Mike

Recently being hearing good thing about a event up in Bradford, called the Beehive. As with a lot of similar events, they look after the soul fan well, one feature is the free regular publication of a newletter, featuring news, playlists and so on. Thank to Derek P have three from events this year, which give a far better idea of why the nite is getting good reviews " The Beehive could be called Son Of Wilton as our music policies are in line with theirs, a mixture of rarities, semi knowns from the 60s & 70s, some R&B, a dash of crossover and some class oldie" As with a lot of similar events, they look after the soul fan well, one feature is the free regular publication of a newletter, featuring news, playlists and so on. Thank to Derek P have three from events this year, which give a far better idea of why the nite is getting good reviews Next Beehive is on Saturday 28 July with guests Ronnie Pedley from York and Mick Howard from Heywood To the organisers and DeeJays - you know who you are -a great big thank you for providing another buzzing night at the Beehive - Great music, great people, great atmosphere . :-) Cant wait for the next one. Shirley Bradford Beehive - Saturday 26 May 2001 - Newsletter Three Once again welcome to another soul session down here at the Beehive, once again we have guests who know what soul is and arent afraid to play it. We hope were attracting the kind of people that want a bit more from their music than regular played out stuff. We could go really obscure and alienate all but the hard core chin strokers but where would that get us. Wed like this club to have longevity to be able to expose a wide range of tracks from the rare oldies to the up n coming next biggie. If you always do what youve always done - you always get what youve always got Tonights DJs "Intended Ten" - records theyd like to play but as all DJs know - what youd like to play and what you actually play are often 2 worlds apart. Roger Banks: Charmaine "Standing in need of love" (unissued); Kim Weston "Look my way" (unissued); Denita James "Wild side" (Flip); Paulette "Love you babe" (Contact); Jackie Wilson "Stop lying" (Brunswick LP); Jesse Johnson "Left out you bastard" (Old Town); Persians "Why you said lets get married" (Gold Dust); Mary Johnson "These tears" (Queen); Maxine Brown "In my entire life" (Epic LP); Leon Haywood "Consider the source" (Capitol). Dave Box: Paul Thompson "Special kind of woman" (Volt); Natural Four "Hanging onto a lie" (Boola Boola); Houston Outlaws "Aint no telling" (Westbound); Icemen "Its time you knew" (Ole 9); Otis Brown "Southside Chicago" (Ole); Patti & Emblems "Its the little things" (Congress); John Wesley "Love is such a." (Melic); Chubby & Turnpikes "I didnt try" (Capitol); King Diamond "Black woman" (Powerhouse); Johnny Moore "Cant live without you" (Jadan). Chris Shepherd: Whispers "Cant see myself leaving you" (Soul Clock); Ebonies "Im so glad Im me" (Phil Int LP); James Lately "Love friends and money" (Temple); Billy Kent "Take it all the time" (Expo); Sonny Till "I gave it all up" (Clown); David Dee "Message to you" (ICA); Minnie Jones "You get to me" (Sugar); Jimmie Ellis "Happy to be me" (Century City); Ann Bogus "Dont ask me to love again" (Statue); Nate Adams "Why is it taking so long" (Atlantic). Derek Pearson: International GTOs "I love my baby" (Rojac); Mill Evans "Why why why" (King); Gloria Scott "What am I gonna do" (Casablanca); Bobby Reed "Time is right for love" (Bell); Keni Lewis "Whats her name" (Buddah); Kenny Carlton "Lost and found" (Blue Rock); Enticers "Calling for your love" (Cotillion); Originals "Dont stop now" (Soul LP); Toni Basil "Breakaway" (A&M); The Caressors "I cant stay away" (Ru-Jac) on loan. Dave Guiry: Disciples Of Soul "Together" (Phantom); Syl Johnson "Ive got to get over" (TMP-ting); Vanguards "Gotta have love" (Lamp); Rosebuds "Say youll be mine" (Tower); Ray & Belaires "Blames on you" (ARV); Sonny Bryant "Grapevine" (Roulette); The Mark Five "Gone" (Sagport); Talmedge Armstrong "Gi Gi" (Spindle Top); Claude Huey "Drifting" (MIOB); Soul Notes "How long will it last" (Way Out). Tony Coleby: Irma Thomas "Good things dont come easy" (Chess); Jimmy Hughes "Neighbour neighbour" (Fame); Ben E.King "Dont drive me away" (Atco); Ron Holden "I tried" (Challenge); Bobby Womack "Tried and convicted" (Minit); Charmaine "Send my baby back" (Temple); Joe Simon "The girls alright with me" (SS7); Sensations "Lonely world" (Way Out); Clarence Carter "What was I suppoused to do" (Ronn); Juanita Williams "Baby boy" (Golden World). