Len

Hi Carms, Have you checked the calenda?...I bet it will still clash with another event! lol. Personal opiniun - I don't think it would work. Boxing day? - Yes, I remember in the 90's we all used to be 'chomping at the bit' to get toThe Ritz at Manchester on Boxing day it was a fantastic nighter with the added Christmas atmosphere. All the best, Len.

Ok, Back to the original post (Kind of!) Welcome to the All-nighter 'In my mind' Where we all get together 2000 plus people (@ £7.50 each to get in) D.J's under the instruction of play what you want of course! Would this 50 / 50 line up work for you? 10.30 -11.00 Me (Cos it's my do! lol) 11.00 - 12.00 - Butch (To get everyone there on time!) 12.-00 - 1.00 - Brian Rae. 1.00 - 2.00 - Dave Thorley. 2.00 - 3.00 - Mick .H. 3.00 - 4.00 - Ginger Taylor. 4.00 - 5,00 - Soul Sam. 5.00 - 6.00 - Andy Dyson. ... "A queue to get in...a queue to get out"...Just like the ol' days! ...It ain't gonna happen though is it?! lol...

DOH!!! - Damn you Mace! - I even got the record out to check, it's those silent 'Y's... Len. P.s - I still love Latin Soul (My guilty pleasure)

By Chr*st, I think we're amongst the most guilty to play Latin Soul Mace! Do you remember Bad Breath by Bobby Valentine on Fania I used to play?... I was so proud of that record! lol....Still got Joe Bataan - Gypysy Woman - Fania (and still play it!) lol ...So to summerise...I best put my 50 / 50 Alnighter on hold then aye? - Twas good market research anyhow. See y'all wherever you may choose to go... All the best, Len.

:( B*llocks!, B*llocks!, B*llocks! tis true and I REALLY concentrated this time! lol Len.

Hi John...Um, yeh point taken...Can I still have my lift to Burnley?....Will I still be allowed in?!!! Len.

lol - Hi Mace, I was in the loft at the weekend and came across a 'Wollaston Rythm and Soul' Club flyer from 1989 with you as the guest - Made me laugh! I've only just been able to log on as I've had computer / work trouble, so am still obsorbing this thread...It's Nina's birthday today aswell, but this is far more important! lol. Len.

Is The ‘Upfront’ Soul Scene Disappearing up It’s Own A*se? So why 1500 at Oldies v 300 tops at Upfront venues? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strong title I know folks and in no way meant in a derogatory manner - I’ll explain… …I was reading Soul Sam’s article in Manifesto which was basically about this (My sub title) One point Sam made was that he couldn’t ‘Comprehend’ why on the same weekend most folk chose to go to a mainly oldies weekender over a very well known and established ‘Upfront’ all-nighter. He actually said ‘defies comprehension‘, so like many people who attend these upfront nights is very bothered by it. Putting aside the obvious reasons why lots of venues ‘in general’ are suffering (too many events, weekenders, politics etc) This thread is to ask for your views on why there is such a difference in attendance between the two. I hear certain things when I’m ‘Out and about’ for example, ref to stuff like ’No compromise’ I‘ve heard folk say - “It puts us off going” - I know a judgement can’t be made just off the back of a few comments so I’d like to know if ‘In general’ there is anything about the ‘Upfront’ side of the soul scene that stops some of you ‘returnees’ or staunch oldies fans from coming along and is there anything that you think could be done to attract more people to the upfront venues. Is it because there seems to be no happy medium between the two? In your eyes, do the two types of venue go from one extreme to the other? Personally I think more could be done at the huge oldies All-nighters to include more upfront sounds in the main rooms, rather than just an additional small room. Many times I’ve heard real oldies fans crying out for something a bit different. I suppose the promoters of these events have the attitude of ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ which is a real shame (Especially when I hear ‘Philly Dog Around The World’ is played no less than three times!) Is there a ‘Superiority’ vibe that comes across from ‘Upfront’ soul fans? - As I said, this is purely based on what I’ve heard people say and I am not accusing anyone or any venue of this myself. Would putting someone like Brian Rae in the line up of an upfront event make it appeal to more people? I think most people like all types of soul music (In this case oldies and upfront) and whatever ‘Camp’ they may be in would welcome a night where it is evenly split, both complimenting each other. All this is just me ‘Thinking out loud’ and just to confirm, it’s not a case of - ‘Len get some sleep mush!’ :O) (Copyright Paul Donnelly) - Over to you guys, I‘m keen to hear others opinions. Remember the 90’s soul scene, The Ritz Manchester etc, oldies fans and upfront fans enjoying ‘Good soul music’ together in the same HUGE hall - Are them days really numbered?… Yours sincerely, Len.

