No.3 here we go...

Do any of you lot find that you're ever so critical every time you see another DJ work? I can't help myself, it's embarassing!!!

I do however secretly make mental notes of the good stuff though without actually ever mentioning it

The only DJ's I ever see work are when I am booked on a soul gig with them, on these gigs it's the music that counts. Finding that unheard or forgotten old soul tune that send the crowd crazy.

Yeah i've done a couple of these sorts of nights (Northern Soul type stuff), usually organised in Civic Centre's, playing long forgotten tunes and watching the smiles is an amazing feeling.

The club I work in every other Saturday is RUN by a colleague and Mobile D.J of 30 years experience!!, and I actually share the gigs with him (he does one week, I do the next) can you imagine that!!!. Talk about critical, the sparks do fly sometimes and I can't stand it when he hovers around, watching and listening to everything I do.

QUOTE (ian @ May 6 2003, 05:03 PM)

Yeah i've done a couple of these sorts of nights (Northern Soul type stuff), usually organised in Civic Centre's, playing long forgotten tunes and watching the smiles is an amazing feeling.

Sometimes at parties etc, it's great do drop some old northern stuff (the originals of party classics) like The Only Way Is Up, Tainted Love etc, and I also play a wicked version of Shakin Stevens Green Door

I suppose its par for the course really, we're so quick to rip other DJ's to pieces or think we could have done it different, better, whatever. Then we're very slow to admit we had a blinding night etc etc.

Having said that most of the DJ's I know don't really go to somebody elses gig with the intention of enjoying themselves, we normally go out of curiosity, nosiness, or because we 'have' to. Your average DJ only gets that ''buzz' from being up there working the audience, hence the "I could have done it better" scenario, and how many times have you heard from the guy sitting in the audience "I'm a DJ, I don't dance" no matter what you put on!

I've got the critical dj right here!!!!

Comes in the form & shape of one's daddy,
Spin, take note when your daughter takes over from you!!!
Do not pick her tracks for her, do not tell her where to put this that and the other and do not insit on that blumming jive bunny track.
or she might go out and buy a karaoke, har har

DJ's never dance...first hard and fast rule in the business.

My daughter would'nt do that she loves me! She would'nt......... hmmmm better b nice to her in case!

Yes Spin
do as Paula says
She sounds like my daughter.
Do they take pills for it?
He he he

QUOTE

DJ's never dance...first hard and fast rule in the business.

Who says???

I must admit that I do dance behind the decks - can't help it. Probably why I'm so kn***ered by the end of the night plus I do a mean Ketchup! (or the HP song as someone called it the other night).

Somewhere on another thread (no I can't find it now) there's mention of a jock using inflatable guitars etc & yes I do that as well. Could do with some more props of similar vein if anyone knows a supplier.

When an audience sees a DJ 'acting the goat' it helps them to lose their inhibitions. If a DJ stands there with his arms folded looking bored it sets a bad tone for the night.

Paul S

yeah i kind of agree with last comment, i dont actually use props but i do dance around behind the decks and do fatboy slim style hands in the type things !!! i hate seeing djs who just stand motionless behind the decks. as for being critical , i love watching other djs work, but i would never go up to them and say i'm a dj, can i help/watch/ go through your cd's like some do !! isn't that annoying ???

No no no guys that was'nt my point................. most DJ's are extroverts and I think we all dance or whatever behind the decks, I meant if you go to a gig as a joe public do you dance? Or do you sit and look critically at the idiot on stage!

QUOTE

if you go to a gig as a joe public do you dance?

I "NEVER" dance , unless its a slow and smoochy one ...... or maybe just had one to many

I rest my case! LOL

QUOTE (jeff wood @ May 6 2003, 08:36 PM)

yeah i kind of agree with last comment, i dont actually use props but i do dance around behind the decks and do fatboy slim style hands in the type things !!! i

one of the first mixing DJ's I saw to use the hands thing was Colin Hudd, one of the best as well.

The Legendary Chris Hill still uses all sorts of percussion etc. He's also a mean vocalist and adds superb harmonies (even) adding vocals to instrumentals.

In the London area recently there was a programme called SOUL where DJ's such as Pete Tong & Danny Rampling stated he was the best entertainer ever

QUOTE

The Legendary Chris Hill still uses all sorts of percussion etc. He's also a mean vocalist and adds superb harmonies (even) adding vocals to instrumentals.

Chris Hill is the main guy behind the whole Caister Soul Weekenders, and thus always gets the main slots each night. I've been going to Caister for the last few years with quite a few mates and have now got to know quite a few of the regulars there. There are many people who can't stand Chris Hill constantly singing over the great tunes he's playing. I'll give him his due, he knows his music, but is so annoying when he plays a wicked tune and then proceeds to sing along with it. He seems to think that he's a great singer, but the tracks he's playing usually feature superb vocals and he's doing them an injustice.
It's got to the point now where we check the programme each night to find out what time he's gonna be on, and we'll often check out the smaller venue when he's in the main room.
This is by no means just my view, you only have to listen to some of the murmers from the crowd when he's singing over the tracks to realise that he's pis ng people off.

