Len

Good man, I think what people are getting at (the ones that you say ‘sound like they are ashamed of admitting it’) is when they see people who dress ‘the part’ (etc etc) but never did it in the first place, trying to fool others they did. Reason being, is that it makes a mockery of the whole thing. Those people ain’t got ‘The Aura’ that’s for sure, and for the people that have - It ‘pains’ them. The Northern Soul Scene is renowned for exposing frauds; unfortunately it’s now ‘awash’ with them, so I guess this is why people strongly speak out when they can. I can see how it can be perceived as people denying their past, but I don’t think it is that. ….In saying this, life's too short (and getting shorter) and I’m finding it best not to get too 'het up' over these things anymore. Like you said it was a “youth culture”, and this is where this ‘talk’ comes from, it’s most definitely not something for middle aged people to fall out over. All the best, Len

......Oooooo, am I dreaming?!!! Don't worry Barry - You ain't seen me D.J mate All the best, Len

....and you shouldn't be mate! I don't think anyone is ashamed of how they used to be......Although what I'm talking about is before my time, I fully understand that back then no one knew what you were into except 'the others'. Walking down the street 'Soul Strangers' would recognise that 'Northern Soul Aura' in each other (Think of the old Porridge advert, and that warm glow around the person after they've had their breakfast).......I know what I mean. ....But know one else knew anything about it......How cool is that? All the best, Len

Jeese! I just cracked up - I read your post so fast, that it read 'Clogs' instead of 'Clocks'! ...... 'Northern Soul Clogs' can you imagine?........Sadly.....yes......... I know what you mean. All the best, Len

.....and to 'round up' .......It 'used' to be a 'cool thing'...even I'm not 'cool' anymore ......It's an enjoyable past time for middle aged people - Nowt wrong in that......I don't think..... All the best, Len

....Chr*st I really should read your whole post before replying..... ....I f*ckin' hate youngsters! Len (again)

Sorry Barry....I thought we were Len

Chr*st why ever not?....have you ever met a 'normal' soul person? - I ain't for sure! ........meant in the nicest possible way of course All the best, Len "What's normal aye?"

.....Not forgetting 'Prog Northern'.....I'm still waiting for that Concept Album All the best, Len

Yes it's great when there is a nice 'camaraderie' between the D.J's - It really does make for a good night There's nothing wrong in working out a set beforehand (I always spend a lot of time working on a set prior to an event) admittedly, usually changing it somewhat to suit any given night, but it gives me a 'foundation' to work on - It works for me anyway. .......and it gives Brian Goucher and 'the like' a tremendous laugh,when they ask me how many records I took out of my set after I've finished my spot, having taken bets on it knowing the hours I've put myself through at home! ....Hey, that's me. All the best, Len

I say....."Sh*t Motown that never made it, you wouldn't like it" Len

Beat me to it! - Being a welder I've repaired lots of Skips in my time Sorry guyz - Good luck with the repair The only time I repaired a skip (let's say jump) I simply put pressure on the needle (by pushing on the cartridge) while it went through that bit, and it worked - Maybe more luck than judgement though, I don't know. All the best, Len ......and that's exactly what the last post said - Doh! .....I'll go and have a read

Likewise mate, likewise. The D.J line ups also frustrate me sometimes - What's the point in putting 'another' event on if the D.J line up is the same as is already being done? Even if the said D.J's are good, it makes it more interesting if they are not 'over used' and more 'Under The Radar' D.J's are used, at least along side them - It's kind of done me a favour actually, because I'm now focussing more and more on family life (as I should be I know) but when the Soul Scene was great, I couldn't focus on anything but - So thank you (whoever you are) All the best, Len

......Well for Johns records I'd say that was a very good deal......and if the guitar had strings, well I'd say John was very lucky! Just kidding John! ....'D.J Banter' Ho Ho Ho. All the best, Len

Doh! .....to late.....But ya luv him the more for it Seriously though, I've done some great trades with Gary............I've always wanted a Penny Farthing Bicycle, and he said those Magic Beans will work, I just have to wait that's all........ Top fella All the best, Len

