Len

I fully understand how you feel and you're right with ref most large venues, because they play to the masses. By saying..."We are blessed in Manchester. A good dozen exciting djs playing small cellar clubs and also at Dulcimer most weekends"...You have 'excepted, and embraced' the change, by attending and enjoying these venues (Well, 'excepted', at least) There's some cracking smaller venues developing, and that in itself is taking the scene in a different direction (For some of us) When I said 'except and embrace', I didn't mean attend those venues that don't suit you, I meant except how the Scene has changed, and focus on the bits that do suit you. Positive things can come out of a 'Sea Change'......in the end. All the best, Len P.s - I think it's important not to forget the great Oldies though, as Terry pointed out - The whole night's proceedings.

(of 'The Den')..........Sorry, I couldn't stop myself!!! All the best, Len

Agree to a point, but some (of us) have stopped moaning (I'm one of the worse btw) and embraced the change - For example, 'packing em in' at venues, but having a second room which is promoted, and not just a 'bone chucked' to appease 'those rare soul fans' It works mate - You just got to find the venues that do it right - Yes, different from the past, but you gotta make the most of what we got All the best, Len

Len

Hi mate, We may have different views on what shuffling is, the best example I saw was years ago at The Fleet in Peterborough (a couple girls doing it) My 'version' (or view on it) has no 'side to side', just 'on the spot' sometimes slowly raising one leg, while the other 'goes like the clappers' (Cat Scratching)......I just had a quick search on Youtube for a good example........but couldn't stomach any more clips! All the best, Len

This version is by Willie Mitchel. All the best, Len https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fnqckk2jno

I like it being described as 'Cat Scratching' - Yes, it looks fantastic, as if they are floating, and as said before - effortless. All the best, Len

I would of loved to have gone to The Wag, I've seen documentaries about it, and know a few that did go - It sounds like a very cool club. All the best, Len

So have I! (First marriage) .........and kept it far to long than I should have (Time, not length) Len

What happened to those dancers? - They got fat I expect (Middle age an' all that) .....Yes, I think it's time for The Wedge to make a return! All the best, Len 'Fred Astaire' Dopson

The press is the one on my shelf Len

...At least they look smart in their jackets..... Sorry Len

What have I started?! Len

Wow - You have a sense of humour! ....You obviously noted I ‘over’ compensated ‘(just in case)...I have been ‘burnt’ before on here…all part of the fun …….I could go on (so will)…….. …….I actually have what I call a ‘Shudder list’ of words / phrases ‘in my head’, that for various reason have been ruined (for me at least )….. I will share a small selection for your entertainment (there are loads! ) ‘45’s’ (They’re just called records) ‘The Flip’ (‘Other side’ is now correct) ‘Cheapie’ (I know what records are worth - To earnest) ‘My Copy’ (referring to a record they ‘just bought twenty years ago’) ‘Books at £? in Manships guide’ (Read it once now experts - there not bloody used cars, and it’s ‘John’ Manship) ‘Proper’ (‘Proper’ people don’t use the word ‘Proper’) ‘Box’ (Sorry but to many referrals to it e.g — “I’m a dusty old record collector”) N.B - For those who don’t have a sense of humour — the above is ‘just a bit of fun’ (kind of….. ) …….I don’t sleep much. All the best, Len P.s - Feel free to add to the ‘Shudder List’ folks…….or is it just 'me that ‘thinks like me'?......yes…..

.....Pop along to 'The Den' Joan - There's loads.....too many in fact Len

Christ not in 'The Den' it's not (at Rushden Bowls Club on June 15th)....That's all we do in there! (honest ) You should come along mate......... You're right it is rare, and I'm not particularly knocking anyone who does acrobatics that may not 'look' so good - If they get that 'release' of energy, are feeling the music and enjoying themselves - They can do what they bloomin' well like! (See rule 16a in the Northern Soul Rule Book ) All the best, Len