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- Potential Monster waiting to Explode. Last night I went to the New Beehive do in Bradford. Typical old style Northern venue in a cellar under a pub. Nice low roof and a sort of grubby feel that always works for Northern. The place is quite reminiscent of the Cats or LAmbassador. Spinners were Bob Hinsley, Derek Pearson, Dave Guiry and Roger Banks. I have to say that the overall quality of records played was very very good, and despite the line up hardly any out and out RnB stuff. For pure music content its the best night Ive been to for ages. Description of the March 24ths Beehive Session by Kevin Schofield aka Kegsy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- Bradford Beehive - Saturday 24 March 2001 - Newsletter Two Welcome to this fourth session of rare soul here at the Beehive in Bradford. Due to landlord Williams instillation of a new sound system (two brand new Technics 1210s and a sound system specially designed for the room no less) it will be like Woodstock without the hair. Thanks to the Wilton chaps for their previous loan of their equipment. I imagine this Cellar Bar to be just like the soul clubs in the sixties which originally kicked off this scene of ours. Dark, underground and reeking of that thing we call atmosphere. Small intimate clubs like this can warm up and reach boiling point quite quickly. The DJs are so close to the dancers we can smell them. So lets go for it. Lets dance like crazy and remember those days when we first started going out. Drink, dance and be merry. Enjoy yourself thats why youve left the house. Tonight youll see some real vinyl heavy weights behind the decks - once again we put the DJs under pressure and ask them to name records they intend to play. This evidence has been documented for future use. Bob Hinsley: Skull Snaps "Didnt I do it to you" (GSF); Psychodelic Frankie "Putting you out of my life" (Hi Speed); Betty Everett "My love to lean on" (Sound Stage 7); Richard Caiton "Take a hold brother and sister" (Up Tight); Bobby Rich "Theres a girl somewhere (for me)" (Sambea); Gladys Tyler "A little bitty girl" (Decca); Tommy Turner "Lazy" (El Bam); Ree Flores "Look into my heart" (M&H); T.C.Lee & Bricklayers "Up and down the hill" (King); Wayne Anthony "Blow me a kiss" (Walana). Roger Banks: Bradford Beehive Basement Biggies Mill Evans "Aint you glad" (King unissued); Vernon Garrett "Im guilty" (Kent unissued); The Dells "You belong to someone else" (Cadet); Mack Starr & Mellows "Drifting apart" (Cub); Jimmy Ellis "Putting it on your mind" (Salem); Beverley McKay "Say it with feeling" (Old Town); Milton Grayson "Your old standby" (Derby); Gene McDaniels "Hang on a little bit longer" (Liberty); Billy Barnes "Until" (Liberty); Larry Laster "Thats just what you did" (Duo Virgo). Andy Dyson: David Rhodes "Hung up in mid air" (Chi City); Doc Oliver "Going through a change of love" (Lucky); Jackson Brothers "Ive got to hear it from you" (Providence); Bobby Patton "Keep calling me" (Hilton); Winfield Parker "I love you just the same" (Rujac blue); Bobby Montgomery "Make me yours" (Generation); Mathew Brown "Love me just a little bit" (Sew City); Mary Wheeler & Knights "I feel in my heart" (Atom); Turbines "We got to start over" (Cenco); Homer Banks "Sweetie pie" (Genie); Exceptionals "Baby you know I need you" (Groovey Grooves) Derek Pearson: Moses Dillard "Ill pay the price" (Mark V); Little Dooley "If ever I needed you" (Ko Ko); Jackie Edwards "I feel so bad" (French Vogue EP); Johnny Gilliam "Roomfull of tears" (Cancer); Jack Montgomery "Take a chance on me" (Revue); Soulful Twins "I cant let you go" (Sable); Irma & Larks "Without you baby" (Priority); Tommie Young "Hit and run lover" (Soul Power); Willie Hobbs "Till I get it right" (SS&); Otis Leavill "Keep on loving" (Columbia); Duke