Len

Me neither…….and is also why I have decided to ‘choose life’, only supporting one All-nighter (if I can be bothered) This Saturday night I was with my young family on an open top boat, sailing down the Thames at Henley (Someone's 50th Wedding Anny) - No Soul event nowadays is better than that to me. All the best, Len P.s - Except for ‘Len’s Den’

Oh god!, I was retiring from posting as much - damn you all!!! .....Ref above - I'm always very interested in this, and heartily agree, I think it's important. Ref Sean - He D.Jed for me a few times in the early 90's at The Embankment Club, and straight away I recognised his genuine passion for the music. Back then he mainly played crossover (Que Terry! he he) What Sean has 'developed' into is a D.J is one that usually has a 'job to do' and he does that 'job' very well. I have had 'heavy' conversations with him about this - He loves 'doing what he does', but would sometimes like to 'play from the heart'. This is what he said to me when I tried to book him for 'Silks' to do just that - "Len, I'm gutted, I'm booked elsewhere that night - I long to D.J at a venue like 'Silks' where I can play exactly what I want" So, reflecting on this thread, I actually understand Terry's views, but I believe Sean is giving people what they want - So can anyone really knock him for that? One last thing - Sean has never taken credit for anything anyone else has done, I have often heard him give credit to someone on the mike about records, or reiterating facts of interest about someone in the hall to everyone, maybe about someone who has influenced him, or written a book (whatever) This is done genuinely. Sean knows the position he is in, and he works hard at it - So a well done for that is in order. All the best, Len P.s - I often compare 'The Soul Scene' to 'The Comedy Scene' - There are many sh*te comedians that even make it to Telly, that I can't stand (often ripping other Comedians material, or simply not funny) - But the masses love em (This is not aimed at you Sean xxx)

....and WHY wasn't I told this?!!! Len

......You're as bad as me Dave!........The economy remember?!!! Great tune.....I'll have a third if there's one going! .......(Don't tell Nina......please.....) All the best, Len

……Well all these years later (I was 4 in 1974) your black attire (respectfully) scared the sh*t out of me!…….There I was on the way to Burnley (in the back of John McClures car), sat next to this ‘Dark Stranger’..……in the loud flowery ‘number’ that I had chosen to wear on this occasion………Gawd……. Hey Irish - Always a pleasure to meet one of the real originals ……what must you have thought?!......Actually, don’t answer that………. All the best, Len

Crumbs - Good on em!.........I'm now hoping my records will (at least) treble in monetary value......then - I will sell (The Mrs will make me! ) All the best, Len

Forgot this thread was going - I'm now gonna click 'follow' so it reminds me to log on every Tuesday......I just 'liked' a post from April! - Bless ya Ted See you 'on air' (That don't make sense) tomorrow night....If my blo*dy computer logs on! ...If anyone has any tips on that please share, for some reason my computer doesn't log on to Banbury at all sometimes - Every where else is fine......I'm sure Nick has a 'joke' in there somewhere on that! All the best, Len

I am envious of you Tony - It must have been f*ckin' amazing to be there when he first played it......All this attention on it don't seem right somehow..... All the best, Len

....I call em 'Safety Records'.......and I need em! Len P.s - They are records I do like though

Len xxx

Yes, I admit it can be a complete waste of time and energy (mostly! ) So many times I've changed at least half of what I'd planned to play, but I still do it - As I said, it gives me a foundation to work on......it also acts as some amusement to my 'so called' friends! Tell you what, I really don't know what the 'Top Tip' for starting D.Jing on the Soul Scene is - I suppose (as has been mentioned earlier) it would be to grow a thick skin (especially if you are 'lucky' enough to know Danny and Terry! )......Let's face it, we are all terribly passionate about our own tastes, which unfortunately results in some hurtful things being said sometimes...... ......or maybe the 'Don't bother' Tip was the 'Top Tip' - In a 'Don't put yourself through it' kinda way Len

I disagree with ref 'being a swot' - Do what suits you, and if that means working out a set that you are happy with before hand, then fine. At least it gives you a foundation to work on - Most times you will change it to suit the mood / dance floor reaction anyway, but at least at home you have plenty of time to think of choices, rather than just the time it takes for a record to play. It's a pain getting home, and thinking "Damn, I wish I'd played that!" ...What works for some, may not work for others - just do it your way. All the best, Len

I agree Terry, hopefully the promoter chooses the D.J because they would suit their club, but I've seen D.J's booked because a promoter has enjoyed them at another club (where they have gone down well) but not considered if they would suit their own club (Basically just 'blindly' booked em) It can be torturous for the D.J to find himself in that position, so if their 'research' makes them come to the conclusion you mention above - that the club doesn't play what they like (or at least what their 'forte' is) then that is when they should politely decline the booking - I got asked to D.J at a place in Northampton the other month by someone who hadn't seen me D.J for years, I said to leave it that month, and I went as a punter to check the place out first - As it happens, the club suited me, so I went ahead and did it a couple of months later. I know exactly what you are saying - when I say 'research', I don't by any means expect someone to change their individual style to suit the club they have been asked to D.J at - That would be D.Jing just to be a D.J (Surely that 'Malarkey' doesn't go on does it? ) ....That would be akin to me D.Jing at Burnley, then Danny D.Jing at a 'Midtempo Night' - We both may well 'scrape' through, but what would be the point when others would 'fit the bill' so much better? All the best, Len

I agreed with both these, which is confusing - I agree that the full responsibility in the right D.J's being booked lays with the promoter, but at the same time, there's something to be said for doing a bit of research (fine tuning if you like) Hopefully you would have attended the place as a punter anyway, so are 'part of it' Anyway, back to 'Sharp Top Tips' (hope this post is ok with you Mike) All the best, Len

......Oooooh, one more - please Mike! Len

...S*d it, I've started now - Last one I promise (You wanna see the past thread about promoting, god I went on a bit....... ) Anyway.....Never 'develop a swagger' - You didn't sing the blo*dy tunes Len

Doh!!! Sorry...... Len

Be influenced by other D.J’s by all means, but don’t tread on any toes - A fine line to tread. Maybe ‘tip your cap’ to someone that has done so on the mike (It kinda gives you licence to ‘play with pride’) Ooops, you said ‘Tip’ not ‘Tips’ Mike! Len

As has been said - The night isn't all about you, listen to and enjoy the other D.J's records, and the whole night - The D.J bit is just an added extra to your evening's 'adventure'. Len

Play Soul Music...... Len

Don't swear over the mike, unless you're Scottish......it just don't sound right else - and is so uncouth. Len

......try not to cry until you get home Len

Absolutely.....but if you feel you need to do that to often, try thinking a bit more about offering something else from your collection. Len

Double post