Magazine

Soul Source music magazine feature.

The Epitome of Sound
In the 1960's, the Megatons were a Motown/Soul style group from New Jersey, USA who were made up of 4 musicians (all White Men), and 1 lead singer (a Black Man).
The instrumentation included; bass, drums, guitar, and organ. The group performed in various nite-clubs throughout Jersey and had a large following of fans. In 1967, three of the group members (Bob Ligatino, bass, Eddie Dill, aka Eddie Charles, guitar, and Eugene Thomas, lead singer, decided to make some personnel changes, and Mike Paladino, drums, and Joe DeJohn, organ, joined the Megatons.
Both Mike and Joe were cousins, and longstanding musicians, and had somewhat famous careers as backup musicians. Mike, on occasion, was personal drummer with The Four Seasons, and Joe played keyboard with Elvis Presley during Elvis' Las Vegas comeback period.
The Megatons, with a new drummer and organ player continued to perform playing the nite-club circuit. They rehearsed on their days off in Mike Paladino's mother's basement in Bound Brook, NJ. In attendance at most of the rehearsals was Mike's brother, Robert Paladino.
Robert performed and recorded with doo-wop, and jazz vocal groups in the early to mid 60's and had written some of their material. He decided to write especially for the Megatons, so, on an old beat-up guitar with missing strings, he composed 2 songs, "You Don't Love Me", and "Where Were You", which he sang for them. The response was positive for both songs! Robert expressed that he wanted to produce the group and record both songs, and that he knew of a newly opened studio close by in Bound Brook. The group agreed. Robert wrote the musical intro's for both songs, and worked with Joe in chord structure and key transpositions, while Eugene, created and sang the lead vocal, and the group arranged and played the basic track. Two female and three male voices, all local talent, would be the added background singers on the recordings.

click for full view
The studio was built inside of the old "Lyric Movie Theatre". It was only a two-track studio, and even though all of Robert's recordings were done at 4 track studios in NYC, he knew that the Bound Brook Studio called Venture Sound, could produce recordings with a unique sound. There were 2 reasons for this; one was due to the expertise and credentials of the two partners who owned the studio. Anthony Bongiovi(Jon Bon Jovi's Uncle) was the engineer, and Tony Camillo was the musical arranger and orchestra conductor. The 2nd reason was that their echo chamber was located in what was the former men's room of the theatre, built several feet below ground level. The natural echo and acoustics were near perfect, and Robert knew this from his past movie house visits. The studio partners would also become part of the magic that soon would touch their lives and help shape their futures.
It was now late 1967, and the recording dates had been scheduled. It was decided that the basic music tracks would be laid down first, which would include the acoustic guitar intro and accompaniment. A demo was cut to allow for the lead and background singers to practice with. We then went back into the studio to record the vocals. After completing this part of the production, Tony Camillo was asked to arrange and add strings to both recordings.
Tony Camillo was a classically trained musician, arranger/conductor. Previously, he primarily focused on the Big Band style of music, and had played bass in small combos. He played a function with Mike Paladino in the early 60's and said he would never play rock-and-roll, because it wasn't his style of music. Now, a few years later, Tony was arranging and conducting for a Motown style soul record. It goes to show just how people change and events cause them to change.
The strings and horns were added by Tony Camillo, and Anthony Bongiovi did a great job in going from track to track on a 2 track system, with minimal generational sound loss. The final mix was completed the following week and a Master Tape created.
We now had a finished product, and Robert's intent was to find a label interested in releasing a 45 record with the support needed for its success.
It didn't take long to get feedback and offers. Shopping the record around in NYC, Alvin Cash, of "Twine Time" fame heard the demo, and offered to buy the rights to the record outright, and then Re-record it with another artist. We did not accept this offer, or future offers, such as from the manager of Jay and the Techniques of "Apples, Peaches, and Pumpkin Pie" fame to Re-record it with his group.
An offer was made by an upstart label out of Long Island, NY called "Sandbag Records". Their proposition from the two owners of Sandbag Records met our criteria for releasing it on a 45 within a specified timeframe, and for promoting the group by means of Record Hops and TV and Radio performances. Sandbag Records did not particularly like the name, The Megatons, so they asked us to come up with a new name. Bob Ligatino and his wife came of with a new name for the group, and "The Epitome of Sound" was it.

You Don't Love Me and Where Were You, by the Epitome of Sound on Sandbag Records were released in early 1968. The Epitome of Sound immediately began doing Records Hops led by the famous Disc Jockey, Dan Daniels from New York Radio Station, WMCA, along with top attraction recording artists such as the Left Bank, and Jay and the Techniques. A short time afterwards, they performed on The Upbeat TV Show from Cleveland, Ohio with Stevie Wonder, and again with Jay and the Techniques.
You Don't Love Me had reached No. 11 on the charts in Cleveland, and it looked like the Epitome of Sound was on their way to stardom! However, we were informed a few days later, that internal problems with Sandbag Records had emerged, and it appeared that possible bankruptcy was a possible outcome.
Well, all support for the record and The Epitome of Sound stopped as quickly as it started. The group broke up and then reformed as The Megatons. In addition to playing nite-clubs, Eddie and Bob opened their own recording studio in the 1970,s. Joe DeJohn, moved to California, where he still resides, and Mike Paladino, moved on to work with different groups, and then pursued a career in Sales. Eugene Thomas later became a solo act. Robert Paladino, worked with Nicky Addeo and Co. at the Jersey shore in the mid 1970's and then retired from AT&T/Lucent Tech. in 2000. Anthony Bongiovi, opened a recording studio in NYC, and besides recording some of the worlds biggest artists from Sinatra to Streisand, is a major innovator and developer of audio equipment. Tony Camillo, back in 1967 brought the demo of the Epitome of Sound along with his other portfolio of recordings to Motown, where he became Arranger/Conductor for Gladys Knight on her big hits of Midnight Train to Georgia, et al.
Robert Paladino

As I mentioned to Bob, '68 was a death knell for sweet sounding uptempo Soul 45's. As the USA were switched onto Vietnam, The Doors, Grateful Dead and on the Urban side 'Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud'
You Don't Love Me was discovered in early 1974 and re-named as Moses Smith to steer vinyl hounds from the real identity.
As an exclusive at Wigan Casino, it shot to astronomical fame within the Northern Soul scene.
By the end of the century, You Don't Love Me positioned itself at no. 7 in the Northern Soul Top 500.
Consistently spun, the anthem shows no sign of subsiding in popularity.
Oddly enough, I had acquired two quarter inch masters from Mike Szymanski at Sandbag some 20 years ago, oblivious to Bob's whereabouts.
As one of the original Wigan Casino DJ's in 1974, the record gives me as much pleasure today as it did back then.
We owe that to the unique vocal of Eugene Thomas and the creativity of Robert Paladino and of course to the Northern Soul fans who have made it one of their own.

click to view in full
Kev Roberts
Copyright Robert Paladino 2010
http://www.goldsoul.co.uk

artists

By Goldsoul in Articles · August 10, 201014 yr

Over the years on soul source when reading the posts you sometimes notice certain long gone events being spoke of in respected tones, perhaps they may not be the most mentioned or indeed the most name checked, but does seem a few which when they do get a mention there does seem to be a sort of revered almost hushed tone when discussing the event.

One such event is Parkers - Manchester...

Event Background by Dean Johnson

The legendry PARKERS Soul Nights in Manchester ran for four [and a bit] years in the early nineties until the building was sold for redevelopment. Over the 60 or so occasions that the night ran, sometimes with two rooms, usually in one, a distinctive sound developed incorporating new and unreleased, rare groove and two-step from the seventies and eighties, inspirational, classic sixties soul, and a two record jazz break! This genuinely 'across-the-board' approach was possible because the night attracted an ever growing audience of hipsters from not only Manchester, but all over the country, whose diverse roots in quality clubs as different as The Wheel and The Reno brought them all together at PARKERS for what was wittily christened 'table cloth soul'. Such was the popularity of the night that it was voted 'Best Soul Club In The UK' in Blues and Soul magazine.

Since then the original DJ's RICHARD SEARLING and DEAN JOHNSON have come together for the occasional and much enjoyed PARKERS Revival; most recently at the awesome Luxury Soul Weekender at the Blackpool Hilton but now is the time to get serious and return the night to its spiritual home in City Centre Manchester.

Forum post

Event Blurb

Bank holiday special! The soul and rare groove parties at the Parkers Hotel are the stuff of legend and now Band on the Wall relights the fire as it resurrects Parkers for this very special club night featuring all the top tunes from this iconic Manchester venue. Featuring Dean Johnson and Richard Searling at the decks with very special guest Mike Stephens expect to hear the ultimate seductive soul, mellow jazzy retro rare grooves and classic tunes from the likes of Chante Moore; L J Reynolds; Arnies Love; Keni Burke; Jon Lucien; Phyliss Hyman; The Controllers; Leroy Hutson; Perri-Helen Baylor; Jimmy Cobb; Leon Ware; Love Unlimited; Roberta Gilliam; By All Means; Merry Clayton and many more.
This event will begin at 9.30pm.
Venue Link
http://bandonthewall.org/events/2833/

Derek Pearson interviewing Richard Searling 5th May 1999 from Shades of Soul July 1999
Which included a 5 page feature on Parkers

Below clip of the interview was orignally on Soul Source via a review of the issue in 1999

DP 'What was early nineties background to why you started Parker's ?

RS 'Well the Expansions shop had opened in Manchester through John Anderson's inspiration in 1987 and we had a couple of fairly rough years but none the less we survived. Dean Johnson become Shop Manager in October 1989 and around that time someone had pointed out that there was an hotel in central Manchester available for functions so I popped up to have a look as it happened to be close to the shop anyway. I felt I could work there, you usually get a feeling in these places whether you can work with the management or not straight away. I encouraged Dean to have a look at it with me and I remember the first night we went down there into basically what was a cellar, albeit a large one. The first night I think I remember it was about January 1990 we played Jelf Redd "Love High" and got a good response. There were about 160 people in for a first night, although a lot of it had to do with the fact that Manchester had heard nothing like this before, it was that we were supplying the right kind of music, easy listening lounge music I call it and getting a very nice up-market mixed race crowd in there.

Apart from numbers growing the profile of the crowd did not change over the next four years apart from when we did a northern night or when we had an artist on. It was amazing really the crowd that were attending were just the kind of people we were looking for, we were not haunted by any of the trouble makers getting in.

The reason a lot of people liked the place was for the atmosphere and the music, you don't find many people going somewhere just for the music alone its got to be a bit of both really. I do know people that have tried other places just for the music, but I reckon if you can have both then you have cracked it.

DP 'As I've pointed out before you've got to have the music, the venue, the DJs willing to play plus importantly the crowd have to be willing to listen. "what would you say was the reason for your success at Parkers? "

RS 'Well Dean and i have always worked well together because basically we play different stuff, there is nothing worse than working with a DJ that you feel all the time wants to be you and attempt to spoil what you are doing. Dean would play things that I would think 'Christ that's brave' and he would drive me on, we work well off each other, the chemistry was very good- I think with DJs there's an element of envy and if they see someone who is successful they think he's successful because of what he plays when in fact its not what you play it's the way you play them. It also boils down to what type of a crowd are in, if they're difficult you can end up playing what you consider a very ordinary set. With the right people in the right room and the right music and you can go onto another level".

DP Where as parkers was only once a month it saddens me that there no where else you can go to nowadays once a month ".

RS "If i was getting more people in at The Howard then I would probably run it once a month, but as it is I've got two rooms going which I think is right and we attract about 250 people, If I was getting 400 1 would probably run it once a month".

DP "Is it a case of we're all getting older and money's tighter ?

RS 'No i don't think it is that, Its very difficult to say really because on the face of it there are still as many people chasing the records and talking about it. But they do seem to be more selective about the venues they go to, I've still not done the night that 1 really want to do do. I've got so many fantastic records which just never ever touch in the box.I just think if I could ever get a scene going at the Half Way House again where we played nothing but ballad's all night but they were up dancing, there's still a wealth of that kind of music being recorded today, but to get away with that in clubs is very difficult and even at the Southport weekender although I still play them, I always have to have the Futures "Ain't got time for nothing" lined up, great record that it is I don't want to be playing it when there's other quality record from an album to play".

DP I suppose with dJing you never know when you are going to stop and if you're still buying, you've got all that great material and you'd cry if you never got the chance to air it.

RS "I know I'm very lucky, I've got the radio show for that, I think I've played most things on it, but first of all its got to be the radio its got continuity and basically it gives me a lot of satisfaction doing it. But there must be a time to get a club going playing radio music and attracting 2 or 3 hundred in on a weekly or monthly basis.

DP "Going back to Parker's many people went to hear your exclusives ? "

R8 "I recall The Affair's 'New Life" remix which i don't ever think came out in the end but that was a lucky streak that we were going through which happened to coincide with having the club, at that time I used to spend alot of time chasing the record companies, because i had the time to do it, I worked in an office where I could spend a couple of hours a day ringing EMI, MCA and all these people or going to London. Right now I don't have that time so yes I was..

Read review here
See back issues of Shades of Soul for full interview and 5 page feature

Profiles and Playlists

A few Parker plays via Dean Johnson
see forum post for full 100

One Good Reason Marva Hicks
Love in your eyes Vaneese Thomas
Upside Down Perri
After Effect Gary Taylor
How Long Thelma Jones
Pleasure And Pain Lance Ellington
Got To Get Away Sheree Brown How Can I Get Next To You
Chapter 8 My Secret Fantasy The Controllers
Your Love Keeps Working On Me Joey Diggs
Romantically Inspired Tashan
Lucky Fellow Leroy Hutson
I Want You Marvin Gaye
The Sweetest Pain Dexter Wansel
If You Want Me Say It Love Unlimited
September When I First Met You Barry White
Love's Taken Over ChantÃÆ’© Moore
Key To The World L. J. Reynolds
You Know You Want To Be Loved Keith Barrow Y
Will You Be Mine Anita Baker
Did You Pray Today Lisa Taylor
Believe In Love Teddy Pendergrass
Goodbye My Love Brian McKnight
Love Crazy Atlantic Starr
You Make Me So Hot Barbara Lynn
Promise Me Dayton
It's In There Jennifer Holliday
You're Gonna Get Next To Me Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis
Come On Back To Me Lover Margie Joseph
Move Me No Mountain Dionne Warwick
Don't You Get So Mad Jeffrey Osborne
Say You'll Never Leave Me By All Means
Curious Midnight Star
Got To Find Ms.Right Buddy Miles

RICHARD SEARLING'S PARKERS TOP TEN

BOBBY WOMACK "How could you break my heart"
THE CONTROLLERS "Secret fantasy"
VANEESE THOMAS "Love in your eyes"
SHEREE BROWN "Got to get away"
GLENN JONES "Keep on doin'"
LEON WARE "Rockin' you eternally"
SEAWIND "He loves you"
CARMEN LUNDY "So this is love"
CHUCK COCKERHAM "Have I got a right?"
DONNY HATHAWAY "Love, love, love"

DJ PROFILES

RICHARD SEARLING

Does Richard really need any introduction? From Va-Va's and Wigan Casino to The Hilton and Blackburn he is the Don Dadda of the UK soul scene equally at home playing the deepest sixties acetates and the latest R+B downloads. To get him behind the decks is always a special treat.

DEAN JOHNSON

Dean has spent more hours playing quality Black Music on the decks of Manchester nightclubs than any person alive or dead. Expect favourites and surprises.

THE PARKERS REUNION #1 BANK HOLIDAY SATURDAY AUGUST 28 DJ'S RICHARD SEARLING + DEAN JOHNSON SPECIAL GUEST MIKE STEPHENS 9-30 TILL 3.00 AT THE BAND ON THE WALL, SWAN ST. MANCHESTER M4 5JZ

By Mike in Event News · August 9, 201014 yr

I am pleased to announce that later this year Soulvation will be publishing a book

HYPE & SOUL - BEHIND THE SCENES AT MOTOWN

BY AL ABRAMS

Al started working for Berry Gordy in 1959 when he was 18, and was the very first employee for what became the Motown empire.
By the time he left in 1966, Al had become Hitsville's legendary PR director with such a high profile that in some circles he was known as "The Fifth Supreme".
The book tells - via essays by Al and interviews by me with him - the ultimate behind the scenes story of Motown.
That's only a part of it.. Al has for the first time opened his archives and supplied his complete set of press releases he did for Motown, an incredible collection of never before seen photos and piles of documents from his time at the label. Glenn Gunton is putting together the graphics, and to everyone who was kind enough to say they liked his artwork on "Northern Soul Stories" ..well you ain't seen nothing yet.
Bill Baker and myself were lucky enough to spend some time with Al in February at a Motown symposium in Ann Arbor and we were left stunned listening to Al's minblowing recollections. Sitting in a bar hearing Al and his pal Robert Bateman in full flow was surreal.
As Berry's first ever employee Al was there from the start ,and has the complete lowdown on the what, where's and why's of Hitsville USA.
After talking and listening to Al and other Motown veterans at the symposium I had a completely differrent perspective on what the label had to deal with it and what it achieved. The book will tell the real story.
To give a flavour of the book I have attached a file containing Al's intro piece. Makes you feel like you were there doesn't it?

All the Best,

Neil

I still believe I was the luckiest kid in all of Detroit that May of 1959.

That's how it felt to me walking into a virtual wonderland of music at Berry Gordy's flat at 1719 Gladstone in Detroit's inner city.

When Berry hired me I was an 18-year-old white Jewish kid in an all-black company where people my age were making music and history. He put me in charge of record promotion for the songs published by his Jobete Music Company and I thought I was in heaven.

My primary job was to get the records played on the radio, especially by white disk jockeys on mainstream radio stations. I certainly wasn't going to ignore the black DJs, some of whom - like Larry Dean and Bill Williams - quickly became my closest friends.

Berry had given me the job because I was able to get Larry Dixon, a DJ on Detroit's WCHB, to play a god-awful record by Mike Powers called Teenage Sweetheart that Berry's Rayber Music Writing Company had produced and recorded for a $100 fee. I still think it is the absolute worst record Berry has ever produced.

When I applied for a promotion job with Berry, he had given me the virtually impossible task of getting that record played on the radio before he would consider hiring me. Eager to get rid of me, he was convinced he would never see me again once I left his flat with the Powers disk in hand. But it was my good luck that after four hours of begging and pleading in the hot sun, Dixon gave it a spin on the Memorial Day holiday at the very time that Berry was listening to the station in his car. That was also the only time that record was ever played on the radio.

That accomplishment was enough to get me hired the very next day for $15 a week and all the chili I could eat - cooked and served by Miss Lillie Hart. Berry has always had a reputation for being a tough negotiator, but I got the best of him that day. I worked for Jobete, Rayber, the fledgling five-month-old Tamla Record Company, and the then-personal management entity of Berry Gordy Jr. Enterprises. Motown was still more than a year in the future.

It didn't take me long to realize that I was surrounded by geniuses in that cramped little flat. In addition to Berry and his future wife, Raynoma Liles, there was Bill "Smokey" Robinson and the Miracles, Eddie Holland, Marv Johnson, Barrett Strong, Robert Bateman and a house-full of now-legendary talented songwriters, performers and musicians, all of whom welcomed me as a member of the family.

I was often a source of great amusement to my new co-workers. Robert Bateman still remembers my refusal to ride in the company's old Volkswagen bus because it was German and still associated in my mind with Nazis. But political correctness didn't stop me from showing up at work wearing one of my mother's white sheets to promote a record, totally oblivious to the image of the white sheet-wearing Ku Klux Klan who were still terrorizing American blacks in that pre-Civil Rights era.
Berry and the others quickly became my surrogate family with Berry assuming the role of my knowing older brother. I will be eternally indebted to him for some of the truly valuable knowledge he imparted that summer.

My responsibilities soon expanded to include writing the first Jobete and Tamla advertisements for Billboard, Cashbox, and the other music trade publications, writing artist biographies and liner notes and getting favorable mentions and stories about us into print. That quickly became my favorite endeavor and eventually I gladly abdicated my record promotion responsibilities to others so that I could fully concentrate upon publicity and press relations.

I traveled with the Miracles, Barrett Strong, and even did a short stint as road manager of the legendary Satintones. Returning from a road trip to Cleveland where we had gone to see Jackie Wilson perform, I co-wrote the lyrics with Berry and two of my colleagues for I Love the Way You Love which became a hit record for Marv Johnson.

I also did my share of mischief, once convincing Janie Bradford to answer phone calls for our Miracle subsidiary label with the greeting, "Good morning! If it's a hit, it's a Miracle." Berry was not amused.

Somewhat later, I guaranteed that I would never again be invited to attend a Quality Control meeting by suggesting that we re-record Marvin Gaye's Ain't That Peculiar as Isn't That Peculiar in order not to offend English teachers across America. Well, at least I never forgot the words to our Smokey Robinson-penned company song whenever Berry called upon me to do a solo before the meeting began. Who can ever forget those immortal lyrics, "Oh we have a very swinging company...."

But my ultimate goal was to tell the world through newspapers and magazines about the real Miracle on Detroit's West Grand Boulevard -- and that's what I was happiest doing.

That is what this book is all about.

By Neil Rushton in News Archives · August 8, 201014 yr

I just noticed that Outta Sight is publishing a book written by Tim Brown on the 18th of October entitled

"The Wigan Casino Years: Northern Soul - The Essential Story 1973-81".

I haven't seen a mention of it on here yet, but here's the link to the website:

http://www.outtasigh...casinoyears.php

The preview pages looks promising.

below added by site
Northern Soul came of age in the mid-seventies. The first significant underground music scene in the UK came to the notice of the media and public alike in 1977, a television documentary endeavoured to capture the spirit of thousands of youngsters dancing all night to obscure, rare American soul records - which even then were up to a dozen years old. The Wigan Casino Years documents, illustrates and analyses the golden age of Northern Soul from 1973 - 1981.

Writer Tim Brown experienced those years as a top collector and later became a leading record dealer, label owner and documentor of this, perhaps the most idiosyncratic and secretly influential of musical formats. With high quality graphics and full colour throughout, this book confronts the modern age with the real truth and will fascinate both the devotee and curious at the same time.

wigan casino

By Sebastian in News Archives · August 6, 201014 yr

As Northern Soul was an underground scene in the UK, it has remained so in Australia. Moving over here from the UK as most of us did, it could take a while to settle in and many weren't aware there was a scene here. Particularly before the internet became part of our daily routine. I think there are lots here in Sydney who don't know yet!
Maybe we'll find them this year.

The Australian National is an annual event and is held in a different city every year. Last year it was held in The Gold Coast and I accepted "The Baton" for the event to be held in Sydney this year. - 2010 We have been carefully selecting venues - which must have sprung wooden floors!

As this is arguably one of , if not the, the biggest rare soul event in the world outside the UK, I trust the that moderators might allow one the liberty of posting this in the main section of the site because of its significance.

http://www.sydneysou...soul-downunder/

So many reasons for you all to come ...

Australia is one of the few countries to have avoided the GFC ( the global financial recession , stupid! ) so this is a good opportunity to really come "darn south" and enjoy the good times with soul.The sun will be beating down on Bondi Beach and the Barmy Army wil be down in force to watch England get completely stuffed in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on 25 - 29 November 2010.

So you might as well combine your Soul Trip with an Ashes tour and try to forget the lamentable performance of England at the World Cup !

By Sunnysoul in News Archives · July 25, 201014 yr

Soul Blog entries posted by Steve G originally via the Soul Blog feature during the period September 2007 - July 2010
Barcelona Beckons Posted by Steve G, 21 July 2010
"Movin On" in Barcelona is a club that's become well established in the last couple of years. And so I was delighted to be offered a booking here. A quick hop over on Easyjet from Stanstead (well who actually wants to travel using R-Air ), and I found myself in Barca on a Friday night, armed with my 100 count record box. I replace all the cardboard covers with paper sleeves meaning I can squeeze about 120 discs in! :ph34r: Got a cab to my hotel (price E.30) and got on the "Dog & Bone" to Edu one of the organisers of "Movin On" to tell him to lock away your women, I've arrived in Barcelona! Within no time I was in another cab, being whisked down to the old town, where I met Edu, Marcos, and Argentina's only soul fan (we think!), who was over for the summer. Interesting conversation about Argentinian soul. Plenty of good records came out there, but today......there is a small reggae scene and believe it or not an outpost of the 'Deep funk' scene, but no northern or soul scene at all to speak of. Good steaks though as anyone who has visited the "Goucho Grill" can testify.
We headed off to a club where Edu & Marcos do the warm up, playing soul from midnight to 3 a.m. (yes Barcelona really is a late town!). By 3 a.m. the place was buzzing and the main club DJ took over. At this point we left, there was a sizeable queue outside and, being well past by bedtime I went back to my hotel.
Saturday morning came and went, mostly went, and I went back downtown, this time on the subway (I always like using public transport in foreign countries) to meet Edu, Marcos and Polly, Edu's girlfriend. Having looked around the antique market, we went for a lovely meal at down by the harbour at Con Manel. This is a very nice restaurant, which Marcos' family have been coming to since he was a "nipper"; in fact it had been open since 1870! After the meal we took a stroll to admire the beach "scenery" (well I was ), and then went onto Bar Las Guindas. This was a warm up session, where some of the arriving Spanish soul fans meet up. It was a 5-9 p.m session in a long thin bar with a friendly lady manageress and I did an hour there later on (7 pm-8 pm) before going back to my hotel to change, freshen up etc.
Bar las Guindas - my spins
Norma & Heartaches "Nice N Slow"
Wendy Lynn "I can remember"
Arthur Foy "Love dreams"
X Ta C "Squeeze"
Executive Force "Midnight Lovin"
The Reason Why "Step inside my world"
Toll Darkness "Just what I've been looking for"
Jones Brothers "Stop your calling" (unissued)
Peoples Choice "All I want is you"(unissued)
Carol Anderson "Holding on"
Gorgeous George "Strange book"
Albert Jones "Monkey boogaloo"
Black Rock Educators "Isn't it nice"
Flashlight "Take me away"
Johnny Scott "Let me be a winner"
Pleasure Seekers "Come inside"
Merv Murphy "it's growing"
Frankie Kar'hl "Don't fan the flame"
Richard Marks "Did you ever lose something"
Douglas & Loreno "This time"
Natural Impulse "She went away"
Halo "Let me do it to you"
Chuck Cockerham "Have I got a right"
Cristina came and picked me up at 11.30 p.m for the main event "Movin On" held at the Jazz Room in a bit of an out of the way part of Barca, sort of north of the downtown area. It was a smallish / medium sized club, with modern dÃÆ’©cor and a quite low ceiling. Not low enough for Peter Crouch to bump his head on while pogo-ing to the Pistols, but fairly low......Anyway I must mention Cristina's car parking skills, which were exceptional, parking her car in a space I'd struggle to fit a motor bike into. We went for some tapas in the upstairs bar and a quick beer, before Cristina played her opening set in the club. Great sound system, something that is sometimes missing in the UK - and it makes all the difference. By 1.15 there were about 35 soul fans in the place and I was starting to get a tad worried. No need - by 2.15 there were 170 in, and the place was rocking. Edu worked his magic with things like The Exits, followed by another guest - Josep A. from Valencia who played a highly credible northern and crossover set, Jimmie Ellis being a highlight for me. I had three sets, which was great as it allowed me a chance to mix in some different stuff with the floor fillers. At 5 a.m. when we played the last tune ("Love stormy weather"), it was still very busy. Fabulous.
On Sunday Cristina again picked me up at my hotel and we went down to Edu's flat for the barbeque party on the terrace. It was raining (I'd bought some English weather over with me) but that didn't spoil things. Had some great food here and I also managed to squeeze in another hour of records....I left about 6 p.m. and then went and did a bit of sightseeing - well why wouldn't you? Barcelona is a lovely city.
Monday morning saw me take the train out to the Airport for the pricely sum of E. 3 (Boris Johnson take note!) - a thirty minute journey for less than £2, and less than it costs to go one stop on the Central Line in London.
What a great weekend this was! Top people, such a friendly crowd and as always, that'll dance to good music, whether they've heard it before or not.
Movin On Saturday (3 sets) and BBQ Sunday
Spencer Wiggins "I'm at the breaking point" (Kent)
Buddy Connor "When you're alone"
.....a little out and out funky.....
Groove Merchants "There's got to be someone for me"
James Brown "Money won't change you"
King George "Baby I've got it"
....a clutch of cover ups.......
Veda "How long" (cover up)
Guitar Ray "I wouldn't change a thing" (cover up)
Hands of Time (cover up)
Black Nasty "Make believe girl" (cover up)
Kashif "Won't you be my lady" (cover up)
Vee Gees "Talkin"
Double O Demingos "Color one tear black"
Hard Drivers "Since I was a little girl"
Wally Coco "Message to society"
Ramsey & Co "Love call"
Jesse James "(I can feel your love) Changin" (Soul Junction)
Sex "It's you, baby it's you"
Doc Peabody "Here without you"
Bojack Thomas "Hear me now baby"
Veda Brown "I had a fight with love"
Anderson Bros "I can see him loving you"
Tolbert "I got it"
Fourth Day "You turn me on"
Volumes "Ain't gonna give you up"
Chico Lamarr "What do you think I am"
Appointments "I saw you there"
Nurons "All my life"
Detroit Sounds of Friction "I'm leaving you"
Rhonda Davis "Can you remember"
Ralph Soul Jackson "Set me free"
Barbara Hall "Tell me tell me tell me"
Dennis Lee & Notables "Sunday afternoon"
Willie Feaster "Voices"
Bob Relf "Girl you're my kind of wonderful"
Sugar Bears "Nothing I can do"
Charles Mintz "Running back"
Willie Tee "Funky funky twist"
Hill SIsters "Gonna get even"
Eddie Holloway "Poor boy"
Sisters Love "Give me your love"
Pinch of Perfection "All that's left is memories"
Pretenders "Just be yourself"
Party Set 4.15 - 5.a.m at Jazz Bar
Bobby Patterson "I'm in love with you"
Bill Harris "Am I cold am I hot"
Gil Scott Heron "The bottle" (ha ha!)
Edwin Starr "Running back and forth"
Differences "Five Minutes"
Tony Drake "Suddenly"
Barrett Strong "Is it true"
A J Brown "Making love together"
J Jocko "I'm getting over"
Mark IV "If you can't tell me something good about my baby"
Flowers "For real"
Timeless Legend "I was born to love you"
2nd Ressurection "Don't let the daylight catch you"
C Coulter "Can't fight the feeling"
Melvin Brown / James Matthews "Loves stormy weather"

London In May
Posted by Steve G, 21 July 2010 ·
Next up on the blogosphere, two events in old London town. Firstly let me start by saying that the soul scene in London is fragmented into what seems like 100 pieces. There are all sorts of sub genres with groups of DJ's, many built off of the old jazz funk scene, others from the boogie scene, and I think there are still five people left that like two step! Then there is the new release crowd, or those with a bent towards soulful house. Then you have the northern genres, and some others that like crossover. What's left of the deep funk scene has largely, well gone into deep hibernation at the moment. Oh and finally there is an army of people who buy CD's but don't actually go to any events. And so with that variety, a number of venues in London do suffer attendance wise. Fragmented is the right word for describing the London soul scene.
My first date in London is Majestic Soul at 3 Blind Mice, in trendy old Shoreditch. I like this gig it's on a Thursday night and has an early start - in short I can go straight from work. The 3 Blind Mice (formerly Smersh Bar) is a dive bar that has hosted soul events for many years, Mark Houghton's "New Chapter" and the "George Jackson" nights being two examples. I've DJ'ed at both in the past and loved it every time I have been there (except the time I droped and cracked my copy of "Halo"). You see the bar is small enough that if you get 40 people in there it's packed. And at 25 ironically it is still "busy". The space behind the decks is compact, no problem for a fit guy like me, but some of the more rotund DJ's may 'squeeze' to fit in there. Good to see the likes of Binsy, Mark, Geoff, Maria, Brian Baker of course who co-runs the nights here (so it would be 'odd' if he didn't turn up ), Charlie, Rob etc all pitching up for this one. Plus two travellers from the north who were down in the Smoke. I wonder what they made of it?
I did two sets here, the first one early doors was mainly deep and sweet, so a rare chance to air things like Sam Dees "I found love in my own back yard", John Edwards "Loneliest House on the street" from the unissued Aware album - but missed by Kent at the time, Skeeter "All this love that I'm giving" - all the aforementioned being unissued in fact, Ed Robinson's Atco side "Ivory" which is without doubt the best thing he ever did in a recording studio, Betty Lavette on Atco, and the B side of Hard Drivers etc. My second set was more crossover and dancers, a chance to spin Spencer Wiggins "Turning point", Candi Staton's "One more fool" (both courtesy of Tony more Rounce to the ounce), and also the 'at the time' unissued Jesse James original of "Changing" which Mr Welding had kindly given me a promo of, amongst more familiar "precious things" like C Coulter, Natural Impulse, Arthur Foy, Hill Sisters & Fay Hill and the like. This club plays some great soul each month on a Thursday night.
Then a few days later it was hot footing it over to Islington for the Filthy Alldayer in the Hobgoblin at The Angel (Islington). These alldayers have built up an excellent reputation, and arriving at a fashionably late 6 p.m the place was already buzzing. I was mugged in the nicest possible way upon my arrival "Where have you been?" by the South London massive, Theresa and Julie, and later Mole, who it turns out originates from the same part of "Sarf London" as me! A host of DJs for the event, Flanny, Taffy, Andy, and Dave Fleming had all set the bar high ahead of me. But I espied some Caister bods in the corner quietly munching on the local brew wondering is anyone was ever going to play "Never too much" or Lonnie Liston Smith, so I started my set with the alternative version of McFadden & Whitehead, the "Philly Phillies" version. Cheesy yes, but I still get people saying "what's this?" every time it makes an outing out of the record box. But Phil from Hemel was shaking her head in disbelief at this selection! Too cheesy for her....From then on, because I was on quite late, it was dancefloor material all the way from me. The purpose being to stop people drifting off. I follow the old mantra of Dearwood Dearglove - a famous old northern DJ from Victorian times "Eee eck as like - educate em early doors son, but make sure you send em home whistling at t'end of night". Certainly that's what happened as Wayne (who I maintain does not get enough bookings - and I am not talking about in his cab either ) closed proceedings with some choice cuts. Another rip roaring success and I feel this Alldayer has now firmly established itself on the calendar with a loyal following; all the DJ's 'turn it on' here.

Groovesville & Usos
Posted by Steve G, 13 July 2010
Two 60s based gigs next. Firstly Groovesville in Bedford run by Toby and Andy 1-2-3-Kempster. Martin (R&BMan) was the trusted navigator on this one, but as it's quite local to me (45 mins) no navigation was really neccesary. But the company was good as ever.
Groovesville moved from The Angel to The Gallery, following some unsavoury goings on at The Angel, involving knives, blood and ultimately the police. Say no more Guv. Not really the type of club us refined soulfans want to be in anyway.....Anyway The Gallery I think is a better club, even though it's up about 15 flights of stairs. I was on from about 9.45 pm. Unfortunately the DJ decks space was a bit small and the two herberts on before me, well one of them managed to 'edge past' and knock all my records onto the floor just as I was about to go on. So an excellent start to proceedings I think you'll agree As a DJ nothing worse can happen. Well I suppose some angry oldies fan might throw your records out of the window I guess but that has never happened to me.....
About 80 in, and an absence of locals disappointingly, although a few like Chrissie and Ian and Anne turned up later. I spun things like Wally Coco, Doc Peabody, my Peoples Choice cover up, Richard Marks, and Short Kuts etc etc. Quite a few of the Burnley "Creatures of the night" in attendance which meant an emphasis on banging 60s music. Other DJs included Ted Massey, Karl Heard, Dr Pickles and Cliff Steele who played a blinder in my humble opinion.
I think the balance needs to shift a bit on this to appeal to a wider audience, as it has all the makings of an excellent night. But it needs to be inclusive - a lot of faces were missing and I am not sure why.
At about 2 a.m I noticed Martin had slumped in his chair by the bar and so it was time to run him back to Welwyn.
.................
USOS was on mid May and Chrissie O was my travelling companion on this night. The USOS guys have the right attitude and they deserve support. We got to Walsall quite early, and said Hi to Kev and his Missus and Bearsy and his Missus.
Harpo's missus was DJing. Then Bearsy. Then one of my favourite northerners Jumping Joan. Then Ted Massey, myself and Dave Welding, an under-rated DJ with an excellent box of tunes. Dave Rivers was on for the last hour, but Chrissie's mascara was running by now so she wanted to get off back home . Attendance was down a bit and a number of regulars had trekked over to Boomerang to hear Butch do a marathon Euro set - fair do's. But there were enough in to make USOS "kick".
Dave Welding kindly gave me an advance promo of Jesse James on Soul Junction and this went down a treat, alongside the Spencer Wiggins (Kent), Candi Staton (Kent), Nurons, Walter Wilson and some northern that I can barely remember now. The dancefloor was a bit up and down, but generally reacted well. Lots of records for sale, the QOF was even tempted to get her purse out on more than one occasion.
USOS and Groovesville should both be in your calender.

Preston Soul People
Posted by Steve G, 23 June 2010 ·
Well now I have a couple of weeks off, I should probably get this blog going again.......have I told you about Barcelona and the soul scene there yet? nope Or what a fabulous city it is? nope
Or Soul People and my jaunt up to Preston and back for the evening?
Well hold on to yer britches and fasten your seatbelts
Also fun and frolics in London at various venues, trips to the West Midlands, Cleethorpes of course and Nantwich.
Well let's start back in April at Preston. I was a "stand in" for Uncle Soul Sambarnfather who was apparantly double booked. Of course living in Herts a trip up to Preston and back in one night is quite a challenge no trouble at all in my now ageing batmobile. Talking about Trouble, the previous week was the time when said Mr James Trouble was in "sell sell sell" mode; I had met said Mr T at a cafe on the A12 in Chelmsford , to buy a record off of him. Of course record deals go down in the most unusual places - I bought King Moses at the M6 Toll services, The Nurons at Potters Bar services etc, so next time you pull in for a disgusting burger or to do your weekly M&S / Waitrose shops at one of these places, check around you to make sure there's no familiar faces parked up next to you with record boxes or brown envelopes stuffed with filthy lucre.
Anyway I digress, Preston. Soul People. What a top night. I took Geoff from Enfield up with me, setting off about 5 pm ish,he was a bit worried it might be all Y2K10 head banging modern, but was pleasantly surprised to hear some crossover, Differences, Guitar Ray, even Eddie Billups on Peachtree etc. type stuff. The venue was at the Swallow Hotel which is a famous venue cos Richard Searling used to do alldayers there back in the 90s. I checked with Jumpingjoan on here before setting off just to make sure I knew where I was going (if I stay on the M6 I will "hit" Preston right?).......Inside the venue when you entered, there was a bar room, with several record dealers including Mr Plumb and Fish who had hot tailed it over from Skegness, no mean feat. And beyond that a main circular type room with tables arranged around the dancefloor.
We got there at about 8 30, already over 100 in, only to find we'd already missed Messrs Maleady and Plumby, a real shame cos they're both top DJs. Steve Jeffries was on, followed by Gary Dennis, Kenny MacLeod and mygoodself. After me was TJ the DJ who took the roof off the place as you'd expect for the last hour.
Caught up with loads of friends here, and met a few "faces" to me like DaveTay. The place was packed, over 200 through the doors in the end, and it's great to see there is still a vibrant scene up in Preston, and boy do they like their modern. Not arf Fluff! Keep it going!
As the Djs on before me played some x-over and 70s I veered towards the Y2k type of sound, don't cha know ha ha. Great dancefloor reaction, and a crowd that certainly know their onions. I was on home territory here with a room full of people that just wanted to dance. So thumbsup to y'awll. I was happy with my set, although i cannot remmeber what it was - mainly 12s and of course things like Cool Million, Adriana Evans, Incognito which were as new as this years peas at the time. Was really surprised how fresh Chantay Savage (Silks remix) sounded and how many people didn't remember it, as it has been something of an "anthem" a few years earlier.
Kenny had brought a crowd of marauding Scots down from north of the border which was great, except that they kept offloading funny money over the bar. Not a real problem in itself except that "the bar" was desperately trying to get rid of this funny money as fast as they received it. £20 over the bar and three drinks still meant I got a "Bank of Scotland" tenner in me change. I know it's legal tender but that still doesn't stop the funny looks and rolling eyes when you hand it over in your local Sainsburys.
Back to the music and each DJ had an hour and it worked perfectly. I felt that all of my colleagues did really well.
The journey back took less than 3 hours and Geoff still can't believe he was chucked out at his front door by 5 am, having set off from Preston at 2.10 a.m. And with a "toilet stop" at Corley services (I'm getting to that age!!!)....and the Highways Agencies best attempts at "traffic calming" with endless 50 mph speed limits/ average speed check cameras on the M6 too.
A top night - miss the next one at your peril.

