Len

Hi Russ, I am deeply sorry to hear this, I don't think there's a cure as yet. Yours sincerely, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order"

Sadly nothing stays the same does it? I personally don't like the fact the internet is used for most record buying now (To easy) I'm not sayings it's wrong, I just don't like it. I have great memories of hunting through record shops (That are no longer there of course) Also getting the record lists off the dealers who actually used to go on those 'Voyages' to America and having to ring up dead on time or you may miss that record! New discoveries are bound to get less and less as time moves on, I have fun by covering up records that just haven't had that much exposure, I don't think there's anything wrong in that. It is a bit of fun, but it also helps to keep ones own identity (D.J wise) I think your on a bit of a nostalgia trip...Now I am too...Thinking of when the Soul Scene was made of Chocolate (Again)...I really must put my 'Rose Tinted Glasses' away :O) All the best, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Art Ensley - Great version! All the best, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

What a night, ain't enjoyed myself that much in a long time - By the people for the people. Loads of records I've never heard, but done in such a way that everyone just kept on going! Best keep it short as I've just got a knife and fork out to eat some Wheatabix so probably won't make much sense - Sign of a good night I recon! Well done to all involved. Over 'n' out. Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order"

What is a Burnley record? - It's a tune or type of tune that takes a person 'back to Burnley'. In this context, It doesn't suggest / mean that the said tune was necessarily played there first. We all have records that take us back to where we personally associate them with. The same can also happen with DJ's. "That's a 'So and so' record" doesn't always mean 'So and so' played it first, it means that person just happens to associate that particular DJ with that type of record. It's basically a compliment to the venue as it shows it had it's own identity. Which as Joan pointed out earlier, the new Burnley will no doubt have a slightly different identity as it's Karl's and Sean's take on it from now on. All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's"

Very sad news. Trev kindly insisted on buying me a drink at my 40th just the other week (Thanks mate), really nice bloke. All the best to his friends and family. Len and Nina.

Makes complete sense to me, sorting the DJ times before booking the DJ's. Shows there's a lot of thought going into it. I know someone that used to do a whole years worth of DJ times before booking the DJ's (Not me honest!) My lifts already booked with John 'n' Jen. As has already been said - four times a year can only be beneficial, more folk will make the effort (Myself included) Best of luck with this. All the best, Len. "I wouldn't be where I am today without my Sat-Nav!"

Cheers. $1768.00 - Times like these, record 'Investments' are people's back up. Trouble is, finding people with money to spend. All the best, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Out of interest, what did it go for? - Do records like this hold their price in times of bad ressesion?Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure about 3 - 4 years ago, one went on John Manship's auction for £2,700.00, then about a year later one went for £1,850.00. All depends who's bidding I know, but that's a massive difference. I'd guess a lot less than £2,000.00 in these times. All the best, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

"Oh Angelina, Oh Angelina" - "Hole in the middle, Hole in the middle" "Touch me, Hold me, Kiss me, Touch me, Touch me" - "Taxi, Taxi"! I think there's loads, glad we're all confessing to them as I think they're hilarious! All the best, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order"

I don't get this they are all right, different policy so won't affect us, it's boll*cks, we are all after the same punters. "Upfront/progressive" venues want the oldies crowd as well, we want them to embrace newer discoveries, it is working as well a The all-nighter crowd whether you care to admit it or not is an ever decreasing number of people, this is for various reasons.

I think what's being said is - Folk don't want an All-nighter on the same weekend as another 'Similar music policy' All-nighter too close by to each other as it divides everyone up, even groups of friends. You say 'How different and in what way?' - Life-line A/N would be very different to Stoke Oldies A/N (Main room) because of the amount of progressive and under played stuff that is featured at Life-line. So really they would be ok to be on the same weekend even if they were situated very close to each other, as in general they are for different audiences. Although point taken, still best not to happen if at all poss, as some folk enjoy both. I don't think anyone's saying one or other is sure to fail. It's more, if a certain kind of event is covered in a certain area, there's no point in there being another one. (I think that's it!) I'm getting confused - Anton, can you reiterate what this thread is about, as I think I may have gone 'Off Thread' even after doing my usual, checking what I wrote 80 times before I post it (Ok,ok 100 times!) Or am I following this correctly? Cheers, Len. (Hiya Mace!) "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

Hi Anton, Fantastic last line! lol When I said clashing of personalities, I meant between promoters who are putting on similar events in the same area - Point being, we've all got the same hobby - 'Together we are stronger' kind of thang. Different personalities and music tastes is what makes the scene great - I love the banter / arguments about music tastes as it's all done in good humour. Again personally, I'm all for different styles of music in the same room, as I think they compliment each other. Nowt wrong with one style either though - Say a huge Oldies All-nighter which I also enjoy or these 'Underplayed' smaller rooms. Variety is what makes it interesting. It's the too many events on that has (As you say) seen numbers suffer at some places. All the best, Len. 　"If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

Hi Matt, Ref "Is it ok to put on a nighter if it has the broadest possible appeal?' - Personally I don't think it's ok to 'Start' any new night whatsoever at the moment (Unless, as I said it is completely different to anything in close proximity) Any new night just adds to the problem. A while back I was discussing with someone that The Pemberton Centre may be demolished, they immediately said - "Are you going to find another venue" My answer was a massive NO! Another part of this subject is Djing of course, as it is a big part of why some people put an event on. I mentioned about bowing out of The Pemberton and my mate said "What ya gonna do about Djing?" - In a kind of 'My God' voice (Does that make sense?) My point is - As long as someone is putting on an event and the music I like is being played, there's no reason I feel I should promote OR DJ, that's the truth - Trouble is not many Djs play the monotonous 'Boring' Mid-Tempo that I like to dance to lol (Had to be said before someone else does!) So I will carry on Djing (If asked!) All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