Yep Val is fantastic ('The Den' again) Everyone else is mentioning venues because it's relevant to the discussion, so I hope I'm not over stepping the mark here Mike. Russ - Can you change this thread into 'Who we would like to see 'more' behind the decks' rather than 'back' behind the decks?.........and 'as if by Magic', the whole Soul Scene was transformed........or not...... All the best, Den......Sorry, I mean Len .......(of the Den)

Ahem, yes. This is why I got the contract drawn up - And he signed it bless him! It now resides in my record room - We both have a copy (Obviously)........ ........I Gary Holyman promise no matter how confused Len gets, agree not to sell him any of his own records. Signed Mr Gary Holyman. All the best, Len

Yep, I getcha - You meant you 'don't care who is behind the decks' (as long as they can D.J) in a 'goes without saying' kinda way - Noted. The rest of the post also agreed......And approved All the best, Len

....Hang on, I'll go back and read your post again. I thought you said "I don't care who is behind the decks", and I took that literally - back in a minute. Len

I'm a good D.J, but a sh*t collector! ...."What's that called again?"....."You just f*ckin' played it!" lol ..........Here come the comments........... All the best, Len

I would have liked to see Ady Croasdell in more places other than The 100 Club - He's done Life-line once I know which was great. I saw Colin Law D.J at Life-line and The Wilton btw, and enjoyed both. Dave Vanner is pretty unknown, he wasThe Embankment Club resident, which was running at the same time as Albrighton (pushing the boundaries as much as the locals would allow - and some) Maybe not the first to I know, but Dave was playing 'Wade Flemons - Jeanette' back in 1994. Gilly I'm sure would vouch for him. .....but this isn't really 'return to the decks' so sorry about that Russ - I'll get me coat All the best, Len

I care very much 'who is behind the decks’ playing the records - how a set is put together makes a heck of a difference, and a D.J’s personality can transform a set....This has been discussed briefly before, and I remember a point made by some one, they said that Butch and Andy Dyson don’t exactly ooze with ‘Stage Presence’. This is true…..or is it? I think being who they are (and there are others) as in people with such ‘ammunition’ (records, knowledge, experience, down time) that in itself gives them a ‘presence’ and deservedly so. It may look to some like they just solemnly go and ‘plonk’ some records on, but there’s a lot more to D.J’s like that - they don’t ‘light up’ a night by doing just that, that’s for sure. Play lists mean absolutely nothing to me as a guide to how good a venue is, and I never read them. I focus on who’s playing the records, and trust their judgement on what they choose to play at any given time - ‘The time is right’ an’ all that. I wish I'd been around when the likes of Guy Hennigan, Keb Darge, Colin Law, Jocko and 'the like' were 'at their height' going by stories and tapes I've heard - Such passion and knowledge 'oozing' out of them....Or was it aggression? - Loved it, whatever it was N.B - As I said, not a criticism, I have seen both Jocko and Colin Law (and Guy and Keb come to think about it) 'in my time' and I was still impressed with what they had to offer....but back then? Wow! All the best, Len

It sure does, as does D.Jing......There you go - 2 'Electric' topics to be discussed! Not forgetting the seriousness of this topic of course, also I hope some good news is on the horizon for Craig. All the best, Len

Yes, lovely times mate. I have always said to the wife (Nina) that she has been spoilt because she was going to The 100 Club since she was 16 years old, she didn't understand things 'around these parts' (Northants) ,....Yes, very spoilt, and very lucky to be in the thick of The London Scene. I also count myself as lucky / privaliged to have experienced the 90's down there (and across the country) at that time - All very healthy, and not to be repeated, because it wouldn't be the same. I also loved Ben Summers little event - Shelly's. All the best, Len

Why are we always looking back? I agree some great D.J's there, but some have simply 'had their time' and they would be the first to admit it, because it's not a criticism. Gary Spencer - fantastic, but he's 'gone fishing' and I doubt would have the same 'impact' that he did when he was 'on point' - D.J's at their height, is when they are still 'doing it' with the rest of us - Carl Fortnum hasn't really stopped, so (to me) still has loads to offer. Nothing wrong with 'wheeling em' out every so often for nostalgia purposes, but careful now, or we'll end up turning into the exact thing we moan about! All meant in the nicest possible way of course All the best, Len