Len

That's handy, I'm probably going to Scotland in the summer so will look something up. Cheers, Len

Let's be careful of the OVO thing - It's more what would people think to a younger person doing it his way, basically ripping up the rule book Len

Great stuff - There's no problem, just a light hearted discussion (Just like all the threads) All the best, Len

I said hear of, not go and see........Mind you, I may get away with attending (just) Len

If someone is 20 years old he would be a 'Johnny come lately' (But I do get your point).....I'm thinking of a young lad who has took the time to understand the scene and all its' history, has the passion, and is a really good D.J, but simply wants to have the luxury of being able to play absolutely anything to people of the like (who would feed off such a person), who dares to fly in the face of Northern Soul as we know it because he strongly believes that is the way to go now - Taking all the flack that would go with it, but with the confidence of knowing he is doing what he does for good reason Len

Maybe some peoples' views have changed since 'The great record crash of 2016' Or 'Black Tuesday' as some now call it Len

Good point, but let's presume they have a 20 year old who understands D.Jing, maybe chooses to use the mike, and has that passion in what he is playing (but without actual records) I hope this topic isn't making some of you out there feel ill Len

Ok, it's just that some of my friends on the Scene still call me 'Young Lenny' / or 'Youngun' (for short).......I'm 45 and a half years old!!! Len

I don't dispute that mate - I'm talking when our families are wondering what to do with 'Dads' box of records' (In years to come) Len So just to concur - You're pretty adamant about that Len

I know there's some, but are there really plenty? Great stuff if this is really the case Len

!!!!

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)