Len

Manifesto Magazine put on a couple of successful events down in Gloucester during the 90's (All-dayers if I remember correctly) If you don't mind more work Mike, suggest you think about maybe putting on a big event to mark the 20th Anniversary 'The Soul-source 20th Anniversary' event of the year (etc) (You would be able to fix the calendar so that no other event is listed on that particular night) I'm sure it would be one heck of an occasion (Along with being good 'PR' for the site of course) Food for thought All the best, Len

Yes well done Mike and the team......I wonder what the Scene will be like in another 18 years time Had some great laughs on here over the years, and I've said this before, this site has enabled us to be in touch with other 'like minds' that we may never had chance to - Thanks. All the best, Len

I sold mine to a mate for 50p (Early 90's) 'cause he really wanted it and I wasn't that keen on it (Carol Anderson that is) I have no regrets about doing so. It's best to ignore what others may wish to pay for records - just choose whatever you want to pay / sell for. The Festivals - Beautiful record Len

I don't think anyone is making a fuss about it, if you see some as 'soul police' for simply relaying the magic that once was, leaving home at midnight when everyone else in the world was going to bed - Well I say up the Soul Police! It was magical, and that bit has disappeared because of the early starting times. But as Phil says, times have changed - What you say in the rest of your post is right for nowadays. All the best, Len

Exactly mate - The only All-night I ran was The Millennium one (See link below) Lots spent the evening / midnight bit with family or 'normal' friends first. This All-nighter ran from 1.30am - 8.30am. It was really exciting everyone turning up bang on 1.30am 'itching' to get in, and most (if not everyone) was there right until the end..........Then lots came round me and Nina's house, but that's another story (Matt and Jane / her sister, Rob, Sam, Ian, etc etc etc) Happy days All the best, Len The Millennium All-Nighter.pdf

The 100 Club used to be 1.30am - 8.00am. A huge queue to get in, and lots stayed until the finish. Before you knew it, it was 5.00am (the night zoomed by) Starting at Midnight would bring those wonderful long queues back, and being condensed to a shorter time would probably mean a place being full from start to finish. Those that start early are good for people that don't want to stay until the end, preferring an 'early start early finish'. At least this makes attending worthwhile for these people, although it can add to a place not being very busy towards the end (6 - 8 hours is plenty for most people) Answer to the thread - An All-nighter has got to be at least a 6.00am finish to qualify. All the best, Len

I once asked a Hod Carrier if he had a business card all matter of fact like (This was after a nighter btw).......He looked at me gone out......"Hod carriers do not carry business cards Len!".....(Closely followed by a rye smile) If I remember correctly, he was referred to as Scouser (Nice guy) Manus - I think we're 'off topic' somewhat All the best, Len

Exactly - Although undoubtedly the Soul Against Racism group would have been formed with absolute good intension, I think it a shame it was necessary. The great / unique thing about this funny old Scene of ours, is that it welcomes people from all walks of life. A very interesting thread this, I can't imagine what it must have been like to be on the receiving end of racism growing up in the 70's (Even just the language that was used back then) I agree with Mick, some things are better left unsaid - meaning, we don't need to give the issue too much oxygen because we all know it has no place on our Scene. All the best, Len

Yes, a good post mate - I, and many others also don’t get that excitement you talk of as we once did, and to be fair to those returnees that want what they experienced in the 70’s, ‘us lot’ want what we experienced in the 80’s and 90’s. As you say, individual eras of the Scene run out of steam - Today’s Scene is ‘fine ‘n’ dandy’ for those that never experienced other eras as they have nothing to compare it to. In saying this, it’s not that bad, it’s just not the same for some of us that’s all. That excitement we all enjoyed (whatever era) also has something to do with being young and having nothing else to focus on (Life eventually gets in the way) Ref the music, what Chalky said in Post Number 56.....“In the absence of a large amount of new discoveries, knowledge and imagination have a greater role to play”.....is so right - Some great sets can be cobbled together with the huge ‘back catalogue’ that we already have. Stay positive, and enjoy what there is - It’s still better than watching ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ (just) All the best, Len

'Cause it's confusing D.Jing with C.D's Point is - They should be played (From C.D or a cut) All the best, Len

Even going forward a while - I've just dug out a Manifesto magazine from 1995 - Total number of events in the whole month of November - 27! Amazing how it's now changed to 60 odd on one night / over a 100 in a weekend. This was a time when most of us went to the same events. Len

Any time before this moment - Me sat at the hair dressers......"So Len, what are you doing at the weekend?"........."I'm off out to a Northern Soul event"......"Oooh, I like a bit of Northern Soul, Vera, Len's off to a Northern Soul Night, we like that don't we?"......... Underground is when the 'outside world' are not aware of what you're up to / and you don't want them to know. Len P.s - Look through some old Manifesto magazines - That was pretty underground / a great time at least