Turner "Babysitter" (Spinning Top); Shirley Lawson "One more chance" (Backbeat). Chuddy: Detroit Spinners "I just want to fall in love" (Atlantic); Elvin Spencer "Lift this hurt" (E.S.Cozy); Little Dooley "Its got to be now or never" (North Bay); Exsaveyons "I dont love you no more" (Smoke); Modulations "Your love has me locked up" (Buddah); Ruby "Decieved" (Gold Token); J.J.Barnes "Got to get rid of you" (Volt); Major IV "This little girl of mine" (Venture); Creations "Footsteps" (Zodiac); Ella Woods "I need your love" (Margin). Tony Coleby: Sylvie Varton "Ive made my choice" (RCA) courtesy of Ron Ped; Rosetta Johnson "That hurts" (Atlantic); Charmaine "Send my baby back to me" (Temple); Vicky Anderson "Wide awake in a dream" (Deluxe); Joanne Garrett "One woman" (Duo); Jimmy Ruffin "Boy from Mississippi" (Chess); Barbara Lynn "Dont spread it around" (Jamie); Bobby McLure "Dont get your signals crossed" (Checker); Billy & Essentials "Baby go away" (Smash); Margo Thunder "Mama youre alright with me" (Haven). Next session at the Beehive will be on Saturday 26 May - DJs so far confirmed include Frobishers finest Dave Box and Chris Shepherd the man with a Rochdale FC season ticket. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beehive Saturday 27 January 2001 Newsletter One Thanks for coming tonight and we hope you enjoy yourself, you might hear some music that goes straight on your wants list, then again you might hear some stuff you think is rubbish, hopefully youll hear some different things. And thats what its all about. Keep it moving forward. If you can get the right people in the right club anything is possible. Read any fanzine and when they talk of progressive venues the same 3 names always crop up. The 100 Club, Albrighton and the Wilton. Think how proud Chris Pelle and Mouse must be for flying the flag up north for so long. The Beehive could be called Son Of Wilton as our music policies are in line with theirs, a mixture of rarities, semi knowns from the 60s & 70s, some R&B, a dash of crossover and some class oldies. Just as the scene needs large venues catering for the big attendances of 500 to 1000 people we need smaller more intimate clubs like this. The larger clubs generally have spacious dance floors which need filling or the promoters panic. This can limit the DJs choice of music as oldies dominate to fill the floor. At smaller clubs DJs can be more creative by taking chances and gambling. These tiny venues are like seedbeds where the forgotten and over looked sounds from yesteyear can take root, before spreading out like ripples on a pond to mass acceptance. Tonights twenty pound sound youre hearing could be next years hundred pounder. Tonights DJs "Intended Ten" - records theyd like to play but as all DJs know - what youd like to play and what you actually play are often 2 worlds apart. Roger Banks: George Cameron "My heart tells me so" (Portrait); Douglas Banks "Aint that just like a woman" (Guyden); Lamont Dozier "Your dearest one" (Melody); Willie Jones "Wheres my money" (Mister Peacock); Joe Arnold "No clouds in the sky" (Two Spot); Bobby Guy "Good enough" (APT); Azie Mortimer "Lips" (Big Top); Jimmy Wallace "Ill be back" (Alpha); Lost Souls "Secret of mine" (Raven); Jimmy Merritt "Ill forget about you" (Crackerjack). Steve & Heather Dowling: Deena Johnson "The breaking point" (Wild Deuce); Barbara Redd "Ill be alone" (SPQR); Blue Jays "Point of view" (Jay); Escorts featuring Goldie "I cant be free" (Coral); Eskew Reeder "Undivided love" (Instant); Chuck Wright "Love I wont be your fool anymore" (Ember); Jean Trevor "Get outta my heart" (Norman); Garland Davis "Dont worry about dancing for me" (Kick Off); Marv Johnson "With all thats in me" (U.A.); Kenny Lewis "Whats her name" (Buddah); Eddie Bo "Lucky in love" (Bluejay); Demures "Raining tear drops" (Brunswick). Ron Pedley: Tony Clarke "Love must be taboo" (Fascination); The Fenways "The fight" (BlueCat); Mousie & Traps "How about you" (Toddlin Town); The Butler Bros "Reputation" (Academy); George Freeman "Why are you doing this to me" (Jay Boy); Johnny Moore "Cant live without your love" (Jadan); Bill Spoon "The one who really loves you" (Hense Forth); Jackie Forrest "Show me how to love" (Platinum); Nate Adams "Im gonna be good" (Atlantic); The Golden Boys "I dont want you no more" (Mainstream). Dave Guiry: Ray & Belaires "The blames on you" (ARV); Dynamics "You make me feel so good" (RCA); Sammy Bryant "Grapevine" (Roulette); Talmadge Armstrong "Gi Gi" (Spindle Top); Cynthia & Imaginations "Is there anyone" (Magic City); Pauline Shivers "Tell him no" (Opex); Sinceres "Girl I love you" (Pzazz); Stereos "Dont let it happen to you" (Val); Continental Showstoppers "Not too young" (SS7); J.J.Daniels "Mr Lonesome" (Sureshot). Derek Pearson: Choice Of Colour "Your love"(Apt); Maxine Brown "Let me give you my loving"(Wand); Clarence Hill "Whole lotta loving" (Mainstream); Rose Brooks "Im moaning"(Soul City); Stewart Ames "Angelina" (J&W); Vanguards "Good times bad times" (Lamp); Connie Laverne "Cant live without you" (GSF); Ray Pollard "This time"(Shrine), We The People "Making my daydream real"(Lion); Jesse Boone "I got to love" (Soul-O-Potion); TSU Toronadoes "I still love you"(Ovide) Tony Coleby: William Hunt "Would you believe" (Stream Side); Tom Emanuel "Why the knower" (Golden Three); Willie Harper "But I couldnt" (Alon); Troy Keyes "You told your story" (ABC); Sonny Daye "Long road to happiness" (Power); Jimmy McFarland "Lonely lover" (RPR); Gino Washington "Like my baby" (Mala); Clyde McPhatter "I never knew" (Mercury); Originals "Ooh you put a crush on me" (Soul); Tobi Lark "Happiness is here" (Topper). We must be doing something right as DJs have now started asking us for guest spots. Thanks to all the above DJs for their time & effort and to the Wilton for loan of their equipment. Next Beehive on Sat 24 March features the DJing talents of Mister Bob Hinsley Review of The Beehive, Bradford 28 October 2000 by Dave Rimmer in Soulful Kinda Music issue 44 (Dec 2000) "What a wonderful venue this is; a pub cellar bar with a low ceiling, dance floor at one end and lots of little alcoves with seats and tables at the other. Music policy was clear from the line up, Roger Banks, Andy Dyson, Dave Rimmer, Derek Pearson and Tony Coleby. Sixties newies, R&B, a few seventies and some class rare oldies. A crowd of about 150 turned up and enjoyed themselves so much that the landlord actually let it run over by half an hour. Recommended if you live anywhere in Yorkshire or even further afield". Mark Hanson also gave Octobers Beehive a good write up in Soul Up North #31. Derek Pearson 26/1/01 A previous club at the Beehive was called The Underground Set - neat little name me thinks. ------------------------------------------------------------

Ronald McCoy - Come Back Boo Keeping things up todate, have had sent in a sample of what Ronald McCoy (Ex-Topics) is up to nowadays. Track showcased here is called Come Back Boo written by Ronald McCoy and Andrew Hamilton (song writer and article writer with articles featured in AMG , SKM, Soul Source and elsewhere) Andrew H asked me to put it up just to see how it goes, Ronnie is looking for a possible deal and the song is open for recording by others. Have similar quality tunes available. Anyway - have a listen, and am sure a bit of response/reaction using the comments feature will be well appreciated by Ronald and Andrew who have been involved in some great sounds. Agent 22 and Deer Foot Music B.M.I. Agent 22 Music (B.M.I) PO Box 604118 Cleveland OH 44104 216-299-8809 fax number: 760-875-7292. BkAgent22@excite.com Agent22@writeme.com above repaired/updated 2019 - video clip below added

Greg just passed on his playlist from the last dome, so just to let you know what top quality sounds as always went down last week, read on..... Royal Robbins - Something about you sends me - Truglotown Cliff Nobles - My love is getting stronger - Atlantic Fascinators - In other words - Bombay New wanderers - Aint gonna do you no harm - Ready John & The Weirdest - No time - Tie Tokays - Baby Baby Baby - Brute Dee & Flo - This Or That - Dee Wolf Prod. Lonnie Russ - Say girl - Kerwood Honey &The Bees - Dynamite Exploded - Arctic Wilson picket - Baby dont you weep - Double (LP) Gene Toones - What more do you want - Simco Anita Anderson - Secretly - Contact 4 Tops - Lonely Lover - Unissued Tony Clarke - Wrong Man - M-S Cookie Jackson - Do you still love me - Progress Charles Sheffield - Its your Voodoo Working - Excello Gladys Tyler - Little bitty girl - Decca Ty Karim - You really made it good to me - Romark Little Ann - Long lanky daddy -Kent Karmello Brooks - Tell me Baby - Milestone

