I know this is an old chestnut, but what do people consider acceptable formats at Nighters and Soulnights nowadays? Only originals, 2nd issues, boots..? Where should the line be drawn? Should the only judge be the promoter of the event?

The reason i ask is that in the past it was easier to keep it purely originals only i reckon, but now with all the likalikes, 2nd issues, reissues, and boots floating about on ebay and the increasing price of originals, most peoples collections are going to contain some of the above.

I know some will say originals only cos if you play a reissue the guy on next who paid £1000 for his issue will kick your head in....

So what's acceptable at

(1) A niter?

(2) A soulnight?

Does anyone ever think CDs are ok?

Matt

Edited January 29, 200520 yr by mattmale

surely as long as you honestly believe they are originals thats all you can do ....

i've never seen why local nights and niters should be at all different , should still be original only ...that way the local do maybe has a lesser level of tune but surely that is the natural order of things ....no?

Davie

I mainly carry sandwiches in mine

Matt, you might want to read these two old posts (one of which I started )

One of my first posts

one post now, I can't find Gene's post at the mo'.

Just found it

Gene's thoughts

Gene, hope to see you at Feb's Solid Hit

I know this is an old chestnut, but what do people consider acceptable formats at Nighters and Soulnights nowadays? Only originals, 2nd issues, boots..? Where should the line be drawn? Should the only judge be the promoter of the event?

The reason i ask is that in the past it was easier to keep it purely originals only i reckon, but now with all the likalikes, 2nd issues, reissues, and boots floating about on ebay and the increasing price of originals, most peoples collections are going to contain some of the above.

I know some will say originals only cos if you play a reissue the guy on next who paid £1000 for his issue will kick your head in....

So what's acceptable at

(1) A niter?

(2) A soulnight?

Does anyone ever think CDs are ok?

Matt

I'm of the opinion that anything goes! 2 separate topics to me...

When I'm a niter or a soul do, giving it some on the floor, not once do I think when a tune comes on, I wonder if this is a first, second issue, 12, LP, CD or MP3... I just keep on keepin on.

Where the topic of 1st, 2nd issues, bootlegs becomes relevant is in collecting circles. Attaining those elusive records, hard to find dimes that you can boast and brag to your mates/fellow collectors about, that's when that's important. Surely?

Every time you play a record you diminish the quality, even if only fractions. Some of these rare records are only be gonna be even rarer as time passes... I've certainly damaged records before when playing out, lost? the odd one. So if I had a rare original and a boot, I know which I'd take out to play. Some may argue that's like having a rare car and not driving it. But I would say, like the car's, bring 'em out for special occasions, one off niters where all records played are all originals. Regular do's, like I said before, as long as I hear a good tune, I'll dance! My feelings anyway...

I Agree Just Get On With It ,Theres Not Too Many Average Joes Can Buy The Original Vinyl Any Way,

The DJ's Credability Is More Important In My Opinion.

I know some will say originals only cos if you play a reissue the guy on next who paid £1000 for his issue will kick your head in....

Matt

link

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Great idea ! might make the Nites more exciting

certain DJ,s beating the crap out of each other on stage

HOPE I DONT HAVE TO FOLLOW NIGEL BENN ON :threaten:

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Great idea ! might make the Nites more exciting

certain DJ,s beating the crap out of each other on stage

HOPE I DONT HAVE TO FOLLOW NIGEL BENN ON  :threaten: 

link

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I can just picture it WILTON NITER hey ! Andy Dyson you toe-rag

you,ve just played The Snake on a Wigan Casino Russ re-issue

Bastard I paid 50p for a original of that --Andy D shut up Cunliffe

ere eat this slip mat and while your at it go and have a dance over the decks !!!

Originals only If you haven't the (original) records you shouldn't be DJing. Plenty of collectors etc who have

Originals only    If you haven't the (original) records you shouldn't be DJing.  Plenty of collectors etc who have 

link

Complete and utter bollocks. Same 20 dj's at every venue. Just kill off the northern scene why don't you?

