Len

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Oh it wouldn't be anything to do with us miserable lot - This would be their take on it. Of course I know the record thing is a huge part of what we do - It's everything in fact, the hard work that can go into owning a record etc is the 'magic', but these kids on the whole can't relate to that, but they can enjoy the sounds. I was in my office the other day, and I was playing 'Eric Mercury - Lonely Girl' on You Tube (Don't worry I closed the curtains first) As you know, a picture of the record pops up on the computer screen, I said to a young lad that works for me that I would love to own one, but it would cost me well over a grand, if not two....His reply......."Why? It's just there!"........as he pointed at the screen Len 'Eric Mercury - Lonely Girl'

....Nor have some with records mate All the best, Len

Are we really gonna let it die with us? Hopefully this will be a light hearted thread, and an enjoyable read (I think we need one!) I’m wondering if there has been any change in peoples’ views… A young lady that attends our local events was telling us that she asked for a request to be played at another event, and was flatly refused - She didn’t understand why. This girl is in her twenties, she has numerous tracks on her phone that she absolutely loves, and she simply wants to go out and dance to them. When she’s getting ready to go out she says she googles ‘Northern Soul’, and the ones she likes she runs to see what they are - A passion but without the records… Is it time for the Soul Scene to move with the times, completely bypassing the record bit, and letting the music rule on its’ own? Would anyone be brave enough to put on a ‘Download All-nighter’? Would you attend such an event? I understand the ‘rules’, and personally I will continue to ‘do what I do’ because I am from that era, but don’t you think it would be great to hear of a hall packed with 20 year olds dancing hard at the latest ‘Download All-nighter’? All the best, Len

A singer AND a dancer Dave?!!! Your talents are endless! ......I think a controversial thread started shortly after - We all thought you sang like an angel Len

I think a Soul Pack back then was only £10.00, can't quite remember, but they were cheap for the amount of records, and I'd always have pretty low expectations because I knew the 'gamble' was one sided towards the record dealer - It was their way of shifting a load of left overs, putting in a few good ones made the deal worthwhile to the buyer (just) I knew they weren't doing it for me anyway Len

Yes - I'm now DJing with a lot of my 'Well I'll keep it for nows' Len

Part of the fun when I bought Soul Packs in the 80's and 90's was sorting out the piles of 'dross', the 'oks', the 'well I'll keep it for nows', and the 'wows'........Some of those back then Soul Packs items are now highly sort after......You never know your luck All the best, Len

Ref if people on our Scene are willing to pay more - I 'did the math' when I ran my Millennium All-nighter, and had to charge £30.00 entrance that night because it was that special New Years Eve when all the expenses (bar staff / venue hire etc) was at least doubled. In fact, some bar staff were on triple time that night. No one moaned at that, and we had a pretty full house - All partying 'like it was 1999' (Because it was!) Food for thought. All the best, Len

Interesting point - This tune works for Adam (Buchanan) every time he decides to play it (Going back many years) Yes a tune can sound (come across) so different to another time. All the best, Len

Well done for being so disciplined Dayo That all makes complete sense, alas if something is great, we all want to hear it again and again - we 'just can't get enough' Hence some really great records do get hammered to death - It's a crying shame really. This beauty has 'been around the block', and it was just recently a friend of mine asked me to play it out once again - So I dug it out when I got home ready for next time, but thought...."Hey, I'll quickly whack it on before I stick it in my play box"........ BANG! Frigin hell - tune! (Once again) The good news is, the great tunes come round again if given a little rest - 'Out of retirement' I call it So a better link to your question would be - Maybe I should now tuck this record away again before it's too late (Again again) All the best, Len 'Cookie Scott - I Don't Care'

On 19th December Andy McCabe (Soultown andy) paid me for D.Jing at The Stateside Soul Club All-nighter, well covering the amount that would be expected for that size of venue, and I must add that I appreciated the fact he came up on stage when I was D.Jing to check on things / make sure I was ok etc (Professional conduct) Spare needles and the back-up for technical matters sorted when required On 27th December Steve G paid me for D.Jing for him at his ‘Filthy Soul’ event down in ‘that there London’, which I greatly appreciated because it went towards my hotel and train expenses.……I, like so many others do it for the love of it (that’s a given), if there’s something towards expenses from time to time that’s a bonus, but that fact should never be taken advantage of. All the best, Len

It's 'the strange world of Northern Soul'....I remember many years ago I increased the entrance fee to The Embankment Club from £2.50 up to £3.00, and a few people really moaned about it - then headed straight for the record bar to spend a fortune! I don't think any D.J is actually bothered about their fee not covering their expenses, it's just the way our Scene is - Although I'm sure most people wouldn't mind paying an extra pound on the door so they do get that little bit extra......but that just wouldn't be right would it? Let's hope the 'D.J Union' doesn't cotton on and sends em all out on strike! Len