Bamburg 2008
Posted by Steve G, 09 May 2008
"Wow" - that's probably the most descriptive expletive to describe this weekender. Great people, great music, culture, and beer.
With a DJ line up that comprised the following you just knew it would be good:
Dave Thorley & Malayka, Lars from Hamburg (who also plays in a punk rock band he let slip), Marc Forrest, Ralf Mehnet & The Jan,
From Belgium - Thierry Boulanger
From the UK Butch, Soul Sam, Arthur & Maria, Adey Pountain and yours truly.
Friday morning the party of Brits fly out from Stanstead. First people I meet are Toby and Mandy at the queue for the X Ray machines.....and guess what my bag with records is held back for closer inspection. I hear the lady at the X Ray machine say to one of her colleagues "They're records, but there's something else in there". I knew I shouldn't have packed any acetates!!! .....anyway this guy runs a stick type instrument over the box, and checks it for something (presumably explosives), and I am given the all clear. All I can say is it's a good job I don't work in a quarry then! On the "far side" or "air side" as it is known in the industry we meet up with the East Anglian crew from Ipswich, Yarmouth and Norwich enjoying an early morning pint or two (it's 7 am), then Claire and Jenny, Karen and Pete, Mr & Mrs Fenn and Sam, and finally Mr and Mrs Pountain.
On arrival in Nuremburg Malayka and Suzanne have arranged VW transporters to ship us Brits to downtown Bamburg - we also met Thierry from Belgium who I haven't seen for a long time. We drop people off at their hotels, and end up at a house in the old part of town which is the Soulshakers HQ for the weekend. This house will be home to Dave and Malayka, Sam, Thierry, myself, Mr & Mrs Forrest, and Lars and girlfriend. We relax over a few drinks, and then Sam and I head off into town for some lunch. Bamburg has a lot of history and the old town looks to be largely unchanged since medieval times. There's a wealth of history here, and even the Mayor's house was built a long long time ago in the middle of a river bridge so as not to offend the local Lutheran and Catholic communities who lived either side of the river. Friday evening we all met up at a Tapas bar - it's a lovely warm evening and there ends up being about 30 of us there out in the evening sun, and plenty boozo and Tapas are consumed.
.....
Keen as we are, we get to the soul weekender venue early before the 9.30 official opening. The venue was a three room event in an old building up two flights of steps - a smaller modern room, a long bar in the middle, and a large dancehall for the northern / 60s. There was also a large patio area for chilling and smoking (rauchen).
Music wise the 60s room was pretty much well...60s northern. The modern room was largely 70s and 80s with some boogie and the odd more recent tune thrown in for good measure. Historically the modern room had been quiet but for the first time this was to change this weekend. On Friday there were close to 400 through the door, and the dancefloor in the main room took a while to get going, but once it did, everyone was up for dancing all night, and this created a great atmosphere. The modern room was a bit more up and down numbers wise, sometimes it was nearly full, other times it had fewer than 20 in. There was no logic to this fluctuation other than the free movement of people back and forth between the rooms. Friday night was a very good night musically, and whilst some oldies did get played they largely weren't the Top 500 variety. It would be unfair to single out any DJs for special praise as everyone did very good sets. There were no fillers or turkeys on this line up.
Here is what I played Friday
Friday Night Modern
Side Show "Sexy lady"
2nd Re$surection "You done let the daylight catch you"
Freedom "High on you"
"Will I get over losing you"
Robert Montgomery "I need you girl"
Guitar Ray "Don't change your love" (cover up)
Dwight Franklin "Foxy Lila"
Morris Lewis "I love you"
Flashlight "Peace"
Phillip Wright "Keep her happy"
Veda Brown "I had a fight with love"
New Designers "We don't know unless we try"
Thompson Brothers "You bought love into my life"
Ex Ta C "Squeeze"
Trace of Smoke "Treasure mind"
Double O's "Cry one tear black" (Pt 2)
Friday Night Northern
Jimmy Burns "I really love you"
Kenny Gamble "The jokes on you"
Eddie Rey "I got something of value"
Appreciations "I can't hide it"
Thelma Lindsay "Prepared to love you"
Al Williams "I am nothing"
Eddie Daye & Four Bars "Guess who loves you"
4 Pros "Just another girl"
Willie Kendricks "Change your ways"
Nat T Jones "Moving forward"
Ivories "Please stay"
Joe King "I don't want to share you"
Roy Roberts "So much in love"
Richard Marks "Did you ever lose something"
Valentinos "Sweeter than the day before"
King Moses "I got this feeling"
Rozetta Johnson "Mine was real"
Sandra Phillips "I wish I had known"
Saturday morning we sat on the veranda of the house drinking coffee and basking in the sunshine and Dave T was keeping us entertained with tales of his record exploits in the southern States - fascinating stuff. We had a look around the street market - but the local record store delivered us no finds - though Sam is mulling over a European Led Zep Picture sleeve 45 . Then we headed over to the cafÃÆ’© bar for lunch - with music provided courtesy of several DJs. Again this was a very friendly, relaxed session and Sam and I agreed good tunes were being played once more by the DJs.
After a walk, lie down, and dinner (Italian), it was time for the Saturday night session.
If Friday was good, Saturday was even better with an unbelievably good 570 through the doors - more than I had expected. Again musically you couldn't fault it, and one of the highlights for me of Saturday was Butch in the modern room. This certainly got the crowd in through the doors, and it served to remind me how many good records I still need to get. Mellow Madness was dedicated to me as the "best disco record ever" , and it was clear that the Europeans like their modern fast and uptempo. Meanwhile the northern room had filled nicely and the atmosphere was buzzing. I was on in the northern room after Marc Forrest and Marc had kept the atmosphere on the boil nicely. After me it was the turn of Arthur who kicked off with Mel Britt - I did chastise him though for back cueing the record - styrene - sorry Arthur.
Here's what I played Saturday
Saturday Night Northern
Trends "Thanks for a little loving"
Chico Lamarr "What do you think I am"
Sammy Lee "What goes around"
Willie Hutch "Can't fight the power"
Dee Dee Barnes "Do what you wanna do"
Gene Toones "What more do you want"
Royal Robbins "There's something about you"
Jimmy Andrews "Big city playboy"
Appointments "I saw you there"
Ty Karim "Lighten up baby"
Willie Williams "HAve you ever been played for a fool"
Doc Peabody "Here I am without you"
Mixed Feelings "Sha la la"
Lee Fields "Take me back"
Nurons "All my life"
Al Scott "What happened to yesterday"
Saturday night modern
Ron Hall "The way you love me"
Rivage "Strung out on your love"
Africano "Satisfactorise your mind"
Reachers "I just wanna do my own thing"
Barbara Stant "You got to try it again"
Life "Tell me why"
Willie Dee "It looks like rain"
Danny Williams "All those lies"
Sex "It's you"
Willie Feaster "Voices"
Psycho Frankie "Putting you out of my life"
The Mist "Life walked out"
Natural Impulse "She went away"
Sunday we had brunch at another hostelry, music courtesy of Dave and Malayka and Sam who played things like Ronnie Barnes and some nice slower stuff. Then it was of to the airport for our flights home, with Ady Pountain and his wife.
BUT the weekend is not over at this point as I am due to DJ in Bamburg's twin town Bedford (how about that for a co-incidence) at the Welli Arms on Sunday night. I have calculated that my flight is due to arrive at Stanstead at 8.05 pm. Allowing an hour to clear customs, get the bag and get to the car pack, and an hour to drive to Bedford I should in theory be there by about 10.15 p.m in time to do my set. However...the plane is 15 minutes late taking off (no pressure then!), and as we are climbing to our cruising altitude a kafuffle breaks out near the front as some old man is taken ill. When the call goes up for a Doctor or "anyone with medical training" to come forward I start to quietly panic. I have visions of our flight turning around back to Nuremburg, or an emergency descent into Frankfurt or something, and start to see my DJ set in Bedford fading away in front of my eyes - with every passing two minutes that's one less record to play. Fortunately after several large bags of unpleasant stuff are carried away from the old man, and he has been doused in water, he seems to be OK, and we keep climbing - but it was a close run thing I can tell you.
I did get to Bedford - albeit driving like a bat out of hell - and did my set there too. The Wellington Arms is in Da Hood, and serves a fine line up of real ales to savour the palates of the thirsty who have been flying and doing the bit for twin town relations - ha ha. Plenty of familiar faces in there too. When I take over DJing I apologise for being late, pointing out that I was doing my bit for cultural relations abroad DJing in the twin town of Bamburg, when Terry starts 'booing' . I thought this twin town stuff was supposed to be for the advancement of our differing cultures? When Martin A starts dancing energetically in front of the decks, I have to put out a reminder that although dancing is welcome, please refrain from po-go-ing in front of the decks as it makes the records jump.
Soon after 11 it was all over - a somewhat crazy end to the weekend, but well worth it.
Anyway Bamburg 2009 is a must, so get booked in now.

April Oot And A Boot
Posted by Steve G, 30 April 2008 ·
Spirally Spirella
Praise the Lord, or not as the case may be....
So here we are in mid April 18th, and the second Spirally Spirella ballroom event is upon us. Neil Opalguard's evangelical call to arms on Soul Source served as a reminder of this prolific event, with all his "Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, come to Letchworth" stuff blatantly designed to curry some flavour with the religious Soul Sourcers sect. I know Neil lists being a lay preacher amongst his many nocturnal pursuits, alongside such eclectic pastimes as bear-bating, flower arranging and dressing up in rubber, but maybe this 'call to arms' was taking things a bit too far for some.
No playmates or traveling companions for me this time either - they are all otherwise engaged - either too ill, in the pub, or washing their hair - so I head off 'solo' for an uneventful 30 minute cross country drive, armed with my 100 box. It's a lovely spring evening too, the sun is certainly shining on the righteous. On arrival my 100 box is efficiently searched for talc, and I enter the lift with the good Doctor Pickles, and we are swept up to the 4th floor and the ballroom.
Change makes you wanna hustle......
The good Lord often works in mysterious ways and as it transpires on the day fewer people turned out than anyone had hoped for, and certainly fewer than the 220 or so that ventured to the first one in this beautiful venue - In all there were about 65 in (including the jocks - do they count? ) - but was the lower attendance going to spoil our fun - no! There were a number of other nights on that must have had an effect- SHS already mentioned as well as Filthy Soul down in the smoke, and there was also a night on in Bedford - which Anne told me had about 100 in. Even with 65 in, though the Spirally Spirella didn't look too empty and there was no tumbleweed blowing across the hall, and plenty of seats for tired dancers to rest their weary buts on. James Trouble arrives, makes small talk with Soul Sam, and I think gets Sam to listen to a track on his MP3 ( Lord have mercy the man doesn't use a CD player yet) and later, when he has had enough, heads off to Bedford, handing out leaflets for his Revolutionary event in May as he goes. Neil had also drawn the curtains this time, so it was a bit darker - this was in response to some shrinking violets at the first one, who were a bit worried that their dancing moves might have been seen. This time round Neil had also wisely hired in Pete Tebbutt's excellent mash sound system in (from Luton TOTS), and so the sound problems that dogged the first event were overcome, and we had near perfect sound all night.
On the night....
This is a fairly large venue with a slippery shiny dance floor, and although the attendance was down the atmosphere was there - especially when a few dancers got going through their line dancing routines.
Like most people I missed Neil's first hour set (this wasn't deliberate - more a case of a good episode of Coronation Street to watch, followed by washing my hair - ho ho), but I got there in time for Taffy who is playing Bingo (US Silver Blue / UK Polydor) alongside things like Ujima - as Karen once said "Taffy never fails to deliver the goods (in the record department)". Next up the dapper man from the Valleys Sean Chapman with a set that went right across the board from Bobby Pruitt on the one hand to The Parisiens, Salvadors, Del-Larks on the other - plenty of rare 'big ones' there and Sean certainly isn't wanting for a tune these days - top set that got the dancefloor going. Dave Fleming was doing the 11-12 hour set, and he kept the dancefloor going with a heady mix of mainly northern with some midtempos too - I remember him spinning things like The Soul Communicators, and Lee Fields. Dave has a unique colour coding for his record sleeves - red for "hot tunes", and yellow for "maybe's". Dunno about Dave but I always get my covers mixed up anyway! Another grand set from an underbooked guy. Then it was my turn mixing up things like Royal Robins, Doc Peabody, TNJ's ("Two girls"), the new Rotations 45 (kindly thrust into my hands at Soul Essence by young Malayka) and Ken Scott "Deep in my soul". I finished with Gene Toones, so that Sam could start with some 60s - which he did - Ward Burton - a recent acquisition apparantly courtesy of the "JM auction process" (sic) - or John Manship to you and I.
Soul Sam did the last hour 1-2 and although by now the numbers were dwindling a bit, the dancers kept the atmosphere going - especially Neil and Boots with their strategic Wigan style "hand clapping" and "whooping", right through until I left, dropping Taffy off at his gaff on the way.
Postscript.....
The next one is in June so hopefully there will be a higher attendance then and it'll be Mid-summer Nortons and nice and warm. However I am able to confirm that there is no truth in the rumour that Neil will be conducting sermons outside for the religious, or bating bears, or wearing rubber - at least not where it's visible to the naked eye . All joking aside this is a gorgeous venue with a very strong DJ line up and a wide variety of sounds - it just needs a few more people to come back.
.........
Walls of Heartache
26th April. It's a bad day. Firstly I am 'clicked' on the A303 doing precisely 60 mph, in a 60 mph zone - what's that all about? ......anyway I will contest that one if a ticket comes through. Secondly on the radio the Palace give up playing football and sit back and watch as Hull City set seige to their goal. This is very stressful when you're listening to a GLR Radio London commentary "Another free kick to Hull....just on the edge of the Palace penalty area............oooh -ahhh - cleared by Hudson but only as far as Folen, another shot....aaawww... away by the Palace for a corner...." you get the picture - and I guess lads we've all been there eh? Unless of course your team is Man Utd or Chelsea in which case having your goal under siege is presumably quite an unusual event. And then it happens....just as I am nearing home, content with a 1-1 draw - Hull score another goal late on, that's it! So I find a nice bit of steak for tea to try and cheer me up a bit, and eat it raw.
Lifeline is on up in Wolverhampton, but as part of the "Blue Skies" team I am booked to gig in Walthamstow, world famous home of the world's longest street market (I am not sure if this is still true), and of course the dog track. Back in da day Charlie Chan's was the place to be seen for the NE London / Essex "faces" on a glam night out but now I understand the Warehouse is the place to be seen for the younger set and snapped by the "Pepperazzi" - or should that be Pepperoni?.
Meanwhile back in our world the place to be in Walthamstow this night is The Cavern Bar on Forest Road. This you'll be somewhat surprised to know isn't a cavern at all, rather a series of shops knocked into a "walk in off the street" night club / bar. And it's just round the corner from one of the best record haunts of the late 70's.....an old shop that was full of 10p 45s including some imports. My erstwhile Kentish soul brother Kev Griffin actually discovered it, and one Saturday morning we went on a smash and grab raid there. He found a UK demo of John Drevas Expression, I got a Muskateer Gripweed UK demo (sods law I know but John Lennon is collectible but not as much as John Drevas it might surprise you to learn) and we both came away with piles of records including copies of Living Color and Bobby Hutton on ABC. We then popped round to Jim Wilson's old soul shop in Leytonstone (before Jim denounced soul music as the devils work and got into Beatles memorabilia). "Oh that shop, yeah there's nothing in there lads, I've cleaned it out" he told us smugly. "Oh well we found these in there" we replied, showing him our erstwhile purchases as his little face sunk. "Hmmm they must have just gone in there - he's not supposed to sell any soul without telling me" Jim retorts gruffly. Those were the days, I mean a soul shop in Leytonstone - 10p singles in Walthamstow, ahem - but I digress back to The Cavern and Saturday night.
Martin picks me up at 8.15 in his Toyota 4 x 4 which is a bit dated in it's dÃÆ’©cor (I'll be walking next time at this rate!) but certainly functional and comfortable, then it's off down to North London to pick up King of the Sandwiches - Geoff. As we enter the outer limits of London we drive past one of Ken Livingstone's "Low emission zone" signs, which he has put up everywhere (no doubt at huge cost). I am convinced Martin is sticking a finger up to Ken by driving his 4 x 4 into Ken's territory! It's twilight and as I look east I see a procession of jet lights from planes all lining up for their final descent into Heathrow, and it is at this point that this low emission malarkey is placed firmly in perspective. On the one hand we put signs up and 'tut' our disapproval at 4 x 4 man, on the other we're expanding Heathrow to take another zillion passengers. Green dyslexia if ever I've seen it.
Anyway we pick up Geoff and then drive off to Muswell Hill, carefully avoiding Southgate (excellent navigation skills from Geoff), to pick up Bernadette. Despite all this running around we're at the club within the hour, and ordering our first drinks. With both Stella Tortoise and Becks Vier on tap I am spoiled for choice - and choose Becks as it's better. Anyway back to the plot.
Dave who is one of the promoters is on and after that it's half hour shifts from Dave, ChrissieO, Martin and myself. ChrissieO does her Mamsy Pamsy set of girly sounds including "Geni", and Martin does a Motown and R&B set. By the time of my first set there are some civilians in and also some guys with records too. So I try out things like Nurons, Royal Robins, Eddie Daye & 4 Bars, and the new Rotations 45 - but those tunes, good as they are, don't get 'em up and dancing as I might have hoped, and so I slip in a couple for Geoff and Bernadette who have requested some 70s - Lee Fields and Doc Peabody. Geoff asks me for Kenny Gamble "The yolks on you" which unfortunately I left at home. Meanwhile one of the younger civilians asks me to play "Dirty dancing" , which unfortunately I also left at home - unless she was referring to a party game - in which case to my eternal embarrassment - I don't know it.
Anyway the night builds and it becomes clearer that the crowd like their Motown and soul classics so for my second set I raid the English part of my record box and play things like Mary Love "Lay this baggage down", Incredibles, O Jays "I dig your mack" and two by the Spinners "I'll always love you" and "It's a shame". ChrissieO meanwhile stuns us all with Rozetta Johnson's "Mine was real" a cheapo cheapo that's been lingering in the shadows for donkey's (y)ears, that sounded quite excellent over a system - so much so, that I have already been down to the lock up to find my copy and retrieve it - it certainly was cheap - one of my copies has a $1.00 sticker on it. But what a tune, just goes to prove the age old maxim that it doesn't have to be rare to be good. For the last hour we all rotate 3 records each and at 2.15 am I bring proceedings to a close with J J Barnes "Our love is in the socket" and Timi Yuro "It'll never be the oven for me". As far as I can tell everyone leaves happy, and so it was a good night - in fact a couple of folks told me it was the best one they'd had there. Good to see some of the locals getting into it too. Martin kindly drives us all home safely, and by 3.30 that's that.