You lot take yourself so seriously, it's just MUSIC in the end, and it should be there to share.

The bottom line is and always has been - the person on the dancefloor cannot see the label of the record and the majority don't care, they want to have a good time and dance.

The only people bothered about originals being played are egotistical rich collectors who can't bear anyone else to have the same records as them.

I could do an equally good set with my rag bag of a collection of originals, acetates and pressings than most of the people who do it regularly with £1000 records.

Complete and utter bollocks.  Same 20 dj's at every venue.  Just kill off the northern scene why don't you?

You lot take yourself so seriously, it's just MUSIC in the end, and it should be there to share.

The bottom line is and always has been - the person on the dancefloor cannot see the label of the record and the majority don't care, they want to have a good time and dance.

The only people bothered about originals being played are egotistical rich collectors who can't bear anyone else to have the same records as them.

I could do an equally good set with my rag bag of a collection of originals, acetates and pressings than most of the people who do it regularly with £1000 records.

link

Who said anything about £1000 records? I would sooner hear someone play quality cheap records than someone with pressings/boots.

Edited January 30, 200520 yr by chalky

Who said anything about £1000 records?  I would sooner hear someone play quality cheap records than someone with pressings/boots.

link

Why??

Why cut off your nose to spite your face?

i have to totaly agree with chalky if you havent got the real deal dont play it after all that is what makes a Dj's credibility! i dont like people playing all of the above its not what its about for me. if some one on befor me played a CD or pressing of the record i just forked out my hard earnd cash for i wouldnd be to amused come on folks lets keep it the real deal accept no immitations and the sound quility on pressings is crap!

i have to totaly agree with chalky if you havent got the real deal dont play it after all that is what makes a Dj's credibility! i dont like people playing all of the above its not what its about for me. if some one on befor me played a CD or pressing of the record i just forked out my hard earnd cash for i wouldnd be to amused come on folks lets keep it the real deal accept no immitations and the sound quility on pressings is crap!

link

Like I said, dj's make up 2% of the people on the scene and they and maybe another 3% who give a toss about stuff like this...the rest of us go to enjoy themselves and dance to a sound on whatever label...and this is from me, who makes a living out of selling original vinyl.

As for pressings being crap sound quality...which ones? I can tell you some that are better quality than the originals...Bari Track and Gwen Owens for a start

You lot take yourself so seriously, it's just MUSIC in the end, and it should be there to share.

The bottom line is and always has been - the person on the dancefloor cannot see the label of the record and the majority don't care, they want to have a good time and dance.

The only people bothered about originals being played are egotistical rich collectors who can't bear anyone else to have the same records as them.

link

A very difficult question to answer.

Record collectors and dj`s will always have a different perspective to this than us mere mortals, but they are not the majority.

I agree with Pete that the majority in the scene just want to listen, dance and have a good time and generally do not care and cannot see if it is an original or not.

Then again without the collectors and dj`s there would never have been new sounds and the scene would have died years ago.

So I guess the answer to the eternal question of only playing originals is that it is a good thing but it is something most soulies will never get that worked up about.

Ooooh one of the subjects to get the heart rate up!!! As a promtor and collector I agree with Pete, some may find surprising, but at the end of the day it's all about the music and 99% of the dancers don't give a toss. There have been some good points made by both sides and my own view is that we all exist in harmony, because the collectors are vital i order to bring new sounds to the fore, the soul night is the life blood of Northern Soul, setting many a newly aquired leather soled shoe onto the path of Rare Souldom, and the allnighter is the ultimate collectors/dancers/DJ's dream where rare original vinyl should be the norm. Now why don't we all accept that this is an arguement that will run and run forever and get back to promoting the great music that our scene is all about! ..... now where's my Casino Classics Vol 2 :-)

Let the music play.......

Mark Bicknell.

Let the music play.......