Great post.....except.....you may want to drop "the ones who make it there own"....Not that there's anything wrong in it what’s so ever, and I quite agree......but….. every week, at least one of the judges says it on the show ‘in question’ You may well be the first person ever to quote “make it there own" (it don’t matter if you’re not)....Unfortunately they have over used and ruined such a nice meaningful sentence….I am angry as I type — Not at you, at them! (I hasten to add!) For purely this reason, I suggest from now on we say - He / She dances ‘uniquely’ ......Was this really worth typing out? (I ask myself) Well it’s done now, so I’ll post it - I’m just kidding wid ya btw All the best, Len

Acrobatics can be fantastic when done as they should be - 'IN TIME WITH THE RECORD THAT IS ACTUALLY PLAYING!'…..and naturally - It can be a pleasure to watch if it comes across as being ‘effortless’. It must feel fantastic to do that ‘burst’ of energy at the right point in a record — What a ‘release!’ (Not a performance at a West End Show!) I agree, in general defo a young man’s game — I have heard stories ‘from my Gran dad’, that back in ‘the’ day, when ‘the moment’ arrived, almost everyone on the dance floor would suddenly drop, to do some floor work — That must have been a fantastic site! I don’t think acrobatics should be written off entirely, purely for the few people who ‘can do’, and enjoy doing so. All the best, Len

The people on our Scene ‘feel’ the music - The people on ‘the telly show you mentioned’ DO NOT. That’s it mate. All the best, Len

I have a Demo of 'Little Ann - What Should I do' along with a letter from Kent Records (Harborough Horace) ((Ady Croasdell)) basically saying "Dear D.J, you are holding a world exclusive - Give it some stick!" (In the letter, the record is actually called 'When he's not around') It looks really nice together with the letter, and a great memory being lucky enough to have been given it a few months before it was released. I bought another copy to play, and I doubt it has any real 'extra' monetary value - But I like it. All the best, Len

The Balance thing you point out is a very good point, D.Jing for example, didn’t cross most (98%) of our minds when we started out (no matter when that may be) This has to do with ‘Knowledge’ as we didn’t know what the records were, and were probably too scared ask! Another really good point is the ‘choice’ that people have made - some ‘wanting’ to learn, others not bothered, and I don’t see anything wrong with either (the point of the thread focusing on those that have chosen to ‘learn’ I know) A while back there was a thread about an event (it was Mick H’s 50th Birthday Party) this thread had the funniest post I have ever read, it was from a mate of Mick’s, he said “Had a great time, been on the Scene for 40 years, and learnt f*ck all! Lol”…..I loved and respected that view - He was basically saying, he loves the Scene, the music and everything else that comes with it, but hasn’t been bothered about the other ‘bit’. Where I’m disappointed is where some may have chosen not to ‘learn’ about stuff (their choice) but haven’t taken on board the ethos of the Scene (or have forgotten it) which is to respect these D.J’s that are trying to bring us fresh tunes - that is what the Scene is supposed to be all about, and they should have grasped that at least - On the contrary, they have attacked that ethos. Yes the ‘Knowledge gap between D.J and punter’ has closed, but it is more relevant in some places than others (the latter being the minority) and what that brings with it, is more of a 'connection' between the two. All the best, Len

Yes agreed. I personally don't mean (as you say) 'D.J's ramblings', that's not what I meant, I mean the 'vibe' of a D.J, and that comes out in how they put a set together - their personality is just that. All the best, Len

I've always thought D.Jing was an art form that comes to some people naturally, and others not at all. Some say "It's all about the music" - It's not. Experience makes them even better of course. All the best, Len

Blimey Sooty!.........No, I didn't come from your 'Stables' I'm afraid mate - The Leicester All-nighter was the first time I D.Jed at an all-nighter (just before Derek Alan, bless him) It was waaaaaaay before your time ........Hey, have always appreciated being involved in your 'Roller Coaster Ride' though ........I think we 'bonded' when we 'bumped' into each other at The Keele All-nighter (literally) whilst we were both giving out flyers - we laughed, exchanged flyers, soon realising we had given each other the same flyer! (The Eely All-nighter) ......Not forgetting those 'infamous' Mini Bus trips - Jeeze, put some petrol in next time, rather than risk actually running out completely as we pull up at the garage! Oy Sooty - Back 'on topic' please! .......and stop leaving those huge spaces, it looks like the top of your posts are the final post! All the best, Len (From a different stable)

.....There's a lot of it about! Len