Len

Putting a do on is a lot easier than it used to be, for lots of reasons - 24 hour licences (so can put on all night if so wish) / Lots of venues are desperate for the extra business - Christ, I used to have to go to committee meetings at working men's clubs to be interviewed, and having to talk them in to allowing me to hire their venue!......"The thing is.......(Dramatic pause).......I don't really like nowadays music, I much prefer 60's music"......"Yeh, now you're talking Sonny".......I was in! As said, flyers easy now / internet promoting of course etc etc, so loads of events is bound to lead to some not being a professionally run quality event. Hey ho Len

Personally I think too bigger deal is made about repeat plays. As long as it doesn't happen loads I'm fine with it - Helps if it's a 'good' repeat play though Len

Not their job to really, so shouldn't expect this to happen. But always a bonus if they become part of the team by spreading the word. Nor is it their risk of not many through the door - A deal is a deal, so the offer of pay should stand. Some DJ's do kindly refrain from a wage / or reduce it if an event is low on numbers, which again, is a bonus if this happens - Their choice though. (Sorry, slightly off-topic that last bit) All the best, Len P.s - Normally 'dreading to play a few'

Christ, I wouldn't know where to start! I'll look forward to reading this thread - All written in the nicest possible way of course Len

The term 'Northern Soul' is now back in vogue. Catch up Len

To be fair to the program, it was in keeping with what some people would have been up to at that time - I just wanted to beat the 'upsurge' on here I like the program. Len

BBC 2 'Back In Time For Tea' Just now - Did you see it? Let's go!

Oh absolutely, I get the your day / your choice of course, but the party needs to 'happen'. Mind you, if you get 'us lot' in a room to celebrate, it will 'happen' no matter what is played! 'Our world' is the best at celebrating! Len

At me and Nina's wedding (back in 2002) we had 150 guests - 142 soul people / 8 relatives / One rule - No kids! We had Adam & Roger Banks looking after the DJing, along with Marco, Rob Holmes, and Teff. To save the hassle of setting up kit, we hired a 'normal' disco, but told the two guys that they were to simply set the kit up, but not to DJ - They didn't understand, and seeing how the evening was going so well on the dance floor they insisted on having a 'piece of the action'. Completely cleared the floor and were kicked off soon after (They didn't mind) In this instance, including 'what we do' so much so in our wedding worked well because at that time Nina and I were still out every weekend, seeing the very people that shared our day with us. First dance was 'Al Wilson - Show and Tell', then 'the signal' to fill the floor straight after was 'Jackie Wilson - Because Of You'......We cut the cake to 'Isaac Hayes - Shaft' But - Had our wedding been more of a ratio of 'normal' people, I wouldn't have dreamed of mixing the two. Maybe getting a few played later to appease, but that would be about it. Same with Birthday's, if lot's of 'normals' are there, it's not fair to force our stuff on em - The party is the important thing! All the best, Len

So many events, I personally don't bother looking anymore as it just makes the mind boggle scrolling down loads both on a Friday & Saturday. I'm sure one day (pretty soon actually) all of a sudden there will be hardly any events. Hopefully this will be a good thing, but depends what events are still standing when this happens. keep enjoying where you can though! All the best, Len

Glad it's not just me that doesn't like seeing the term OVO on flyers. Looking at it in 'Black and White', one would say it makes sense to advertise exactly what the event is. But it ain't right Len

Personally I don't like seeing 'OVO' stated on flyers. I know the DJs / venues / and promoters I like & respect - It's simply not an issue that needs focusing on (It kind of 'cheapens' the event if it has to be stated) That's me Len

Thank you! At first glance I thought Baz's set was all over the place Nice one Baz Len

Being burgled is a horrible experience - It happened to me many moons ago. I came back from a soul night and I couldn't get in to my house because they had locked it from the inside. When I finally got in, the place was a mess, I looked across my living room to see one of my record boxes had been opened (The latches were undone) My heart sank, I raced over to it, opened it, only to find they hadn't taken a single one! Then I had a sudden comedy moment of..."Oh. Well they could have at least taken one!".... I half expected to find a tape from them to put my terrible taste in music right The nastiest bit was that I was getting married in a couple of weeks, and they had stolen the wedding rings, and to add insult to injury, they placed the two wedding ring boxes neatly on the pillows on our bed. In hindsight I should have seen that as an omen, as that was my first marriage..... Your head wonders though - I was at a soul night, people knew I was out, who was it? I even confronted some lads who used to hang around our street, but those thoughts are not healthy. You just have to put it down as bad luck, and try your best to forget it. All the best, Len

Another one from me (Unfortunately this one had to leave home) Not sure if it's for everyone, but I think it's a goodun Len 'Joe Douglas - Crazy Things'

'Bad Breath!' I used to have this - That's a unique one! Len .......The record that is!

I got this somewhere - A really atmospheric tune, sounds as if it could be used in a film (Maybe a Guy Richie one) Defo Latin! Len

This is awesome! Len 'Mongo Santamaria - We got Latin Soul'

Too late - Doh! Len

Can't remember doing that Steve, but it wouldn't surprise me! You're correct, I did sell it to you. I've been known to offer to buy my own records when someone else is playing my records around my house Len

And a warm welcome from me to 'all of the above' 'Get stuck in!' All the best, Len

I used to have a few Latin bits. Still love this (and kept it) Len 'Joe Bataan - Gypsy Woman' 'Ray Barretto - Hard Hands'

Yes! You just reminded me of a wonderful sound - I'll just sell the other side Here's another - 'Jimmie Raye - Philly Dog Around The World' (I had this 'on loop' on a tape) I couldn't get enough of it! Len

What? You’ve never heard this?!!! Following on from threads - ‘Some history on this one please’ (Bobbie Smith - Walk On Into My Heart’) & ‘How The Hell Is This Not Massive’ Was thinking about those youngun’s on the scene / or people who have had a long break, what tune you think has ‘had its day’, yet if you thought hard, how good would it sound to these ‘new ears’? (As it did to you all those years ago) A tune that sprung to my mind (For some strange reason) was ‘Doug Banks - I Just Kept On Dancing’. The first time I heard this, I was ‘in love’…..then I hated it, and still not 100% sure if I’m ready for another ‘fix’ of it - It’s presently gathering dust on my shelf (Along with ‘Bobbie Smith') But what would people think of it who missed it? Thoughts on above most welcome, along with other choices - Think hard folks! All the best, Len 'Doug Banks - I Just Kept On Dancing'