These Old Shoes 2000 Lookback By Winston

First time I've visited this night, so there was that extra degree of anticipation, on my journey. I arranged to meet a friend (Toby Cole) at London Bridge station, this has to do with both my intense dislike of walking and the fact its nice to go somewhere new with someone you know.

Due to some technical failure the train wasn't able to stop at the London Bridge, so I had to get off at the previous stop, Blackfriars. I rang Toby and top bloke that he is, he came and got me. Not the ideal start to a night, to put you in a good mood, but as we arrived at the venue I was back in good spirits. At the entrance we were met by Jo Wallace and Paul Thomas Peter, two of the co promoters and DJs, the third promoter Martin Thomson, was doing his first stint behind the decks.

After a quick chat Toby and myself made our way downstairs where the festivities actually take place. The first thing that hit both of us was the immense heat, it's a compact venue, and considering the early time that we arrived (it was still only 8:30) was already filling up. This was particularly impressive for me, because I haven't been to a mid week venue (Thursday night) anywhere for years and wasn't sure what the attendance would be like. All I can say is I'm glad I started dancing early, because the small dance floor rapidly became packed. The dance floor by the way had thoughtfully already had talc placed on it, probably because us denizens of the older soul fraternity are getting increasingly forgetful.

Now where was I. Something that has become increasingly obvious to me (and probably hasn't been overlooked by others) on my visits to soul events in London are the crowds that are attracted. Firstly, in general they are a much younger crowd and contrary to popular belief, very friendly. Secondly the dancers are "up for it" right from the first record, and usually once on the floor, don't leave it. Thirdly and most importantly in my opinion, they treat "classics" and unknown sounds with equal deference, there are no petty politics.

For me, the scene has always been about dancing and hearing quality music, including new sounds, or rediscovered oldies, because without this content, the scene can't survive. I believe this ethic is more than provided for by the current London soul scene and These Old Shoes is no exception to the rule. T.O.S has a tremendous atmosphere, there are people who prefer R&B, some who prefer the classic 6Ts type sound, all are catered for, consequently the dancing never stops. I firmly believe that an "up for it crowd" will in turn create "up for it DJs" who will respond accordingly.

I think the DJs recognised the potential of the evening very early tonight, as a result when I eventually left, I was one very satisfied customer. Some of the sounds played tonight:

MARTIN THOMSON

CHRISTINE KITTRELL- Call his name (KING)

YVONNE GOMEZ- My man a go go (HAWAII)

DOUG BANKS- I just kept on dancing (ARGO)

THE LITTLE FOXES- So glad your love don't change (OKEH)

NOLAN PORTER- If I could only be sure (ABC)

THE CHARADES- You better believe it (HARLEM HIT PARADE)

MARVIN GAYE- Change what you can (TAMLA)

MIKE VICKERS- On the brink (UK COLUMBIA)

BOBBY LEE TIMBERLAKE- You hurt me (MIRWOOD)

FOUR TOPS- Wonderful baby (MOTOWN)

ENCHANTMENTS- I'm in love with your daughter pt.1 (FARO)

SHUFFLERS- Always be mine (CRACKERJACK)

SHIRELLES - Too much of a good thing (SCEPTER)

JACK MONTGOMERY - Dearly beloved (SCEPTER)

CHARADES - The key to my happiness (MGM)

MOUSIE AND THE TRAPS - How about you (TODDLIN' TOWN)

TYN TYMES - Baby I love you (THE MUSIC BOX)

BETTY EVERETT - Please love me (ONEDERFUL)

MARVELOWS - Your little sister (ABC)

CLIFF NOBLES - My love is getting stronger (ATLANTIC)

JIMMY HUGHES - It ain't what you got (ATLANTIC)

CHARLES SHEFFIELD - It's your voodoo working (EXCELLO)

GINO - It's only a paper moon (GOLDEN CREST)

BRILLIANT KORNERS - Three lonely guys (MODERN)

HESITATIONS - I'm not built that way (KAPP)

MIKE VICKERS - On the brink (UK COLUMBIA)

LONNIE LESTER - You can't go (NUTONE)

OTIS LEAVIL - Nobody (SMASH)

