Len

If I stumble across another one - It's yours mate I bought my 94 year old granddad Bonsai tree seeds! - True! Len

The Tempests L.P - I had it spinning at the beginning of every Embankment Club Soul Night for all the years that it run - Whilst I got myself 'wound up' for the night Len

Still no regrets Chalky Len

Nice one mate - I don't sell much, but a couple of years ago I had to 'needs must' an' all that - My children needed feeding (and that is the truth of it) I ended up selling (as stated) The Servicemen, but with that, a hand full of records I have had on the shelf for years, literally collecting dust - 'Howard Guyton - I Watched You Slowly Slip Away' was one that springs to mind.....It's funny, I hadn't played any of them for years, but now that they are gone, it really hurts (only comfort being that they went to good homes)...Some records to people like us are like photos - You may not look at them much - but by god, they would be the first thing to grab if we had a house fire (along with the kids of course)...Oh yeh, and the wife!!! Len

Being ahead is a bind mate - You just got to roll with it Len

Sorry to go 'off topic' here (Maybe should have started a separate thread)......But is there anyone 'out there' that genuinely cares whether their records go to someone who really wanted said record (a good home) / or couldn't care less, as long as it's sold? Maybe this is the difference between record dealers, and collectors selling to each other - Call me soppy, but I care / take satisfaction if one of my records goes to someone that has been longing for the record in question. Len

Sold mine a couple of years ago to someone who really wanted it for £500.00 - No regrets! (It went to a caring home) .........But don't listen to me - I'm the worst 'record dealer' in the world (Buy high / sell low) Len

They’re one in the same really, but my definition - If I was to see A ‘Northern Soul’ event advertised, I would expect the music to be mostly records that most of the punters knew (and loved)……Whereas if I saw an event advertised as a ‘Rare Soul’ event, I would expect the music to be mostly rarely heard tunes, and hopefully those being good soul records - Some rare in the true sense of the word / some rarely heard. Great post Chris L - I may not entirely agree, but over the years there have been cases of ‘Non-descript Northern’ being played simply because it is rare - All in the name of being creative (Which I can forgive!) 498 answers left All the best, Len

The following link has a few relevant points to this thread. I don't think the Scene is actually being killed, like Coops said, it's growing - into something some people like / some people don't /forums/topic/284017-northern-soul-forever/#comment-1903797 Len

This is a fun read for anyone that missed it /forums/topic/234017-‘it-shouldn’t-happen-to-a-dj’/?page=1 Len

So why doesn't every f*cker do it then?.........Oh, hang on...... Have a good weekend folks wherever you go - I'm at my 7 year old Daughters Birthday Party.........and she didn't ask me to D.J Len

What? Len

I ran a little Thursday night session in the 80's where I charged the punters £2.00 entrance / and the D.J's £1.00 (Nothing sinister, it was just to cover the cost of the room) Only one D.J had a slight moan - These were innocent times though (Well, very different to today) But I recon at some events if you had a head count against a 'D.J Head' count, your hypothetical scenario has already taken place! (Loosely speaking) Len

Are you saying there being too many events / and too many people who think spending a fortune on records makes them a D.J are bad things, but generally speaking the Scene is good for you? I think the first parts are what some people think is damaging (Whilst others think it's good to have more of a 'healthy' choice) Good on you for still enjoying your music all these years later - Staying true to your roots All the best, Len

I also thought you were a highly successful city banker Steve! God knows where that came from. Apologies from me too! Len

Oh dear, it's spread already! Len

I went to the Dusseldorf All-nighter, Germany in the 80's (A trip organised by Kurt Fricker) It was an exciting adventure especially back then being so young. In recent years I went to Bologna in Italy, and that was good. I'm hearing more and more brits are now attending them - I hope they don't ruin it for Dave! All the best, Len

Yeh I take that back Dave. I gave Joyce Elaine Yuille a '7', and although I would prefer to hear Esther Philips at an event, no doubt you could also play that in the interests of 'something different defo not scraping the barrel'. This type of thing does stimulate - different versions excite a lot of people Ady has said that Natural Resources track is a grower (more than a Sunday Soul Session track) Fair enough - I'll give that more of a shot than I did. Open mind is good! All the best, Len Edit! - I was listening to this! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oai5vWQtXn4 Hence my Sunday Soul Session comment! So to clarify - The 'Natural Resources - If There Were No You'…is f*cin' brilliant! - and guess what? I know it! (Damn me and my titles!) Ahem

Agree Phil - The examples were defo not event plays (Dave knows that) What the 'argument' is, is that the 'Top 500' events would most certainly enjoy other not so well known dance records, along side their tried and tested (I'm sure of that) All the best, Len

Hi Dave, I could only locate two from your list - 'Joyce Elaine Yuille - Just Say Goodbye'…..I know this one, Esther Philips can’t be beat, but I like it, and it does have that ‘play it again (Soul) Sam’ effect - It’s a ‘7 from Len’ on this one Dave 'Natural Resources - If There Were No You'…..A pleasant enough tune that I would enjoy at a Sunday Soul Session in the background whilst having a drink with me mates. The main problem of getting ‘everything together’ (as Steve G touched upon), is that some people like ‘Northern Soul’, and others simply like ‘Soul’ - Never the twain shall meet these days it seems……Although those of us that do enjoy both will keep on trying Thanks again Dave. All the best, Len

I fully understand why some people (myself included) don't want the 'Northern Soul Top 500' played over and over again, but we have to be careful not to forget that they are top records (Hence the description 'Top') Too much negative talk about them could cause some people to write them off completely, thinking it may not be seen as 'cool' to listen to them. They are great records, and I still want to hear them - In an ideal world, along with everything else. What a record this still is!........Not sure what number it is in the Top 500 this week All the best, Len 'The Steve Karmen Big Band - Breakaway' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SEzCoDh1Zk

Christ your coffee must be strong Billy Good on ya Len

Hi Billy, In all your years, have you ever had a bad night? I do love your positive attitude btw All the best, Len

I'm very open to hearing new music whether it be new release / or previously unreleased, but first and foremost - it has to be good (Don't forget, some records weren't released for a reason) Thanks for listing those tracks Dave. I've been a 'busy bee' today, so will have a listen later and post my honest opinion - but at the same time trying to steer it away from the 'round and round in circles' personal taste argument (I know my taste is correct) I hope others also have a listen with an open mind. I liked what you mentioned about D.Jing not always being a comfortable place when simply trying to share more of this great music with others, only to be vilified by some for doing so - Shame that, but stick at it folks All the best, Len

Hi Dave, Len here I’ve been on the same circuit as you for many years, and I think you would agree I have a reasonable ‘ear’ for Soul music. I’m gonna be Devils’ Advocate here for a moment - I am ‘guilty as charged’ when it comes to “writing off anything new”. Reason being, from various play lists I have listened to thus far, most (many being new releases) are to me, either ‘Boo-Boo-De-Boop Boring’, or groups simply trying to sound like 60’s records, which (in my opinion) is pointless when we already have a huge back catalogue of great records anyway - Plenty enough to keep a vibrant Scene going for years (Especially at this rate) So - Would you post up three new (ish) release records that you personally think have that ‘something’, so me (and others) can state what we think of them? This isn’t a trick question btw (respect an’ all that as you well know) All the best, Len