The Playlist for Remember the Party 5!

[nrgbeat]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

Well, from all the comments, it looks like 25 years in the biz have made Mr. B's mixing fautless. Something NO jock BITD could have alluded to. I'm perfectly willing to accept that Mr. B is a damned fine DJ and a very good mixer and that my own talent is most probably less than his, but........

It's all down to the varying tempii. With the best will in the world, the highest degree of dedication and oodles of talent, the perfect mixing of records from the Disco era ('74-'81) was a real mutha to achieve time and time again, especially with all the interuptions and sheer concentration needed after just a few hours work, when brains became frazzled and ears became tired from exposure to several thousand watts of bass heavy sound and deceived the DJ. It's not as if we didn't know the fundamentals of good mixing back then, but I challenge anyone to say that they could mix records perfectly/better prior to electronic drums being de rigeur and even then, in the early days, records with electronic beats weren't absolutely in time, due to poor edits, overheating of equipment leading to time drift, etc.

I wonder what's changed?

Quinny you're back!! You disappeared for a while, but it looks like the old Quinnmeister is back full force.

[Videoskooter]

IMO this thread is about people having BIG FUN at that party. People having a GREAT time to hear Bonham play their favourites.

If they amuse themeselves, than the MISSION has been successful. I just hope this amusing and interesting topic isn't discussed to pieces. Let the people who dig the party and Bonham have their go in it. The others can amuse themselves in other threads.

There's a lot of threads on this site, you know.

[keefelc]

Thanks for your great comments, Videoskooter! It is all about people having a good time at the party, isn’t it? After all, “Remember the Party” is our slogan and we’re trying to do just that.

You know Remicks once commented how sad that what was once a regular occurrence was now something rare and special (well at least I hope special). I mentioned earlier in this thread the amount of work needed to put the RtP dances together - keeps us from having these events more often. We do our best to make each RtP a happy experience for the original Trocadero fans and for the new.

At the heart of each party is the music – it has to be presented at it’s best. Jerry Bonham knows that and he has put an incredible amount of work, love and energy planning and preparing his sets.

For each RtP, we worry is there still enough interest around for this great era of music to make the RtPs worthwhile? I think that due to the work of Jerry and Robbie Leslie, we’ve successfully reminded people of the joy and quality of the music we loved to dance to at the Troc, and just how much fun it continues to be! They in turn have told their friends and we have seen the audiences at the RtPs grow instead of shrink. Doesn’t that bode well for all of us who love this music? If others see we’re successful, maybe they’ll be willing to take a chance and hold similar events world wide. Who knows, maybe we’ll get that “disco revival” after all!

So, instead of doubting a DJ’s abilities and talents, why not revel and be happy that people still have a great time dancing to this music and that there are events where they can do so?

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by keefelc

So, instead of doubting a DJ’s abilities and talents, why not revel and be happy that people still have a great time dancing to this music and that there are events where they can do so?

Keffelc: Please don't get me wrong. I'm really very pleased that your events are happening, especially when I see playlists like the current one and your write ups confirming that the old hits still work their magic. Er, I haven't been doubting a DJ's talents as such, more so the ability of punters to assess them accurately.

As an ex DJ I'm very interested to know how good, good is and so my interest goes beyond that of a punter. I've heard plenty of live mixing from BITD, by DJs who were by all accounts the dog's bollocks, according to all the hero worship they receive and none of them has overly impressed me, either in music selection or execution. If that's how good the very best were, then I wasn't sooooo far behind. Ya see, I want to know all the 'ins and outs' before I give any sort of accolade.

I'll repeat a story I told in another thread some time ago. Towards the end of my DJ career, I was doing a joint night with another DJ. To all intents and purposes his mixing appeared to be spot on, even though he mixed by ear (that is he didn't use headphones, just his ears and the sound coming out of the speakers) and everyone said nothing but good words about his mixing. I was less than willing to accept that he could mix sooooo well, especially as he was relying on speakers that were a fair distance away from the DJ console. One night I happened to record the two of us and lo and behold, his mixing was actually highly inaccurate, wheras mine was much, much tighter (these things can be qualified). I didn't say anything to anyone after that....I just smiled knowingly.

