Len

It's all so f*ckin' obvious isn't it mate? But what beggar’s belief is that you still get people who think the night is solely for them, and are aggressive with it. We all know the old 'saying' - 'It does what it says on the tin'.....But I honestly believe, some folk don't even read the flyers (Tin) No, matter - We are always going to get these moaning 'Decks Pests', it's just something that unfortunately has to be dealt with. Trying to stay 'on topic', these people that moan are convinced the D.J is playing for themselves and I think that's a real shame. As soon as they make 'their' views known the whole D.J experience can be ruined for someone who is most probably putting a lot of effort in to their set. All the best, Len

:lol: - I was expecting more than three words Terry, but for some 'dark' reason, those few words have tickled me All the best, Len

Hi Kev, I know John pretty well and one thing I love about him is his dry sense of humour, which takes a while to catch because it’s so blo*dy dry! What I'm saying is, I don’t for one minute think John would say such a thing and mean it, I would imagine he was being ‘Ironicle’. I have to say I wasn’t there, but just wanted to put that point across because I bought his name into the discussion. All the best, Len

Yes, well said. I put loads of thought in a D.J line up - More so, than a set believe it or not. I see a night being made up of layers, building up nicely, usually for the main guest to take it 'up, up and away' (If that makes sense) I've even had people moaning, if I am to play a few not so known Mid-tempo tunes at 8.00pm, which I find ridiculous - You can't go 'Bang' at 8.00pm and keep that 'high' going all-night. Even if that were possible, I wouldn't want to go to a night like that, as it has no 'structure' All the best, Len

This is one example where I think no one is really at fault, but shows how sometimes even the best intensions don’t work. I hope the D.J’s or event involved don’t mind me mentioning them by name - If so, P.M me and I will delete accordingly. The venue was Lutterworth - They had an anniversary do, and thought it a good idea to book Mick H and John McClure, I would imagine their thinking behind this was that those two would bring people to the event, and that they were confident they would go down a storm. Apparently there were enough people there but unfortunately, both John and Mick weren’t received very well at all and poor Mick even had someone have a go at him. I know he doesn’t often do Soul Nights being the busy man he is, so for him (and John to be fare) to D.J there, was doing a kind thing. Now, I think this set of circumstances was just ‘one of those things’ and not to be picked apart (‘should the promoter have booked them or should the D.J’s have turned the booking down?) My point in showing this is that if sometimes something isn’t quite right, let’s not hang the promoter or the D.J out to dry. Especially if it’s just one of a set of D.J’s that doesn’t quite work, because I bet whenever these rare situations do arise, the poor D.J in question would have tried his best and most probably suffered enough - Heck, you still have the rest of the night to focus on Ref the original post, I agree - No D.J plays for themselves, they simply try to share the enjoyment they get from their records, that’s all. All the best, Len

I think people’s views depend on their personal journey; I got into the scene in the 80’s when the music was different to the early years. I hope Jocko doesn’t mind me quoting him, but the other week we were chatting and he said to me “I used to frequent places where, if you cleared the floor it was seen as a compliment” - I fully understand that comment, whereas I know others will be almost disgusted at it. Each to his own an’ all that - I love listening to and ‘dancing hard’ to Up-tempo Soul, but I also love listening to and dancing (not so hard) to Mid-tempo Soul. Sometimes I feel like shouting “Listen Cloth Ears!!!” because I feel so strongly that some people are missing out on these beautiful records. All the best, Len (Sleepy Head)

Yes that’s absolutely correct, we both agree that when the ‘wrong fuel’ is put in it won’t work as well, but who’s at fault? - The promoter or the D.J? I think more often than not, it’s the promoter. I do agree there is a something to be said about D.J’s doing places they don’t frequent….But, in some cases the said D.J could be a very busy one so their visit is literally only when they D.J — This is when it is completely down to the promoter to make the decision whether the D.J would suit the venue or not. All the best, Len

Actually I didn't think it was ....until now you've said! Oh well, it's better than the other one.... All the best, Len

