What's the best 'Live Acts' you've ever seen (and where)???

Me- Betty Wright-Casino(before anyone else says it)

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes -Stafford

Gene Chandler- Morecambe

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes -Stafford

You read my mind.

Did i also see him at Leicester Oddfellows? I seem to remember him at a venue in Hinckley as well (not the Leisure Centre) down by the bus station.

First place:

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers - Town and Country Club, London, mid 80s

Runner up:

Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers -Astoria, London, one year later...

...Never likely to be improved on, for anyone who was there!

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes -Stafford

Evenin Mr Webb

Now then was this not the night when I spent most of it drivin around the country for you and if so didnt we miss them...or did we manage to catch the last 5 mins or was it a completely dfferent night and if so who did we miss

Impressions- Northampton.

JJ Barnes - Coventry Treetops.

Jackie Wilson - Casino

Without a shadow of a doubt...Anita Baker closely followed by Maze, Sounds of Blackness, Incognito (when Kelli Sae was with them), Brand New Heavies with N'Dea Davenport and Tortured Soul

l knew you was gonna say that!!!

Was it the Regent Club or was that Martha Reeves who was there about the same time??

Quite sure that Teddy wasn't with them though.....

That was it, The Regent Club. Nice venue, only went there the one time. The stage was quite high and i remember staring up at Harold Melvin his face wracked with emotion during 'Don't Leave Me This Way' or was that Stafford? It's all a blur

Edited March 30, 200916 yr by Matt Male

Bobby Bland - San Diego 1987

Runner up - Edwin Starr - The Basement Club,Bury 1972

Special mention - Jnr Walker - The Stoneground,Manchester and an all nighter (I can't remember which one) in the same night.

Edited March 30, 200916 yr by Jaco

The Falcons - Northampton

Edwin Starr - Ritz Manchester (i think)

Edwin Starr - St. Davids Hall, Cardiff (I think)

No it was the same night,love, April 83 and you did spend all night driving round trying to

find me cos l had hitched it down from Edinburgh...wish mobiles would have been invented then

it would have made things a lot easier ( but less exciting )

Think it was more like 15mins...but was just glad that we got there!!! x

Thought so. That was the night I got to yours and waited for what seemed like forever...the record player was still in bits on the floor from when you'd took it apart and tried to fix it and failed dismally and I should know as I sat staring at it for hours but I don't know how I got into your place...must have had a key...well I was there rather a lot back in the day eh? Or did I just wait outside and saw the record player when I came back for you?

Then I got to thinking that either I'd missed you or you'd changed your mind and decided to stay up in Scotland so went on my way without you...only to get there and get told that you had been running late and to go all the way back to Warrington for you...which I did cos you're my mate...got pulled up by the police in Stafford town centre as I'd got myself lost (what me no never) and drove up a bus lane the wrong way...got let off with that then the police officer told me to turn round and drive down to the traffic lights "and if you wait for them to turn green love you'll be waiting all night"...exact words...so me being the literal person that I am took him at his word and drove straight through em on red ...next thing siren blaring and pulled again..."I don't believe you love...are you ok in the head (err no not exactly officer ) because first you drive down a bus lane the wrong way then you drive through a red light...it had better be good" whereupon I explained that as it was a bus lane and the buses don't run during the night I thought it would be set to red so no point waiting...then he said what he had meant was that it would just take a long time to change to green so I said well you should say what you mean...and he let me off again lol...lucky me

Anyway I finally got back to yours and the rest is history eh

Without a shadow of a doubt...Anita Baker closely followed by Maze

Saw both of those, Maze in 1984 & 86 (Rock city Nottm/Hammersmith) and Anita Baker (NEC) about 89/90. Not even in the top 10 of my 'best' live acts!

If we're talking Soul acts :

Edwin Star, Gene Chandler, Eddie Holman, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Chuck Jackson, Jnr Walker, Major Lance etc etc. And the Winner is.............. Jnr Walker

Squeeze and Bowie were damned good too

Edited March 30, 200916 yr by IanP

Jerry Butler and Chuck Jackson at the Apollo New York, Mothers day 2003...........

Chris

You were Always There when Incognito were playing

and Sounds Of Blackness??? That's a bit Optomistic isn't it??

Bradford Modern Room???Take Me Away!!!

You nutter

Thanks a million....was you in your red mini and was 'Terry F**kwit with you??

.....................If You Don't Know Me By Now............X

love you're Don't Answer me track............. you big Househead!!(Better than lots Northern though!!)

