Saturday Night Bonus

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davesparty
Last night I had a great gig for a really lovely bunch of people across town in Botley. The occasion was a surprise 40th birthday party – now surprise parties are sometimes …
a) not a surprise, and
b) not always what the birthday boy or girl really wants
… this one was fabulous. A really good turn out of friends and family who had all managed to keep the secret from Dave, the birthday boy, who was genuinely blown away by the surprise. Dave and his wife Claire have two lovely children and it was fun to see them with their cousins and the children of all the other guests having a great time along with the adults.

Claire emailed me in the week to see if it was OK for her brother-in-law, Omar, to sing a couple of songs, she said he used to sing in the eighties. I replied is that “There’s Nothing Like This”, Omar? – it was, and what a top bloke he is! He did three tracks for us, “There’s Nothing Like This”, a Carnival song he wrote a few years ago, and a crackin’ version of the old William De Vaughn song “Be Thankful For What You Got”. My only regret was that I had my hands full and couldn’t record his performance on my phone, but here’s the original video for “Nothing Like This”.

Wedding Tips ~ Number 2

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I wasn’t going to post a second tip quite this soon but I’ve just been reading the DJ message boards for everyones weekend experiences which prompted this quick post.

Basically what we’re looking at is the DJ not turning up … for someone’s wedding! Last weekend this happened to several people around the country. So, that’s another really good reason to spend time finding the right DJ and getting to know him.

Here’s a report from Watchdog about what looked like a big, professional looking, company supplying entertainers for children’s parties – the result is the same.

Wedding Tips ~ Number 1

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I’ve been DJ’ing at weddings for … more years than I care to remember. As a result I’ve seen and handled all sorts of events – every one different – every one special. The service I offer now, and the advice I can give, is based on my lifetime’s experience.

Frequently things come up that I’d thought of before and then forgotten about, so I’m starting this thread to record as many of my thoughts and ideas as possible – I hope you’ll find something to help you on your big day!

Let’s start at the beginning – you’re getting married – you want an entertainer for your evening reception and have decided to book a disco. So how do you choose one?

Have you seen a DJ at a similar event that you really enjoyed? Track him down and have a chat.

If you have decided on a venue, do they have DJ’s they recommend – give them a call, have a chat.

You haven’t seen a DJ? Pick up the yellow pages, go online, find a dozen DJ’s – call them – HAVE A CHAT!

Yep, you guessed it, my first tip is find some DJ’s and talk to them lots of them!
Are they really interested in you and your wedding?
Do they sound like the right person to host your reception?
Do you like them?

You are going to spend a small fortune on creating the best day of your life, your DJ has the responsibility of bringing that day to a successful conclusion – it’s probably a great idea if you get on. I’m constantly amazed by the number of people who book a DJ they’ve never met and frequently never even spoken to.

I’d love to have a chat about your big day.

B&G

Legend … FACT

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Book
Another reason I’m DJ’ing now is Chris Moyles. Just like Tony Blackburn, back in the day, his show made me think about DJ’ing again. Every morning he makes me, and the wife, laugh … that’s EVERY morning … we laugh out loud! We even wake up earlier than we used to now that the show starts at 6:30 every weekday. I could bore you for hours with memories of Moyles, and got his book (well the first one) too.

moylesteam
Chris & the team – Dave, Aled, Dom, Rachel and Carrie.

Today he took the record as the longest serving breakfast show presenter from the great T.B.
There are many things planned to celebrate this event, the last half hour of the show today was a 30 minute mix by Jaguar Skills of some of the best bits from the last six years. If you go to the Chris Moyles pages at Radio 1 you can listen and even download the mix.
090904_jaguar_265
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles/jaguarskills/

Legend … FACT

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01tony_blackburn
Probably the reason I’m a DJ now – Tony Blackburn – blame him!

Here, famously on 30th September 1967, is disc-jockey Tony Blackburn adjusting his headphones at the opening of BBC Radio’s pop music station, Radio 1.

I loved radio, I loved music and I loved comedy – Tony ticked all the boxes for me aged 10 – and he still does now. I’ve seen him live a few times over the years, the first was at the Top Rank in Southampton, one lunchtime in the late 60′,s when the Radio 1 Club came to town – all I can remember was the crush and Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross”.

Today Tony still holds the record for the longest serving Radio 1 breakfast show host, but only for a few more days.

Whatever the future brings, Tony Blackburn is a legend and he has been a huge influence on my life.

The Big Reunion

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bigevent h
Last night I DJ’d at Oceana in Southampton with my great mate Stevie Q. We were part of the team for The Big Reunion, an event organised to celebrate the Golden Age of clubs and bars from the eighties and nineties in the Southampton area. More on this event to follow.
S&Ptbr1

Top Tunes For August

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Augtunes
Summer is nearly over – I think it was on a Wednesday two weeks ago – so, Christmas starts tomorrow.

