Prestatyn 2005

[Guest Baz]

excately dave i was glad most people went to bed at 3-4 made alot more room on the floor to dance to some top qulity stuff and there was at least 30 of us left in there at 8 in the morning

best spot sunday night you and that mr banks by the way

[Dave]

It does not matter how cheap it is, if the sound quality is less than SHIT all weekend, it can never be value for money when that is the case, people should get paid for the suffering endured if anything. I feel ripped off since last year was very good and I feel ripped off since I expected this year to be another really good event and it was not. I also wonder why even bother to put on events that end at 0800 in the morning when the vast majority goes to bed at around 03.00 or so anyway? Would it not be better to just end the event at 03.00 or 04.00 and play good music all the time to a busy dancefloor? There was frequently less than 15 people on the dancefloor in the main hall during certain hours, that's not exactly what I call atmosphere, the situation was the same last year, and it has been the same at other large events I have been to so nothing unusual there, but at least the music was better last year. I checked in many of the other rooms too and the modern room was very busy and had a great danefloor and atmosphere during some periods (better than main room I'd say), and some periods it was pretty quiet, some of the smaller arenas were often also very sparsely populated when I had a look.

link

You are a cheerful soul, aren't you?

The sound quality was not always perfect, but I find if you pull your anorak hood up it becomes bearable

A drink can help as well

I for one am pleased they don't end at 3.00 and I don't think its true to say that the "vast majority" leave then.

As for "playing good music all the time", that's a bit subjective, isn't it?

I felt there were more than enough oldies played but during the course of the weekend I managed to find enough variety of music, friends and atmosphere to keep me happy

Even managed to get hold of one or two bargain records

[Guest Baz]

true soulsmith was a bit disapointed with that sunday morning i decided it was time to leave about half seven when i herd them high pitched ding der deled ader dar of bok to back

[Guest]

As for "playing good music all the time", that's a bit subjective, isn't it?

Yes it is.

[Guest]

You are a cheerful soul, aren't you?

Yes, quite cheerful actually, at least most of the time.

[Guest]

You are a cheerful soul, aren't you?

The sound quality was not always perfect, but I find if you pull your anorak hood up it becomes bearable

A drink can help as well

I for one am pleased they don't end at 3.00 and I don't think its true to say that the "vast majority" leave then.

As for "playing good music all the time", that's a bit subjective, isn't it?

I felt there were more than enough oldies played but during the course of the weekend I managed to find enough variety of music, friends and atmosphere to keep me happy

Even managed to get hold of one or two bargain records

link

Same here Dave, I had a great weekend.Where ever you go, there will always be problems or something not quite to your likeing, but for me overall it was a fantastic weekend.I was there from Friday until Monday morning, I stayed until the end for both nighters and I happen to like it when people leave at 3 or 4am, more room on the dance floor.

I didn't meet you Christian and I can only go by the things I am reading but you sound a miserable devil, I am out at nighters most weekends and I can tell you there are worst nights to be had.

Well done to the Prestatyn guys I say

[Guest]

true soulsmith was a bit disapointed with that sunday morning i decided it was time to leave about half seven when i herd them high pitched ding der deled ader dar of bok to back     

link

now I quite enjoyed hearing that as I seldom seem to hear it played nowdays, I even hauled myself onto the dancefloor

[Guest]

I didn't meet you Christian and I can only go by the things I am reading but you sound a miserable devil, I am out at nighters most weekends and I can tell you there are worst nights to be had.

I became rather miserable especially due to the poor sound, which was really the worst thing. I could have lived with more oldies and all that if only the sound had been acceptable. I was quite cheerful when I went there and when I arrived, was really up for it and enthusiastic.

[Guest Baz]

just wasn't the record for me karen you must have still had some energy left to dance to the holy fathers angels

[Soulsmith]

Hi Karen - good to meet you. Cheers for the introductions over the week end.

Much appreciated.

Regret have to agree with Baz above. That record is a friggin anachronism.

I have now heard it played out 3 times in 2 months. I cannot take it any more!

I had been raving about Prestatyn for a few years to some mates. They surprised by popping up on the Saturday night - a 5 hour drive. That last hour was just uncomfortable for most of us.

Normally I wouldn't be complaining, I'd have been off to one of the other rooms. But from what I recall they were almost all closed.