I told u DJ's don't dance In front of the decks it's a different story than behind

Back to the old situation, some gigs prefer loads of 'fun' props, messing about etc, some prefer 'Dave Double Decks' timechecks, taxi announcements, year and chart position etc etc and others prefer just music (which defeats having a DJ 'to a certain extent') IMHO

QUOTE (The Spindoctor @ May 7 2003, 12:44 AM)

No no no guys that was'nt my point................. most DJ's are extroverts and I think we all dance or whatever behind the decks, I meant if you go to a gig as a joe public do you dance? Or do you sit and look critically at the idiot on stage!

I till go to many soul gigs, and always have a bop.

weddings etc, not really as I hate the music (some controversy for you)

QUOTE (Eskie @ May 7 2003, 01:11 PM)

Chris Hill is the main guy behind the whole Caister Soul Weekenders, and thus always gets the main slots each night. I've been going to Caister for the last few years with quite a few mates and have now got to know quite a few of the regulars there. There are many people who can't stand Chris Hill constantly singing over the great tunes he's playing. I'll give him his due, he knows his music, but is so annoying when he plays a wicked tune and then proceeds to sing along with it. He seems to think that he's a great singer, but the tracks he's playing usually feature superb vocals and he's doing them an injustice. It's got to the point now where we check the programme each night to find out what time he's gonna be on, and we'll often check out the smaller venue when he's in the main room. This is by no means just my view, you only have to listen to some of the murmers from the crowd when he's singing over the tracks to realise that he's pis ng people off.

But you still go back though. The point I was making that he was doing all thi years ago, one of the first. Not that it was superb.

Did you go last weekend?

and where are you based

QUOTE (The Spindoctor @ May 7 2003, 01:28 PM)

Back to the old situation, some gigs prefer loads of 'fun' props, messing about etc, some prefer 'Dave Double Decks' timechecks, taxi announcements, year and chart position etc etc and others prefer just music (which defeats having a DJ 'to a certain extent') IMHO

I disagree, its not just playing tunes its how you put them together, I talk & mix at all events I work on,

QUOTE

But you still go back though. The point I was making that he was doing all thi years ago, one of the first. Not that it was superb.

Yep I go back, cos of the roster of dj's they have, if he was the only dj there I wouldn't go. As I mentioned before, when he's on we tend to go to one of the other music rooms, so that we don't have to put with his singing!

QUOTE

Did you go last weekend? and where are you based

Yep, certainly did go last weekend, had a wicked time. My vocal chords are just recovering from singing & laughing all weekend, as are my legs after dancing all weekend, and my liver from drinking all weekend
I'm based in NW London, between Wembley & Harrow.

QUOTE (Eskie @ May 7 2003, 11:10 PM)

Yep I go back, cos of the roster of dj's they have, if he was the only dj there I wouldn't go. As I mentioned before, when he's on we tend to go to one of the other music rooms, so that we don't have to put with his singing! QUOTE Did you go last weekend? and where are you based Yep, certainly did go last weekend, had a wicked time. My vocal chords are just recovering from singing & laughing all weekend, as are my legs after dancing all weekend, and my liver from drinking all weekend I'm based in NW London, between Wembley & Harrow.

Well when you are one of the owners of the event you can do what you want I suppose, but the guy is a legend without him there probably would not be a soul or dance scene in this country. His sets at The Goldmine & Lacy Lady are what the soul scene is based on. But the guys an old man so give him a break.

I'll send you some Flyers for Soul gigs I'm appearing on.

16th May Seymours in Southend with Steve Jackson & Chris Alexander is the next

I do a few soul gigs myself. Your post has made me finally get round to adding a sig.
The one mentioned below is a gig I'm organising myself for Saturday week, and will be done quarterly. Ticket sales have gone pretty well so far.

Hope your ticket sales go through the roof mate! Pity I'm working that night or I'd have been tempted!

QUOTE (Eskie @ May 8 2003, 12:12 AM)

I do a few soul gigs myself. Your post has made me finally get round to adding a sig. The one mentioned below is a gig I'm organising myself for Saturday week, and will be done quarterly. Ticket sales have gone pretty well so far.

Good luck with the gig, I'll give it a plug on the radio.

Would love to come but I manage a youth football team and that is the presentation evening that I have to be at.

Just a thought, I am organising an event on Sunday 25th May in Essex, it's a Free admission gig. If you fancy coming down to play a few tunes you'll be more than welcome.

QUOTE

Good luck with the gig, I'll give it a plug on the radio.

Cheers for that

QUOTE

Just a thought, I am organising an event on Sunday 25th May in Essex, it's a Free admission gig. If you fancy coming down to play a few tunes you'll be more than welcome.

Gutted I'd love to, but am doing a wedding in Hertford that night. Hopefully I'll be able to make it another time.