Len

I dunno mate, I love 'Broken Heart Attack', and have played it 'out 'n' about' from time to time - Great record! All the best, Len

I think it would be a nice idea to upload his shows to Mix Cloud. Jim is often in our thoughts, and mentioned regularly - He was a lovely man. Len 'n' Nina x

If you have a load of D.J’s whose only influence is each other, it stands to reason that you will get similar records played ……..However, if you get a load of D.J’s that collected records first, you will get more of a variety of records played - Of course they will also be influenced by what they hear others play, but this is only part of their résumé. I’m not saying either is wrong, in fact in my experience the type of D.J I prefer who tries to play something a bit unique to the ‘norm’, more often than not gets bad press, which is a shame. Len P.s - I loved the 'Pyramid Post' btw

“What came first, the Records or the D.J?”........Some people accumulated loads of records because they loved them, then decided to share them (D.J)…….Others decided to D.J, then bought the records..... All the best, Len

……and you never will……But, if someone that I respected actually took me to one side and suggested I stopped promoting because he thought me doing so was somehow having a detrimental effect on things, I can honestly say I would at the very least take a good look at what I was doing. I doubt that would ever happen even if they thought that, because the people I respect have other stuff in their lives - In any case, the people I refer to have always encouraged me (which is important) It was suggested in an earlier post that some promoters that have done so for many years should for some reason stop doing so. I think the opposite - promoters like that have the advantage of years of experience, and have always tried to work together for the sake of the bigger picture. My view has ‘chilled’ over this issue now, all I can say is good luck to whoever can be bothered with the hassle of promoting an event - it is a thankless task. All the best, Len

I don’t know if there are too many venues at present. ‘Northern Soul’ is now on every street corner, some people still go out every weekend, whereas others choose not to, and this depends on individuals personal circumstances. Although fighting this for as long as I could (or as long as Nina ‘held the fort’ for me!) having young children, and also a very busy job (at long last btw) I personally can’t do many All-nighters. It also keeps me from travelling like I used to (and rightly so) It may not be the Soul Scene I once knew and loved, but all these nights keep going so they must pull enough people to be viable (surely) All the best, Len

Thought I’d share this funny story with you…… My poor wife Nina, actually dreamt about ‘Lennys’ last night (can’t think why!) She woke up early this morning, laughing, to tell me that in my ‘quest to offer something different’, I’d booked “Hawkwind” to play live. Alas, in true rock ‘n’ roll style, on the way ‘to the gig’ their van had broken down so they didn’t make it….The next morning (remember this is a dream) I said to her….”Actually Nina, it’s lucky they broke down, in hindsight I don’t think Hawkwind would have worked at a Soul Night” Incidentally, last night Nina and I watched Metal Britannia on catch up, so I’m guessing that was where the rock influence came from! Len

My question answered then Steve Nothing's gonna change All the best my friend, Len

Hi mate, Although I don't doubt these were very enjoyable nights (As you know) 75 isn't a busy night, although reading your post, it was obviously enough to create a good atmosphere. The recent 'Rushden Bowls Club' nights I used to help promote once went down to 170, and we thought that wasn't good enough. But that was for the type of night it was (I'm sure 'Lennys' will be less than that) (Sorry to mention this 'again' btw) The Embankment Club nights I ran had an average of 160 people for 15 years - only once did it go down to 120, and I really did 'take notice' of that. Obviously looking back I was silly to worry, but that was a different time Thanks for your feed-back. All the best, Len P.s - Actually, I've just re-read your post - I think you mean 75 was the lowest ever, and that you mean you usually get 120? + in - Great stuff

I dunno Mark - That's what I'm asking to Len

I shall never dance again! With ref 'Lennys', I will try my best to make it somewhere different, but I've asked the D.J's not to think about it to much and to just enjoy playing exactly what they want (Which in itself is something I feel is missing sometimes) If I think it's 'just another night' I won't bother to carry it on (let's see how it goes) Maybe it is just me, but I feel 'things are a changing' that's all. It may be that it's time for the next generation of returnees to arrive (The 80's Tribe!) who knows? Len

