Len

Well said that man - If someone puts a record up they wanna hear 'out 'n' about' next year (They're tip), that some may have heard 20 odd years ago, I don't think it a hanging offence.....Yes, 'it's' been done - well let's do 'it' again shall we?!!! I really do think I'll be off on my long awaited 'Northern Soul Gap Year' very soon - I hope to see some of you on my return (If I bother) HAPPY NEW YEAR! Len Just randomly grabbed this off the shelf - What a f*ckin' record! 'Leon Haywood - You Don't Have To See Me Cry' ENJOY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZevU_oZ8Nr0

I’ve just ‘nipped’ on here as Nina is trying to calm our kids down - I seem to have the opposite effect (They have just had a phone call from Santa) ……The Soul Scene is a place that seems to bring out true ‘human spirit’…..Sadly a thing that is getting sparser in humans generally, so is bound to ‘spill over’. But as Manus pointed out - when it does, it strengthens those that have it (and their bonds) Merry Christmas all Len

I think things are always changing - Sat night at Rushden, I had one request for ‘Sliced Tomatoes’, and another for ‘Jeanie Tracy - Making New Friends’….and it was noticeable that most danced to the Classics as well as unfamiliar tunes - that did not happen a short time ago. The Scene is never going to be what it once was (whatever that means to you individually) but there is still good times ahead I recon I'm off to enjoy Christmas - Have a goodun folks. All the best, Len

I still want a bit of both…. …..I know there are two separate Scenes, but both are enjoyed by a lot of people! I still believe the ‘gap’ can be closed at some places, and I stand by what I said years ago, that a 50% Oldies / 50% ‘Other’ event could work well - Some disagreed, saying that half the time one half of the crowd would dance, and visa-versa. This would be an interesting experiment - To whack a really good Oldies D.J (like Dave Evison) on, smack bang in the middle of Life-line…….Does anyone else think that would work, or is it just me? I loved the last Life-line as it was btw - This is just a hypothetical question, to see how others are thinking All the best, Len

Like someone said earlier - It's not revolutionary, but when it is judged right, and works, it's great (and adds a bit of fun I recon).....Coops was laughing as he said to me ....."Only you could have a full dance floor at Boomerang with 'Nowhere To Run"......Point being, it was unexpected (not genius) Len

Hi Matt, I think you've misunderstood the question mate - the way I understood it is.....Is it inspiring to chuck in a really well known record in the mix, when D.Jing? I think that's right anyway All the best, Len

.....How many times have we read?......"What a genius! He slipped in 'An Well Known Oldie, not heard in a while'....It sounded 'oh so fresh!'".....It probably did - That is called 'contrast'......I played 'Martha Reeves - Nowhere to Run' at Boomerang the other week, and actually said on the mike...."I'm not playing this to be clever by the way - It's just a good record".......It's called D.Jing - It's not inspiring, it just means one is at least thinking about making a set more interesting. All the best, Len

No worries, that's your business, - I didn't want you having any hassle by mentioning it that's all, let's not give it anymore oxygen (keep the thread focussed) It was great to see everyone last night - What fun See ya soon mate. Len

Thus, creating an exciting Scene....Which is basically what you said / meant - I'm 'heartily' agreeing When anything is predictable, there's no excitement........ Yes, some of these D.J's also played some 'naff' records whilst experimenting (by their own admission), but by doing so, it made it exciting (Sadly, I only caught the back end of these times) I would rather say...."Chri*t what's this awful record?" (Knowing that it was only a matter of time until 'BANG!'...."Wow" happened)....over...."Oh, not this again".......I think Len

Yup - I now don't want hear 'Sandy Golden' for at least five years - The thread on it alone, somehow 'stole it's magic'.....Come on - We love being a f*ckle lot! Len

That did need pointing out actually. On second glance, my post did portray...'there's loads of em'....didn't it? (I meant it has been known to some for a long time) All the best, Len

