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Posted

Had the misfortune to attend a Soul Night last year that had been organised by someone who will remain nameless.  Great  venue, and a couple of good local DJs had been roped in by DJ Nameless.  After getting a drink at the bar, the alarm bells went off as soon as I walked into the main hall, and was greeted by a large projector screen above the stage.  Nameless had been busy with Microsoft Powerpoint, and had produced his own little "Northern Soul Montage" slideshow.  Two laptops were set up beside the decks, and Nameless was having it large up on the stage, while his "playlist" of MP3s entertained a mixed crowd of Disco Divas, piss heads and curious locals.  Unfortunately I had a full pint, otherwise I would have been out of there a lot sooner.  Just to capture this wonderful evening, two old blokes with professional video cameras were strolling around the piles of handbags amassed on the dance floor.  They'd probably worked with DJ Nameless on the local party circuit.

 

This, more than anything, illustrates the danger of allowing MP3s and CDs to be played on the scene.  It opens the doors to any chancer who fancies himself as a Northern Soul DJ.  They should be called Hard Disk Jockeys, in order to differentiate between those who have put the time, effort and money into collecting the vinyl, and those just trying to cash in on the recent growing interest in the scene.

  • Helpful 2
Posted

People have been playing out from cds for years , Brian rae etc  it still doesnt make it right when you have paid to get in but if it is not advertised as an ovo night it is down to you to make your choice.

 

Funny thing is that it is only Northern soul where I get funny about this , If I am in a modern room or a rock night in a pub near me i couldnt give a flying wotsit about the format.

 

Probably down to the fact that when i started collecting you had to buy records or copied tapes , then cds came along , mp3 and downloads.

I have spent quiet a bit on my records but now you can easily purchase a set of mp3 dvds from ebay containing all the kent goldmine etc that you will ever need.

Am i just being grumpy that  people are getting dj sets and collections for relatively peanuts ?

Posted (edited)

THE only problem with legally released re issues, CD's of previously issued material & MP3's of previously issued material, is that it allows any fool to try & be a DJ with the minimum amount of effort.  There are too many DJ's as it is playing OVO, without the other circus acts jumping on the gravy train.  Why does everyone want to be a DJ...???.  

 

I have no problem what so ever with all the above formats being used for personal pleasure, at home or in the car or where ever, I have no problem with CD's & MP3's of previously unissued material being played at venues - my rule of thumb is, that it should be played from the original format of release, even if that is a CD for example.

 

The only real problem here, is, as I stated previously, everyone these days wants to be a DJ, this goes hand in glove with there being too many venues, as said clueless newbie DJ needs a venue to play in, no one else will entertain them worth thier salt, so they start their own promotion.

 

Surely this will all end, as it did previously, & very soon I hope, please GOD make it soon...it really is becoming more embarrassing to have an asscotiation with this scene by the day, just when you think things cant get any worst, then summat else happens.  How can these idiots destroy something they claim to love so dearly, to the extent where they will do or say anything for a brief moment of what THEY see as personal glory....

 

Best Russ

Edited by Russ Vickers
Posted

Is it O.K. To play reissues if on vinyl?

 

No. It's illegal.

The law was passed at the XIV international congress in Blackpool and became law in 1992.

 

"Insofar as vinyl shall be the only material allowed for music purposes at a 'do' - notwithstanding the attendant dealers are allowed to sell all materials (including CD's, mp3's and reproduction badges), promoters and DJ's are to ensure that all vinyl is from the original release of the record and NOT any subsequent re-issue. This is to be enforced irrespective of the paying publics desire to hear music what they like."

 

The spirit of the law was to prevent any recurrence of "The Todmorden Incident".

I hope that answers your query :)

  • Helpful 1
Posted (edited)

People have been playing out from cds for years , Brian rae etc  it still doesnt make it right when you have paid to get in but if it is not advertised as an ovo night it is down to you to make your choice.

 

Funny thing is that it is only Northern soul where I get funny about this , If I am in a modern room or a rock night in a pub near me i couldnt give a flying wotsit about the format.

 

Probably down to the fact that when i started collecting you had to buy records or copied tapes , then cds came along , mp3 and downloads.

I have spent quiet a bit on my records but now you can easily purchase a set of mp3 dvds from ebay containing all the kent goldmine etc that you will ever need.

Am i just being grumpy that  people are getting dj sets and collections for relatively peanuts ?

Bet you would get well pissed off if someone sold you a duff copy of Dr Z as an original! LOL! Edited by Ernie Andrews
Posted

You only have to join Facebook to see it every day. Not just pictures of rare records, but flash houses,flash cars and large motorcycles too. Oh and I'm on my way to the airport for another of my endless holidays, because I am "seriously richer than yow" 

bloody show off's.  :lol: 

 

Ey up Phil...I dont post photos of my Breakfast on FB, but i do post up odd phots of my house (after I had some work done), my record room, once it was finished (cos it took me 27 years to get one), & videos with sound of odd records in my very modest collection. 

 

The reason I do this, is not because I have loads of dosh, but because I work my self into the f*cking ground, every single working day of my life, I work in a sh*t hole, I work 7 days a week & a bare minimum of 12 - 14 hours a day, quite often 14 - 16 hours a day. I only see my family for 1 - 2 weeks every 6 - 8 weeks...what I am saying is, every thing & every single record I own, I have worked bloody hard for, if I get what I think is a great record, usually one that might not be that well known to some, I will post a live video of it (i do a live video, so that the sound is not good enough to cut owt from or what ever)...2 reasons, one to make more folk aware of the records, so on the odd occasion I get to DJ folk may become more familiar with the record & dance, secondly because Im an elitist soul snob & I want to show you lot what a great digger I am & what great taste I have....yep, Im waving my huge willy wanger about.....(with regards to the records anyway)....because guess what, the real Northern Soul scene is an elitist scene, trying to find one you dont know or have.