I thought I was on my own...I seem to think there was only you for company but its all a tad vague and hazy...maybe the F**kwit was there after all

Yes was in red mini...I think

Its all your fault my memory is like this

PM for you...hope you know how to get em as I know all this is new to you

Saw both of those, Maze in 1984 & 86 (Rock city Nottm/Hammersmith) and Anita Baker (NEC) about 89/90. Not even in the top 10 of my 'best' live acts!

If we're talking Soul acts :

Edwin Star, Gene Chandler, Eddie Holman, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Chuck Jackson, Jnr Walker, Major Lance etc etc. And the Winner is.............. Jnr Walker

Squeeze and Bowie were damned good too

Personal choice we're talking about...you have yours and I have mine

Thanks a million....was you in your red mini and was 'Terry F**kwit with you??

.....................If You Don't Know Me By Now............X

love you're Don't Answer me track............. you big Househead!!(Better than lots Northern though!!)

Yes my musical path went onwards and upwards after Wigan...soulful house all the way mate and I've never looked back...bit too old to be a Househead though but if I had my time over again I would be for sure

Oh forgot to mention Tashan at Fleetwood Weekender

What's the best 'Live Acts' you've ever seen (and where)???

Me- Betty Wright-Casino(before anyone else says it)

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes -Stafford

Gene Chandler- Morecambe

Never been keen on live acts but thought the Volumes were good at Prestatyn, along with the others that is. But tonight saw Lionel Richie at the Nott,m Arena, superb.

1. Edwin Starr - The Willows about five times - every one a knockout show
   
2. Marvin Gaye - M/cr Apollo
   
3. Eddie Floyd - M/cr International 1
   
4. Bobby Womack - M/cr International 2
   
5. Curtis Mayfield - The Hacienda
   
6. Gil Scott-Heron - M/cr International 2
   
7. Irma Thomas - Burnley Mechanics (Bobby Bland was a terrible disappointment on the same bill)
   
8. Four Tops - M/cr Odeon
   
9. Albert King - M/cr International 1
   
10. Anita Baker - Mcr Apollo
    

And on a non-soul front: when Roger Eagle put on Rockin' Dopsie and his Cajun Twisters at Rafters, I went on the basis that if Roger said they were brilliant, he'd be right. Dave Evison is the only person, other than the mate I went with, that I know was there and we both agree; completely awesome. What a showman!

Since the subject header doesn't stipulate 'Soul' I'll have to kick off with Frank Zappa at almost anywhere. You never knew what you were going to get with the man, and sometimes I just wanted to run from the theatre screaming, but I've never seen anyone put on a better show, anywhere.

But seeing as how this is the Soulsource site let's just assume this is about soul...

Salif Kieta - Town & Country club

Fela Kuti - Glastonbury

Maze - Oxford New Theatre (Remember? They ran 6 coachloads down from London! Great venue, hence...)

Dusty Springfield - Oxford New Theatre

Millie Jackson - Oxford New Theatre

J J's Dilema - Phun City

Gil Scott Heron - Town & Country club

Tower of Power - Town & Country club 1990. They're great anywhere, but at this show they had a reception like they'd never seen before and played their guts out.

The T&C (It'll always be that to me ) and the Oxford New Theatre are my all time favourite venues, such great sound. I'll always opt for one of them given the chance.

All time worst gig, ever (Here's where the flame wars start...)

Otis Redding - Somewhere in London, but don't ask me where, I was just a passenger. I'll admit I was in a minority of one, but it was an awful show, the ******* band was hopelessly out of tune and Redding was either trying to cover it by screaming "Got ta, got ta, got ta" interminably until it became like an Otis Redding satire night, or he was on amphetamines...

Flame on.

Edited March 30, 200916 yr by JJMMWGDuPree

Since the subject header doesn't stipulate 'Soul' I'll have to kick off with Frank Zappa at almost anywhere. You never knew what you were going to get with the man, and sometimes I just wanted to run from the theatre screaming, but I've never seen anyone put on a better show, anywhere.

But seeing as how this is the Soulsource site let's just assume this is about soul...

Salif Kieta - Town & Country club

Fela Kuti - Glastonbury

Maze - Oxford New Theatre (Remember? They ran 6 coachloads down from London! Great venue, hence...)

Dusty Springfield - Oxford New Theatre

Millie Jackson - Oxford New Theatre

J J's Dilema - Phun City

Gil Scott Heron - Town & Country club

Tower of Power - Town & Country club 1990. They're great anywhere, but at this show they had a reception like they'd never seen before and played their guts out.

