Len

If only you knew me - Confidence! Ok, to be fair, that is true to a point, but only in my opinions / taste in music / choice of people / choice of venue "why no dj spots anywhere?"........Slightly wrong that, I am more than happy, and feel very lucky to have had the opportunities that I have had over the years at various places. I don't feel I should list them because I believe that would be crass (the people who were there know) All I'll say is this - no they were not all 'local' (Far from it) "it's the mood of the night and luck for the attributes"........ Hey I'm only putting my views across, 'even I' get it wrong from time to time - Yes even 'moi' All the best, Len

A D.J has been successful if he 'connects' with the people, whether they be on the dance floor, at the bar, or on the roof! Everyone knows when that connection has happened. IMHO of course mate Len

Read my signature below, just above where it says "MIDTEMPO ACTIVIST!" Len

Nice one Mick, I've said for years that the same record can sound completely different when played by someone else (having a different effect as you put it) It goes back to - It's the way you play them (Or 'tell em') Same joke told by two different people - Only the one with the 'timing' gets the laugh.....Now why is that?......'Magic' Another interesting point you make is the having a colourful life, and that coming through - Without going into detail, my life definitely reflects my sets.......Everyone goes home depressed, but at least it's soulful! Len

What I meant was, your reply came across as somewhat aggressive / sarcastic as if you get the impression that I think I'm an expert, and the only one who understands. So I was reassuring you that if this was the case, it wasn't intentional. I do believe I know what I'm talking about though, as I have learnt something in the 30 years that I have been D.Jing / seeing other D.J's. I still take my D.Jing extremely seriously (I want to do a good job of it every time) I still get criticism, but excepted a very long time ago that it comes with the territory. Sometimes lesser experienced D.J's don't handle critism very well because they take it so personally - It is simply a difference of opinion. I can relate to that though, I am always disappointed if just one moan out of a hall full of people comes my way (after putting in everything I’ve got to make it work) All the best, Len

That comes across as if you get the impression I am saying all D.J's are useless - I'm not, I'm saying D.Jing is an art, and not everyone can do it.....If you gave me the best hand made set of paint brushes, my 5 year old daughter could still paint a better picture than me with just her fingers. I hope that explains it. I suppose that 'somat else' I keep mentioning is actually the D.J's personality. That's the best I can do mate - Feel free anyone else, to explain it another way (Mick?) All the best, Len

As I said in an earlier post with ref someone playing 'seemingly' the same records as someone else (but it not 'working' for them) There is a way of playing them, but it's impossible to explain - More so, because different D.J's have different ways of making it work for them (their individual unique 'somat else') All the best, Len

......There's a subtle difference between 'more mature' and 'older' Len

.....There wasn't until you said The only 'qualification' I would put to it is 'Gusto', meaning at least showing confidence in the tunes you are choosing to play. A D.J's personality does shine through - If he's enjoying himself so will the crowd All the best, Len

I'm sure there is a thread with lots of great stories on this subject. Btw, my find was 'Chapter 5 - You Can't Mean It' CBS Demo at a Car Boot Sale........"How much are the records love?"........"Oh hello dear, they are 50p for the big ones, and 20p for the small ones".......(Meaning L.P's and Singles) Bless her All the best, Len

.....So are you saying it is 'wishful thinking' on my part by chance? Laters, Len

Easy Len

I've had that, we walked in and immediately my mate turned to me and said........"Oh shit"......with a f*ckin' huge smile on his face - I'm no 'through and through' newies D.J, and always have some records with me that I think everyone knows, alas I did have someone shouting at me from the dance floor regardless of this (but that's another story) I agree that ultimately it is the promoters responsibility to pick the correct D.J's for a venue, but sometimes maybe the promoter is trying to push boundaries (adding something else to the mix) by picking a different D.J. Anyway, it's only a night out init? Len

He he - Ok, let's put it to the test! Obviously we may need Butch's input on this experiment, oh, and we need a 'Guinea pig D.J' (Not me, no fear btw!) Ref your other point, maybe this is 'wishful thinking', but as Steve Smith pointed out earlier with his story (there are no rules) Lets give some of the staunch Oldies crowd a bit more credit - I'm pretty sure some would welcome a lot more tunes on the 'menu' All the best, Len

That's a fair comment mate - I don't mean for it to go too far the other way, I mean I wish some people were a bit more tolerant when a D.J tries to play something new (his own stamp if you will) I think we all agree that it's finding that balance - Of course no one wants the atmosphere to disappear from a night out. I 'did a mosses' just the other Sat night. Straight after playing 'The Parisians - Twinkle Little Star', from a really packed dance floor to 'zilch' in one foul swoop! (Bad judgement on my part some might say).....After the record played out I couldn't help but joke about it, so said......."I hope you all appreciate the way I skilfully 'spliced' that last tune in without any of you noticing"...... Luckily that got a laugh, I then whacked on 'Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe', and they all came back - Phew! When it happens like that it's nice, because it showed the people there understood what I was attempting to do......But as has been pointed out, D.Jing is very unpredictable, especially nowadays because the crowds seem to change all the time (at some events) Thanks for your reply. All the best, Len

Love it - Saw him live at The 02 last year! (FFS don't tell anyone though!) Len P.s - Nina's Dad's Birthday treat, but he couldn't make it at the last minute so I used his ticket, and yes I enjoyed it! lol We did have a f*ckin' laugh - Couldn't help but dance!

No 4 - “As a Dj surely your there to play what the punters want not what you want to hear” I say think again (meant in the nicest possible way) If anyone goes over the same ground (nice ground that it may be) over and over again, they will get bored of it in the end (human nature) So people trying to make things more interesting are just ‘trying to make things more interesting’ Whilst keeping it entertaining of course Creativity is what makes things last. All the best, Len

I've heard 'these tales of old', and I envy those times. Jocko said to me once that he comes from a time when an empty dance floor was actually seen as a compliment - I fully understand that statement. Good on ya mate All the best, Len

I wouldn't know 'where to begin' my friend I just know that it works for some with 'seemingly' the same records, whist it simply does not for others - I couldn't explain why, but I know when I see it It's 'magic' init? All the best, Len P.s - Apologies if I come across as trying to be a clever tw*t - I'm so not, but I do know when it works.

........Still may not work - You still need that 'somat else' Len

Halleluiah! that's it - 'Focus' Len........ Len

....Watch this space..... Len

You still gotta know how to play em Len

‘Panic’ ……..‘Burst into tears' (Internally)……’Carry on and just play what I want to hear’……then - 'storm off stage and vow never to DJ again’…… ……..Until the next time…….. All the best, Len ‘I may have a window’ Dopson

Quote Chalky (Other thread)....."There's three times the amount of Palmer demos on popsike compared to Labeat issues. Just a couple or three Labeat demos" ...... Question answered - Cheers Chalky Len