haven't got a brother, cousin or friend who's in it, you face dont fit....it dosnt matter how many tunes you've got. and another thing......we should i keep paying and supporting gigs month in month out and watch other people get spots with a wink of the eye or click of the finger and im totally blanked???.

WE'RE TALKIN ABOUT VARIETY HERE, IN WHAT DJS PLAY....EVERY DJ HAS HIS OR HER IDEAS AND THIS IS WHAT PROVIDES VARIETY, SO THE MORE DJS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PLAY FROM THEIR BOXES, THE BETTER...SO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP FUNDING GIGS AND HAVE TO WATCH OTHERS GETTING SPOTS EASY AND IN SOME CASES, REGULARLY AND WHEN I ASK, IM TOLD "SORRY MATE, WE'RE BOOKED UP FOR MONTHS"......RIGHT......SO EVERY SINGLE GIG IN THE COUNTRY IS BOOKED UP SOLID THEN?.....YEAH RIGHT!....WHO'S LIVIN IN CLOUD CUCKOO LAND NOW THEN??

its like when you go for driving lessons, isnt it? you keep payin and payin and when you ask "when are you going to put me in for my test?", the instructor says "soon mate soon", in other words there are unscrupulous people who want to milk you as much as possible and promise you nothing.

i wont support gigs in the west mids because djs and promotors alike are "cliquey", they're lovely and pally with their mates but if i broach the question its like having a tooth extracted....but they still want my hard earned money!, thats why i headed north and, thanks to terry davies, barry maleedy, ginger and kev & richard, ive had a chance to play MY tunes.

right on mark, you deserve better mate and so do i

rob.h

this post is gotta be a wind up, surely

[SOULCENTRAL]

It actually says Rhythm & Blues on the tin.....if you want to be exact about it....

Don't really do exact when talking about RHYTHM & BLUES but thanks for correcting my incorrect grammer.

ROY

[SOULCENTRAL]

No wonder he doesn't like it, he's been listenening to an entirely different kind of music... that rythm stuff is shite....

Got to agree there PD.

Hope thats not you in the picture, scary or what!!!!!

ROY

[phillyDaveG]

Don't really do exact when talking about RHYTHM & BLUES but thanks for correcting my incorrect grammer.

ROY

Actually, it's grammar.

[Soulcarp]

go in the room that suits you....obvious really

Just an observation ...As I type this, tracks posters last listened to are:

Ebony Jam - Ride On

Leslie Uggams - Love Is A Good Foundation

Garnett Mimms - Prove It To Me

oldies

[Soulcarp]

Although i'm right into "oldies" i love hearing sounds that are new to me (maybe not to others), and when i was djing always tried to play at least 1 or 2 that i had'nt heard before.

Most got a good reception.

Best was when i put a copy of "Patti Drew" "Stop and listen" Capitol demo on a cd for a fellow dj, he bothered me for months to find out what the track was, and when i played out "Dean and Jean" Lovingly yours" on rust and Kenny Burrell came up to the decks to find out what it was.

Sorry listed wrong track But he also came up to check my copy of "bobby Patterson" "What a wonderful night for love" on Jetstar and others, not all on the same same day i hasten to add.

kennys in to is oldies

[SOULCENTRAL]

Actually, it's grammar.

I KNEW SOMEONE WOULD BITE!!!!!!

ROY

[Guest Brian Ellis]

I KNEW SOMEONE WOULD BITE!!!!!!

ROY

Actually it's nothing to do with grammar (or grammer).

Grammar is the set of logical and structural rules that govern the composition of sentences, phrases, and words.

It's nothing more complicated than a simple case of spelling.

Spelling is the writing of a word or words with the necessary letters present in an accepted standard order.

(Both definitions via Wikipedia)

[Dave Abbott]

Bang on. Though i think 'bit by bit' is probalby still too quick for some!

how some DJ's can go out and play the same records all the time without getting bored is beyond me...

and IMO the 'rare' soul scene of people that actually want to go out hear diferent stuff is quite small.

it's all very depressing

it is indeed and i was sort of hoping for some good replies but the replies really are from those.....i have censored my self...

[Stevie]

right on mark, you deserve better mate and so do i

rob.h

Well, why don't the two of you get together and set up your own night?

Seems to be what everybody else does ....