Sinatra’s is a club I went to in Birmingham - I wonder if that's still there. Len

Pat Brady was at Bretby, and I'm sure it was a nighter - I could have sworn you were also there Dave, in the Modern room. Edit - I bet it was the Chris King nighter (Now I've seen the above post) All the best, Len P.s - Jimmie Reed Jr - Top tune, love it

Hang on a minute, this guy is in his 30’s and has 20 years on you - What the devil were you doing at an All-nighter at the age of Ten?!!! Kev Roberts - I hope you let this poor lad in for half price! Keep on dancing Sonny All the best, Len

Sometimes people forget how good records are after they've had their 'hit' (as in acquiring it) But after a while, hearing it again (as in this case) they are reminded how good it is. I think......."I'm terribly sorry, but on hearing it again it's made me change my mind. I will try and get another one for you though"......may have been a nicer way to put it - In his defence, he may have 'panicked' a little All the best, Len

Ref the sound - I often hear people say…..”It was fine when we set up”…..When a venue fills with people (or cushions) all needs turning up to compensate. When the kit is at that stage it should be nowhere near its’ maximum - if it is, the sound will obviously be distorted. I wasn’t happy with the in house equipment at ‘Lennys’, so we ‘lugged’ all our kit up there, set it up, and were still not happy. We then plugged our kit into their ‘surround sound’ speakers, and I could not believe the huge difference - It sounded fantastic in comparison to just one speaker on either side of the stage. This and ‘the darkness’ are so important…….The D.J’s are next down the line! All the best, Len

Darkness rules! One night I arrived at ‘Soul in the Bowl’ (Rushden) only to find that ‘The Den’ had been decorated - all the walls painted white!!! Worse still, they had taken down all the blinds to do so……”Oh, they took them down to decorate”…..Grrrrr - I was f*ckin’ livid!.......I then clocked that the lights from the car park were shining through the windows, lighting up my ‘Dark Den’ even more, so I got a screw driver and went outside to dismantle them. Me not being an electrician got the shock of my life - literally! It went straight through me, I fell to the ground, and snapped the plastic chair I was standing on clean in half! (and it blo*dy hurt!) That is how strongly I feel about ‘THE DARKNESS!' True story. Len

Halle’f*ckin’luiah! - I thought it was just me (Oh, and Mick Lyons) You should never be able to see the other side of a dance floor - If ya can, the atmos lacks! I understand the health and safety pain in the *rse angle, but sometimes it’s venues' managers that don’t understand, and prefer it lighter to make their job easier. I remember at the first venue I promoted - Much to the bemusement of the management, I rolled up bin bags and stuck them to the bright strip lights behind the bar - It made ALL the difference………ahem, until they got too hot We don’t want a Tea Dance - We want dingy! All the best, Len (The Prince Of Darkness wasn't it Joan?) P.s - I think it’s great when (after an event) someone says…....”I didn’t realise you were there!”…....

I only knew you as 'Pikeys Dog' and always enjoyed your input on here - You came across as a lovely fella. RIP Joe. Len.

It's puzzling though. If someone asks for a want, someone sends them a message that they have the record they want, then gets no answer - It must be annoying, especially if it is your business. There is worse things in life I grant ya (Pete) Len

It’s not much of one, but in people’s defence with ref to replying generally (no excuse if asking for a record and someone has taken the trouble to contact you - Even if you managed to get the record from another source) Some people are made of different stuff - They’ll read a message and think to themselves…...”I’ll reply later”……then simply forget. This is something I personally can’t get my head round because I am someone that always ‘reacts’ (replies) Absolutely out of common courtesy, but also that I always feel the need to deal with things straight away. Most people generally reply, some take their time, and the ones that don’t get round to replying don’t actually mean anything personal by it (Although still drives me insane on the rare occasion that it does happen) It’s the world we live in Len

Tastes change over time. I was actually surprised there was so much modern sounding stuff in there, and remember thinking it was a bit of a rip off! I didn't like anything that remotely sounded Modern back then - I do now All the best, Len

I know it, but think I'll be breaking 'The Northern Soul Rules' if I name it - so shant! Len P.s - I couldn't say if it's rare or not though.

Bought mine from Soul Bowl, and still have a shelf load to go through ('again again'!) As times have changed I am forever finding 'new' stuff in there. I remember sorting out a load of 'modern sh*te' (or so I thought at the time) into a plastic carrier bag to give away, this plastic bag went to Tony Parker, then on to Dave Vanner, then Cliff Steele, and back to me with about half gone........Gawd only knows what my 'poison' was their 'meat' back then - I don't wanna know either! Pretty sure most on that shelf is still rubbish, but I do love 'wading' through every so often - It's strange, some sound so good after a nighter.......and back on that shelf they go by Wednesday Soul Packs - Great memories Len