Levine In "comeback" Gig In Edinburgh

[Guest]

Evidence? I spoke with Ian yesterday and he told me his mate who now lives in America was on the site telling him excatly what was going on. I suddenly clicked that the style of the posting was exactly that of this guy and said so- adding that if it wasn't him then I apologise.

1. the guy joined on the 25th of may- three days ago and found his way to the thread straight away.

2. his first two postings were on this thread and were specifically about the four vandals record which he claimed not to know- not about the edinburgh gig which is what the threads about. anyone with a passing interest in the northern scene- even if they claim to have been away from it - must have heard at least part of the story even through the mainstream press surely? and what better way to wind the list up than to mention the record- twice - prompting someone to put up an mp3 of the record. sounds like a piss take to me !

3. he had no signature or information in his profile.

4. the minute he's questioned he gets overly defensive, acts like (a victim a classic ploy to deflect attention away from the issue) and then unsubs.

I've said twice that if he's genuine i apologise for my mistake. thats it.

[Guest Dan]

I'm all for piss-taking and leg-pulling because I'm pretty good at it myself.

no you're not, you're shite

[Guest Jamie]

Hold up.

I said nothing about the guy or nothing to him to upset him, so don't anyone try starting on me.

I just read the posts this morning and it all looks extremely suspicious to me and I think he was a ringer.

This place is like a kindergarten compared to some forums.

link

Wasn't starting on you Pete.

Your post insinuated that you still felt he was a ringer. I didn't say that you personally had a go at him.

I only said that I don't mind being made a fool of if I'm wrong.

And I stand by that statement, again, not aimed directly at you Pete

Now let's get back to some good, old-fashioned piss-taking, who's for it???

Jamie

[Guest Jamie]

no you're not, you're shite

link

Oh yeah, right well that's it, I'm off.

Where do I unsubscribe,

That's it, that's the last you'll hear from......

[Guest Jamie]

I'll never post again you know, where's that door?

[Guest Jamie]

It's round here somewhere......

[Guest Jamie]

That's it I'm leaving.........

[Guest Jamie]

etc...........

[Pete S]

What did the plumber say when he left his wife?........

It's over flo!

Now that's funny?!

link

Actually that is funny

[Guest remus]

That's it I'm leaving.........

link

don't forget to turn the lights off, were not made of money! :angry:

[pikeys dog]

I'll never post again you know, where's that door?

link

It'll have to be a big'un Lardarse.

(I know Pot, Kettle, Black)

[Pete S]

Wasn't starting on you Pete.

Your post insinuated that you still felt he was a ringer. I didn't say that you personally had a go at him.

I only said that I don't mind being made a fool of if I'm wrong.

And I stand by that statement, again, not aimed directly at you Pete 

Now let's get back to some good, old-fashioned piss-taking, who's for it??? 

Jamie 

link

No I didn't mean you, I meant 'anyone'.

[Guest remus]

Actually that is funny 

link

I'm off to see Tom Jones in Ponty park (south wales) at 6pm, she got me a ticket so I will have to go!........NOW THAT'S F***ING FUNNY! :angry:

[Guest Jamie]

No I didn't mean you, I meant 'anyone'.

link

Well that's most excellent

When I finally meet you, I'll give you a big kiss on top of your lovely shiny head

Jamie

[pikeys dog]

Well that's most excellent 

When I finally meet you, I'll give you a big kiss on top of your lovely shiny head     

Jamie 

link

You'll have to bend down to do it.

[Pete S]

Well that's most excellent 

When I finally meet you, I'll give you a big kiss on top of your lovely shiny head     

Jamie 

link

Bristly head mate, bristly. It's been compared to the touch of velvet. Or was that velcro.

[Guest Jamie]

Bristly head mate, bristly.  It's been compared to the touch of velvet.  Or was that velcro.

link

So it's an 'Iron Head under a Velvet Wig'

Nice one Pete!

Jamie

[Guest]

Now let's get back to some good, old-fashioned piss-taking, who's for it??? 