However, it's now 20 odd years on and I just wonder if todays jocks spinning old disco have got it sussed, by themselves or with a helping hand from technology? Maybe using CDs instead of vinyl gives them an advantage, 'coz the boffins are forever improving the beat assist/matching on the double CD players? I'm not trying to infer anything, I'm just an interested party. If it is just a case of Mr. B being brilliant, then my cap is well and truely doffed to him.


One reason I recently packed up sound recording was due to the need of every musician to be more precise/more perfect, especially Jazz musicians. Once upon a time, they merely played a tune through, maybe a few times and took the best take. Then they started editing the odd solo. Then they started editing parts of solos. Nowadays, they're getting as fussy as hell, so that any one tune is likely to be edited dozens of times. With that editing a certain degree of soul gets left in the out-takes. What I'm trying to say is that virtually no professional leaves anything to chance anymore. Hell, I was involved with a 24 track live recording where only the drums were 'live' in the final release. Everything else was a post live recording, studio overdub. Would a punter who bought the CD have any idea? I can't imagine I'd be any different, given that other pros would go over it with a fine toothed comb and I wouldn't blame a DJ for tidying things up on what is a 'live' recording, as anyone else would be inclined to do it.

Maybe you can see why I tend to be a little cynical at times, but I'm willing to be in awe of real talent.

[discokicks]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

As an ex DJ I'm very interested to know how good, good is and so my interest goes beyond that of a punter. I've heard plenty of live mixing from BITD, by DJs who were by all accounts the dog's bollocks, according to all the hero worship they receive and none of them has overly impressed me, either in music selection or execution. If that's how good the very best were, then I wasn't sooooo far behind.

Quinny, I, for one, am always impressed by your thoughts and opinions because they reveal a very basic sincere curiousity and questioning. Most in society (moreso in today's society it seems) go through life acquiring knowledge from what they've been told or read and, let's face it, much of that knowledge is acquired though sugar-coated intimidation, manipulation and coercion.......so I can certainly understand your questions and doubts in regards to the RtP 5 cds that everyone here is raving about (myself included).

Since discovering this forum, I have read the praise for certain djs from the past and present. I have also witnessed the current era of the dj as mega-superstar and I keep wondering, what do these guys do that I don't? I mix creatively, have a bar crowd that gets angered at management when I decide to take a Saturday night off, expose my audience to hip new songs as well as please those who need to hear the songs they know.....what is it that the dj superstar has that I lack?

Quite honestly, I bought the set of Jerry Bonham cds to find out because in comparison to today's convenient-to-mix, digitally-connect-the-dots dance music, mixing the gems of disco requires much more skill and interpretation....and Jerry certainly doesn't disappoint! The beat mixing is flawless but what is most impressive are some of the seemingly natural transitions....like certain songs were meant to go together. A perfect example is the segue from Gwen McCrae's Keep The Fire Burning to Gino Soccio's Turn It Around. It needs to be said again that this was all done months in advance of the night so it wasn't a 'live' presentation (I believe that's what Keefe has stated) but the result is a beautiful presentation of musical history. There are also re-edits of the more familiar tunes mixed throughout which adds more interest. A package like this can only come about from one person's love for the music.

As far as the loss of soul in using new technology, I believe wherever there is ambition, determination and desire to create something for the sole purpose of seeing the result (whether it's a perfectly-mixed cd, a painting, a wall cabinet or whatever), heart and soul is what carries that ambition through. I also think moreso than anything else, these cds set the stage for more of us to get back to the mixing board and skillfully and lovingly put our own compilations together.

[nrgbeat]

Keefe, you write beautifully. RTP should hire you as their PR person.

Discokicks, I'd like to hear some of your mixes. Can you post some on-line?

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by discokicks

I have also witnessed the current era of the dj as mega-superstar and I keep wondering, what do these guys do that I don't? I mix creatively, have a bar crowd that gets angered at management when I decide to take a Saturday night off, expose my audience to hip new songs as well as please those who need to hear the songs they know.....what is it that the dj superstar has that I lack?

Do you release compilations? Do you travel the world? Maybe the superstar-DJ's are more hyped? I don't know. Like you and Quinny stated in your excellent replies, sometimes craftmanship isn't that important.

I've seen some of those worldheroes live (and no, I won't give names here) and I was not impressed. Too obvious choice of records, absolutely no creative mixing but the audience was almost kissing their boots.