Edit (Post not relevant to thread) Len.

I'm pretty sure Ian agrees it's an impossible wish. I suppose he's wishing for the excitement of the old days which is a lovely thought but it ain't gonna happen and everyone knows it. See you around at the smaller venues mate. Len. p.s - I'm 'the undisputed key current king of the DJ world' (In my 'deluded' mind!) lol - Ain't we all? lol

Here’s a thought - As I said earlier, years ago it didn’t cross many peoples minds to D.J let alone promote….Fast forward a few years then come the dance scene D.J’s like Fat Boy Slim (Shape) etc. At that point it became a massive ‘coup’ to be a D.J. I think that’s when the desire to be a D.J then became common all over and not just on the Soul Scene. I personally was D.Jing before that time and for the record, the reason I enjoyed it then and still do today is that I feel I do try my best to bring something at least a bit different to what some are playing. I just wouldn’t get any enjoyment playing the same records as lots of other D.J’s. I don’t see any point in that, may as well let someone else play them and get on that dance floor. I put my reasoning down as I’m interested in what others get from D.Jing - Or more importantly promoting as that’s a cr*p hobby especially if “Numbers were down” (Again!!!) Why carry on? All the best, Len. P.S - Lou, apologies if this is swaying ‘off thread’ - They usually do! Lol …I think my post is connected but I get carried away sometimes (Yep, by the men in white coats!) I’ll go read your original post again… :O) P.p.s - I feel our ‘Beloved Soul Scene’ has been trampled all over but I’ve now blocked that thought out as I’ve decided to stay positive and enjoy wherever I choose to go - Have I mentioned that? Sorry, it’s self therapy! x

Hi Dave, Yes I see the irony! (Irony is one of my specialist subjects) In saying that... ...A while back myself and Russ Vickers were at Life-line discussing how frustrating it is, that there's 'no room' to put on an event of our particular soul music taste and we both agreed it's just a waiting game and hopefully one day the time will be right to promote again. I've also had a similar conversation with Dave Vanner (He promoted a lot in the 90's and is also waiting / hoping for a 'space' one day) I don't think we are the only three who have taken a step back though. On the other side of the coin and kind of in peoples defence, I think a lot now only concentrate on their local scene rather than the national scene, that's why there's so many events on. When it gets to three or four events in the same vicinity - that's when it just beggars belief! All the best, Len.

..Meanwhile back in the real world...lol - Yes, great idea but as you say, defo "Easier said than done" lol Even on just a local level - For example, just one event in each town or better still each county. Say you manage to get all the said promoters to agree one united event only....Then the question is raised - Who's gonna D.J?....That's where the 'Meeting' would end..lol Len.

There must be something in the air as I have only just got my 'Northern Soul Mojo' back and am enjoying myself now more than I have for a long time. I think it's because I have stopped (Well almost!) moaning about what's wrong with the scene for me. Fact is, nothing stays the same so you have no choice but to embrace it and make the most of what's there now. I expect the people that went to the early music festivals are just as bitter as us, seeing what most of them have turned into, going all corporate and costing nearly £200.00 per ticket, those original lot used to turn up and just see what happens ...(He says as if he was there!) - You know what I mean. All the best, A very 'Positive' Len....At the minute anyway....mmmm...Now I've said that, it's got me thinking....