[Guest Bearsy]

it is indeed and i was sort of hoping for some good replies but the replies really are from those.....i have censored my self...

there are plenty of peeps still wanting to hear new tunes Dave, for me i feel the problem is that there are far too many events week in week out which is thinning numbers out and it wont be long before there are more events than punters, every event should go to 3 monthly and NO new events allowed to start never happen but could make a difference

[Ted Massey]

there are plenty of peeps still wanting to hear new tunes Dave, for me i feel the problem is that there are far too many events week in week out which is thinning numbers out and it wont be long before there are more events than punters, every event should go to 3 monthly and NO new events allowed to start never happen but could make a difference

Apparently there were 6(six) on Friday in an area around wolverhampton 2 of them run by the same bloke, 25 was the top attendance. boot legs pressings and cd's.

thank god for the Stables

[Guest Bearsy]

Apparently there were 6(six) on Friday in an area around wolverhampton 2 of them run by the same bloke, 25 was the top attendance. boot legs pressings and cd's.

thank god for the Stables

good and bad about living down south

good - only a few good nights worth attending and on bi-monthly

bad - being to far away from places that really do it for me musically

but to have that amount of choice in an area in one night is a joke and what the fook is someone thinking of when putting on 2 nights on the same night in the same area is it really about the music sometimes or is it about ego, pride, money

ps, which one was you djn at Ted

[Stuart Bower]

"Comfort zone? We ain't got no Comfort zone. We don't need no Comfort zone! I don't have to show you any stinkin' Comfort zone!"

Wow..Thanks my old friend..One of my faves.."THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE" (1948)

Or should this post be in the movie section in Freebasing or summat?

[Ted Massey]

good and bad about living down south

good - only a few good nights worth attending and on bi-monthly

bad - being to far away from places that really do it for me musically

but to have that amount of choice in an area in one night is a joke and what the fook is someone thinking of when putting on 2 nights on the same night in the same area is it really about the music sometimes or is it about ego, pride, money

ps, which one was you djn at Ted

Cheeky Bu****

[Guest Bearsy]

this post is gotta be a wind up, surely

[pogo paul]

Agree with this. It is a minority who want to hear 50% new to their ears all night (me for one). You're right, it would be hard, almost impossible thesedays, to sell set after set of rarely played and unknowns to a main room of 300 anywhere in the country (even Lifeline?). I think we just have to accept that the majority of people do want to hear the same records they know and love, with a couple of new ones in the set, but i agree with Gareth this was never what the scene was about, especially in the 80s. It's Stafford reunion this weekend, who would have thought 25 years later most venues would be playing 95% oldies during the excitement of new sounds and rapid turn over in those days? Not me for one.

Hit the nail on the head, spot on

[Reg]

Try to keep on topic boys..if we start commenting on spelling and/grammer it'll never end

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

fact as i say before, i would go out and hear some new tunes just not all night, I have tunes i know and never heard out which would be nice. but to hear a whole not knowing the tunes makes you seem bored if you sit there and people notice.

so if i hear tunes i know and some unknown ok that's fine by me. I am not one that is only into well known over played tunes, cause i collect music on vinyl and CD and hear loads i don't know there and when i did a spot at city club here i had tunes played no one plays out here. That was different

[Paul-s]

Great articulate post.

Steves room on Saturday was off the scale..Val was great and inspiring, George was absolutely Stunning, one of the best spots (and i mean seamless) i have heard in years and i only knew a handful..THATS WHATS EXCITING and why i go out.to buzz off the excitment of hearing and dancing to, for the first time, an incredible, soulful tune.! And I saw him dj at Chris's do on Sunday and he did it again...didn't know one! And all top class..

The last hour of Steves i got to double deck with Paul from Ireland, never heard him play before and it turned into a great (for me) hour and made me listen to my own tunes in a different context against his top, soulful, tunes!loved it! Now thats a good , soulful night out...thanks to all..

I think the important point is that ALL the djs were listening to each other and as an inevitable result were inspired by each other and the night flowed as a result. I never had (or have) a clue what i was going to play, the quality of the djs on before me inspired my direction.

Thats why i can never understand djs who just arrive for their spot or only go into the room for their spot...just weird to me

Proud to say i supported all three events Soul or Nothing, Radcliffe and Mr Morgan, no politics, just listening and it was worth the effort both musically and socially, came back with a smile...

Edited March 29, 2010 by paul-s

[Jumpinjoan]

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of 'big name' DJ's would love to play the smaller rooms now and again to show they aren't the one-trick ponies that they sometimes get slated for being, I bet they could knock spots off the majority of the vocal wannabee's who like to have a go at them, without even having to try.

They could do. Who knows.

Just a shame a lot of 'big name' DJ's do not go and listen to what is being played in these smaller rooms.