Discokicks, like NRG asked, are your mixes online? Maybe you should do that. There's a lot of people from da bizz and the world of clubbin' who follow this site. Maybe you just need some promotion? Cheer up mate

One of the members here (and of course there are others) that impressed me, is DJDynasty, whose mixes simply THRILL me:

DJDYNASTY

and of course there's the mighty JB:

Official Website of Jerry Bonham

And....I hear a lot of people talking on the sets a certain Bernard "Bernie" Lopez did! I'd love to hear those too!!!

[keefelc]

[quote=discokicks;111251]
A perfect example is the segue from Gwen McCrae's Keep The Fire Burning to Gino Soccio's Turn It Around. It needs to be said again that this was all done months in advance of the night so it wasn't a 'live' presentation (I believe that's what Keefe has stated) but the result is a beautiful presentation of musical history.[quote]

Thank you for the terrific response, Discokicks! Just one clarification, I think you were referring to one of my earlier comments to Nrgbeat (and Nrg, thanks for your compliment!),

"Hey NRG, I can tell you that Jerry and the light jocks (Chris, Bob, Carla and Bobby) will take the extra steps to plan and coordinate highlights and big moments for the evening. Just like in the old days of Trocadero! Bobby Viteritti, Craig Morey, Mike Lewis, Gary Tighe, and most of the other Troc DJs always had special mixes and segues pre-recorded on reel to reels planned for peak moments in the night. Jerry and the gang continue this tradition for the RtP events because they really want everyone to have a SPECTACULAR time!"

I guess I wasn't clear - these special mixes and segues didn't happen all night long at Trocadero back in the day or at RtP 5. They were only at various points of the evening. Everything else was live!

I hope to have another chapter of my recap posted very soon!

[Eman]

Hey Keef,
Just wanted to let you know..that the RTP5 cds were a smash hit at our office xmas party last wednesday. Our party was held at the Marine Base at lunch time and they had this really lame DJ....and people weren't dancing or anything because the music he was playing was just...I don't know what...so I went to my car and normally I wouldn't do this and brought in the RTP5 cds and said slip this in...as soon as people heard the mixes they got up and danced!!! So JB's got a hit!!!

[keefelc]

That's so wonderful to hear, Eman! What happened to the DJ that was playing? Was it him you asked to play the RtP 5 CDs or was he booted out???

[Eman]

I asked him to play the cds which were from my car...I made sure I got them back...I also lied and said they were copy protected!!!!...he obliged and his job was smooth sailing from there....You know how Govt Parties are and how many times can you hear "the Electric Slide" or the "Marcarena"...WE were dying

[keefelc]

Oh Eman, the irony! What would those folks at the Marine Base say if they knew they were dancing to the soundtrack from a primarily gay disco party??? I love it!

But doesn't that demonstrate how timeless and appealing this era of music is?

I'm curious which discs were played and was your DJ familiar with Jerry Bonham (he should be!)?

[Eman]

Hey Keef...yeah exactly what I was thinking if they only knew!!...No the DJ wasn't familiar with JB...He was like this and I'm gonna be a little mean...middle aged, balding guy in a bow tie...eeewww.... Discs 1-7 were all played...some were stopped though when the "moldy oldies" wanted something else to dance to...but the younger ones and people around our age loved it...when the discs were put back on.... Yes the music is timeless and classic. I hope that JB didn't mind that I played his cds at the party. Please pass on this story to him if you can...

[keefelc]

My goodness Eman, just how long was that office Christmas luncheon??? RtP 5 lasts 9 hours!!!

It's interesting that you mentioned your younger coworkers also loved the set. During the party, a couple of younger kids came over to me (when I was refilling the bins of candy we had for everyone to munch on) to tell me how much FUN they were having even though they didn't know many of the songs. One guy said he was thrilled to find out the true roots of stuff like house music. I later found out the producers and other staff members received similar comments.

Now to hear you experienced something along the same lines! Don't you think that's a good sign?

I'm pretty sure Jerry will be ecstatic to hear you played his set at your party and that it was well received!!

[Eman]

Hey Keef! The party was supposed to be from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm but since everyone was having a good time it went on until 9:00 pm...of course everyone had to pay for their own dinner...!!! LOL...