Yes you are right about the upfront events, they have always been harder to attract big crowds, and I know exactly what you describe ref the too many events in close proximity to each other. I thought that may be changing, and it might be because more people are coming out (or maybe a few have closed) When I was scrolling through the calendar to pick convenient dates for 'Lennys', I was genuinely surprised when I came across a few events that were sold out - It's something I'd never seen before. Maybe it's wishful thinking Len

Hi mate, No not at all, I suppose it's a bit of 'market research' on my part, but surely it's not just me who has noticed so many events sold out. Whether anyone thinks that healthy or not is besides the point, I'm wondering if that is a trend that may carry on. All the best, Len

“How’s it going?” I was wondering how things are ‘out there’ at present - as in attendances at venues. I have a new venture (‘Lennys’) starting in October, because I think there is a gap in the market for a place that plays Soul music to clear the dance floor as much as is humanly possible So basically I’m wondering if all the 70 odd events every weekend are pulling in enough people. Not necessarily huge numbers, but enough to make an atmosphere - I have noticed some events are actually sold out which was unheard of a short while ago. Before, the general view was this - too many events / not enough punters, but things seem to have changed on that score as more and more people are ‘coming out to play’ So in general, are attendances quiet healthy at most venues at the present time? / What’s your experience? All the best, Len

Ooops! Thanks for that - How I missed that I do not know. Just flicked through it, and yes post 65 very good, as is post 46 I shall go back to that thread in the week - Thanks again. Len

I suppose in a way, it would have been nice if this film was made 20 years ago, but better late than never an' all that. I'm sure once it's a huge success they will make '2', then '3', covering the different decades properly - more to look forward to! (Thanks in advance Elaine).....Who do you recon would be the most suited actor to play Keb Darge in 'Northern Soul 2'? We could come up with a list of Actors to play certain Characters to 'help' Elaine (You're welcome) Len

I know someone who ‘taught’ the actors to D.J at his home, and when he told me he had taught them to say…”Let’s ‘ave ya!”……I winced (Not sure that's in the film btw)........Ref the clip, when I see the actors ‘feeling the music’, I do cringe slightly because I know they are only acting.....But seeing this film from a negative view point is the easy option - of course we will be able to be pick many holes in it if we wanted to, as I'm sure The Romans would have if they saw Spartacus or The Ten Commandments! We simply must see it for what it is - a film, and knowing who has been involved in the making of it and how much thought and hard work has been put into it, we are not going to get anything better (ever) Good luck to Elaine (and Marco) I say, I’m sure you have done yourselves proud. All the best, Len

- Beautiful record! Len

....but what a record - awesome Len

I counted 73 events the other weekend (just on here btw), and all those events are mainly aiming at the same what 4000 people? So of course a weekly All-nighter would be impossible. But to quote Sunnysoul…“Thinking outside the square”….It could be done if marketed outside of this Scene. Things would no doubt change dramatically, but to pull aprox 300 people to a Club in Oxford Street, London wouldn’t be difficult. I supported a friend at Groove On at Milton Keynes Sat night, this was a different crowd to ‘us lot’, they were mainly from Milton Keynes, Luton, and London, but a pretty cool lot I thought (who would welcome 60’s Newies in with what they like to dance to) Over 300 ‘untapped’ people just at one event. A weekly 100 Club is not going to happen (we know that) Also advertising to ‘outsiders’ goes against the grain ref the Scene as we know it, but to do so is better than it slowly dwindling away, and our music being forgotten. All the best, Len

Very quick Right, I'm off to enjoy the weekend. Len P.s - TUNE! (btw)

All change mate - Everyone's packing up and just going to The 100 Club (Together we are stronger an' all that) ......Except for Terry Len

I should have added 'and repeat', meaning it to be a monthly pattern When is this all kicking off? Len

Looks like it's a Thursday as well Ady! Len