Soul Essence 26
Posted by Steve G, 14 April 2008
East Anglian Soul - a personal perspective on Soul Essence.
Friday Frolics
I leave at 12 on Friday and set off for Great Yarmouth, purposely early to try and beat the rush for the hills that occurs every Friday afternoon. This was a smart move as just behind us as well as a ton of traffic, and the Chelsea set in their 4 x 4's heading for Norfolk is the mother of all storms - one of those you see in Texas, and as I look in my rear view mirror I can see black sky behind me following me up the A14 / A11. Then the radio man talks of severe hailstones on the M11 and the road has apparently flooded in about 5 minutes and everything has come to a complete stop as it does in this country - cars are strewn all over the place apparently, and the area should be avoided. A narrow escape, and if I'd stopped for that extra cuppa before heading off, I would have got trapped in the carnage.
Arriving at Yarmouth about 2.30 the sun is still shining and so I check in to the Marine Lodge and head over to The Raynescourt for Soul Essence 26.
There is already a healthy crowd in, and over in one corner Ian Clark has set up his stall and is selling records. Chats and catches up, as I enjoy a "first pint of the day" somewhat before the sun passing over the yardarm, but what the heck? Gouch meanwhile is in control of the console and playing some nice turns to get us in the mood. I completely miss Kirsty until she comes bouncing up with the words "Are you ignoring me then?" partly because she's gone blonde again and was wearing her designer glasses......anyway chats over, I head back to the Hotel, just as that mother of storms is catching up and hitting Gt Yarmouth full on.
Hailstorms and high winds abound, and once again my expensive lightweight glasses are blown off and go, I believe trundling across the hotel car park. This is an exact re-run of what happened to me at Prestatyn - are these glasses jinxed or what? Or is it me? Perhaps I should settle on some of those Joe 90 type specs that seem to be coming back into vogue? As I am grubbing around in flower beds in the hail and wind, looking for the glasses (before they surely get blown into the road and get run over by a passing motorist), several people look out of the hotel and the sheer look of horror in their eyes says it all "What's he doing out there in this hailstorm? - He's gone completely mad!"
The glasses are eventually retrieved stuck in a rose bush, which is good news, then after listening to a few records it's off for a quick bite to eat at the Italian in the town with Garry Cape, Adey Pierce and John Anderson. Being the only non record dealer on the table was a bit weird, but I listen to some of their escapades state side. Did you know for instance that the first ever copy of "Country girl" was found in a hill billy town? Maybe not surprising after all, but seems like Vicky Baines might have been a bit of a hit with the banjo-boys! Maybe she was an extra in the film "Deliverence" after all!
I am back at Soul Essence for my 9 pm early evening set, taking over from Gavin who hasn't been too well these last few weeks. This is a great opportunity to play some lesser knowns, and some recent acquisitions as the dancefloor hasn't got going yet. So I drop in a few funky bits, but mainly crossover - and it seems to go well. Yes it may not be 100 mph pumping all nighter music or whatever it was I was accused of not playing by someone at an early doors set some time ago, but I think it's good stuff nontheless. For the last 15 mins I ramp it up a bit to get the place going with things like The Mist on Twinight, 2nd Res$urection, Doc Peabody etc. Set over I can now relax, and I spend the rest of the evening listening and talking, and being cheeky to as many girls as I can. Once again I end up in the Orangerie (Conservatory) where Fraser Dunn Dave Halsall etc are holding court. Here Sean Evans berates me for playing a cover up, and so it gets a bit heated for about five minutes. I also ended up talking to the sound engineer who is on hand for the weekend to put the system right whenever Sam twiddles with the knobs - sorry something breaks down....think I lasted out in the end til about 4 and the music was pretty good throughout.
........
Saturday and Country
Saturday Morning I meet Sam at 10.15 and we go off to Sainsburys for breakfast. We talk records over some bacon baps, cereal, and Sam's "meat free option". Sam tells me he's leaving at 6 to go to St Ives to DJ there and we talk logistics, of what time he needs to set off etc, and what time he needs to head back, so that he doesn't miss his set at Soul Essence. I tell him that the next DJ on after him on Saturday is a bastad , and if Sam is late, he won't give up any of his set. Sam looks a bit puzzled and then asks "It's you on after me isn't it?"....to which I reply "It sure is" with a wicked smile on my face - we laugh. Seriously though the guy is so dedicated, driving 100 miles across the fens to attend another venue, and then come back again - takes some serious enthusiasm to do that.
After a leisurely breakfast in which I make a single Cappucino last nearly two hours, it's a quick walk around the bracing seafront and then back to the Raynescourt where I look through a few records in tghe record room - cruelly dubbed 'anorak alley' (dealers here are Soul Bowl, Adey Pierce, Steve Plumb, Fish, Andy Dyson, Ian Clark, Des T, Nick the Record so something for everyone), and listen to some of the DJ's like Jock O'Connell, resplendent in his "beany" hat, and the Orwell boys. Malayka kindly gives me a copy of the new Rotations 45, and it's bloomin' good.
At 4 it's time for my Afternoon set, so another opportunity to play lesser knowns and new things. Just to mix it up a bit I start of with a few more recent things like The Bamboos, Black Gold etc just to be a bit different. I am never quite sure about this set and whether I should just break ranks and play an out and out dance set, but I don't - 4 pm Saturday is more for chilling out than for getting the blood pumping, so it's more Veda Brown "Fight with love" and Rozetta Johnson "How can you lose" mixed in with some old Yarmouth classics like the Young Ladies. I also drop in Sam Dees "I found love in my own backyard" - my own little tribute to Jim Wray but also because Laura from Sussex asked to hear it. But she's not here, instead she's outside puffing away on a ciggie - maybe next year then!
The suave and sophisticated Brylcream advert Sean Evans takes over from me at 5.30 and does a dance set, and gets the girls dancing to Millie Jackson "A house for sale". Meanwhile I am off to change into my penguin suit then off to dinner this time at the local Thai. We found the Thai at about Soul Essence 2 back in the dark mid 90s and have been back every year since. Over the years more and more from Soul Essence are attending, and frankly I should have negotiated a commission with the management for every new person we introduced. This year there is no Sam and Arthur (my normal dinner mates at this venue), so once again I team up with the record dealers. Bev also comes along with us.
Anyway it's at dinner that Adey reveals that he's changing the name of his record business from Cotswold Records to Silver Fox Records. This is apparently because at cricket he's known as The Silver Fox. We are reminded that the original Silver Fox was the singer Charlie Rich, so all break out into impromptu singing of "When we get behind closed doors". This singing goes on sporadically until eventually Adey is having second thoughts about the name change! Service in the Thai is poor this year, as we sit there with empty glasses, and other people are ushered in ahead of us, and about four waitresses endlessly serve the Dave Thorley table, we start to wonder whether we've upset the owners. Certainly Adey calling the waitress "Darling" and making jokes about "Ladyboys" probably didn't help our cause. Our lack of service however bad as it was wasn't as bad as the table from Northampton - Cliff, Val etc, who had to wait 35 minutes for a drink! I think I'd have gone and poured one for myself, or better still walked out!
Eventually we go back to the Marine Lodge for a quick drink or two. The place is buzzing, loads in there and it's quite noisy. Actually the owners have put a lot of money into doing the place up and it's now got 4 AA stars for B&B. This year the whole front entrance has been done up, with flashing lights built into the concrete and a balcony terrace with chairs and unbrellas.
Andy Davies arrives in a black shirt with embroidered roses on it - I guess it's his "pulling shirt" we think he got this from the Sandringham Craft Fair - and he looks very dapper, much like Johnny Cash in his heyday. As the drink from the day and evening starts to take hold Garry's love of Country music comes into focus - "twangy guitar sh*t" the rest of us all agree. It is at this point that we come up with a brilliant idea. The Downbeat Lounge may have come to the end of the road and so we think of replacing it with "Country Essence". This involves taking the chairs and sofas out of the Downbeat lounge, to enable group line dancing to take place. Garry will headline playing country CD's all weekend. The Orangerie (conservatory) can be used for practicing "Yee-Haws" and we could even have a "Best matching Stetson and Boots" competition. We could also give a concession to Andy to sell embroidered Johnny Cash style shirts too . John says that Norfolk is the home of C&W in the UK and the more we talk the more the idea makes perfect sense, and I am tasked with suggesting it to Bob and Gav. Drinks over, I head for a couple of hours shut eye (it's called pacing yourself), and get back into the Raynescourt to hear Bob Cosby's set - when did he get that Robert Montgomery then? Top tune! At about 1.45 Sam arrives back from St Ives, and then goes straight on to do his hour mixing it up with things like Tolbert and a new Muscle Shoals thing - a superior version of Tamiko Jones on Metromedia which is very good - a bit like Paul Thompson.
The last 2 hours on Saturday really are for singalongs and party, and that's what I cram my set with, but I notice the Y2k and 90s material is going a bit better than the 60s. I do play things like Al Scott, Nurons and Nat T Jones, but also mix in things like Jaheim (remix of "Never") notched down to -4 on the putch control to disguise it's house like tendancies, and some old "up and down" favourites like Ali and Maxwell. Starvue "Body fusion" the ultimate in 2-step cheese also makes an appearance and keeps the floor full. It all goes well, and we finish at 5 AM with Archie Drell & The Bells , and Johnnie Mae Matthews. Cries of "one more" force me to show off and dig out Natural Impulse, even though Sam had played it a couple of hours earlier.....Then after that I have a well deserved beer and head off to bed for another three hours kip.
Sunday Sore heads and knees
At 10 I am back in Sainsbury's having another breakfast with Sam. By now "Country Essence" seems as daft as it sounds, so the Downbeaters can rest in the comfort that they'll be back again next year and I certainly won't be suggesting it to Bob & Gav. St Ives went well for Sam, but he has hurt his knee. Meanwhile my head hurts - I have a vague recollecting of a wall of Fosters super chilled - but that's it. Then it's back to the Raynescourt, time to say a few goodbyes and we're on the road at 11.30.
Oops! -at Acle we pass a 4 x 4 that has broken down, with the RAC in attendance - 4 x 4 drivers eh? One of those Chelsea tractors on their way back from a weekend in Norfolk? As I am about to hurl abuse out of the car window at the occupants, I notice it's actually those Kings of Crossover - The Etheridge's from Brum . If the Hills have eyes, so do the Broads and I am just glad that the RAC got to their rescue before the "Country boys" found them . Moral to the story guys - never leave Great Yarmouth without enough petrol in your tank to get you to Norwich!
Another super weekend, and as I said before, top music, top people, top atmosphere throughout. Don't believe there were any duff sets all weekend. This one stays top drawer all the way, and to cap it, it is the longest running soul weekender that I know of.....so that cannot be bad can it?
March
Posted by Steve G, 03 April 2008 ·
OK so I am back from Prestatyn and it's March. Still bloomin' cold too - I think the circulation in my feet is starting to deteriorate - is this another sign of impending middle age?.
My March venues included a return visit to Bedford Ath on the 7th and the kind request of Hammy. Gawd it's so long ago now I cannot even remember what I played, but I do seem to recall
- the numbers were down a bit - which I put down to post Prestatyn blues - probably about 75 -80 in through the doors
- a lengthy debate with Dave Halsall about whether his copy of A J Brown was an original or not. This goes back to Yarmouth some years ago when I was double decking with Mr Barnfather. I went to put on what I thought was my original copy and Sam says "you can't play that it's a reissue". Shocked and horrified I immediately removed it from the decks, thereby avoiding detection from any of the dancing soul police who might have been in the vicinity. Then Sam continues "I'll play it cos I got the original in my box" and proceeds to put it on his deck. Well strike me down with a feather if old Mr Halsall isn't selling a copy of the exact same style that Sam told me was original - as a 2nd Issue! "I am sure that's an original Sam told me" I protest. Then he plants a new theory on me - "Perhaps Sam didn't want you to play it, that's why he told you your original was a reissue".....Darn hadn't thought of that!
- The Silks crowd were out in force and enjoying themselves
- The Rugby Soul mafia - Ganche, Rugbysoulgirl etc were out in force and enjoying themselves
- The music was good.
But I was tired and so left fairly early (having completed my set) in true 70s mega name DJ style - I really don't like going before the end, but it had been a long week and I was genuinely dog tired. Music wise got requests for things like Parisiens and Appointments, and also a lady asked me to play "Foxy Lila" which really made my night - this is now catching on at long last. I also dropped in things like Richard Marks on Tuska and a few other goodies, some well known stuff like Lee Fields on Angle 3 and the 4 Pros to a full floor.
........
The next Friday and it's on to Letchworth Irish Centre for another night of fun and festivities. This time Geoff the sandwich man - so called because of the culinary delights on offer at soul nights - is volunteering to drive me up. This is great because it means I can relax and enjoy a pint of the Amber nectar and don't have to spend a night drinking chemically enhanced non alcoholic beer. Martin also texts me from a public house in the Welwyn area, and is after a lift - I tell him that I am going with Geoff, and have to clear it with the driver. Anyway after all the texting back and forth Geoff picks up Bernadette, then me, and finally in Welwyn young Martin who he has graciously agreed to take as well - once we have prised him out of the pub. So now with a car full in Geoff's old jalopy it's a bit like "The Famous 5 go out to a Soul night" the old (and very rare) Enid Blyton classic except there's only four of us in the car as Geoff drives us carefully up the A1(M) towards Letchworth Garden City.
On arrival at the Irish I notice a Red MAzda RX8 and mistakenly think that James Trouble has graced us with an appearance, but no it ain't his one. We completely missed Paul Murphy's set 8-9 which was a shame , but then it's Tobymeister, Taffy, Pete H, myself and finally Shane Cox- Mister Chicago as he likes to be called these days. Again I cannot remember what I played exactly, or come to think of it, what any of the others played either as it's so long ago now. Unfortunately Toby had a few problems with the decks early on, and we found the problem was that Big O had stuck some haberdashery needles (the type you use for sewing buttons on coats etc) onto the turntable arms and this was causing hideous distortion (in Toby's voice when he found out what it was doing to his records!). So Taff sorted that little glitch out and the rest of Toby's set went off without incident. The system held up, as did the dancefloor, and it was another good night at The Irish, again numbers seemed a bit down and there were a few missing local faces. Playwise Ron Hall made it out of the box as did a few other bits and pieces like Al Gardner, Frankie Beverley, and Detroit Sounds of Friction - still a lot of people that don't know this one after all this time - which is surprising. All too soon it was all over and time to get back into the Geoff-mobile for the ride home. The Irish is always a good one and I hope the numbers are back up for the next one.
February
Posted by Steve G, 04 March 2008 ·
February starts where we left off in January - initially recovering from the Lifeline weekender. Yes Saturday night was great and I enjoyed it thoroughly. A top weekend to start the month of February off.
More Blue Skies
Friday 8th Feb sees Dim Wit Promotions Blue Skies event - temporarily re-housed to the Leathermarket - a Bermondsey pub, near...ahem....the Leathermarket while it's spiritual home is under going what they term in the trade "a refit". Of course there is no such thing as a Leathermarket anymore and the days where you could go down there and buy a new pair of patent shoes or a trench coat, or anything else leather (behave Big O!), if those days ever existed.....are long gone. The Leathermarket is one of those old complexes that is now done up into small business units. It has fond memories for me as it was the first home of the missed Internet Radio station Soul 24-7, and I spent many a happy hour in a dark and damp basement there spinning platters and interviewing the likes of Gene Chandler, Emmanuel Laskey etc. Anyway more on that later, as I digress from the plot.
The room for Blue Skies is upstairs, and the only let down is the lack of a bar (something quite fundamental in a pub I think you'd agree!) - well there is a bar, but it's downstairs! This means up and downstairs we go refilling our jugs. Musically I cannot remember too much of the night except it was 60s soul, and a small but enthusiastic crowd. I was following Mischief, who thrust a freebie CD into my hands- very nice of him. Of course Crystal Palace are away at Charlton tonight so the streets are quite quiet. Ho ho - someone tells me Palace are beating Charlton 2-0, so no surprises, the evening is getting even better . Then someone gets a text from Dave Greenhill saying Charlton are winning 2-0 and to "tell me" . Suddenly the evening is going downhill and I shoot the person that told me that Palace were winning (no I didn't really). Anyway on balance a good night again. Afterwards had a quick beer with Martin (RBMan) and then kipped over at Pete Bennett's penthouse suite, and left early the following morning to get down to Somerset on the first train out of Waterloo to see my builder. Anyway we await the next installment of Blue Skies with eager anticipation, remembering of course that an all-dayer is planned for Hatfield in May.
Spiraling Spirellas
Advance one week then to Feb 15th and The Spirella Ballroom. Neil had been hyping this one up and he wasn't wrong it is an extremely impressive venue, with a dancefloor to die for - well to dance on. A largish venue, it took the 240 attendees in quite comfortably. Being a Grade 1 preserved building of course there is no talc allowed and I was asked to open my record box on arrival to check that I wasn't trying to smuggle any of the stuff in. That's fine, and I shut the box, picked it up only to see the lid go flying and records cascade all across the floor. Now I have seen record boxes fly open before and the contents fly out all over the place. Notably Soul Sam at The Scala at Kings Cross a few years ago, when he tripped over on the stairs and his box went flying...ouch....and then old Cuddly Mr Levine at Victoria Record Fair. Having filled the box with acquisitions that morning his assistant picked it up, and yes you guessed it the records fell out everywhere to guffaws of laughter! Anyway it's not a pleasant experience seeing your pride and joys all scatter across the floor. Having scooped up the records I went upstairs.....and the rest as they say is history. DJ's here included Taffy, Dave Hassle, Sean Chapman, Sam (who had done his back in and was having to sit down) and meself. Musically it was fairly across the board. I was on at 11 and felt the place needed a booster so played quite a few oldies, but also managed to drop in a few things like Ron Hall. An excellent first night on balance.
Da Mill
Saturday I hot foot it down to Southend, Rayleigh at the Mill, and pop in there for a couple of hours as a "paying punter", just to check the vibe ahead of my appearance in May. Rob Messer is on and there's a good crowd in. Rob's got 'em dancing. Catch up with the Cambridge mafia, the Rugby gals, Bearsy and loads of others. This night has really taken off I am pleased to say and venue wise it reminds me somewhat of the old Plinston. Only stay to 11 cos I am very tired. I am tucked up in bed before the witching hour.
209 Radio
Sunday 23rd and I am guesting on Mick O'Donnell's 209 Radio show in Cambridge. I jaunt up there armed with my trusty multimap printout and know exactly where I am going, until I encounter the handywork of some over zeleous town planners...That's the trouble with these towns that have "no overall control" on their Councils - the town planners get it all their way and muck the whole place up! I know where I want to go but it seems that all the through routes have been blocked off for everything except cyclists, and I am reminded of being in Nicosia or something, and trying to get form one side of town to the other - impossible! I find myself driving around and around in traffic, meeting dead ends and looking for a way through to the studio, and getting nowehere. Eventually I give up looking for a UN checkpoint, and deciding to walk, parking up about a mile away from the studio; but by now I am late for the show . Very unprofessional of me I know . Anyway we spend the best part of two hours playing some lesser known things, some slower things and some good soul music - well I think so anyway. Old Mick is such a smoothie on the microphone, and it's a great show he has going there.
Here's what got played:
L.R. Superstars "Come to me" (Taps)
Samson & Delilah "Don't listen to your friends" (Pittsburgh)
George Bussey Experience "I need your fire" (Foxy)
Zeal "Don't you know" (Potential)
High Fidelity "Strangers in love" (Atlanta)
Galaxy "Superstar" (Future Stars)
Chuck Proffitt "Love love love" (Lar Rom)
Gerald Wayne "Now I can see" (Stage)
Jetton & Prinz "Judge & Jury (Pilot Master)
Beaux Beatty "Back up man" (Playboy)
Floyd Beck "Fly by night" (Timeless)
X-Ta-C "Squeeze" (OK&T)
2nd Re$serection "You done let the daylight catch you girl" (Stanson)
Harvey Scales ""Trying to survive" (Magic Touch)
Sir Henry Ivy "He left you stand there" (Innovation)
Lee Fields "Take me back" (Angle 3)
Pleasure Seekers "Come inside" (Koala)
Michael Smith "Heavenly Inspired" (Pharoah)
Ira "Breaking Away (Sooza)
Tommy Tate "What's the matter" (ABC)
Sam Dees "I found love in my backyard" (Chess unissued)
Kim Tolliver "Standing room only" (Pacesetter)
Herman Kelly "Still a little love left" (RCA)
Lorraine Johnson "If you want me to be more of a woman you got to be more of a man" (Atlantic)
Richard Marks "Innocent Bystander" (Free Spirit)
Reggie Garner "Spellbound" (OLA)
John Donvan "Looking for your love" (Paradigm)
Willie Feaster & Concrete Wall "Voices (Red Coach)
Otis Jackson "Beggin for a broken heart" (Mega)
Holidaying in Wales
29th Feb sees me off to Wales for me Holidays.....well not exactly- legging it up to Prestatyn for a few hours for my Friday night jaunt. I do this every year, and every year I wonder why? It's sheer madness trying to get up the M1 / M6 on a Friday afternoon, and by St Albans I am already reminded of why I always vow never to do it again....Despite it only being 2 pm, the M25 is gridlocked. I sneak off and round the back roads, joining the M1 at Hemel, and probably making up an hour timewise. Then by J 15 Northampton we've stopped again - there's been an accident. Stop start for a few miles, tick tock tick tock. Then J2,J3 and J4 of the M6 are all stop start and slow - no reason why. Those overhead signs warn of congestion "M6 J4a-8" - G-Reat! But they also say "M6 Toll clear" - well there's only one thing for it then! Back on the M6 we're slow through J12,J13 - where we stop for 10 minutes for no reason, J14, and I finally escape off of this monster of roads at J15. Thence it's cross country to Chester, and then onto Prestatyn.
My journey takes five hours and once inside I am greeted by James Trouble attired a bit like Toad of Toad Hall in Vintage driving gear (hat, gloves etc) who informs me that he 'sailed up in no time'. On arrival at Preststyn the wind is so strong it knocks my glasses clean off me head and they go careering up the road and almost under a car. It's like a scene from Damien The Omen, where some hapless good intentioned person is sent to their death by dark forces. Glasses retrieved (just) (and hence the avoidance of a journey home Mr Magoo like at 20 mph ), I warm up in Toby's chalet with the gathered masses. It's nice and warm here and reasonably clean - apart from the jokes .
Inside the event it seems quieter and takes a while to get going and the record stalls don't seem to have quite as much on them as previous. I buy everyone in the Queen Vic a round of drinks and say hello to everyone I know and wave, nod to anyone else I recognize. Be thankful my glasses hadn't been run over because I'd have ignored everyone and been crashing into people I am sure.
Sam arrives through a side door with Arthur and Maria and then promptly goes into detail about his illness - too much info Sam- I get the picture! Anyway have a nice little chat to Sam even if he is under the weather, and unable to keep any food inside him for more than 5 minutes (there I go with too much information- sorry Martin you're secrets not safe with me!).
Over by the Mike Ritson stand I notice a Cockney type chap in a Union Jack blazer. Is this a Pontins "gimmick" advertising holidays in Britain for Foreign tourists or something I wonder? But on closer look, it's me old mucker Steve "El Swinger" Bennett, up from the Smoke, and watching proceedings, and I assume the "Totty". Of course Steve was one of the lynchpins that started Soul 24-7 - linking to the comments on the Leathermarket above then! Nice to catch up with Steve, but that Jacket - ooh err No Siree!
In the Gents I see three Yorkshiremen who've just run from their chalets they look like they've fallen in the pool - absolutely drenched! Outside the rain is coming across in waves- horizontal and once again my glasses are blown away up the road. Later I set off back. It took me 5 hours to get there, I spent 4 hours there, and then 3 hours traveling back - mad or what?
January
Posted by Steve G, 07 February 2008
I always reckon January is a month for going out as little as possible. It's invariably cold, dark, and often wet.
Blue Skies
DJ wise the month starts off for me with the second Blue Skies event at The Horseshoes near London Bridge. This one is starting to build up a head of steam with nothing but positive feedback.
In a smallish backroom of a pub, this event goes from strength to strength, and January sees Geoff Green as a guest, on early doors along with Paul McKay later. You know what to expect from both these guys, and they didn't disappoint. The Princess of Mamsy Pamsy - Chrissie O also did a very good set, and it would be wrong to dismiss Chrissie as a Holly St James kind of gal - her playbox contains far more interesting delights - oo er missus! Seriously nice one QOF. Then there's Toby, as reliable as ever, dropping things on us like The Volumes, which I haven't heard for Eons. After I left to catch the train home I understand that Martin stuck on some rockin R&B. It's a good night, far too much drink is consumed by those attending, but once again I missed all that. After I left looking at the pictures there was a right hoot, and I am reliably informed by someone who is normally able to tell the time accurately that proceedings went onto 3.30 am. I think this night doubled up as a warm up birthday celeb for Martin Ainscough - even though he was also celebrating the following week - well when you get to Martin's age, I guess you've got to celebrate as much as you can . The playlist here for me as one of the residents has been a kind of back to the roots type of thing, with plenty of old 60s classics vying for airtime alongside some of the newer thing-ys. I am also keeping this pretty much 60's with a couple of notable exceptions for things like the Nurons and Sha La La.Therefore the sort of thing you'll here then from me is more J J Barnes, Contours, Spinners, Rose Batiste, Jackey Beavers, and that's just the Detroit contingent - mixed in with things like Ivories, Gentlemen 4 Walter Wilson and Maxine Brown - and that's just the Wand Records contingent. Also dropped in a couple of old beat ballads like Big Dee Iriwn and Pollard's "Drifter" for good measure, which I know Geoff likes.
3 x Birthdays
The following Friday 18th is the now famous Triple Birthday Bash, designed to celebrate the birthdays of Toby, Martin A and Taffy. Again what can I add to what's already been written, well it was raining and wet, and therefore no place for me to break in my brand new leather soled slip ons. Mamma used to tell me if you wanna ruin new leather soled shoes wear them in the rain ! Seriously a blinding night with well over 100 in, and a full dancefloor. Nice to see Uncle Bob Cosby out to play, and the other half of the Soul Essence crew Gavin was also there with a box of sales. Gingha Tony started proceedings off well, followed by young Bearsy, who has come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months, and was clearly enjoying his selections - nice to see. Then there was Preston's Jumping Joan, received to high acclaim and deservedly so, kicking off as she meant to go on with Cliff Nobles. Then Taffy with an eclectic mix of 70's to dance floor acclaim, then Pete Hullett with an eclectic mix of 60's - Yvonne Vernee, Chico Lamarr etc. Finally last hour was left to me to wrap things up or down.....depending on how you look at it. Can't really remember a full playlist, though it did include some old and popular classics like Buddy Miles, and Eloise Laws, as well as the perennials like The Nurons, King Moses, Walter Wilson, Jimmy Burns and The Appointments. I finished with Johnnie Mae Matthews, then when we were allowed to play "just one more" laid the inevitable piece of Timi Yuro vinyl down. What a night, I was still sober but I don't reckon too many others were!
The next day was supposed to be up at Maria O's 30th Birthday party, but a slight domestic issue with a house saw me hot foot it down to Somerset at breakneck speed to undergo some detailed negotiation with my builder, and to see what all the fuss was about.
Lifeline
That's January then.....moving swiftly onto February and the Lifeline weekender. All I can say is that is absolutely tops, a very nice hotel, and upfront 60's / 70's music. I did a full days work and drove up, leaving home about 7.30, hopefully thinking that the worst of the rush hour would be ahead of me. Snow was also on the cards, and in response I saw some banter on Soul Source about Mick H packing a box of boots - well I thought they were talking about Wellington boots, to dig the cars out! It was an uneventful journey up, 2 hours in the van. I checked into my room which was very nice. Although I was two floors up I could still hear a feint thud of the music, and was able to make out some distinctive tunes (by their baseline) such as Minits "Still a part of me". Friday night was a bit quiet, maybe 120 in, and a good crowd over from Spain (the Spanish Armada), so it was nice to catch up with my Spanish amigos. I spent Friday night on Carlsberg Export and probably drank a wee bit too much. Certainly my attempts at dancing later in the night were pretty off beat, and on Saturday my head felt a wee bit heavy. DJ wise I did the 1-2 am slot Friday so pretty prime time, and was pleased with the overall reaction. Thing is even at an upfront venue you got to mix in some known stuff with the lesser known stuff, so I dug out a few underplayed oldies to compliment ones that not everyone would be familiar with. The other thing is none of the DJs want to duplicate what has already been played and purposely try and avoid it - obviously this gets harder the later you are on....I know this from Soul Essence, where I go on last Saturday night - having sat (and danced) through numerous preceding sets and ticking things off the playlist that those preceding DJ's have played. It's perhaps ironic but I could see Sam who was on very late at Lifeline on Friday doing the same. Anyway it's good that the DJ's think like that as it forces them to dig deeper into the box and not play the obvious several times over. That was Friday, and I stayed up til about 5.30 am.
Saturday started with a ham sandwich and I incorrectly gambled on a hair of the dog for breakfast - well it was really lunchtime and I had forced myself up to listen to Dave Fleming's set. This turned into several hairs of the dog, so at teatime I went and had a lie down for a couple of hours - we're none of us getting any younger and the afternoon nap makes for young Steve being as bright as a button come nightfall. Sat night I was on really quite early 9-10 pm, which was good as it enabled me to play some different things without dance floor pressure. I also dropped in repeat spins for a couple of things that had gone down well from the night before (and people had asked me about) like The Groove Merchants, Joe King, and E Morris. I finished on a couple of better known sides, ready for Mick H who continued with some lesser played sides, which was nice to hear. Thereafter it was a party all the way and the place filled up and the dancefloor really got going. Anyway I was determined not to drink Export again, so switched to ordinary Carlsberg, that was until the Hotel ran out, forcing me back onto Export again.....oh dear!
The line up at Lifeline included Andy Dyson, Chalky, Butch, Sam, Arthur, Kitch, Dean, Andy Whitmore, Cliffe Steele, Mick H, with a roster of guests on Saturday afternoon, and Sunday lunchtime. I only heard one complaint all weekend (that was not enough 60's / too much funky - Hi Dave!). I guess it depends on where you draw the line, as I'd call things like Al Gardner and Richard Marks 60's, others might call them funky (the B side of Richard Marks certainly is what I'd call funky). There is definitely an appetite for these sounds, even if they don't have a stomping on the fours beat. I thought musically it was about 75-80 percent 60's, though there was more 70s in the Saturday afternoon sets.
Here's my playlists from Lifeline....prime time Friday, early doors Saturday.
Friday 1-2 am
More for the feet
Al Scott "What happened to yesterday" (Genuine)
Al Gardner "Sweet baby" (Sepia)
Walter Wilson "Love keeps me crying" (Wand)
Appointments "I saw you there" (Delite)
Tokays "Baby baby baby" (Brute)
Luther Ingram "I need you now" (Hurdy Gurdy)
Benny Sigler "I can give you love" (Phil La of Soul)
Nurons "All of my life" (Nuron)
Mixed Feelings "Sha la LA" (united)
Second Re$$urection "You done let the daylight catch you" (Stanson)
Harvey Scales & Seven Seas "Trying to survive" (Magic Touch)
Groove Merchants "There's got to be someone for me" (Suemi)
Morris Lewis "I Love you (Me and you and a bottle of wine)
Vicky Styles "I didn't know" (Virtue)
Joe King "I don't want to share you" (Please give me a home Records)
Mixed Emotions "Gold of my life" (Rock-Way)
King Moses "I got this feeling" (Pet)
Eddie Billups "Ask my heart" (Peachtree)
Willie Feaster & Concrete Wall "Voices" (Red Coach)
Purple Mundi "Stop hurting me baby" (Cat)
Trends "Thanks for a little loving" (ABC)
Gypsy "Cuz it's you girl" (F&E) (earlier version)
Saturday 9 pm 10 pm
More for the ears
Diane Lewis "Without your love" (Wand) Played at +8
Jimmy Andrews "Big City playboy" (Blue Jay)
Jimmy Hudson "He don't love you" (Act IV)
Big Tim & Empires "Cheaters never get anywhere" (Mercury)
Fay Hill & The Hill Sisters "Gonna get even" (Blue Dolphin)
New Designers "We don't know unless we try" (Dynamo)
Billy Byrd "Lost in a crowd" (Scream)
King Arthur "Hey baby" (Soundscape)
Guitar Ray "Don't change your love" (cover up)
James Phelps "I'm just a fool" (cover up)
Little Dooley "You better be ready" (KoKo)
Janice Joyce "He's tough enough" (Buddah)
Tornadoes "Won't you forgive" (Magic Touch)
Roy Roberts "So much in love" (Sugar)
Eldridge Holmes "Let's go steady" (Kasnsu)
Tommy Tate "What's the matter" (ABC Paramount)
2 respins from Friday
Joe King "I don't want to share you" (Please give me a home records)
Morris Lewis "I Love you (Me and you and a bottle of wine)
.....and a couple of oldies to end up
Tearra "Just loving you (Midtown)
Bobby Cutchins "I did it again" (Lasso)
Chico Lamarr "What do you think I am" (Fuller)
.......
10 pm, and over to Mick H.......
By now we are into February - more then later.
Xmas And 2 Venues
Posted by Steve G, 02 January 2008
Christmas for me was really around 2 events. I had planned on doing a lot more, but was "infected" with a virile dose of Flu / cough by some unkindly Maid Marion-esque female from Nottingham Forest way ....you know who you are you wicked woman!
First up was Luton, and TOTS on Saturday the 22nd December. Having had my afternoon's entertainment down at the Palace (Crystal, not Buckingham - and winning again under Warnock as predicted by yours truly) interrupted when I received a text from young D'Arcy asking if there was "room at the inn" - or rather "room in the car" for a quiet self effacing individual like himself on the trip to Luton. Yes there was room in the car and since St Albans is vaguely in the line of travel, and since I was travelling to Luton as "Billy No Mates" this time, I could give him a lift. But the car was a tad dirty and I certainly wouldn't want young D'Arcy putting it about on the "scene" that my car needed a wash, so I decided that I'd have to fit in a quick car wash between football, tea and going out. Still at least this would be a chance to listen to the Angie Stone CD that had been sitting in my car unplayed now for several months. Then later comes another text - D'Arcy has now got the flu and so won't be able to make it after all!
It was one of those swirly misty nights, where really unless you are point blank insane, you should be locked behind your front door, with a good stack of DVD's to watch, duvet and a nice glass of something warm. But, unlike some 120 other near-looney's I ventured out to Luton, alone. The thing is it's not on that often and so when it is on, you really don't want to miss it.
On arrival I "shake and howdy" Little Reg with a big slap on the back. Reg is auto signing copies of his book, and finally I acquire my copy - which will form part of my Christmas reading. Boots meanwhile shoves some leaflets for the forthcoming "Spirella" Letchworth night into my mits with the special Christmas message from Neil "Give these out wherever you go sukka". But just before I do, I suddenly notice that I cannot read the small print properly......something about management reserving the right to leg it with all the door money and not to pay DJ's I think, but it's too dark, and the font size is set cunningly to a microscopic 0.4.......note to myself to seek clarification from BigO.
Meanwhile back at Luton it's "Hello's" to Taffy, Toby and Mandy, Sean, Pete and Lynn, Paul and Trish, Don Cluck, Sue, Sharon and Eamsy, Tina and Big Dave Hassle who is celebrating his 50th Birthday. Dave treats us to a set of his vinyls as a bonus, though he refuses to play the rather apt "Hawaii 5-0" by the Ventures, despite repeated demands from myself that he play it. By now I am ensconced at the bar in discussion with Anne, so I miss the next DJ's set, but he's a moddy (note moddy not moody!) type chap in a polo neck sweater. But my attention is drawn when Pete Lyster comes on and drops the Poets "Wrapped around your waistline" on the unsuspecting pre Xmas dancefloor chic crowd. Pete does a very good set, a lot of 60's, but good stuff, and I am sure I will be hearing more of the man whenever I am down in Somerset. In conclusion this was a good night and with a very good atmosphere, but I was cream crackered, and so left rather hurriedly before the end, and before I started boring everyone. I even left without saying goodnight properly to some people.
The second venue was to be Without Boundaries, and the final Chapter there after a 7 year run. But first in the afternoon of the 27th it's off to South Mimms services at Potters Bar to do a record deal - you see we do these deals in the strangest of places, you'd never guess would you? The King Moses deal was done on the M6 Toll Services one Friday morning I'll have you know. Top Northern DJ sitting in the car park clicking his fingers, waiting for little old me to turn up to do the deal. No names, no faces, no titles, no cash. Well there was some cash actually and a title - it would have been pointless meeting if there wasn't wouldn't it? It's gridlocked on the M25 so I am forced through the surface streets of Potters Bar and so, becoming bored as easily as I do, I switch on the radio only to learn the breaking news that Benezir Bhutto has been "injured". Record deal successfully done, I am back in the car, by which time Bhutto is confirmed dead and all of the BBC political / terrorism "talking heads" are being wheeled out to give their opinion on what this means for Pakistan and world cricket as a whole . Time for tea, and then out to p-a-r-t-y.
I decide to give the Batmobile a rest, well at least until Petrol becomes more reasonably priced again, and take the VW Caddy Turbo charged diesel van for a spin.....White van man takes to the M1! Lock up your daughters..... Even the VW has a bit of poke, and I can quite easily "cruise" at over 90 mph, if the speed limit were to allow for it of course. Now the VW doesn't have the same pulling power as the RX-8 - when I say pulling power I of course mean from a standing start, not from a "pulling the girls" perspective.
On the way up to Burton suddenly it happens. I start to feel very cold, and by the time I get to Burton, I am not only shamefully late (a bye product of not having the discipline of having to pick someone up at a fixed time), but also shivery, tired and feeling generally miserable. So the five people that asked for a lift up - just be grateful that I couldn't take you, as I would have been no company at all - and you'd have just have been passing me Strepsils and brewing up Lem Sips all the way up! Yes, it's the onset of the second dose (this winter) of flu. On arrival I immediately protest to Suzanne that I am going down with the lurgy, and that if she has any sense, she'll steer me a wide berth - "Oh don't worry" she says "I've had that and I bet I gave it to you at Luton!".
Anyway let me say I had that feeling that I just wanted to be tucked up in a warm bed with a hot water bottle, and yet here I was there to play some sounds. Must admit I didn't feel particularly like DJing, I took over from Mark Houghton, and promptly dropped a pile of very serious records on the floor. At this point I have a flashback to the time when DJing at Mark's old do at Smersh when I dropped (and cracked) my copy of Halo . So here I am rapidly checking all the records I dropped for cracks and breaks and using an "F" word so much that I think Mark feels decidedly uneasy, and leaves the stage quickly - preferring obviously not to endure my bad language. Miraculously my records are all seemingly "in tactum" with no breakages, so I do my hour before passing the baton onto Soul Sam who was his usual bubbly self.
In my set I decided, after spinning a couple of recent year WB anthems, to spin the next 35 mins of more obscurer stuff, finishing off with a few better known thingies to warm up the dancefloor for Uncle Samuel. I also drop in a couple of his old plays in a mischievous moment - more to force him to dig deeper into his box - ha ha. Time marches on in the words of the old Lainie Hill number, I see Sam eagerly looking at his watch - you don't want to be a minute over with Sam coming on, so I cut short Natural Impulse, and follow it up with the original version of Gypsy before the smoothies at RCA's "string and vibes production department" got their hands on it. The smallish floor has been busy for a while, and so I unceremoniously clear it for Sam by finishing on Millie Jackson.
I leave Sam to spin things like Herby Brown, Ellipses, Angela Davis, Tad Walton, Sy Hightower, Phyllis Hyman, Detroit Spinners, Nurons, Joseph Webster, Ice, and so on. Back in the main room it's buzzing and Curtis is on doing his thing as only Colin can to a full floor. I have always had a tremendous amount of time for Colin's DJ-ing. Being one of the few remaining souls in the Western world that is seemingly unable to "download" music from the net, I still buy records. So I "Fish" out some tunes from young Coddington's sales boxes, just as his missus hands me my DJ wages. Funnily enough the sum total of the vinyl purchases equals the amount of my fee, save for a pint of beer (or more appropriately for tonight some Sudafed tablets perhaps). So I collect my fee from Sandy in one hand, and pay it out to Mark for records in the other- t'was ever that way with records I guess.
Simon M meanwhile has been drinking pints and by now is talking in "tongues" and I cannot understand a blind word he's saying. Thank goodness he's not driving back!
The last Without Boundaries was a packer with a great atmosphere, and all the great and the good were out in force. Such a shame then, that it has not been able to maintain this level of support overt the last 12 months. I find it very disheartening that a venue that plays such a brilliant selection of new release soul (not to mention the 70s / 80s room which isn't exactly shabby either) has not managed to be standing room only each time it's been on. It speaks volumes about the apathy that exists on the soul scene today. What was worse for me was that I was feeling so bad, that I left long before the end, and so cut short on the good vibes. Apologies if you were one of those I spoke to (and I hope I didn't give YOU the flu!), but I wasn't feeling myself, and when you got one of these things, you just want to get home and don't really want to do anything else. Suffice to summarise by saying that both rooms were very busy and there was a great atmosphere.
Anyway that's 2007, I was still under the cosh as N.Y.E came and went, so decided to end my 2007 on the high that was "Without Boundaries", rather than venturing out into the cold and finding myself with bronchitis or something. Well at our age, I keep being told, we do have to pace ourselves a little.....
Playlist Without Boundaries 27/12/07
Freedom "High on you"
Trace of Smoke "Treasure Mind"
Robert Montgomery "I need you girl"
.....
Donald Thomas "Calling me home"
Fred Williams Captain Boo & Funky Space Cadets "Ever good loving"
Veda "How long" (cover up)
Procedures "Give me one more chance"
Guitar Ray "Don't change your love" (cover up)
Arvin Tollivers Pleasure Seekers "Come inside my love"
Lee McDonald & Lonely Ones "Please don't go" (cover up)
Beaux Beatty "Back up man"
...
Wee "Try me"
Chuck Proffett "Love love love"
Tolbert "I've got it"
Sex "It's you, baby it's you"
Purple Mundi "Stop hurting me baby"
Mixed Feelings "Sha la la"
Natural Impulse "She went away"
Gypsy "Cuz it's you girl" (original version - none of that RCA pickle for me)
Millie Jackson "Ask me what you want" (floor clearer)

Skeggy - Upfront At The Seaside
Posted by Steve G, 03 December 2007
I'd been looking forward to Upfront at the Seaside at sunny Skeggy for sometime, and took the Friday afternoon off so as I could get there by about 8.30 p.m. Geographically it's about 140 miles for me, but going up on a Friday night - I allowed, and needed, the best part of 3 hours. I am not saying the Lincolnshire roads are bad, but once you get past Peterborough it is slow; lorries, tractors, large pieces of mobile farm equipment, nervous drivers who really don't want to be out in the dark, people driving over cautiously because they've had too much to drink - you name it the A15 has them in abundance - it's a bit like a computer game -as soon as you get past one challenge there's another one which pops up. As it was I hadn't been up the A15 much in recent years. In fact the last time was last August when I took Karen up to ITS at the Sugar Beet Club, which I am pleased to see is still going strong under the stewardship of Kev Laws and Steve Jay.
I dutifully poodled along in procession past towns like Market Deeping, Deeping St Nicholas, and Spalding, overtaking on the straight bits, all the way to Boston.....On the approach to Boston I noticed a rather strange smell for a couple of hundred metres, quite stale......odd I thought - but more on that later. Anyway after the delightful market town of Boston, it's the A52, the only main road to Skeggy for the last 20 or so miles. Again this is a road that twists and turns with 40 mph restrictions, slow drivers and speed cameras.
Got to Skeggy at about 8.30, and parked up over the road from the Grosvenor - which is opposite the Pier on the seafront. It was one of those wet and very windy November nights where all the illuminations blow around in the wind, and the old bell designed to ward off ships from straying onto the mudflats is "dinging". Upfront is a two room event with Northern downstairs and Modern in the larger upstairs ballroom. On arrival the first person I saw apart from Dave and Donna was Kev Thomas who was sitting behind the doormen by the entrance, winding them up I think .
Spent Friday night both downstairs in the northern room (where I was DJing) and upstairs in the Modern room - mostly downstairs as I wanted to hear what the DJ's ahead of me were playing - not wanting to repeat anything they'd played earlier. Upstairs was the busier of the rooms and on the occasions when I went up to the top of the stairs people were dancing to things like - ironically enough - "Top of the stairs" Luther and and King Tutt.
Purveyors of fine vinyl (who were downstairs) included Roger Banks, Steve Jeffries, Andy Dyson, Andy Whitmore, Fish etc. (Fish moved upstairs for Saturday), plus a number of smaller stands. The Grosvenor is a nice venue and there was a food stall / kitchen off to the side as well which made me feel hungry! Anyways I settled in to listen to Chalky's set which was good. He was followed by young James Trouble who started off with Skull Snaps "I'm your pimp", and followed it with a set made up largely of his 60's exclusives. James is rather impartial to using the "F" word over the mike, and he doesn't need to - we're old enough and ugly enough to work it out for ourselves mate . One of his that stood out for me was Hesitations track (just how many of their unissued tracks are still in the can then Ady? ).
Then at 11 p m it was my turn - and a bit of a mixed bag really......
Walter Wilson "Love keeps me crying"
Honey & Bees "Dynamite exploded"
Willie Hutch "Can't fight the power"
4 Pros "Just another girl"
Chico Lamarr "What do you think I am"
Eldridge Holmes "Let's go steady"
Eddie Carr "Your love is indescribably delicious" (superior version of Willis Wooten)
Honey & The Bees "I didn't know"
Charles Mintz "Running back"
Al Gardner "Sweet baby"
Richard Marks "Did you ever lose something"
Eddie Smith "I didn't realize"
Tommy Tate "What's the matter"
Sharon Jones "Tell me" - sounds just like a 60s recording, and I was determined to give this an airing
Jimmy Hudson "He don't love you"
Tokays "Baby baby baby"
21st Century "Can I take you home"
Appointments "I saw you there"
Frankie Saunders "Carry on" (cover up)
2nd Resurrection "You done let the daylight catch you"
Veda "How long" (cover up)
Tommy Tate "Ordinarily"
After me Arthur was on starting off with another mix of Minnie Jones "Shadow of a memory" - which is much better than the issued version. It is fair to say that the downstairs northern room never really got going on the Friday and although there were about 30-40 people in the room most of them were listening for most of the time. Towards the end of the evening I spent a bit of time upstairs listening to Mick H spin some of his 70's, and having a dance on the excellent dancefloor, before leaving and heading back home again.
Yes you read it right - I did indeed head home Friday night, and everyone thought I was completely bonkers! The reality was I had to pick up a van in Hertford on Saturday.
Anyway the van collected, Saturday evening came and back up to Skeggy went I, this time picking up Anne from Bedford on the way. Once again just outside Boston there was that smell - Anne noticed it too, and we concluded it was mothballs. So there is either a big factory that makes mothballs there, a giant moth that is hiding somewhere beside the A15, or a crematorium - we were not sure which! But at least I wasn't imagining it. Maybe one of the locals can shed light on what it is?
Saturday at the Grosvenor was busier, and several people told me about some great tunes played in the afternoon sets. Tonight I was on upstairs, and so I decided to spend most of my time up here- again listening to what the DJs ahead of me were playing. Tats and Ivor blended some nice 70s and crossover.
Then at 9 Jonathan played a set of classic 12s from the 80's. Simon Murray took over at 10 and played some good obscure / unknown records. The room by now had well over 100 in. I was on at 11, and up until this point no one had really been dancing much. Simon had tempted a few onto the floor with Luther "Don't wanna be a fool" and Garland Green "Don't let love", and a few brave hearts stuck it out for Free the Youth. But when the unknowns were on, everyone was listening but no one was really dancing much.
This got me thinking - it's 11 pm - three hours to go on a Saturday night, shall I play my unknown and rarities, or shall I get everyone dancing? I spoke to Simon M, and a few others who'se opinions I trust and rapidly came to the conclusion that I wanted to get everyone dancing, and ratchet the atmosphere up. So Plan B then - one of my party sets!
It only took a bit of Marvin Gaye and Mel Williams and the place really seemed to come to life. My set was nowhere near as upfront as I'd have liked, and I did compromise there, but I felt - rightly or wrongly - that at the time I was on, this was the right thing to do. So apologies if you wanted to hear the Guitar Ray and Black Nasty cover ups, King Moses, Natural Impulse etc. (I know Maria will be delighted NOT to have heard King Moses ).
So then a few dancefloor winners to get everyone dancing.....
Marvin Gaye "Come get to this"
Mel Williams "Sweet girl of mine"
Flame N king "Ho happy day"
Stevens & Foster "I wanna be love"
Timeless Legend "I was born to love you"
Next a change of direction - moving forward in time with an old Fleet / St Ives classic
Bobby Thurston "Very last drop" (for the Spalding crowd)
Curtis Hairston "I want you all tonight"
Then into the 90's and another revival.....
A Way of Life "Tripping on your love"
All of a sudden Sam has appeared on stage to tell me the sound on this one is a bit quieter and is twiddling the knobs and re-adjusting the graphic equalizer. No sooner than he's said "That's better" and left the stage, the soundman comes up. "What have you done with the sound?" he says. Not wanting to "grass up" Mr Barnfather , I sheepishly say "I tried to turn the volume up a bit". "Well you've actually turned it down" he replies, before readjusting it again!
D'Influence "Magic"
Wahoo! "Don't take it personal"
The dancefloor holds up well to these selections, but I change direction again and turn to a few real oldies - East Coast oldies
Bottom & Co "Gonna find a true love"
Eloise Laws "Love Factory"
James Fountain "Seven day lover"
Eula Cooper "Let our love grow higher"
Connie Laverne "Can't live without you"
By now Steve Woomble tells me he has renamed me Steve "Cleethorpes" G
Time for a couple of things that have been popular in the last few years
Lil Major Williams "Girl you're so sweet"
Mixed Feelings "Sha la la"
Finally two stone cold classics designed to leave young Arthur with a full dancefloor.
Ann Sexton "You've been gone too long"
Harold Melvin & BlueNotes "The love I lost"
Not surprisingly I did leave Arthur with a full floor, and he carried on the Philly tradition with Anthony White, and then played things like Wee, Herby Brown, and the Hamilton Movement. Sam rounded off the last hour with a mix of 70s and newer things - like Hamilton Movement (again), Joseph Webster, Elipsis, Bloodstone in the former genre, and UBP "We are one", Joi Caldwell, Ron Hall etc in the latter.
The dancefloor stayed busy until the end, and all the sounds played were good-apart from two little pet hates of mine. The two I couldn't get my head round were Mr Clean's version of "What's going on"- I mean you just cannot top Marvin! and DJ Genisis destruction of Betty Wright's classic, a long time pet hate as everyone knows.
All the people there seemed to be enjoying themselves and the event closed at 2 to a round of applause to the organizer Dave Raistrick.
Then it was just my fourth run back along the A52 and A15 in two days keeping me from my pillow and some shut eye. This time the journey was quicker though, as although there were a lot of lorries trundling along across the fens, I was able to overtake them and demonstrate the dexterity and acceleration power of the RX-8 to Anne! Also having good company in the car helped loads, as did a Sam Dees CD. But boy was I tired when I got in! I wouldn't recommend driving 600 odd miles or so in the dark and wet over a 36 hour period! Next time I am staying in Skegness.
This was the first of what will hopefully be many events, and full credit for Dave for putting it on . Numbers wise Saturday was busiest, and once it got going the upstairs room was kicking. I must say that some of the "faces" that harp on here about upfront soul and how we need to build our lives around being out every Friday and Saturday going to certain venues that play upfront stuff were actually missing, which was a bit disappointing - where were you amigos? With more support for the next one, this event should be firmly established on everyone's calendar. A top addition to the weekend calendar!

Blue Skies In November And Monumental
Posted by Steve G, 24 November 2007 ·
Well after a short absence behind the decks, I am back - so lock away your daughters as they say.
Of course I have been "active" 'behind the scenes' in the last couple of weeks....as a punter......I mean I haven't told you about the last Bedford Ath which is one of the top Friday nights in the Country, with a regular 100+ open minded crowd. The last one had Mick H and Johnny M DJing as the "guests" and was a top night as always. Me? I took Martin from Welyn Garbage City with me, but was mostly dancing, and as D'Arcy said I was "making shapes" on the dancefloor.....Lot's of stomping and shuffling too, I think Anne and myself nearly wore a hole in the Rugby Club dancefloor. When they come back from their short break they'll be saying "What's happened to our floor?".
Then Saturday it was darn sarf, over the Thames with other members of the S Herts and N London Crazy Gang to Chris and Moldie's birthday night. Though working out who was driving who where proved a little bit of a challenge and we all ended up on Plan "E" I think - probably all my fault.....anyway be glad we're not organising your local Pantomine, as I'd probably forget to book the Hall. This was also a very enjoyable occasion. Loads of DJ's who all excelled themselves and I enjoyed Tim Brown's set. Though I had agreed with Carolyn G that if Tim played COD's "She's fire" we'd start a conga up around the hall. Word must have got back to Tim, and fortunately he had the good sense (and taste) not to play it. Also nice to see so many good eggs there too - and not just Scotch eggs either - especially Maxine, a Soul Essence season ticket holder with excellent taste. Mentioning the Scotch eggs, just worth noting that there was plenty of food on hand for Geoff!
Fast forward then to Friday and the rebirth Phoenix like of Blue Skies, the Martin A / Pete Bennett club which hosted a number of succesful nights in Hatfield.
This venue has relocated to a South London boozer, The Horseshoes nestling between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. I was conscious that there was book launch on in Hemel, but I didn't get an invite to that, and the lure of those decks, plus the promise of attractive bar staff, and apparantly a load of nurses from St Thomas's coming in later was all I needed to hear. (Please don't go all "PC" on me!)
Anyway Martin was right about the bar staff, but alas I think the nurses must have heard that I was on the bill, as they were nowhere to be seen. DJ's were ChrissieO with her "Mamsy pamsy" stuff as she calls it - all excellent except for a "special request" for me "Holly St James" I bollocked Winstanley when he played it at Wigan (and "accidentally spilt my drink into Ginger's box when he played it!!!) but the years have mellowed me somewhat, so I just went outside and talked to the "smokeheads" while "That's not love" droned out of the speakers. Then there was Dave from Walls of Heartache, Toby from Letchworth, Martin A and yours truly. Chrissie, Martin, Dave and Toby all played excellent sets, really top stuff.
We'd all agreed that if the nurses were coming, and as there were "locals" (picture of Vinnie Jones in "Lock Stock and 2 Smoking barrels" comes to mind "Look mate I said play something we know - all right?") - we'd all decided to pack our little boxes with loads of Motown and classics. Great thought I as it would be a rare opportunity to play some of my UK collection out for a change. As it happens the great and the good of the London 60s scene were the mainstay of the audience - Martin T, Dave "Bananas" Greenhill, Paul McKay, some of the Southend - sorry Rayleigh lads, and some from Southend (Helen etc) plus others. Good to see Bearsy and Jo out. Not being tied to the Mazda enabled me to partake of some Amber Nectar mixed with Stella - my version of "Snakebite". By about 9 o'clock any coherence from me was rapidly disappearing. Some girls kept asking for some Motown and Martin graciously took them through his record box. Try as we might though we couldn't get them onto the carpet - steady! I mean there was no dancefloor - that's what I mean - it wasn't a Steve Bennett type of do
So, we played a lot of classics, and each did two sets apart from Chrissie, who I think I might have been quite rude to at one point.
I had to leave at about 11.15 to catch my last train, and as I started my 30 minute route march up to Liverpool St, I saw two things. Firstly a long queue of what looked like nurses, queueing up to get into a local nightclub. Should have packed some House music then! Secondly, that rarest of beasts when you actually want one - a black cab with his orange light on. So I treated myself to the luxury of a cab ride to the station. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against these Cabbies, but Livingstone has made them so expensive. As the meter went round like one of those old petrol pumps, and clunked up to a shocking £9 (not bad for one and a half miles ) I seriously wonder whether he has pushed them beyond the reach of many people.
Oh and as a postscript - one of life's little mysteries. Whenever I repack my record box there are always spare covers, and yet I haven't left any records behind and no one has nicked any, so how does this happen then? It always happens by the way. It's a real mystery.....
Anyway a top night, Blue Skies is re-born and so look out for the next one.....here is what I played.
Set 1
The Hesitations "Go away"
B side of the latest Kent anniversary single - simply too good not to play
Sammy Lee "What goes around" - one of Winstanley's great records - you cannot knock him for this.
Al Scott "What happened to yesterday"
Chico Lamarr "What do you think I am" - along with the Parliaments, just about my favourite 60s thingy of the last few months / years
Gene Toones "What more do you want"
The Ivories "Please stay" (Wand!!!) - got one at last
Kiki Dee "Why don't I run away from you". This was my "Mamsy pamsy" selection, which I think is better than Tammi Lynn - but no one agrees with me
Next some of those classics.....
Temptations "Why you wanna make me blue"
Temptations "Beauty is only skin deep"
The Impressions "You've been cheating"
Maxine Brown "Let me give you my loving"
Eddie Floyd "Bring it on home to me"
Johnny Maestro "Stepping out of the picture"
Eddie Billups "Ask my heart"
The Appointments "I saw you there"
Sandy Wynns "A touch of venus"
Jackie Wilson "Whispers"
Set 2 "Complete party tart set"
Barbara Lewis "Hello stranger" - still love this, and I think the locals knew it too - did the Beatles cover it or something?
Deon Jackson "Ooh baby"
The O'Jays "I dig your act"
Chuck Jackson "Chains of love"
Bob Kuban "The cheater"
J J Barnes "Please let me in"
The Spinners "I'll always love you"
The Contours "Just a little miss understanding"
4 Tops "Baby I need your loving"
Tedward Hamilton "Baby don't you creep"
The Appreciations "I can't hide it"
The Steinways "You've been leading me on"
The Incredibles "There's nothing else to say"
The Vibrations "Cause you're mine"
The Precisions "If this is love I'd rather be lonely" (Track)
Dee Dee Sharp "What kind of lady"
Darrell Banks "I'm the one who loves you"
Bobby Hebb "You want to change me"
Ike & Tina Turner "Dust my broom"
The Olympics "Baby do the Philly dog"
4 Tops "Ask the lonely"
Temptations "Get ready"
Jock Mitchell "Not a chance in a squillion"
Hoagy Lands "The next in line"
....and finally the enders....
Timi Yuro "It'll never be over for moi"
Spinners "It's a shame"
By now I had probably been on too long, so I handed over to Martin to finish the night off.
So, that was Friday a really good night, and for Saturday I have taken a conscious decision to be car-less again, as I try and reduce my carbon footprint, and increase my "green" credentials a bit. Round and round he goes, where he ends up.....nobody knows - including me at this point .
Saturday:
Determined not to drive anywhere I have a somewhat limited choice - three possibilities. I thought some of me playmates told me they're Tos'sers - ha ha. It's my hearing that was at fault - they're top people and what they really said was they were going to Tos'sers - (These Old Shoes) no disrespect to Jo and the gang, but I was more inclined to hear some 70's that night after my 60s fest on Friday night. Others were staying in with a mug of cocoa and an old movie to watch. Others were not well, and so Hemel was out of the question, unless I cycled and it was a bit cold for that, and porobably a bit too far. So that left me playing the role of "Billy no mates" and venue wise it just left a return visit to Mental in London. This is an easy journey for me on the train - or so I thought!
Arriving at the station a slow train comes in but it's going on the slow line stopping at about 50 stations, and I see there is a fast train behind it. Everyone gets on the slow train, like mugs. I stand there alone on the platform smug in the knowledge that being on a fast train on the fast track I'll get to London faster. Oh no, next trundling through out of the Lea Valley mist at about 15 mph is a freight train, and then the fast train behind that. It's at this point that I realise that "due to engineering works" all trains are going down the slow line. So my "fast train" is stuck behind a stopping service and a freight train. Now in over 40 years of using public transport I have never been able to work out the mindset or logic of the railway signalman. To me it's simple - fast train first, then slow train, then freight train. Not in the world of railways, where it's slow train, freight and then fast train. I am sure someone that knows about railways will be able to explain this "weird logic" to me! Anyway we crawl down to London stopping and starting, and I have plenty of time to regret my principled "I am not driving" statement! I am cursing myself for my outbreak on environmentalism and wish I'd just fired up the Mazda.
Eventually I get to Mental, and Mole is just finishing, followed by Girth Devon. Some nice jazzy bits, including Wasabee which gets the dancefloor going.
Tonight we have some of S Yorkshires finest in attendance with Tats and Bully DJing. Also down in the smoke is Kev Briscoe and Sean Hampsey.
There's about 65 in, including Guy Hennigan - who it's always good to catch up with, Ivor Jones (ditto), Mark Houghton (back from training good to see you buddy), Sharon and Alan from Bisley, Col "Soul" Smith, Hammersoul, the south coast folks, Lorraine, Annette and Phil, Pat B, Niki and TSU, D'Arcy and a car load from St Albans, a car load from Letch - Paul, Trish and Taffy + loads of others. Absent friends include Bernadette, and the Crawley girls who were last heard of at the Blackpool weekender. Several people tell me that they enjoyed the Little Reg book launch / signing etc. the night before.
Bully pulls off a blinder with things like Goody Colbert, Mel & Tim "Forever",Brenda Jones, Barbara Mason "You better stop it", Ron Keith, and his piece de resistance Robert Parker "I caught you in a lie" - which everyone loved. Hearing it again after so long, he sounds so similar to WIllie Tee (Robert Parker not Bully), that simple New Orleans sound - great.
Tats is on next, things like Alex Brown, Ty Karim (Lighten up), Chuck Cockerham and some obligatory Bobby Womack. Unfortunately as he's playing Phillip James, the amp blows. This must be every promotors nightmare, and I felt sorry for old Mole as he was behind it trying to get it started, and shouting out "F***......F***". Anyway it gets going again, and we all resume the party. Niki rounds off the last 45 mins with classics. Didn't do much dancing the whole flavour of the night was more crossover and steppers rather than uptempo. Good quality stuff, also heard things like Sy Hightower, and Vivien Reed. In fact it was very Yarmouth -esque, so Kirsty would have been in her element.
D'Arcy was out on the dancefloor quite a bit waving arms and legs around and spinning like a top, and even trod on my toes a couple of times - ha.
Thanks to the St Albans lads for the offer of the lift home, and double thanks to Paul and Trish for the actual lift home. Paul was very naughty at the garage. Pre paying for £20 of petrol, he actually put in £20.08 - shocks......still they didn't come after us for the 8p! The secret is safe with us!
Good night again here, Niki tells me they're only doing 4 next year, so make sure you get along.
Here is Bully's playlist:
I Got To Get Rid Of You - J.J. Barnes
I'm So Very Glad - Sam Dees (The Atlantic copy, not the clintone 7, which is Not Sam singing )
You Better Stop It - Barbara Mason
Give It To Me - Mike James Kirkland ( especially for Taffy)
Whatcha Done For Me, I'm Gonna Do For You - We The People
I Caught You In A Lie - Robert Parker (especially for Binsy)
Big Mistake - Brenda Jones
I'm Moaning - Rose Brooks
Forever In A Day - Mel & Tim
Lost Someone - James Brown
Can't Stop Looking For My Baby - The Fantastic Four
Live & Learn 12" - Ace Spectrum (dedicated To Ivor Jones - Thanks Ivor)
Gotta Go By What You Tell Me - Ron Keith (especially for Jason Sharp)
I Wanna Thank You - Godoy Colbert
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Will Hatcher
Feel Good - Michelle Wiley (Requested by Steve Crowley)
If Only I Could Prove To You - The Three Pieces
Morning, Noon & Night Time - Carl Carlton
On Your Way Home - C & The Shells (Thanks to Sean Hampsey for putting me on to that)

