Nysd Soul Weekender Piercebridge - Piercebridge / Dur

The George Coaching Inn: NYSD Piercebridge weekender.

What a weekend! Bathed in glorious sunshine, the riverside terrace set the perfect scene:  soulful grooves, modern rarities and 70s gems spun by quality DJs. All overlooking the majestic Stone Bridge on the Tees.

As we arrived Ian Craig was playing Ron Ayres funky version ‘For Real’. Julie Ann Niccoll played the magical love song that is: Honey Cone ‘If I Can’t fly’.  And Jed Hunt gave us the superb Clausel ‘Let me Love You’.

The venue offered a Chill out room, with a full program of DJs providing a more laid back and intimate vibe, this catered for connoisseurs and conversationalists alike.

As the sun dipped, the energy moved indoors, where the main room boasted a flawless sound system and an immaculate wooden dancefloor. The DJs delivered a stunning mix of modern soul, 70s crossover and just the right amount of 60s gold.

Gary Prescots set included a couple of low rider oldies, the mystical, The Autographs ‘Love’s Gonna Do You In’ and the lesser played of Charlene and Soul Serenader’s, ‘Love Changes’.

It was great to see Tats Taylor back on the decks, doing what he does best. Kicking off with Moses Smith’s rhythmic ‘Keep on Strivin’. Included was the fabulous Eddie Billips ‘Ask My Heart and Sam Dees’ expressive groove ‘What’s it Gonna Be’. And a relatively newer release Lady Wray ‘Do it Again’ has a definite Betty Swann type quality to her vocals.

Ashtons finest was up next: Simon Ingham, starting with the pleading refrain of Johnny Gilliam ‘Room Full of Tears’. His quality set included crossover gems  Fortson and Scott and Tommy Ridgely. And the box office dancer that is True Image ‘keep me Dancing’.

Jumpin’ Joan offered a typical energetic set, only matched by her inimitable enthusiasm. The evergreen ‘Brothers’ Guiding Light’. Followed by Walter Jackson’s harmonious modern dancer ‘Touching in the Dark’. And James Bell & Highlighters ‘The Love of My Girl’, complete with funky horns towards the end.

Mr Culcheth, Baz Maleedy took the penultimate set. Starting with the floor fillers Innersection and Barbara Lynns ‘Moving on a Groove’. A nostalgic shout out for the Detroit Executives ‘Cool Off’, it sounded superb. Baz also played the classic Oldie Willie Tee ‘Walkin Up a One Way Street’. As a fitting tribute to the legendary DJ and late lamented Brian Rae.

Finally, Chalky, some superb choices. With a production that sounds like a full orchestra, the fabulous Jonnie Taylor ‘What About My Love’. A personal favourite, the staccato vocals and heavy beat of General Johnson’s ‘Don’t Walk Away’. A great first night ended with the superb album track Corey Glover ‘Little Girl’.

Saturday was equally memorable. Afternoon on the terrace, with tunes to completely relax to, Lou Courtney ‘What Do You Want Me to Do’, Lonnie Hill ‘Galveston Bay’ and the ethereal sounds of Terry Winter ‘Shadow Dark and Blue.

Evening in the main room commenced with Daz Carr spinning a few classic gems: The Dynells ‘Call on Me’ and the heartbroken refrain of Rhonda Davis ‘Can You Remember’. Including the soulful tones of T.S.U Toronados ‘Please Heart Don’t Break’.

Joan started her set with Archie Bell’s version of a ‘Thousand Wonders’. Modern classics’, Vee Gees ‘Talkin’ and Beloyd.  Northern dancers:  Yvonne Vernee and Stanley Mitchell. And Phyliss Hyman’s tour de force ‘You Know How to Love Me’

Tats second set gave us the wonderful Ty Karim ‘Lightin up’, the distinctive vocals of Bobby Womack ‘Something for My Head’. And Marvin Gaye’s incredible album track ‘You’.

Simon kicked off his second set with the HoneyBees flip and my favourite side ‘Never in a Million Years’. Gladys Knight ‘No one Could Love You More’, literally standing room only the dance floor. Another Motown classic: The Supremes and the Tops alchemy that created a ‘A Taste of Honey’. Concluding with the majestic ‘She Just Sits There’ – Ralph Graham.

Baz produced an incredible modern set: Michael Wycoff ‘Looking Up to You’, followed by Kenni burke, GQ, Daybreak. The unmistakeable Wee ‘Try Me’ and not forgetting the Mighty Dells ‘Make Sure (You Have somebody to Love you’).

