Len

I don't get this they are all right, different policy so won't affect us, it's boll*cks, we are all after the same punters. "Upfront/progressive" venues want the oldies crowd as well, we want them to embrace newer discoveries, it is working as well a The all-nighter crowd whether you care to admit it or not is an ever decreasing number of people, this is for various reasons.

I think what's being said is - Folk don't want an All-nighter on the same weekend as another 'Similar music policy' All-nighter too close by to each other as it divides everyone up, even groups of friends. You say 'How different and in what way?' - Life-line A/N would be very different to Stoke Oldies A/N (Main room) because of the amount of progressive and under played stuff that is featured at Life-line. So really they would be ok to be on the same weekend even if they were situated very close to each other, as in general they are for different audiences. Although point taken, still best not to happen if at all poss, as some folk enjoy both. I don't think anyone's saying one or other is sure to fail. It's more, if a certain kind of event is covered in a certain area, there's no point in there being another one. (I think that's it!) I'm getting confused - Anton, can you reiterate what this thread is about, as I think I may have gone 'Off Thread' even after doing my usual, checking what I wrote 80 times before I post it (Ok,ok 100 times!) Or am I following this correctly? Cheers, Len. (Hiya Mace!) "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

Hi Anton, Fantastic last line! lol When I said clashing of personalities, I meant between promoters who are putting on similar events in the same area - Point being, we've all got the same hobby - 'Together we are stronger' kind of thang. Different personalities and music tastes is what makes the scene great - I love the banter / arguments about music tastes as it's all done in good humour. Again personally, I'm all for different styles of music in the same room, as I think they compliment each other. Nowt wrong with one style either though - Say a huge Oldies All-nighter which I also enjoy or these 'Underplayed' smaller rooms. Variety is what makes it interesting. It's the too many events on that has (As you say) seen numbers suffer at some places. All the best, Len. 　"If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

Hi Matt, Ref "Is it ok to put on a nighter if it has the broadest possible appeal?' - Personally I don't think it's ok to 'Start' any new night whatsoever at the moment (Unless, as I said it is completely different to anything in close proximity) Any new night just adds to the problem. A while back I was discussing with someone that The Pemberton Centre may be demolished, they immediately said - "Are you going to find another venue" My answer was a massive NO! Another part of this subject is Djing of course, as it is a big part of why some people put an event on. I mentioned about bowing out of The Pemberton and my mate said "What ya gonna do about Djing?" - In a kind of 'My God' voice (Does that make sense?) My point is - As long as someone is putting on an event and the music I like is being played, there's no reason I feel I should promote OR DJ, that's the truth - Trouble is not many Djs play the monotonous 'Boring' Mid-Tempo that I like to dance to lol (Had to be said before someone else does!) So I will carry on Djing (If asked!) All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

PHEW! - Thanks Tony. Ain't it horrible waiting for a reply, when you've just posted a long post like that?!!! - I've been dreading the - "Who the f*ck's he think he is?" jibes - I've had em before! - I just care about the soul-scene that's all. Ego's can be VERY sensitive you see. Maybe there should be a 'voted in' committee to 'ok' any event taking place - A bit like on the film 'The Great Escape', when all Escapes had to be cleared by The Escape Commottee, so other escapes weren't effected. (Now, I'll get the "Who the f*ck, does he think he is?" Jibe!!!) lol See you next week at The 100 Club mate - Can't wait as an All-nighter there for us has been a good while because of the kiddies! All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

The Scene has already splintered and some good venues have suffered because of it. The way I see it is, if your not doing anything different from another event within close proximity, why bother? (Meant in the nicest possible way) For example, If you condensed three events into one 'Juicy' one, put on less often, everyone would probably enjoy it 3 times as much...That's as long as everyone got on with each other and focus on the music (And that's gonna happen?!!!) - Problem is, It's not just events clashing, it's also personalities clashing! One side of the argument is that a lot more people are coming out now, which is true. But it's gone too far the other way. In the 90's there must have been a tenth of the amount of events on - Everyone was happy being punters and it didn't cross anyone's mind to put their own event on. Don't attack me, I know I ran The Embankment Club back then, but there was a place for it. In fact I remember deciding to put it on a Friday night so it didn't clash with any All-nighters - Soul 'night' wise, there was only Albrighton, Desborough Ritz and later The Dome to consider clashing in the same weekend, let alone the same night! I gave up promoting in 2007 because it was damn hard work competing against all that's on (This is also one of the reasons why I'm bowing out of my part at The Pemberton Centre after the next one) I agree with you that it is a lot of work putting an event on and credit where it's due to anyone who does, but you all know how stressful it is. It puzzles me why anyone does it, let alone too many! It's not all bad as some say, but I agree it does stop some folk bothering as they are not guaranteed a busy night wherever they choose to go. Nina and I have had free weekends, looked at the events calendar and agreed not to bother as looking down the long list is just overwhelming. Be interested if anyone else has done that. All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's!"

Hi Russ, Message from Nina (In Blue) These Record Rooms will be the 'Long Distance' future of the soul-scene. When we're all too old to travel up and down the country there will be loads of litle soul nights in these places - Roll on! All the best, Len. "I wouldn't be where I am today without my Sat-Nav!" Best thread I've read all year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No politics just the shared weirdness of everyone loving small pieces of round black plastic. love it love it love it - I think we should organise record room coach tours!!