Canal Tavern Thorne
Posted by Steve G, 13 November 2007 ·
The Canal Tavern Thorne is an old soul venue that has been hired out many times over the last 20 or so years. It's always had a reputation for playing soul of the highest calibre. Revered soul scene "faces" and luminaries like Rod Dearglove, Tim Brown, Fish etc have all had a go here, and when Maria, Karen and Arthur took it on to run their Boomerang nights, I just knew straight away that the fine tradition associated with this venue would continue.
Such was the demand for this night from down this way that at one point there were six of us wanting to go. Now I am not being funny, but six of us in my little Mazda would have been a squeeze for a trip down the local shops, let along a two hour punt up the A1. So at one point I was contemplating hiring a People Carrier for the day, but was concerned at what this might do to my image. My views on Camper Vans and the people that use them are legendary, and a People Carrier whilst not being as bad, isn't exactly 'chic' either. As it happens the two girls got a better offer on Friday, and so it ended up with four of us - Geoff, D'Arcy and Jason and yours truly in the drivers seat. Again not being funny (or rude) but three largish guys (and Geoff) would certainly put the RX8 through it's paces I thought. I wondered whether I would get "challenged" to a standing start by some knob in that most unstylish and underpowered of cars - the Lotus Elan again. This had happened the other week, and whilst I normally try and avoid these frivolities, I did rise to the bait......let's just say the result was Mazda 1 Lotus 0. Anyway what sort of guy drives a Lotus Elan anyway? - my theory is one who isn't too well blessed in the trouser department. As I sped off from the lights, I cruelly wiggled my little finger in my rear view mirror - ha ha. But with four guys on board though, the result might have been a little different. Anyway no Lotus Elan's this week and no racing either.
Chronologically for those that are interested in such things, I left home 5.30, picked up Geoff at 6, and D'Arcy and Jason at 6.35. Then it was just over a two hour bang up the A1 - the second time in a month, this time avoiding emergency stops for speed cameras, and my passengers didn't have any bananas either - unlike on the Lifeline visit (see below)! Some hilarity in the car - you know "four blokes go north" type of stuff, but D'Arcy is short of jokes for once, so a number of other subjects are covered - bloke topics (women, records, women, records and women). We also talked a bit about politics.
The Canal Tavern is a back room in a pub, and a little bit old and worn, which is ideal for a soul night. I mean you don't need the ballroom at the Palais for a good night now do you? I remember Richard Searling once telling me that he'd love to do a back room in a pub playing great soul music, rather than some mega hall - well here it is - back room in a pub! Some of the best ever soul nights are in faded clubs - I am thinking W Hampstead for example!
I park the batmobile on some broken glass under a bridge, and lead the lads in. There I am talking to Hull Karen and Malyka who are manning the pay desk, when I feel this presence behind me. Turning round, about 3" from me is 6' (in heels) of red headed loveliness - and with hands on hips in true attention seeking style - Kirsty. Now you might not know this, but after a series of e-mails suggesting I part with some of my better vinyl, in exchange for unmentionable pleasures, I had come to a conclusion. Thinking that Kirsty couldn't do such things, that conclusion was that the real Kirsty's identity had been stolen as I was in fact being "groomed" and e-mailed by some bearded IT geek who was trying to trick me out of my records. Meanwhile Kirsty was being detained in some dark and dank basement while this was going on. Perhaps I have seen too many films at this point, but it was a pleasure to see Kirsty was alive and well after all, and looking resplendent in black -the boots though dear - don't make dancing easy do they?.
Got the new Sharon Jones LP off of Fish and trawled through the boxes. There was a BJB for sale - one you don't see too often, and if I didn't already have it I might have shelled out for one. Musically the night was spot on, though a few more 60s than I was expecting. Maria was on when we arrived, followed by Andy Dyson, Dave Fleming (who had come up from St Neots with Funky Si), Arthur, and Andy again. Liked Arthur's new Priceless 45 (I think that's what it was) - other than that you can see the playlists on the events lookback thread and for the anoraks amongst you - they are at the end of this review,......but a few that stood out were Richard Marks, 4 Dynamics, and the other Lynn bVernando which you rarely hear out from Andy, Guy Allen and Ladellics (Dave), Earthchild (Maria), Monclairs, Herby Brown, Karmella Brooks, Young Ladies, etc etc. A few were played twice, but that wasn't a problem.
There were about 100 in - which ain't bad since Karen (W's) party was on down the road. The dancefloor was busy then quiet then busy again, but that's not a reflection on the music, which was top notch as we'd expect. When we weren't dancing we were listening or gassing. The sound system was alright on the dancefloor, but came across as a bit muffled back at the bar. Had loads of little chats with a very friendly crowd (apologies to those I forget to mention) - Hull Karen, Dave T and Malyka, Rob Thomas, The Wombles, Blake (but no Mrs Blake), Adam and the Smog Monsters , Gary The Caped Crusader making a rare appearance, Arthur & Maria, Simon, Dave the Dentist, Claire and Jenny, Fish, Andy, Chalky, Skegsoul, and of course Kirsty - who was reminiscing about her Insurance days - our paths crossed back then we were both surprised to learn! That was in between her raising poor Geoff's blood pressure with some priceless wind-ups!
The music went on 'til about 1.15, and it was time to go. Once we'd said our goodbyes, everyone had been to the toilet (twice!), said goodbye again, finished pints etc. we set off back 'darn sarf. Geoff was tucking into his sarnies, and we all agreed that he should open a franchise selling food at the end of soulnights - he'd make a fortune. Various nicknames were concocted, but we decided on Geoff "The Sandwich" in the end . Two hours later and after a stop in St Albans to drop off D'Arcy and Jason, then back to Winchmore Hill to drop off Geoff, I got in about 4.05 a.m.
As expected this was a top night, and one not to be missed.
Right here's the sounds as supplied by the Dee Jays themselves:
ARTHUR FENN - early spot 8pm
Troy Johnson - I Want You (Soul Beat)
Carmelita - Rosebud (Carmen)
Infinity - Put Everything In Place (Whitehorse)
The Servicemen - I'll Stop Loving You (Grapevine)
The Hesitations - Go Away (Kent)
The Stunners - Nobody But Me (Renfro)
The Pearls - Shooting High (Lamp)
Towana & The Total Destruction - Wear Your Natural, Baby (Romark)
Archie Hodge - I Really Want To See You Girl (Narco)
Eddie Billups - Shake Of That Dream (Helpp)
Gene Chandler - Without You Here (Curtom)
Theola Kilgore - I Can't Stand It (Mercury)
MARIA O - from 8:30pm
Ella Woods - I Need Your Love (Merging)
Connie Austin - Ball Of Fire (King)
Maxine Brown - Don't Leave Me Baby (Epic - LP)
The Dynamics - Whenever I'm Without You (Top Ten)
Richard "Dimples" Fields - And Then...Along Came Belinda (Dat Richfield Kat - LP)
Vee Gees - Talkin (Jump Off)
O.C. Smith - Color Him Father (CBS - LP)
Willie & The Mighty Magnificents - "Check It Baby" (All Platinum)
Norma and the Heartaches - "Nice and Slow" (Vocal) (Joy Ride)
Mark V Unlimited - Gone! (Sagport)
J. Jocko - I'm Getting' Over (Kuma Sutra)
Earth Child - It's Our Day (Marjon)
The Side Show - "Lonely Girl" (Trey)
Richard Caiton - I Like To Get Near You (Up Tight)
Shiela Ferguson - "And In Return" (Swan)
Karmello Brooks - Tell Me, Baby (Milestone)
Brown Bombers & Soul Partners - Wait For Me (Amazing)
Andy Dyson
LINDA BALLENTINE-I'M GLAD-BANDIT
RISING SUN-GOOD LOVING -KINGSTON
MIXED SUGAR-IT'S A BAD FEELING-F.G.S
JOSEPH WEBSTER- CROW
KINGS OF SOUL-IS YOUR LOVE FOR ME-D.T.E
RICHARD MARKS-DID YOU EVER LOSE-TUSKA
LYN VERNANDO-SECOND HAND LOVE-YUMMIE
EDDIE CAMPBELL-CONTAGIOUS LOVE-ARTCO
SHALIMARS-SUPRISE -C/UP
JERRY WILLIAMS-ORDINARY GIRL- C/UP
TURBINES-START OVER-CENCO
JESSE JAMES-FALLING IN LOVE -BUDDAH
4 DYNAMICS- THINGS THAT A LADY-PEACHTREE
EDDIE PARKER-I NEED TRUE LOVE-MIKO
CHICO LAMAR-WHAT DO YOU THINK-FULLER
ERIC TIG-DON'T YOU HEAR THEM LAUGHING- TUSKA
EMULATIONS-MOVE A LITTLE CLOSER-EMULATE
JOHNNY PRAYE-TOO MUCH LOVE-SIDEWALK
CLYDE MILTON I'"d rather leave"
MILTON PARKER "Women like it harder"
MATT BROWN-JARVAL
SENSATIONS-DEMANDING MAN-WAY OUT
Dave Fleming
ELSIE STRONG-ASK THE LONELY-SOUNDS INT
DELORES HOWARD-MY GUY AND I-MASTER
TNJ`s-SHE`S NOT READY-NEWARK
ROYAL ROBINS-ROLLAR COASTER-TRU-GLO-TOWN
EULA COOPER-TRY-TRAGER
WILLIE TEE-FIRST TASTE OF HURT-GATUR
THREE PROPHETS-I THINK I REALLY LOVE YOU-TOGETHER
J,P, ROBINSON-OUR DAY IS HERE-BLUE CANDLE
BOBBY WILBURN-I`M A DREAMER-GAMBLE
ALEX BROWN-I`M NOT RESPONSIBLE-SUNDI
LA`DELLICS-I`LL NEVER CHANGE MY LOVE FOR YOU-MO-JO
GUY ALLEN-CHANGES-ALLEN BROS
PATTERSON TWINS-I NEED YOUR LOVE-MALACO
ERNEST BAKER-ALONE AGAIN-BLUE SOUL
BRENDA JONES-BIG MISTAKE-MERCURY
RHYTHM MACHINE-PUT A SMILE ON TIME-LULU
TRACE OF SMOKE-TREASURE MIND-BJ
WEE-TRY ME-OWL
DAYBREAK-I NEED LOVE-PAP
AUTHENTIKS UNLTD-HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS-COSMOS ENT INC
FLOWERS-FOR REAL-LA XPRESSIO
ARTHUR FENN - later spot from 11:15
Herby Brown (with Randy Mather - Sax) - One More Broken Heart (Blue Ash)
Ice - "Reality" (Ice)
The Saints - I'll Let You Slide (Wigwam)
Bobby Rich - There's A Girl Somewhere (Sambea)
Young Ladies - "I'm Tired Of Running Around" (Stang)
Ruby - Feminine Ingenguity (Gold Token)
Marjorie Singleton - Never Let Go (Unissued C/U)
Herman Lewis - Who's Kissing You Tonight (Mercury)
The Celebrities - "I Choose You Baby" (Boss)
Esther Grant - Here I Am (Unissued C/U)
Jessie James - Are You Gonna Leave Me (Shirley)
Detroit Sounds Of Friction - "I'm Leaving You" (Heavy Sound)
Stormie Wynters - Life Saver (Mercury)
The Montclairs - "Hey You! Don't Fight It!" (Arch)
Angela Davis & The Mighty Chevelles - My Love (Is So Strong) (Flaming Arrow)
The Natural Four - I Thought You Were Mine (Boola Boola)
Mel Britt - She'll Come Running Back (Fip)
Priceless - Love In Your Life (Decimal)
Anthony White - Hey Baby (Philadelpihia International)
Al Williams - Try Them (Grapevine)
Lynn Varnado - Wash and Wear Love (Gator)

Lifeline
Posted by Steve G, 29 October 2007 ·
At long last the Lifeline All Nighter comes round in the Calender, like the Kent 25th last week, an event that had been eagerly awaited for some time. As it 'appens, the week before I'd been over in Ireland and had overdone it somewhat in the rather nice hotel gym on the treadmill, and had as a result, pulled some of my leg muscles. The Irish soccer team use this gym apparantly, and so it would have been rude not to have used it to it's full capacity.......As the last day wore on my legs stiffened up, so much so that the journey up the steps of the Ryanair plane at Dublin on Friday afternoon was a major challenge for me. Come Saturday I was walking around the house like Douglas Bader! I should really know better at my age.....but obviously don't . So the result of all this was that possibly my attempts at dancing would be restricted somewhat.
Martin (R&BMan), Dave Greenhill and myself agree to make the not too long trek north and we set off from The Cork in WGC at about 8.45 pm. I have made a CD of 60s records for the journey up - really to scotch the myth (emanating from certain ladies in Bedfordshire (hi Chrissie) that I am a "Disco Dan" - so, a rather vain attempt to prove to Martin and Dave at least my 60s credentials.
An uneventful journey up....well almost! Near Newark there's a 50 mph speed restriction, and at the last minute I see hidden by some bushes, one of those speed cameras that point at you (rather than pointing at your rear / boot), so I test the brake lining with an emergency slow down. This is all fine except in the back seat where poor old Dave has just started munching his way through a banana. Let's just say girls, I think Dave now understands the full implication of 'deep throat'! As Dave tries to extract the banana from his tonsils, I muse that it could have been so much worse.....5 minutes previously Dave was sipping away at a Thermos flask of Vegetable soup, and I'd have been none too impressed if that had gone all over my crushed leather upholstery. Actually I made the last bit up, but the banana bit is true.
We arrive at Ye Olde Bell Inn at about 10.25 pm, and the car park is virtually full already! Dave changes from his T shirt into what he calls his "pulling" shirt - which is a sort of Primark job, leaving his sweaty old T shirt on my dashboard - more on this later. There's a big silver Bentley in the Car Park, but I didn't think Toby was driving?
Martin kindly pays for me to get in and we hit the bar.
As those of you who have been before know, Ye Olde Bell Inn is a lovely old 16th Century hotel (renovated of course), with a main hall with a dancefloor in the middle and a room with bar coming off to the side. There's over 130 in already, and over the next hour or two the numbers swell to closer to 200. Chalky is on, then the running order is Andy Dyson, then Butch, then the two Scottish guests Colin and Jock, and then Sam. Dunno who was on after Sam. Record wise I pick up a Willie Feaster from young Dave Rivers, a record I have been after for quite some time and it was just sitting in his box unloved and unwanted; it's also Lew Kirton's first record I believe. Overall there aren't too many records on sale, Butch has a box, as does Dave Raistrick, and there are some "girls handbag" 50 count boxes doing the rounds. Have a nice chat to Dave R about the forthcoming Skeggy weekender which I am looking forward to. Catch up with Butch, Toby, Chunky, Chalky, Claire, Andy D, Rob Thomas, Gilly, the Scottish lads, and Fish and Colin Brown, Sanquine (Karen), another Karen, Bearsy, Simon M, Maria O, Helena from Sweden, Dave from Bourne and anyone else who'll listen.
The car park meanwhile is the new 'in' place to buy records these days (as opposed to the record bar), and as Fish is leaving I buy a few jazzy things off of him which we sort out over on his car roof. As I do so, Dave Thorley and Malayka arrive, followed in cold pursuit by Sam; both of whom have come up from the Silks gig in Wellingborough, Dave having left an hour after Sam apparantly.
At the same time James Trouble arrives in an old Vauxhall Corsa I think - his RX8 is off the road yet again! It's all happening out here, and by now the car park is full.
Back inside I have a little dance to a few things that Butch is playing, and the legs are holding up.
Then it's back to the car to listen to a tune that Andy Dyson has. Sitting in the car Andy says "Do you want to wipe your windscreen down with that cloth?" pointing to the rag on my dashboard.. "That's Dave's T shirt" I tell him......well I couldn't possibly use it to clean the windscreen now could I?
Musically the night was spot on, and whilst I did hear a few oldies they weren't the Top 500 fare. I am not going to go through the records played as I am sure some of the DJs will post their sets on the events lookback thread. The dancefloor was busy all night, in fact crowded, which meant that Flying handstands and forward rolls were out of the question, as was my trademark Philly Freeze leaping about dance. In fact I cannot praise the music highly enough, as I don't think I heard a duffer all night. I know Martin didn't like "Teacherman" - the old moonlighting Spyro Gyra (as Barbara St Clair) 45 but it filled the floor and is certainly popular. Musically I'd say 75% woz 60s / 25% woz 70s. At about 5 am Rob Smith arrives with boxes for sale. I remark to Butch, and Andy Dyson that he's late arriving....Butch comments that it's pretty early for Rob! In the toilets some geezer says to me "Did we wake you up? We're having an allnighter next door" obviously mistaking me for a hotel "patron".
Towards the end of the night I decide to risk torn muscles and have another dance - this time to some of Uncle Sam's set, but by now Sanquine was avoiding me, I don't think she could afford the inevitable damage to her shins and toes doing a jive dance routine with me . At 6 am I rounded up the lads to leave (us southerners rarely stay 'til the bitter end) then Sam drops New World on us, so time for a little stomp, before the journey home. We were I have to say amongst the first to leave......but I had to get to my sister's children's birthday party the next day......Anyway we fly back down south just as the sun is rising, and all are agreed this was a truly fabulous night. Great company in the car as well, we had a right old hoot. All jokes aside nice to see old Dave G again after so long.
Roll on the weekender in February.

Kent 25th Anniversary
Posted by Steve G, 22 October 2007 ·
Like many I had been eagerly awaiting this line up ever since first hearing it. My last visit to the Forum was in the bad old days when it was known as the Town & Country Club in the early 90s - so called because back then it was on the outskirts of London, with pastures and green fields to the north where Tufnell Park now is...I think ? Back then it was the Memphis Soul review - a night of luminaries headlined by Poppa Willie Mitchell, with Ann Peebles and various others. Back then I was with a soul-less girlfriend who thought it was a load of old pony and just wanted to go home from the moment we arrived, spitting her dummy out and criticizing every live act that came on .
Anyway so much has been written about the Kent 25th event already, I'll attempt to put a different slant on it. Arriving at about 9 p.m the first person I see is my old mate from Kent, Kim Styles who is looking for the smoking room, followed by Back Door Ken who thrusts a commemorative "Kent 25" CD into my mits with the words "You need one of these Steve". Entering the club Mary Love was on stage going through her repertoire, and looking very sassy. My first point of call was to the bar, and to buy Champagne for everyone I knew - no not really......just a beer and a drink for the girls....or perhaps they bought me a drink. The first thing you notice about the Forum is the sheer scale of the place - massive with some lovely old Roman mural type things painted out in plaster - but not tacky Caligula / Studio 54 stuff. Large scale posters for the event were beemed up on the walls.
Events had conspired as they sometimes do with the complex lives we all lead, meaning that I had missed Winfield, but Chalky, Andy Dyson, Claire and Dave F who were all perched in the wings told me he was excellent. The Flirtations were also very good, running through their favorites and telling us that they normally only get a reception like this "Up north". But I was too busy talking to people and getting the beers in at this point. Said hello to numerous people, Arthur & Maria, Bearsy, QOF smoothie Chrissie, R&B man, Bernadette, Angelo, Russ Vickers, Trish and Paul, Toby and Mandy, Taffy, MrDarcy and wife, Simsy and Smudge. Also thought I caught a flash of the Silver Fox - Terry Davis (the Record Corner one) rushing by in a frenzy to get to the stage when the Flirtations came on. Was then whisked upstairs to the VIP area and treated to a beer by Dave Welding and Louise - to return the compliment I later gave Louise a quick lesson in the "Cha cha" - and probably mashed her shins in the process . Also saw Dave Cole, erstwhile editor of In The Basement magazine, and the Batman & Robin of the West Midlands soul scene Dave Rimmer and John Weston , as well as Terry and Paul Cozens. Oh and I had a few words with James Trouble about the roadholding on our Mazda RX8 cars - mine holds the road, his doesn't.
By now Tommy Hunt was on, and someone said he is 75 - strewth, if that's true, he is looking extremely good on it, and I'll have some of whatever he is drinking please. Liked his ballads, and of course "Loving on the losing side". Yes it's commercial, but people forget that this as a new release was one that enticed people such as myself to explore the northern soul phenomenon.
Finally Queen Maxine. What can you say? At Cleethorpes a few years back I thought she was a bit off form, and I actually thought Dean Parrish edged it - but a friend has given me a clue as to why that might have been. At the time I thought "Oh no she's starting to lose her edge". Well this night scotched that as she put on a top drawer show for us all. She was sublime in her cream dress as she ran through her northern hits. Dedicating "One in a million" to Randy - her biggest fan - was a high point. It is worth remembering that when Maxine wasn't so fashionable in the late 70s / early 80s, Randy went over to NY to meet her and saw her perform in some dusty old bar. Such was his enthusiasm he wrote and told me about it at the time!
In fairness all of the live acts excelled themselves, and it would be unfair to single anyone out - the whole logistical side of things ran as smoothly as you could have dreamt. After Maxine left to a rapturous reception, two unlikely looking characters - resembling Laurel & Hardy started playing records. It was only when I put my glasses on that I realized it was my old colleagues Tony Rounce and Eddie Pillar - anyway my eye sight ain't that good as Tony tells me Eddie was only up there briefly to say he'd moved his car...... Eddie is looking more like Ronny Wood of the Rolling Stones everyday, even down to the trademark scarf. Anyway Rouncey kept the dance floor full with 60s dance soul, until the Smashy & Nicey of the northern scene - Roger Stewart and Ady took over - Ady for the last bit. Back upstairs I had a quick chat with Tony Smith, Butch and Gareth - but by now I probably couldn't string a sentence together, and was I am fairly sure talking in tongues - gibberish. Also caught up briefly with a few DJ types - Max Rees, Adam, and Ivor and nodded at various soul luminaries I recognised, including Ady who swept past at one point.
The only low point of the night was when Dave F took a picture looking down on me, which showed up the full extent of my receding hairline ....at this rate I'll be a slaphead - sorry Shinehead by 50! This has troubled me in the past, and I have looked at the options. An Elton John style transplant is out of the question. Then there's some black paste stuff (used to "big up" Afro's) that someone I knew in St Albans used to spray on to cover his bald patch. He looked totally naff, not only did the girls all giggle about it, but the stuff used to come off over the course of a night. He ruined my then new Audi by scraping his head on the top of the interior cloth when I drove fast over a speed hump on the way to a gig - a mark that I could never remove, and which probably knocked a couple of hundred quid off of the resale price. His other solution, once he realised how daft the spray stuff was, was to "invest" in a wig - which he financed out of selling the few good records he actually had - to me! When I first saw him with his wig on (Geddit!) I just burst out laughing uncontrollably a bit like Norman Wisdom. He was clearly embarrassed, and I just couldn't stop laughing - I couldn't speak in fact it was so funny. Oddly enough I never saw him after that incident......so all this considered I shall grow old gracefully with a thinning pate.
Anyway....back to The Forum.....I had a bit of a boogie whilst the DJ's were "doing their thang", but 2 am came too quickly and Ady rounded events off with "Kiss my love goodbye" and "The Stars" (I think). The place was still pretty full, as we were ushered outside by the staff. The alcohol dependents were talking of finding a late bar, but I don't think much came of that, and they were left sucking their T-shirts? The "full" sign was on anyway for me, and at my age I have had enough experiences with drink, so I do know my limits. Nice to meet you Wendy, and thanks for the lift Karen - you saved me a long meandering walk home in the cold. Or even worse the perils of the "Night Bus".
This was a night we'll all remember with great fondness for months and years to come, emotional yes, but a fantastic night with great acts, great people....and I just wonder will we ever see anything like it again in London?

Henry & The 3 Greyhounds
Posted by Steve G, 14 October 2007
Well I certainly seem to get about these days. Friday evening curiously saw me in the wilds of south Essex, so it would have been rude not to have popped into "Henry's Bar" at Aveley where me old mucker Gavin was guesting. This is a very nice country pub and restaurant, with a duck pond (which I nearly ran the car into ), and a regular Friday night patronage of local soul heads. Miraculously I arrived at the same time as Gavin and Gill, and Gingha Tony - the Solar Radio one - was DJing. This is a lovely old pub, tudor beams, nice fire burning, in fact just what you need for an autuminal Friday. Of course there are different guests every week, and I guess when I was there early doors, there were about 30 people in. Had a nice chat with Gavin's Gill and DHT (Dark Haired Tony - to avoid conusion with Ghinga Tony). Musically Jazzy funky vibes, and some nice steppers courtesy of Gavin which had the local girls dancing on the carpet. As I was crackered I didn't stay too long, but I am sure I'll be back.
So then to Saturday and my trip up to the 3 Greyhounds in Cheshire - the long running crossover night - again at a nice country pub in the middle of nowehere. I took Geoff up with me from Winchmore Hill, and we both agreed it was a good night. With so many venues on, and Prestatyn, and the little matter of a rugby game, it wasn't surprising that numbers would be thin, but again about 30 or so made it. As it's a smallish venue this was enough to get a good atmosphere going.
The trip up was uneventful, aside from two car loads of nasty looking people kicking off at some traffic lights en route to Geoff's....as I turned the corner fists were starting to fly.....and all because someone forgot to indicate or something Oh that and the M6 Toll road - since when did it go up to £4 to avoid Birmingham?
Unfortunately a few had to cry off at the last moment - either the absence of a lift to get them there, or in Kirsty's case a child who went ill - these things happen.
On arrival I dived into the "snug" and did manage to catch the last 10 mins of the rugby, and celebrated victory with a few of the pub locals, but decided to make my excuses when the Morris dancers appeared - no sh*t Sherlock. This was my cue to enter the soul night. Pete Best was on playing "The man in the street" - a superb tune to hear on entering any club I might say - and some other nice crossover tuneage. In no turn I was ushered to the decks and invited to "open the box"
For my first set I thought I'd start off with a few slower thingama-jigs - here's the first set:
Bernard Drake - I've been untrue
Tony Owens - I need, I need your love (I actually prefer this grinding version to the Philarmonics)
John Washington - Burn the calender
LaDellics - Never gonna change
Donald Thomas "Calling me home"
Toll Darkness "Just what I've been looking for"
Multiple Choice "I wouldn'tg be crying"
Guitar Ray "Don't change a thing" cover up
Allison "Who'se No 1 who'se No 2"
Frankie Kah'rl "Don't fan the flame"
Procedures "Give me one more chance don't walk out on me now girl" - choooooooooon
Floyd Beck "You're just a flight risk"
Shirley & Shirelles "Never gonna give you up" - cheap and cheerful
Eula Cooper "Try"
Internationals "Beautiful philosophy"
Willie Tee "I peeped your hole card"
Next up was Chris Anderton, who played an interesting and varied selection including things like Mojoba, The Tams, Mary Mundy etc. I was busy talking to anyone who'd listen to me , so didn't hear everything that Chris played, but what I did hear certainly sounded good.
My second set was a bit more shall we say"dancey"
Minits "Still a part of me"
3 Prophets "I think I really love you"
Little Reuben "in the name of loneliness"
Trippellettes "That man of mine"
Bill Coday "A man can't be a man"
Millie Jackson "Ask me what you want"
tonny Tate "If you got to love somebody"
J P robinson "Our day is here"
Chuck Cockerham "Have I got a right"
Eddie Billups "Ask my Tart"
2nd Resurrection "You done let the daylight catch you"
Honey & Bees "I didn't know"
Veda Brown "I had a fight with love"
Richard Carl Watson "Are you going to be there" - played the instrumental side by mish-take
Richard Paradise "I wanna stay"
Natural Impulse "She went away"
Otis Jackson "Begging for a broken heart"
With that I rounded proceedings off to Chris who kept everyone happy for the final 45 minutes with things like Anderson Brothers, Stevens & Foster, King Tutt, Milton Parker, and finishing with Almeta Lattimore These memories".
In summary this is a good little night with a very friendly crowd, who are up for creating a good atmosphere.
We all enjoyed ourselves, and the journey back to "darn sarf" seemingly took no time at all (CD's courtesy of Geoff) probably as we were having a good old chin wag (and probably cos I was speeding a bit ).
My next excursion up norf will be to Lifeline in 2 weeks, and I am even toying with the idea of going to Thorne in November ....You have been warned!

Monumental And Then Denham
Posted by Steve G, 08 October 2007
My first ever visit to Monumental - you maybe surprised to hear , and I have good reason. As I work about a quarter of a mile from the place, five days a week, occasionally six, I have no desire to visit this part of the City on a Saturday night! Anyway Martin the R&B meister from Welwyn is offering a lift and it's too good an offer to refuse; so I decide to go and give it a well overdue "try". As we drive through the deserted Herts streets we umm and arr about whether to pop into Walthamstow "Walls of Heartache" soul night for a swift half en route - or even Hemel (which we dismiss as it finishes at 12, but don't worry boys I'm hoping to make it to your anniversary). Both would be a slight detour on our route and I am up for some 60's with my Budweiser but Martin rather unusually for R&Bman is not.
Travelling through Tottenham is a nightmare -gridlocked, with roads cordoned off. We find ourselves being "diverted" by HM's finest - someone has been stabbed, shot etc......normal fare for this part of the world which is getting more like an episode of "The Bill" everyday - A case of life imitating Art? Except that I wouldn't exactly call "The Bill" art. Anyway as we eventually breeze into the City I notice how crowded the streets are, observing that "in times gone by" if you were walking round the City on a Saturday night, it would be so unusual that you'd be probably be stopped by plod and asked what you were doing?
We park up in Eastcheap (Geoff this is really close to the venue and a single yellow line)....Talking of single yellow lines it reminds me of the time I DJed at Smersh for the George Jackson Appreciation Society annual outing, and parked on a single yellow in Hoxton at about 9 pm. On returning to the car I had been "ticketed" by some zealot, and on closer inspection of the small print on the sign near my car, I noticed there was restricted parking until 10.45 pm - and I had thought the street was deserted because I was DJing!
We park up and walk a short distance to this City drinking establishment at The Britannia where I am pleased to say they have Stella on tap, and there's space enough to prop up the bar and dance.
On arrival no one is more surprised to see me than Niki, who nearly falls off her chair when I walk in. Anyway I spend the evening chatting to the likes of Mole, Gareth, Jordi, Niki, Laura and Annie from Crawley, Bernadette, Geoff, Martin, Ifor Jones from out West, Ady Croasdell, Holyman down from Brum with Jordi.....oh and embark on some dancing as well. Tonight I am mainly doing "The Philly Freeze" a strange dance which means you stop in full movement, freeze for a second or two, then leap round and resume dancing. I have seen this on old Soul Train re-runs, and it looks pretty cool. Certainly I am entertaining the Crawley girls who think that my interpretation of "The Freeze" is highly amusing. Maybe it'll catch on, maybe I'll do it again, who knows. Musically this is essentially a 70's night with a few crossover 60's thrown in such as the Jive Five on Decca - great to see this getting recognition. Also nice to hear things like Sundray Tucker (once Cindy Scott) played out. Ady's up and dancing too when the Sons of Robin Stone "Got to get you back" is aired. Meanwhile Jordi plays his "Gangster Boy" tune which was made famous by him and his brother Dave The Dentist, as well as R.I.P, an obscure 90's outing that I have never heard from the dancefloor side of things. Hey it sounded really good, and Geoff asked me about it too.
Anyway an enjoyable night, and whilst the attendance was not what it should have been, it was well worth attending. Niki says she'll knock it on the head if it doesn't pick up, so you've all been warned.
Fast forward to Thursday and the much talked about (by Geoff and Karen) Denham soul night in err...Denham. The Fat Cow pub to be precise - I've been to the Fat Duck in Bray once for dinner, with it's 8 Michelin stars or whatever it's now got. Now that was a weird place, Celery Ice Cream, Potatoes with Strawberry Jam, Tortoise Burgers etc. and it cost a fortune, and I still left after 15 courses of this fare feeling hungry. Anyway back to Thursday night, and I dunno what to expect, but two friends with good taste in music tell me it's a good little night.
For the second time in a week I find myself in the luxurious position of not having to drive (I could get quite used to this!), and this time I am going with Geoff and Karen. The idea is Geoff picks me up, we drive round to Karen's and then she drives to Denham. So when Geoff calls to say he's up the end of my lane, I charge out but then have to go back to check the TV is off - something I frequently forget to check, although I have always turned it off. Then at Karen's, she can't find her jacket which is in front of her, and Geoff can't find his mobile phone. Having searched his car he asks me to ring it, and oh Lordy, it's in his shirt pocket! Tales of locking ourselves out etc. circulate and by now I am starting to think that maybe we're all getting a bit dysfunctional . This thinking is compounded when we arrive at Denham and Karen nearly locks the car before Geoff has had a chance to get out. It's at this point that my big new film plot is hatched - about three friends who go to a soul night and everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. I start to think of other situations to build into the plot, like the time Geoff's shoe broke at Hitchin, or the time I was DJing and forgot to take my records. If I can get the financing sorted watch out for "Carry On Soul Night" it will be quite funny and without the innuendo that dogged the other "Carry On's".
First and foremost the Fat Cow is a smallish pub in a leafy stockbroker village, with two bars and a 25' by 15' dancefloor. They serve "Wifebeater" (as it is affectionately known) as well, so for the second time in a week I find myself drinking Stella on tap. The music sounds good and we are treated to a mix of Philly, Motown, Northern and Jazz Funk classics from several DJ's, although one of the regulars Brian Winstanley Clarke has not turned up. Some talc is thrown vaguely in my direction and I have a try out of the dancefloor with a glide around to some Philly classics. Anyway time rushes by, and I switch to Budweisers for the rest of the evening. I understand that a number of the regulars were "M.I.A" for this one, but despite that this is a nice little venue with a small and friendly crowd where you can have a drink or two (unless you are driving) and relax on a Thursday night. If you are looking for hardcore newies, or want to hear soul spun on original first issue vinyl, then this is probably not for you, otherwise if you just want a relaxed night out give it a try. In the words of Arnie I am sure "I'll be back".