[lds]

I was there from Friday until Monday morning, I stayed until the end for both nighters

Karen I am in awe of your Stamina. How do you do it?

Lorraine

[Winnie :-)]

=========

I think she'll takes the fifth

[Simon T]

=========

I think she'll takes the fifth

link

The fooking gear must have been good, as it seems nobody has come down till today with an acromonious vengeance, reading the active posts today!!!

[chrissie]

The fooking gear must have been good, as it seems nobody has come down till today with an acromonious vengeance, reading the active posts  today!!!

link

Are some people never happy, was a great weekend unlike some of you did not do the all night thing but certainly at 5am on sunday morning the main arena dance floor was still buzzing.

Bok to S**t is not one of my favorites but it did make me feel about 14 again (for just a couple of mins) My big sister came with me on sunday eve and I nearly went into total embarasment mode when i realised i was dancing to In Orbit for probably first time in 25 years what the heck we enjooooooooooyed, I could just see some of the "IN" people thinking who are those two silly old fools dancing to this crap.

I've said it once today and I'm going to say it again "IT's all just getting a little An*l, why can't people just enjoy and take pleasure out of other people enjoying themselves instead of moaning all the time.

The TV programme "Grumpy Old Men" comes to mind.

Good night all - going to rest my weary bones and gob!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave]

I was there from Friday until Monday morning, I stayed until the end for both nighters and I happen to like it when people leave at 3 or 4am, more room on the dance floor.

link

Good for you Karen

I managed to get there on Thursday and effectively had 4 all-nighters.

It must be something to do with our EASC upbringing, eh?

[Dave Rimmer]

best spot sunday night  you and that mr banks by the way

link

Thanks, we try to please

Having said that, the whole point of that spot was to play records that neither of us could remember hearing at all that weekend, especially as so many tunes had been repeated, again and again.

[Simon T]

Thanks, we try to please 

Having said that, the whole point of that spot was to play records that neither of us could remember hearing at all that weekend, especially as so many tunes had been repeated, again and again.

link

Any chance of Play lists, please Dave?

[Dave Rimmer]

Any chance of Play lists, please Dave?

link

I'll have to have a look in the DJ Box, although Sunday night's spot might be a bit tricky

[Guest in town Mikey]

When I go to a weekender, I am looking forward to the whole experience.

Its fairly certain that if you spend 4 days confined to a holiday camp, there are going to be bits that you dont enjoy.

I found that if I wasnt enjoying a spot, I could leave that venue and have a choice of another FOUR, where the music might be more to my taste. Or I could sit in the record bar and chat with mates old and new. Or I could go back to my chalet, chat with mates, relax, eat, drink, whatever. Or even play space invaders in the arcade.

If someone wants to confine themselves to an arena where they arent enjoying the music thats their fault for not using their imagination, and enjoying all the other delights on offer for £12.50 per day. £50 for 4 days entertainment. Thats absolutely fantastic in my book.

Its not obligatory once you have left the creche, for ALL your entertainment to be provided by others. You can excercise your right to investigate other ways of enjoying yourself. At times I got fed up with the music. At others I got fed up with my mates, and even got fed up with those seagulls shagging on our roof every morning, and making more noise than the Chelsea manager in a players tunnel. When that happened I just took myself off to pastures new, and enjoyed something else.

I cant really compare last year to this, as they were totally different. Thats a good thing. Predictability, surely, spells the end for weekenders. I met lots of new people, but probably less new people than I met last year. I danced more this year, because I drank more, so that doesnt mean the music was any better.

Its your life. If you want to spend it moaning about how miserable other people are making you, fine, but you can do something about it. For example I didn't like the Kronenbourg. I dont think the Pontins staff cleaned the pipes out properly, so I changed to Guiness, and enjoyed that.

Dont know what that rambling, says apart from, I must be back at work, cos I am spending all my time on Soul Source. Great to meet so many SSer's and put faces to names. I just wish I got to meet Christian, cos you really make me laugh mate. Top quality.