Mark Bicknell.

link

Amen to that

Originals only    If you haven't the (original) records you shouldn't be DJing.  Plenty of collectors etc who have 

link

I agree here, to me a dj should only play original. The music IS the most important thing, and a dj is just a servent to the music and the punters, but with the advent of CD's, anyone can do a blinding set of current "biggies" and "standards". Punters go to soul nights expecting DJ's to entertain, but also to educate! If the current crop of DJ's didnt go in search of the original "grails" then this scene would stagnate. Anything new would be reserved for private "bothy" nights for collectors circles. Well just my thought anyway

Steve

Both sides of the argument have valid points.

Pete's argument that 'DJ's make up 2% of the people on the scene' is one that I tend to agree with. Although I've mentioned before that I think the people posting on Soul Source are unrepresentative - every other poster is a DJ/serious collector/promoter!

Whether its a brilliant nite out for me or just an OK nite is influenced by the atmosphere on the dance floor. Generally I haven't got a clue who's playing originalls & who's playing re-issues. Its how they play that counts. Although Brian Rae mis-cueing CDs is quite frankly dreadful.

I know what it is that drives people to own original copies.......but it doesn't make them better DJs.........it also doesn't make them better people.

I know what it is that drives people to own original copies.......but it doesn't make them better DJs.........it also doesn't make them better people.

link

Precisely. I love collecting records as much as anyone, I started buying them in 1968...it's been the love of my life, but purely from a punters point of view, I wouldn't care if it was played off a reissue because it sounds exactly the same as an original. If I was a 'top dj' and had all these expensive sounds then maybe I would be pissed off that the guy before me played off a pressing but I'm not.

Obviously still plenty of milage in this one.

Personally i think the bottom line is with the promoter. If they say originals only, then who can argue? If they say Reissues and CDs are ok, then DJs who don't like that can go elsewhere.

Promoters dictate music policy to a large extent, why not format?

(my own personal opinion is Originals only at niters, and soulnites up to the organisers)

Matt

Edited January 30, 200520 yr by mattmale

(my own personal opinion is Originals only at niters

link

Yeah but why? This is what I can't get my head round

Ok spaeaking from a DJ point of view it's kind of an unwritten rule if you like between DJ's that the job should be done with authentic originals otherwise it makes fun of the whole ethos and ideals of collecting and wanting to DJ at top level, i chose to do it this way as it's how i feel it should be all present and correct you might say.

It's about respect and wanting to contribute to the scene in the best way possible be it playing a five pound cheapie or a big ticket item, the scene is based on rare soul records so is it not fair to suggest that if some DJ's wish to follow this original only rule then is that not a good thing?

Rare records often bring status on this scene it's how it ticks, who's got what, who plays what, respect should be top of the list here and not basically ridicule.

If the original format is not important then get rid of the DJ's and put a jukebox on the stage put a dime on D - nine and let the music play......interesting.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I agree here, to me a dj should only play original. The music IS the most important thing, and a dj is just a servent to the music and the punters, but with the advent of CD's, anyone can do a blinding set of current "biggies" and "standards". Punters go to soul nights expecting DJ's to entertain, but also to educate! If the current crop of DJ's didnt go in search of the original "grails" then this scene would stagnate. Anything new would be reserved for private "bothy" nights for collectors circles. Well just my thought anyway 

Steve

link

Have to side with Chalky & Steve I think, although I understand the sentiment of dancing to a great tune regardless. If you have travelled miles to a top nighter and you have good reason to believe they are playing pressings I think you'd be right to be a bit miffed. That's the thing a local soul night might be okay, but a premier event, as Sam said it's more special and original music should perhaps reflect that. I was at a soul night not long ago, when after playing Frank Wilsons' Do I love you (indeed I do) the DJ said "who cares if it's not the original" and a voice from behind me shouted "we do"!

Yeah but why? This is what I can't get my head round 

link

I just think if people have spent time seeking out rare sounds then they should have the privilage of playing them (although i'm not sure it counts if you've just got a very big cheque book and buy up everything you want) and a niter is a place to do it. It also creates a DJs special identity when they have certain records no one else has, and people go to venues because they know they will hear a rare record they might not hear at another niter because a certain DJ is on.

example - last night i heard the superb Hamilton Movement - She's Gone at NCSC, exteremely rare and even though i can listen to it on the net i'll still look forward to hearing it again when a certain DJ is playing it at a niter.

