Culcheth Stockholm Soul Comes To Town - Warrington

A regular highlight of the Soul Calendar for me. This two-room event never disappoints. I expected a relatively quieter evening with so many competing events, but the loyal vibrant crowd proved otherwise.

The Rare and Underplayed (main room) is an absolute treat for soul lovers, who appreciate the deeper cuts, that must be heard out to be truly appreciated. Another incredible DJ line up, spinning Soul gems one after the other, throughout the evening.

In the main room, Charlie Smith had opened his box of magic when we arrived, playing an hour’s worth of top selections; including Andrea Henry, Mel Britt and the haunting Sy Hightower “I Know You're Leaving Me”

Following Charlie was our host Baz Maleedy, the man with a stellar tune for any occasion. The Profs, Skip Jackson, Joe Hinton “Got You on My Mind” and the superb mid-tempo dancer by the Speidel’s “Dream Girl”.

Bob Spendlove continued the theme:  The Four Tracks, Sam Williams, some real Girlie nostalgia in Gerri Thomas. And a tune that can light a fire beneath me, apologies for dancing as if no one is watching. The Professionals “That’s Why I Love You”. It has everything, it’s Northern Soul on a Stick.

Next up, Stockholm’s finest, Carl Hedburg, with a superb set: George Blackwell, Fortson & Scott, The Four Voices and the illusive Al Scott “What Happened to Yesterday”

Stockport’s finest, Simon Ingham entertained us for the final hour, with a typically outstanding selection. Nat Hall, Walter & The Admirations and Eula Cooper to name a few.  Simon closed the evening with a Stafford Classic: The despairing and sad tones of Johnny Gilliam “Room Full of Tears”

Unfortunately, I didn't spend enough time in the modern room to write a faithful review. The new room is certainly better than the last. Like the main room it was well attended, and the dance floor was bouncing.  I did enjoy the opportunity to dance to Luther “Funky music”, a simply brilliant modern dancer.

Edited October 6, 2024Oct 6 by Mickyfinn

I totally agree with the reviews already posted on here.

Musically top notch to a great appreciative crowd. Rarities mixed in with lesser known stuff Highlight of the night for me was when Carl blasted out Harold Melvin's "Bad Luck" mixed in between the quality rare stuff, next the doors burst open and this guy, probably on his way to the toilet from the modern room, ran onto the already busy dancefloor with that I love this record look on his face, and there's me thinking and so do I.

So that's the 3rd one I've attended and each ones been better than the last.

Next month it's the Grumpy takeover, as the saying goes beat that if you can.👍

Edited October 6, 2024Oct 6 by Jessie Pinkman

Train of thought is  Lancashire has the upper hand where thinking man's music functions is concerned, over t'hills at least one enterprising promoter is of the same ilk....i think a venue has to fit that bill in the first place, where people feel comfortable with their surroundings, that possesses a great atmosphere, a not overly big dancefloor and a music policy that, from the off, bears no resemblance to bog standard but instead, encorporates class forgotten oldies, woven in with proper collectors gems and more than a liberal dose of crossover.

Soul in East Lancs was never gonna go away, Lowton has come and gone and in the meantime, the quest to adjust to an equally adequate home, has been achieved, no more then 3 miles south as the crow flies.

And quality tunes are part and parcel of this venues continuing success story, long may it remain so.....

So, something that came from a brief conversation many months ago, on the lines of “Carl’s coming over to the UK first weekend in October, do you fancy putting him o at CULCHETH?” Well, as I knew Carl from his guest sets at TUFF LOVE SOUL WEKENDERS and DAB of SOUL WEEKENDERS to name just a couple, I thought, Yeh, great idea. So from that it grew into a STOCKHOLM SOUL COMES TO THE NORTH-WEST format with Carl doing THE SHIRT CLUB, Friday, CULCHETH Saturday and CAN YOU DIG IT on Sunday, so anyone and everyone could have a chance to come along on any of the events to suit them.

I’m please to say a great crowd came along to CULCHETH to witness our guests BOB SPENDLOVE and CARL HEDBERG play fantastic music to a very appreciative crowd. If you were there, you will have witnessed first-hand, pure enthusiasm and joy from a guy playing the music he obviously loves…If you weren’t there, sorry, but you missed a cracker! Rarities mixed with cheapies, classics mixed with underplayed gems, it had it all…

Just a few of the comments from the night…

“Carl H, The best set of 2024”

“A super night at Culcheth”

“Musically, top notch”

“Soul gems, one after the other, throughout the evening”

“Quality tunes are part and parcel of this venues’ continuing success”

Thanks to everyone who came along on Saturday, you really do make the difference and make it all worthwhile!

A bit behind in posting my review but once again it echoes the insights already given and deservedly

I always enjoy the honour of getting behind the wheels at Culcheth - this time was no exception..... lot's of great feedback on Carls' offerings on the night and he was good enough to forward me his playlist - here goes (mine included below too - I tried LOL)

Carl Hedberg  23:00 - 00:00

Lil Major Williams - Girl don’t leave me
Ace Spectrum - If you were there
George Blackwell - Can’t lose my head
Fortson & Scott - Sweet lover
New Wanderers - Ain’t gonna do you no harm
Profs - Look at you
Al Wilson - You did it for me
Nu-Rons - All my life
Chuck Holiday - Just can’t trust nobody
Independent Movement - Slippin’ away
Chuck Cockerham - Have I got a right
Eddie Billups - Ask my heart
Kelly & The Soul Explosions - Talking about my baby’s love
Charles Holiday - Don’t lie
Deon Jackson - When your love has gone
Al Scott - What happened to yesterday
Five Stairsteps - I’m the one who loves you
Soul Interiors - The inside guys
Phonetics - Just a boy’s dream
Bernard Williams - Focused on you
Freddie Butler - Save your love for me
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - Bad luck
I-20 Connection - Dreamin
Lynn Varnado - Wash and wear love

Simon Ingham 00:00 - 01:00

1. Keith & Billie - Tastes Sour Don't It  
2. Jimmy Seals - The Yesterdays Of Our Love
3. The Soul Stirrers - Don't You Worry
4. The Venturas - Heart Of Love
5. The Jackson Brothers - I Gotta Hear It From You
6. Nat Hall - Why
7. Hayes Cotton - Black Wings Have My Angel
8. Ernie Washington - Lonesome Shack
9. The Phonetics - Pretty Girl
10. Timmie Williams - Competition
11. Ernestine Eady - Let's Talk It Over
11. Walter & The Admeration's - Man O Man
12. The Versatones - With A Broken Heart
13. The Soul Blenders - Love Built On A Strong Foundation
14. Flash McKinley - I'll Resue You
15. US Everyday People - Without Your Sweet Lovin'
16. Bobby Rich - There's A Girl Somewhere
17. Eula Cooper - Let Our Love Grow Higher
18. True Image - I'm Not Over You
19. Bad Weather Inc. - I Never Never Knew
20. Don Gardner - We're Gonna Make It Big
21. Johnny Gilliam - Room Full Of Tears
 

Excellent night, thoroughly enjoyed it. Cracking music throughout, just wish I could have been in both rooms all the time:)