PAUL THOMAS-PETER

CONTOURS - Just A Little Misunderstanding - UK TAMLA

EDWIN STARR - I Want My Baby Back - GORDY

BRENDA HOLLOWAY - Reconsider - TEST

VOLUMES - My Kind Of Girl - INFERNO DEMO

JOCK MITCHELL - Not A Chance In A Million - IMPACT DEMO

EMANUEL LASKY - Don't Lead Me On Baby - THELMA

THE PROFILES - Take A Giant Step - GOLDIE

ANITA HULMES AND THE ESSEX - What Did I Do - ROULETTE

BETTY SWANN - Lonely Love - MONEY

RINGLEADERS - Baby What Has Happened - M-PAC

DARROW FLETCHER - What Have You Got Now - JACKLYN

LORRAINE CHANDLER - Tell Me Your Mine - GIANT

TEDDY RANDAZZO - You Don't Need A Heart - DCP

ROY HAMILTON - The Panic is On - MGM

PORGY AND THE MONARCHS - That's My Girl - SYLVES DEMO

MAXINE BROWN - Let Me Give You My Loving - WAND

JJ BARNES - Please Let Me In - RIC TIC

HOWARD GUYTON - I watched You Slowly Slip Away - VERVE DEMO

KIM WESTON - A Thrill A Moment - GORDY

BABY WASHINGTON - It'll Never Be Over For Me - SUE

MARVIN GAYE - Little Darling - TAMLA

HAROLD MELVIN - Get Out - ROUTE!

BENJI

FRANKIE AND THE DAMIONS - Man from Soul - JCP

DELLS - Thinking about you - CADET

MELVIN ELLING - Lonely eyes - STRETCH DYNAMICS - I need your love - RCA FOUR PERFECTIONS - I'm not strong enough - PARTYTIME

YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM - Of hopes, dreams and tombstones - COLUMBIA

JOE DOUGLAS - Crazy things - PLAYHOUSE

DANNY MOORE - Something new - ALLRITE

TONY HESTOR - Just can't leave you - KARATE

ARABIANS - Please take a chance - LE MANN

CHUBBY AND THE TURNPIKES - I didn't try - CAPITOL

RANDY HOBBS - Waiting and Watching - EMBER

DANNY WHITE - Keep my woman home - ATLAS

LARRY ALLEN - Can't we talk it over - GREEN DOLPHIN

VALENTINOS - Sweeter than the day before - CHESS

BOBBY HUTTON - Come see what's left of me - PHILIPS

TOBI LARK - Challenge my love - TOPPER

JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - Lovely you'll be - ATCO

FREDDIE HOUSTON - If I had known - OLD TOWN

TOYS - Deserted - FRENCH COLUMBIA

LILIAN DUPREE - Hide and seek - D-TOWN

CONSTELLATIONS - I didn't know how to - GEMINI STAR

BOBBY SHEEN - Something new to do - WARNER BROS

EARTHA KITT - There comes a time - MUSICOR

MITTY COLLIER - Pain - CHESS

DON RAY SAMPSON - Baby come back - E

JIMMY RICKS - Oh what a feeling - FESTIVAL

GEORGE FREEMAN - Down and out - VALIANT

JO WALLACE. FALCONS - I'm a fool - BIG WHEEL

EMMANUEL LASKY - Sweet lies - THELMA JUNIOR

VAL & NICK - I found you - GLOVER

BETTYE SWANN - Heartache is gone - ABET

CURTIS GRIFFIN - I gotta lump - JEWEL

GEORGE WYDELL - From out of nowhere - TANGERINE

DOTTIE AND MILLIE - Nothing in this world - TOPPER

BARBARA MERCER - Call on me - SIDRA

YVONNE BAKER - Mend the torn pieces -

JOHNNY MOORE - Lonely heart in the city - BLUE ROCK

BOBBY ADAMS - You got next to me baby - PILMA

DOTTIE AND MILLIE - Talking 'bout my baby - TOPPER

EMMANUEL LASKY - Peace Loving man - THELMA

SPINNERS - She's gonna love me at sundown - VIP

VOLUMES - I just can't help myself - AMERICAN ARTS

JIMMY PREACHER ELLIE - I'm gonna do it by myself - JEWEL

BUD HARPER - Wherever you were - PEACOCK

WILLIE KENDRICK - Gimme lots of loving - RCA

MAGNIFICENT MEN - Forever Together - CAPITOL

VONETTES - Touch my heart - COBBLESTONE

ROSE BATISTE - I miss my baby - REVILOT

Finally, it's not usually my practice to single out particular DJs but I just can't finish off without mentioning Jo Wallace. She really has an awesome persona (as well as some great tunes) and just demands that you dance, so you do. Jo so enjoys herself behind the decks, that you can't help but admire her and subsequently be inspired by her. Cheers to all for a great night at TOS and I've just listed you in my diary under the "Events I must visit frequently" column.

KTF

Winston.

Next date for TOS. THURSDAY September 14th 2000

Guest DJ is: Alan H (Capitol Soul)

Venue: The River Bar, Tower Bridge Road, London Nearest Tubes: Tower Hill or London Bridge