Jamie 

link

Me!!!!

[Guest remus]

Me!!!!

link

When was that photo of you taken Kenny coz the last time I saw you, you was a fat bastard!

[Guest Dan]

Oh yeah, right well that's it, I'm off.

Where do I unsubscribe,

That's it, that's the last you'll hear from......

link

i've forwarded this and your subsequent posts to your mate revoltasoul

while he's on here it's all the billy big, 'leave my mate alone, you lot should be ashamed of yourself'.

soon as his back's turned you change your tune.

some people.

[Guest Jamie]

i've forwarded this and your subsequent posts to your mate revoltasoul

while he's on here it's all the billy big, 'leave my mate alone, you lot should be ashamed of yourself'.

soon as his back's turned you change your tune.

some people.

link

touche

[Guest]

When was that photo of you taken Kenny coz the last time I saw you, you was a fat bastard!

link

about a week ago!,what of it?i dont come on here too have the piss taken,by somebody aint even got a propper name,i`m off sulking!!not.

[chrissie]

I'm off to see Tom Jones in Ponty park (south wales) at 6pm, she got me a ticket so I will have to go!........NOW THAT'S F***ING FUNNY! :angry:

link

Not funny just scarry!!!!!! You south walians really haven't got it sorted have you.

Tee hee

QOF

XX

[Guest Andy BB]

anyone with a passing interest in the northern scene- even if they claim to have been away from it - must have heard at least part of the story even through the mainstream press surely?

link

Yep you can hardly pick up a Daily Mirror these days without seeing a Levine story on every other page!

Sick of it I am.

Levine in outburst as Thomas The Tank Engine is late for work.

Ian Levine outraged at discovering he is an anagram of 'inane evil' - demands a reworking of the English language.

'It should have been me' says papal candidate Levine.

'I am what I am, I am my own special creation' says Levine

'Gotcha' Screams national headline to purchasers of Four Vandals

'You owe it all to me' claims deluded fantasist.

"Tony Jebb was DJing there with a couple of pop wankers called Stewart Freeman and Bill The Kid" Says very dark pot about ebony kettle.

"Dave McAleer was releasing these records ...they had these horrible pop novelty hits" complains Take That man

"Whatever happened to the scene I used to know and love" Asks man on Soul Source who loved the scene so much he buggered off it 8 years ago.

'Shut up or I'll get my bodyguard to threaten you with crucifixion again' says Levine to cheeky scouse Mod on soul source.

...

Only having a laugh and a pisstake in Soul Source stylie guvnor

[Mike]

site matters

This thread does show that there are some issues concerning the way the site works

Such as the membership, members accounts and so on

Going by some posts in this thread, they look like are in need better explanation so all are aware

Hopefully will post up later this weekend

[Mike]

off topic posts deleted

[Pete S]

site matters

This thread does show that there are some issues concerning the way the site works

Such as the membership, members accounts and so on

Going by some posts in this thread,  they look like are in need better explanation so all are aware

Hopefully will post up later this weekend

link

Could always have a rule where people can use nicknames if they want to but have to put their real ID somewhere so it can be verified

[chrissie]

Could always have a rule where people can use nicknames if they want to but have to put their real ID somewhere so it can be verified

link

Good Call

QOF

XX

[Guest Jamie]

Could always have a rule where people can use nicknames if they want to but have to put their real ID somewhere so it can be verified

link

I think they use that on RSF.

I'm all for it.

Jamie

[Simon T]

Could always have a rule where people can use nicknames if they want to but have to put their real ID somewhere so it can be verified

link

Perhaps you could keep their nickname on the posts, but when you click on it and go in to their profile, there's a fixed field there with their real name - might be a lot of Smiths, Jones and McDougals though!

[Guest Andy BB]

Was the quite tremendous Joey Scarbury - Midnight Mail on DUNHILL in there ?

That was one of his tips wasn't it?

For those who haven't heard it, think Dennis Waterman doing something for the old folks to get them up dancing.