Nothing wrong with you 'Oldies' coming out to play still. Chr*st I can have better laughs with folk like Bob Cornack (Who's actually 83 years old) than some folk I know in there 30's! Your as young as you make yourself - Now put that 'One huge heated slipper' back under the bed, get ya dancing shoes on and come on back! (To Me Baby...etc) All the best, Len.

- Sorry, that did actually make me 'lol' Len.

Stop being so Happy Joan! lol The fact we are all analising it is not a good sign in its self. Years ago we were all just doing it! We had no desire to get on the computer and tell everyone what an awful night we had just had etc, we just looked forward to the next night out....Well back then it would have been the desire to seperatelly ring 500 people and tell them 'what an awful night we had just had etc' as there were no computer forums! lol Len.

I think that point was about five years ago Chalky. In the 90's and before, not many people thought about D.Jing let alone promoting. Anyone can go on 'E' bay, buy some records then put a soul night on - It's a shame some don't realise it's just ading to the problem of a very diluted scene. Yep, for me in general it's definatelly a broken soul scene. I didn't want to post as I try not to think about it as it depresses me. It's never going to be the same, so best except it and try and make the most of wherever you choose to go. All the best, Len.

I've had (Again completely seriously) - "Can you play something we like?"!!! Or after a couple of requests that I didn't have from someone, I politely asked if there was any more she had in mind? - She replied (With a moody face) "Yes there is, but you wouldn't have them" and marched off! It's all part of the fun! lol Len.

Brilliant! I had one guy ask if I would call him a cab! - There wasn't the slightest bit of irony in his voice either, he was serious! Len.

I've had lots of 'Unpleasantness / wierdness' during my D.J 'Career' - One example was very simular, after all the requests I didn't have, this guy stood behind me with his arms folded, I asked if he was ok in a 'why are you still here?' kind of way - He replied "Don't worry, I'll think of something else in a minute" - F.F.S!!! - I was lucky he turned up wasn't I? lol Len.

Oops - Sorry about that, I was sure it was a Wigan sound as was told so and it sounds so 'Gregory's Girl' (If that makes sense!) All the best, Len.

Joe Jama - My Life - HATE IT! Joey Delorenzo - Wake Up To The Sunshine Girl - LOVE IT!??? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Main Change - Sunshine is her way - Nebula - Is my 'Guilty Pleasure'....Does anyone out there also admit to liking this Wigan 'Awfulness'? lol - I have had so much stick about that record over the years (Ok, I admit it - I even bought it!) ... I'm to embarrassed to state what I paid for it though lol. I used to do a Fanzine called 'Northern News' and we had a section called 'Some Things Are Better Left Unplayed' (Ketty Lester referance) - Great Thread / Great Fun....No doubt it'll soon turn nasty though... I absolutely HATE The Five Royals - Catch a Teardrop...The list could go on lol All the best, Len.

Hi Steve, I'm in the same boat as I expect many others are - 'Needs must' an' all that. You will sell your 'Cream' pretty fast as there are always a few buyers for the rarer items. After that, I think you will be left with the rest for a good while (If not forever) If you think about it, that's not a bad thing. If the time does actually come for me to sell, I will sell my rarer items which is obviously where I'd raise most of the cash and keep the rest. I think it's a real shame to sell everthing 'Job lot' - At least keeping some will give you many more years of pleasure. All the best, Len.

Says it all doesn’t it Moldie? You only have to do some maths - Divide roughly the amount of people that go out even say twice a month by the amount of events on, it’s just not sustainable. Hope this isn’t going to ‘off topic’ - Back to the original post, as Terry said - You tried but unfortunately there can’t be the call for it in that particular location. Not sure if local politics have also had an effect? - Don’t want to know either! My advise (For what it’s worth) - Put it behind you, go out somewhere else and enjoy yourselves. All the best, Len.