Radio
Posted by Steve G, 28 September 2007 ·
When the fuel runs out
After a three year absence it looks as if I'll be returning to a regular radio show, something I am unsurprisingly delighted about. The 3 years enforced break following the demise of Soul 24-7 "when the fuel ran out" - or rather the money - might was well have been 30 years; it simply seems like an age since I've done radio. Of course it's different now, back in the day (as they say) on the Internet there was Solar under Lord Tony Monson's stewardship and Soul 24-7, Richard's show on Sundays and the odd occasional broadcast on local radio. Nowadays not only are there periodic shows on that bastion of middle aged respectableness - Radio 2 - in the world where everyone is a DJ, it seems like there is an endless supply of soul internet radio out there. It sometimes feels like everyone with a computer, a PC World Microphone, and a sound board is able to be a radio DJ. And of course let's not forget Soul 24-7 wasn't all good either, some of the shows were shall we say a bit "iffy". Manys the day I went in there to pre record a show and on hearing the live DJ thought to myself - "God that's terrible".
Dance what you wanna
For me the best way of performing on air is live, because you get e-mails from listeners all over the place. I learned very early on was that the UK scene is largely based on dance soul; in the USA they tend to prefer their slowies and ballads....so dropping in a Whispers or Tyrone Davis slowie would get you a line of e-mails from the USA. Playing a popular dance sound would be met with radio, or rather e-mail silence from the USA and instead e-mails from Europe. The good news is with radio you can mix it all up, and play everything. I made a lot of friends via listeners e-mailing in, and the whole thing have a good feel about it.
They're playing our song on the radio
Another buzz for me was getting e-mails from people that actually made the music - "Hey you - you're playing my record"! As a result of this at 24-7 I ended up interviewing people like Gene Chandler, and Lou Pride before they came over to the UK - or in Gene's case returned to these shores as he had been here previously. Gene Chandler came over to Fleetwood off of the back of the radio interview and a hastily arranged phonecall from King of the Swingers Steve Bennett to Richard Searling. Emmanuel Lasky was something else - living in poverty with his mother in Detroit, he was deeply skeptical about being ripped off. He rarely if ever got paid when he made the records, and people had taken what records he had off of him, and he'd heard how they had now become valuable. Thus I had to sign an agreement with his lawyers (not quite so poor then perhaps!) - to the effect that I'd make him three copies and wouldn't publish the interview anywhere else. We did a great interview with Emmanual, starting off with "Welfare cheese" and ending up with "I'd rather leave on my feet", and I know he enjoyed the experience; I've also stayed good to my word and never published the interview.
Then there was the lead of TSU Toronadoes, Cal Thomas, now sadly deceased, who told us about how, when touring with Jackie Wilson in the 60's they had to get him out of jail, because he picked up white girls, something that was still illegal in parts of the redneck south. By the way a Toronado was a type of car popular in the mid 60's. Then there was the lead singer of the Imperial Wonders who was involved in a wealth of Cleveland releases and enabled us to join some previously unjoined "dots", sourced via Prestatyn's John Smith, and of course Sidney Barnes who was over doing The Dome. Claire from Milton Keynes will remember that night when we had Sidney singing along to Funkadelic's "One nation under a groove" in the studio - a song he sang on originally, unbeknown to nearly everyone who knew him for things like "I hurt on the other side". Then there were the artists who'd e-mail in having seen their name in playlists from the show - Rare Gems Oddysey, Phsycadelic Frankie, Derwin Daniels (of Derwin's Theory - Barbara Lynn's one time guitarist), Tony Drake, Curtis Blandon and even someone who went to school with Dan Folger of "The way of the crowd" fame.
Do what you feel
I loved doing radio (and still do) because you can literally play what you like - as the Rimshots once sang "Do what you feel". There's no dancefloor to keep an eye on (though clearing a dancefloor with something new is always something I like doing), and you can play a much wider variety of music than you could in a club. Ballads, deep soul, 2-step, funk, artist showcases, labels, the list is endless. In fact while I am on a roll I'll state that I don't think too much traditional northern fare or 60's sounds come across that good on radio - the production is often too thin and too rudimentary. Listening to something like The Hytones "Bigger and better" sounds great echoeing around a club, but on radio? I am afraid not. Of course the lush fuller (stereo) productions of the 70's, along with better produced 60's records do sound clearer and therefore better, so I am biased. But I do think 60s is more music for clubs. That being said I'll always feature some 60's on the radio, it's just that it'll never be the majority.
Starting all over again
Last week I laid down (industry parlance - get with the words honey! ) two two hour shows. As well as featuring some of the popular 70s club sides such as 2nd Resurrection, Pinch of Perfection, Mojoba, Natural Impulse (the rare ones with suitable talk overs to deter any would be recording villains ), I was able to programme in some lesser played 60's like Jimmy Delphs "Almost", Charles Mintz version of "Running back" so much more powerful than the lack luster and weedy Delegates of Soul version and things like Ed Crook "It's alright". On top of that was some deep, sweet and downtempo soul, a music that I've always loved ever since getting a tape from Randy Cozens in 1979 crammed full of the stuff. So I blew the dust off of tunes like Kim Tolliver's "Standing room only" - surely the most powerful example of a woman scorned with lyrics that just blow me out of the chair every time I hear it - even after 1,000 plays - "You must think my bed is a bus stop, the way you come and go; Haven't seen you with the lights on, for two nights in a row" AND "Home is where the heart is, and your's is in the street; Every night I read a good book, turn the lights out and go to sleep"- I mean this is as good as lyrics get in soul music, and a refreshing change from "I want you / I love you / I need you baby" fare that dominates so much of our music. As well as Kimmy's old effort there was an outing for Harvey Scales gorgeous 1974 Groovesville side "I'll run to your side" (Cadet) and Lew Kirton's "New York City" - another timeless 'turn on' from those tapes from Randy.
Make it funky
Funk wise, I am not known on this scene apart from Keb and James Trouble (who do know me), and am simply not seen as a funk devotee, but the sheer powerhouse of Bobby Byrd's "If you don't work, you can't eat", or Herman Hitson's testifying screaming on "Ain't no other way" are sounds that deserve to be heard, and appreciated by a wider audience. So they got played as well along side the Groove Merchants (Lou Pride), The Dapps instrumental version of JB's "There was a time" and Billy Byrd's "Lost". This latter side I've been championing ever since Tim Brown reviewed the wrong side in Manifesto once. It was a minor crime perhaps as the side reviewed is pleasant enough, but nowhere near as good as the funky side.
So what's the new station called - or rather what will it called as it's not actually broadcasting yet? www.Homemusicradio.com, part of the homemusictv.com network managed by David Lawrence. I was introduced to David by Terry Cozens; Randy had known David when David's dad ran clubs in the East end of London. David is a 20 year music veteran, based in the company's LA base, and supported by Lynn Taylor a former Motown exec. who is now based in London. David wanted to create something where some of us in the UK take back to the USA the soul music we love, and the experiences that go with it. As such the station will be primarily broadcasting from the USA, but with a handful of shows each week from the UK.
After four hours pre-recording two shows straight in the studio I was back in my stride, and it looked and felt like I'd never been away.

Hitchin And Luton
Posted by Steve G, 23 September 2007 ·
...So my temporary lack of DJ bookings means that I am travelling round some of our best clubs as a "punter". Round this area we have top quality nights at Letchworth, Bedford, Hitchin and Luton. There's probably a few more, but that'll do for now. These nights tend to mix the best in northern and 70's, old and new; on original vinyl; the promotors don't clash and there is very little politics....all in all then a very good and healthy scene.
This last weekend saw two of these nights, with both the 3rd Anniversary of Hitchin FC on friday, run by Graham and Andy, as well as TOTS run by Pete Tebbutt and Sean "Grimsby FC" Chapman on the following night.
Friday first, and Hitchin is a cool 30 minute drive for me. As I have to be up early in the morning - and thus leave early - I decide to go it alone, declining a kind offer of a lift from Geoff Green. Geoff's one of the friendliest bloke's on the scene, and very enthusaistic - but as I say I need to be away early and don't want to be tugging on his coat tails for an early exit.
Anyway there's about 90-100 in, and I mix and match with local luminaries such as Taffy, Toby, Paul & Trish, D'Arcy, Martin R&B man who has been on a golf tournament, and has had "the odd beer or three" . Travellers from afar include Pete Widd, who is out and about all over the place these days. Have a nice chat with Chalky and also talk with Sean Chapman. Meanwhile out in the smoking area - something that resembles the Blue Peter Garden once the Ground Force team have "had a go at it" D'Arcy is reeling off jokes from his mobile phone, and everyone is in stiches. Of course most of the jokes are either too tasteless or vulgar to repeat on a public forum - but they are funny nonetheless....
After warm ups by the residents Andy Kempster, Graham Driver and Bill Macnamara it's time for the guests.
Chalky is one of the guests tonight, and he delivers an interesting set of mainly 60's sounds. One has me running up to the decks to find out what it is....only to find out it's a Carl Carlton record on Backbeat - one that I have on my shelves gathering dust. Chalky also plays Posse "Evil" one that I haven't heard out for years....but to be honest I was so busy talking I didn't hear a whole lot of any of the sets. Amongst the 70's Chalky drops in Luther "Don't wanna be a fool" and The Chymes, which sounded good out.
Here is Chalky's set:
Contours - Jealousy
Gerri Diamond - Only You (Can Feel The Loss)
JJ Daniels - Mr Lonesome
Luther - Don't Wanna Be Your Fool
Chymes - Beginning Of My Life
Act I - Goodbye Love (We're Through)
Mary Love - Lay This Burden Down
Grover Mitchell - Take Your Time And Love Me
James Carr - Losing Game
Ollie Jackson - Just A Little While
Ernest Sparks - I'll Be Glad
Temptations - Loneliness Made Me Realise (It's You That I Need)
Jean Wells - With My Love And What You've Got
Chris Morgan - Who Am I
Posse - Evil
Kell Osborne -You Can't Outsmart A Woman
James Bounty - Action Speaks Louder Than Words
Carl Carlton - i Can Feel It
Deon Jackson - Thats What You Do To Me
CL Blast - What can I Do
Dealers - You got It
Fred Hughes - I Keep Trying
Billy Hambric - I Found True Love
Benny Latimore - Girl I Got News For You
Meanwhile up at the bar Big Vic has noticed that the bar prices for a pint are more expensive than they are in the club room next door, and is grilling the bar staff about this discrepancy .
Nick Hackett also does a good 60's set including things like Ty Karim "You really made it good to me", 4 Voices, Ree Flores etc.
Meanwhile I catch up with my friend Bernadette - a soul Geordie exiled in London - and Geoff and Martin.
However an early start the next morning means that Cinderella like I leave on the chime of 12 o'clock just before the RX8 turns into a pumpkin.
The next day I do a couple of hours work, then off to Footie - turbalent times, but we manage to "turn over" the equally hapless Sheff Utd. After that it's home, time to russle up some tea, a quick change into my "Black Squirrel" outfit, and then off to Luton, picking up Karen B on the way. This is another half hour journey for me, but it seems like about 5 minutes as we catch up on gossip and chat in the car.
Tonight's guests at Luton are the irrepresible Flanny - a long time all round "good egg", who I've known for years mainly from Soul Essence, and Cleethorpes Steve Woomble - another good egg. Steve does a nice warm up set getting the floor going with things like The Differences "Five minutes" - how anyone can say this is a boring record is beyond me - I never tire of it! and Curtis "you are you are" and Yates Brothers & Sisters version of C Coulter. After that it's Mr Chapman for a bit followed by Pete Tebbutt with an hour of northern and R&B.
Here is The Womble's early playlist:
Willie Tee - Walking Up A One Way Street
Chuck Jackson - What's With This Loneliness
The Exits - Another Sundown In Watts - Kapp
Marie Franklin - Being In Love Ain't Easy - Castle
Lynn Varnardo - Wash & Wear Love - Sunshine Sound Acetate
Paul Thompson - Special Kind Of Woman - Volt
Differences - Five Minutes - Mon'ca
Brothers Two - Check Out Your Sign - Virtue Acetate
Ernest Baker - Alone Again - Blue Soul
Guitar Ray - You're Gonna Wreck My Life - Shagg
? - Don't Be Sorry Be Careful - Monarch test press
Meanwhile I am circulating and talking to people. The Leighton posse are out in force, Dave, Tina, Sean, Sue and when they team up with Sharon and Eamsy - it's starting to look like the snug at "Soul Essence". Chrissie meanwhile is being offered copies of her top want, Friday Brown, but at inflated prices.....There's some blatant attempts at profiteering going on here I tell her, as copies start to emerge from the woodwork at something over "book price".
Karen (Sanquine) is in top form, and I also have a chat to Anne about the evils of Robert Mugabe. Meanwhile Martin R&B man pops in as does another "good egg" Baz, both en route (seperately to the 100 Club). Jon and Sue Buck are here too, as is Pete Widd, and Tracey. Little Reg meanwhile is taking advance orders on his forthcoming book - about his travels around the soul scene - Wigan to Caister, and I order a copy......I also talk to Flanny about the joys of watching Andy Johnson play football, and also catch up with BigO who I haven't seen out for a while. BigO once made the mistake of trying to criticise my dancing - and I find myself next to him on the dancefloor dancing and shuffling away like Bileo. Fortunately the girl next to us is laying down talc like she's applying "Shake N Vac" to her carpet, and that makes the dancing easier on the foot, especially on those fast 70s sounds.
Anyway by now Steve W is on for his second set, and he spins things like Timeless Legend, Solid Solution, Al Mason and the instrumental version of the Flaming Emeralds. Not sure if that was intentional, and it reminds me of the careless moment when I played the instrumental version of Connie Clark by mistake. Now the Flaming Emeralds were a warm up act for the Detroit Emeralds and fronted by a white guy who couldn't do the vocals on "Have some everybody"...so James Mitchell of the Detroit Emeralds did the vocals instead...it's one of those records I know I shouldn't like (and the purists turn their noses up whenever I say it), but I do like it and it's an excellent dancer.
Flanny plays a 60's set, including forgotten (by me at least) sounds like The Trends on ABC, Jackey Beavers "A love that never grows cold", and some new things including Rufus Lumly "Minneapolis Minnesota" as well as some x-over like Purple Mundi, Vanguards "Good X Bad X" and Archie Hodge.
Finally Sean Chapman does the last 45 minutes with anthems like Spinners "I'll be around", Corey Glover, Corey Blake, Jimmy Bo Horne "I just can't sleep" keeping the floor busy until the end. Dear Chrissie is dancing to some of this 70's fare as well, and admits that it is "easy to dance to" something she doesn't want made public. Ooops!!!
I also heard things like The Salvadors, Wil Collins and Willpower, "Trick bag" and "Haaaa-aaaaay Yoooooooo" (Monclairs).
All in all it was a very good night, well attended right through to 2 am, and I'll certainly be back for the Xmas one.

By Steve G in News Archives · July 21, 201014 yr

Soul Up North The Summer Issue 68 out now....
(out last month actually but recent technical soul source fun and games means this shout was delayed)

The peoples fanzine...£3 plus £1 postage....

Highlights include
An interview with 'Sigidi' - Songwriter, producer & Arranger. (Marva Holiday)
You Can't Outsmart A Woman - The Kell Osborne Story (Chalky)
Funk in Yo' Face - Gary Shider (H. Priestley)
Gilly's Second Road trip To Detroit (Gilly)
LOADS OF VINYL REVIEWS -
Rare & RnB (C. Butler)
Northerrn Soul (W. Hudson)
Good Toons etc (D. Halsall)
Ato Z of Soul (S. Copeman)
Deep Soul ( M.Finbow)
Collecting British (Lorn Snooty & His Gang)
BearSouls B's (Bearsoul)
North "Calfornia" Soul (D.See)
LP's are OK Too (D.Scott)
Plumbs Peaches '70's Soul (S.Plumb)
Mark Randal's "Moderm Musings".

Along with all the latest CD offerings in the "Little Silver Discs" section and the latest 7" releases in "Hot Of The Vinyl Presses

Not forgetting "Spot On" Spot's great venue reports and a few other snippets...

50 pages of soul music for the fans

contact details
pm via author info - look right

email stevecato64@yahoo.co.uk

paypal available..

By Little-stevie in News Archives · July 13, 201014 yr

Hermon Weems Obituary
Native Detroiter Hermon Weems was born on February 21st 1938. He began his musical career as a teenage member of a street corner group known as The Sparrows during the early 50's.
The groups other members were Al Hamilton, Charles Harris, Paul Leslie and Phil Townsend. The Sparrows were regular performers on the city wide talent show circuit, with their biggest night coming with their appearance at the city recreation centre on Davison. Where they appeared on the same bill as, Clyde McPhatter, Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke.
Hermon along with the Hamilton Brothers, Bob, Al (Kent) and Ronnie (Savoy) later went on to work for Anna records. That was until Berry Gordy later released them from his employment. Undeterred, the foursome soon hooked up with local Detroit entrepreneur Ed Wingate. Where they went on to play integral part in the success of the Golden World, Wingate, and Ric Tic record labels.
Hermon's song writing credits can be found on such classic recordings as Al Kent's "The Way You Been Acting Lately" and "You've Got To Pay The Price" as well as many other Ric Tic releases by the Detroit Emeralds and the Fantastic Four.
Such was the quality of the releases emanating from the Golden World studios that they soon became serious rivals to Gordy's Motown Corporation. After several failed attempts Gordy eventually made Ed Wingate an offer he couldn't refuse and eventually bought out the Golden World and Ric Tic studios.
Hermon now found himself working for Gordy for a second time. Hermon's talents extended further than just that of a musician he was a talented artist and soon found himself working in the art department at Motown. With some of his most accomplished works being the covers for the Temptation's "Psychedelic Shack" and "Cloud Nine" albums.

In 1972 Hermon composed the in demand "Why Can't There Be Love" for Detroit soulstress Dee Edwards which would to go on to be a local hit around Detroit, gaining a release on two separate labels, BumpShop and GM respectively and was produced by Dee's husband Floyd Jones. "Why Can't There Be Love" also gained a release in many European countries, and now 38 years later, it is once again, back in vogue, as the soundtrack for a Adidas trainers advertisement.

In 1975 Hermon joined forces with Evans Clark and his old friend J.J Barnes to compose the sublime "I Think I've Got A Good Chance" which they recorded on J.J and released on their own independent Organic label.
During the 80's, Hermon was the victim of a armed robbery at his home and was shot several times. All the bullets were removed except one which periodically caused Hermon to be laid up when it rubbed against a certain nerve. Hermon later diversified his talents as a artist into the occupation of a sign writer to find work during leaner times in the music business.
In 2005 Hermon was once again re-united with his childhood friend and former Sparrow Phil Townsend. Phil had song writing credits on the Little Foxes "Love made To order" (Okeh) and Ortheia Barnes "Heartbreaker, Soulshaker" (Coral).Phil later became more involved within the promotion side of the business before leaving the recording industry altogether to become a car salesman. At the age of 62, Phil once again returned to the recording studio, to cut a tribute cd album which he dedicated to black womanhood entitled "Beautiful Black Lady", and it was to Hermon that Phil turned, to design the album cover.
A further recording project followed in 2006, with Hermon co-writing and producing
Bruce Jackson on the soul ballad "Does Your Mother Know About Me" a whole album was recorded but was reputedly lost in the unforeseen closure of the pressing plant prior to manufacture.

Hermon a diagnosed diabetic, sadly passed away on the evening of June 27th 2010 due to complications that followed an operation to remove an eye and amputate one of his legs.
His funeral service was held on Saturday 3rd July at 11.00 am at the Barksdale Funeral Home on 11/20 East State Fair, Detroit. With his final resting place being the
Metropolitan Memorial Garden cemetery, 48/300 Willow Road, Belleville, Michigan.
David Welding
With acknowledgements to: Don Mancha, Pete Mashaw. And the personal memoir's of Hermon himself,
site notes
thanks to Doug Coombe for the ok for use of photos can check out more here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/funkytreetown/sets/72157606822759891/with/2775957767/

You can also find a Detroit Metro Times article on his recent artistic work with Peoples Records

Groove is in the heart By Laurie Smolenski
Peoples has the power: Owner Brad Hales (left) with artist Hermon Weems, who painted the store's signs and many of the 45 boxes inside
http://www.metrotimes.com/music/story.asp?id=13220
Also the blog below features some photos of the boxes mentioned above
http://parkaavenue.blogspot.com/2010/08/crate-diggin-for-northern-soul-in.html

By Louise in Articles · July 11, 201014 yr

Cleethorpes Antics And The Soul Mastermind 2010 Quiz
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 19 June 2010 ·

It really is a privilege to be able to write this Blog entry, because it's about the 18th Cleethorpes Weekender, and it was the 18th Cleethorpes Weekender that I've attended, and it was one of the best !

As usual, Johnny Weston was my travelling companion for the journey up the Motorway, and as usual, he was an hour late picking me up, but knowing John's timekeeping, I'd allowed an extra hour when we agreed the time anyway. A trouble free journey saw us arrive at the gates of the Beachcomber at around 2.30pm. A rather poignant moment for me simply because Margie wasn't going to be here this year. She's attended 15 of the previous 17 weekenders, and really loved coming to Cleethorpes. Sadly there's nothing I can do to change this, but I, and I'm sure several others, raised a glass in her memory over the weekend. I'd also like to say thanks to all the kind people who enquired how I was over the weekend.

Having set the stall up it was time for the first beer of the weekend. Duly bought, and part consumed, the door from the record bar to the pool was opened so that we could sit in the sun, have a cigarette, and just chat. This was a cue for the Bar Manager to appear and give us a bollocking because you couldn't sit on the poolside of the fencing when the pool wasn't open, and as there was no life guard on duty the pool wasn't open ! Now I understand the need for Health & Safety regulations, but it's not as though we were going swimming ! (The problem was solved later by Mick the Security Supervisor who erected a couple of fences which separated the smokers from the pool.)

So we retired to the bar, only to be given another bollocking by the same Bar Manager for going outside for a smoke without a plastic glass ! The event hadn't actually started yet, and I'd been told off twice !!! Lucky she didn't catch me with the donation from the toilet roll suppler, who shall remain nameless

The talk before the event had been about the lack of caravans on the Beachcomber site itself, with Ady having to block book a load of caravans on Thorpe Park next door for the DJs and staff. To my joy, and the gnashing of teeth from Jenny Banks and Mick Smith, who I was standing with, discovered that I was booked in on the Beachcomber site, and not only that, but we had four keys to the caravan. The down side of course being that we had to give Johnny Boy a key of his own. However, as John Mills had wimped out of the Weekender it meant we had a spare bed, so Johnny Fingers was offered accommodation for the weekend.

As I had been booked to do the opening spot of the weekender it was time to be sensible and get something to eat, so it was off to the chip shop, and then back to the caravan to get changed.

A mixture of Oldies, R & B, and just stuff that I'd bought recently seemed to go down rather well, and that was the first spot over with. The rest of the evening was spent chatting with mates, drinking, trying to sell a few records, drinking, laughing at Lou Woods, who entered the dancing competition at least three times despite not getting through any of the various rounds, drinking, and occasionally, more drinking. As usual, I had the best intentions of pacing myself and going to bed early on the Friday night, so the reports of me being seen at 6.20am with a full pint are probably untrue, but as I have no recollections after about 4.00am I'm unable to categorically deny them.

Saturday morning arrived, and I remembered why we had offered Johnny Fingers accommodation, he had brought coffee with him ! Several cups of coffee later it was time to go and open up the stall. Business had been reasonable Friday night, but this afternoon it was slow, still it meant I had time to listen to the line up of International DJs, starting with Kenny from Outer Mongolia, via Tottenham, and Jessica from Wales, via New York. (You have to understand Ady's mentality to understand that bit !). Jenny Banks kindly provided me with a really nice ham cob to keep me going, so it was just a case of having a laugh with mates again, and the occasional drink, until 5pm when I thought I'd better get something to eat before the match.

Hmm choices, shall I watch the match in the caravan, or in the bar ? For once, I took the sensible option and watched the match in the caravan, with a few cans. The elation of the early goal soon turned to ashes following the most basic of goalkeeping errors. Johnny Weston rolled up just before the end of the game. It was the first time I'd seen him since Friday teatime, turns out he'd been lodging in Mick H's caravan, eating whatever was offered and minesweeping all the half empty glasses of booze !

Saturday night. Originally Tobi Lark / Legend was supposed to be the live act, but kept messing Ady about, so when she cancelled he moved swiftly and acquired the services of Spencer and Percy Wiggins. As soon as I saw the new live acts I thought it was the better deal, and how right I was.

Percy was on first, and although his voice was pleasant, there was always a lighter edge to his performance. Spencer Wiggins though....Wow, he roared, screamed, pleaded, cajoled, and just tore the roof off with a top class Southern / Deep Soul performance the like of which the stage at Cleethorpes has never seen before. Truly brilliant.

I packed the stall up shortly after the live acts and wandered upstairs to where Tef was holding court with about twenty DJs all playing five records each. Sadly, as mentioned by other people, the sound system just didn't do it justice, so by 5am I was back downstairs for another hour, and then eventually staggered off to bed around 6am.

Sunday, my favourite day of the weekend, although sometimes you get the feeling of relief that it's not another allnighter. Opened the stall up at midday, and struggled to get the first pint down me for a while. Jenny Banks turned up with another couple of cobs, so once I'd eaten them I was feeling in fine fettle and ready for a few more beers. This was possibly not the best tactic bearing in mind that Roger and I still had the quiz to present, but never mind.

The usual chaos ensued, with fourteen out of the twenty forms given out being returned, I've listed all the questions below, with the answers, so you can have a look at the heights on Soul knowledge we trawled this year. The funniest thing of all though, was whilst Ady was giving out the proper prizes, Roger and I were giving out our own prizes that we had found behind the stage. Third place got a broken wheelchair (Which in fairness to Jessica, she actually took back to her seat, admittedly with a slightly puzzled look on her face), Second Place got a Fishing Plaque, and the winners got a Golf Plaque. Again both teams took their prize away with them, I just wish I could have seen their faces when they realised what they had been given.

Next job was to pack the stall away in a thunderstorm, and then meander over to the pub for a cavery meal.

We said our goodbyes to Woody & Lou at this point because they both had work on the Monday, and then I went to get showered and changed ready for the Sunday night.

Sunday night is traditionally the night off for the record dealers, and those of us who stay make the most of it. I DJ'ed for the first two hours, double decking with Mick H, and then went and sat with the Rugby crowd for the rest of the night. Much alcohol was consumed (Well there's a change), and apart from a failed attempt in the Ritual DJ Humiliation (Which was musical chairs again) have very little recollection of the rest of the night. Suffice to say, I had a great time and staggered off into the night at 3am when the lights eventually came on.

Ady, you managed to provide a blinding weekends entertainment, so my thanks to you and all those who worked with you.

Finally, I can only echo the sentiments expressed by others; This was one of the best weekenders in quite a few years. I want to thank all the friends who spoke with me, laughed with me, even those who laughed at me, and drank with me. Your company lifted my mood, and whilst other Weekenders may be great, ensured that Cleethorpes is still SPECIAL.

So here are the quiz questions and answers:

Cleethorpes Soul Mastermind Quiz 2010

Q1: Name two labels that when you put the names together you come up with a '70s aftershave

A1: Hai (Hi) - Karate

Q2:: Percy & Spencer Wiggins started singing in a family Gospel; group. What was the name of the group

A2: New Rival Gospel Singers

Q3: The MGM logo is associated with the lion. On MGM demos a cartoon lion holds a record, but what three items of clothing is he wearing ?

A3: Jacket, Shirt, Tie

Q4: Shout, the label, is being shouted by what animal ?

A4: Parrot

Q5: How many releases did Spencer Wiggins have on the Goldwax label

a) 0, b) 5, c) 8

A5: 8

Q6: How many releases did Percy Wiggins have on the Goldwax label ?

a) 0, b) 5, c) 8

A6: 0

Q7: Which cities were these labels based in

a) Arctic, b) Boom, c) Home Of The Blues, d) Ru-Jac

A7: a) Philadelphia, b) New York, c) Memphis, d) Baltimore

Q8: Name a label featuring a horse on the label ? Possible 10+

A8: Bronco, Mustang, Stallion, Bareback, Derby City, Colt, Charger, Crazy Horse, etc

1 Point for each correct answer

Q9: What label features a peacock on it's logo ?

A9: Peacock

Q10: Two classic early Chicago labels feature a falcon on the logo, what are they ?

A10: Falcon, Abner

Q11: On this day, June 13th, in 1960, Clyde McPhatter signed for Mercury Records. Which group was he a member of on Atlantic Records ?

A11: The Drifters

Q12: Name the authors of these two books:

a) Northern Soul Stories, b) Groovesville USA

A12: a) Neil Rushton, b) Keith Rylatt

Q13: Which famous New York label features a clown on it's logo ?

Prompt: Kent released 3 Cds on this label

A13: Carnival

Q14: What is the best selling drink at the weekender ?

A14: Draught lager

Q15: Name two labels that Johnny Sayles recorded for ?

A15: Any two from: Mar-V-Lus, Chi-Town, Minit, St Lawrence, Chess, Dakar, Brunswick, DHC, New Sound

Q16: How many singles on the Big Wheel label were The Falcons the named artist ?

A16: Seven as the Falcons, One as backing vocals on Sandy Hollis

Q17: Who is going to win the world cup ? As far as I'm concerned there is only one correct answer !

A17: England

Q18: How many toilet rolls are used over the weekend in the ladies and gents in the main building

A18: 36 / 40

Q19: What is this artist's real name, and who is it ?

(Play Little Charles & The Sidewinders)

A19: Charles Walker

Q20: What is the average quiz score at the weekender ?

A20: 15+

As a footnote, literally, Sian from Rugby is notorious for leaving shoes behind at venues, so it was no surprise to get a phone call on the Monday morning asking if I would go and ask in the venue about a pair of shoes she had left in there. So I go straight away (I was in the cafe having breakfast when she rang), but it's all locked up with no sign of life. Being the kind hearted soul that I am, I try again as we are leaving, and it's still all locked up.

Good thing too really, I get a text off Sian in the afternoon "Found my shoes in the car" !

November's Adventures
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 30 November 2009 ·

As I haven't done a blog for a while I thought I'd round up all the November events I attended in one, and it's been quite a busy month.

6th November - The Quality Hotel, Dudley

As well as being a generally good night, this was Lou's Birthday, so we were all set to have a fine time. The guest DJs for the night were the Sleepless Night's residents over from Dublin. Sadly one couldn't make it because of a death in the family, but it still meant Danny Duggan and Jimmy Mac came over to do the honours.

Col Kidson and I started the night off double decking, and I managed to give a couple of unreleased tracks that Ady Croasdell has given me a spin, followed by Lou and Woody. Then Danny and Jimmy took over for the next two hours, with the last spot being Col, Danny and me. Throughout the night the music was quality with Oldies mixed in with unknowns. A good attendance kept the dancefloor busy as well.

Funny story of the night concerns Danny Duggan of course. At the end of the night Woody and Lou found Danny trying to hitch a lift to Birmingham airport, limping along because he'd lost the heel off one of his shoes. After some degree of arguing Danny was eventually persuaded to go back to Woody's for a few hours sleep and then Woody would drive him to the airport (They were already taking Jimmy and his wife.) Danny get's in the car, and within seconds falls fast asleep. So fast asleep that he couldn't be woken up at Woody's house, so they left him in the car.

Three hours later Woody goes out to check on him, and he's gone ! A quick phone call reveals that Danny is already at Birmingham airport, having woken up, wandered off down the round, and found two blokes just getting in their car, who he persuaded to give him a lift to the airport.

Only Danny could manage it though. Imagine the scenario; you wake up in a car, having no idea where you are, so you get out and start to walk, well limp, down the road carrying your records. By chance you meet two blokes just getting in their car, and ask them for a lift. Not only do they say yes, they actually take you to the airport ! Talk about luck of the Irish, and Danny isn't even Irish !

The next one is 4th February 2010.

7th November - Six Hills Allnighter

A last minute booking made at Lifeline the week before, but I was well pleased because I was going to attend anyway. Sam Moore is the promoter, and I have to say, you always know you are going to get what it says ion the tin with Sam. A Northern Soul allnighter ! More predominantly Oldies than the Friday night, but that's not a criticism because the DJs managed to play some stuff I hadn't heard in years. I managed to get some good R & B in, and kept the dancefloor busy even though they wouldn't have known the records before. I also managed to get the J J Barnes unreleased track in again. I actually spent most of the night chatting with Harry Crosby, who had driven down with his wife Di. Quite a few beers were consumed and it was a good night all round.

The next one will be early next year sometime.

14th November - Rugby Soul Club Allnighter

Always one of my favourite niters because I always have such a good time. First spot I did was up against Karl Hurd in the Freestyle room, so I just played an hour's banging Oldies and had a full floor all through the hour. Last spot of the night fell to me as usual, so that one was considerably more adventurous. As always, the last record of the night was played to a full floor, with all the lights on.

Then it was back to Sian and Dean's house for a couple more beers, and to plan a re-enactment of the Benny Hill chase through the park. If you want to know more about that you'll have to attend the Taste Of Honey alldayer on December 20th (But Jo Brock has already promised to be the girl wearing a bikini !)

Next one is February 13th, 2010

21st November - Maxims Allnighter, Wigan

Well I PM'd Andy McCabe to ask him to save me a table for my sales stuff and he offered me a spot. Being the shy retiring type, I of course said yes immediately. I arranged my train times so that I could pop into Beatin' Rhythm in Manchester on the way, and then met Geoff and Sue Claxton in the pub in Wigan at 6pm. After a few pints, around 8pm, there was a little disagreement as to whether we should walk to the venue or get a taxi (Bearing in mind I had all my sales stuff and my DJ box with me, and Geoff didn't) which I won because I was paying for the taxi anyway !

Up the stairs and set up the stall. It was a very slow start to the night though, and I began to wonder whether many would turn up. However, over the next two hours a trickle of people turned into a veritable flood, and there were very good numbers in by midnight.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed myself, this was the best Maxims I've attended, music, company, and sales were all top notch.

Next one is December 27th, 2009

28th November - United Sound Of Soul, Walsall

Although I attended nearly all the USOS at Holmes Chapel, and had managed the one in Cannock and the one in Blackheath I'd never managed to get to the ones at the Royal Hotel in Walsall because I always seemed to be DJing somewhere else. In fact this date clashed with the 100 Club, which I usually attend. However, I didn't have a lift to London which meant the first train back on the Sunday morning was at 9.00am. The problem of course is that the 100 Club finishes at 6am these days, and three hours hanging about on a station in November is not my idea of fun. So, the option of some good music at an event that went on until 4am, and was 20 minutes from home looked far more attractive to me.

Margie was driving tonight so we collected Woody and Lou and arrived just before 8pm. I'd reserved a table for my sales stuff which was a good job really because there were a lot more people selling than I expected (more than the promoters did as well because they had to set another three tables up). Considering it was an 8pm start, which I've always considered early, there were loads of people arriving right from the start and by 9.30pm the place was getting really full. Lot's of travellers as well, from as far afield as Yorkshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, and a fair few from down south as well.

Musically I thought Chris Jone's spot was an absolute treat. From someone who I hadn't heard of as a DJ until the last couple of months each time I've heard him play he's done a belter. Ken Onions was not far behind either ! Although the night ran until 4 am, we left around 2 am, so I was tucked up in bed by 2.30, having had a really enjoyable night.

Next one is January 16th, 2010.

So there you go, a quick round up of the two Soul nights and three allnighters that I attended in November 2009. Roll on December !

Chuck Jackson Is The Boss !
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 14 October 2009

Prestatyn, Oct, 2009
It's Tuesday morning, and I have 'weekender flu'. You know what I mean, ache all over, headache, tired, irritable, but was it worth it ?

Oh Yes !

I'd never been to the October Legends of Motown weekender before, but as soon as Margie saw it was Chuck Jackson (Or Jack Chuckson as he was referred to in certain circles all weekend) she said "We're going". Who am I to argue !

Arrived on the Thursday in time to unload the car and sort everything out then off to the welcome do with the artists. John Poole had kindly arranged an invite for us, so we sat with Jenny and Roger Banks, had a really nice meal, pointed out that the menu said 'Mowtown' (But all credit to Pontins, they quickly changed all the menus), and had quite a few beers courtesy of Pontins. The real nice thing was that Margie actually got to meet Chuck Jackson, sit and chat with him, and even a kiss.

You learn something everyday though. Did you know that 'Tats' Taylor is actually related to King Edward of the Jersey Royals, and his ancestors come from the little village of Maris Piper. No ? Well neither did I. It's a good job that Jenny Banks explained it all for me.

A few more beers in the main room, saying hellos to people we hadn't seen for a while and then it was off to bed.

This time, for the first time ever at a weekender, I hadn't taken a sales stall. It's my one criticism of Prestatyn, that the sales stalls are too expensive, at over £100 per table it means that I have to sell an awful lot of records just to break even. Significantly there were more stalls selling T-shirts, mugs, teapots, cards, and even a stall that was just selling second hand clothes with no connection to Soul music at all, than stalls selling records !

Although I didn't have a stall, we still needed a base for the weekend, so big thanks to Keith Minshull at this point because he rearranged his stall so that I could put my single row box of sales on it. It was the right decision not to have a stall though because I only sold two records all weekend for a grand total of £40.

Friday night was pretty much Oldies all night, with sadly, the same records being repeated several times. Surely the DJs can at least spend time in the room before their spot and listen to what has already been played !

Into the Commercial Soul Arena to watch Angelo Starr and The Team. I didn't really know what to expect because the last time I saw the group they were backing Edwin Starr, and were a really tight band. They still are, and Angelo turned in a really good vocal performance of the right choice of songs for the room. A few more beers and then it was off to bed.

Saturday was pretty much the same as most Saturday's at the weekender. Oh yeah, there was something a little bit special Saturday night........

Probably the best show I have seen in the last ten years. Mr Chuck Jackson, live on stage. He was absolutely the business. Backed by Angelo Starr and The Team, if you turned your back on the stage you could have been listening to a record. I could go on and on until I ran out of superlatives; The power, the emotion is still there, to a degree that puts to shame all of the current chart acts I have the misfortune to hear these days. Margie had managed to get right to the front, centre stage, and filmed the whole show. We've just watched it again, and I still can't believe how good it was.

Strangely, whilst I was watching the show a woman tapped me on the shoulder and said

"Who's that ?"

I said "You what ???"

"Who's that ?"

Somewhat astounded I said "Are you taking the piss ?"

She said "No, who is he"

"Well, it's Jack Chuckson"

Sorry but I couldn't resist !

Sadly no photos of Chuck Jackson on stage because Margie had all the cameras, and by the time I realised there were so many at the front of the stage I just couldn't get through to her.

A few more beers, and then it was time for me to DJ at 4am. Now I'd had quite a few, well, a lot of beers, and what appeared to be a quadruple vodka courtesy of Keith Money, by this time, so am totally unable to produce a playlist. I know it went ok though because people danced through the set and I was even told by a couple of people on the Sunday that it was the best set of the night (Unless Keith Money had been buying them vodka as well !!)

Sunday morning. I felt like death. It had been my fourth allnighter in two weekends (Plus a Thursday Soul night). It took several beers for me to regain some semblance of normality. I had a chat with Mark Fletcher about Chuck Jackson's show, and he agreed that whoever they get next year will have to go some to beat that show.

