Hooker1951

The Empress Ballroom in the casino had a capacity of around 1500,another 300 or so and the club would have been crammed.the Palaise room in what became Mr M,would have looked claustrophobic with anything over 400,theBeachcomber about 300 So the complete set up was filled to the brim you are talking 2500 not 5000. Russ might have had double vision if he did that's problem solved. Keep on Trucking ML

IT took Russ w over a year to pay me £1000 he owed me for security at one of he's events it's a pity that £1000 didn't turn into £5000 like his numbers at the Casino did. ML

Russ was in charge of the Casino drug squad that's why they never caught anybody Keep on Laughing or you'll go insane ML

Russ could have done with some of those drugs. Because he's still not got out of first gear. ML

I Don't for one moment think that that new discoveries shouldn't be looked for and played at NS nights and all biters I run at present probably one of the most exciting promotions along with Andy Mcabe in the country where the best of the old is played with the best of the new if it stopped being exciting I'd change things because I will always listen to the punters because it's them what matter I've been involved with music over 50 years of soul and dance I've DJ,d MC,d and danced and done security for a lot of the artists who we admire on this scene.ive been in the clubs all over the USA and danced with the brothers and am proud to say have been told by the same brothers hey man you've got it.Ive always ran proper biters proper raves full on with quality music. forget Upfront or crossover what the word should be is the best at what your doing. if you don't you should be open to criticism and change your format.Always striving for the right Balance so most people go home happy instead of a few.I am always looking to re activate quality oldies.There are by the way no handbag gers or Beer monsters at Stateside just good soulies who love a good time whatever their reasons are listening, dancing or memories and Nostalgia it all adds up to make a great night and that's all you can do.So I if what your saying is upfront Stateside must be upfront with all the rest Peace Love n Tranquility ML. Excuse the biters I meant Niters

Upfront promoters and Upfront DJ,s means they just like the missionary position no excitement, they've all got fed up with Crossover another excuse for the Boffins of Ballyhoo music.Where everybody can pretend they are experts. come on Guys lets tell it like it is. Mick L

You put your left foot in your right foot out then you do the Soulie, Soulie and shake it All About. you've gotta laugh or you'd end up insane. Keep on Dancing ML

That's why I said each to their own. keep on Keeping on ML

I can understand people having different opinions on Timi Yuro But I find it hard to beleive that anybody who loves Soul Music does not like jD Bryant that tune to me is 100 percent solid soul each to their own but not to like that one surprises me. kind Regards ML

hi Dayo here's some information from an old wise head Yvonne Baker was first played at Wigan casino not the Mecca. keep on Trucking. ML

I'm more concerned about what's gonna be played next week. God Bless Mick L

Magic Carpet ride just dosen,t do it for me, sounds like mid tempo 1960's pop music, sounds like the carpenter,s ect . Kiki did much better than that and so did a lot of the 1960's Brit pop girls at the time who caught that NS feeling with the big production sound of the time. Keep on pressing on Mick L

Brian Matthews as always been a Library of information covering all geners of Music I started listening to him in 1962 on the sat club BBC and of course Thank your Lucky Stars ITV Sat Eve. He always Had a nice easy going way of giving information and Trivia.Probably one of the most underrated people in the era of modern music post 1950 with his knowledge of modern music . keep on Pressing on ML

I understand the point your making very well Chalky highlighted it in a earlier comment about getting the correct balance that balance can only aqquired by constantly being aware of the crowd your playing to are they a Allniter crowd who like substances,a soul night crowd who like a few beers,oldies crowd ,rare soul,or Modern, all these factors come into play to make a good time.I get the impression that a good number of Dj,s don't take these things into consideration and don't alter their sets accordingly.leading to empty dance floors A Good dj should be able to pull it back if things are going wrong not carry on jumping of the cliff.I Take your point about playing safe though I've been there loads of times the only options you have Steve is you can at least make sure the safe records you play are the best and not the same old.You have got to remember also that a lot of Soulies are at different stages of their soul lives. Some new,some just returned some who have never gone away.something what your bored with might be the best thing since sliced bread to them. Thanks for the question. keep On Pressing On Mick L

That's not what I said.I for one don't want to hear the same old tunes but some DJ,s can't even get it right playing them. if your bored to death it means your not happy with the Dj,s nothing wrong with that It's your humble opinion of course ML

Excuses! Excuses! Excuses! Dance Floors are for Dancing on that's why all venues have them Surely every DJ worth is salt should be striving to fill the dance floor.If not you might as well book a room with just tables and chairs just listen to the music or stay at home, friends houses ect and listen. it's a sad sight looking at a empty dance floor hours at a time, it's even worse when you spot some tumble weed blowing across it! you've got to try to put some passion in it and dancing is a big part of that passion in northern Soul.Remember DJ,s didn't make the music they just play it at least learn how to play it in the right order to create a atmosphere I used to think that DJ,s could all do that if they tried .Then I realised a lot of them can't. They think they can get away with playing a few big records here and there.and all will be forgiven.Or people think there gurus not to be questioned because of their ultimate wisdom in soul. my opinion only, humble opinion. God Bless ML

Thanks for the info both soul oriented bands, both with brass n horn section same name, Only about if my geography is right 300 miles apart pretty close in American distances. It's awonder they didn't bump into one another. Thanks again, Mick L

I Understand exactly where your coming from Len the more soul you've got in you the more you can give out especially with music you can't explain that to people who have not got it they just don't get it. I JUST LOVE MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY giving them good memories and if I can carry on doing that I'm happy when I don't think I can do it anymore I'll not need anybody to tell me to step down I will know and yes Len it is a bit of Magic and personality if you've lived a colourful life it can come across with the music you play to an extent the same record can have a different effect on people depending on who is playing it.some people might try to analyse what I've just said instead of just accepting We all need a bit more Magic in the World especially on the soul scene where people still go I expect to have a good time.Happiness and soul does not depend on record labels and expensive tunes otherwise you end up with schoolyard scenario where the kids all argue who,s got the dearest trainers it's the same mindset nothing to do with soul. keep on Pressing on Mick L

If you can't please them in an hour take a rest.Of course you can clear a floor for 2 and half minutes but not for an hour for Godsakes It's the music put together properly that matters not how much a record costs a bit more substance and feeling for what your doing might help Sorry ! Some Dj,s have just got expensive records which might make them think they are boffins of ballyhoo but soul a lot of them haven't got it . Keep on Pressing on ML

Billy Storm was the lead singer with the Tempests for a short while did recordings ie single I Apolojise nobody is saying its not Hazel Martin Iwas just asking a question? that's the connection he sang with them can't get abiger connection than that some of you anoraks are not as clever as you think.Take it easy ML

Bang on Len that's the magic they all forget about."im about to get with you springs to mind" Might be a it to cosmic for some people to understand. Keep on Pressing on. Mick L

I'll stick with Billy Storm then a lot better guess than Bobby Paris. ML

Would it be possible that it was Billy Storm that sang Someday? When he was fronting the band. He had the voice for it. Keep on Trucking. ML

I .cant see anything clever or profound coming out with statements like that Sorry,! serious GBH could result from insults to an audience like that if anybody called me a dickhead for my musical tastes I'm afraid I would have to have a little chat with them even if to some not all they represent the best DJ on the planet. CIVILITY COSTS NOTHING BUT MEANS A LOT. Come on soulies deserve better than comments like that they pay their money have their own opinions and support the venues.Talking down to them can't be helpful to creating a good Atmosphere. remember to some people what might sound clever to others it hurts. Let's be careful out there if their were no soulies their would be no DJ,s Peace and Tranquility Mick L

NO they can't. ML