Grumpy Soul Is Back

I feel a bit let down, I have been practicing ' the dance ' but nobody played too darn soulful ...so I stuck to my usual thing,

besides that it was a great night, good variety of music in a dark moody room, what's not to like ?

See you at the next instalment.

When I told friends I was going to Grumpy Soul the usual comment was that it sounded like the ideal soul night for me, thanks guys. But no one could be grumpy at the end of this proper Northern Soul night.

I'd been once to Grumpy at its Runcorn venue and was pleased to read that it had found a new place and was starting up again. My friends Keith and Sue kindly offered me accommodation in Crewe, and they too were keen to go to this night again. It was about an hour's journey to Deeside and we got to the venue just after 8.30. The car park was full so we parked on the road outside. The music was going strong as we entered, and there were some people already dancing.

Nice to see Carl and Maria Willingham there, just enjoying the music. We found a table and sat down, I bought a round and was pleasantly surprised that the prices were okay, guess I'm used to London prices.

As we sat down I think the first record I caught was the Esquires' How Could It Be, others followed like Please Take A Chance On Me and Raining Teardrops. I'm not sure who was on the decks at this point, I meant to pick up a DJ list before leaving but forgot as usual.

Some nice medium tempo was being played and I found myself heading for the dance floor when Good Times Bad Times came on.

While at the bar again I turned around and there was Carms and Nige Brown, good to see them again, it'd been a while. Carms was pleased she'd just heard one of her current faves, You Better Move by the Gambrells.

At this point more friends arrived, Tim and Jane and Graham and Wendy, the latter couple I'd been with at Bury and all of them in Zante only a few weeks earlier. More great tunes played like Miss Treatment by the Incredibles and the Fascinators' In Other Words. There was a good mix of both well known and lesser known tunes, plenty I didn't recognise.

The guest was Andy Dyson, and kept the pace up with Sir Joe, the Moments' Key To My Happiness and their Baby I Want You, Ringleaders' All Of My Life, and Lenis Guest's Just Ask Me.

Again not sure who followed Andy, apologies to the DJs but I was enjoying the music so much. Classic after classic: Try My Love, Pyramid, Running Wild, Whole Sad Story, and my record of the night, Pee Wee Shucks & Huey's Beside Myself, that had the floor jumping.

Shortly after that one we had to leave, it's a long drive back to Crewe.

If you live nearby or are in the vicinity give Grumpy Soul a try, I doubt if you'll be disappointed, great music and friendly people, that's what soul nights are all about, plus a very good dance floor. Thanks to Joan, Phil, Carl and Andy, hope I haven't forgotten anyone. And thanks again to Sue and Keith for inviting me.

What Dale, Andy and Phil said! 

As you can imagine it's a nightmare having to move venue; will it work, will it have that 'feeling'? Well, I can say (after seriously interrogating everyone I spoke to) the answer to both appears to be yes. People turned up before we even opened the doors, were straight on the floor and stayed there for the duration, brilliant! 

Thanks to all who danced or just listened, the team who were awesome as always and Andy who was there early doors, much appreciated love. Everything will be tip top for September, see you there 

Joan and Pip x

What Dale n Andy said!

Thanks so much to everyone who turned up on Saturday; travellers from London, Scotland and all over; brilliant! Sincere thanks too to the irrepressible Andy Dyson who delivered precisely what was required, top drawer mate  Dave, Lou, Carl n Joan were immaculate as ever; thank you for all your input and support.

We like the room a lot and overall the feedback was great. We think it'll work with a couple of tweaks. Always a bit of a tester at a new gaff and there are one or two things to sort, inevitably

A horde of frenzied Judas Priest followers may have been partly to blame for the lack of water in the gents directly off our room it seems. We try and cover all bases but that wasn't something we factored-in. One or two things in the ladies we'll sort too. We're already onto the sound blip we had and you can bet it'll be back firing on ALL cylinders come September too. 

Anyhow, those things aside, thanks again to everyone who turned up and danced their socks off and for all your continued support. We hope everyone had a great night. 

Cheers 

Phil and Joan

spot on Dale , yes a fabulous night out in great company at "Grumpys" new home.

in the words of Little Eddie Taylor " had a good time" with my baby.

Well worth the journey down - Phew!!!

tfk

Just heading to work, but with Grumpy Soul still buzzing around my head. 

Loved the new venue, in fact preferred it to the old one. Great night, danced plenty which is the whole point isn't it - top sounds that make it impossible to sit on your arse.

Obviously there was a huge hole on the dance floor that will never be filled, but it felt good to dance to records played for Mick with a smile on my face rather than with tears in my eyes.

Roll on the next one