Hammy

link

I love that record.

I do however realise that I only share that opinion with Mr L and Ian Jackson.

I'll get me box...

[Guest remus]

about a week ago!,what of it?i dont come on here too have the piss taken,by somebody aint even got a propper name,i`m off sulking!!not.

link

Wot!, and Kenneth is a proper name

[Guest]

I love that record.

I do however realise that I only share that opinion with Mr L and Ian Jackson.

I'll get me box...

link

´

At the risk of public ridicule and some general predictable rudeness from the less witty end of certain quarters I quite liked it too. Its not s bad as some people make it out to be. There's, thats me out of the closet I've said it now. Cue more predictability.

Love is strong word though. I love the Charades 'Key To My Happiness' which I still can't hear without going cold all over.

Blimey is that the time?

[Guest Dan]

Yep you can hardly pick up a Daily Mirror these days without seeing a Levine story on every other page!

Sick of it I am.

Levine in outburst as Thomas The Tank Engine is late for work.

Ian Levine outraged at discovering he is an anagram of 'inane evil' - demands a reworking of the English language.

'It should have been me' says papal candidate Levine.

'I am what I am, I am my own special creation' says Levine

'Gotcha' Screams national headline to purchasers of Four Vandals

'You owe it all to me' claims deluded fantasist.

"Tony Jebb was DJing there with a couple of pop wankers called Stewart Freeman and Bill The Kid" Says very dark pot about ebony kettle.

"Dave McAleer was releasing these records ...they had these horrible pop novelty hits" complains Take That man

"Whatever happened to the scene I used to know and love" Asks man on Soul Source who loved the scene so much he buggered off it 8 years ago.

'Shut up or I'll get my bodyguard to threaten you with crucifixion again' says Levine to cheeky scouse Mod on soul source.

...

Only having a laugh and a pisstake in Soul Source stylie guvnor 

link

[Guest]

Still posting though!only we cant send him emails if we dont like what hes saying!

Edited May 28, 2005 by kenneth aitchison

[Mike]

Still posting though!only we cant send him emails if we dont like what hes saying!

link

nah Kenny

all the posts by that account were before the account was deleted mike

[soulAdequateNP]

Yep you can hardly pick up a Daily Mirror these days without seeing a Levine story on every other page!

Ian Levine outraged at discovering he is an anagram of 'inane evil' - demands a reworking of the English language.

Only having a laugh and a pisstake in Soul Source stylie guvnor 

link

For what it's worth, "Evil Annie" also fits

And disclaimer, I'm in a good'n'giddy mood because

a) I've been at the VRB

B for bravo) an investment of mine has matured so this is one of the last few posts on my current computer - I've just ordered an iMac G5 Tiger edition and will have change to spare

c) I'm looking forward to Clowne Northern Soul tomorrow night - my birthday too

Oh and, I'm an Independent reader myself so am not too familiar with the Mirror

Edited May 30, 2005 by soulAdequate

[Guest Stuart T]

Your post insinuated that you still felt he was a ringer.

link

What does being a ringer for Vain Lenie involve? Sounds disgusting and/or painful.

[Steve G]

´

At the risk of public ridicule and some general predictable rudeness from the less witty end of certain quarters I quite liked it too. Its not s bad as some people make it out to be. There's, thats me out of the closet I've said it now. Cue more predictability.

link

I am shocked Mr White. It's an absolutely awful record, not even good pop. I'd rather be locked in a cell and blasted with very loud looped repeat plays of Bobby Goldsboro than suffer this "garbagio", and that's saying something. Now there's predicatbility from me for you. You know how much I love these non soul things.

[Guest]

Ah Steve, variety is the spice of life innit? I like the Bobby Goldsboro Northern tracks but they're not my favourite records by a very long chalk. But I can't even bear to here his song 'Honey' which makes me actually vomit for days on end.

[Guest remus]

Ah Steve, variety is the spice of life innit? I like the Bobby Goldsboro Northern tracks but they're not my favourite records by a very long chalk. But I can't even bear to here his song 'Honey' which makes me actually vomit for days on end.

link

"Variety is the spice of life" was first done by Gregg Perry!

