Len

Yes I agree - Although it's stopped the 'silly bollox' threads, it's also stopped people looking to some extent (I think anyway) - Maybe someone should have bought this up with Mike, as I'm sure he'll take on board what's been said. All the best, Len

Nice one Terry - Don't worry this isn't a case of 'Get some sleep mush' - I've been sitting on this one a while as I wasn't sure whether to bother posting (people taking things the wrong way etc) I've been to bed - But appreciatte the kind advice mate, it's fully understood! - I just find writing easier to comunicate with you humans that's all All the best, Len

‘Northern Soul For Ever?’....... I wonder....... Do you remember those badges? I wore one and didn’t give it much thought at the time; whoever made them certainly had some vision! This is an observation of the Scene, a cathartic exercise on my part, and now I’ve completed that cathartic exercise; I look at it all as a fascinating and positive story of a youth culture that just didn’t stop, but will it really last forever?...... We all know there are two separate Scenes - The Nostalgic side, which is actually a ‘splinter group’ from the original Scene, albeit a very big splinter! This part has the power of ‘The Northern Soul Trade Union’ behind it and it is very popular, not just with returnees, but also with people who are new to the Scene - no probs, it’s like any movement that separates because of different views, and no one can contest its popularity — Please don’t take what I have named as ‘The Splinter Group’ as offensive, it’s just my way of separating the two that’s all (I like both sides of the scene) The Scene hasn’t been ‘nurtured’ over the years, and it’s only now that people are talking about attracting young people - unfortunately, it will be almost impossible to ‘bridge’ a three generation gap. It should have ‘shed it’s skin’ every ten years really, because each generation that joined would have bought something fresh, whether it be creative or just that ‘energy’ only youths have, thus keeping it developing with the times. Look at The Mods - Three generations, all uniquely different to the other but the same Movement - 1960’s Mods, 1970’s/80’s Mods (Punk influence) 1980’s/90’s Mods (back to the very early original Mod ethos) We now have DJ’s in their 70’s! Which is absolutely fantastic and a bit special, but alongside these greats, should be three generations of D.J’s which would of course, have influenced the clientele to match. The 100 Club seems to have addressed what I have described, that’s why I often hear people say “I don’t know anyone down there now”, which indicates it may live on there at least - Whether this be luck or judgement from the genius that is Ady Croasdell, only he can answer of course Very early on in my time on the Scene I noticed D.Jing was pretty much a ‘closed shop’, which I fully understood - it was to keep the standards up, of which it did…..for 30 years….but who would have thought it would have gone on for so long? It happened so gradually no one stopped to think about it, and why would they have? It was literally like ageing. Most youth cultures come and go with one particular generation, the three generation Mods just ‘happened’ with not much ‘link’ between them, and a lot of the returnees to our Scene didn’t expect it to still be going for one moment. But does it really matter? I’m not bothered about what the next lot of youths do, in fact I’d rather they had their own thing, rather than getting someone else’s completely wrong (especially ours) the only thing I do care about, is that such great music may one day get forgotten. “We need new blood”, well actually ‘we’ don’t, it’s the scene that needs it, if it were to carry on after we’re gone. Do do you care if the Scene carry’s on after you’ve finished with it? Or (like me) you just hope the music is listened to and appreciated by someone? What are your thoughts? All the best, Len a.k.a ‘The Thinker’ (allegedly)

If you want a quick sale - as in the lot, I think the only way is to a dealer. Obviously they will only give you (at a guess) 60% - 70% of market value (they have to make a living) but at least it's all done in one blow. Don't forget, they will most probably have to 'sit' on some of the records for quite some time. I know some people are immediately suspicious of dealers 'having a good deal' but hey, they are human..........aren't they? All the best, Len