 

Phil, I hope you realise this is partially tongue in cheek & not written to be a nasty b*stard...just saying some people might have a little bit of spare dosh now n again for records or whatever, but speaking purely for myself anyway, we've worked extremely hard for it & now n again I treat myself, occasionally I wanna share n show off a bit...

 

Hope your well mate :thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1
Posted

I haven't been following this, so apologies if I cover old ground with any comments.

 

I understand very well the "rules" the scene tries to implement in this respect, and pretty much agree with them.  I certainly have my own standards on the rare occasion I'm asked to play at such an event (though reserve the right to use my CD-R's if I think the equipment is shite!).

 

However, I do think the scene needs to look inwardly now and again and question it's motives etc.  Even if it means nothing changes, it pays to view things with an open mind.  When doing so, many searching and thought provoking questions come to mind, so it's worth doing so just to "check" yourself.

 

As such, do promoters who hold the view that OVO is paramount thrust themselves forward to pay their DJ's the kind of fee that is commensurate with collecting rare vinyl.........whatever fee might be deemed appropriate...........certainly more than their petrol money!!  I doubt it.......but OVO is SOOOO important!

 

 

Cheers,

Mark R

  • Helpful 1
Posted

Had the misfortune to attend a Soul Night last year that had been organised by someone who will remain nameless.  Great  venue, and a couple of good local DJs had been roped in by DJ Nameless.  After getting a drink at the bar, the alarm bells went off as soon as I walked into the main hall, and was greeted by a large projector screen above the stage.  Nameless had been busy with Microsoft Powerpoint, and had produced his own little "Northern Soul Montage" slideshow.  Two laptops were set up beside the decks, and Nameless was having it large up on the stage, while his "playlist" of MP3s entertained a mixed crowd of Disco Divas, piss heads and curious locals.  Unfortunately I had a full pint, otherwise I would have been out of there a lot sooner.  Just to capture this wonderful evening, two old blokes with professional video cameras were strolling around the piles of handbags amassed on the dance floor.  They'd probably worked with DJ Nameless on the local party circuit.

 

This, more than anything, illustrates the danger of allowing MP3s and CDs to be played on the scene.  It opens the doors to any chancer who fancies himself as a Northern Soul DJ.  They should be called Hard Disk Jockeys, in order to differentiate between those who have put the time, effort and money into collecting the vinyl, and those just trying to cash in on the recent growing interest in the scene.

 

As you know Steve,bi-law 911 subsection 12,allows you to finish your pint (Caffrey's or Guiness make you totally exempt from being part of said soul night) whilst acknowledging said cd's/mp3's as mere background music.

  • Helpful 1
Posted

I haven't been following this, so apologies if I cover old ground with any comments.

 

I understand very well the "rules" the scene tries to implement in this respect, and pretty much agree with them.  I certainly have my own standards on the rare occasion I'm asked to play at such an event (though reserve the right to use my CD-R's if I think the equipment is shite!).

 

However, I do think the scene needs to look inwardly now and again and question it's motives etc.  Even if it means nothing changes, it pays to view things with an open mind.  When doing so, many searching and thought provoking questions come to mind, so it's worth doing so just to "check" yourself.

 

As such, do promoters who hold the view that OVO is paramount thrust themselves forward to pay their DJ's the kind of fee that is commensurate with collecting rare vinyl.........whatever fee might be deemed appropriate...........certainly more than their petrol money!!  I doubt it.......but OVO is SOOOO important!

 

 

Cheers,

Mark R

 

We're in the dark ages Mark when it comes to promotions...for a start we should be using good quality venues, with good quality equipment, promoting the events properly (this doesnt mean a page on FB) & paying proper wages (yes, its actually work) for the best DJ's.

 

As a case in point I was charging £10 admission to an Allnighter 15 years ago, promoters should take a look at how much it costs to get into even a regular night club, let alone a specialist club night, with specialist DJ's, add to that its quite often all night....as a bare minimum we should be charging at least £15 admission to an Allnighter & at least £10 for a Soul Night ish.... 

 

Best Russ

  • Helpful 3
Posted (edited)

I think this thread's meandered a little bit by now - what is obvious is that it's a sectionof the younger crowd trying to put their own "stamp" on what they think is Northern Soul.

The "old" guard ain't going to like that at all - strange only a few of you mentioned

Geno Washington. I wouldn't pay entrance/travellingmoney attending a venue that played CD's/MP3's but would pay to see a soul legend like Geno. Plenty of good honest OVO venues to

attend, I went to one on Sunday travelling out to Manchester, previous day was spent in a town centre afternoon venue in Sheffield listening to CD's/MP3's, the 2 DJ's were respected

collectors who DJ for free having transplanted their original vinyl onto CD's as that venue only used CDJ's and Laptop-I heard some new sounds which I was grateful to hear, then left

and went to a pub where boots and OVO are played in a pub on Saturday night - I'd gone to dance not criticize, I was not remotely bothered about what format was used both events that

day both events were free. Live and Let Live I say.

ATB

Mick

Edited by Guest
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