[Guest Gogs]

kennys in to is oldies

Used to dj with kenny at the "Spiders Web" here in Edinburgh, In my opinion he's a great guy with a lot of knowledge.

I could maybe agree that he is into oldies But i do know that he is willing to listen to tunes he doesn't know without bias.

[Little-stevie]

Just back from Work and still it goes on...

I know feelings run high on these topics....

[Paul-s]

I'd hazard a guess that the majority of 'big name' DJ's would love to play the smaller rooms now and again to show they aren't the one-trick ponies that they sometimes get slated for being, I bet they could knock spots off the majority of the vocal wannabee's who like to have a go at them, without even having to try.

Shame they have stopped trying then, cos i agree. Shame the moaners dont give them the space, respect or chance to play what THEY want. Or is it that they presume the punters wont dance. It was great to see punters from the main room come into steves and dance. As, ive said, when you hear Butch in Scandanavia his set is totally different...same top quality, but not hammered. But id rather hear a small room exciting dj, than Butch in a UK main rooms playing the same tunes over and over to the demanding punters. I want to hear 'him' play, not 'them!'

Its not a competition. You say 'big names' and 'wannabee', like their god and the antichrist. Since when did you become afraid of hearing new tunes? The latent potential of big name djs is not what Paul was talking about, i dont think...not the question.

Its the scene thats got the problem, it demands a product and its getting more and more homogonized, complacent...lazy. Or is it just old...age?

Wannabee...yes, guess it depends what they/you wannabee.

I wannabee hearing great, soulful, exciting tunes

I wannabee around in the room im playing in, so i contribute to a 'night', dancing and listening.

I wannabee going up to the decks asking whats that, not, oh god 'not that' again and again and again

I dont wannabee bored by my own tunes.

I dont wannabee hammering my own tunes til im sick of hearing them.

I dont wannabee looking at a dj line up and know exactly whats coming every time.

I dont wannee be knowing what set im going to play, the week, day or minute, before i go on.

I dont wannabee out of the room when certain djs are on...in case i miss something brilliant.

I dont wannabee reading what ratio oldie to newie you can play, thats just absurd.

I wannabee true to the reason i got into soul music.To hear as many great tunes as i can while im on this mortal coil. And dance to them.

Just your terminology for someone whos into music and plays soul, but isn't into hearing the same tunes everytime they go out, says it all. Thats why i just reclaimed it...Peace

I wanabee at a nighter where Butch, Andy, Mick , and the 'big room' djs play what they want for the night, not what punters demand. That shows respect nothing else. That would be a top night for sure and i would be first in the queue.

Edited March 30, 2010 by paul-s

[Guest Gogs]

Shame they have stopped trying then, cos i agree. Shame the moaners dont give them the space, respect or chance to play what THEY want. Or is it that they presume the punters wont dance. It was great to see punters from the main room come into steves and dance. As, ive said, when you hear Butch in Scandanavia his set is totally different...same top quality, but not hammered. But id rather hear a small room exciting dj, than Butch in a UK main room playing the same tune to the demanding punters. I want to hear 'him' play, not 'them!'

Its not a competition. You say 'big names' and 'wannabee', like their god and the antichrist. Since when did you become afraid of hearing new tunes? The latent potential of big name djs is not what Paul was talking about, i dont think...not the question.

Its the scene thats got the problem, it demands a product and its getting more and more homogonized, complacent...lazy. Or is it just old...age?

Wannabee...yes, guess it depends what they/you wannabee.

I wannabee hearing great, soulful, exciting tunes

I wannabee around in the room im playing in, so i contribute to a 'night', dancing and listening.

I wannabee going up to the decks asking whats that, not, oh god 'not that' again and again and again

I dont wannabee bored by my own tunes.

I dont wannabee hammering my own tunes til im sick of hearing them.

I dont wannabee looking at a dj line up and know exactly whats coming every time.

I dont wannee be knowing what set im going to play, the week, day or minute, before i go on.

I dont wannabee out of the room when certain djs are on...in case i miss something brilliant.

I wannabee true to the reason i got into soul music.To hear as many great tunes as i can while im on this mortal coil. And dance to them.

Just your terminology for someone whos into music and plays soul, but isn't into hearing the same tunes everytime they go out, says it all. Thats why i just reclaimed it...Peace

Although i totally agree with you, i don't think it's gonna happen. I stopped DJing about 2 years ago but always tried to throw something different into my sets. Check out my refosoul clips.

