Len

Just realised, you're on about the booking near Peterborough. Well this goes back to what I've recently said, that lots on here say it's down to DJ's to turn down bookings if they don't think they would fit at an event. I strongly believe this situation should never occur as the promoter should know what they are doing and only book D.J's that fit at their event. I know nothing about this particular event Russ and presumed the promoters have booked me for 'what I do' and that they are confident my stuff will work at their event - That's how it should be. Now you've enlightened me, maybe they've made a mistake, I know the person that booked me used to be a regular at The Embankment Club and likes my stuff so I've presumed the event reflects this....Oh dear, this will make for an interesting evening... All the best, Len.

I recon it's time for 'The Decks Factor'...I recon it's got legs...now where did I put Simon Cowells number?... Len.

Which do is that mate? ...So many bookings, I just can't think! lol Seriously, my diary is at work - Write it on here very small so no one else can see it Len.

Locally known as 'Len's 'Din' Steve, gis a D.J spot! lol All the best, Len.

Hi Russ, I'm presuming you mean 'Soul @ The Bowl' in Rushden? - Don't believe everything you read mate, I know the people running it used to play a few pressings but they now do play original vinyl but don't make an issue of it. On that note personally, I know what I play and that's all that matters to me - I hate it when people harp on and on about it, I bet if a pressing was played before someone like Carl Fortnum, he wouldn't give a flying f*ck about it as he has nothing to prove. Why did I agree to D.J? - It's for the same reason I am involved in any local event, it's so I have some influence musically because quite frankly, if there was no influence from me there wouldn't be much reason for me to go out locally, so it's for selfish reasons. You're correct about the main room, it is 'out and out' oldies but they have separated the kind of stuff we also like to hear into a second room ('Len's Den') It works really well as 200 people turn out mainly for the oldies room but most pop into 'Len's Den' at some point so the event as a whole isn't just 'out and out' oldies. Back 'on topic' - I'm all for 'New blood' if they have something new to offer, Butch for instance could do a different set every night for the next ten years if he needed to, so maybe the original question is about having new personalities behind the decks and that's not really what it's about is it? It's about the music. All the best, Len.

My promoting days are a long time ago now (Thank god!) but for The Embankment nights I only ever booked D.J's that I alone rated, the last thing on my mind was reciprocal spots and it was damn right embarrassing for me whenever anyone asked for a spot especially if it was a mate - Head on the block or what? Maybe (as someone stated earlier) it is 'old school' but I don't think it is right to ask for a spot. I know some may not understand this as they believe in - 'if you don't ask, you don't get' - But I believe in - 'If it happens, it happens' - It shouldn't be a huge issue as long as someone's playing the tunes you like....I just think asking for a spot is bizarre as to be asked means the person who has kindly offered you a spot respects you. ...If you really have something different, fresh and exciting to offer then that's another story of course...ask yourself that... All the best, Len.

Yes, it is a great tune that also stirs my earliest memories. I often thought it funny that some of us who have come onto the soul scene from different generations often have the same tunes as early memories - As you said, you the Casino days, me 15 years later. This particular record often revisits my play box and every time I play it out, it still takes me by surprise at how good it is when 'blasted' over the decks....Have to admit, it often refills my empty dance floor too! All the best, Len.

I can absolutely relate to all that - It's just amazing how powerful this music is. Nice one Len.

I think loads of us had these 'legendary' tapes as don't forget this was before 'it was easy' and tapes or 'playing records down the phone' to a mate was 'normal' Some of these tapes would have spread across country just through friends sharing them and yes your right, they definitely influenced a lot of us. I know some people have binned their tapes; I would never do that as to this day, I'm still 'discovering' new sounds. I also love the 'LIVE' tapes that people used to record from a huge Ghetto Blaster hidden in a sports bag so they wouldn't get caught - Of course, the sound quality is rough as hell, but I find them 'romantic' All the best, Len.