Edited January 30, 200520 yr by mattmale

If the original format is not important then get rid of the DJ's and put a jukebox on the stage put a dime on D - nine and let the music play......interesting.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Remember, you could have the best collection in the world, some of the rarest holiest grails, but if you can't cue 'em up, read a crowd, string a good set together then you may as well put a jukbox on stage...

Now if you've good a collection and CAN DJ... well, you may be on to something there...

Can a boot or 2nd issue be acceptable in a box? Hell yeah! We get enough delays at airports! I don't want record police searching my boxes at nites!

Nice thread...

I just think if people have spent time seeking out rare sounds then they should have the privilage of playing them (although i'm not sure it counts if you've just got a very big cheque book and buy up everything you want) and a niter is a place to do it. It also creates a DJs special identity when they have certain records no one else has, and people go to venues because they know they will hear a rare record they might not hear at another niter because a certain DJ is on.

example - last night i heard the superb Hamilton Movement - She's Gone at NCSC, exteremely rare and even though i can listen to it on the net i'll still look forward to hearing it again when a certain DJ is playing it at a niter.

link

Hi Everybody,

I agree, that it´s great to be on an niter and get to hear rare records and to look forward to certain dj´s sets - so it´s fine, they spin originals, though I wouldn´t realize the difference. But as time goes by, I think, if they used to spin re-issues, the whole think would lose its spirit. Still I wouldn´t mind to hear "Do I love you" or other sounds that just nobody can afford to buy.

For a smaller or local party I think, dj`s should feel free to use all the records they want to, so there`s more variety and it´s possible for more people to dj. Well, no CDs, ok? And I definitely don`t think, that, as someone said above, everyone can play a blinding set. It took me some time to do so, and there`s still some improvement needed. I personally play everything, though I prefer originals, but, for instance I got many (original) LPs, so I spin them and don´t buy the singles - some times I´m not even sure, whether the song is available on single. For me, a good dj tries to discover "new" songs, to play unusual things in unusual combinations and to create a good atmosphere. And, yes, it`s about making people dance, and not only showing them that you spent a fortune. Still, I have the greatest respect for dj`s and collectors who inspire with their sounds as I said above...

Let the music play.......

Mark Bicknell.

link

===================================

Charles Earland--Let the music play nice 70,s disco tune Pete,s favourite type of Soul.

If the scene was originals only, then would everyone be sick to death of Frank Wilson with only 2(?) copies?. Also quite often I have heard that owners of the one offs "cut an acetate" for DJs. Sorry but they used to be called EMIdiscs and they were illegal bootlegs, or is this a selective originals only scene?

When I first got into this music, I was taught the 'Northern Soul' etiquette, by the older guys who had been on the scene for years. Along with not laughing at people if they messed up dancing, not fighting, not stealing from bags left disguarded etc that we all take for granted today, I was taught, that finding that original piece of yinyl was 100 times more important than having a bootleg copy or a compilation lp. Its what makes Northern Soul, Northern Soul. OK buy a boot for 50p if the original costs more than your annual wage, but play it at home, not out to a crowd.

Yeah but why? This is what I can't get my head round 

link

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I think Pete's got this pretty much right. The majority of the scene is made up of dancers and socialisers. Stand back one night and look how many people go up to the DJ to look at what's being played. It's minimal. Yes there are collectors who have paid big bucks for records, but they are few and far between, and can't be everywhere on the same night. So that could leave you in a position, of playing underplayed oldies, (from an originals only point of view) cos the current flavour of the month DJ isn't available. Don't the promoters have a duty to the punters first and foremost?

I accept that there are some oldies that could do with reactivating, but there is another reason some of them are underplayed....they're not very good.

What would be the percentage for people walking off a dancefloor cos something being played wasn't an original? I would guess, very low, lets face it it's two separate breeds in general. The collectors want original vinyl, because they see that as the one true faith. The dancers/punters, couldn't care less.