I tell you why some don't bother with the 'build up' to an event / 'look backs' as much as they used to - It's because the 'rules' (for want of a better word) changed on this site. Before the 'rule change', basically, if an event's thread was posted on, the said event would 'go to the top' and show so on the front page - I'm glad it changed, because I got so sick and tired of reading 'Bumbs' - "Hi mate, top night mate...."in joke"....."mundane comment" ...."One on one coversation that had absolutely no interest to anyone else reading" etc, but the unfortunate thing, is that people don't seem to bother as much now because of that - Comparing the two, the latter is better though. Also, how much can you actually say about an event? "It has a dance floor" - Well, yes...and as for "It has a well-stocked bar" beggars belief! - Please let me know if there's an event, where the manager has decided not to bother stocking the bar..... Other sites are also used of course, but what that 'rule change' did, was stop these threads becoming silly 'slap on the back from mates' threads, it got to a point where no one actually took any notice of them, as some were such a farce and had absolutely no resemblance of the event anyway. Yes, there may be less comments, but I think you now get a better picture - Best way is to ask someone's opinion of which you respect - In saying that, it is nice to just take a gamble sometimes - I used to ask a mate about places, but whatever he said about somewhere I took it as the exact opposite - it worked a treat every single time - His 'cr*p nights', were my heaven and visa versa! All the best, Len

I like the 'secret society' thing - I don't want to see a 'Best of Northern Soul' for sale at Tesco's - My opinion. 'new Blood' - It's too late, we're never gonna be able to 'bridge' a three generation gap. All the best, Len

If someone wants to give their profits to Charity, then great, good on em. Unfortunately, this thread subject shows that ‘the good suffer for the bad’ and naturally the genuine people will immediately go on the defensive over such a sensitive issue. As far as I’m concerned, it is the business of the promoters and their conscience. 1) If you say it’s for Charity, make sure it is. 2) Don’t use the charity ‘excuse’ so you can put on an event when deep down, you damn well know the scene needs ‘another’ event like a shot in the head - If it’s genuinely for something personal, no probs. I think most Charity events are genuine to be fair though - maybe some have been put on because someone’s got a bit excited about the Scene, so follows “Let’s put a Charity Event on” whilst not really thinking about it too much - on the face of it, there’s nothing wrong with that and I can forgive this kind of enthusiasm taking over folk. Do you know what, if I felt I wanted to put on a Charity event, for whatever reason (family member maybe) Because of all of the above (that I have also been aware of for a long time) I would simply note it in very small print at the bottom of the flyer - in other words, I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it, so folk wouldn’t have any suspicions. All the best, Len P.s - I used to give £100.00 from the profits of The Embankment Club Soul Nights to Cancer Research - I never told anyone until now (for the sake of this thread) and have letters of thanks if anyone would like proof of this - No b*llox, you’ll have to trust me on that, I know I did, and that’s all that matters — I know my honour is intact!

I'm the complete opposite to that! :lol: Hope ya'll had a good weekend wherever you 'Strutted your stuff'. Hark at us, at our age - It's just wrong! :elvis: All the best, Len

I must admit, I did seem to be 'out of sync' that night But, yep no one seemed to mind Len

Yeh, sorry about that, I got a bit carried away didn't I? “'old school' response” - I know exactly what you mean. I hate saying things like this now, because things ‘with meaning’ with ref to the scene have now somehow been 'hijacked', and don’t sound right anymore….But I will this once, you’re talking about ‘dance floor etiquette’, which did exist, it wasn’t ever analysed - but it was just there. You need to try and make sure you bump into the correct people - Sorry to mention Burnley again (That’s Terry’s Job) but one particular night there, for some reason it kept happening to me (obviously everyone else’s fault ) but I was laughing for days after that nighter, because I hadn’t experienced so many ‘belly laughs’ on the dance floor before, it was brilliant - (After the record had finished) "Sorry about that mate, I’ve got big feet” etc, etc - every single time followed a warm handshake. Sadly that has been lost at some venues and I’d wager, a smack in the face could happen just for bumping into someone - which is tragic really. Right, off to practise me Shuffling! All the best, Len

Yes. same as mate, same as. All the best, Len

I think lots of us went through all that at our first nights. I felt such a t*t, but my mates (who were mostly nighter experienced) just smiled and told me to "just keep going"; I was ok in the end! - We're all the same (ish) really All the best, Len