PHEW! - Thanks Tony. Ain't it horrible waiting for a reply, when you've just posted a long post like that?!!! - I've been dreading the - "Who the f*ck's he think he is?" jibes - I've had em before! - I just care about the soul-scene that's all. Ego's can be VERY sensitive you see. Maybe there should be a 'voted in' committee to 'ok' any event taking place - A bit like on the film 'The Great Escape', when all Escapes had to be cleared by The Escape Commottee, so other escapes weren't effected. (Now, I'll get the "Who the f*ck, does he think he is?" Jibe!!!) lol See you next week at The 100 Club mate - Can't wait as an All-nighter there for us has been a good while because of the kiddies! All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

The Scene has already splintered and some good venues have suffered because of it. The way I see it is, if your not doing anything different from another event within close proximity, why bother? (Meant in the nicest possible way) For example, If you condensed three events into one 'Juicy' one, put on less often, everyone would probably enjoy it 3 times as much...That's as long as everyone got on with each other and focus on the music (And that's gonna happen?!!!) - Problem is, It's not just events clashing, it's also personalities clashing! One side of the argument is that a lot more people are coming out now, which is true. But it's gone too far the other way. In the 90's there must have been a tenth of the amount of events on - Everyone was happy being punters and it didn't cross anyone's mind to put their own event on. Don't attack me, I know I ran The Embankment Club back then, but there was a place for it. In fact I remember deciding to put it on a Friday night so it didn't clash with any All-nighters - Soul 'night' wise, there was only Albrighton, Desborough Ritz and later The Dome to consider clashing in the same weekend, let alone the same night! I gave up promoting in 2007 because it was damn hard work competing against all that's on (This is also one of the reasons why I'm bowing out of my part at The Pemberton Centre after the next one) I agree with you that it is a lot of work putting an event on and credit where it's due to anyone who does, but you all know how stressful it is. It puzzles me why anyone does it, let alone too many! It's not all bad as some say, but I agree it does stop some folk bothering as they are not guaranteed a busy night wherever they choose to go. Nina and I have had free weekends, looked at the events calendar and agreed not to bother as looking down the long list is just overwhelming. Be interested if anyone else has done that. All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

Hi Russ, Message from Nina (In Blue) These Record Rooms will be the 'Long Distance' future of the soul-scene. When we're all too old to travel up and down the country there will be loads of litle soul nights in these places - Roll on! All the best, Len. "I wouldn't be where I am today without my Sat-Nav!" Best thread I've read all year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No politics just the shared weirdness of everyone loving small pieces of round black plastic. love it love it love it - I think we should organise record room coach tours!!

After reading someone mention 'Virgo' I new it was only a matter of time until Theresa mentioned my name! - I'm not only Virgo, I'm also (Ever so slightly) 'O.C.D' and proud! (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Yep I think I may be the only 'O.C.D' DJ! - God that's confusing what with 'O.V.O' as well! Lol - My point being 'Neat and Tidy' is best... I think we are all agreed that record insurance is almost impossible - I would recommend the Roller Shutter Door as you can see in my picture. Some may say extravagant, but not really compared to what we spend on records. All the best, Len. "It's worth remembering that - It is much more disheartening to have to steal, than to be stolen from..."

POST ERROR!

Hi ya Russ, Well you've seen my record room. What you didn't see was me clearing out all the toys and washing before you came round! - That's the challenge keeping the Clan out! - Maybe get a lock on it mate? lol. Laters, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Nothing wrong at all with that Tony. The reason you here it is that sometimes DJ's don't do it correctly. For instance not 'Connecting' with the punters for a whole spot. I know this may sound silly to some, but I see DJing as some sort of art form and believe it takes years of experience to be any good at it (If ever for some!) This amount of experience and damn hard work in the back ground does shine through. Nothing wrong with anyone having a go for a bit of fun (At the appropriate venue), as long as your not delusionally confident (No comments please!) All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's"

ps - The fact that such a great club is suffering mainly due to people putting so many events on and just 'Muddying the waters' in the process makes me not just very sad, but f*ckin' angry. Leave the promoting to people who are qualified to do so!!! Len. Grrr! "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Hi Ady, I'm sure we don't need to say how much the 100 Club means to us and its really heartening to see that we are not just a couple of over sentimental "ejits" , by the out pouring of similar affection from the other soul folk on here. From the 80s through to 2005 , when we stopped going due to having a young family, the 100 Club was the touchstone of our lives. Everyone grows up/older and everything expressed by others is true - cash, family commitments, too many dos generally watering down the scene into a localised "hobby", rather than a way of life. Our thoughts ... Go 3 or 4 times a year - the summer event could be the same night as Southgate, the autumn one would naturally be the Anniversary, then a nighter either at Christmas or in the spring - with really good promotion this would be an excellent way to get "the family" back together again. If, on the other hand, you finally decide to hang up your spurs, take heart in the fact you ran the best soul club, bar none, for over 30 years - there should be a Blue Plaque to you under that immortal red and white sign. The last night would be naturally packed out and not a dry eye in the house would there be for your last tunes - Christ don't do it, we don't think we could bear it!. Good luck in whatever you chose to do, and thank you from a couple of oversentemental "ejits" for providing the soundtrack to our lives. Len and Nina xxx "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Great record! - I've started sets with it - Still love it. Len.

Doh! - That's we're I've been going wrong all these years! Len.