[pikeys dog]

"Variety is the spice of life" was first done by Gregg Perry!

link

I think William Cowper would argue on that one with you...

[Guest Johnny One Trout]

2. his first two postings were on this thread and were specifically about the four vandals record which he claimed not to know- not about the edinburgh gig which is what the threads about. anyone with a passing interest in the northern scene- even if they claim to have been away from it - must have heard at least part of the story even through the mainstream press surely? and what better way to wind the list up than to mention the record- twice - prompting someone to put up an mp3 of the record. sounds like a piss take to me !

link

Oh phleeeeeaaase why on earth would someone who has been away for a number of years automatically know about that record? I certainly havn't read about it in the papers so why would he?

As it happens in this particular instance i don't think that you are neccessarily wrong in suspecting a certain straight acting (yeah right) and manly pipe smoking kaftan wearing Hi-NRG and subutteo afficionado.........................but it might not have been which i think is probably the point.

BTW if he's still reading which i'm sure he is, i expect he is delighted that of all the people that got wound up it was you Simon that got wound up the most

[Guest remus]

I think William Cowper would argue on that one with you...

link

sorry, meant to say 'done by', not 'first', my apologies.

[Guest]

I'm pleased to see that the postings on this page regarding Ian Levine have become a little less venomous and sedated over the last couple of days. I totally understand that people have a broad and varied spectrum of views about Ian Levine, good, bad or plain indifferent; we are all entitled to make a point and air our views. My experience over the years as a writer have confirmed my belief, that people are only too eager to pour scorn and ridicule on others at the drop of a hat, whilst supporters are usually a little slower out of the starting blocks.

I feel that is only fair that I should write one or two lines in support of Ian Levine, hopefully without alienating his knockers too much in the process. I'm certainly not here to criticise their views, I just want to deliver a sobering antidote to some of the poison pouring from the pens of his critics. The old adage that there are two sides to every story springs to mind and so hopefully there will be at least some balance redressed here.

Each of the numerous arts is bristling with creative and uncompromising people; inevitably somebody always comes along that bucks the trend. Without the likes of the cubist movement, future artists might not of pushed down the doors of the establishment so radically and forcefully. Without Isambard Brunel's belief in himself and his dogged fortitude, the stunning railway bridge spanning the Firth Of Forth might not have been erected. Dave Withers and Rod Shard had been dabbling in the engineering business a little at the beginning of the 80s also; they were busy building the "newies" scene. I can recall attending all nighters with Dave, where a full dance floor would very quickly be demolished as he grappled to push down those very same doors that our friends in the art world had once pounded on.

My point is, that some pioneers/innovators are often misunderstood and shunned by those that don't understand or believe in their quest to challenge the status quo. Let's go back even a little further than Dave and Rod now, back to Blackpool Mecca, The Ritz and even The Blue Room in Sale. There is no point in treading the same water and harping on about the ridicule targeted at Ian back then, that water has long past under the bridge, it's boring and futile to discuss it any further. Suffice to say that Ian was attempting to achieve exactly the same goals as Dave and Rod in the 80s, he was struggling to bend the extremely rigid parameters of the northern soul scene. All I can say is that all three of those venues mentioned above, left a door wide open for others and myself to walk right on through, that door led to jazz/funk and modern soul. At the weekend I would be at northern venues, whilst mid-week I would be travelling to funk or fusion clubs. Ian and Colin Curtis were the instigators of a new and radical outlook on the scene and we should respect them for that. It was their vision and interest in more recent releases that ultimately led to some great records being discovered, which did not necessarily fit the northern mould quite so snugly. Look how many of those tunes are now a part of the northern scenes very fabric and history.