"Had news from up North that on Sundays Jazz FM radio show, Richard Searling had a right go at Internet Soul Chat Groups, as someone had sent in some postings off one particular chat group, think words such as "need to get a life " "old woman" and similar were used before he threw the post in the bin! etc etc" Unfortunately I dont get show down here, but was told that basically the way it come over was he tarred all lists with the same brush. I feel disappointed at this, because where certain groups are based around idle chat, the list I help moderate, "Soul Talk" is 100% on-topic only and is a place to share knowledge and discuss Rare Soul related topics only all in a friendly no abuse way. I know for a fact that the World-wide membership and the moderators like nothing better than to "talk soul and nothing but soul" and enjoy sharing their collected knowledge. Im sure if Richard saw the posts from the top collectors, DJs and indeed by some of the artists themselves hed realise the internet can be a positive thing too for the scene. Anyway enough crap back to soul, and Jazz Fm, been told that the guest was Keith Money fresh from doing a superb set at the 100 club, and heres some of the stuff he played, courtsey of Dave M, with finer details from some Soul Talk members David and Mark - which was all posted originally on Soul Talk!!! Sounds like a right rare soul feast George Hobbs - Let It Be Real - Sound City Chris Bartley - My Heart Still Belongs To Only You -Acetate This is actually a emi disc as Andy Dyson has the original copy as is infact and is Timothy Wilson on April & Blackwood acetate. Ann Byers - Im Not Going To Cry - Academy Acetate Soul Incorporated - My Proposal - Coconut Groove Bill Bush - Im Waiting - Ronn Carl Hall - She Doesnt Love Me - Cover Up Deon Jackson - Someday The Sun Will Shine - Unissued Carla/ALantic recording Spidels - Dream Girl - Providence Vicky Labatt - Got To Keep Hangin On - Shagg New Sound - Dont Take Your Love - Turbo New Sounds Turbo LP or Jap reissue LP Embers - Someday Youll Be Aware Of Love -E JJ Barnes - Gotta Get Rid Of You - Volt Bobby Reed - Time Is Right For Love - Bell Black & Blue - b side of What I got - Mercury Joe Valentine - Ive Lost The Only Love I Ever Had - Val Mark Lloyd - When Im Going To Find Her - Parlophone Imperial Cs - Someone Tell Her - Phil L A Of Soul Bob & Fred - Ill Be On My Way - Big Mack Don Hysong - Soul Searcher - Bard Linda Lloyd - Breakaway -Columbia

Ok day 1 the doors are open! After revamping and moving everything across, I never want to see a bloody computer again........ Hopefully you agree with me when I say that the new format seems to be a vast improvement and has a lot of potential. As always appreciate any feedback, so let me know your thoughts. The main thing that I like about the new format is that anyone can post up, you can either post up news, reviews, events,etc into the soul vault, and it will automatically add them to front page or can just comment on some of the posts.Plus have sussed a lot of other new features and yeah theres more to come. Apoligise if as busy over last couple of weeks have missed answering some emails, or contributions, ask to send again, know I lost a few, as you do and had no joy trying to get back to some.On site content ok as day one the order is a bit jumbled as it works on a date thing, and thats why some of the old sounds and articles have come up as latest news, it should sort it self out as stuff gets posted. Plus still a bit behind on putting up events and similar. Anyway enough crap, gotta go as overdosed on pcs, just say if you got ought to spread just post it up! Cheers mike