BUT to much can be TOO MUCH, as i previously said everybody has their own comfort zone, mine is 2-3 tracks per set others may have a higher threshold and i respect this but as an ex-dj you have got to play to the floor and if you don't do it you will not be asked back.

[Guest]

Although i totally agree with you, i don't think it's gonna happen. I stopped DJing about 2 years ago but always tried to throw something different into my sets. Check out my refosoul clips.

BUT to much can be TOO MUCH, as i previously said everybody has their own comfort zone, mine is 2-3 tracks per set others may have a higher threshold and i respect this but as an ex-dj you have got to play to the floor and if you don't do it you will not be asked back.

But how many times would you play ............Jack Montgomery or Sam Fletcher over and over and over and over and over and over again....................................just to keep a

dance floor happy ?

The fab and great established 60s 45s on this NS scene have been ruined by over playing them ! it is a fooking modern day crime ! IMO

It isn't really necessary, when they can be mixed with great unknown and underplayed discs.

mossy

[ImberBoy]

Just back from Work and still it goes on...

I know feelings run high on these topics....

Wait till we get started on the dcor of you room!

[Liljimmycrank]

At our event we book our Guest dj's because they excite us and know what they have in their collections, not from previous set lists but from talking to people. When they play, they have liberty to play whatever they want within the genres we advertise. If that means it's a set full of unknowns then so be it..........cos we know it will be superb unknowns and the set will flow etc. If they want to play known tunes then so be it, either way it's the dj's choice, our residents will then play round that.

Atmosphere is always good and dancefloor activity is high. For the unknowns played the floor might not always (usually is though to be honest) be as busy but there's plenty of people listening intently.

I personally think that if you're running a one room event, the promoter can often be the cause of these problems by dictating what guest dj's should play. If we want to start addressing the balance of underplayed vs overplayed then it's down to the promoters IMO

azza

[Mark Bicknell]

Well, why don't the two of you get together and set up your own night?

Seems to be what everybody else does ....

I don't wish to nor do I want to been there and done that and it's a thankless task, I just raised the point as the 'jobs for the boy's' ethic has applied since the year dot and by setting up your own night as you put it can also end up being a catalist for the 'jobs for the boy's' method and so it goes round in circles.

To be asked to play a few tunes now and again at the likes of 'Taste Of Honey', Manchester, The 100 Club now and again and selective smaller events with a free style music policy is far more rewarding than doing a huge oldies based gig where you have to bang out a Juke Box type spot well it's pointless doing it in my opinion, best thing I've done in recent times is to get rid of the likes of Majestics, Gene Woodbury, Luther Ingram, Four Perfections etc. etc. etc. great records but sick of playing them.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[Pete S]

me all over mark,

its obviously about the face fitting, there'sa lot of in each others pockets and up each others arses where djing is concerned....good job the scene's not unionised or djing would be white collar.....you know.....if you haven't got a brother, cousin or friend who's in it, you face dont fit....it dosnt matter how many tunes you've got. and another thing......we should i keep paying and supporting gigs month in month out and watch other people get spots with a wink of the eye or click of the finger and im totally blanked???.

WE'RE TALKIN ABOUT VARIETY HERE, IN WHAT DJS PLAY....EVERY DJ HAS HIS OR HER IDEAS AND THIS IS WHAT PROVIDES VARIETY, SO THE MORE DJS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO PLAY FROM THEIR BOXES, THE BETTER...SO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP FUNDING GIGS AND HAVE TO WATCH OTHERS GETTING SPOTS EASY AND IN SOME CASES, REGULARLY AND WHEN I ASK, IM TOLD "SORRY MATE, WE'RE BOOKED UP FOR MONTHS"......RIGHT......SO EVERY SINGLE GIG IN THE COUNTRY IS BOOKED UP SOLID THEN?.....YEAH RIGHT!....WHO'S LIVIN IN CLOUD CUCKOO LAND NOW THEN??

its like when you go for driving lessons, isnt it? you keep payin and payin and when you ask "when are you going to put me in for my test?", the instructor says "soon mate soon", in other words there are unscrupulous people who want to milk you as much as possible and promise you nothing.

i wont support gigs in the west mids because djs and promotors alike are "cliquey", they're lovely and pally with their mates but if i broach the question its like having a tooth extracted....but they still want my hard earned money!, thats why i headed north and, thanks to terry davies, barry maleedy, ginger and kev & richard, ive had a chance to play MY tunes.

right on mark, you deserve better mate and so do i

rob.h

Rob, you may be interested to know that you were dj'ing at the first allnighter I ever went to - Sammies 1975 - so you certainly have put the time in!