Sunday tea time I had another DJ spot to do. I'd been chatting to Sean Chapman earlier in the day and he commented that Sunday afternoon's should be Beat Ballads only, just so that there is a change in the tempo over the weekend. I agreed with him. So between the hours of 6pm and 7pm it became Beat ballads and Midtempo only.

A real nice treat for me was that Kenny Hamber came onto the stage chatting before my spot started, and was still there when I introduced my first record;

"The gentleman sitting to my right on the stage is Mr Kenny Hamber, and so is this !" At which point I hit the start button on 'Anything You Want'

(Kenny Hamber is on the left of the photo)

Geoff Claxton had been taking the mick about my decision to play all Beat Ballads, so thank you to the gentleman who came across whilst I was chatting to Geoff after the spot finished, and said how much he'd enjoyed the spot. Vindicated !

So, onto the last session, Sunday night in the pub. And what a session it turned out to be. Mick H and Mick Bolderson had already left, so Keith Money did three and a half hours, with a little help from Pete Hulatt. Keith's always been one of my favourite DJs, so it was a great way to finish the weekend off

Four allnighters and two Soul nights in ten days meant both Margie and I needed some sleep by now, so we went round the rooms saying goodbye to people and sloped off to bed about midnight.

It's been a great fortnight, topped off by that awe inspiring performance by Chuck Jackson. So, if you spoke to us, laughed with us, drank with us, ate with us, or just enjoyed your self at the same place as us, thanks for the company.

Ken And His Plastic Sack Suitcase On Tour In France
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 07 October 2009

Margie and I set off for Rugby just after lunch on the Thursday to meet up with Sian and Dean, Phil, and Matt. We arrived in good time to find Sian issuing orders to all and sundry, I'm sure a complete stranger who just happened to walk past was instructed to put a case in the car ! Amazingly, we were ready to leave on schedule, so set off for London to collect Back Door Kenny in Tottenham. Ken being Ken, pops out of the door carrying his clothes in a plastic sack as his suitcase.

No problems getting into London, but of course the M25 was a virtual carpark on the way back out to get down to Portsmouth. A little bit of rally driving from Sian for the last hour got us to the Ferry just in time to board almost straight away (Because everyone else was already on board !

Find the cabin, dump the stuff, and do what all sensible people do, go and have a meal. (Ha, you thought I was going to say go to the bar didn't you !), then we went to the bar. It was about 8.30pm and the 'live entertainment' in the bar had already started. Dear God, a poor vocal duo, a very bad magician followed by a pub singer. It meant Margie went to bed almost immediately, and I of course went back to the bar. Despite the cabin having bunk beds, and you needed to be a dwarf to not bang your head if you are in the top bunk, I slept quite well. The Ferry docked on time and we left with no problem (In fact I didn't even notice where the Customs people were, we just appeared to drive straight out into France.).

I was going to try and write this part of the blog in French, but have had to admit defeat, so I'll just carry on in English. We drove for an hour or so with Sian leading the way because her satnav spoke French so it knew where we were going and eventually stopped for coffee in a charming little town called Pontivy. Having first visited a Patisserie so that Ken could indulge his passion for French bread, and Margie and Sian could get cakes, we wandered round the town looking for a cafÃÆ’© to have a coffee. As the ladies of the group were making all the decisions we ended up an hour later at the first cafÃÆ’© we saw, and discovered that the waitress was English !

Another hour's drive saw us arrive at the site. It was a very clean, modern campsite with chalets that have got Prestatyn, and even the new caravans at Cleethorpes, beaten hands down. Really good accommodation that we couldn't find any fault with at all. We even found our Weekender programs, the weekender CD, and a free bottle of the local cider waiting for us. (By the way, we had four CDs, so if anyone wants a copy just PM me)

By now it was almost 10 pm, when the first allnighter started, so off we set, to discover we are the first ones there, we were quickly followed through the door by Suzanne, her sister and brother in law, and Paddy and Liz. So the first people to arrive in the venue, and at the bar were the twelve English (I'm including Phil Shields as English to save having to write one Northern Irish every time) people on the site ! Mind you, it was free beer for the DJs, and the locally brewed beer was called Britt !

Tanguy and Loren, who were the promoters DJ'ed for the first two hours and to my immense delight showed that the R & B side of things was popular in France. Then Phil Shields did his first spot, followed by Lionel Girard from Paris. It was now midnight and the place had started to fill up. Matt Smart followed Lionel, to be followed by me. Then came Christophe Bidaud, a guy I'd never met or heard of before. But he played a fantastic set that was really unexpected. Phil, Lionel, me, then Loren and Tanguy finished the night off.

Overall the music was top quality throughout the night. All of the French DJs played some big records, and could all DJ as well (But none of them used the mike). Sixties almost exclusively with a decent mixture of R & B to Oldies, rarities, and even quite a few unknowns. It did make me wonder whether most of the dancers actually knew any of the records they were dancing to, but hey, what the hell does that matter as long as they are dancing.

Talking of which, there was some highly imaginative dancing by the French. Certainly not what you would see over here. Talking to one of the French dancers on the Saturday, she explained that Northern Soul wasn't really part of their culture, it's part of English culture, so dancing to Northern Soul in an English way wasn't part of their culture either.

Guess who the last dozen people to leave the venue were when it finished at 6am !

Saturday morning arrived late, so we decided to all go out for the afternoon. In France, a country with a long history of culture, fashion, and food, guess where we went ? Wherever you thought of, you were wrong. We went to a record fair ! Kenny had been given his pink bucket and spade (He wanted to go to the beach as well), so wandered round the record fair with the spade, said he was crate diggin'. On the way back he came up with a really surreal comment...

Ken "It's weird where the wheels are on this van"

Margie "What one at each corner"

A quick stop at a patisserie so that Ken could stock up on fresh bread and we were back in time for the afternoon session.

DJs for the afternoon were Ken and Andrew 'Paddy' Hadfield, originally from Wigan. Ken played his usual eclectic mixture of things ranging from R & B to the odd bit of Seventies and Crossover, Paddy played a really well put together set of Crossover

Sian decided to do some display dancing, and show them how it was done, well actually she was just dancing until we encouraged her a little bit. Little did she know Margie was also filming. The results can be seen below. She couldn't understand why we were laughing hysterically until she sat down and was shown the video. I'm sure I'll pay for this at some stage in the future, but it was worth it.

We wandered off around 7pm to get something to eat, wash and change, and were back in the venue by 10.15pm. And yes, the first dozen people in the place were all English again.

It was the same DJ line up as Friday, but with the addition of Philippe Lezineaud for one spot, and again the music was top quality all night. I've been to allnighters in the UK that haven't come anywhere near the quality of things played both Friday and Saturday, and all off original vinyl as well, so all credit to Loren, Tanguy, Lionel, Christophe, and Philippe.

It was on the Saturday night that the only down note of the whole weekend crept in, and it was down to a half dozen French who were to say the least, pissed. It wasn't that they were deliberately causing trouble, but they were on the dancefloor all through the early part of the night, bumping into people, deliberately on occasion, and to the point where a couple of people were actually knocked over. OK, it wasn't an English dancefloor, so English dancefloor etiquette didn't apply, but it became a little annoying, both to us, and to the French who did want to dance properly. Fortunately by 2am, most of them had burnt out and left the floor to the proper dancers.

Margie wanted to leave at 5am, but I gather the last ones to leave the venue all had UK accents !

We weren't leaving the site until the Monday, so had the whole of the Sunday free to do some sight seeing. Off we went to the nearest city, Concarneau, and the 'Closed City'. It was a walled fort that stretched out into the sea from the rest of the city, full of quaint little tourist trap shops. One of these in particular sold every type of sweet and chocolate you could imagine, they even had sculptures made of chocolate in the most exacting detail. We were really shocked though when Sian suggested licking part of the anatomy of one to see if it tasted of sugar.......I thought she was a good Catholic girl who didn't do things like that !

Back to the site, via a patisserie for Ken, and then onto a local bar where we stocked up on beer for the evening. As we had to leave at 4.30am for the ferry it was quite a restrained evening with virtually everyone in bed by 10.30pm. The torrential rain started at about 2am and woke every one of us up. Now you wouldn't have thought that would be much of a problem, except the campsite had a barrier with a code to get on and off, and the power was turned off between 11pm and 7am, so the car and van were parked outside the barrier, which was about a quarter mile from the chalets !

Margie came up with the solution, we 'borrowed' the sun shade umbrellas from the chalets to get to the cars whilst we loaded the records and the last of our stuff up. So if the campsite owners are wondering where the sunshade left leaning against the venue door is from, it's out of G11 !

What must have been a quite stressful drive for Sian and Phil, pitch black, pouring rain, and the wrong side of the road, was successfully undertaken and we arrived at St Malo in plenty time for the ferry. We had Sian and Dean, and Margie and me in our van, which meant Phil, Kenny, and Matt were in the car. Now we sailed through the French customs no problem, but didn't see Phil come through and had visions of them being stopped and searched. Phil's car in bits on the side of the road, Kenny arrested for kicking off when they put the rubber gloves on for the body search, and Matt claiming that Phil and Kenny were gay and his parents ! As it turned out they had been stopped and asked a few questions, but they asked at Kenny's side of the car and his dulcet Barnsley tones just confused them. Apparently they asked where they had been, and the only answer Kenny could come up with was "campsite", so they let them through anyway.

Onto the Ferry, and it actually sailed ten minutes early, a quick breakfast and then do what all good non-driving people do, we retired to the bar. We were sitting outside in the smoking area when Kenny decided to brag that he would be home before everyone else. It was as he leaned back with a smug expression on his face that the plastic chair he was sitting in decided to just collapse under him with a load bang. Cue helpless laughter from me and Matt made even worse when we realised that Kenny couldn't get back up again. It really was one of those moments where you laugh so much your face hurts, even the other people on the deck were howling with laughter.

The live entertainment on the way back was even worse. There were so few people in the bar that the first group only did one song and cleared off, they didn't do the quiz, which just left the pub singer. He slaughtered a few songs then wandered over to us to "have a chat with the lads in the corner" . I'm sure our mixture of accents confused him, after all there was Kenny with a strong Yorkshire accent, me from Lancashire, Phil from Belfast, and Matt from Rugby. He tried to get a laugh from the rest of the 'crowd' at our expense, and then said "If anyone wants to take the mike feel free". So I did. I took the mike and walked straight out of the bar (It was a good thirty yards) and left it on a window cill and walked back in without it. He wasn't quite sure what to do, but eventually realised I wasn't going to go back for it, so had to admit defeat and slunk off to fetch the mike. He didn't bother us again after that !

Straight through Customs again, and then an easy run back to Rugby where Margie and I swapped cars and drove home.

We had a brilliant weekend, with loads of laughs. The company was great, and although I had a distinct feeling that I had swapped John Weston for Kenny, it wouldn't have been half as much fun without him. My thanks to 'Mummy' Sian for doing all the organising, it made a really nice change for me to be able to just sit back and enjoy the trip, and of course my thanks to Loren and Tanguy for inviting me. I hope I was what you were expecting !

So that's France ticked off the list, just really leaves Spain where I haven't DJ'ed in mainland Europe (Hint, hint)

Another day to recover and then it's off to Prestatyn for the weekend !

Cleethorpes, Radiation Poisonoing, And The Soul Mastermind 2009 Quiz
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 18 June 2009

My back hurts, my chest hurts, my head hurts, my knees hurt, my fingers won't hit the right keys on the keyboard, and I keep falling asleep.

I think I have radiation poisoning !

Then again, it is the Tuesday after the best weekender of them all. I do love allthe weekenders I attend and DJ at, but there is something special about Cleethorpes every year.

This year Johnny Weston and I set off about 11.00am and made steady progress at fifty miles an hour through all the roadworks on the M5, M6, M42, M1, M18, and M180. Believe me that's a lot of roadworks......and why do you never see a single person working when you are coned in for miles on end. Lazy gits, we were in a rush, this is Cleethorpes you know !

Arriving about 2.30pm,we unloaded all my sales stuff and went straight over the road to the pub for a few beers. Now last year, I left Johnny Weston in the pub whilst I went and booked in, twenty minutes later he'd been thrown out of the pub, so it was with some trepidation that I left him this year.

The lovely Sharon, and a big ugly fella called Dougie were dishing out keys and wristbands, and I happily received three keys which was great news. It also meant John had a new experience this year, his own key (We don't normally trust him with a key of his own for rather obvious reasons.) John and Viv Mills had arrived by then, so a few more beers, and then it was off round the corner to the chippy for some tea.

Arriving at our caravan I realised that John and Viv were two doors down with Woody and Lou, and Karen, Lindsay, Rachel, and Karen were in the next row. I do like it when there are people you know in caravans close by because it means you can go 'visiting' and have a beer at someone else's.

Lou was stomping about in her caravan, well I don't think you could actually call it stomping because Woody had forgotten to pack her shoes, so it was more of a soft shoe shuffle ! Viv Mills also managed to fall out of bed and cut her nose open quite badly. Apparently it was like a scene from a zombie movie with Viv staggering about with blood spurting out of her nose. Fortunately the alcohol numbed the pain, so she was fine later on.

I was down to DJ for the first spot of the night Friday, so having eaten, washed, and changed, I discovered that the campsite is a lot larger than you think, especially if you are carrying a DJ box. I'm not saying we were a long way from the venue, but next year I want some oxygen cylinders and a tent for my team of Sherpa's to set up a half way camp. I arrived at the decks just on time, and the sound system guys had almost got it all working, so I dropped the needle on the first record, and Cleethorpes XVII (That's 17 in English for the thick ones amongst us) had begun.

I have no recollection of what I played during that first hour, but it couldn't have been too bad because an hour later Keith Money arrived and I had a fairly full dancefloor to leave him. One thing I have noticed is that people seem to be leaving it later each year to come out at night (Or perhaps it was just becauseI was DJing !). I remember it's not that long ago that there would be queues waiting at the door ten minutes before opening.

I opened the sales stall then, and that's pretty much where I spent the rest of the night. I was quite shocked this year to see that not all the tables had been taken, but perhaps this was the right decision by those dealers, overall, sales this weekend were terrible, and it wasn't just me. All the dealers were saying that there was no money around for records, and people weren't even looking at records most of the night. In fact, I was the last dealer to pack up at 2.30am, everyone else had already gone. I spent a couple of hours chatting with Woody and Lindsay,then set off on the route march back to our caravan. It's a bit like orienteering getting back after a niter, you look for landmarks and sort of tick them off as you pass them. Still two miles later I was able to crawl into my bed and get some sleep.

Saturday morning arrived bright and sunny, and early ! A cup of tea then the trek back to the poolside cafÃÆ’© to eat my breakfast and then take Margie's back so she could eat it in bed.

The rest of the morning was spent chatting and drinking tea before Margie and Lou went off into town courtesy of Johnny Fingers to buy Lou some shoes. I opened the stall up, and sat back to listen to the International line up of DJs that Ady had laid on. Bit of a misnomer really, they may not be UK born, but more than one actually lives over here, and has done for years. There was some nice stuff played though.

A quickrun to the chippy, and then a slow walk back to the caravan finished my afternoon off.

We were joined in our caravan by Karen, Rachel and Lindsay shortly after because their caravan was hosting a party apparently, to which they hadn't been invited. Oops!

Saturday night seemed to have a slow start as well (So perhaps it wasn't my DJing !),but the numbers were definitely upon the previous night. Sales in the record bar weren't up though, and Steve Jeffries had already packed up and left.

Onto the two Davis's.Jesse was up first, and although I only knew a couple of tracks by him he soon proved himself to be a rather good singer of virtually anything he put his mind to on his first visit to the UK. Certainly a little bit more Jazzy than any previous live act, the crowd really enjoyed the set he performed.

Melvin Davis of course has been here on at least two previous occasions, so knew the score. He probably spent as much time chatting to the crowd as he did singing,and that's not meant in a derogatory way at all. In terms of singing, he did all his own 'Northern favourites', and possibly more interestingly sang half a dozen of the songs that he has written, but never recorded. His son Bryan also joined him on stage as well to perform a duet with Melvin. I know Bryan is a performer in his own right as well, so it would have been fun to give him a spot of his own and see how a hard core Northern audience reacted to some Detroit Hip Hop. An excellent performance by Melvin though, a consummate performer, who obviously enjoyed himself as much as the audience.

Within half an hour the room had emptied by about half the numbers. Perhaps it's an age thing, ah well, it just meant you could get served at the bar easier from my point of view. I lasted until about 4.30am again, having realised in previous years that I can't do the full allnighters and be back at Midday to open the stall up.

Cooked breakfast again at the cafÃÆ’©, and then back across to pen the stall again at Midday. Sundays are probably my favourite day at Cleethorpes now, you get some really good music played, this year by Kenny and Donna, the Banbury lads, and the Hinckley terrible twosome. Then it was time for the Soul Mastermind 2009 quiz.

Roger Banks and I host the quiz, having usually thought up the questions the week before. This year we were being sponsored by 'The Priory', the well known de-tox centre for the very rich (Well at least we had a bag full of pens that had been liberated from The Priory !! For the first time we actually gave out all the quiz sheets, and insisted that the entrants returned the pens with the answers. It was the usual format, twenty questions, sixteen about Soul music, and four that were vaguely related to the weekender. After last year's pretty poor showing, Roger and I actually gave away a fair number of the answers. It must have been easier this year because we got all the sheets back bar two. One of which was handed out to the Macc lads, and never returned (Strange because they have been previous winners on a couple of occasions), and one which I discovered later had been handed out to Margie and Lou, who couldn't answer any of the questions between them so gave up !

The eventual winners were a team called Paddy Power, represented by Michael from Germany. Go figure !

Roger and I left Ginger, and later Mick 'Acne' Smith (Acne because of the number of spots he had) to finish the afternoon off. I quickly packed the stall away and we went over the road to the pub cavery before it got busy. Woody and Lou were leaving about 6pm,so they brought the key to their caravan over to us. I suggested that we have a party in it and wreck it, but was promptly told off by Margie so that didn't happen.

Johnny Weston came onto form as we got back to our caravan. He'd been good all weekend, hadn't got drunk, hadn't lost the key to the caravan, and in fact had almost made it to the end of the weekend without any calamities ! Almost !!

Lou had told him there was a bottle of wine left in the fridge, so he borrowed the key to their caravan, and wandered off. Now remember I said that their caravan was only a couple down from ours.... You guessed it. He lost the key ! Then tried denying he had even been given it. Margie and I eventually found it, where he had dropped it, having climbed over the decking at Woody and Lou's caravan (God knows why because the key fitted the other door!). I made him climb back over the decking banister to retrieve it, what made it even funnier was when he eventually managed to get into the caravan, Lou had taken the wine with her anyway !

Sunday night. Mayhem calling. Roger and I had the first two hours to DJ, and Roger excelled himself this year. We normally fill the stage up with all the junk we can find backstage, originally because it used to confuse Ady as to where it had all appeared from. He sussed it was the two of us fairly quickly, so we now do it just for a laugh. This year though, Roger disappeared back stage and returned carrying a toilet, complete with seat ! God knows where he found it, I couldn't ask for laughing. What made me helpless with laughter was the fact that when I lifted the lid it quickly became apparent that the toilet hadn't been cleaned since it was removed from its original setting. It was manky to say the least !!! Fortunately we had some latex gloves (Don't ask) and Roger disappeared backstage to return with some antiseptic spray (Again, don't ask !)

I must admit I really enjoy double decking with Roger, and promoters must think we work well together because we are nearly always paired up at weekenders. Ady arrived in his fancy dress outfit, and asked me to lead him top the office to collect the prizes, he couldn't see too well with the teddy bear hood on. I led him through the room, and deliberately round a couple of tables. Do you know,it's the first time I've ever been called a bastard by a teddy bear ! Best of it was, we collected the prizes from the office, so Ady put his hood back on, and then promptly tripped over the office phone cable, dragging the phone off the desk !

We played a few tunes as the room filled up, and soon it was time for the fancy dress competition. A good range of entries this year, and all to be judged by the stars of the weekend, Melvin, Jesse, and Bryan. Now bearing in mind I hadn't seen or spoken to Melvin Davis since Prestatyn in 2004, he immediately recognised me, and had a quick chat whilst Dougie set the fancy dress in motion. I have to admit that Jesse Davis was looking somewhat bemused by this stage, perhaps it was the fancy dress, or the toilet on stage, or even the latex gloves we had stretched over all the empty pint glasses (And there were quite a few, we'd been DJing for two hours by this time !) whatever, they eventually made their decision, and prizes were handed out. Over to Keith Money for the next spot.

Eventually the Ritual DJ Humiliation competition had arrived. A nice easy one this year, Musical Statues. Mick H proved a worthy winner, eventually beating Bryan Davis(Try explaining that one away to your mates when you get back to Detroit..."Oh yeah,and I came second in the Musical Statues competition !"

A few more beers, well quite a lot really, and another year was over for me. All I had to do then was conquer the marathon trek back to our caravan, and sleep.

I said at the beginning of the blog that there is something special about Cleethorpes, this year was no different. I had a great time, again, and would like to add my thanks to Ady and all the crew who support him. It really is the highlight of the year as far as weekenders go.

2009 Cleethorpes Weekender
Soul Mastermind Quiz
ANSWER SHEET

1. This is the 17th Weekender here at Cleethorpes. What year was the first one held?

A. 1993

2. Name the Cities these labels were from: Ric-Tic Okeh Musette Red Bird

A. Detroit Chicago San Diego New York

3. Ady's guest acts this weekend are Melvin Davies and Jesse Davies.

Name 3 other Soul singers with the surname Davies.

A. Tyrone Davis Gwen Davies Larry Davies etc

4. What is the most popular colour for record labels?

A. Yellow

5. Why is this the case?

A. Marketing/Psychology Bright Attractive Draws you to it Associated with good times Feel good factor

6. How many labels did this record come out on & name them? (Feminine Ingenuity)

A. Gold Token Take 6

7. Jackie Lee recorded under several names. What was the name he was born with?

A bonus point if you can give his middle name as well

A. Earl Lee Nelson

8. Name 3 Soul singers with the surname Smith?

A. Bobbie Smith George Smith Curtis Smith O C Smith Otis Smith Roy Smith etc.

9. How many times will Mick Smith DJ when he is sober this weekend

A. None

10. There is a new book about Ginger Taylor on sale at the weekender. Who wrote it?

A. Rob McKeever

11. Where was the record label D-Town located?

A. 2828 McGraw, Detroit & 9355 Yosemite, Detroit

12. Name 3 artists or groups who recorded on D-Town

A. Peps Cody Black Lee Rogers Lillian Dupree Jimmy Soul Clark Precisions Dee Edwards Buddy Lamp Jackie & The Tonettes

13. How many singles did James Carr release on the Goldwax label? Was it

a) 10

14

c) 19

A. 14

14. Who owned the Old Town label?

A. Hy Weiss

15. Which town did Old Town refer to?

A. New York

16. How many caravans are there on site at the Beecholme?

A. 400

17. What is the maximum occupancy/capacity of the site?

A. 3,200

18. How many of the original line up of The Four Tops are still alive?

a) 1

2

c) 3

d) 4

e) 5

A. 1 - Abdul 'Duke' Fakir

19. What record label did most of Z Z Hill's 60's sides come out on?

A. Kent

20. Name 2 artists or groups whose name or surname begins with the letter Z?

A. Zodiacs Zircons Ben Zine Ray Zeiner Vinnie Zine Johnny Zamot Alpha Zoe

Rugby Does The Business......again !
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 12 April 2009 ·

I had a feeling this was going to be a good night. I was wrong, it was a great night !

There was an almost palpable sense of excitement building for this niter through the week before, mind you, that was just Sian ! Easter weekend is always a busy weekend on the Soul calendar, and true to form there were three allnighters on the Saturday (And two more on the Sunday). Fortunately it all dropped right for Rugby geographically and Burnley and Morecombe had little effect on the numbers. In fact it was probably the busiest one yet with lots of Rugby virgins popping their cherry, but more of that later.

Our evening started at the Avon Mill. We arrived to find Shirley Stewart nd Colin Wood already there with a couple of friends from Austrailia, so we made it eight Soulies in the place, and within five minutes of us arriving another couple walked in (But they weren't really there and we didn't see them, at least that's what they told me to say).

The place was packed with every table full of couples and families enjoying a meal and gentile conversation. It quickly become obvious that the two tables of Soulies were out to enjoy themselves because raucus laughter, shouting and swearing soon livened the place up. Just as we were finishing our meal Toby, Dave, Sue and Andy walked through the door. I sometimes wonder what people must think of us ! There were Yorkshire accents, Yorkshire accents with a twinge of Aussie, Lancashire accents, Black Country accents, and London ('Specially for Dave.....Cockney) accents all mixed together, and we obviously all knew each other. Just as Woody and I wre leaving to drop my sales stuff off at the Benn Hall we discovered Keith and Sandra Money with a couple of friends sitting in the bar, so they went round to the lounge and added some Scots to the mix.

Arriving at the Benn Hall I discovered Sian was so excited she couldn't keep still, especially as she was in obergrupenfuhrer mood and ordering everyone around as usual. She had managed to get the sound working in the bar this time as well, and the first thing the bar manager said to me was "It's going to be noisy in here tonight". I of course responded by ordering the beer in a very quite whisper, she had to laugh, but the look on her face said "smartarse !"

She was right as well, it did get noisy because the room filled up very quickly with the sound of Soulies haggling over records and just enjoying themselves.

Matt Smart did his usual first spot, and it was a blinder as well, he's really grown in confidence over the years at Rugby, and it's so nice to see him really enjoying himself behind the decks now.

I'd chained Keith Money's DJ box up with mine when we arrived, so fifteen minutes before his spot I disappeared outside for a smoke, leaving him to search for me so that he could get his record unlocked. Small minded, cheap, petty, of course, and so funny !

I've said before that Keith is one of my favourite DJs, and he didn't disappoint this time either, he had the floor full almost from the start, and left Johnny Fingers with a full floor. John did the business as well, and played an eclectic mix of sounds that went down a storm. As I started I asked everyone to give him a big round of applause because he couldn't do it himself. Then I was off and running.

I'd noticed that there hadn't been any R & B played so far at all, so strted off with a few from that side of the playbox, and it just sort of continued through the whole hour. Lots of biggies from the last five years, with a few lesswer known things thrown in. The dancers were up for it though, and the floor stayed full through the full hour.

Here's what I played between 11pm and Midnight.

Mickie Champion - What Good Am I - Musette
Don Gardner - My Baby Loves To Boogaloo - Tru Glo Town
Syl Johnson - Try Me - Twilight
Johnny Sayles - I Can't Get Enough - St Lawrence
Roy Wright - Hook Line & Sinker - Mica
Larry Davis - I've Been Hurt So Many Times - Kent
Delcos - Arabia - Ebony
Solomon Burke - Stupidity - Atlantic
Barbara Lynn - I'm A Good Woman - Tribe
Minnie Epperson - Grab Your Clothes - Peacock
Betty O'Brien - She'll Be Gone - Liberty
Ted Taylor - Somebody's Always Trying - Okeh
Bobby Bland - Shoes - Duke
Ike & Tina Turner - Dust My Broom - Tangerine
Louis Howard - Do As You Please - Charm
Invitations Watchg Out Little Gitl - MGM
Five Royales - Catch That Teardrop - Home Of The Blues
Big Daddy Rogers - I'm A Big Man - Midas
Beverley Ann Gibson - A Three Dollar Bill - Jubille
Patience Valentine - If You Don't Come - Sar
Betty Everett - I've Got A Claim On You - One-Derful
Harold Betters - Tell Girl - Gateway
Idols - Just A Little Bit More - Reveille

Adam and Mark Randle were following me. and I knew they would change it round and play some Seventies, some Crossover, and some Modern, which went down just as well as the R & B.

We popped into the Freestyle room at 3am to hear some of Pete Robinsons spot. He'd already said he was going to be doing a Jazz Funk spot, and that's what he did, the room was full nad the floor busy throughout again, even one or two people had brought whistles. I didn't see and jelly sandles or pyjamas thought !

Back into the main room to catch the end of Johnny Fingers second spot. Again, the business from John. Tony Edgley followed on with an Oldies spot that cranked the floor up nicely for me and the last spot of the night.

5am to 6am

Constellations - I Didn't Know How To - Gemini Star
Joanne Courcy - I Got The Power - Twirl
Enchantments - I'm In Love With Your Daughter - Faro
Vondells - Hey Girl - Airtown
Darrow Fletcher - The Pain Gets A Litte Deeper - Groovy
Satisfactions - Take It Or Leave It - Smash
Thelma Lindsey - Prepared To Love You - Magic City
Jack Montgomery - Baby Baby Take A Chance On Me - Revue
Tommy Dodson - Co-Operate - Main Sound
Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise
Johnny K Killens - Frenchy The Tickler - Deep City
Larry Banks & Jaibi - My Life Is No Better - Unreleased GWP
Brooks Brothers - Lookin For A Woman - Tay
Clyde Allen - Lil Sister - Movin'
Cooperettes - Shing A Ling - Brunswick
Marge Dodson - Be Your Baby - Decca
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Charles Lamont - I've Got To Keep Movin' - Challenge
Troy Dodds - Try My Love - El Camino
Andrea Henry - I Need You Like A Baby MGM
Ruby - Feminine Ingenuity - Gold Token
Fantastic Four - Can't Stop Looking For My Baby - Ric-Tic
Ray Pollard - The Drifter - United Artists

and the last one with the lights on, and a full floor right to the end.

Trends - Not Too Old Too Cry - ABC Paramount

In fact over half this spot were requests, but the one which made me laugh was when Mickey Cruise came and requested The Brooks Brothers, because it was already cued up as the next record !

So that was it, another allnighter over, but the music had been tremendous all night, and what a variety of sounds as well. Oldies, Newies, R & B, Sixties, Seventies, Modern, Jazz Funk, Crossover, uptempo, midtempo, you really did have the lot this time.

It just remains for me to thank all the dancers, the doorstaff for letting me carry on with an extra record, Sian and Dean for the organising, Denise for being there ! Margie, Woody and Lou, and all my other friends for the company, and finally Martin and Helen for the lift home.

I do know that Sian must have had a good night though, for the first time ever she forgot to thrust a huge packet of flyers on me ! I'm sure she'll manage it next time I see her.

PS Happy Birthday Clare !

On The Motorway
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 31 March 2009

As the ticking of the clock moved inexorably on, the tension was rising. The weather forecast was checked, the route planned and entered into the Satnav, and then it was time for the intrepid explorers to venture forth..........

It was Margie's first time to drive to a Soul venue ! Woody and Lou normally give us a lift, so we had been waiting for a venue that didn't involve Motorway driving so that Margie could return the favour, and of course it allowed Woody to have a drink.

The venue had arrived as well. United Sound Of Soul was originally based at Holmes Chapel, just off junction 18 of the M6. A move to The Oakley Country Club, in Brewood near Stafford meant it was a hell of a lot closer to us. Sadly, The Oakley closed it's doors two weeks before the scheduled 2nd Anniversary Soul night on the 28th March. Desperate searching for a new venue followed by Kev and Martyn, and they eventually settled on The Premier Suite in Cannock town centre. Which meant it was even closer, and could be reached easily without going on the Motorway.

So, at 4.30pm Margie and I set out to pick Woody and Lou up in Bilston, and then straight down the Cannock Road to meet Kev and Sharon Spittle in Cannock for a meal. We met them at the venue itself, so got an early view of the room.

Almost square, a bar in one corner, stage at the other end of the room, and a fairly small dancefloor in front of the stage. Large round tables scattered throughout the rest of the room. It looked fine to me, The Premier Suite is actually quite a smart building anyway, so that was just a bonus. Kev and Sharon Spittle were worried about the size of the dancefloor more than anything else, but as I pointed out, if the dancefloor is small, it will be full all night, and if people need more room they can always dance on the carpet.

We set off to the nearest Wetherspoon's pub, which handily was three doors down the street and the first surprise of the night awaited us when Ian and Denise Spittle (Kev's cousin) came into the pub to join us for the meal. Why is that a surprise I hear you ask ? Because they now live in Poole, and I don't think I've seen either of them since The Lea Manor at Albrighton shut down.

Suitably fed we wandered back round to the venue to get set up with the sales stuff just before they opened. Kev Bod was already there, playing records to himself, and as Sharon had gone to get changed, Lou started taking money on the door from the early arrivals.

The venue staff proved to be very helful at this point. I asked if they had another trestle type table available for me to set up on the wall next to the sockets for my light. Not only did they get me a table, they insisted on putting a table cloth on it, and then when none of the sockets worked, went straight off somewhere and sorted that out for me as well. In fact as more record dealers arrived, they set up more tables wherever they were needed. Top marks for customer service there !

Sharon arrived back to find a dozen people in the room already by ten past eight, she went round the room putting sweets on each table, and Margie followed her round nicking the lollies she liked off several tables.

It was obvious by eight thirty that it was going to be a busy one, people were arriving in a regular stream, not just locals either, there were a fair few travellers from all over the country. Perhaps more importantly, there were a lot of locals arriving as well. Some who I hadn't seen since the days of the Lea Manor, and some who, until recently, were regulars at Oldies events rather than Rare events.

And this was a Rare Soul event, make no mistake about that. Quality Soul music, with no played out Oldies in sight. Phil Threlfall followed Kev, to be shortly joined by his partner in crime Ian Cunliffe. Both from my original neck of the woods they dropped quality tune after quality tune between them and nicely set the stage for Jumping Joan. More rarities, and obscurities, and just down right good Soul records followed for the next forty minutes or so, and by the end of her set the floor was full.

Arthur fenn was next up and he changed the direction of the music slightly, and started to play a few '70s things. To a certain degree it thinned the floor out, but Arthur being the consummate DJ that he is soon rectified the gaps on the floor, and left Mick H a full floor.

The set of the night for me came from Mick. You know he's got the rare stuff, but he's also got some pretty nifty unknown stuff as well, and he's a good DJ with it, so the set flowed from beginning to end. By now, not only was the floor full up, but as I had said to Kev at the beginning of the night, people were dancing on the carpet, and it wasn't a problem.

That left it to Carl and Maria to finish the night off in good style, which of course they did.

It really was a great night, from the moment I walked into the room I felt comfortable there, there were lots of my friends from up and down the country in attendance, and the music was top notch.

If I had one complaint it would be about the bar prices, a little on the high side for my liking, but that's just me being a tight arse !

Our journey home was again a trip into the unknown. We went on the Motorway ! Margie has only been driving for a few months, and this was the first time she had been on the Motorway, so it was the ideal time, two thirty in the morning, and just long enough, three junctions. She did really well, and is gaining confidence all the time, soon she'll be giving me lifts to The 100 Club !!

Here's a couple of playlists from the night which really show the quality of the records being played.:

Phil

Wade Flemons - Two Of A Kind - Ramsel
Lee Tillman & Secrets - She's The One I Love - Whit
Sequins - Try My Love - Detroit Sound
Lovers - Without A Doubt - Frantic
Topics - Have Your Fun - Dream
Hayes Cotton - Love Plays Funny Games - Clare
Hayes Cotton - Black Wings Have My Angel - Resist
Sity & James - You Needn't Tell Me - Sprout
Tommy Turner - Lazy - El Bam
Billy Hines - Ling Ting Tong - Wa-Tusi
Lonette - Blue Jeans - M&S
Tropics - Hey You Little Girl - Topic
Imperial C's - Someone Tell Her - Phil La
Shaddows - Together Again - United Audio
Ty Karim - All At Once - Senator
Don & Juan - The Heartbreaking Truth - Mala

Ian:

Versatones - With A Broken Heart - Magic City
Dynamics - Love To A Guy - Top Ten
Lillie Fields - Changes - Unissued Pied Piper
Gambrells - You Better Move - Carla
Sweets - Something About My Baby - Soultown
Stunners - Nobody But Me - Renfro
Joyce Taylor - What Can I Do - Wal-Ly
Servicemen - Connie - Chartmaker
Capitals - I Cant Deny That I Love You - Omen
Sonny Herman - What About Me - Utopia
Caressors - I Can't Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Honey & The Bees - Dynamite Exploded - Arctic
Paris - Sleepless Nights - Doc
Romona Collins - You've Been Cheating - Clarks
Little Dooley & The Fabulous Tears - You Twine So Fine - Baylor
Sammy Turner - Next In Line - Enjoy
Knights - I've Got The Feeling - USA
Monique - If You Love Me (Show Me) - Maurci
Jimmy Wallace - I'll Be Back - Alpha
George Jackson - Don't Use Me - Mercury
Moses Dillard & The Dynamic Showmen - I'll Pay The Price - Mark V

So, despite all the problems with venues, despite the worries about the small dancefloor, despite all the sexy young girls who got off the Fireman's bus and went into the room next to ours (Oh, perhaps that wasn't such a problem !), this was probably the busiest United Sound Of Soul so far, and for atmosphere and music the best I've attended so far. Congratulations to Kev, Sharon, and Martin, it was a great night, and showed that the West Midlands does still appreciate quality Soul music.

You can find a load of photos in Margie's album Here

When The Snow Lay All Around......it Was Soul Time !
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 01 January 2009

Well, December has probably been the busiest month I've had in a good few years Soul wise, six allnighters, and a Soul night, and it means I've not really had time to do any entries to the Blog for a while. So, here's a quick and condensed version of the last month of 2008.

Starting the month off was the best allnighter in the world, The 100 Club ! John Weston and I travelled down by train as usual, and met quite a few others at The Blue Posts for a warm up beer, or two. I have to recommend this boozer yet again, just round the back of The 100 Club, a Sam Smiths of Tadcaster brewery pub, it has to be the cheapest (and good) beer anywhere in central London.

Musically this was a good night with Ady and Butch doing the business as residents, and Ady and Colin from Hinckley being the pick of the guests for me, with Andy Dyson putting in a long overdue appearance as well.

The following Thursday saw Chris Anderton collecting me and meeting John Weston at home for the drive down to Stansted. It's the Nuremburg Weekender of course. This is the eleventh year I've done this weekender, and it's still getting better each year. We arrived on a snowy night at around 11.30 pm, to be met by the promoters, Osi and Dominic. Straight to the hotel where the hotel receptionist told us there were two rooms; a double and a single. Quick thinking by me led me to say straight away "I'm the single", and I grabbed the key, smirking. This left Chris and John with the double room. It got even funnier when they went to the room, because it was a double bed, rather than twin beds....Ohhh, did I laugh ? Yes I did. I've shared a caravan at Cleethorpes with John, and I'll tell you now, he snores ! Very loudly ! He also has problems with wind when he's been drinking !

Anyway, enough of that, we decided to attend to the more important things in life, and just dumped the bags in the room and set off to the pub. Finnegan's Irish pub was, again, to be our base for the weekend, and we managed a couple of beers before they closed at 1am. I have to admit, when we got back to the hotel, I slept like a log. Chris though, gave up trying to sleep around 3 am and packed his bag, went up to reception and booked a room for himself.

Now, I can't say I blame Chris for moving out, but the saga continued. The hotel was booked completely for the Friday and Saturday nights, so without Chris knowing, during the following morning they moved all of John's stuff into his new room, which at least had twin beds rather than a double. More of the hotel rooms later though.

By Midday, I'd had breakfast, wandered around the city for a while, bought a load of cheap tobacco, and was feeling thirsty. Finnegan's it was then. John and Chris came in within minutes of my arrival, and we settled down to have a few beers and await the arrival of some of our German friends. By 4.30pm, none of them had arrived, so I decided to go back to the hotel for a quick kip.

