Winnie :-)

============== The only one I've really loved in recent years was Barbara Lynn. Most don't do much for me, nothing to do with their voices, just think they make a nighter kind of dis-jointed. Just my opinion Going to see them outside an northern event would probably provoke a completely different reaction on my part

============== I was only saying the medium used was not the issue cos it wasn't mentioned in the initital post. Billy seemed more worried about DJ's not recognising an empty floor as a problem? Don't disagree with you about what constitutes across the board in an ideal world, but also feel that the majority view outweighs any individual one. If I go to an night that favours R&B for example, would it be fair for me to say can you play an hours worth of oldies, then an hours worth of modern etc. I'll dance to most genres as long as its good (ie: I like it) but I won't dance because a DJ says this is good dance, which is sort of imposing his personal choice on me. By all means play what you like, but accept that it may not be liked, and if that is the case, I think it's the DJ's responsibility to change tack to suit the crowd. Over the last few months there's been loads of posts saying how do we get new blood into the scene, and how do we get them to dance. IMO a starting point would be to understand if you're looking at an empty dancefloor, somethings wrong with your music policy. Winnie:-)

========== I don't think what they're played off is the issue, in particular not to the point Billy was initially making. I was just giving my definition of 'across the board'. Think someone said as long as every ones been catered for at some point in the night, then there's no room for complaint. That's why I mentioned the quantity of a specific genre, or DJ's recoginising a venues leanings, and playing accordingly. I'm still not sure what you'd expect from an across the board night, would it be each genre being played in equal quantities? As I said before it's all subjective, you probably have more knowledge than me about records, so what's an played out oldie to you may be quite fresh to me. That's IMO why, unless it's a "Specialist" venue the majority rule

============ I don't disagree about playing lesser knowns, I do disagree that it would create more interest amongst the majority going to soul nights. For most it's a nostalgia kick and IMO whilst they are in the majority they dictate music policy. If they want rarer stuff, there are venues that cater for that particular taste, but personally I think that creates a two tier system. If you really want to inject more enthusiasm into the scene, I think it has to be done in main arenas in front of big crowds as opposed to small venues, with small crowds as that could and has lead to claims of one-upmanship. An 'our taste is better than yours' mentality, which I don't think the scene should be about. Winnie:-) ==============

============= Most events these days advertise themselves as across the board....... I take that to be a bit of everything, modern, oldies, R&B, newies. The quantity of each genre played is up to the DJ performing at the time. I would guess if he/she decides they've got an up for it crowd on say, an R&B front, he/she would balance their set accordingly. If on the other hand the crowd are predominately oldies lovers, then the same principle would apply. Maybe I've over simplified 'across the board', how do you define it Dave? Winnie:-)

================ Could not taking a booking be seen as a lack of self belief? We all know certain tracks work for us on a personal level, but not for others. You accept Chalky doesn't like Oxford nights, and you do. If you take that to the extreme any DJ should also be able to accept the same principal, a record isn't good just because (for example) Butch is currently playing it. It may be good to him, but equally others may hate it. DJ's who like to play underplayed/newies are really promoting their own preferences and as such IMO have to take critisism along with the adulation. Any other outlook is blinkered, and egotistical. Winnie:-) ============ You'd hope so?

Personally I think the DJ has a responsibility to get the floor moving, as the playlist is usually his/her choice, perhaps they have to get over themselves if its not appreciated by the masses. It's part of the entertainment industry, so what do you do? Cater to those who want rare, at a normal night - emphasis on normal - There's another one! What constitutes normal? ================= Normal to me, is an night that doesn't have any pretentions, an across the board northern night, with an across the board northern crowd, which I think probably makes up the vast majority of our scene. Winnie:-)

=========== Very much a first Baz Also agree with you, throw in a few unknowns, if you've got the dance-floor people will carry on dancing. But the problem could be, yes the DJ has the floor, yes he/she's thrown in a few unknowns, yes the people have danced, and he/she thinks, I'll throw in a few more, all of a sudden you've got a dis-satisfied crowd. Then IMO, no matter how good the DJ is, he/she may have problems getting the crowd back into a dancing mood. Winnie:-)

============= Presumably the one's who prefer 'upfront' would be ok with an empty dance-floor, as their priority is listening to new/underplayed sounds? Personally I think the DJ has a responsibility to get the floor moving, as the playlist is usually his/her choice, perhaps they have to get over themselves if its not appreciated by the masses. It's part of the entertainment industry, so what do you do? Cater to those who want rare, at a normal night - emphasis on normal - I would think they're in the minority, or cater for the majority? If the night is advertised as rare/obscure or R&B, modern only, then the punter wouldn't have much reason for complaint IMO. Winnie:-)

============ The guy who introduced me to Northern was Polish, it was about 1972. Saw him about for a couple more years but haven't seen him for over 30 years now.

=========== Almost impossible to compare the two. Back then the whole thing exploded and was part of youth culture, and again in my opinion will never be repeated, not sure personally if that's a good thing or a bad thing? Musically probably better now, but down to a matter of personal taste. When you're 17/18 and fit, you'd probably rather dance to Reperata and the Delrons as opposed to George Lemons

========== Guess it's unfashionable these days, but still love "I'm on my way". Also liked Jimmy Cobb at the Ritz And "No one can love you more"

Im more cunning

The instrumental of Lady marmalade used to be played and that included the voulez vous line

Spaneesh mate....meanin "I'm nothin without you" (Not heard the track though!) ============= Bloody multi linguists

================ Sounds a little unsavoury, but probably something you need to take up with your 'Mate' on a personal level?? Winnie:-)

Could have been worse Andy, you could have said Keith Harris

============= Yours is possibly the best avatar ever to grace the pages of SS, slider, I salute you Back on topic, 'crying over you' has always done it for me, 'who are you trying to fool' is another, 'I'll never stop loving you' a third. List is pretty endless really. Winnie:-)

Maybe a few of the records played at the casino wouldn't get the time of day now, but we have got older and tastes change. It was predominately a dance scene back then, whereas nowadays the quality of the record seems far more important to most. Nothing wrong with that, but it can't detract from the atmosphere and the special days of the casino in full flow IMO. Winnie:-)

========== Thing is Chalky if you cut down the number of venues you get less choice. Sure you've said in the past, if you don't like the DJ line up somewhere don't go, vote with your feet. If you slash the numbers of venues, punters wouldn't be able to 'vote with their feet'? Winni:-)

============ Also thought sheridans had something special going for it. If you like smaller venues, maybe try the lifeline at the fox, quite an intimate little venue.

========== Yep would agree with this, nice venue, does have a tendency to get rather warm though Winnie:-)

============== Wombat ........ what's that all about?

You had me baffeled

============ I have great faith in our Baz