Len

'Norman Soul' - like it (Not in a derogatory manner of course!) As I said, I do understand this record had / has a place and wouldn't wanna take that away from anyone! All the best, Len.

I may have read this wrong but your post sounds as if you are offended - You shouldn't be. I have records that I have spent small fortunes on that folk have told me are not to their taste (not half as politely as that though!) Even when I've been D.Jing! (Which is somewhat off putting lol) But even that doesn't bother me as I buy my records for myself. If I get to D.J every so often then it's a pleasure to share the joy that I get from them with people that I personally 'connect' with. As you do with this particular record, I too have great pleasure in owning every single one of my records and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of them as they are for me. A record collection is a very personal thing which should be respected by all (Although my taste is right and everyone else's is wrong! Lol) All the best, Len.

Maybe that's more the case, I must have liked it years ago as I have a copy (On a different label for playing at home!) but I still think it is a difficult dance record and always did....I know I've just contradicted myself somewhat but in hindsight, I must have liked it at one time - tastes change don't they? All the best, Len.

Each to his own aye? Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm sure you will Ted!) I was told that the Cuppy label was Bill Haley's wife's label, Cuppy being something to do with her name. I'm not denying the record definitely had a place and some folk love it, just not for me that's all - Nothing wrong in giving ones opinion, tis what makes the world go round... All the best, Len.

Hi mate, I've been - It's safer to log in the safety of your own home, believe me! lol See no 'Hear' Ya'll tonight folks. All the best, Len.

Obviously a matter of personal taste but I never liked the record and I'd imagine it's impossible to dance to....I know, I know, no one asked! lol All the best, Len.

I can answer that!.....You obviously haven't met Mr Bob Cornack - He rules! lol All the best, Len.

Hi Maz, I want to know about "lables, artists etc" but can never blo*dy remember most of that side of things! It's about the great music though isn't it? and how, as you say it pulls at your heart strings. All the best, Len.

Yep, it's the only 'event' in the world that could be on weekly! As I said in the chat room, it breaks up the week nicely, I have a couple of cans whilst listening and commenting. As you say, peoples personal collections / tastes are interesting. The chat room is friendly whether a you like a particular tune or not, that's people personal taste (Which obviously, if not exactly the same as mine is completely wrong! lol) Everyone seems to feel comfortable enough to say so as well, as it's never done maliciously or aggressively. See y'all next week - 'On line!' All the best, Len. p.s - Well done for a great show last night.

You can play it Barry - Your the boss! - Also I find D.Jing with albums a bit of a 'Cuffufle' - "Have I treble checked it's on 33rpm / Have I treble checked it's back on 45rpm, oo sh*t all this thinking and worrying, now I've forgotten to put the next record on....Where am I?" Don't panic mate, don't think I'll be that bad lol All the best, Len. p.s - Jocko, I also caress that L.P

Great record, will be playing it on Banbury Radio on 20th December (Not really a plug, I'm listening to said radio right now that's all) What a record though aye?! 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.