Len

'Charles Johnson - Never Had A Love So Good' All the best, Len.

How dare you quote me before I get time to check, double check and treble check my post you swine?!!! (Sorry, a bit of my 'O.C.D' coming out there mate lol) - Yeh, good point, but do you agree? These rooms really were 'kicking' weren't they? I loved em. All the best, Len.

Ref the Modern soul on the'Northern Soul Scene', when was 'The Modern Room' replaced by 'The R'n'B Room'? When I was going out every weekend in the 90's most All-nighters had a modern room, I remember Winsford as I always took a 'break' in there with Gavin Paige and co. The Modern Rooms have now been replaced with that or an 'alternative' room. I just wonder why as they were 'kicking' if I remember correctly. Maybe it's that there is now more of a 'call' for R'n'B / 'Alternative' which also gives more of a 'licence' to play anything so less Modern is played in these room than before. All the best, Len.

I'm not sure of the law, copyright etc. but I think a good photographer should always respect his subjects. Recently I (Along with a few others) got 'e' mailed a picture of myself dancing to the last record at Burnley with a witty comment and I 'replied all' something on the lines of "Blo"dy cameras should be banned!" It was kinda 'tongue in cheek' but 'even I' don't look my best at 6.00am after 'dancing hard' for 8 hours solid! I say 'tongue in cheek' as believe it or not, I wasn't that bothered by the photo, more amused by looking at some stupid tw*t (me) at that age dancing all blo*dy night 200 miles away from home. But....In the defence of the chap that took the photo (who was included in the mass 'e' mail) He immediately sent me a lovely 'e' mail concerned that I had taken hum bridge over the said photo and explained that he edits a lot of his photos and takes extreme care not to print or show anything that he thinks the 'subject' may not approve of (unflattering photos etc.) I was really touched by his concern for my feelings and thought what a great example and would hope other photographers also have his ethos. Is this something that professional photographers learn or is this just a reflection of this particular chaps caring personality? All the best, Len.

Yes - Stone him to death!!! Len.

Arrr, I getcha - meaning the prices John's auction reach may have been mentioned before Cheers, Len. P.s - I don't think it was a sly comment though, it was just a 'wow' comment. Is it really a crime letting people know you have a record for sale like this?

Maybe he was just tired - hence the yawn. It is a Friday and we've all had a long hard week. Have a good weekend folks! All the best, Len

If ya get it, the other side is tremendious - 'There He Is'. It'll be a nice surprice for you if you don't know it which is great when that happens All the best, Len. P.s - 'There He Is' is 'facing forwards' in my record box anyway

Mmmm, thought as much, I'll 'ave a read of that at work tomorrow Thanks All the best, Len.

I've always been interested in who discovered records, what the cover up names were (if used), who broke them and at what venue and I like it when a D.J 'tips his hat' to that person when playing a particular record. Has there been a thread on this subject already? If not, if anyone can be bothered it would be great to see a list of, as I said - What, who, where? Am I correct in saying some were discovered by one person and broken by another? I expect some of us will be surprised how early some of the sounds we listen to today were actually first played. Bet you could name a few Chalky ref the 80's - Go on be a sport! All the best, Len.

Missed this one - God the dr*gs really were better back then! Len.

Ok, maybe 'detail' isn't 'quite' the correct word - 'Effort' is more suited I think, the point being that Elaine won't just throw this together. As explained above, she will spend time and 'effort' on the project whilst getting as much 'detail' right as possible. Obviously if all the details are 'bob on' but the story's rubbish and the actors arn't up to much then it won't work. So let's hope - The detail is pretty near, the story line is interesting and the acting is good enough to portray the attitudes of the day - Then we will have a great film! Len.

I don't know what you mean! Len. P.s - 'Conjugated' - Nice word!

