Len

Well said, I think word of mouth is the best way...Ref original post, nice idea Doc and I'm sure everyone knows your trying to help sort the problem but it ain't gonna happen... ...I once suggested that every event could go through a commitee, so as to keep everything in check, not clashing, keeping it all healthy etc, a bit like The Great Escape, where every escape had to be vetted and approved so it all worked well and didn't effect others....That didn't happen either... ...Good film though (My fave!)... All the best, Len.

The Soul Scene Ain’t That Bad After All! We’ve analysed the negatives of the Soul Scene to death now (trying somehow to put them right I suppose) As has been pointed out many times though, this tends to paint a very gloomy picture of the soul scene and any ‘Outsider’ reading it would wonder why we bother going out at all! So I thought it would be nice to have an absolutely positive thread to brighten up a gloomy Monday. I’ve just had a great weekend - I went to a ‘gig’ in ‘The Golden City’ of Coventry and we have a ‘Well Established Upfront All-nighter’ to look forward to this Saturday ;o) So in ‘The Real World’ things aren’t that bad after all are they? I’d like you to list a few ‘positives’ about the soul scene, they can be absolutely anything - just make sure they're good things! I’ll start with these – 1) I met Gilly! 2) Jeanie Tracy – Making New Friends. 3) I was at Soul Sam’s 70th at Boomerang. 4) Soul Sam’s coming to Northants again in December. 5) I met my Wife Nina (100 Club) and a couple of beautiful kids soon followed - (Two of the many ‘Ady’s Children’!) Ooooops – In no particular order! Lol (Sorry wife) – Over to you guys... All the best, Len. P.s – If this thread turns nasty, there really is no hope! :O(

Yes, although I get the whole Cybername thing, what annoys me is that I can have a conversation with someone on here but won't know who it is if I see them out, I struggle remembering peoples real names let alone matching up their Cybernames! lol Len.

Doh! - But I'm playing it now...watch this space.....maybe for another 20 years... lol All the best, Len.

‘Fantastic Mid-tempo’ is NOT an oxymoron I tell you! Lol See ya Sat. Len.

Your right there, best to keep everything. I'm always finding 'New stuff' on my shelves and I've been through them so many times. The latest 'Discovery' was Barbara and The Believers - What Can Happen To Me Now. It must have been in there for years, an absolutely fantastic Mid-tempo gem that is now in my play box. All the best, Len.

I now DJ with mine in a desperate effort to be 'Cutting edge!' All the best, Len.

It's not an issue is it mate? Len.

I'll try my best! Len.

lol, Yes mate, I think the thread's now run it's cause. Time to stop analysing, best to get on and 'Do'! Over 'n' Out, Len.

Yeh, of course there are some but the ratio of oldies nights far out ways them nowadays, because of the demand I suppose. All the best, Len.

Hi Marc, Yes that is a good point, lots of comments on many threads do paint a dismal picture whereas in reality we all have a great time, I think some just want to keep it that way so inevitably focus on the negatives, as to discuss them may just sort them out (Or not!) This thread is about why the difference in attendance, it's not Oldies is better than Upfront or anything like that. Fact is, the upfront scene is shrinking a bit and it's a shame. Maybe its because there are less 'Inbetweeny' soul nights where some of the new sounds are first heard which then filter through. But yes, think positive, think positive! All the best, Len.

Hi Russ, That’s about right mate, some people can be put off by a passing remark on a thread, but I think some almost want to be put off if that makes sense. It justifies not bothering to give something a go. I know some of my posts have been read the wrong way before also some have been taken out of context on purpose, but it shows how effective this modern technology is. It can be a good thing but it can also be a bad thing. I’m glad I promoted in the days of genuine ‘word of mouth’ this has unfortunately been replaced with something that can be misused, hence we now can’t tell if a venue is good or not by a thread as some threads are so far from the truth. Len.

Exactly! - If the ‘1500 Plus’ All-nighters appreciated that there is a demand for more ‘Upfront’ sounds in the main room and actually did something about it, the smaller ‘Upfront’ venues would naturally feed off the back of them. Len.

Some posts are so passionate they may be read the wrong way and miss informed judgements are like propaganda. As a promoter you need to be ‘Whiter than white’ so this propaganda has absolutely no grounds of proof. As you said Winston, it’s not the promoters or any particular person I don’t think, People’s perception of what these events are like can be perceived from something as trivial as a comment on a forum. To anyone who is reading this thread that hasn’t been to Life-line, I’d just like to make it absolutely clear that Life-line is still attracting plenty of people, the last one was fantastic. I opened this debate to try and get the point across to the ‘Oldies camp’ that the ‘Upfront’ events are well worth a visit, I just wish the ratio of 1500 - 300 was more evenly spread. All the best, Len.

Hi Chalky, As you know, there's no 'might' about it, I would put money on it that Spike would be pleasantly surprised...ok, I'll give him his entrance fee back if he doesn't enjoy it - You can't keep dishing out! lol That's the trouble, miss informed judgements. As I mentioned in my earlier posts I didn't go to The 100 Club for years due to trusting some one else's judgement and now I look back, the folk that gave me their opinons never actually went! So the message here really is that it's always best to try something for yourself. Spike, you would be welcomed, so why not give it a go at least once mate? All the best, Len. p.s - If you do want your entrance money back, I'm the one with the bald head (Honest!)

- I bet you know / remember a lot about records though aye?! Len.

Yes, with a capital 'Y' !!! All the best, Len.

Hi Mark, Not sure what the name calling is all about but just ignore it - Your a top bloke mate. All the best, Len. p.s - If it was a 'Man Bag' - Well that's different! ...(I actually have one of those, it was a present - If that's any defence! )

Yep, agree - Great idea. Len.

Well, I recon he would...If he don't, after Chalky has given him his entrance money back, I'll give you your entrance money back...But if he does like it? well that's up to you - A pint of lager will do me! - Is that a bet mate? If you like soul music, you'll like Life-line. Len.

p.s - Loved the flyer showing 8p entrance fee for two ref The Torch in 1971 - I would of been one years old! lol Len.

Some great tracks there mate and some great photos! - Is that John Vincent and and Soul Sam in one?!!! Well I recon you would love Life-line, give it a try and if you don't like it Chalky can give you your entrance fee back! lol - I don't think you would regret a visit for one moment. All the best, Len.

Over to you Chalky! Len.

Good post that sums it up nicely Andy. I sat on this thread starter for quite some time as I was worried it may back fire on me and I wouldn’t be able to go out again! - I’m so glad you all understood what I was getting at. Ref not listening which was mentioned in an earlier post, I’m guilty of this myself - Since going to Burnley I’ve got to appreciate some Good R’n’B - ‘O.V Wright - Love The Way You Love’, ‘Anne Peebles - 99lbs’ to name just a couple (Thanks to Willies C.D’s!) I was careful not to mention any particular venue but it was inevitable that Life-line was going to be mentioned. The D.J’s Life-line use are not at the top of their game for nothing, they have about 100 years experience each and so much to offer, I hope some of the ‘1500’ will at least give the ‘Upfront’ side of things a go sometime. To conclude in the words of Randy Cozens, “This thing of ours” - It’s great, let’s keep it that way. All the best, Len. P.s - I’ve just been dancing round the kitchen with my three year old daughter Tabitha to ‘Young Brothers - What’s Your Name’ F*ckin’ great! That’s what it’s all about! :O)