Len

Hi Kev, I don't think we have met, I remember you came to Northants a while back and put an event on at Wickstead Park in Kettering, it was a celebration of Northants. I was puzzled why you didn't include Cliff Steel or Glen Bellamy in the line up - They're not 'Failed D.J's' and would have been my first choices to represent Northants (That maybe off topic and wasn't a dig, just an observation) Point being sometimes great D.J's don't get used, does politics and loyalties sometimes have an effect on D.J choices? - Meaning 'in general', not just you (I think the answer is obvious really) Like most threads, some folk may miss the point sometimes or it may drift well 'Off Topic' this started about The 'Okey Dokey', or whatever it was and turned into 'what's wrong with the scene' (Again lol!) - You've been around for years Kev, do you think at least some have made valid points? - What's your take on what's been discussed? There is a fine line here, I'm pretty sure no one on this thread means any malice to those enjoying themselves in the video, it's just that it's so far removed from what The Scene means / meant to them. As I said, there is more to life but we've got to at least try to keep the standards up aye? All the best, Len.

Hi There! You sound like one of the really nice genuine Grey Squirrels, it was a very long time ago but I do remember there were some that had respect and open ears and we got on really well with these ones - Your no 'Climber'! lol All the best, Len.

Ain't it funny when you wake up the next morning and think....Ooooo, did I really post that up?! Hee Hee...Then you see something dreadful on the news which 'hurtles' this all back into insignificance! But anyway, as we're still on this subject lol - In a Nutshell, I feel some that came to the scene or came back to the Scene in the last 10 - 15 years could have joined us rather than taken over I suppose...I'll explain (Kind of!)... ....'Nutshell' - Reminded me of the old 'Squirrel Scene', the same thing happened there you see.....The Scene was healthy, 'Meg' Darge was breaking new nuts every week, there was loads of us Red Squirrels about 'The Red Army' people used to call us. We had about one All-nighter a month, one Weekender a year, a few' Tail Stroker' nights, Mick H was the top 'Red Squirrel' D.J (Mick Hucknell that is!) We had some 'Cracking' times...Then one day the Grey Squirrels started coming onto the scene, it was 1876 to be precise (Had to Google that! Lol) Anyway, before we knew it the Grey Squirrels were putting on their own events, more weekenders, etc etc - The 'Fluffy Tail' Brigade had arrived!... ...Now we don't see any Red Squirrels about, they're all at home playing with their nuts in their 'Nut Rooms' (Oooer Mrs!) Len. .....Don't worry folks; I'll check myself in lol..."Cuckoo"...

Right, I've been thinking about this all evening, is it worth posting? (Again)....etc etc...Probably not but here goes - At least it will be off my chest! As far as I'm concerned, the Soul Scene is BROKEN - F*CKIN BROKEN! 'You' are to blame - Who 'You' is? - I do not know... ..."We've booked our dates 5 years in advance so your clashing with us"....."No, your clashing with us"....F*CK OFF!!! - I'm sick of it, everyone's talking about too many events but no one is doing a damn thing about it as they are NOT thinking (To quote Tes) about the bigger picture!...Too many weekenders will slowly kill the nighter scene...it's too late now, the scene 'in general' will remain localised and no more will it ever be 'cutting edge... It will never be the same as I remember it -The 'unwritten rules' (If you have to ask, you don't get it)....Etiquette and MOST of all respect, that's all mostly gone now. I was at 'An event' a little while back and a really 'Well known character of the soul scene' had returned after about 10 years 'absence' - He said to me and I quote - "Lenny, there's nothing left now mate" - there was sadness in his eyes (No joke) I 'mourned' the Soul Scene about 5 - 10 years ago and have excepted all of the above. There is more to life so please don't get me wrong, I enjoy what I can get from the Soul Scene, which includes some of life's most interesting, witty and lovely people one could ever imagine to meet - So make the most of where you do go, as I intend to! Is this post slightly off topic? - Sorry, I now really am passed caring (Believe it or not!) all those in the clip look as though they were having a great time (Nothing wrong in that)...Sometimes 'Seriousness' is mistaken for not having fun. That's completely wrong - Seriousness (to me at least) means Passion! Happy Christmas! All the best, Len. P.s - Please do not comment on the above post as I can't be bothered with an argument, it's just the way I feel - Feel free to tick 'Like' Or 'Unlike' - Thankyou... P.p.s - Someone mentioned my 'Disappearing up it's own *rse' thread on an earlier post - read it again, it was meant - Is this people's perception of the 'Upfront scene, not 'literally'...

In saying all this, there are more important things in life so won't lose any sleep over it - Back to work for me... Len.

The Soul Scene that I once knew and loved....I knew I shouldn't have posted... As I said, just my opinion and nothings gonna change that, no personal offence intended to anyone there, as Russ said if it wasn't called a Northern Soul event, it wouldn't be an issue. All the best, Len.

Sorry to folks who are on this and I'm sure they're all having a wonderful time...but to me it makes a farce of the whole thing - Just my opinion... Len.

Gotta house full it seems again and lots of folk asking me about reserving tickets etc already! The Pembo is a huge place so can't see any problem not getting in, if it is I'm sure we can open the other room upstairs aye guys?! This is gonna be a great night to remember. All the best, Len.