Here are our selections from this months play-lists.

Joe chose …
1. Mstrkrkft Ft. John Legend ~ Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix)
An incredibly catchy tune. This has to be my favourite of all the remixes.

2. Sub Focus ~ Rock It
I Don’t usually listen to much DnB but his track is just great. Its really powerful and in your face.

3. Bloc Party ~ One More Chance
You just have to love the piano in this. This song is much ‘dancier’ than previous Bloc Party and I like it 😀

4. Nneka ~ Heartbeat (Chase & Status Remix)
I can’t really explain what I like about this, just good I guess. 😉

5. Calvin Harris ~ You Used To Hold Me
I’m a big fan of Calvin Harris and this is my favourite track from the new album. It really gets me nodding!

Paul chose …
1. Athlete ~ Superhuman Touch.
The first single from the new album “Black Swan” which has finally arrived. The wife an I won tickets to see them at an “Up Close And Personal” showcase with Wave 105 at the Soul Cellar – brilliant (as always). The whole family are looking forward to seeing them at the Uni in November.

2. Jordin Sparks ~ S.O.S. (Let The Music Play) Jason Nevins Mix.
Another fine single from Jordin Sparks featuring “Let The Music Play” which was a monster club and chart hit for Shannon in 1983.

3. Just Jack ~ The Day I Died.
Brilliant, beautiful and very sad.

4. Raphael Saadiq ~ Never Give You Up.
Good grief, it’s 2009 and people are still making great soul music. If you think you’ve heard a new Marvin Gaye single featuring Stevie Wonder, this was it.

5. Whitney Houston ~ Million Dollar Bill.
Opening track from the new album “I Look To You”.

July Picks!

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AW12
Flip! Just where have the last seven months gone.
At least I got a couple more posts of Joe’s work into our blog this month.
I tease him all the time about how he’s turning into me – this months is no different.
His five are all tracks I’d be happy to include in my picks for the month.
So here we go again …

Joe
1. Frankmusik ~ Confusion Girl (Riff & Rays Club Mix)
Entering the charts at number 29, the single version is a fairly good pop record, but I prefer the Riff & Rays remix!
2. Mr Hudson feat. Kanye West ~ Supernova
After helping to produce Kanye West’s most recent album, Mr Hudson is repaid with vocals for his fantastic new single. There is a Calvin Harris remix available however, it just doesn’t appeal to me – how strange?!?!
3. Dizzee Rascal ~ Holiday
The new single from Dizzee Rascal is likely to be a big as Bonkers and Dance Wiv Me. I did like the old Dizzee Rascal hip hop but I love the new electronic dance produced by Calvin Harris.
4. Calvin Harris – Ready For The Weekend (High Contrast Remix)
On the subject of Calvin Harris, this is his new single, due for release on the 10th of August. I haven’t heard much of the single version yet, but the High Contrast remix is brilliant!
5. Akon – We Don’t Care
One of the less successful single releases from the album ‘Freedom’, I personally really like this track. It gets me nodding!

Paul
1. Boogaloo ft Wiggy ~ Limbo Limbo
Finally managed to pick this up, I had to check back to see if I’d included it before. It’s a rework of Hear The Drummer Get Wicked with added dance steps by Wiggy who used to feature on Hitman & Her.
2. Lily Allen ~ 22
The latest offering from the It’s Not Me, It’s You album by the lovely Lily.
The chorus is fabulous. I thought it was called Day & Age because I was too lazy to check.
3. Recall 22 ~ Subimos Juntos
Uplifting instrumental for young people to go bonkers to on a beach somewhere.
4. Madonna Vs Dizzee ~ Holiday
I know Joe already put Dizzee’s Holiday in but I wanted it and this is a bit different. I’ve only heard it a couple of times but it’s a mash-up of Madonna’s 1983 classic with Mr Rascal.
5. John Barrowman ~ I Made It Through The Rain
If you don’t know why, I’m not going to tell you.
Let’s just say, just because I hope Chris gets to go to the pyjama party!

Joe a.k.a. The Mixmeister!

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AW4
Mixmeister is actually a software package we sometimes use to construct mixes in advance. Recently Joe put together this mix to show a friend just how easy it is.
So, here’s Joe’s Hyper Bass Mix – eight and a half minutes of musical mayhem!
The Tracks are …
1. In The Heat Of The Night
2. Bonkers
3. Day N Nite
4. Hold On
5. Can’t Get Over
6. Just Dance
7. Number 1
8. Don’t Upset The Rhytym

Joe’s June Ten Minute Mix

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Here’s Joe’s latest entry for the DJ Tutor Ten Minute Mix competition.

As always it’s all his own work and when I made any suggestions I got  “the look”  ;o)

I think you’ll agree it’s pretty damn good for someone who’s only been mixing for about six months – I’m a very proud dad!  But that’s enough smoke blowing, here it is …