After reading someone mention 'Virgo' I new it was only a matter of time until Theresa mentioned my name! - I'm not only Virgo, I'm also (Ever so slightly) 'O.C.D' and proud! (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Yep I think I may be the only 'O.C.D' DJ! - God that's confusing what with 'O.V.O' as well! Lol - My point being 'Neat and Tidy' is best... I think we are all agreed that record insurance is almost impossible - I would recommend the Roller Shutter Door as you can see in my picture. Some may say extravagant, but not really compared to what we spend on records. All the best, Len. "It's worth remembering that - It is much more disheartening to have to steal, than to be stolen from..."

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Hi ya Russ, Well you've seen my record room. What you didn't see was me clearing out all the toys and washing before you came round! - That's the challenge keeping the Clan out! - Maybe get a lock on it mate? lol. Laters, Len. "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Nothing wrong at all with that Tony. The reason you here it is that sometimes DJ's don't do it correctly. For instance not 'Connecting' with the punters for a whole spot. I know this may sound silly to some, but I see DJing as some sort of art form and believe it takes years of experience to be any good at it (If ever for some!) This amount of experience and damn hard work in the back ground does shine through. Nothing wrong with anyone having a go for a bit of fun (At the appropriate venue), as long as your not delusionally confident (No comments please!) All the best, Len. "If your going to play records in public, the most important thing is to do it your way and no-one else's"

ps - The fact that such a great club is suffering mainly due to people putting so many events on and just 'Muddying the waters' in the process makes me not just very sad, but f*ckin' angry. Leave the promoting to people who are qualified to do so!!! Len. Grrr! "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Hi Ady, I'm sure we don't need to say how much the 100 Club means to us and its really heartening to see that we are not just a couple of over sentimental "ejits" , by the out pouring of similar affection from the other soul folk on here. From the 80s through to 2005 , when we stopped going due to having a young family, the 100 Club was the touchstone of our lives. Everyone grows up/older and everything expressed by others is true - cash, family commitments, too many dos generally watering down the scene into a localised "hobby", rather than a way of life. Our thoughts ... Go 3 or 4 times a year - the summer event could be the same night as Southgate, the autumn one would naturally be the Anniversary, then a nighter either at Christmas or in the spring - with really good promotion this would be an excellent way to get "the family" back together again. If, on the other hand, you finally decide to hang up your spurs, take heart in the fact you ran the best soul club, bar none, for over 30 years - there should be a Blue Plaque to you under that immortal red and white sign. The last night would be naturally packed out and not a dry eye in the house would there be for your last tunes - Christ don't do it, we don't think we could bear it!. Good luck in whatever you chose to do, and thank you from a couple of oversentemental "ejits" for providing the soundtrack to our lives. Len and Nina xxx "I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

Great record! - I've started sets with it - Still love it. Len.

Doh! - That's we're I've been going wrong all these years! Len.

I'm afraid so Joan Mike you need a new moderator sorry about that. Seriously though, I do except all-nighter wise defo has to keep the pace up, but say 4 in a row midtempo's to break it up is great. Len. Note to self - Stop shooting people just because they have different music tastes to me!

'Bang, Bang' lol It is a matter of opiniun, I love it if a DJ plays beautiful midtempo at 4.00 am, just love it! Len.

Hi Mike , Thought I was gonna get into trouble for that comment , As I said, no offence like - Soul-source great...But has a dark side (Nowt to do with the site though!) Anyway 'Off Topic' sorry folks - 'Albrighton rules ok' Len.

Hi Lin, We've been busy making Baby's - Tabittha's now 6 months old, so we're just starting to come out again...(A bit!) After reading the first post on this thread must admit it had the same effect on me. I went for a drive in me van and was very thoughtful - Have to agree, the soul scene don't seem the same now, I think it's a 'Post Wigan - Pre Soul-Source' thing (No offence like!) Just seems no one was dissecting every event, just enjoying them. Even Desborough Ritz closing was the end of that special era. Come on Boy's looks like another Albrighton re-union is needed to cheer us all up! All the best, Len.

I liked Albrighton so much I put one of my soul nights at The Embankment Club on in it's honour. On this particular night a few local soulies came up to me (With coats on) and said..."We didn't travel to listen to this sh*te" and promptly left...They boycotted The Embankment for quiet some time after that... ...The records that were being played are the same records that are now being asked for round these parts, so take that as a massive compliment boys. Len.

Yep, was enough for us. Great era for the soul scene, very healthy time. Len.

Hi Mark Your right, there is no point - Who would buy a record that doesn't play? Correct me if I'm wrong, but for most DJ's it does help if your records play!... - If the label is in good nick, it's a bonus. That's the difference between the 'DJ' and the 'Serious Collector'. I can't get my head round the fact if a serious collector finally comes across a really rare piece, if the condition isn't good, they would still not buy it...I think this is true anyway. Len.

Boot fair - Amoungt all the Tom Jones and Cilla Blacks, found Chapter Five - You Can't Mean it - C.B.S Demo! I was just about ready to give up and go to the burger van but Nina insisted we finish this box! I said to the 'Little ol lady' behind the stall - "How much for the records"...She replied - "50p for the big ones (Meaning The LP's) and 20p for the small ones" (Meaning the singles) - I nearly choked! - Didn't have the heart to try and bargian with her lol. You hear of these story's from time to time, and to be honest I never believe half of them...Then it happened to me! Still didn't believe it till I got it home and actually heard it lol Len.

Just about to type that! Great record, but what an awkward beat! Len.

Yep - All of the above! lol - No it's just overkill everywhere. Compare the 'What's On' pages in Manifesto mag from the early 90's to now. Back then it would be one page for three months events...Now it's three pages for one months events. This has also caused less people to travel. Trouble is it's hard to choose where to go as your defo not guarateed a good night. I say 'close down' for July / August, this way everyone will be gagging for the 'Northern Soul Season' to start!!! Len.