Chris and I met up back at Finnegan's around 9pm, no John though, he was still asleep. The venue was the same as it's always been, called K4, it's just across the road from the pub, so we wandered over just after 10pm to find it already quite busy. It's been a while now, so I can't remember what I played in any of my four spots, except the very first one was all R & B, which went down a storm. Suffice to say that the DJs had free beer all night, and you have no need to wonder why I can't remember what I played. John can't remember what he played either, mostly because he was still asleep and didn't turn up for his first spot ! He did arrive a little later though, and played a storming set in the Northern room.

By the time my second spot came around, at 3.30am, the place was heaving. Certainly as many as last year, and well in excess of 600 people, all willing to dance to almost everything that was played.

I stayed until just before the end, and then sneaked off to bed. Chris Anderton had already left, to try and get some sleep before John arrived back. So, somewhat to the annoyance of Chris (and the rest of the hotel) when John arrived back and couldn't get into the room he decided to bang and kick the door rather loudly.

I can now reveal that Chris feigned sleep in the hope that John would go away. It didn't happen though, John did go away, only to return with the Night Porter and a master key, so that was a plan that went wrong !

Saturday afternoon was fairly predictable I'm afraid. Finnegan's again ! But at least it was livened up by Chris recounting the tale of the night before. Then back to the hotel for a quick wash and change and then off to meet Osi and Dominic to go for a meal. All told about twenty of us went for the meal and we had to travel a couple of stops on the Metro to get to the restaurant owned by Stefan (Who also provided the excellent dark beer for all the DJs from his own brewery). Remember I said it had been snowing when we arrived in Nuremburg, well John decided that snowballs would be a good idea. We didn't quite think so.

The meal is always a bit of an adventure, because I don't speak German, and even though some of the Germans speak excellent English, the translation of a menu presents it's own unique problems. However, the recommendation was for the Pork and Dumplings, so that's what I had, and it was very nice too. On the way back to the Metro John again threw a few snowballs, so Chris just grabbed him and dumped him face down in the snow. Shame that the snow was melting and it was a piece of muddy ground underneath. He looked like a down and out ! When we arrived back, John went to get changed, fell asleep and promptly missed his first spot again. Chris and I were pleased to see that the venue was if anything busier than the night before, and yet again, the dancefloor was heaving.

John arrived late, mumbling something about not realising he was on early, and promptly disappeared again, just in time to miss his second spot of the night. You've got to give him credit for being consistent !

So, just before 4am I played my last record and thanked the crowd for dancing, and said what a great time I'd had, again, in Nuremburg. I must admit I was slightly taken aback by the cheer that went up (Or perhaps they were cheering because I'd finished my set !!!). Great people, great venue. Love it.

Chris had again left before John to try and get some sleep. John arrived back and went through the banging and kicking of the door routine, only for Chris to open the door and say "It wasn't locked".

A quiet Sunday, spent in Finnegan's and then a lift to the airport from Dominic. The flight was on time, and the drive home went smoothly, so I was in bed by just gone 1am on the Monday. Another weekender survived.

On the Thursday I paid for a twenty year 'want', and it wasn't even a record, it was a book. 'Duke / PeacockRecords; An Illustrated History With Discography' by Galen Gart and Roy C Ames had eluded me for nearly twenty years, and thanks to Richard Pack in Canada, I finally have a copy. What was even better was it arrived on the following Tuesday, which was five working days later, from Canada. Brilliant work by the PO I thought.

The following day I was off to the airport again, on the second leg of my European Tour 2008. This time, Margie and I met Woody and Lou at Birmingham airport for a flight to Dublin. It set the tone for the weekend when we discovered Scooby Doo was on the same flight..........

If you remember last year when we went to Dublin Lou was scared of flying and virtually assumed the crash position as soon as she got on the plane. She's got over it now, but still sat directly in front of me, so I went through the usual routine of shaking her seat quite violently as we took off. A few choice words later and we were off.

We were booked into The Belvedere Hotel, which is right above the venue used for Sleepless Nights, so pretty much just unpacked, had a quick wash and change, and then went down stairs to the bar. Now I remembered last time I was in Dublin I thought it was expensive, but this year, because of the exchange rate I discovered that it was horrendously expensive....4.60 Euros a pint ! That works out at almost £4.60 a pint. Ah what the hell, it's Christmas, hang the expense. Margie and I decided to have a meal called a 'Turkey Packet', and it was delicious, roast vegetables, covered in mashed potatoes, with a huge slice of ham, and one of turkey on the top, covered in gravy. Woody and Lou joined us, and a few of the Irish crowd had started arriving, so naturally a few more beers were consumed. Well, it would be rude not to, wouldn't it.

Downstairs for the advertised opening time (Because Lou was DJing first) and Danny Duggan was still setting the decks up. This is where the fun started because the decks are on quite a high stand, and Lou is, well, not to put too fine a point on it, short. We could just about see her head behind the decks. It didn't alter the fact that she did a great spot though, as did Woody a few hours later.

Pretty much the same as Nuremburg, I can't remember what I played, I've slept since then, and if I don't write the playlist down the next day I have no hope of remembering it. I do know that the floor seemed full enough of Irish Soulies to keep me happy, and that it was overall, another great night. We sneaked off to our room just before the end, and discovered that there was some after event entertainment arranged. Our room was on the front of the hotel, and we discovered we could lean out of the window and watch the drunks fighting in the street below. Great stuff !

As usual I was awake early, and bored, so I woke Margie up and told her it was time to get up. To her credit, she didn't tell me to bugger off, and actually got up, mind you, she knows I have the attention span of a small child if I'm bored, and would only have kept her awake fidgeting and moving around in the bedroom. So, we packed the case, left it at reception, and went round the corner to the nearest pub, where we knew from previous occasions we would get a really good breakfast.

I'd booked the flights for the four of us, and Lou had booked the hotel, so I was quite surprised to receive a call from Woody about an hour later asking if I could remember how much Lou had paid for the rooms. As it happens I could, so I said that she'd only paid an 8 Euro deposit. Which explained to Woody why the Hotel were insisting that both rooms still had to be paid for ! Profuse apologies from Lou, and we agreed to meet them in the pub for Lunch later.

A pleasant, liquid, lunch, then a flight back and then home to sleep. Another great weekend spent in Dublin, I can only say exactly the same as I did about Nuremburg; Great people, great venue. Love it.

Christmas had the temerity to intervene in the month's Souling then, but on Boxing Day it was off to Worcester for the Marrs Bar Allnighter.

Another great venue, that to be fair has never received the support it deserves. I don't know whether it's because it's in Worcester, which is off the North / South M6 route, or what, but tonight was no different. The numbers were low, very low. What disappointed me most is the line up was exceptionally strong, Lou Woods, Chrissie, Denise, Pete Robinson. John Weston, Nige Brown, Des Parker, Kenny Burrell, Roger Banks, Molly, and yours truly.

Unfortunately, by the time I DJ'ed, 4am to 5am, there were only about 25 people left in the venue, and some of them were locals who had turned up for a late drink. Never mind, perhaps the numbers will be up for the Easter one.

Saturday night was probably the main reason the numbers were down at The Marrs Bar, because it was the last Middleton allnighter of the year, and not only that, but the last Middleton allnighter at the old Civic Hall. The next one will be held in the brand new building just across the road, called The Middleton Arena by all accounts.

Anyway, I was up there early in time for a couple of pints in the pub across the road, and then it was back to set the record stall up on the balcony. I have to say it was a huge attendance, with people from all over the country turning up for this one, so it was nice to see so many friends out having a good time. As usual, Andy McCabe had booked all his resident DJs, and tried to get everyone who had guested over the year back as well, so there were over 40 DJs across the three rooms.

I was paired up with Roger Banks for an hour of double decking at 12.45am, and here's what I played as my contribution:

Joanne Courcy - I Got The Power - Twirl
Theresa Lyndsey - Prepared To Love You - Magic City
Larry Banks & Jaibi - My Life Is No Better - Unreleased GWP
Bobby Freeman - Swing Me - Unreleased Autumn
Johnny Robinson - Gone But Not Forgotten - Okeh
Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise
Jack Montgomery - Baby Baby Take A Chance On Me - Revue

It was at this point that we had Robbo acting as cheerleader on the stage in front of the decks, I'm not saying he likes the tune, but he wasn't half giving it some !

Bettye Lavette - (Happiness Will Cost You) One Thin Dime - Unreleased Scepter
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Hyperions - Why You Wanna Treat Me Like You Do - Chattahoochie
Troy Dodds - Try My Love - El Camino
Jimmy Wallace - I'll Be Back - Alpha

The final record we played was Jimmy Wallace, and although technically it was Roger's copy that was going round on the decks, we officially shared the last play because I had also got it pulled up in my DJ box to play as the last one, it was just so funny to see us both standing there with a copy in our hands.

A very busy night, with some great music played, that in fairness crossed the whole spectrum of what is now called Northern Soul, so a thoroughly good night was had by all.

I stayed right to the end again, and then Johnny Weston gave me a lift home.

That brings me to the last night of the year, New Years Eve, and as Woody was DJing at The Oakley Country Club Allnighter, that's where we went. Woody and Lou picked us up and off we went into the countryside near Wolverhampton. They had a discussion about who was going to drive back on the way, with both of them saying they weren't going to drive because they both wanted a drink. Margie and I just sat in the back keeping out of it !

I'd never been to this venue before so was pleasantly surprised to find it's really nice. Quite a lot of seating, a reasonable size dancefloor, and a reasonably priced bar. Which Woody put to good use, drinking three pints in the first hour, so that settled who was driving home ! Lou wasn't quite the happy little bunny she normally is !

It was fairly quiet when we arrived, and I would guess a good 50% of the crowd in were from down South, and by that I mean as far away as Essex, Letchworth, and even Bournemouth ! However, by the time Woody hit the decks it was filling up nicely and he managed to get the dancefloor moving. With it being New Year, I'd dressed a little bit smarter than usual, so Margie, Lou, Toby, and several others amused themselves by taking the mickey over the fact that I was wearing trousers not jeans. Ah well, if it kept them happy !

Several times I was asked what time I was DJing, and when I explained I wasn't DJing, or even selling records, a couple of people expressed surprise that I was there, I explained that I actually like the music, and don't only attend venues I'm DJing at, which in some quarters caused even more surprise (Not that I like the music, the fact that I attend venues I'm not DJing at)

Midnight arrived in a shower of party poppers kindly provided by the club, and all of a sudden it was 2009.

People kept on arriving right through the next couple of hours, especially as the Soul nights at Broadlanes and Alsager had finished around 1.30am, and by the time we left at around 3.30am the place was heaving with probably getting on for 200 people having a good time. There was also a Modern room, but I only ventured in there once, and I have to admit it was very quiet with only a couple of people dancing. I left quite quickly.

I certainly enjoyed myself at The Oakley nighter, and apparently Swoz is going to run the allnighters on a more regular basis, so I know we'll be back.

That just leaves me to say, Soul wise, 2008 was a great year. Some venues fell by the wayside, which wasn't a bad thing, certainly by the middle of the year it seemed that there were more venues than punters ! Other venues just carried on regardless, busy, booking good DJs, with good numbers through the doors, and some new venues came into their own. Sadly I said goodbye to the magazine version of Soulful Kinda Music after 19 years, but the website is still going strong, and I've got a couple of other projects planned for this year.

As I said, I've had a great year, so I'd just like to say thanks to Johnny Weston for the adventures, Woody and Lou for the company and lifts, all the promoters who booked me to DJ, and of course all the people who danced when I did DJ.

Finally, I want to say thanks to my wife Margie, she's put up with me for another year, and even attended a lot of venues herself this year, and that's a big part of what made it a good year. So from spending years out on my own whilst she stayed in looking after the two lads, I've now reached the stage where if Margie doesn't come out I miss her company, so I guess you'll see a lot more of us in 2009, especially as she's now passed her driving test !

Happy New Year everyone !

"it's Nothing Personal..........but......."
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 27 October 2008

It's ages since I did anything for my blog, so I thought I'd better pull my finger out and get typing. So, why's this one called "It's nothing personal". You'll have to wait and see on that !

Friday night I was booked to DJ at the Central Soul Club in Nottingham, and as Jellybean was also booked, and she lives about three miles from me, I scrounged a lift with her and Martin.

We arrived in Nottingham, and Martin found the venue first time, even though it did appear to be on an industrial site. That was possibly because it was on an industrial site. The Central Soul club is based in 'Bugman's Bar', which is the bar and function room at the Warhammer complex. Now in case you've never heard of Warhammer I can tell you that they are a company that make models for wargames, mostly set in a sort of Gothic future world, with lots of different tribes of fantasy figures (My two sons both dabbled at one time). So the venue itself was done out in a sort of medieval fashion with lots of dark wood, and a huge wooden chandelier handing from the ceiling.

A large bar, seating around the edge on a raised dias, and an area with better lighting for the record dealers, with a wooden dancefloor in the middle gives you the picture. For the smokers amongst us there was also a heated balcony.

I'd been looking forward to this night for a while because I've got lots of friends in Nottingham, some of whom I don't see very often, and they had said they were all going to turn out for the night. They did as well, first and foremost, Wilko turned up with Janet, and it was probably the first time I'd seen either of them for three years.

Andy Murfin was also there with Frank Giacobbe (Hope that's spelt right) both of whom I hadn't seen for a couple of years, and loads of other people that I see infrequently.

(Thanks to Martin for the photo)

There was even a contingent of about ten from the West Midlands as well.

So, how did the night go ? Well it was mostly Oldies, but not particularly played out Oldies, so all in all it was a rather enjoyable night. Rather than list my DJ spot, I thought I'd list Jellybean's, so here it is:

Tommy Neal - Going In To An Happening
Kim Weston - I'm Still Loving You
Ivorys - Please Stay
Garland Green - Ain't That Good Enough
O'jays - I'll Never Forget You
Mikki Farrow - Could It Be
Volumes - You Got It Baby
Olympics - I'll Do A Little Bit More
Patti & The Emblems - I'm Gonna Love You A Long Long Time
Karen Sue - Something's On My Mind
Constellations - I Didn't Know How To
Commands - Hey Its Love
Andrea Henry - I Need You Like A Baby
Fontella Bass - My Good Loving
Capitols - Don't Say Maybe Baby
Theresa Lindsey - I'll Bet You
Al Gardner - Sweet Baby

I played a mixture of things that I knew would fill the floor, with a few things I thought would be new to people, and it all worked because the dancefloor didn't empty at all.

So my thanks to the Central Soul Club for the booking and Martin and Helen for the lift.

Saturday morning was the first match in the Rugby League World Cup, so I was up early to watch England play Papua New Guinea. After a few scares, England emerged victorious, so that set the day off to a good start.

Saturday night was of course The 100 Club. So I met up with Woody and John Weston at Snow Hill station just before 5pm to get the train down to London.

We managed to get a group of seats together and as the train pulled out opened the first can of the day. The train stopped at Moor Street station, and you would think Christmas shopping had started early because it filled up completely with hoards of women laden down with multitudes of shopping bags. Fortunately the fourth seat of our table was taken by a rather attractive young girl. Eye candy for the journey I thought (Sexist I know, but she was pretty !) Across the aisle from me a lady of more advanced years started telling me how she had just had a fall and hurt her arm. I can see you are thinking what on earth is he waffling about ? Well it's only relevant when you hear what happened later.

Woody had only brought a couple of cans of lager with him, so was slightly miffed to say the least when John's carrier bag slid across the table and knocked his first can over. Not only did he manage to soak himself catching it, but he also soaked the table and splashed some on the eye candy.

Spilling beer ? It's just not the done thing is it ! It got worse though when John opened his next can. To say it was lively would be the understatement of the year ! I got some, Woody got some, the eye candy got some, and even the old dear across the aisle from me got some. Which was a real shame, because as I've already mentioned, she'd hurt her arm and couldn't even wipe it off.

We were almost at Warwick by this time, and the train emptied out a far bit, so that's when the eye candy moved seats, saying "I think I'll move over here, it's nothing personal, but........" I can't say I blame her really, especially as Woody promptly dropped his second can of lager all over the table !!

I was helpless with laughter by this point, and to be fair, so was the eye candy who had literally just moved seats.

We arrived in London without any further mishaps, and taxied it to The Blue Posts just round the corner from The 100 Club. I can't recommend this pub enough as a meeting point for a drink pre 100 Club. It's conveniently just round the corner, sells good quality Samuel Smiths beer, and a £1.86 a pint for bitter, is probably the cheapest pint anywhere in central London.

The Money's, The Toby's and quite a few others rolled up over the next couple of hours, (and it was nice to meet Andy and Lauren from Hitchen FC where I'm DJing on the 29th November, (Plug plug) and then it was time to drink up and move on to The 100 Club

Although the 100 Club started an hour later than usual (at 11pm) the clocks went back at 2am, so there was an extra hour tacked onto the end. It was a good job as well because I wouldn't have wanted to miss any of the spots played by the DJ's. I think musically it was probably the best night of the year for me, and a few others judging by the Event Lookbacks on Soul-Source.

Residents Butch, Keith, and Ady all played excellent spots, mixing rarities with unknowns, with unreleased things, and the odd Oldie, but it was the two guests who complimented them so well that made the night for me. Pete Hullat (Standing in for Mick Smith who was off robbing trains again in Mexico) is a classic Oldies DJ, but when I say he has a collection of the big rare Oldies that would make anyone jealous, I'm not joking. Big record after big record, they just kept on coming. Top spot that man !

Kitch was the other guest DJ, and he played a blinder, especially his second spot. I don't know whether it's through his own choice, but Kitch, whilst having a sterling reputation as a collector, doesn't seem to DJ anywhere near often enough. So bear that in mind if you're a promoter looking for a quality DJ.

It certainly must have been a good night for Johnny Weston, he'd worn his little legs down to stumps, and just had to have a quiet snooze on the large flightcase by the Gents toilet. (Sorry about the quality of the picture, but it was taken using my phone). It wasn't a bad idea, until Melv realised that the flightcase was on wheels, and just launched John out into the 100 Club lying flat on his back on the flightcase.

It was almost the end of the night when this happened, and fortunately John managed to stay out of trouble until we ventured up onto Oxford Street at 7am, just in time to put our watches back to 6am. A lift was procured by John, and we arrived back at Marylebone in good time for the train home.

All told, it was another fabulous weekend, with lots of laughs with good friends, and most of all, some great Northern Soul !

What Does Seagull Taste Like ?
Posted by Dave Rimmer, 25 August 2008

It's really strange. I was in Worcester last night for the Marrs Bar 6th Anniversary allnighter, and there are seagulls all over the place in the town centre, and you're miles from the sea. Great big things ! At least as big as a chicken, so I was just wondering what they tasted like if you cooked one ?

Ah well, back to the night in question. Pete Robinson has been running the Marrs Bar allnighters for, fairly obviously as it was the sixth anniversary, six years now, and despite some ups and downs with the numbers, and changing from Saturdays to Bank Holiday Sundays, I've always enjoyed myself. This time was no different.

Arriving by train I wandered round the corner into The Postal Order pub, to find Swoz already ensconced at the bar, he'd been on the same train as me, but I hadn't noticed. We were soon joined by Jok and Pete for a couple, and then it was off to the club to set up.

Pete has a policy of allowing anyone who wants to DJ to have a go, and usually books three people for the first two hours, this time was no different and here's the line up for the night:

8 till 8.40 Jok
8.40 till 9.20 The Soul grocer Adam
9.20 till 10 Toby
10 till 11 Dave Rimmer
11 till 12 Kev Murphy
12 till 1 Des Parker
1 till 2 Eddie Hubbard
2 till 3 Neil Rushton
3 till 4 Sean Chapman
4 till 5 The Fez
5 till 6 Molly

I actually paid a fair bit of attention to what was being played last night, and was able to work out who was playing what, so here's a very quick rundown on the different spots.

Jok - A real nice mixture of uptempo R & B and hard driving Soul, nothing particularly rare, but the guy has got taste so played some great obscure things

Adam - Disco bunny ! Well, no, he only played one track which was out and out Disco, the rest were much like Jok's set. Classy Soul and R & B.

Toby - One or two tasty Detroit items got to grace the decks during Toby's spot, and I enjoyed it so much I let him carry on for an extra ten minutes.

Me - Pete's policy is that the resident DJs fit either end of the line up to allow the guests the main spots, great policy, and as I did the last spot at the last one, I was on early duties this time. Quite a few people had started to arrive by now, so it was a case of play some Oldies, and get them dancing. So that's what I did. Here's the playlist in roughly the right sort of order:

Edward Hamilton - I'm Gonna Love You - Carrie
The Fuller Brothers - Times A Wasting - Soul Clock
Cooperettes - Shing-A-Ling - Brunswick
Johnny Sayles - I Can't Get Enough - St Lawrence
Clarence Jackson - If It Don't Fit Don't Force It - Valtone
The Metros - Since I Found My Baby - RCA Victor
Joanne Courcy - I've Got The Power - Twirl
Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before - Chess
Edwin Starr - Back Street - Ric-Tic
The Enchantments - I'm In Love With Your Daughter - Faro
Soul Brothers Six - Some Kind Of Wonderful - Atlantic
Jack Montgomery - My Dear Beloved - Scepter
Doni Burdick - Bari Track - Sound Impression
Darrow Fletcher - The Pain Gets A Little Deeper - Groovy
James Robbins - I Can't Please You - Mica
Ted Taylor - Somebody's Always Trying - Okeh
Betty O'Brien - She'll Be Gone - Liberty
Don Gardner - My Baby Loves To Boogaloo - Try-Glo-Town
The Five Royales - Catch That Teardrop - Home Of The Blues

Kev Murphy - Kev was actually on holiday, and quite handily was staying in Malvern, close enough to come and do a cracking set of big rare Oldies. Just love that Del-Tours.

Des Parker - Des can quite happily change his spot to suit the room, and although he did play one or two interesting unknowns (To me anyway), it was certainly a case of keeping the dancefloor happy this time

Eddie Hubbard - I've not heard Eddie DJ that often before, but am well aware of his reputation as a collector, and wasn't surprised to hear some top quality Sixties Northern Soul hitting the decks.

Neil Rushton - Despite his well earned reputation as a top Soulful House DJ, Neil proved that his Sixties collection is still pretty good, and although I didn't check, I'd guess that a fair few were on mint UK labels as well.

Sean Chapman - What can I say. I know he's spent a lot of money recently, and it showed. Rarity after rarity hit the decks in one of the best spots I've heard Sean play.

Pete Robinson - Tommy Cooper couldn't have played a spot like this, it was magic though !

Molly - Finishing the night off. I must admit I left halfway through Molly's spot to catch the first train home, but he was doing a very creditable job of keeping the dancefloor full when I left.

Overall, this time was more Oldies than the previous few, but as the crowd wanted to dance to Oldies, that's what they got. And it isn't a criticism of the DJs either (Let's face it, I played all Oldies), They were being asked to entertain the crowd, and that's what they did. Although numbers were down from the last one, this was the third allnighter in the country in three nights, plus several alldayers as well over the Bank Holiday weekend, so it was mainly a Midlands crowd. That said, there is always a sprinkling of travelers, and it was nice to see so many people enjoying themselves and creating a cracking atmosphere.

Lionel won the Fancy Dress prize (He wins it every time because there's only him that turns up in Fancy Dress !). This time he had managed to get hold of a Pimp suit. Black satin with pink leopard skin trimming, the big hat as well, and a cane ! What a star.

Tabs wins the 'Headbutt The Road' prize ! As I was leaving he was outside chatting and went to lean on a car behind him that wasn't actually there. Over he went, headbutted the road, and picked himself up muttering. Sorry mate I shouldn't laugh, but I'm going to, again, it was funny though !

Happily trains run to a normal schedule on Bank Holiday Mondays, so I was able to get the six o'clock train, and be home before eight, another good night over and the next one to look forward to on Boxing day.

By Dave Rimmer in News Archives · June 19, 201015 yr

News from Mart of the follow on release to last years "Let me do my thang" (which featured Gwen McCrae)

Just thought I'd point a few of you towards the new release from Ferry Ultra feat Ann Sexton.

Think most of you on here will prefer the Album version that is featured on the youtube video below & if you do it's available on vinyl from juno on the link below.

http://www.juno.co.u...?show_digital=1

Great to see a legend like Ann can still throw out a quality tune.

By Cunnie in News Archives · June 18, 201015 yr

News from Chalky of a venue hop skip and jump...
Unfortunately The Stables has been double booked for our June date. Fortunately we tried a couple of other venues and finally managed to secure Bidds in Longton, Stoke On Trent (thanks mace and Chris for your help
So please spread the word about the venue change, it is for June only, August we are back at our usual home at the Stables. We don't have a flyer yet, we had them printed for the Stables, we are hoping to have another set done for the weekend.
THE LIFELINE SOUL CLUB
presents
The Real Deal Rare Soul All-Nighter
At
Bidds Main Room,
Sutherland Road,
Longton,
Stoke-on-Trent,
ST3 1JB
June 26th 2010
9pm till 7.00am, a tenner gets you in!
Resident rascals are the Countries TOP Rare Soul DJS
Butch, Andy Dyson, Mick H, Cliff Steele, Soul Sam & Chalky
This month's special guest
KITCH
This months collector to kick off proceedings...
GEORGE MAHOOD
As usual closing proceedings Nottingham's Legendary
ROB SMITH
As for the music, the emphasis will be on the 60's but as usual Lifeline will feature the very best in 70's and crossover.
In short all Dj's playing the very best in the rare, obscure, forgotten and underplayed soul music!!
For further information
Andy Dyson @ Dysonsoul@aol.com or telephone 01302 744927
Mick H @ Trentsoul@aol.com or telephone 07968 030464
Chalky @ chalky@mailme.co.uk or telephone 07743 863 523
Visit this Event in Soul Source Events Guide for venue maps, street views,road and rail directions and more

By Chalky in Event News · June 18, 201015 yr

The two box mods Chalky and Roger have got a popular label and artist of the week feature running over in the "look at your box" forum. Its all very much as you would imagine, an artist and a label is selected at the start of each week, but has been enhanced with other members pulling out the stops and throwng in some great scans, clips, info and more.

Here's their words on it all

We started the Label of the week about a month ago and it seems to be going pretty well, so good we started the artist of the week this last weekend.
Idea being to build some sort of Soul Source encyclopedia with the knowledge gathered and to archive all the info in the Sharp End section for future reference and additions. We are looking for scans, sound-files in refosoul, details of boots/counterfeits and most importantly information, anything to satisfy the anorak in you.
None of this will be possible without your help and we are open to suggestions about what particular label or artist you wish to discuss every week. If you have any suggestions drop a PM to either Roger or myself.
If you have any other suggestions about what you want from Look At Your Box forum feel free to shout up
Chalky

As Chalky says all Information relating to your favourite Label or Artist is Welcome.
Any Label from across the Globe
We already have a couple of British Labels in the Pipeline, as each week passes.
Each Label or Artist Of The Week commences Sunday, and is changed at Midnight Saturday.
Hopefully for ALL to Enjoy.
Roger

This weeks artist and label are Bobby Bland and Blue Rock
Can find both the current and past label/artist threads here

http://www.soul-sour...ok-at-your-box/

By Mike in News Archives · June 18, 201015 yr

Just want to give everyone immediate 'heads up' on one of the most exciting Soul Music compilations in ages!

The long awaited "Steppin' Stone" CD is out now on Kent, featuring 22 tracks from the XL / Sounds of Memphis catalogue - 18 of which are previously unreleased!

As many on here will know, I've been banging on about and hammering extensively the marvellous, previously unreleased, Willie Walker "Run Around" and Willie Bollinger's "I Won't Have To Cry No More" for several months.

Never a day goes by without someone badgering me about these tracks - (Brett, Kev, Steve and Co, all your Christmases have come at once!).

I honestly believe the 'Willie' tracks to be two of the finest discoveries in years.

Walker's 'Run Around' is 'to die for' in every department - fabulous lyrics, perfect arrangement and stunning vocals while the rare vocal performance from William Bollinger on 'I Won't Have to Cry No More' is up there with the very best midtempo crossover discoveries (think Bobby Sheen 'Something New To Do' territory and calibre) - but there's really something on this compilation for everyone, with some truly fabulous deepies (the Donny Hathaway track by the Jacksonians is particularly magnificent) blended with more than a handful of blinding uptempo and funky stormers with some sublime Southern Soul in the form of the 'Just Soul' early hour fave Dan Greer "You're Slipping Away" and others.

This is the third in the 'XL and Sounds of Memphis' series and (as we've come to expect from Ace / Kent) it's superbly compiled and researched, with the accompanying well written sleevenotes, by Dean Rudland (an amazing job Dean ).

I can't recommend this CD enough and urge every living, breathing, Soul Music fan to grab yourself a copy right now, this minute!

I guarantee - you will not be disappointed.

Sean

Buy it here - for under a tenner!

http://www.amazon.co...-2809914#disc_1

Tracklist

1. IF YOU NEVER SEE ME - Willie Walker
2. I WON'T HAVE TO CRY NO MORE - William Bollinger
3. SATURDAY IN THE PARK - Jacksonians
4. HOOK LINE & SINKER - Minits
5. HOW CAN I GET NEXT TO YOU (ALT VOX) - George Jackson
6. I'M YOUR SLAVE - Otis Wheat
7. YOU'RE SLIPPING AWAY - Dan Greer
8. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW -Jacksonians
9. PEOPLE ARE TALKING - William Bollinger
10. RUN AROUND - Willie Walker
11. LOVE LETTERS - Minits
12. SPARKLE EYES - The Jacksonians
13. ALWAYS TREAT YOUR WOMAN - Art Jerry Miller
14. CHIRPIN' - Lou Roberts
15. TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF - Dan Greer
16. LOVE TRYING TO COME - George Jackson
17. LOVE IS BLIND - Erma Shaw
18. STEPPIN STONE - Louis Williams
19. LOVER BOY - Minits
20. GUESSING GAME - Jimi Hill
21. BECAUSE OF YOU - Tekelia Kelly
22. THE PLUMBER - Ovations

By Sean Hampsey in News Archives · June 8, 201015 yr

First things first, I am the worlds worst at taking a compliment, in fact I don't know what to say or do when somebody gives me one. I usually just mumble a thank you, so to all the people who have said such nice things recently I am humbled by your appreciation, and glad to have played a small part in your nights enjoyment.

The reason I'm finally getting around to writing this is due in the main to folk coming up to me in venues and asking me what such and such a tune was, and me having to admit to my failure to write the list as being down to laziness as much as illness. I know it's not good enough, and it's unfair on the tunes, which need to be known to be shared, so please accept my apology.

My old tried and tested method of putting every tune to the back of the box as soon as I'd played it, in order to see later which had made it onto the decks, hadn't been applied. The DJ booth was designed for modern day club nights, not a Niter where DJ's change over every hour and lots of mates ask if they can dump a jacket, box, or a bag etc. hence it wasn't easy to get organised as I normally like to do when it's an open stage with plenty of room to put all the DJ's boxes up. This is more a failure on my part than anything to do with anybody else, I take up much more room nowadays with my waistline having expanded to approx double what it was back when I was a dance floor dweller J

I did manage to get a little organised just before the manager came up to thank everybody (which was about five minutes from the end ! )

Fortunately I'd got the help of my mate Ken Onions (as well as my son) whose memory is much better than most when it comes to records. Between us we did a CSI type forensic reconstruction of the set list, but to be honest we're not that sure it's totally accurate, so don't shoot me if I've failed !

Just before I get to the list I wanted to say something else. Not many folk will know this, but prior to the announcement of the 25 year reunion a bunch of "Staffordoholics" had organised a Niter room themed around the music of the Stafford era.

This would have been very different to the Reunion because it was an attempt to celebrate the music that has been largely lost in the passing years, without making it so obscure that we couldn't play some classic TOTW tunes punctuating the 'hardly known's'. A chance to not only hear these rarities but also to see the original labels up close if so desired. It was to be different also in that it was only about the music, not the club(s) nor the original DJ's, nor the renewing of old friendships. It was just meant to be a " Share It Before You Lose It", to paraphrase Bobby Valentin.

If you think about the sheer quantity of new discoveries tried in the Stafford era, along with the crop of great tunes still very much alive that had carried over from previous clubs, then add in a few revived and retried tunes you can soon see that the number of possible titles that could be classed as Stafford era tunes easily exceeds 1000, maybe twice that number if you factor in the multitude of new releases and the tunes that started in the upstairs room, and we felt it was just so unfair that only maybe 400 regular Niter goers from the 80's know these fabulous (and not so fabulous) tunes.

Once word of the Reunion was known this other Niter pulled their plans, despite being quite far along, which speaks to the splendid character of the people involved, and their overwhelming desire for the Reunion to succeed. Having spent many months on preparations and probably a fair few quid as well I think many promoters would have said they'd have to go ahead, but you can tell by the immediate postponement these people are not in it for the money, but the love of the soul scene, and the love of Stafford era music in particular.

Okay, now I've got that bit out of the way let's get back to the Reunion tunes. What I thought was great was that we got to hear a good many of the unissued tunes which had been broken at Stafford, the likes of Michigan Move, Suspicion and many more. Of course if people had a particular favourite that they didn't get to hear then I feel for them, but I think in the main the music represented a typical Stafford Niter.

Oh I forgot, One thing I do want to tell, and away from the music and meeting old friends this was my personal joy, and it revolves around a list. I'm overrunning my tale, so I'll start at the beginning. Soon after Chris had asked me if I'd like to play at the Reunion I had a rough spell which kept me bed bound for some days, and it was during this time I started to make a list of records. These titles were things I knew I owned which were lurking somewhere in my collection, and I would probably want to take in my playbox if I could but find them. I initially tried to think of some of the less well known things, but didn't ignore the classics. Later when I was feeling better I went digging in the boxes looking for these titles and as often happens each one made me think of another one (It can be quite tricky balancing on crutches whilst having eureka moments followed by scribbling on a list, and looking through boxes of 45's and albums, let me tell you)

So the list got longer, and I tried to condense it, crossing out where I'd put the same 45 down under the artist on one page and the song title on another. It ended with five pages of foolscap and about 5-600 records all around my kitchen.

The week before the Reunion I press-ganged my mate Ken into helping me decide which tunes to take, and we sifted and sorted the pile until it got small enough to fit into the boxes, as we discarded the "nobody will ask for that" records, and the "I bet Guy/Keb/Dave will play that" records. Of course these titles I'd chosen to leave at home were still on the list... but I'll come back to that.*

Now in order for this story to make sense I have to go back a bit further, to the previous reunion. It had been noticed during that Niter by a few people that I was trying to make note of every tune played, so when my turn came I wouldn't repeat play anything. I'm not trying to score points here, it's just something that I try to do whenever possible, like a good many DJ's, because I know it's a pet hate of many Niter goers. It wasn't anything I'd done especially for that nite, just a habit that lots of DJ's follow when they can.

The thing was it wasn't just noticed five years back and then forgotten, it came up on the net several times recently in various threads, which left me thinking 'Oh great, if I make a mistake and repeat anything this time I'm gonna look a right smartie' ! To add to my dilemma when I saw the DJ times I saw I was ending the Niter. Was I going to remember every tune played in the whole nite ? Unlikely.

My illness limit's the amount of time I can be upright, so I have to chose either to do the first half or the second half of normal Niters, depending on travelling distances. As I was going to do the last set I had to chose the second half, which meant I knew I'd miss the first couple of sets in the main room.

This problem bugged me as I couldn't see a way around it. I thought it would be unfair to ask somebody else to make notes on the sets before I arrived, as everybody I knew would be too busy enjoying themselves. It wasn't until the actual nite of the event and after the records were packed in the car and we were leaving the house that the idea struck me and I grabbed these five pages of lists.

We got to the club in decent time and once we got in I realised there was no room in the dj booth to leave my boxes so we managed to find a corner up on the stage and perched there. The music got into me and I was happily away, then a little while later somebody said those words " Haven't they already played this ?" and my idea came back to me.

I dug out the list and started asking people if cetain titles had been played. This of course presents certain problems, firstly only those who know the tunes can answer you, second only those in a fit state can answer you, so that ruled out a good many potential answerers.

We were sitting not far from Dave Welding and I knew he'd be a good person to ask, as he was not only a regular at Stafford but also has great musical knowledge. After I'd asked him several titles he offered to look through the list for me, so I handed him the pages and pen. This was followed by some extensive crossing out, far more than I'd have expected. As he passed me the list back I said something along the lines of "Oh great, I'm glad they've left me one or two to play". This by itself was not funny, what was funny was with almost every record played Dave would turn around, hold out his hand, take back the list and cross off another tune. The absolute glee as he crossed out yet another one, and yet another one. I couldn't help but laugh, it was Dave's enthusiasm and joy at crossing them off that made me laugh. I dunno who thought it was funnier, Dave turning, with a huge grin on his face as he recognised the next intro starting, or me grimacing as I handed him the list. Perhaps to anybody else it wouldn't have been funny, but it kept me amused for hours, thanks Dave.

So just before my turn came to go and DJ, I sat and looked through the five pages of crossing out and scribble with just a few names still legible. It had been a slaughter fest for the poor tunes. Fortunately the list wasn't a match for the tunes in the box* and I still had plenty to go at, although as you'd expect I'd lost some that I'd have dearly loved to play.

During the weeks beforehand I'd thought of playing about 20% non 60's in my set as I did at the last reunion, but as the balance during the nite had been slightly 70's heavy I chose an all 60's battle plan to redress the balance and keep the mafia onside. I normally like to have an idea of what my set is likely to consist of, but when you're on last there's no point in having a predetermined plan. I'd played umpteen combinations of records in my kitchen in the weeks building up to the nite to get a feel, and my only real puzzle was what tune I thought would be fitting to end with. I'd got a long list of contenders as lots of the big city beat ballads would have worked, but I wanted something special in case we never get to do this again. In the end the record chose itself, beautifully soulful, and lyrically summing up how many felt at that exact moment in those special surroundings. As the dancers saw it through to the end I was overjoyed at how Dave, Chris & Mace had pulled it all together and given us a nite I and many others shall never forget.

Thanks in bucket loads to you 3 (not so lonely) Guys, and to the dancers and listeners, both originals and those for who this visit was their first to the Top Of The World. I don't DJ much these days, but as I watched the floor bouncing and heaving with dancers fuelled on the Stafford spirit, I've decided there and then that from now on, I for one am gonna make sure that some of those wonderful Stafford tunes get an airing in amongst my usual rare soul fare every time I do play out ( Rugby Niter 19th June is my next one)

For those who asked here's the (approx) play list, not exactly in order, except the last one !