Hi Kimbo, Firstly apologies again that I haven’t commented on this until now. As I explained last night, I was determined to leave soul alone this Christmas and focus on the family.That said, I should have backed you up on here straight away (an oversight on my part) which needs addressing…. As ya know, I was worried that this incident could easily eat you up inside, and effect the faith you have in others, in fact, the Scene in general - If those special bonds disappear, there isn’t a Scene. I don’t actually know what the heck I have on my shelves, and am disappointed that I have to consider cataloguing (let me know when you are available to do so Lisa) …..If anyone has took any from my shelves (apart from being flattered) - Congratulations! You have got away with it….But as I texted Kimbo, remember…..“It is better to be stolen from, than to have to steal” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry this post is going on a bit, but it is important that you are reminded all is not lost Kimbo. …..Don’t lose faith mate, the odd ‘exception to the rule’ is bound to throw you for a while, you still have very loyal mates that you can trust (do not doubt that) ….A few days after a session round Dave and Lisa Vanners house, I noticed my ‘Reggie Alexander — It’s Better’ was missing, I presumed that it simply ended up in the wrong record box (no suspicions)….I rang Dave…..”I ain’t seen it, I’ll have a proper look, and ring you straight back”…….”F*ckin’ hell Len, it had fallen down the back, and it was between a couple of L.P’s — I’d never have noticed them if you hadn’t said….and guess what….there was a couple of friends down there too”…..I hadn’t even noticed, or mentioned the other two (titles irrelevant in this instance but both were very rare)…. ”Oooops” I said, and we both had a laugh about it — There was never a question of suspicion. I put a lot of thought into whether I should play ‘The Velours — I’m Gonna Change’ for you at The Pembo last night (just in case you may have took it the wrong way)….In fact, at the time of this incident, me and Nina had a discussion about giving you my Velour’s (and Gil Blanding) because I also felt your pain — But it’s not the records, it’s the trust! (Hence me playing The Velour’s last night) Kimbo, you have good friends — we may be an odd bunch, but we are as loyal and trustworthy to you as ya ‘Dug’ is....(Northants language meaning 'Dog') Len ‘n’ Nina x P.s — A friendly point to zootsuit (One of our ‘gang’) Probably best not to mention your John Manship situation publicly. He is a record dealer, and most would see that as business, but if it does bother you, I’m sure John wouldn’t mind speaking to you direct about the deal (The worse price will always be to a dealer)

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE - It's been great chatting, and reading all of you're 'stuff' All the best, Len

It was in Soul packs at one stage. Len

Welcome to my world! lol.....I find it quite a buzz really - 'S & M D.Jing' Len

Yes of course mate - Just making a point (meant in the nicest possible way an' all that) but yeh, all done now Len

....and that is something I have never done - ref the event I help run, we promote the fact that these people are not idiots, and have proved such because they are enjoying lots of tunes they have only just heard. My point was, that Tony Smith would be looked upon as a newies D.J really, but we forget that 20 years have since passed, hence his comment that he is now an oldies D.J (albeit a different generation oldies D.J to the Wigan era) I thought Smudge was a mainly oldies D.J? (Nowt wrong in that, just saying) All the best, Len

.....Well, it was the only way I could actually say those 'D.J words'......and I did apologise for any inconvenience caused (and any burns)..... ..... ..x.......x.......x....... Len

A serious word about Charity gigs. I don’t know Toc, so this is completely unbiased…… He (she?) comes across as someone who is genuine, and absolutely wants to raise money for Charity, as does Sooty (that bit is in there somewhere) Unfortunately this charity ‘lark’ has been spoilt for me, by some using it either as an excuse to put ‘yet another’ event on, or simply as a ‘hook’ to get people through the door. I’m not sure how others feel, but I go to soul events for one person - me, and I couldn’t care less if my entrance money went to good causes or straight up the promoters nose - Point being, if an event is for charity then great, but it makes no difference to me whether I attend or not. Good luck to all that raise money because they care. All the best, Len ……x……x……x…….x…….x…….x……..x…… I D.Jed back in……..absolutely blew the roof off……….x……x…..he he…………

Now there's a thought - Bring back the Mullet I say! Len

I was talking to Tony Smith 'tuther evening, and he called himself an oldies D.J - True in the true sense of it. All the best, Len

....Or he's as mad as a box of bats...... Len

......I'm surprised, and disappointed in you Mick All the best, Len P.s - Hi Sooty btw......Good god man - 'Head on the block' or what!

“Hey kids! Come and try this exciting Music Scene, ‘yule’ love it!”……….”Ok, we’ll give it a go Len!”………. (After the Soul event)....... ……..”So Kids?!”……..”Well, we ‘digged’ the music, and recon we could really get into that, but what spoilt it for us was the belligerent old men that moaned all evening, why can’t they just go out and have a good time with their mates?”……….”Yeh, you have a point”…… HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.....and enjoy, wherever ya go! All the best, Len