Thanks for not saying I needed the lessons! lol Len

I tell you what Jocko, that p*sses me off as well - Yes of course going back to the 'underground' thing, it's not 'cool' to go for lessons as dance is an expression and in our scene it really doesn't matter what you look like as long as you are feeling and enjoying the music. But - I don't mind admitting that I went to dance lessons for the 'Moloko Familiar Feeling' Video as Elaine specifically asked me to do so, simply to learn how to dance the way they did back in the 70's (Stomping) Obviously it felt a bit odd, there I was standing in line at a dance studio in London with Keb Darge at the front giving us all instructions (Like a Sargent Major!) - It was very surreal I assure you! But this wasn't to learn to dance so I could go out and do it, it was to dance the way Elaine wanted us to for the video - I would call that attention to detail. When it came to filming we were dancing our *rses off for a solid 12 hours (c/w make up on!) So just for a 3 minute video we had two days training and a really long days filming so Chr*st only knows how much time and effort will have to go into this film. As I said, it was a very surreal experience - On the first day at the dance studio I sat round with all these young 'actor / model' type people and we had a 'getting to know you' chat before we started. We all had to say what we did so it went round the room - "What do you do?" - "Model" (next one) "Model" (next one) "Model" (Next one) "Model" (Next one) "Welder!" - Doh! I thanked Elaine after for giving me an insight into what was involved in her work and I can tell you, the film industry is absolutely exhausting and a few shouts of support from our camp wouldn't go amiss Len. P.s - I did offer to return the honour and invited Elaine to my workshop to experience some welding but she declined! P.p.s - Mike Gibbs is the best shuffler you will ever see albeit a very rare sight!

He was great in '24 Hour Party People' - Great choice I recon Len.

'Pssst' Win, I (along with a hand full of other 'nighter goers') was actually in the 'Teaser' - Only as 'Bubble Wrap' mind and I'm pretty sure you won't even be able to spot us in the background but I'm gonna bore my kids with it forever! It was really interesting seeing how it was all done and honestly when I first walked in and saw all the actors dressed up it really was like stepping back in time (Packets of fags on the tables etc.) That actually shocked me, so that's a truly positive thing at least Len.

I'm '41 and a half' I'll have you know! Len.

I did suggest to Marco (Elaine's Husband) to make it as a carry on film - 'Carry on Northern' ....I don't think he passed my advice on though Or maybe they could do 'Northern Soul' - The action movie starring Steven Seagal and Chuck Norris (With his lethal Round House Kick!)..... ....Ok Elaine, I know - You'll call me! Len.

"I asked her "Where do you think they got the jet from then ? The 'Spare Jet For Windy Weather Cupboard' ?" Honestly !" Classic! Nice one Dave. All the best, Len.

No matter how good something or someone is, once they put themselves 'out there' they always get criticised. There is no reason why this film can be criticised before it is actually made. The people that are doing it are immediately presuming that it won't be done correctly and that it is simply a money making thing. Maybe they're not familiar with who's involved in the making so have jumped to these conclusions, if that's the case then in their defence they may well have been correct but it's not the case so all everyone is asking them to do is at least wait and see I fully understand 'Spots' comments and there's nothing wrong with having concerns, I actually share those concerns as I think it will be extremely hard to captivate this subject correctly. I certainly wouldn't want to do the job but I do feel Elaine is probably the best person to give it a go and that deserves our support. All the best, Len.

I think this film will at least be the best representation we have had so far, by far - In fact I would bet money on it as it has so many people involved that were / are actually on the scene. As far as commercial value is concerned, I'm not sure as I don't know the story line. Having people like Steve Cogan in the cast will obviously help but I think the story line will be extremely important if it is to be a success as this needs to connect with people that have never heard of the Northern Soul Scene. Every time I hear about this film I think of 'Train Spotting' and that did very well didn't it? Again, good luck Elaine All the best, Len.

I think some people are worried that it may be done so very wrong. I know Elaine and I'm pretty confident that it will be as accurate as can be; she's not stupid and does understand the Scene - That's obviously a good start! Apart from that I know she is getting advise off the right people that were there 'living it' so come on, give the girl a break and let's be positive and hope that a) It's done correctly (Which I think it will be) and b) That it is a success for her. As Butch said in the investor's brochure, this needs to be documented properly and I think he is helping with some advice about the film. I love to be negative sometimes and maybe it's me just being facetious (Never grown up me!) but in this case I'm gonna wait and see - That isn't just because I know Elaine (Did I mention that? - God I'm shallow! Lol) All the best, Len. P.s - I do understand that making a film about Northern Soul isn't 'Northern Soul' in itself (Underground) but hey, aren't we all too old to be cool now? - Even me! Lol - Good luck Elaine

B*gger! - I kinda love it when part of 'my history' are the nighters wid me, dya' know what I mean? - oh well, I'll 'Shake a hoof' for ya mate - I'll send you a full report. Len x

Do'ya know what Russ? - I'm D.Jing soon at 'Snooks' at Raunds (June 9th) and I'm gonna open my set with this - F*ck it - It's a f*ckin'n brilliant record!!!...Watch this space, I'll let ya'll know how it goes... You goin' Life-line mate? - I could do with a 'dance partner'! Len.