[Wiganer1]

That is true Dave, I was there for the first part of your set and you drew people back onto the floor. It was not too busy during some other spots though. I do go out with the intention of enjoying myself, and with the intention of having a good time, hence my huge disappointment when my expectations are not fulfilled.

link

=================

hey christian

i know what you mean

i went to my first weekender at blackpool last year and hated it

reading all the mails after and youd have thought id been on another planet as everyone else loved it

i really wanted to go prestatyn and knew it would be a great spectacle wiht so many people ther but deep inside i probably wouldnt have enjoyed it..

maybe youre like me and take things a little serious which can impair your enjoyment at times

maybe you aint like me (scorpio and cant stand cabbage) but i know what you re saying

[Guest in town Mikey]

I'll have to have a look in the DJ Box, although Sunday night's spot might be a bit tricky           

link

Dave good to chat to you on the train in mate. Thanks for paying the taxi fare

You arent at all like Delia Smith really...Well not too much....Well OK you are quite like her, but I suppose she supports a better football team..

[Dave Rimmer]

Any chance of Play lists, please Dave?

link

Well I think this is fairly accurate, although they're not in the right order (and to be honest might be right at all, I could be making the whole thing up, but my liver tells me it really happened)

The Friday night spot was a fairly typical niter spot from me, although there are probably a couple more oldies than usual, but at 6 am you play what the dancers want, not what your ego says.

The Sunday night spot was quite simply a decision by Roger and me to play records that we hadn't already heard that weekend, because we were just as pissed off at hearing the same records again and again as everyone else.

Just to see though, can anyone remember any of these being played in the Main Room over the weekend ? (The Sunday night spot)

Friday night 6 - 7 am

Bobby Baskerville - Gotcha Where I Wancha - Dot

The Belles - Don't Pretend - Mirwood

The Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay

The Caressors - I Can't Stay Away - Ru-Jac

Cavaliers - Hold Onto My Baby - RCA

Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise

Mill Evans - Why Why Why - King

Don Gardner - My Baby Loves To Boogaloo - Try-Glo-Town

The Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel

Johnny Mae Mathews - I Have No Choice - Big Hit

Syng McGowan - That's What I Want - Hope

The Metros - Since I Found My Baby - RCA

Big Daddy Rogers - I'm A Big Man - Midas

Dee Dee Sharp - Deep Dark Secret - Caneo

Shep - Fool To Fool - TNT

The Sophisticates - I Can't Stand It - Mutt

Patience Valentine - If You Don't Come - SAR

The Van Dykes - Save My Love For A Rainy Day - Mala

The Vondells - Hey Girl (You've Changed) - Airtown

Tammy Wayne - Have A Good Time - Boom

Calvin Williams - Lonely You'll Be - Northern

T J Williams & The Two Shades Of Soul - Baby I Need You - Josie

Sunday night - 11 - 12 (Shared Spot with Roger Banks)

King Curtis - Foot Pattin' Part II - Atco

The Delcos - Arabia - Ebony

The Diplomats - Cards On The Table - Arock

The Enchantments - I'm In Love With Your Daughter - Faro

Barbara Lynn - I'm A Good Woman - Tribe

Jack Montgomery - Baby Baby Take A Chance On Me - Revue

Mack Rice - Baby I'm Coming Home - Lu-Pine

Edwin Starr - Back Street - Ric-Tic

Tommy T & The Targets - Sales Pitch - Big R

Bobby Bland - Getting Used To The Blues - Duke

The O'Jays - I'll Never Forget You - Imperial

Edited March 9, 2005 by Dave Rimmer

[Rob Wigley]

When I go to a weekender, I am looking forward to the whole experience.

Its fairly certain that if you spend 4 days confined to a holiday camp, there are going to be bits that you dont enjoy.

I found that if I wasnt enjoying a spot, I could leave that venue and have a choice of another FOUR, where the music might be more to my taste. Or I could sit in the record bar and chat with mates old and new. Or I could go back to my chalet, chat with mates, relax, eat, drink, whatever. Or even play space invaders in the arcade.

If someone wants to confine themselves to an arena where they arent enjoying the music thats their fault for not using their imagination, and enjoying all the other delights on offer for £12.50 per day. £50 for 4 days entertainment. Thats absolutely fantastic in my book.

Its not obligatory once you have left the creche, for ALL your entertainment to be provided by others. You can excercise your right to investigate other ways of enjoying yourself. At times I got fed up with the music. At others I got fed up with my mates, and even got fed up with those seagulls shagging on our roof every morning, and making more noise than the Chelsea manager in a players tunnel. When that happened I just took myself off to pastures new, and enjoyed something else.