The next soul filled night at THE NEIGHBOURHOOD! takes place on Saturday 12th May from 7.30pm - midnight (by-law!!!!!!) at the Football Club in Hitchin, Herts. The last one saw around 100 brothers and sisters from across the UK .... Jane Oppegaard READ MORE FOR PLAYS CURRENT TIP TOP TUNES Sue Ann Jones - Ill give you my love Bonnie Bombshell Lee - My mans coming home Allen Sisters - Im in with the Downtown Crowd The Contours - Its growing Teddy Pendergrass - I just called to say Nolan - If I could only be sure (lp version) Jimmy Beaumont - I pretend Im loving you Carl Holmes - Soul dance No 3 Jimmy Ruffin - He who picks a rose Gladys Knight - If you ever get your hands on love John Wesley - Loves a funny thing The Sequins - Take back all these things Gloria Gaynor - Lets mend whats been broken Judy Freeman - HOld On (lp version) Bill Spoon - The one who really loves you Mary Saxton - Losing Control plus loads more you all know so I wont bother telling you! Nay! sas

Had word of what is a very unusual thing that's been set up on internet........ Yep believe it or not someone has had the audacity to set up a website that is northern related... but is funny as well, no theories here on why modern soul is etc etc but just one hell of a laugh, its well funny Soul Patrols the name and its here http://members.tripod.com/knipper3/ recommended big time

Couple of big ones on ebay - Patrinell Staten - little love affair about 20 hours to go and at $2,325.00............ Just setting up me software to do last minute sniping on it... yeah in my dreams. Word was springers were up at opening bid of $4000 but then mysterily the link went down and no sign of it in searches! Noticed that theres been a few Oxford Knights knocking around. Back to internet things, what is it with people, can you inagine standing up in front of 100s of people in the street or a pub and start slagging down someone you obvisouly dont know or havent met , nah dont do it meself, but give some people a keyboard and whooosh off they go, abuse, false facts and so on, ..... wonders of the internet, bet you crank phone calls have died down over last 5 years, they all went out and bought a computer !

George Jackson, Al's Bar, London. April 7th, 2001 One of the regular highlights of the month for Dawn and me is our visit to the George Jackson club at Al's Bar in Farringdon, so for Dawn to be invited to play a spot there as part of the April line-up made our last visit there a particularly special one. For those of you who haven't been, this place really is a must-go for anyone with an open mind and a sense of wonder at just how TASTEFUL great Soul music can be. Strict-tempo Northern Soul oldies-fascists would hate it, but if you can gasp at a record without needing to dance to it, if you can ignore the era, the tempo and the zip code on the record label and just marvel at the sheer Soul content, then this is a club you will thank the Lord for. George Jackson is not a Northern Soul club - but they do play Northern Soul records. It's not a Southern Soul club - they play plenty of records from North of the Mason-Dixon line. It's not a Sixties Soul club - they play Soul from way before and way after the big Seven-Oh, and it's not a Deep 'n' Slow club - they play plenty of really danceable stuff, especially towards the end of the night. George Jackson is just...George Jackson, a club where great Soul gets played, no matter what. For anyone used to scenes stifled by rules and regulations about 'correct' tempos and 'the way things used to be when people did it by the book', George Jackson is a breath of fresh air, a determined tearing up of all available rulebooks and a return to seeing both the wood AND the trees. Sixties Deep Soul ballads rub shoulders with 70s butt-shakers, harmonising Sweet Soul honeydrippers with mid-60s finger-clickers, and cracked-voiced country grinders with supercharged Big-City epics, the overriding factor in all cases being the Soul content. You don't get many Xylophone Oldies, but you do get virtually everything else. The one thing you'll never get is a Pop Stomper. The quality of the sides played on Saturday was staggering, with tracks like Bill Brandon's "Rainbow Road" and Eddie Jones' Let's Stop Fooling Ourselves" standing out from a lorryload of devastating slowies, and selections by Willie Tee, Purple Mundi, Syl Johnson and Eddie Giles getting the feet shuffling later on. Connoisseurs and complete strangers to Rare Soul