The Bolton Spitfire Soul Club - Farnworth

The Spitfire is consistently a very good afternoon of soul music, the DJs always get away from the tried and tested records that you hear in some clubs and in my opinion are overplayed. But last Sunday's was absolutely wonderful. Each DJ's set was different from the others, giving the listeners a smorgasbord of soul sounds, a true delight.

A good friend, Lawrence Crossley, gave Sandy and myself a lift there, we actually got in before the music started at 2 pm so we were sitting down comfortably when the show began.

Regular Spitfire DJ Vance Butterworth as usual started proceedings. Among the records he played were Wilmer & The Dukes' Give me one more chance; Andre Williams' You got it and I want it; Chuck Willis' Whatcha gonna do; Little Luther's Eenie meenie minie moe; ending his set with The Isley Brothers' That's the way love is.

Gary Thomas followed Vance and started with Baby baby baby by The Tokays. Another mixed set including The Diplomats' Cards on the table; Ike & Tina's Somebody somewhere needs you; Padded Cell's Mr Misery; and Helen Shapiro's Stop and you'll become aware.

Second guest was Bernard Lowe, who used to guest at the Bury Town Hall, as I was told. More nice tracks here including The Hyperions' Why you wanna treat me the way you do; Cajun Heart's Got to find a way (bringing back memories of the Capital Soul Club at the Dome); Bobby Hutton's Come see what's left on me; upping the tempo with The Silhouettes' Not me baby and Jimmy McFarland's Lonely lover. Bernard ended his set with a couple of slower tunes with Quiet home by the Sea Shells and Reggie Alexander's It's better.

Then it was Paul Shirley's time on the decks and he treated us to a set of rare soul, absolutely up my street musicwise. Starting off with Jean Shy's I'm a big go getter, then Teardrops by The Soul Brothers. Others played included Ask my heart (Eddie Billups); My love is so strong (Joseph Webster); and The hurting is over by Arthur Willis & The Soulful Dynamics (surprised and delighted to hear that one, so rare). Paul ended with the sublime Lady in green by The Magnetics, a masterclass in rare soul.

As normal at the Spitfire Pete Eccles took the last set, starting with The Constellations' I don't know about you. Among others Pete played were What's happened to our love by The Ringleaders; Marjorie Black's One more heartache; Turley Richards' I feel alright; The Precisions' Why girl; Tony Galla's In love; and ending the afternoon with Corey Glover's Little girl and Timi Yuro's It'll never be over for me.

As I said earlier an excellent afternoon, pretty well attended despite other soul events including the Stafford reunion. A good number of dancers, I danced a few times, but haven't been feeling on top form since a few days in hospital recently so I missed a few of my favourites that I'd normally be on the floor to.

The Spitfire's a very friendly club, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear slightly lesser played soul sounds. It was good to see all our friends there and a big thank you to Lawrence for driving Sandy and I there and back.

And as usual a big thanks to Pete, Vance, the DJs, the club staff and the ladies on the door.