Len

....Chr*st I really should read your whole post before replying..... ....I f*ckin' hate youngsters! Len (again)

Sorry Barry....I thought we were Len

Chr*st why ever not?....have you ever met a 'normal' soul person? - I ain't for sure! ........meant in the nicest possible way of course All the best, Len "What's normal aye?"

.....Not forgetting 'Prog Northern'.....I'm still waiting for that Concept Album All the best, Len

Yes it's great when there is a nice 'camaraderie' between the D.J's - It really does make for a good night There's nothing wrong in working out a set beforehand (I always spend a lot of time working on a set prior to an event) admittedly, usually changing it somewhat to suit any given night, but it gives me a 'foundation' to work on - It works for me anyway. .......and it gives Brian Goucher and 'the like' a tremendous laugh,when they ask me how many records I took out of my set after I've finished my spot, having taken bets on it knowing the hours I've put myself through at home! ....Hey, that's me. All the best, Len

I say....."Sh*t Motown that never made it, you wouldn't like it" Len

Beat me to it! - Being a welder I've repaired lots of Skips in my time Sorry guyz - Good luck with the repair The only time I repaired a skip (let's say jump) I simply put pressure on the needle (by pushing on the cartridge) while it went through that bit, and it worked - Maybe more luck than judgement though, I don't know. All the best, Len ......and that's exactly what the last post said - Doh! .....I'll go and have a read

Likewise mate, likewise. The D.J line ups also frustrate me sometimes - What's the point in putting 'another' event on if the D.J line up is the same as is already being done? Even if the said D.J's are good, it makes it more interesting if they are not 'over used' and more 'Under The Radar' D.J's are used, at least along side them - It's kind of done me a favour actually, because I'm now focussing more and more on family life (as I should be I know) but when the Soul Scene was great, I couldn't focus on anything but - So thank you (whoever you are) All the best, Len

......Well for Johns records I'd say that was a very good deal......and if the guitar had strings, well I'd say John was very lucky! Just kidding John! ....'D.J Banter' Ho Ho Ho. All the best, Len

Doh! .....to late.....But ya luv him the more for it Seriously though, I've done some great trades with Gary............I've always wanted a Penny Farthing Bicycle, and he said those Magic Beans will work, I just have to wait that's all........ Top fella All the best, Len

Yep Val is fantastic ('The Den' again) Everyone else is mentioning venues because it's relevant to the discussion, so I hope I'm not over stepping the mark here Mike. Russ - Can you change this thread into 'Who we would like to see 'more' behind the decks' rather than 'back' behind the decks?.........and 'as if by Magic', the whole Soul Scene was transformed........or not...... All the best, Den......Sorry, I mean Len .......(of the Den)

Ahem, yes. This is why I got the contract drawn up - And he signed it bless him! It now resides in my record room - We both have a copy (Obviously)........ ........I Gary Holyman promise no matter how confused Len gets, agree not to sell him any of his own records. Signed Mr Gary Holyman. All the best, Len

Yep, I getcha - You meant you 'don't care who is behind the decks' (as long as they can D.J) in a 'goes without saying' kinda way - Noted. The rest of the post also agreed......And approved All the best, Len

....Hang on, I'll go back and read your post again. I thought you said "I don't care who is behind the decks", and I took that literally - back in a minute. Len

I'm a good D.J, but a sh*t collector! ...."What's that called again?"....."You just f*ckin' played it!" lol ..........Here come the comments........... All the best, Len

I would have liked to see Ady Croasdell in more places other than The 100 Club - He's done Life-line once I know which was great. I saw Colin Law D.J at Life-line and The Wilton btw, and enjoyed both. Dave Vanner is pretty unknown, he wasThe Embankment Club resident, which was running at the same time as Albrighton (pushing the boundaries as much as the locals would allow - and some) Maybe not the first to I know, but Dave was playing 'Wade Flemons - Jeanette' back in 1994. Gilly I'm sure would vouch for him. .....but this isn't really 'return to the decks' so sorry about that Russ - I'll get me coat All the best, Len