Hi Terry, I understand and agree with your point about D.J's not excepting a booking if they know they wouldn't suit a venue, but in the 'case' you mention it sounds like the D.J in question didn't know what they played there - because he said "didn't know what they played there". My point is, if this D.J was booked, surely it's the promoters fault for booking him - more than likely on a 'BIG NAME' only basis, so actually - the promoter didn't know what the D.J plays. You may expect D.J's to take the responsibility of researching a venue when taking a booking - if so, I disagree, I think if a D.J is booked they should be able to presume the promoter knows what they are doing, thus presume they will suit the venue. All the best, Len

It's a matter of respect........I've always respected people with no taste Len

Yes it was.....Mod Scene first though All the best, Len

......As was this - Len 'Frank Foster - Harlem Rumble'

Yes, very big on the Mod Scene mid 80's, ain't heard it in ages so enjoyed playing that clip. Len

This! - Nuf said. All the best, Len (Scott Bros Orch - They All Came Back)

Actually, apart from what it sounds like (I.M.H.O) as far as the exclusivity / rarity goes, you do have a point! So to 're-cap' - If I wanted to explain to someone what epitomises the Soul Scene, I would ‘show’ them this record (If I had it of course!) But I would ‘play’ them Edie Parker — I’m Gone’ - Confused? You will be! All the best, Len

I can’t believe where this thread is going, but hey it beats where they usually go (You know the one) Yes, the banks lent us all that money when they shouldn’t have done - But we borrowed it! Chr*t I remember vividly, writing out an application for a 'Self Cert' mortgage and being ‘told’ to say I earn £89,000.00 per year…..I was fifteen years old! …..ok, the last bit was a little exaggerated, but you know what I mean - We’re all guilty to a point for the mess we’re in and now we have to stop moaning, going on strike etc, and get on with it (In my humble opinion of course) ……Right - Back on topic please! All the best, Len

No I wouldn't, only because it doesn't do it for me, also it doesn't "epitomise the scene in every way" for me at all......But, if I had the money, yes I would pay 'what it takes' to get certain records - Heck, most of us stretch ourselves way too far, because in our heads, money doesn't count when it comes to records - Guilty as charged! In fact we’re probably worse, because I bet that this particular buyer could easily afford the £8,500.00 for this record, whereas every so often I spend what I regard as a lot of money on a record, when deep down I really know I shouldn’t! All the best, Len

It's how ya play em Ted! .....I know mate - 'Kettle Black' an' all that All the best, Len

Love it! — As in your post, not the record! I can just imagine an excited 70's teenager, ‘throwing’ himself around to this…..but yes, it’s cr*p I’m afraid All the best, Len

No disrespect to whoever bought it, but nor do I - That's collecting for you, and I'm sure whoever it is, is well happy to 'at last' get it in their mits! I'm also sure that person wouldn't like some of my records.....it has been known! Len

Sorry, Black Power used to be cool, then was cr*p……but has gone full circle, so is now cool again! (We need another thread!) It’s already being played again at some venues and it’s spreading! - Retro! All the best, Len P.s - I like it anyway

To the man I met outside The Burnley All-nighter……He told me his name, and I said that I’d heard of him “for some reason”, he replied, “I’ve done a little bit of D.Jing in the past”, seeming almost embarrassed of saying ‘such a thing’ - I thought, what a nice, unassuming and modest guy. I hope you get well soon mate, and don’t forget to collect your D.J wages — They’re below the minimum wage at the best of times! All the best, Len

I generally go for the dr*gs, I can’t stand the music Seriously though, I don't care what others do, as long as they know the general etiquette - It's actually hard to tell how wasted / p*ssed / 'glue sniffed up' or whatever these people are anyway, because they don't have that - "Look ya f*ckers, I'm really drunk" - thing going on. Whether an atmosphere where everyone is on the one 'thing' would be different if all on another 'thing', well I think that's a certainty. It would be interesting to analyse the difference......Not sure about the one where everyone's been Glue Sniffing though! But in answer to the original question - Not quite, but more so as time goes on. All the best, Len

It might well have been mate, so you see what I mean? All the best, Len

I would say this is research, and again this is what actors do - They study the subject they are going to play. Some may get into our music / scene, and if they do then great, but not so great if the acting just carries on. All the best, Len