I read in the above link that these dancers change their dance style to suit the floor, these sound like professional type dancers - I think most of us only have the one 'Jig' that has it's good days and bad days, so this talk of changing ones dance style is a bit out of reach for most of our 'talents'! :O) I know some folk that take three pairs of shoes out with them and change them to suit the floor. Len.

In my opinion, as someone said on an earlier post - Talc in absolute moderation is fine, also about wearing the right shoes (Leather soles) is also obviously a good point. It's funny; I actually stopped wearing leather soled shoes because people were putting too much talc down! Now if I go somewhere and there's no talc, I don't only struggle but I also squeak! - Irish will vouch for this lol....So, after what's been said and of course the banning of it at many venues (Health and Safety) I'm gonna go shoe shopping!...I just sounded like a girl didn't I?... :O) All the best, Len.

Well said, I think word of mouth is the best way...Ref original post, nice idea Doc and I'm sure everyone knows your trying to help sort the problem but it ain't gonna happen... ...I once suggested that every event could go through a commitee, so as to keep everything in check, not clashing, keeping it all healthy etc, a bit like The Great Escape, where every escape had to be vetted and approved so it all worked well and didn't effect others....That didn't happen either... ...Good film though (My fave!)... All the best, Len.

The Soul Scene Ain’t That Bad After All! We’ve analysed the negatives of the Soul Scene to death now (trying somehow to put them right I suppose) As has been pointed out many times though, this tends to paint a very gloomy picture of the soul scene and any ‘Outsider’ reading it would wonder why we bother going out at all! So I thought it would be nice to have an absolutely positive thread to brighten up a gloomy Monday. I’ve just had a great weekend - I went to a ‘gig’ in ‘The Golden City’ of Coventry and we have a ‘Well Established Upfront All-nighter’ to look forward to this Saturday ;o) So in ‘The Real World’ things aren’t that bad after all are they? I’d like you to list a few ‘positives’ about the soul scene, they can be absolutely anything - just make sure they're good things! I’ll start with these – 1) I met Gilly! 2) Jeanie Tracy – Making New Friends. 3) I was at Soul Sam’s 70th at Boomerang. 4) Soul Sam’s coming to Northants again in December. 5) I met my Wife Nina (100 Club) and a couple of beautiful kids soon followed - (Two of the many ‘Ady’s Children’!) Ooooops – In no particular order! Lol (Sorry wife) – Over to you guys... All the best, Len. P.s – If this thread turns nasty, there really is no hope! :O(

Yes, although I get the whole Cybername thing, what annoys me is that I can have a conversation with someone on here but won't know who it is if I see them out, I struggle remembering peoples real names let alone matching up their Cybernames! lol Len.

Doh! - But I'm playing it now...watch this space.....maybe for another 20 years... lol All the best, Len.

‘Fantastic Mid-tempo’ is NOT an oxymoron I tell you! Lol See ya Sat. Len.

Your right there, best to keep everything. I'm always finding 'New stuff' on my shelves and I've been through them so many times. The latest 'Discovery' was Barbara and The Believers - What Can Happen To Me Now. It must have been in there for years, an absolutely fantastic Mid-tempo gem that is now in my play box. All the best, Len.

I now DJ with mine in a desperate effort to be 'Cutting edge!' All the best, Len.

It's not an issue is it mate? Len.

I'll try my best! Len.

lol, Yes mate, I think the thread's now run it's cause. Time to stop analysing, best to get on and 'Do'! Over 'n' Out, Len.

Yeh, of course there are some but the ratio of oldies nights far out ways them nowadays, because of the demand I suppose. All the best, Len.

Hi Marc, Yes that is a good point, lots of comments on many threads do paint a dismal picture whereas in reality we all have a great time, I think some just want to keep it that way so inevitably focus on the negatives, as to discuss them may just sort them out (Or not!) This thread is about why the difference in attendance, it's not Oldies is better than Upfront or anything like that. Fact is, the upfront scene is shrinking a bit and it's a shame. Maybe its because there are less 'Inbetweeny' soul nights where some of the new sounds are first heard which then filter through. But yes, think positive, think positive! All the best, Len.

Hi Russ, That’s about right mate, some people can be put off by a passing remark on a thread, but I think some almost want to be put off if that makes sense. It justifies not bothering to give something a go. I know some of my posts have been read the wrong way before also some have been taken out of context on purpose, but it shows how effective this modern technology is. It can be a good thing but it can also be a bad thing. I’m glad I promoted in the days of genuine ‘word of mouth’ this has unfortunately been replaced with something that can be misused, hence we now can’t tell if a venue is good or not by a thread as some threads are so far from the truth. Len.

Exactly! - If the ‘1500 Plus’ All-nighters appreciated that there is a demand for more ‘Upfront’ sounds in the main room and actually did something about it, the smaller ‘Upfront’ venues would naturally feed off the back of them. Len.

Some posts are so passionate they may be read the wrong way and miss informed judgements are like propaganda. As a promoter you need to be ‘Whiter than white’ so this propaganda has absolutely no grounds of proof. As you said Winston, it’s not the promoters or any particular person I don’t think, People’s perception of what these events are like can be perceived from something as trivial as a comment on a forum. To anyone who is reading this thread that hasn’t been to Life-line, I’d just like to make it absolutely clear that Life-line is still attracting plenty of people, the last one was fantastic. I opened this debate to try and get the point across to the ‘Oldies camp’ that the ‘Upfront’ events are well worth a visit, I just wish the ratio of 1500 - 300 was more evenly spread. All the best, Len.