Land Of A Thousand Dances - The Twisted Wheel CD Charly Records

Land Of A Thousand Dances -The Twisted Wheel Club - 60th Anniversary CD ( Charly790CD)

Following the recent vinyl issue by Charly Records to celebrate 60 years since the The Twisted Wheel opened ,at its then new venue on Whitworth Street in Manchester ,we now have the record released in CD format,with the bonus of 5 extra tracks .

Kicking of the set is Jackie Lee’s great dance sound “ The Duck “ from Los Angeles Mirwood Records ,also released in the UK on Fontana and London .The Whispers - “Doctor Love “from Dore’ Records is next ,a great group version of the Bobby Sheen classic .Track 3 is The Olympics - “Baby ,Do The Philly Dog “,another storming dancer from Mirwood ,issued in the UK on Fontana and Action .Robert Parker “ Lets Go Baby “ is next ,the fantastic flip side to “Barefootin’ “ issued in the UK on the iconic Island label in the mid 60’s .Track 5 is The Esquires “And Get Away “ ,issued here on Stateside SS 2077,and an infectious Chicago sound .Track 6 is also from Chicago ,The Sharpees with the brilliant “ Tired Of Being Lonely “ ,also released in the UK on Stateside ,the epitome of a Twisted Wheel classic .Some blue eyed Soul next ,with the catchy “Girl Watcher “ ,again a UK Stateside issue ,a lot of these tracks were virtual new releases ,though pretty obscure and deleted quickly .Track 8 is the ever consistent Gene Chandler with “ Nothing Can Stop Me “ from Constellation Records in Chicago ,and yet another release from UK Stateside and later Soul City ,where it actually charted in the UK.Track 9 is The Mood - Mosaic ,with “ A Touch Of Velvet - A Sting Of Brass “ an infectious instrumental ,issued in the UK on Columbia and a theme tune on Pirate Radio Caroline.Next is a real classic ,Bobby Wells -“ Let’s Copp A Groove “ released in the UK on Beacon Records .Track 10 is The Kelly Brothers “ Love Time “ from Sims Records ,a thumping dancer which remained a dance floor favourite long after The Wheel closed .Track 12 is The C.O.D’s with “ Micheal “ ,a smooth group sound from Chicago ,reminiscent of The Impressions ,culled from Kellmac Records and issued over here on Stateside .Earl Harrison - “Humphrey Stomp” is up next ,a classic dancer from Garrison Records ,and also rare on Wand .Chris Farlowe appears next with his take on Garnet Mimms “ Looking For You “ ,Chris was a regular live act at The Twisted Wheel of course .Into Chicago again for track 15 ,it’s The Due-Ettes with with the classic “ Every Beat Of My Heart “ a neat Chicago sound issued on the superb President label over here .Jimmy Robins “ I Can’t Please You “ is the next inclusion,a pounding R & B dancer ,still very popular and rare on UK President .The title track to the CD “ Land Of A Thousand Dances “ by Chris Kenner is next ,the original New Orleans version of the song made famous by Wilson Pickett,and the title to Dave Godin’s famous Blues & Soul article about his first trip to The Wheel .Bob & Earl “ Harlem Shuffle “ is track 18 ,a classic among classics and issued on UK Island at the time .Little Hank “ Mr Bang Bang Man “ from Monument is next ,a great record which was withdrawn on UK London because of its risqué lyrics ,but later issued by UK Monument as listeners became more opened minded .Round Robin “Kick That Little Foot Sally Ann “ a very infectious dance record from Domain Records an early Wheel Classic is track 20.On to the closing track ,The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band with “ Spreadin’ Honey “ on Fred Smiths Keymen label ,a finger clicking instrumental reminiscent of Ramsey Lewis’s “ Wade In The Water “.

This CD has great packaging to accompany the music ,quality label scans and superb anecdotes about The Twisted Wheel ,from people like Elton John ,Dave Godin,Roger Eagle ,Brian “ 45 “ Phillips ,Richard Searling ,John Farrell ,Ian Levine ,and Pete Roberts .