The T&C (It'll always be that to me ) and the Oxford New Theatre are my all time favourite venues, such great sound. I'll always opt for one of them given the chance.

All time worst gig, ever (Here's where the flame wars start...)

Otis Redding - Somewhere in London, but don't ask me where, I was just a passenger. I'll admit I was in a minority of one, but it was an awful show, the ******* band was hopelessly out of tune and Redding was either trying to cover it by screaming "Got ta, got ta, got ta" interminably until it became like an Otis Redding satire night, or he was on amphetamines...

Flame on.

marvin gaye albert hall 79/80, non soul bob marley lyceum 77ish, best value concert has to be nina simone babrican late 70s comes on does two minutes says f this and goes

marvin gaye albert hall 79/80, non soul bob marley lyceum 77ish, best value concert has to be nina simone babrican late 70s comes on does two minutes says f this and goes

gloria jones casino

jnr walker cat,s leeds

maze manchester

edwin starr bradford

marvin gaye albert hall 79/80, non soul bob marley lyceum 77ish, best value concert has to be nina simone babrican late 70s comes on does two minutes says f this and goes

Have to agree with Marvin Gaye, Albert Hall, He was blown away, by the admiration he had, and he never even knew he had that following !!!!!!!!!!!

1. Edwin Starr - The Willows about five times - every one a knockout show
   
2. Marvin Gaye - M/cr Apollo
   
3. Eddie Floyd - M/cr International 1
   
4. Bobby Womack - M/cr International 2
   
5. Curtis Mayfield - The Hacienda
   
6. Gil Scott-Heron - M/cr International 2
   
7. Irma Thomas - Burnley Mechanics (Bobby Bland was a terrible disappointment on the same bill)
   
8. Four Tops - M/cr Odeon
   
9. Albert King - M/cr International 1
   
10. Anita Baker - Mcr Apollo
    

And on a non-soul front: when Roger Eagle put on Rockin' Dopsie and his Cajun Twisters at Rafters, I went on the basis that if Roger said they were brilliant, he'd be right. Dave Evison is the only person, other than the mate I went with, that I know was there and we both agree; completely awesome. What a showman!

betty wright--casino

impressions--whitchurch civic

major lance--speakeasy (crewe)

willie clayton--carlton warrington

ann nesby--prestatyn

masquaraders--prestatyn

lou pride--nantwich blues festival

jr walker--manchester ritz

tavares--ritz

al green--up the junction

chuck jackson--morecombe

still have a scrapbook with all the adverts and tickets on door

from 1969 until now

some of the best,but like with records how do you chose

Rarely post I'm afraid but thought I must follow up and agree with soulfingers comment about Rogers Rockin Dopsie gig In Manchester. I was there too and it really was great. I'd seen him a couple of times before in open air concerts in the US but the atmosphere he generated here was tremendous.

It ties in with soulfingers above mention of the Irma Thomas concert also (don't really agree with him and others about Bland though - he wasn't well and I think could be excused a bit). She was absolutely unbelievable that night. Again I'd seen here several times before in the US (and have done since) but the sheer soulfulness of that night makes that one one of the best shows I've ever seen

While I'm on I'll mention several other favourites - Jerry Williams at Lowton in '98, 4 Tops at Sheffield City Hall '67, Sam and Dave on the Stax/Volt tour, can't believe anybody hasn't mentioned the Dells at Trentham Gardens in '99, Sam Dees several times at the end of the 80's, Inez and Charlie Foxx at Sheffied Mojo '65 etc

My absolute favourite individual show though was Joe Tex in NO in '80 with a real tight band (including Herman Hitson). I've never seen anybody work a crowd as good as that including James Brown, Ike n' Tina etc.

Although the 2 most favourite individual song performances of any shows were Rance Allen doing "That will be good enough for me" at the Stax Museum opening concert in 2003 and the Spaniels doing "Piece of Mind" at the Wembley Rock and Roll Show in '91.

Just as a foot note and back to Roger Eagle - did anybody here attend his scandulous poorly attended Lavern Baker gig in Liverpool in the early 90's ('92 I think). They didn't have the money to pay her so used the bar takings and even reputedly the money from the Durex machine in the gents!

John

Rarely post I'm afraid but thought I must follow up and agree with soulfingers comment about Rogers Rockin Dopsie gig In Manchester. I was there too and it really was great. I'd seen him a couple of times before in open air concerts in the US but the atmosphere he generated here was tremendous.