Winnie:-)

Originals only, but as Chalky says they don't have to be thousand pound sounds. Given the prices some boots have been fetching in the last 18 months you could play a cheaper set with £5-10 originals anyway. Might well be a better set, too.

Don't get Pete's point about 'same 20 djs killing the scene'. What's more likely to kill 'the scene' is every Tom, Dick and Harry being able to play the big tunes because they can stick on a CD or a boot, surely.

If I go out I want to hear - to choose a rare oldie as an example - Bernie Williams 'Ever Again' occasionally and be surprised to hear it. Not to have it whacked on from a CD everywhere I go.

I do agree that you don't dance around thinking 'I'm only dancing to this cos it's an original' but in my view that's because you assume, at any quality night, that it will be. No mileage for me in DJs playing from pressings...takes away at least half of the fun.

What's made northern/rare soul so enduring over the years is the specialness not just of the music but of all the little ins and outs that go with it and one of those is collecting original records. Not everyone can afford to do it to a major extent and not everyone cares but if NOBODY did it and NOBODY cared the rare soul scene would long have been a total laughing stock and would certainly have faded away.

You might declare your interest, by the way Pete - you do make money out of selling boots, after all.

Original vinyl only !!

It is important to me that orginal vinyl is played at all-nighters. I have much more respect for the 'real DJ's' who insist on playing the original format. What is important that the scene moves forward and this will not be done with the playing of bootlegs. To break new sounds and move the scene forward you have to find the original vinyl and only the DJ's who insist on the original vinyl can do this. Therefore why should they bother if the new sounds are bootlegged and played everywhere? Competition is the key to quality and it is important that the DJ's are allowed to be competitive otherwise they will not have the same enthusiasm.

Also its not just the money that gets you the big sounds it is also a lot of investigative work. So in reality the DJ's who play the bootlegs are receiving the qualification but not sitting the exam in my opinion.

I also can't believe Pete-s is all for bootlegs being played especially how he is in the selling of original vinyl. You would think he would place more importance on his records.

Also I do think many of the people at all-nighters do care about the format. Local soul nights have less interest obviously.

Shane

We all talk about the quality of soul music being played at venues, but you have also got to think of the quality of the actul bit of plastic, most boots and reissues, the quality of sound isn't up to much when turned up loud.. On here you always get people comment on sound systems at venues, or when you are out, a certain dj may seem quieter than others, etc.. This could all be down to reissues/boots.. If you want quality sound its best to play originals... Weve all had it, at the back of the room and it sounds like pants... a Dj's job is to keep the dancers and everyone else happy, that is what they are there for and part of that is sound quality... No point talcing the floor and then hearing a terrible blurry sound coming out of the speakers..... even if your not dancing you don't want that... or if you don't care if its played on vinyl, CD, flexi disc whatever.. you just want to be able to hear quality sound in the venue... I know some of this is down to cheap systems but not all of it......

You might declare your interest, by the way Pete - you do make money out of selling boots, after all.

link

Go back over my last 10 lists and you tell me one single boot I have had for sale - apart from a couple of acetates I got cut for people to order - the answer is NONE. The last ones I had were from the batch that was done in October which practically everyone retailed. :graynone:

Original vinyl only !!

I also can't believe Pete-s is all for bootlegs being played especially how he is in the selling of original vinyl. You would think he would place more importance on his records.

link

Shane - I don't f*cking care, it's not important to me or the majority of people, 100,000 people dying in a tidal wave is important, my Nan having cancer is important, and me not having seen my daughter for 3 years is very important, but checking the colour of a label of a record at a soul night can surely only be important to sad people who need to get a life. Thats not just a reply to you, it's to all of you who put elitism over enjoyment.

If playing boots doesn't matter in the eyes of the punters then show me ONE TOP DJ on the scene today who only plays boots!!!! There ain't one - so someone somewhere obviously gives a s**t!