I care very much 'who is behind the decks’ playing the records - how a set is put together makes a heck of a difference, and a D.J’s personality can transform a set....This has been discussed briefly before, and I remember a point made by some one, they said that Butch and Andy Dyson don’t exactly ooze with ‘Stage Presence’. This is true…..or is it? I think being who they are (and there are others) as in people with such ‘ammunition’ (records, knowledge, experience, down time) that in itself gives them a ‘presence’ and deservedly so. It may look to some like they just solemnly go and ‘plonk’ some records on, but there’s a lot more to D.J’s like that - they don’t ‘light up’ a night by doing just that, that’s for sure. Play lists mean absolutely nothing to me as a guide to how good a venue is, and I never read them. I focus on who’s playing the records, and trust their judgement on what they choose to play at any given time - ‘The time is right’ an’ all that. I wish I'd been around when the likes of Guy Hennigan, Keb Darge, Colin Law, Jocko and 'the like' were 'at their height' going by stories and tapes I've heard - Such passion and knowledge 'oozing' out of them....Or was it aggression? - Loved it, whatever it was N.B - As I said, not a criticism, I have seen both Jocko and Colin Law (and Guy and Keb come to think about it) 'in my time' and I was still impressed with what they had to offer....but back then? Wow! All the best, Len

It sure does, as does D.Jing......There you go - 2 'Electric' topics to be discussed! Not forgetting the seriousness of this topic of course, also I hope some good news is on the horizon for Craig. All the best, Len

Yes, lovely times mate. I have always said to the wife (Nina) that she has been spoilt because she was going to The 100 Club since she was 16 years old, she didn't understand things 'around these parts' (Northants) ,....Yes, very spoilt, and very lucky to be in the thick of The London Scene. I also count myself as lucky / privaliged to have experienced the 90's down there (and across the country) at that time - All very healthy, and not to be repeated, because it wouldn't be the same. I also loved Ben Summers little event - Shelly's. All the best, Len

Why are we always looking back? I agree some great D.J's there, but some have simply 'had their time' and they would be the first to admit it, because it's not a criticism. Gary Spencer - fantastic, but he's 'gone fishing' and I doubt would have the same 'impact' that he did when he was 'on point' - D.J's at their height, is when they are still 'doing it' with the rest of us - Carl Fortnum hasn't really stopped, so (to me) still has loads to offer. Nothing wrong with 'wheeling em' out every so often for nostalgia purposes, but careful now, or we'll end up turning into the exact thing we moan about! All meant in the nicest possible way of course All the best, Len

Yep, Gary Holyman - 'A D.J's D.J' (A regular D.J at 'The Den' btw) So much to offer, and not used enough in my opinion.......and he ain't bothered - That's what makes him so great (don't tell him I said that) All the best, Len

That is where it probably 'filtered' down to the Mod Scene from - quite a few did, and (to me) Spanish Maiden was a huge 'Mod' record, because on that Scene is where I heard it (not quite as 'way back then' Russ....but, far enough!) Great record btw. All the best, Len

I did say ‘sometimes’, because I have also been to some great nights like those (also to some very bad ones) I was just saying that if the monthly ones went down to 3 or 4 a year, these ‘40 attendees’ each month venues would attract more people, and get even better (than they already are) Some of the venues that do only do 3 or 4 a year are now suffering, which is (partly) because of these monthly events. Yes, the ‘Underplayed’ Tag has (as you say) run its cause - Also, some people can’t seem to tell the difference between the tunes that were ‘Underplayed’ for good reason, and the ones that were ‘Underplayed’ because they were genuinely missed - that in itself has caused the ‘Underplayed’ Tag to become something that puts some people off (and I don’t blame them) All the best, Len

Just an observation - I've seen many posts by guys putting on 'Under Played' nights, stating things like…."We only get around 40 in, but we'll keep going each month" I know a 'well done' is in order for trying to do what you all do, as this part of the Scene is extremely difficult to make a successes, but surely the same 'rule' applies with ref to 'what we all agree on, but no one is doing anything about' - Don't put so many on.....if 5 x 'under played' events customers (40) went to the same event, there would be 200 people = Great music AND great atmosphere!...... Don't get me wrong, I do understand the ol…..“I'd rather 40 like-minded people, over 200 others”…..to a point, but come on - sometimes there’s not much atmosphere even with 40 (so called) ‘Right’ people. All the best, Len

Sadly, that about sums it up. Best to focus on the nice people, and the fact that most are honourable - I believe that anyway. Not that I know the guy personally (but we’re all ‘feeling it’) has any news come of Craig’s Records as yet? All the best, Len