Rochdale Masonic Hall

Sandra and I made our first visit to the Exit 21 Soul Club at Rochdale Masonic Hall courtesy of a lift from Derek and Janet Watmough joined by Paddy. When we arrived it looked as if the building was closed but on investigation we found it open at the back. We entered to find a large room with a big dance floor, a bar and a stage for the DJs.

After taking our seats near friends and getting drinks it was time to look around and take in the atmosphere. Not a great number in at first but it gradually filled.

The regular DJs are Steven Henderson and Mark Sharrocks, the night's guest was Paul Shirley.

Among the earlier sets were Just Loving You; I Don't Know About You; Girls Are Against Me; Ooh Boy; It'll Never Be Over For Me; Can We Talk It Over; She'll Come Running Back. People were dancing from early on; always a good sign and nice to see. The last record played before Paul took over was the beautiful I Have No Choice by Johnnie Mae Matthews.

Then it was guest DJ Paul Shirley's turn on the decks and he hit us with some big classy tunes, starting with Jimmy Bo Horne's I Can't Speak. Among others he played were Someone Tell Her; Bernadine; Joseph Webster; Poets' Wrapped Around Your Finger; I'm A Bad Go Getter by Jean Shy, great R&B; my requests Ask My Heart and The Hurting Is Over, thanks for playing them; Lady In Green; slowing things down with This Girl and James Phelps' The Look On Your Face and ending with Sag War Fare's Don't Be So Jive. The latter one probably unfamiliar to some there, I was the only one dancing I think.

After Paul finished the regulars kept the pace up with That's What I Want; Baby Don't You Weep; All Of My Life; Can You Remember, etc. Nice to hear Lou Johnson's original of There's Always Something There To Remind Me, it really took me back; Show Stopper; and the night ending with Long After Tonight Is All Over and Tony Michaels' I Love The Life I Live.

Both Sandy and I really enjoyed the evening, I haven't danced so much for ages, my legs are feeling it as I write this. The dance floor was one of the best I've been on lately.

Good to see so many friends, hopefully seeing them again soon.

And thanks to Derek for the lift and to the DJs for entertaining us, and to the one barman who was kept busy all night.

I certainly will put Exit 21 on my list of clubs to return to.