Timmie Williams "Competition" - Mala
Royal Robins "Something About You" Tru-Glo-Town (Imaginary Visions c/u )
Big Frank "I Wont Let Her See Me Cry" - Phillips (Big Joe's Ivory Brass c/u )
Soul Joe Clements "Ever Ever" - Plexium
Preston Peters "You Cant Measure (fast).." M&M (Saxie Russell 'Dirty Hearts' c/u )
Gillettes "Same Identical Thing" - J&S (Compliments c/u )
Arthur Alexander "Keep Her Guessing"-Dot (Johnny Honeycutt 'Guessing Game c/u)
Buddy Conner "When Your Alone" - Breakthrough (George Jackson c/u )
Bobbie Smith "Walk On In To My Heart" - American Arts
Jock Mitchell "Not A Chance In A Million" - Impact
Doug Banks "I Just Kept On Dancing" - Argo
Ral Donner "Mr Misery" - Sunlight (Robbie Lawson 'Version 3' c/u ???)
Dickie Wonder - Nobody Knows - Sound of Soul
Jimmy Gresham - This Feelin' I Have - Teri-De
Johnny Gilliam "Room Full Of Tears" - Cancer (Charles Johnson c/u)
Bobby Valentin "Use It Before You Lose It" - Fania
Hector Rivera "I Want A Chance At Romance" - Barry
Tony Middleton, Chuito & Spanish Uniques " Spanish Maiden" - Storm
Johnny Appalachian "Up In Smoke" - Goldie
Sam Fletcher " I'd Think It Over" - Tollie (George Kirby 'If I Were You' c/u )
Drapers "Your Love Has Gone Away" - Gee (The Three Strangers c/u )
Roy Hamilton "The Panic Is On" - MGM
Freddie Houston " If I Had Known" - Old Town (Herb Ward c/u)

and finally

Esther Phillips "Just Say Goodbye" - Atlantic

If any of these were repeat plays I could say blame Mr Welding not me, but I won't as his help, humour and knowledge were invaluable. Lastly to my mate Ken and my son who helped me so much, I couldn't have done it without you, Big Love & Huge Thanks,

john

comments posted from blog entry

chalky
ey up, thar knows what thar can do dunt yer

Posted:May 27 2010 07:08 AM
Hi John, great stuff. One you missed from your list is Little Charles - It's A Heartache, sure you played it.

purist
Semi known gem

Posted:May 29 2010 03:53 PM
Thanks for that Chalky !

arnie j
Getting spins again

Posted:May 29 2010 07:28 PM
hi john,that was a really interesting read and a well put together article,nice one bud
jason

Tony Foster
"Listen, mate, 'life' has surface noise."

Posted:Jun 03 2010 06:26 AM
Brilliant John, fantastic playlist

By purist in Articles · May 26, 201015 yr

Ray Lugo's L.E.S. Express - Love Me Good / If It Ain't True

Today see's the release of Record Kicks latest 45

Named after Ray Lugo's Lower East Side neighbourhood in New York City, this double a side release is now available via online sources both in yinyl and mp3 formats

Here's a clip of the side that rings my bell... "Love me good" featuring Roxie Ray

Press info below along with other recent release news from Record Kicks

This month we have two juicy new 45s to introduce: recent RK addition

The Third Coast Kings is officially out in all the best stores
worldwide, while the new Ray Lugo's L.E.S. Express can be found only
on the RK website, in advance of it's release date. Also check out
Jazzman Gerald presents Let's Boogaloo Vol.5, Ray Harris & The Fusion
Experience, and The Underbelly album, plus read about the "Scaramunga
remix competition", other news stories and upcoming events! More
details can be found at www.recordkicks.com.
http://www.recordkic...

New Releases

"Love Me Good" / "If It Ain't True"

by Ray Lugo's L.E.S. EXPRESS feat. ROXIE RAY on 45 Mp3

Genre: funk, latin, afrobeat - Release Date: 10/05/2010

"Catchy twangy guitar funk with some tasty fatback drums of the
highest order!" - Nik Weston (Mukatsuku / Guynamukat)

"Give Me Your Love" / "Tonic Stride"

by THE THIRD COAST KINGS on 45 Mp3

Genre: deep funk & soul - Release Date: 26/04/2010

"Heavy & good! Both sides are brilliant, easy to play out...There is
still good new funk on this planet, well done!" - Henry Stroch (Unique
Records)

Latest Releases

V.A JAZZMAN GERALD presents Let's BOOGALOO Vol.5

by VARIOUS ARTISTS on CD LP Mp3

Genre: funk, soul, R&B, jazzdance and more - Release Date:
19/04/2010

"Very spicy indeed. Well done!" - Ian Wright

Ray Harris & The Fusion Experience

by RAY HARRIS & THE FUSION EXPERIENCE on CD Mp3

Genre: jazzdance, latin jazz - Release Date: 12/04/2010

"Ray Harris & The Fusion Experience have given us one of the best
afro latin jazz-dance records I've ever heard! An out and out
classic!" - Pete Isaac (Jelly Jazz / Phonic FM)

Seven Feet Under

by THE UNDERBELLY on CD LP Mp3

Genre: raw funk, soul, breaks - Release Date: 22/03/2010

"Stunning, loving the tunes to bits. Big and beefy, just how we like
our funk!" - Craig Charles (The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on BBC6
Music)

Visit Record Kicks website for full info, clips and more

By Mike in News Archives · May 10, 201015 yr

A great 25 minute online documentary presented by Dimitri from Paris all about the Philly Sound
Featuring interviews and such from the likes of Bobby Eli, Earl Young and more, it makes enjoyable viewing
Looks like the doc-video release has been made available to tie in with a forthcoming cd from BBE
The Cd info is below and as it says should be available from May 18 2010
video
A film about the creators of Disco and the Philly Sound.
Featuring the Founder of Sigma Sound Studios, Joe Tarsia.
As well as the legendary Earl Young of the infamous Baker, Harris, Young Rhythm Section.
Additional footage of Tony Montana and Bobbi Eli, Jimmy Williams and Tom Moulton.
Hear the real story about the music that changed Dance and Club Culture. A BBE Music Production © 2010
http://www.bbemusic.com/
BBE Records proudly presents its fifth and arguably most exciting compilation with The French DJ and ambassador of disco — Dimitri from Paris. Get Down With The Philly Sound focuses on Dimitri's essential disco era tracks, all were made in Philadelphia, and feature the core of the rhythm section that created and defined the sound of the genre. Dimitri's selection on CD1 traces the evolution of the '70s disco groove from the first ever disco hit record, to the rejuvenation of the Jackson 5's career, interspersed with obscurities such as Charles Mann to the magnificent Teddy Pendergrass; Philly International's answer to Marvin Gaye. CD2 of the compilation pays homage to the original creators and innovators of the remix and extended edits with reworkings exclusively by Dimitri from Paris.
BBE releases Get Down With the Philly Sound! on May 18, 2010
CD1. Original Tracks
01. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes — The Love I Lost
02. The Jackson's — Living Together
03. Teddy Pendergrass — You Can't Hide From Yourself
04. Carl Bean — I Was Born This Way
05. John Davis — Night & Day
06. The Trammps — The Night The Lights Went Out
07. Teddy Pendergrass — The More I Get The More I Want
08. TJM — I Don't Need No Music
09. Charles Mann — Do It Again
10. Eddie Kendricks — He's a Friend
11. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes — Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby
12. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes — Bad Luck (Pt. 1 & 2)
13. Philly Devotions — Hurt So Bad
14. The Girls (Brown Sugar) — I'm Going Through Changes
CD2. Remixes and Edits all respectfully done by Dimitri from Paris utilizing the original multi track parts
01. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes — The Love I Lost (DFP remix)
02. The Jackson's — Living Together (DFP edit)
03. The Trammps -The Night The Lights Went Out (DFP edit)
04. Teddy Pendergrass-You Can't Hide From Yourself (DFP remix)
05. Teddy Pendergrass-The More I Get The More I Want (DFP remix)
06. Eddie Kendricks-He's a Friend (DFP remix) 8mn
07. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes-Tell The World How I Feel About 'Cha (DFP edit)
08. Harold Melvin & Blue Notes-Bad Luck (Pt. 1 & 2) (DFP edit)
09. Philly Devotions-Hurt So Bad (DFP remix)
KEY NOTES ABOUT THIS COMPILATION
1. This compilation is the first ever to document the birth of disco in Philadelphia and the work of the unsung musicians who played on the numerous hits that came out from the Philadelphia scene.
2. The compilation exclusively features five remixes and four edits by Dimitri from Paris.
3. Online bonus features — A Tom Moulton Mix in the style of his legendary Sandpiper mix tapes that brought him to the attention of Philly International and Salsoul records and started off the remix, available exclusively from the BBE website using download codes available to physical copy purchases.
4. An epk shot with the surviving key members of the Philly movement.
5. This release is a historical documentation of the birth of modern dance or nightclub music. Every remixer, DJ and dancefloor has been influenced by the content of this release.
6. Gamble and Huff granted BBE access to multi track tapes for four tracks for Dimitri to create new mixes of their classic recordings.
7. Earl Young is founder of The Trammps and creator of the 4/4 disco drum pattern which laid the template for every dance record since
8. Recording engineer Joe Tarsia founded Sigma Sound in 1968, and virtually of all the disco recordings released on Philadelphia International, Salsoul, Philly World, Gold Mind and Atlantic were made at his studio.
9. The release will be accompanied by extensive liner notes, pictures, interviews and anecdotes from the legendary players involved in the music.
10. Listening parties will take place in key capital cities as well as themed DJ events with Dimitri from Paris.
11. A bonus limited vinyl of mixes from Tom Moulton, Francois K and John Morales.
12. The vinyl edition of Dimitri's remixes will include bonus passes not available on CD or digitally.
www.bbemusic.com
www.dimitrifromparis.com
www.myspace.com/djdimitrifromparis

By Mike in News Archives · April 30, 201015 yr

Things now starting to show up for the talked about forthcoming Northern Soul Film entitled "Northern Soul" with the appearance of an interview on youtube involving two of the actors
Directed by Elaine Constantine web sources say that filming is planned to start shooting this summer/autumn.
Already the way it has been presented online does show that it's taking a different path than other recent similar projects, it could be said they are doing things in a way which owes more to traditional northern soul values rather than more recent ones
A few word clips below on the film, more can be read via the films website.
"In Summer 2010 Elaine will be returning to the North to direct 'Northern Soul', the project she has always dreamt about. Born in Bury, Lancashire, the youngest of a large Catholic family, Elaine grew up listening and dancing to Northern Soul. From hearing her elder siblings' record collections to her first youth club experience, Northern Soul was the soundtrack to her adolescence. It is her obsession with youth culture and a life-long passion for 60's American, independent soul music that inspired Elaine to work towards making her first full length feature film. Some ten years in the making, it aims to be an authentic portrayal of a quintessential northern soul experience."
"Elaine has been working with Northern Soul veterans Butch and Ady Croasdell along with recruiting promising young dancers from the North West, the Midlands and the South of England to represent the true essence, energy and passion of the scene, which was a hugely influential and exciting time for youth culture and Soul music in Britain."
Northern Soul Video Clip
Exclusive interview footage of actors Elliot James Langridge and Sam Benjamin on the set of Elaine Constantine's new film about Northern Soul talking fashion, all nighters and mastering Northern Soul moves.
website
http://www.northernsoulthefilm.com/

By Mike in News Archives · April 30, 201015 yr

A new release from Ace Records BGP (beat goes public) imprint, a "lost sessions" affair release featuring the main man himself Joe Battan

A brief snippet from the release notes is below

It was at this time that Joe left Mericana and placed his next recording at the Rifkind brothers Spring label. Unfortunately no contract was signed and the LP languished in the vaults, apart from a limited run Japanese release in the early 90s, until now. It's a shame because it is the missing link between "Afrofilipino" and his later recordings back at Salsoul. Certainly his vibrant version of Isaac Hayes 'Theme From The Men' is a sure fire follow up to 'The Bottle (La Botella)' and as he had previously updated some of his Fania recordings he does so again here with the wonderful 'My Cloud' and 'My Opera'. The whole album is underpinned with the nascent sound of disco that was in the air in the New York of 1976; the version of 'Sadie' is a disco update of Joe's version of 'Gypsy Woman'. His voice sounds amazing throughout the album particularly on the closing number, a cover of Billy Stewart's 'I Do Love You'.

Full release information by Dean Rudland can be read via the link to the ace website at the end, which also has the great news that Joe Bataan is lined up as one of the headlineacts at the upcoming Goodwood festival

Summer of 76 revisited in many ways

Tracks

01 SADIE
02 WHEN WE GET MARRIED
03 MY CLOUD
04 I NEED LOVE
05 THEME FROM THE MEN
06 LET ME LOVE YOU
07 MY OPERA
08 I DO LOVE YOU

ace records link

http://www.acerecord...59&release=8482

amazon link

http://www.amazon.co...wwacerecordc-21

By Mike in News Archives · April 29, 201015 yr

Todays the official release date of Soul Junctions latest 45 release "Mike Jemison - Hold On He's Coming/ Call On Me". Originally scheduled for earlier this month, the date of this fine release was pushed back till today due to manufacturing delays.
This great 45 has to be one of the strongest Soul Junctions releases to date, and certainly already seems that "Hold On He's Coming" is destined to be a floor packer after the response seen when played out on pre-release the other weekend.
Both tracks are taken from Mike Jemisons latest album "Call On me".
Available now from the usual online and out and about suspects...
Mike Jemison - Hold On He's Coming/ Call On Me - Soul Junction

Mike Jemison Biography
Michael (Mike) Jemison was born on February 4th 1958 on the East side Of Detroit. He was the third child of six who were raised by the Reverend Wilson Jemison Sr and his wife Annabel.
Mike had honed his vocal skills as a five year old in his father's church singing alongside his brother Clarence and their sisters Sylvia, LaDonna and Janice in the family group known as "The Jemisonettes".
Mikes introduction to secular music would not come about until he had completed a degree in business studies at the Franklin University in Columbus Ohio. Mike had been a long time friend of Carolyn Franklin, (Aretha's little sister). It was following an introduction by Carolyn that Mike first became involved with his future mentor Ernest Kelley who signed him to his Geneva label.
Mikes first recording session in 1973 yielded a funkier version of the Soul Twins classic "Quick Change Artist" coupled with "I Want Some Satisfaction" (Geneva 506).
Ernest Kelley had previously recorded "I Want Some Satisfaction" on some of his other artists, Willie Collins, Billy Sha-Rae and Betty Bibbs in the hope of turning the song in to a future Standard.
Mikes next release came in 1975 when he cut "When Your Around/Let's Bring Back The Good Times"(Geneva 510) which was later released to United Artists just as they were about to disband their record division.
A second deal with a major label would later follow. Through Ernest Kelley's relationship with Henry Allen at Atlantic Records Mike was signed to their subsidiary label, Cotillion. Cotillion only issued one release on Mike Jemison the 1984 recording
"You Make Me Feel The Way You Do" a cover version of a Barrett Strong song from two years earlier. Sadly due to the sudden death of Henry Allen the Atlantic deal ended prematurely. A further proposed deal with MCA never came to fruition due to the death of Al Perkins.
Mike Jemison's Geneva releases had been gaining a popular following amongst modern soul aficionados in the UK especially his next release "You Never Get My Love" (Geneva 514) which is now regarded as a all time anthem. "You Never Get My Love was also issued on the Lake label using the same catalogue number as the Geneva release.
In 1986 Mike recorded "Congratulations/"Ain't No Use" (Geneva 600) which was to be his last secular recording. A compilation album of Mikes Geneva recording was later released for the Japanese market.
In 1987 Mike recorded the acclaimed gospel album "He's My Friend" for the City Sound Label. The album featured "Reflections of the Man Inside" which also gained a 45 release.
Mike Jemison is a devoted family man, who with his wife Kimberley, have raised a family of four fine children, Stephan, Leah, Christopher and Sasha, with Sasha being somewhat of a four year old singing and dancing sensation!
In1991 Mike was ordained as a Baptist Minister and still continues to perform and record as a gospel artist, often sharing the same billing as Aretha Franklin, who he accompanied when she was honoured by Washington TV station BET on their Walk of Fame programme.
Following on from his 2007 "Worthy" album release, Mike has been working his current album project, and it is from this that we at Soul Junction have lifted the following two tracks.
The upbeat "Hold On, He's Coming" which marries Mike's excellent vocals with a strong dance beat. A song we feel has great crossover potential with soul and gospel fans alike. Together with the Title song from the album "Call On Me" a sophisticated Jazz influenced little number.
Mikes future plans also include recording a live show at the Christ Word Outreach Ministry Church in Detroit, of which he is the Pastor.
Dave Welding
Soul Junction

By Mike in News Archives · April 26, 201015 yr

Tobi Lark Cancels Cleethorpes

Spencer & Percy Wiggins Sign For Cleethorpes

After several years of tough negotiating and then finally settling on the highest
price I've ever offered an artist, Tobi Lark baulked at the signing of the contract
that had been thrashed out with her manager / agent. Several phone calls followed
where I managed to convince her that it would be a memorable and fulfilling event
and I managed to assuage her fears so much that she gave me her word she'd be there.
A couple of weeks down the line she pulled out again with absolutely no reason given.
This time I didn't fight it as I didn't feel I would have been able to guarantee her
performance.

From adversity comes opportunity. In the ensuing weeks I've been able to work out a deal, and a
contract that has been signed by all parties, for actual Memphis soul brothers Spencer and Percy
Wiggins. Both are fantastic singers who appeared at the Porretta Soul Festival in Italy a couple
of years ago, where Ace Records colleague Tony Rounce reported that they blew everybody away.

There they mainly sang deep and southern soul, but they also have a great catalogue of Northern and
Crossover under their belts too. Kent have already featured Percy's two Northern classics,
'That's Loving You' and 'It Didn't Take Much' on CDs as well as some of his
great ballads. 'Can't Find Nobody' was a exciting surprise for me, a 60s club
soul classic that up until recently had eluded me and his second RCA 45 'Love
Is A Wonderful Thing' is a cracker too.

Brother Spencer's song roster is even more extensive and appropriate to a Kent sponsored gig.
We have spent many hours examining andexcavating his wonderful Goldwax sides for release
and then negotiating with Fame and EMI to get his Northern Monster 'Let's Talk It Over' out on CD and
vinyl legitimately for the first time. Though he has a splendid repertoire of
dancers and mid tempo movers like 'Love Attack', 'Lonely Man' and 'I Never
Loved A Woman', the recent revelation has been his very recently discovered
Fame masters. These include a top notch rendition of the classic 'Make Me
Yours' and the revelatory Crossover monster-to-be that is 'Breaking Point'.
'Breaking Point' in particular has been universally accepted as a future soul
dance classic by everybody who has been lucky enough to hear it and many more
will be intimate with it by the time Spencer sings it live on stage for the
first time since it was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1969.

The brothers are also going to combine for a show-stopping duet and we've lined up
three horns and two backing singers along with our regular group to do their songs justice.

If anyone has booked tickets solely to see Tobi Lark, feel free to cancel them for a
full refund. If you are now further enticed to join our soul soirees (three of 'em) we still have
weekend passes available. If we do not sell out by May 31st, we will
make a limited number of evening-only tickets available then; but not before.

Ady & Charlie

By Mike in Event News · April 24, 201015 yr

Source Revisited - a occasional series of things that were up and then they weren't.
Recent reading about the Lost & Found - Real R&B And Soul cd comp release (that was put together by Paul Weller and Keb Darge) led me to making a mental note to have a dig for this the next time was messing around in the backend of soul source.
This was originally up on here in the late 90s and would say that my original source was perhaps a grab from the BBCwebsite.
At the time found this an interesting read, and as still think that's still the case and looking around there doesn't seems to be any sign of this elsewhere online. Thought it would be a good way to do the "two birds" thing and use it as an opener for getting the source revisited series underway and also as an opener for the new freebasing section of the revamped articles feature.
1998.02.08 All Back To Mine, BBC Radio 1
Paul Weller interview from the BBC
All Back To Mine was produced by Somethin' Else for BBC Radio 1.
Paul: So what's the aim of this? What's the plot? Is it just me playing my favourite records or records I've got a lot to say about? Otherwise it could just end up me playing The Who all the time.
(Phone rings - Paul answers)
Hello.... Um ..... only thing is I'm in the middle of doing this radio programme. Call me back in a couple of hours - if not I'll call you. Alright, see ya ...
So, shall we start then?
Plays Bill Withers - Harlem
Q: So have you ever used any of those kinds of riffs on your own things?
Paul: It isn't just kind of copying a riff - it might have been years ago when you first start - but it isn't just a question of copying a riff, it's more just a sound. Even just 1 sound or drum sound, or it goes beyond actual sounds and it's more of a vibe. I don't mean a spiritual thing but something in the music where you think, I'd like to get that on the record.
Plays Lee Dorsey - Everything I do Gonh Be Funky
Q: Those records from that period, they've got such a rawness about them.
Paul: The references, R'n'B you know, American black music, soul music, funk, which I would have heard.
Q: But how?
Paul: Dances. We had a disco every Friday, Thursday in probably about 1970/ 71.
Q: But youth club?
Paul: No, not a youth club it was a dance. You know flashing lights and DJ ... that sort of thing. It was post Skin Head. You know it was Suede Head and it was mainly stacks of Motown and it was Reggae as well. James Brown I suppose but at the time you could buy them in normal hardware stores (both laugh) normal record shops, you know.
But that music was mainstream in a way. You could go into this a local record shop and buy Sex Machine because there was enough demand for that record - especially Motown that had its biggest time in England in the early 70s. I mean a lot of those things were re-issues from the mid-sixties and a whole new generation got into it, you know like post-mod.
This next record I'm going to play comes from that era where again, you had another generation of people who had their own clubs, their own music together and they had their own import shops, all that stuff and it just keeps going. To me it's just like a big family tree.
And although I wasn't part of any of the Acid House scene, I remember going down the King's Road and seeing all the kids wearing their Acid clothes and cues outside the shoe shops for the wannabees , you know, Kickers.
Plays Ten City - One Kiss Will Make It Better
and tries a mix into Smokey Robinson's More Love .
Paul: Julian Palmer played this to me and he got into a lot of this independent soul, which was all these independent soul label in America knocking out a few copies...
Q: From what period?
Paul: Mid 80s but it's still going on, it's never stopped you know what I mean? But it became popular in the mid 80s. Still great records come out now but you never get to hear them - hardly anyone's playing them or even getting your hands on them.
Plays Frederick - Move On
Q: You said you'd heard that in the 80s and you were actually bringing that into the music as well, weren't you - into The Style Council ...
Paul: In a way, The Cost Of Loving, the name of the album we made around that time, 85/86 was me being influenced by these records by what people call independent soul - little soul labels in The States, you know. I really liked the kind of rawness of them, they were obviously made on low budgets - that kind of sound and there's lots of little riffs we nicked from that album. Night After Night by David C, we knicked the bass line from that for It Didn't Matter.
Q: But in its own little way it was a very mod thing, wasn't it?
Paul: Yeah, because it was like trying to go out and buy all these imports again and the whole root of all of it, what you come back to at the end of it is American music.
Q: 'Cause even the rejected album was very obviously a mod thing
Paul: Yeah I though it was, it was even called The New Decade Of Modernism ...
Q: That's what the original title was? But no one got it?
Paul: No, no one got it because it was never released it was turned down. It was banned from the waist up.
It's the same thing for me. It's like The Stones buying The Howlin' Wolf records on import, trying to chase around town to find it, covering it - from the one point of view they probably got a hit with it and Howlin' Wolf probably died penniless. That vibe I obviously wouldn't agree with but I'm a fan as well and my consideration is more from that angle.
I got a little flack over that at the time if I remember but it was the right move to make at the time for The Style Council. When I heard Garage and Deep House, I just thought that was kind of like soul music's move back to it's roots a bit more. You could hear the piano a lot more and the whole thing of the vocals building - the things I recognise and like. (Lights a fag).
Shall I proceed anyway?(they both laugh). What am I doing anyway?
Q: Making a radio programme
Paul: Oh yeah, where's my script? Producer? ...(they laugh).
Plays Taj Mahal - A Lot Of Love
Q: You know I can't help but notice you're incredibly annul in your collection - I bet there's a colour code on those record boxes.
Paul: Hey don't point at them (they laugh). It's nice to have some assemblance of order in things - that's just my way of doing it but you're right.
Plays Ernst Rangling - Surfing
Paul: I like anything that's good - whatever that means. I was very much a pop kid and I liked all The Move singles, Kinks, The Beatles and records by The Casuals.
Q: Shall we stick one on?
Paul: Right.
Plays The Casuals - Jezamine
Paul: (Opens wine) I really think it's a beautiful record and I love the melody - something about it still really inspires me. It is nostalgic but it's so inspiring.
Q: It's quite traditional as well in its own ...
Paul: Well it might be but how many records have you heard like that? I couldn't say where it's from. It's kind of MOR but it isn't. Shall we move swiftly on to Elgar? (Both laugh).
Q: With The Beach Boys, was that a constant that you've had from that moment?
Paul: Yes. I love The Beach Boys - the first record I ever had, I didn't buy myself but it was bought for me by my Dad from Heathrow Airport. We use to go on a Sunday night sometimes and watch the planes take off. Seriously that was before colour TV. That was the highlight.
Anyway we use to go to Heathrow and he bought me this album, which I haven't still got but I bought another copy. This is like a cheap MFP compilation and it's got a wicked sleeve. A huge Green wave and 2 surfers on it. But the whole image of The Beach Boys, sort of West Coast, sunshine, surfing and sea. That really caught my imagination as a kid. This is a great, beautiful track this ...
Plays The Beach Boys - Forever.
Q: Is your clock an hour fast?
Paul: Yeah, Summertime
Q: (Laughing) Summertime?
Paul: Yeah Babe, I hate Winter
Q: It's Beach Boys isn't it?
Paul: Well it is Surrey technically but Summertime, yeah.
Plays Ian Brown - My Star
Q: Were you checking like The Roses, when they came out?
Paul: Well no. I heard some of their singles obviously but I never liked the full scale but subsequently I've heard tracks off the first album - Waterfall I really liked, I Wanna Be Adored. So it took me a little while to come around to it but I talked to Steve Cradick on tour and he's a big Roses fan and for him and his generation, they were like the contemporary band. Steve always says it's like me talking about The Sex Pistols - I can't say they had a big lasting influence on me but at the time when I was 17, it was what I needed to drag me into contemporary music. And I think the Roses did the same for their generation as well.
Q: Shall we go through into the other room and look through you're CDs?
Paul: (As they walk through the rooms laughs)...Do you want a beer?
Q: I've never, ever in my life - abuse, drink ... I've never seen someone clean up a wine glass and smash it in their hand. I've seen people drop them, sit on them, step on them but I've never seen that before.
Paul: It's not my fault is it? (Laughing, they walk through to the CD lounge) Shall we carry on then?
Q: Yes, I think we should crack on, now that we're in the CD lounge.
Paul: MMM ... nice. Right, I saw the Stereophonics at this gig we did in Cardiff Bay last year and they played before us and then their manager sent me a copy of their album. Their lyrics are good and his voice is good.
Plays Stereophonics - Thousand Trees
Paul: You havin' that?
Q: Most definitely. What are your points of reference in finding new bands - young bands to come through like that?
Paul: None. I heard this by chance. I wouldn't purposely go out of my way to hear anyone (laughs). It's true. I'm only laughing 'cause I see the awfulness in it but it is true to some extent. Unless someone puts me on to something and says, "Listen to this". I'm not like Sting, I don't go out and check out what young people are up to today. I don't give a f*c*. I do in one way but I don't give a f*c* about today's market but it does lead onto the next record.
This is a think with Robert Wyatt. I did notice stuff. I wouldn't have gone out to buy this album, that's for sure. And just by chance I did a couple of tracks on his latest record. He was using the same studio I was working in at the time and I left a note for him. The fact that I did happen to hear his album turned me on to something else again and it was great. Out of all the people I've worked with in his generation, 60s people, he was the most inspiring 'cause he still added some kind of crazy, personilised vision that this was his record and he had focused idea of what it should be in his own mind - there is hope, there is a way forward.
Q: Does that give you hope?
Paul: Yes it does. I got more from Robert Wyatt working with him in a course of a week than anyone else I've worked with.
Q: Is this the track you did with him?
Paul: Yeah ... a bit of nepotism but I believe in it enough that I want to play it to you.
Plays Robert Wyatt - Free Will & Testament
Paul: Shall we have one more now, for the road? I like the mood on this... it's the right mood.
Plays David Holmes - Don't Die Yet
Paul: It's got a funky mood. It either connects with you or it doesn't. You can't explain it. I wouldn't even want to explain it, would you?
Every time you play a record, you believe in magic don't you? You still find something still fundamentally good about human beings I think. When I hear great music of any kind, whether it's a book or a painting - I'm not being too poncey about it but even I know that.
Art's the property of all people, it doesn't just belong to the middle classes. We can all go to the Tate Gallery ... good-buy.

All Back To Mine was produced by Somethin' Else for BBC Radio 1.

comment from past comments system
member REVILOT
Nice read.
I sold quite a few records to Paul back in the Style Council days and did him some cassettes of Northern and rare Soul records. I remember one cassette in particular that he took with him on his Japanese tour and in one of his letters he wrote that he loved Steve Mancha - Did My Baby Call. I knew then the guy had taste. (If I Could Only Be Sure )
Not easy to remember all the records he bought from me but they did include Otis Leavill and Brenton Wood stuff.
Still got the letters so I will dig em out and remind myself what he bought

By Mike in Articles · April 22, 201015 yr

Soul Survivor - Sir Lattimore Brown

Back From The Dead!

If anyone is entitled to a pain in the heart it is Sir Lattimore. Born to beginnings we cannot comprehend in 1931 and growing up with practically nothing. But from these humble beginnings he was introduced to music, the music of the cotton fields and gospel from the church.

Whilst serving in the Army in Korea, Lattimore was listening to acts such as King Cole Trio and Big Joe Turner and listening to these acts taught him a unique combination of R&B shouting and smooth vocal phrasing that he would carry on into his later work, work that would make him a veteran of the Chitlin Circuit working with some of the biggest names of the time.

Upon settling down in later life, hoping to see out his days in peace and tranquility his world was turned upside down by Hurricane Katrina, the storm was to take from him everything he owned in life. Lattimore's wife tragically died of a heart attack whilst attempting to escape the storm (it would be five months until Lattimore found out about his wife), Lattimore himself survived the storm but was badly injured.

Further tragedy was to come. Whilst getting his life back together after the ravages of the storm, Lattimore was then mugged whilst collecting his meager Army pension. One of the muggers driving a screwdriver into his side leaving Lattimore fighting for his life. Fortunately Lattimore survived but is left with a nasty scar to remind of the brutal attack.

(photo courtesy of Red Kelly)

It was whilst in hospital that he told a nurse of his past as a famous R&B singer. Curious she googled his name to find an article stating that he had died ten years earlier. The nurse found another article by the Soul Detective Red Kelly so she e-mailed Red to see if her patient was the same person. Red contacted Bob Wilson of Golden World Records fame, a name and a label very well known to many Northern Soul fans for his records such as All Turned On and his record work with Joe Simon and ZZ Hill. Bob called the hospital and it was indeed the Sir Lattimore Brown. Friends got together and got Lattimore somewhere to live and Bob decided to take Lattimore back into the studio.

Bob believes in doing things the old way, analogue. Bob used a combination of his own studio in Detroit (for overdubs and mastering) and Willie Mitchells' Royal Recording Studio in Memphis (for recording). He also gathered together the cream of Detroit and Memphis musicians. A line up that consisted of guitarists Skip Pitts & Charlie Hawkins, Steve Potts on drums, Dave Smith on Bass, on trumpet is Kelvin Green, Tenor Sax James Chaney and of course Bob Wilson on electric piano, organ, congas and tambourine. I must mention the backing singers, two singers very well known to the Northern Soul fraternity in the UK and to soul fans world wide, Pat Lewis and her sister Diane!

Now I've got to mention who and what this is all about, Sir Lattimore Brown, The Soul Survivor who at the age of almost 80 years and having gone through so much in his life never thought he would be back in the studio but thanks to Red Kelly and Bob Wilson he was and the result is this CD single and a forthcoming LP.

Photo courtesy of Red Kelly

The first track is a cover of the late great Otis Redding's "Pain In My Heart". Otis was a good friend of Lattimore and Lattimore himself delivers a haunting version of this soul classic. You can feel the pain as he asks where can his Baby be, pleading for to come back as he's had enough, wanting the pain to stop!

The second track is The Itch, another cover (originally recorded by Keb Mo who shares writing credits with Jeff Paris. Here Lattimore begins by prayin' to the Lord above for mercy. He goes on to say how he keeps falling in love, or is it lust, often with the woman he knows is bad for him before getting the Itch and leaving only he is pleading with the Lord for him not to make the same mistakes and go back, hoping he can learn his lesson and not do the same damn thing all over again! An often heard story of a man thinking with his balls and not his brain no matter how much pain and money it would cause him!!

A great piece soul set at a mid-tempo pace with Lattimore raising it for the chorus proving that he can still do the business! Just check out the video for further proof he still has it.

Bob again tells me how he wanted to keep this real and did so by doing not only the full version but also Parts 1 & 2 that could be found on many records back in the day, hopefully the radio stations will pick up on this. Bob also says that it is perfect to dance to doing the Hustle to it or The Twine as it is called in Tennessee where Bob used to live.

Visit Real Thing Records to not only buy the CD but see Sir Lattimore live in the studio proving that he still has what it takes. http://realthingmusic.com/fr_home.cfm

Photos of Lattimore and the musicians are also on the site and more videos of Sir Lattimore can be found on YouTube, seek them out.

There is no way I can do the story of Lattimore Brown justice in a page or two but you can read a comprehensive story of Lattimore Brown on the excellent blog of Red Kelly, who without him Lattimore probably wouldn't be here now to share his music with us, the first part of the story can be found at http://redkelly.blog...t-this-way.html take some time out and read all the parts to the story, it is a fascinating and interesting story.

There is also an interview of Sir Lattimore by Robbie Benson earlier this year that can be found at http://worldwidewebc...lattimore-brown

Lattimore is still in need of all our help. You can help in at least two ways, buy this CD single and the upcoming LP from Real Thing Records and make a PayPal donation via the friends of Lattimore Brown page which can be found at http://www.sirlattimorebrown.com/ Click on the Friends link at the bottom left of the home page and give Sir Lattimore Brown some much needed help and comfort.

Special thanks to Bob Wilson, Red Kelly and also to Sir Lattimore Brown.

Chalky (April 2010).

By Chalky in Articles · April 18, 201015 yr

Delayed shout due to the recent final work on this part of Soul Source, but still even though delayed a most welcome shout.
News and info from Kent on their recent Kent 45 releases,
Going by the releases below and word on the forums of even more forthcoming releases, have to say that in the second decade of the 21st century to see such quality vinyl releases being pushed out is something that kent deserve the utmost credit for. Indeed!

CITY 013
Changes by Lilly Fields from GWP
We Can Do It by The Shaladons from GWP

Lilly Fields appearance on the "GWP, NYC, TLC" CD has wowed everyone, and the demand to have it on vinyl is huge. It has already been well received at the 100 Club all nighters and it's from the legendary Detroit Pied Piper production team too and was cut in that city.

'We Can Do It' is a fabulous Larry Banks production on this mystery but inspired male vocal group.

CITY 014

Whatcha Gonna Do by Phillip & The Faithfulls from Goldwax
Until The End Of Time by The Additions from Dave Hamilton's Topper productions.

Goldwax completists will be thrilled at having this unreleased mid tempo Phillip & the Faithfulls' track on vinyl and coupled with the previous "CD only" mid 60s Detroit dancer from the Additions, it will be a crucial purchase for vocal group lovers as well as Northern Soulies.

CITY 015

A Man Is A Mean Thing by Barbara Perry from Goldwax
I've Got A Feeling For You Baby by Gladys Bruce from DiVenus

More Goldwax, this time New Breed R&B styled from the highly rated Barbara Perry has been picking up acetate plays for a couple of years making demand already high. The exact same goes for its NYC recorded flip from DiVenus artist Gladys Bruce

CITY 016 Hang On In There Girl by Jesse Davies
Hang On In There Girl: Instrumental

The vocal side of this disc fetches over a grand and here we have an elongated version from the multi track tapes. Even more uniquely we have mixed a storming instrumental take from those masters and acetate plays has already turned this track into a monster.

TOWN 136

Wear Your Natural, Baby by Towana & The Total Destruction
You Really Made It Good To Me by Ty Karim

Both of these artists are in fact the late wonderful Ty Karim whose super rare Romark 45s fetch very high prices. 'Natural' will appeal to the 70s and Crossover crowd, while 'You Really Made It Good' is 60s Northern Soul at its very best.

TOWN 137

Is This The Way To Treat A Girl (You Bet It Is) by The Hesitations
Come Out Of The Sandbox by Mary Love

The Prestatyn Soul weekender of March 2010 sees live appearances from Kent / Modern legend Mary Love and GWP's Hesitations. That group's 'Is That The Way To Treat A Girl' 45 has been picking up lots of plays particularly on the Modern scene where 'Sandbox' has been an in-demand item for years.

TOWN 138

A Man Of My Word by Salt & Pepper
Make Up Your Mind by San Francisco TKOs

One of the rarest and most popular Northern records of the last 5 years has been Salt & Pepper's 'Man Of My Word'. Recorded in Bangkok when the group were G. I. s in the late 60s, it has taken many years to emerge into the limelight and will cross over to modern and funk fans alike once it is readily available. The old Kent anniversary single 'Make Up Your Mind' by the San Francisco TKOs is another permanently wanted record.

Link to Dave Abotts thread on soul source about A Man Of My Word by Salt & Pepper which apparently played a major part in this release
and demos just how strongly kents finger is on the pulse

all should be avalable through your normal dealers out and about, plus normal online sources

By Mike in News Archives · April 17, 201015 yr

Details of three live shows next week and next weekend
Gill Scott-Heron
Flyer below
Live at Manchester Sunday 25th April
Link
http://www.skiddle.c...ester/11358089/
Royal Festival Hall - London
Gill Scott-Heron
+ Speech Debelle (20 April only)
Tuesday 20 April 2010 - Saturday 24 April 2010
Due to overwhelming public demand a second gig has now been added on Saturday 24 April.
Venue blurb:
In 1971 Gil Scott-Heron laid out the blueprint for the whole rap genre with 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised', and now, as vital as ever, he returns with his new album 'I'm New Here' (XL Recordings) and this rare London show. One of the most important figures in 20th-century music to have come out of America, his thoughtful, provocative and still rebellious voice is something to be heard.
Support (for the 20 April concert only) comes from the 2009 Mercury Prize-winner Speech Debelle, whose album 'Speech Therapy' has been hailed as an outstanding debut. Support on 24 April comes from Ladi6.
http://www.southbank...ott-heron-51056
watch video
Gil Scott-Heron -We Almost Lost Detroit

By Mike in Event News · April 16, 201015 yr

SOUL UP NORTH 67 NOW AVAILABLE!!!

In this cram packed issue...

Rita Graham (Rita and the Tiaras) Interview - Rob Jones

Mallia Jackson - Queen Of Funk - Howard Priestley

Gilly's First Trip To Detroit (Part 2) - Gilly

Shirl's Soul Food CafÃÆ’© - including Carel Mancuso (Karyl Mann) interview

On The Rare Side Of Girl Group Soul (part 5) - Hasse Huss

+ all the rest of the usual good stuff including
Good Toons & Great Grooves - Dave Halsall, Craig Butler's - A Dab Of Early Soul, Modern Musings - Mark Randal, Plumbs Peaches - hosted this issue by Bob Cosby aka Cosby's Chestnuts!, Deep Soul - Mike Finbow, BearSouls's B's, Little Silver Discs & Hot Off The Vinyl Presses - HFE, Venue Reports - Spot & A to Z of Soul (give me a 'P') - Steve Copeman.... ++ a few other goodies!!!!

£3... to uk plus £1 postage..

for paypal details...
pm
little stevie (see author info box on the right hand sidebar)
or
email
stevecato64@yahoo.co.uk

By Mike in News Archives · April 16, 201015 yr

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