[Pete S]

never mind

[JOHNNYBETCHA]

Cheeky Bu****

he was djing at the Holt Suite - his set was from 7-1 - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!

[Paulb]

Shame they have stopped trying then, cos i agree. Shame the moaners dont give them the space, respect or chance to play what THEY want. Or is it that they presume the punters wont dance. It was great to see punters from the main room come into steves and dance. As, ive said, when you hear Butch in Scandanavia his set is totally different...same top quality, but not hammered. But id rather hear a small room exciting dj, than Butch in a UK main room playing the same tune to the demanding punters. I want to hear 'him' play, not 'them!'

Its not a competition. You say 'big names' and 'wannabee', like their god and the antichrist. Since when did you become afraid of hearing new tunes? The latent potential of big name djs is not what Paul was talking about, i dont think...not the question.

Its the scene thats got the problem, it demands a product and its getting more and more homogonized, complacent...lazy. Or is it just old...age?

Wannabee...yes, guess it depends what they/you wannabee.

I wannabee hearing great, soulful, exciting tunes

I wannabee around in the room im playing in, so i contribute to a 'night', dancing and listening.

I wannabee going up to the decks asking whats that, not, oh god 'not that' again and again and again

I dont wannabee bored by my own tunes.

I dont wannabee hammering my own tunes til im sick of hearing them.

I dont wannabee looking at a dj line up and know exactly whats coming every time.

I dont wannee be knowing what set im going to play, the week, day or minute, before i go on.

I dont wannabee out of the room when certain djs are on...in case i miss something brilliant.

I dont wannabee reading what ratio oldie to newie you can play, thats just absurd.

I wannabee true to the reason i got into soul music.To hear as many great tunes as i can while im on this mortal coil. And dance to them.

Just your terminology for someone whos into music and plays soul, but isn't into hearing the same tunes everytime they go out, says it all. Thats why i just reclaimed it...Peace

I wanabee at a nighter where Butch, Andy, Mick , and the 'big room' djs play what they want for the night, not what punters demand. That shows respect nothing else. That would be a top night for sure and i would be first in the queue.

Spot on Paul. I guess that attitude is what splits the scene. I can't understand a person that needs to hear things they know or they can't have a good time.

I bet these people plan what they are going to have for tea each night the following week too!

[Paulb]

They could do. Who knows.

Just a shame a lot of 'big name' DJ's do not go and listen to what is being played in these smaller rooms.

Yep, that's my point exactly Joan.

As James Trouble said in a diffeent thread, these people are in a position to influence and yet they don't seem interested in smaller room sounds.

[Paul-s]

Yep, that's my point exactly Joan.

As James Trouble said in a diffeent thread, these people are in a position to influence and yet they don't seem interested in smaller room sounds.

Its cos they know it all.

I already gave the example of the Wally Coco debacle recently. Had the dj in question ever ventured out and listened to tunes and other djs spots.... popped his head out as a punter, then he would have known his new discovery had been discovered about 2 years earlier in the small rooms of venues he had actually been at, but had never bothered listening at.

It must be an ego thing? i dont know, i listen to everyones spots and base my judgement on that, not hearsay or hierachy.

To be honest i cant think of ONE exciting big room in the UK...its getting so hackneyed and worn out and worst of all PREDICTABLE. I can almost make a list of what will be played just by looking at the lineup and the venue. When did it become like this? As i said i supported 3 events over the weekend and not just ones i was djing at!

A lot of opinions on how the floor needs oldies and playing to the floor, seem to come from people you only see out at venues they dj at....so what do they know, beyond their own doorstep? Also, i haven't actually seen many packed BIG ROOMS, so where the f--k are these punters who demand homogonized soul? A lot of the time they go home at 2pm, pissed and tired...and the venue empties out!

I think a small room with committed , soulful punters, is a far greater experience than hanging out in room full of lack lustre soulies who stopped caring about the music when they stopped going to Wigan...

Many of the small rooms still contain that original spirit of exploration and excitement...And i have seen quite a few 'Big names' die in small rooms around the country because, when they were given the freedom to play anything, they still played the programmed set they were stuck in and had no idea how to operate outside the 'Big boy tunes'....

I actually feel sorry for them having to wear the straight jacket of the 'Big Name' boys (shame i cant say girls as their not allowed in ) ..it must get so f--king boring week in and week out, playing the same tunes over and over.....soul destroying!

Punters need to set them free.....