Soul Sauce, the night at which Ian is making his Scottish debut were persistent in their pursuit of Ian. A mutual friend with the promoter of the gig in Edinburgh and Ian, initially approached Levine on their behalf, Ian turned down the DJ offer instantly and the news was relayed back to the Scottish capital. Subsequently a few calls were made to Ian from the promoter and on each ocassion he refused to play, insisting that he "only had a few records left" and that he "hated all the politics involved in the scene and besides, you would have to pay me a fortune to come out of retirement, forget it", he snarled down the phone. He was asked to mull over things for a few days and one last phone call a couple of days later found him in a much more optimistic mood. He agreed to play and wait for it...for almost half the fee the promoter had initially discussed with him, should he be persuaded to play! He talked more, explaining that he would have to play some C.D.s to make up for his lack of vinyl and it was all okeh'ed by the promoter. His honesty and drop in fee was noted.

Finding a DJ that has not played in Scotland on previous occasions has become increasingly difficult, so for many, seeing Ian for the first time will be of great interest, even if he does not own the collection he once possessed. I didn't hear many people complaining about the awful 80s synthy backing track used by Melvin Davis at Prestatyn, some people were just pleased to be in a legends presence. The chat around Edinburgh and Glasgow regarding Ian appearing is extremely positive, especially from the soulful house music lovers, who in the main very aware about his colourful history... As they are about luminaries such as Larry Levan, Ron Hardy and Leroy Burgess, as well as other pioneers of disco and garage music.

Soul Sauce has a very open minded attitude, championing neo-soul, the material from Space Kat Records and tunes such as the Hope Collective's 'Give And Let Live' for Expansion Records. Richard Searling has confirmed that he will play Soul Sauce at some point and we are currently trying to confirm a date with Dave Withers. I'm sure those who have become disgruntled with the scene will also have an opportunity to make a musical point.

Regarding the 4 Vandals, Ian did talk about the record to Soul Sauce and he was unrepentant, " I would do it again and again. I wanted to just prove that you can make a good northern record today and I did not make any money out of it as some people believe". Is it a good record? You will have to ask each and every person that bought, played and danced to it I suspect. Could it be the way forward for northern soul to remain fresh? I would bet my entire 50,000 strong record collection that northern soul loving Kenny Dope Gonzales has a (newly recorded) northern record played on the scene shortly and somebody ends up with a wee bit of egg on his or her face. But then again, maybe, just maybe there is a recent "discovery" being played right now that is actually 2004 recording, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

I suspect that Ian has very little time for the northern scene these days, he has made it very clear that this gig in Edinburgh is a one off, God knows his arm was twisted hard enough to do it. He is doin' his own thing these days (as usual), so why keep doggin' him? Instead of criticising, somebody should go and discover some new records and change the face of northern soul, that's what Ian used to do in his spare time before the web was invented.

[Guest]

That was a message from one of the Soul Sauce DJ Bookers, not myself. Sorry for any confusion.

[Guest dundeedavie]

.  He agreed to play and wait for it...for almost half the fee the promoter had initially discussed with him, should he be persuaded to play!  He talked more, explaining that he would have to play some C.D.s to make up for his lack of vinyl and it was all okeh'ed by the promoter.  His honesty and drop in fee was noted.

link

will this drop in fee and the fact that mr levine is playing cd's be passed on the punters ? or will you still be charging what is comparitively a lot for a soul night ?

Davie

[Guest hammy]

will this drop in fee and the fact that mr levine is playing cd's be passed on the punters ? or will you still be charging what is comparitively a lot for a soul night ?

Davie

link

Why stop at CDs. Why not have Levine being 'remotely' beamed into the venue as a hologram via a wireless network?

This tiresome obsession with the heroes of yesteryear and the accompanying homages to oldtime DJs is a millstone around our necks. if you keep looking back, you'll hit a brick wall. No wonder many young people coming onto the scene tire of it all and drift away scratching their heads.

The 'doth your cap mentality' - it's not very 'punk rock' at all. In fact - watching him fiddling with a pile of CDs is about is far removed from the 'grass roots' ethos as you can get (the reason I got into this music in the first place.)

We're close to killing the goose....

Hammy