I asked for that didn't I? Len

Good topic. A while back, on one of the ‘Analysing The Scene’ threads, someone stated “I used to love dancing, now I only like dancing” which I thought an interesting thing to say. Terry is right about the ‘vibe’ of a place, whether you’re a dancer or not - When I first went to The 100 Club, you couldn’t get me off the floor, because the ‘vibe’ was so right for me. I was on such a high, on so many levels — The Music, the People, the ‘Cuddly Promoter’ (approachable), the ‘Welcoming Committee’ (not ‘over the top’ friendly though) the D.J’s, the Coffee I was drinking at that time, the Attitude of everyone in the place - All this combined made me dance! Nowadays I get different things from different nights, we all know a lot more people than we used to, so that can ‘get in the way’ of dancing sometimes - before you know it the nights over without a dance, but having had a great time - Sometimes I do miss finding a DARK corner and dancing like a lunatic though, Burnley was the last time I really ‘let rip’ All the above just my experience, and I agree that no matter what ‘part’ you play (Dancer, Listener, Block Head, Chatterbox, ‘Record Bar Person’ or whatever) they all get their own thing from a night - some just don't dance, no problem with that. Dancing for me is a fantastic ‘release’. All the best, Len

Like falling off a horse - Get 'the f*ck' back on that dance floor, and laugh at them, laughing at you! (Copyright Terry) All the best, Len P.s - If your back allows you to that is

Go and listen to it again with a positive attitude, and see if ya don't change ya mind Sorry, I'm getting my threads mixed up! (See the John Manship thread) All the best, Len

The Brooks Bros, is 'ok' but never REALLY hit the mark for me, I feel if it was a cheap record it would have been forgotten a long time ago. Sorry 'phild' - we differ slightly on this one, go and listen to it again with a negative attitude, and see if ya don't change ya mind 'Rip off' I think was just aimed at the price and not at John Manship, but I expect you have to be 'ultra aware' of these things Chalky, just in case. Pyramid going by 'sound alone' (forgetting how rare it may be) is worth it, in comparison to others - That's if all records were priced just by what they sounded like, with just my taste being the grading All the best, Len

Do you know what? This one has always confused me, for some reason I feel I shouldn't like it, but I absolutely love it, maybe it's to do with 'the memories' - K.F.C! All the best, Len

Oh yes, it is funny sometimes. Especially if the said person doesn't normally do something like it - The ol' Dutch Courage has kicked in, they get your attention, then suddenly they panic a bit, 'sh*t, I'm on the stage' seems to dawn on them. I do feel for these ones though as obviously they're not the aggressive ones, they're just out for a good time and haven't a clue about the Scene that's all - I think I can forgive that All the best, Len P.s - Kimbo's witnessed 'The Angry Mob' lol

I would welcome her with open arms mate - She's right anyway ya tw*t, Gordy isn't Motown - READ the label stupid! Len

Well, most of mine, no all of mine (I could write a book) have never been 'humorous interludes'.....I've always struggled to see the ‘humour’ behind the gnashing teeth / scowling face......Then there's the 'Angry Mob' outside, complete with Pitch Forks (Bless em) Len

'The Preston Heckle’ Love it. Crumbs I think there could be a separate thread on 'Heckles' alone! A few years back, I handed over to 'Mr D.J' after my spot (and it's not as if the floor was completely clear to most of it anyway)....and to quote said D.J (on the mike!) - "Right, that's enough of that Sh*t, now for some proper Northern Soul" - Etiquette, just beautiful......I couldn't tell you what record he started his set off with, but I assure you it was 'Propper'! All the best, Len P.s - I never returned to The 100 Club after that

D.Jing's sh*t isn't it? All the best, Len

‘Doug Banks - Ain’t That Just Like A Woman’ That ‘Pow Wow’ thing? ‘Ike and Tina Turner - Dust My Broom’ All god awful tunes - My Opinion (without the 'humble' I’m afraid) Tis the Topic! These are things I’ve always hated and not ‘used to like, but gone off now’ All the best, Len P.s - Yes, and that awful ‘Catch That Tear Drop’ (Just backing Dundee Davie’s post)….Just realised - From 12th Jan! lol - Only just seen this thread

Nothing wrong with Madness - Great Band! Len