It ties in with soulfingers above mention of the Irma Thomas concert also (don't really agree with him and others about Bland though - he wasn't well and I think could be excused a bit). She was absolutely unbelievable that night. Again I'd seen here several times before in the US (and have done since) but the sheer soulfulness of that night makes that one one of the best shows I've ever seen

While I'm on I'll mention several other favourites - Jerry Williams at Lowton in '98, 4 Tops at Sheffield City Hall '67, Sam and Dave on the Stax/Volt tour, can't believe anybody hasn't mentioned the Dells at Trentham Gardens in '99, Sam Dees several times at the end of the 80's, Inez and Charlie Foxx at Sheffied Mojo '65 etc

My absolute favourite individual show though was Joe Tex in NO in '80 with a real tight band (including Herman Hitson). I've never seen anybody work a crowd as good as that including James Brown, Ike n' Tina etc.

Although the 2 most favourite individual song performances of any shows were Rance Allen doing "That will be good enough for me" at the Stax Museum opening concert in 2003 and the Spaniels doing "Piece of Mind" at the Wembley Rock and Roll Show in '91.

Just as a foot note and back to Roger Eagle - did anybody here attend his scandulous poorly attended Lavern Baker gig in Liverpool in the early 90's ('92 I think). They didn't have the money to pay her so used the bar takings and even reputedly the money from the Durex machine in the gents!

John

Rarely post I'm afraid but thought I must follow up and agree with soulfingers comment about Rogers Rockin Dopsie gig In Manchester. I was there too and it really was great. I'd seen him a couple of times before in open air concerts in the US but the atmosphere he generated here was tremendous.

It ties in with soulfingers above mention of the Irma Thomas concert also (don't really agree with him and others about Bland though - he wasn't well and I think could be excused a bit). She was absolutely unbelievable that night. Again I'd seen here several times before in the US (and have done since) but the sheer soulfulness of that night makes that one one of the best shows I've ever seen

While I'm on I'll mention several other favourites - Jerry Williams at Lowton in '98, 4 Tops at Sheffield City Hall '67, Sam and Dave on the Stax/Volt tour, can't believe anybody hasn't mentioned the Dells at Trentham Gardens in '99, Sam Dees several times at the end of the 80's, Inez and Charlie Foxx at Sheffied Mojo '65 etc

My absolute favourite individual show though was Joe Tex in NO in '80 with a real tight band (including Herman Hitson). I've never seen anybody work a crowd as good as that including James Brown, Ike n' Tina etc.

Although the 2 most favourite individual song performances of any shows were Rance Allen doing "That will be good enough for me" at the Stax Museum opening concert in 2003 and the Spaniels doing "Piece of Mind" at the Wembley Rock and Roll Show in '91.

Just as a foot note and back to Roger Eagle - did anybody here attend his scandulous poorly attended Lavern Baker gig in Liverpool in the early 90's ('92 I think). They didn't have the money to pay her so used the bar takings and even reputedly the money from the Durex machine in the gents!

John

Bobby Taylor in the Q club in Brum late 90's with backing vocals by Martha Reeves, Mary Wilson and Carolyn Crawford. spine tingling

regards

Ian

What's the best 'Live Acts' you've ever seen (and where)???

Me- Betty Wright-Casino(before anyone else says it)

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes -Stafford

Gene Chandler- Morecambe

For me Eddie Holman when he appeared at Lowton. He was Awesome closely followed by Junior Walker at the Casino

Steve

Chairman Of The Board at Hucknall Welfare, the week they split with General Johnson, used to have his autograph on an old £1 note.

steve

Although the 2 most favourite individual song performances of any shows were Rance Allen doing "That will be good enough for me" at the Stax Museum opening concert in 2003

The greatest five minutes of live entertainment that I will ever witness, of that I have no doubt. I really felt for Isaac Hayes, who had to follow Rance (and who was reportedly bricking it about the prospect of following Rance)...

Best would be:

Jr Walker - Town & Country '88 (as a young wide eyed Mod in total awe at my first sight of a US performance - and what a performance!)

Maxine Brown - The Lennox lounge, Harlem 2002 (not her best form or repitoir but a room the size of a pub with a true Soul legend barely 6 feet away)

Chaka Khan - Central Park 2004 (on her game and free of all problems. The most uplifting voice I have heard by a country mile)

ASHFORD & SIMPSON BIRMINGHAM HILTON 2007......rolling stones roundhay park & maine road