I cant really compare last year to this, as they were totally different. Thats a good thing. Predictability, surely, spells the end for weekenders. I met lots of new people, but probably less new people than I met last year. I danced more this year, because I drank more, so that doesnt mean the music was any better.

Its your life. If you want to spend it moaning about how miserable other people are making you, fine, but you can do something about it. For example I didn't like the Kronenbourg. I dont think the Pontins staff cleaned the pipes out properly, so I changed to Guiness, and enjoyed that.

Dont know what that rambling, says apart from, I must be back at work, cos I am spending all my time on Soul Source. Great to meet so many SSer's and put faces to names. I just wish I got to meet Christian, cos you really make me laugh mate. Top quality.

link

What an excellent post !

[Guest Baz]

all sundy nights are in correct order dave thats all i can remember

barbra lynn im a good woman

[Soultown andy]

What the f--k is up with some of you miserable sods,if you dont like prestatyn dont go they will have no trouble filling your places.musicaly speaking it is miles in front of the others,dont know what christian was listening to at cleethorpes last year,but that was awful compared to prestatyn.You will never please every one but i think the mid nite hour crew did as good a job as can be expected,at an event the size of this one[the biggest].Why the collectors and chin strokers go to these events is beyond me,you know full well apart from the specialist rooms,of which their were 4,the main room will be 90% oldies and next year will be exactly the same.2100 re booked already so if you dont like it dont go.Nice to meet you christian,but you need to lighten up my friend and as i said come and see us at sheridans,it will be more to your likeing i think.

[Headsy]

We must all be terribly misguided if we think that 'Northern Soul' comprises of a proportionately tiny pool of records. I refuse to believe that we can count ourselves as real 'soul' fans if we're happy to be dealt the same washed out 'biggies' every week. Surely, proclaiming allegiance to soul(in a 'Northern', 60's sense) should be a celebration of the whole immense catalogue.

Regardless of whether a record is expensive or 2 a penny, the volume of quality, heartbreaking, floor-pounding soul available to us all is staggering. Probably considerably more in fact than any other genre to date. Over the weekend, I saw better, lesser known, more inspiring records in sales boxes than those laid on the decks.

here here !!!!!!

[Guest]

Good for you Karen

I managed to get there on Thursday and effectively had 4 all-nighters.

It must be something to do with our EASC upbringing, eh?

link

I think your right Dave, us old East Anglian Soul Club members are a hardy bunch

I had a great weekend, nothing spoiled my enjoyment at all, even enjoyed fathers angels, thing is it was tunes like that, that made us run to the floor in years gone by.

Excellent company, met a few new people,had a few dances,laughed my socks off what more could you ask for for a measly 50 quid.

[Guest]

What the f--k is up with some of you miserable sods,if you dont like prestatyn dont go they will have no trouble filling your places.musicaly speaking it is miles in front of the others,dont know what christian was listening to at cleethorpes last year,but that was awful compared to prestatyn.You will never please every one but i think the mid nite hour crew did as good a job as can be expected,at an event the size of this one[the biggest].Why the collectors and chin strokers go to these events is beyond me,you know full well apart from the specialist rooms,of which their were 4,the main room will be 90% oldies and next year will be exactly the same.2100 re booked already so if you dont like it dont go.Nice to meet you christian,but you need to lighten up my friend and as i said come and see us at sheridans,it will be more to your likeing i think.

