Dave

Not too bothered about the size of the room Simon... after all, size is relative isn't it? My point is, if there are two rooms, why not have a completely different music policy for each?

Scapegoat? Strange choice of words! I didn't name anyone or any venue, but seeing as you are so sensitive I will go back and edit the original post.

I think you've over-reacted to my post. Firstly it was a question, a question which, as I explained in the original post, was borne not just from a playlist but also from attending two-room events in recent months. The event you refer to is far from being unusual in using a two-room format. Second, being a question, it was not meant to be a criticism... not of you or any other individual.

In recent months I've attended one or two events that have boasted a "main" room and a second, "modern" room. Each time I have left wondering where the dividing lines are supposed to be. Now, when I have wandered, albeit briefly, into one of these "modern" rooms, I've heard a good few well known, overplayed even, records which are often played at "across the board" type events, the likes of Drizabone, Lou Rawls, DJ Gnesis etc etc.... always 70s onwards, so fair enough. But, on returning to the "main" room, it is not unusual to hear these records played in there on the same night! So... what is the point of it? If an event has a "modern" room, shouldn't the "main" room be 60's only? Even, heaven forbid, a bit of R&B? Or, if the "main" room is going to include well known tracks from all eras, shouldn't the "modern" room concentrate on real modern soul, the sort that's not usually heard at an "a.t.b" night? Be interested to know other's views on this.

Resort? You grumpy bugger! I like the record... good luck to her!

Could it be that it's nothing to do with cock-waving and Sam simply likes the record so much he wants to own it? Good post! Although Sam's style is not always to my taste, he certainly does vary his plays, whereas Butch will keep records in his set for ages e.g Jean Carter, Johnny Howard.

Good to see this forum trying to get away from cheap national stereotyping!

Laugh away, you did not start the topic, nor even suggest it... I doubt you have that much originality. However, if someone does " post a topic", allow them to do so without your patronage. and T**t

Gladly I was not at home on NYE, so I can't comment on that performance, but I enjoyed the vid Mark posted here, and I reckon Duffy is a bit more than a "mediocre pub singer". As for your suggestion on thread topics... since when did you become a moderator?

I think if yer safe*, cheap and can offer a spot in return, the promoters will know who you are. *sorry.. that should have read "across the board".

You forgot the preacher thing

Too long already IMHO

Now then Kev. Yes I do like the east midlands actually, that's the area I'd say s Lincs is in. So in that list you've made I'd say that appears to be six e mids events, plus any that weren't promoted on here of course. Why would you be sure what I like as a formula for a soul night? And why would you want to know? Anyway, seeing as you do want to know, it might help you decide if I tell you that in recent weeks I have been to nighters at Lifeline, St Ives, The Fox and 100 club, an R&B do, Ad-Lib, and last week, by way of a change, the Railway in Peterborough for a great oldies night... don't think that's very formulaic really. What makes you think that's my "fave" subject? If I post about it, it's my "fave" subject, is it? As for Lincs, there's plenty of events but I don't go to many in this county. If I have passion, it's for the music and the scene in general. No particular club in mind Kev... there's lots of new ones sprung up in the last couple of years, many contributing to the current malaise. Don't really get your "opposed to who's" question, but what I mean by real collections is the guys with exciting rare records, like Kitch, Butch, Mick etc., (I could l list more if it's not clear yet), as opposed to those of us who have collections with rare/seldom heard records that are mediocre to good but not in the same class. Just my opinion, obviously. I'm not implying any one event caused the Union, or any other particular individual venue, to close but I say again that each new night is bound to spread punters more thinly and therefore contribute to dwindling attendances. You guess wrong Kev. I know there is a section on here entitled Lookbacks, but if a post contains opinions on a venue/the scene generally, are those opinions not feedback? Finally thanks for the advice re criticism. If I comment on an event, I do try to make it constructive. And to be honest, I ain't that worried if I am shot down in flames Merry Christmas to you too.. when the time comes.

There are too many venues that don't deliver, but that's not the end of the story. There are a good few soul events that have been delivering for years, but are now suffering varying numbers because some hero who wants to DJ decided to copy what they are doing. My "home" town had three n.s. clubs, each doing about four nights a year and enjoying good turnouts because they did it well and folks made the effort to attend the dozen or so nights per year. Cue a couple of wannabes starting a monthly night in the same town, offering nothing different, and they all suffer because the punters that want to go once a month, and there are a lot of those, like it or not, now have twice the events to choose from! The east midlands is even worse: Look at the number of events on every weekend, then look at the numbers at the last few Trent/Boat club nights.. the best soul night in the area. Often promoters justify clashing because they "offer something different", when the truth is they'd sooner play their own records to 30 people than go with those 30 to hear the guys with the real collections! As has been said, feedback on here can be misleading. At the beginning of the month I went to a well repected all-nighter and had a great time because of the people and the atmosphere, but the music was up and down. Monday comes, and it's acclaimed as the "best rare soul event" by folks who seldom go anywhere else, but you know if you post the contrary view, you'll be shot down in flames.

A bit too much sun in Tenerife?

Yes Win, I've read the odd thread.. and even got someone to read it to me when there's been big words. I haven't seen too many say that certain records/styles shouldn't be played. It's generally, as Pete said, folks saying they don't like records/styles... a different thing alltogether. I'm not keen on crossover, but at my favourite nighter there's always an hour or so of it. I accept that as others enjoy it, and I can mostly fill that hour talking to someone interesting, or even Spot. I think you have a good point about the dancers, mind.

Didn't see that listed as a play. Great record IMHO.

Bang on mate! Every record that has been mentioned on this thread as a play is soul music with a funky slant. I'd be interested to see Billy or anyone else name one record they've heard at a northern do that is out and out hard funk. Like Spot said, if there's the odd record that doesn't appeal, anyone can adjourn to the bar for a few minutes and allow others to enjoy miusic they like. When dinosaurs start saying this and that should not be played, its a sad day for the scene IMO.

Tomangoes used the past tense: "Manchester had a famous Soul club..." If MMSU wants to put on an event to enjoy music and have a party, why is a history lesson needed? Not sure I understand all you say.. is it an all-nighter that's planned?

Why on earth should he need to know that?

Just a couple of points: Flaming Emeralds is a better record than Mellow Madness, and it was more Cleethorpes than Wigan. Apart from that you are not far wong, and could make a similar points on the baggies thread I'll get me crombie.

Two questions here: 1. Is it a good record? Yes it is, obviously? 2. Should it be played at ns events? Answer.. not as clear. Not very often, IMHO. There are many great soul records that do not get frequent plays on the scene, and rightly so. Do we go out to hear common pop records? I happen to like girlie soul, including the Supremes, but much as I love "Itching In My Heart", I don't expect to hear it at many nighters.

Bad Manners played that two-tone-ska-punk-type stuff. Try to keep up and be a bit more accurate please.

Trev, unless there's more background to this spat than meets the eye, I think you're being a bit harsh on the boy. The cheesey nick-name was probably coined by some baggie-clad old hand rather than by himself. His English is better than 50% on here, and how do you know his records are dodgy? PS. Be careful.. he's probably bigger than you