A thoroughly enjoyable read. I didn't put it down (Metaphorically speaking), until I'd read every word - You have written what so many folk have been 'chomping at the bit' to SCREAM from the rooftops! Well put, and informative to anyone who missed all, or part of these great times. Good luck with the book mate All the best, Len P.s - One that springs to mind would be Ions' 'Londons' Chosen Mass' (Great name that)

It's about being professional - I have always asked my guest D.Js what their fee is before the event. They should get paid that pre-agreed fee no matter what. DJs are more than fair on this (As Dave pointed out, most times their fees don't even cover their expenses) I used to have all the DJs wages ready in envelopes before the event, obviously hoping for a decent turnout, that in turn replaced that money I had financed. Over the years there have been many occasions where a guest D.J has just been happy to do it, which is nice of course, but I have always insisted on paying them (It's only right) On one occasion I gave Cliff Steel £80.00 (A figure I had to come up with as he wasn't too bothered), and he immediately gave me £40.00 back saying it was too much - Even though Cliff lived local to this night, I thought that decent of him. More recently, I also had to insist on Chalky excepting a fee for D.Jing in 'Lens Den', same with Mick 'n' Mo, and so many others come to think of it. The point is, D.Jing and Promoting are completely separate things - A promoter should never think their risk is also the D.Js' risk. All the best, Len

Arrr I see - Remind me never to become a record dealer Len

I thought 'The Volumes - Ain't Gonna Give You Up' was £400.00, not £1,725.00! Great record regardless. Len

TUNE! 'Far out man'. I have this for some insane reason! All the best, Len

In addition - It's not necessarily 'going wrong' if the dance floor does empty / thin out every so often - That's actually healthy in my book (As discussed) All the best, Len

He he. Yup, I've had similar - Len's rare sh*t was the phrase... Well I'll see some of you at the next 'Sh*t All-nighter' - Can't wait! Len

........"I ain't going there again".......

……”Instead of going to ‘A N Oldies’ event this weekend, let’s try one of them there Upfront events, I’m always hearing we should at least give them a go as they just want to share more great sounds with us”……….”Ok, let’s do it!”……….. ………..”Well this is pretty good isn’t it? This record’s amazing I wonder what it is”……….”Go and ask”………”Ok, I will”………… ………….. …………..”And?”…………..”He wouldn’t tell me, and on top of that, he’s covered the label up so I couldn’t look to see what it was!”………. Have a good weekend wherever you go folks All the best, Len

Where's Andys' post Dave? (I haven't seen it) I personally don't think anyone has abandoned Life-line, but if some have (or any venue for that matter) a promoter should ask himself why? (Looking inwards, not outwards), speak to people, and address any feed-back they think necessary / helpful....It's hard for some people to give constructive criticism / their opinions if they're not sure how it will be received. As always too many venues is a big factor - That in itself tells me that 4 All-nighters (of this type / size) a year is the most you could ever expect to be well enough attended. But yes Dave, it's not The Apocalypse - It's a positive that people care I'll get the funk out of here now Len

Hi Chalky, ‘Re-branding’ is done for good reason (I’ve done it many times) ‘Same coffee / different jar’ most definitely creates fresh interest (New ideas follow that for some reason) I’m not saying changing the name is crucial though (there’s a lot more to a ‘brand’ than just a name) One suggestion for your consideration - You could put on a heavily promoted ‘Life-line Final Night’ to celebrate what the team and everyone who has supported it over the years have been a part of. Never forget, it was during a very difficult time for the Rare Soul Scene (The 100 Club also struggled for a while during this period) If you have the motivation to re-think things and move forward, well that’s great - and good luck! Oh, if by chance ‘Afterlife-line’ (You’re welcome to use that btw) goes from strength to strength the moment you personally have announced you are stepping back from D.Jing - Try not to focus on it! he he x ‘ave a rest first All the best, Len P.s - Feel free to call my promoters help-line, we meet every month - Lot’s do struggle with the initial rejection, but talking really helps. Our next P.A (Promoters Anonymous) meeting is next Tuesday at the church hall

Great mix of all-sorts last night at The Attic musically (and people!) It looks like we have managed to 'hammer home' our message that The Attic is a place where everyone respects each others taste in music (no matter how bad that may be!) / and there is no room for snobbery - Dave, I played 'The Snake' (Yes, seriously)......Here's the 'heads up' mate - 'The Snake' has now gone full circle in a 'retro kinda way', so is actually now 'cutting edge' (Pssst, keep it to yourself) Great to read Grumpy Soul was a success on this same Sat night - Hopefully be at the next one. All the best, Len