lol, even now I hear stuff at nighters I've had on tape for years. I know the tune so well but not a fackin' clue what's it called! lol - Is this wrong? I recon it's part of the fun - 'tis for me anyhow. Ref Jeanie Tracey, yes I'm afraid it is 'silly' money now. Not a clue (again) on how rare it is but I think it's one of those tunes, that if you have it you ain't gonna part with it. I think Cliff Steel paid £20.00 for it years ago, I ended up paying £600.00 and don't mind admitting it was off John Manship's auction...I just kept going as a) I wanted the record and b) I didn't want to lose the auction! lol (I don't often win anything you see) This was only a few years ago, so even in a recession, some records still go up in value. Keep listening to those tapes mate - The only reason I bought my latest car was because it had a cassette player - True. All the best, Len.

Ok, I'll rephrase.....If your life depended on it and you had to pick just one record from your collection that 'as if by magic' would save your life - What would it be?....Martyn, you have until Tuesday to find one or it will be too late..... All the best, Len

Great record, I'm sure I've heard it played out but not for years. I would think it would have been The 100 Club but you're right, it's not played out much at all. All the best, Len.

PERFECTION! Len.

What's your 'Jewel In The Crown?' That special record... If you had to pick just one record from your collection as your pride and joy, what would it be and why? I'm not talking about the most expensive or the rarest, just the one that means the most to you. Mine is 'Jeanie Tracy - Making New Friends' simply because of the 'chase' I had to get it and the times it reminds me of. I had it on tape for years and thoroughly enjoyed listening to it travelling to nighters etc, not knowing what it was called. It took me 20 years to finally get a copy, mind you it does help the search if you find out what a record is actually called lol - That's what record collecting is all about! You may have bought a particular record off the artist or maybe a record means something very personal to you, I'm sure there are some great 'links' you have to your 'Jewel In The Crown' All the best, Len.

I knew you couldn't resist! I did say 'nearly' 30 years (Since '84) but god it does feel strange saying it out loud, It only seems five minutes ago that I was taking the p*ss out of Sid Clayton and co for harping on and on and on about 'goings on' "20 years ago" - Christ, how old are you lot now?! Lol All the best, Len.

P.s - Brian Goucher's got some tunes....He paid about £2.00 for The Tamangoes. All the best, Len.

I wouldn't want to swap my collection for anyone's, I think most of us think the world of their own collection...Of course this isn't considering the financial side but something that has taken nearly 30 years to collate is very personal and would be like losing a limb. All the best, Len. P.s - Go on Terry, I'm waiting for ya witty comment! lol

This view may seem miserable to some of you but even at me and Nina's wedding we had a rule - No kids.....That didn't cause us any family problems at all! ... All the best, Len.

On a serious note, personally, I wouldn't want kids at an event I attended (No offence like) - It's bad enough dealing with all you Muppets! lol All the best, Len

Doh! As stated above, these are my '2nd litter' so, god they're not the originals! ....In my defence, it didn't say 'O.C.O' (Original Children Only) on the flyer...... .....and I thought I was purest....Gutted.... Len.

I just leave em in the car, they do have a mobile phone...Is this wrong?..... All the best, Len

More like - We're pretty much 'Odd' kids as well Len.

"Boom Boom" Len.

Yeh, I always got confused with the two similar titles. I used to have 'That's My Girl' on a British Verve label, wish I'd kept that. The other side to 'That Girl' is - 'If It's For Real Baby' - An absolutely beautiful record, Teddy Randazzo penned. All the best, Len.

Many moons ago, I rang Sylvia Croasdell and asked if she thought it was a good idea to bring my kids (My 1st litter) to Cleethorpes, she politely said "No, I think it best they stay at home really" I took her advice and didn't think too much about it......Until after I'd been to Cleethorpes.....Nuff said! Lol Pretty sure you would be ok to take them very early doors at an All-dayer though; I always take my two kids (2nd litter) to the first couple of hours at The Wellingborough All-dayer as its spitting distance from my house. I personally wouldn't take them to an evening event as I think it would be irritating to other people...In saying that I used to hate kids in Restaurants until I had em! All the best, Len.