Yes the scene's about socialising, but for me it's first and foremost about music. If the northern scene was my sole(sic) social life then I think I'd fling myself off a cliff ....

Hammy

My desire for originals over boots carries over into all walks of my life. I would rather have a real Hugo Boss suit than a counterfiet of less quality. I'd rather eat Anchor butter than Kwik Save marg.

And don't get me started on those forkin imposters that turned out for Bristol City on friday night. How the hell they think we can believe they were REAL footballers, is beyond me.

Bring back Stix, Super Mann and Donnie Gillies!! Who says I dont like oldies??

If playing boots doesn't matter in the eyes of the punters then show me ONE TOP DJ on the scene today who only plays boots!!!! There ain't one - so someone somewhere obviously gives a s**t!

Hammy

link

Punters - dj's - two totally different species, you can't make that analogy. Of course the dj's give a shit, I never said that, what I said was

IN GENERAL, THE AVERAGE PUNTER DOES NOT CARE IF THE RECORD BEING PLAYED IS AN ORIGINAL OR A PRESSING

surely nobody can deny that statement is true?

Punters - dj's - two totally different species, you can't make that analogy.  Of course the dj's give a shit, I never said that, what I said was

IN GENERAL, THE AVERAGE PUNTER DOES NOT CARE IF THE RECORD BEING PLAYED IS AN ORIGINAL OR A PRESSING

surely nobody can deny that statement is true?

link

The point I make Pete is that promoters don't seem to have any appetite for booking "boots only DJs" at the big nighters. I am not disagreeing with your points of view regarding the average punter but if, as you claim, there was true ambivalence towards the issue promoters would book any old Tom, Dick or Harry or, to paraphrase Mark B, put a jukebox up there.

Hammy

Pete, the punters may not care at local oldies nights but at places like the Wilton and Lifeline they care a great deal. So its inaccurate to quote average punter and more to do with the venue.

Shane

The point I make Pete is that promoters don't seem to have any appetite for booking "boots only DJs" at the big nighters. I am not disagreeing with your points of view regarding the average punter but if, as you claim, there was true ambivalence towards the issue promoters would book any old Tom, Dick or Harry or, to paraphrase Mark B, put a jukebox up there.

Hammy

link

Yes I agree with you but I can't help thinking that everyone is missing the point I'm trying to make and turning it into something else. I've got the utmost respect for dj's and collectors who have these great records but I'm just trying to say that Mr or Mrs Average do not really care about labels and originals - that's all I'm trying to say, honestly.

For goodness sake, I must have had at least 5000 originals through my hands in the last few years including some incredibly rare items so I do understand, I'm just saying that it wouldn't bother me if I'd just gone somewhere to have a dance and enjoy myself.

Can we put this to bed now?

Pete, the punters may not care at local oldies nights but at places like the Wilton and Lifeline they care a great deal. So its inaccurate to quote average punter and more to do with the venue.

Shane

link

Shane please see my last reply, I have tried to explaina bit better and I apologise for going off on one a minute ago!

I don't think most dancers really give a monkeys.

I would also ask the question, how many DJ's can honestly say they have never played a boot or a pressing out?

Original vinyl only !!

It is important to me that orginal vinyl is played at all-nighters.  I have much more respect for the 'real DJ's' who insist on playing the original format. What is important that the scene moves forward and this will not be done with the playing of bootlegs. To break new sounds and move the scene forward you have to find the original vinyl and only the DJ's who insist on the original vinyl can do this.

Well said Shane, this is IMO the most important point in the whole argument. It's less about being elitist over labels and more about not hearing the same tunes everywhere.

Also its not just the money that gets you the big sounds it is also a lot of investigative work. So in reality the DJ's who play the bootlegs are receiving the qualification but not sitting the exam in my opinion.

Likewise, I have more respect for people who put in the work and time, not only to find the 'big' sounds but the different ones. With enough money I imagine you could easily buy a set of the same big tunes as everyone else, but you can't buy taste and imagination.