link

It was very nice to meet you too Andy and it really grieves me that I felt a need to complain about this years event. I said it before, and I'll probably have to say it again, I thought last year at Prestatyn (not Cleethorpes, I didn't go there in 2004) was much better compared to this year, last year was probably the best event I have been to in the UK, and this year was not as good, that was what made me disappointed. So in essence I have two complaints, the change in music policy, and the sound. After giving it a bit more thought I'd say that the worst thing that really spoiled a lot of it for me was the sound. For a long time the volume differed between the turntables so every second tune sounded somewhat acceptable and every second sounded totally flat. Many fave tracks of mine were played and I danced to most of them, but it was so frustrating I wanted to pull my hair out since I have better and more enjoyable sound on my small tape deck I listen to in my kitchen, honestly, the sound was often that bad. Most of the time there was also zero bass and the mid and treble was turned up WAY too high. If the sound had just been somewhat properly adjusted the volume could have been much louder and more enjoyable at the same time and I am sure everyone would have enjoyed it a lot more. Usually these sound problems are due to simple things that can easily and quickly be rectified and I am sure there was nothing wrong with the sound system, just the handling of it. For instance during one of Tim Brown's main hall sets (good set it was too which made it all extra frustrating) the sound died totally on one side and then moved from speaker to speaker, this continued for quite a while. I can guarantee you that this was due to a misconnection between the pickup and the record players tone arm, a very common disturbance that can usually be fixed in a matter of seconds. Others have complained about venues, accomodation and facilities, I don't. I think most of the venues and arenas are really good, pretty well stocked venue store, fairly efficient bars and all in all a really good venue and accomodation certainly better than some other places I have been to.

My constructive suggestion is that someone who really knows what they are doing and who knows what is required when playing mainly 60's soul from 45's (most pro sound engineers are used to techno and rock and do not understand the specific needs of old soul music) performs a very thorough soundcheck before the event and then again during every break in the schedule. This person or persons should preferably also be at hand during all hours that music is played and should preferably listen to the music during all hours or at least with very frequent intervals to make sure it is constantly as good as it can possibly be. Such a person should also be at hand to immediately intervene and solve any problems that may arise during the course of the event.

[Reg]

Have to agree with Christian about the sound. At one point in Butch's set I think it went from toe curling feedback to complete loss of sound then eardrum piercing top volume. I swear my friend Paul and I nearly fell over at one point when they turned the sound back on! I'm still a bit deaf now :angry: But I suppose I wouldn't have noticed so much if I'd been off my head like most people-unfortunately for me it was a booze etc free weekend so I did tend to notice things a bit more than most....and not just the sound quality...no names mentioned of course

[Guest]

You must have noticed I was on my best behaviour all weekend then?

[Guest kid mohair]

I think your right Dave, us old East Anglian Soul Club members are a hardy bunch 

I had a great weekend, nothing spoiled my enjoyment at all, even enjoyed fathers angels, thing is it was tunes like that, that made us run to the floor in years gone by.

Excellent company, met a few new people,had  a few dances,laughed my socks off what more could you ask for for a measly 50 quid.

link

you tell em karen,nice to see you as always,and you introduced me to my s s buddy pikeys dog,oh pikey must go on mod culture he will have fun on there like he did with me,only banter!!!

[Reg]

You must have noticed I was on my best behaviour all weekend then?

link

I never saw you! You must have been having a quiet one Although I did spend a lot of time in the modern room so....

[Simon T]

Well I think this is fairly accurate, although they're not in the right order (and to be honest might be right at all, I could be making the whole thing up, but my liver tells me it really happened)

Friday night 6 – 7 am

Bobby Baskerville – Gotcha Where I Wancha – Dot

I've one of these in a box somewhere, is it any good and what's it's ''history"?

The Belles – Don’t Pretend – Mirwood -with the lovely Patrice Holloway on lead vocals, bliss!

[Guest]

The Belles - Don't Pretend - Mirwood -with the lovely Patrice Holloway on lead vocals, bliss!

link

I went a bought this after hearing it in Daves set

[Guest]

Same here Dave, I had a great weekend.Where ever you go, there will always be problems or something not quite to your likeing, but for me overall it was a fantastic weekend.I was there from Friday until Monday morning, I stayed until the end for both nighters and I happen to like it when people leave at 3 or 4am, more room on the dance floor.

I didn't meet you Christian and I can only go by the things I am reading but you sound a miserable devil, I am out at nighters most weekends and I can tell you there are worst nights to be had.

Well done to the Prestatyn guys I say 

link

I thought it was a great event - although I think it would have been cheaper to pay off Nicaraguas overdraft than pay my Bar Bill plenty of different music for everyones tastes. accomodation a bit rough arsed - but once I had clubbed the Polar Bear to death and got him out of the Bathroom - we settled in quite nicely.

[Guest]

someone played an intsrumental version of Saxie Russell it was either sunday morning or afternoon I think, most people said it was shite but I really liked it, great to dance to, anyone know who played it?