Gary Prescot took us to the finish: The timeless Bottom and Company, followed by Corey Blake, Luther and Randy Brown’s modern anthem ‘I’m Always in The Mood’. A superb weekend of sweet soul music concluded with dancers holding hands and held high, singing aloud to L. J. Reynolds ‘Key to The World’.

Edited July 13Jul 13 by Mickyfinn

My 3rd visit to Piercebridge and it just gets better...It's all a bit of a blur now but all I can say is Great Crowd, Great Venue, Great Music and a Great shame you missed it if you weren't able to attend!

One for the calendar next summer if you get the chance for sure.

Thanks to Harry & Chalky for asking me to DJ with them again and thanks to the crowd for putting up with me

I'm just about feeling human again after a great weekend at Piercebridge. Well done to Harry for all the hard work which paid off big style. The outdoor area with the weather we have wanted for the past three years was amazing with a great array of music across the styles and genres. The crowd so relaxed and loving the vibe by the riverside.

All the Djs were just off the scale and the mix of styles was just great to hear, old, new, classics to forgotten to new to the ears, all mixed up and flowing seamlessly, just brilliant.

Here are some of what I played across 4 sets inside and out....they are certainly not in order and there are some missing as I just can't remember, I know there were more 60s

Carl Hall – Is Your Love Going Or Growing

Zingara – Love’s Calling

Beres Hammond – Do This World A Favour

Lou Courtney – Somebody New Is Loving on You or was it I Don’t Need Nobody Else?

Leon Ware – Inside Your Love

Jean Wells – What Have I Got To Do

Tavares – Too Late

Bobby Womack – Love Ain’t Something You Can Get For Free

Johnnie Taylor – What About My Love

Sandra Wright – Midnight Affair

Greg Perry – I’ll Always Be In Love With Love

Jack Ashford – This Ain’t Just Another Dance Song

Voices Of East Harlem – Take A Stand

Willie Hutch – (I Wanted To Be A Rock & Roll Star) Woman I Still Got Loving You On My Mind

Odyssey – Our Lives Are Shaped

Benny Johnson – Baby I Love You

O’Jays – Extraordinary Girl

Carl Henderson – How Deep Does It Go

Down To Earth – Everyday

Perri – Upside Down

Perri – No Place To Go

General Johnson – Don’t Walk Away

Bobby Taylor – Don’t Be Afraid

Rance Allen Group – I Feel Like Going On

Margie Joseph – I Can’t Move No Mountains

Gregg Diamond feat Luther – Hot Butterfly

Chanel – My Life

By All Means – In Your Arms

Marlena Shaw – It’s Better Than Walking Out

Lamont Dozier – Why Can ‘t We Be Lovers

Peabo Bryson – Crazy Love

Tower of Power – It Really Doesn’t Matter

Gene Chandler – Love Is Growing Deeper

Cory Glover – Little Girl

Eddie Leon – Let Me In Your Arms Again

Solo – Blowin’ My Mind

Ronnie Dyson – Just A Little Love From Me

Temptations – Loneliness Made Me Realise

Sam Dees – Fragile Handle With Care

Aristocrats – Loving You is Mellow

Curtis Mayfield – You’re So Good To Me

Darrow Fletcher – Love Is My Secret Weapon

Darrow Fletcher – No Limit

Imperial Wonders – Lord What’s Happening To The World?

Marjorie Ingram – Another Woman Involved

Seville - Show Me The Way

Johnny Moore – It Maybe Tears Of Joy

Dexter Wansel – Sweetest Pain

Johnny Moore – Call It What You Wanna (I Call It Love)

Mistura feat Tiffany T’Zelle – If You Ever Need Somebody

Hill St Soul – One Life

Bridge – Crying For Love

David Ruffin – Anything That You Ask For

Tony Owens – (When You’re Wrong) You Got To Pay The Price

Soul Stirrers – Trying To Be Your Friend

Leon Haywood – The Streets Will Love You To Death

WOW WOW WOW The best one yet at Piercebridge, musically right up there with the best !! Perfect Weather and company, what's not to like? As already stated, if you haven't been yet, what are you waiting for? Already looking forward to next year!!

A little late posting but I couldn't not add to what everyone else has said. Absolutely cracking weekend, fabulous weather which is not something you usually have to factor in, but when you have outside DJ areas in such a beautiful setting, it certainly helps if it's 30 plus degrees.

Fantastic mix of music, brilliant bunch of people, and a busy dance floor from the off on Friday which set the tone for the whole weekend. So good to see the madder than mad bunch Kev J, Gaz S, Kev C, Colin D, John B, and of course Tats after so many years 😍

Congrats to Harry and all who had a hand in organising such a great event x

Edited Wednesday at 20:295 days by Jumpinjoan