Pete

Apologies if I gave the impression you regularly sell boots - you just do very occasionally and as long as the buyer knows what he's getting that's his lookout (I'm sure they do, not having a go). Equally, not suggesting that's your main motivation for holding your views, of course.

However, your argument about the tsunami, your nan and your daughter reduces the whole thing to an absurd level. Of course these things are more important than an abstract real vinyl/bootlegs argument...much more important. But WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE NORTHERN SCENE the real vs boots argument is important. Or at least valid.

I also question your assertion that the 'average punter' isn't interested in this. I'm about as average as you can get and I'm interested and so are all the people I know on the scene. It's a bit condescending, I feel, to assume that there is a group of people - 'the masses' - who don't give a toss, have no knowledge, aren't interested and so on. As I say, I think most people ARE bothered (though not to the Butch-smashing-an-acetate extent)...they just take it as read that they're dancing to proper records.

It's not elitist, it's not about 'soul police', it's just the way it is.

Dan

Edited January 31, 200520 yr by Dan

Pete

Apologies if I gave the impression you regularly sell boots - you just do occasionally. Not suggesting that's your main motivation for your thoughts, of course.

However, your argument about the tsunami, your nan and your daughter reduces the whole thing to an absurd level. Of course these things are more important than an abstract real vinyl/bootlegs argument...much more important. But WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE NORTHERN SCENE the real vs boots argument is important. Or at least valid.

I also question your assertion that the 'average punter' isn't interested in this. I'm about as average as you can get and I'm interested and so are all the people I know on the scene. It's a bit condescending, I feel, to assume that there is a group of people - 'the masses' - who don't give a toss, have no knowledge, aren't interested and so on. As I say, I think most people ARE bothered (though not to the Butch-smashing-an-acetate extent)...they just take it as read that they're dancing to proper records.

It's not elitist, it's not about 'soul police', it's just the way it is.

Dan

link

Fair enough mate.

I'm just imagining all those people at Goodyears dancing and thinking "I wonder if this copy of Breakout is an original or not'

I don't want record police searching my boxes at nites! 

link

There's an idea, record box search...

'So an original issue eh sir?...Bought only last week on ebay?...hmm i think you'd best be coming along with me...'

M.

Having read all these strings I feel compelled to put finger to keyboard.

As a dancer and paying punter I want to go to any night (big nighter or local village hall) and have the dilemma of wetting myself rather than leave the dance floor to go to the loo because track after track is so good. We've all been to plenty of "flat" nights where the floor is cleared time and again by DJ's playing for themselves or worst still for the other DJ's on the list. So how can these DJ's, with their original records justify clearing the floor for five records in a row? I've seen several people mention that having the records does not make you a DJ. How true this is.

As a DJ my job is to entertain the crowd. To choose those 20 records that when played out will have the dance floor really rocking. Even those 20 records need to be chosen carefully depending on the crowd. What's been played before, too much R&B, too much modern (when there is a modern room upstairs), too many up tempo and everyone's knackered, too many bland mid tempo ballads etc etc. I will play new or rare records, but only ones I've listened to, danced to in my own living room played to friends to get their reaction.

In my humble opinion it should not matter where that music comes from as long as each tune pulls the set together and has the crowd clapping for more.

If one of the DJs before me has played a record from my set, good luck to him, the crowd is warmed up and I'll pull out an equally good record to keep that crowd going because I do not have my hands tied by politics.

I'm told there used to be a saying at Plinston "soul by any means".

As a collector I want the best. Rarest record, complete catalogue, original sleeves, correct label. For these very special pieces of vinyl I will sell my soul, my house and the very shirt from my back. Not everyone will understand why I do this, not everyone will like my taste in the vinyl I have chosen. I can sit at home with other like minded people and discuss the merits of each and everyone. I will know what is an original and what is a copy just by the size of the lettering on the label. Not everyone will know this but I will be happy in the knowledge that mine is the original and worth every penny of £675.

These may be simplistic views of a very diverse scene but I think we need to be careful not to mix these three areas up too much.

Not every dancer wants to collect, DJ or be educated.

Not every collector or dancer can DJ.