got swept up in the mood, and by the end the 'intimate' (ie tiny) floor was heaving with everything from Northern Soul die-hards to Southern Soul purists and 'just passing by' members of the general public just shaking it to the sounds on a Saturday night. Finally, the lights went up and one of the aforementioned complete strangers rushed breathlessly up to the DJs and gasped "That was fantastic - what WAS that stuff you were playing?" Now THAT's what I call a job well done. As of next month, George Jackson will be moving to the Smersh bar at 5 Ravey Street, London EC1, which I think will be a much better place for them than the quarry-tiled, thru-lounge sized venue they've occupied up till now, and the Smersh regulars should be more in sympathy with what the club is trying to achieve than the sometimes rather hit-and-miss passers-by who have occasionally stumbled in on the club at Al's bar. I, for one, can't wait until May 19th for my next fix of rule-book-free Soul. Conveniently, it's the same night as May's 100 Club, so anyone from out of town can check out what it's about, too. See you there! Nick Brown.

Mary Love has now been active in the music business for almost thirty years and her recording career over much of this period has not been as prolific or successful as she deserved. However, she continues to produce new work and to her credit still retains a positive attitude to the possibility of future success. Mary was born in Sacramento, Mary Ann Allen (Hal Davis came up with her stage surname in 1964), but her family moved to Los Angeles when she was still a young child. She sang in church and when she got out of High School she met and became friends with a guy from the group, The Vows (V.I.P. release later). Mary began rehearsing with the group and they worked together on one particular song in which Mary took a major vocal role. The groroguen_storiesup secured a booking at the California Club and Mary was asked to go along to perform the song they had worked on together. She did this and J.W. Alexander, Sam Cookes manager, happened to be in the club. He liked what he saw and asked her to come over to a studio on Hollywood Boulevard the next day to cut some demos. This she did and it resulted in her cutting a demo with Sam Cooke of "Talking Trash" a song destined for Betty Everett and Jerry Butler. They liked the way she worked and so she was used to cut numerous demos. She eventually ended up cutting demos for Jobete, one song she was the first to cut being "A Touch Of Venus" which was produced by Marc Gordon. The demo version turned out so well that the song was much in demand with various artists wanting to release it. However, the winning version fumed out to be one of Marys friends, Sandy Wynns. Mary believes her demo version is still locked in the Jobete / Motown vaults, she certainly doesnt possess a copy of the cut or any other of her demo performances Her sterling efforts on demos were soon rewarded, as again with Marc Gordon producing a number of mainly Frank Wilson penned songs were cut with a view to landing Mary her own recording contract. Arthur Wright was the arranger on the work and although Mary was still very young and unschooled in studio techniques with the help and encouragement of the talented team around her the tracks that resulted were of a very high quality. Marc Gordon secured Mary a deal with Modem Records and her 1st single "You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet / Im In Your Hands" (Modem 1006) was released in 1965. This was an instant hit, first locally and then nationally and its success led to it being released overseas. However, Mary wasnt aware of this or the fact that 2 of her later 60s singles were also released in the U.K. and was most intrigued when shown copies of her releases on U.K. King and Stateside. Mary really enjoyed this period of her life, work at Modern was undertaken in a family atmosphere. The studio personnel taught her a lot, taking time to explain the necessary studio techniques to her. Artists also helped out on each others recordings, Mary doing backups on Vernon Garrett, Lowell Fulsom and Ikettes tracks and these and other artists returning the favour. The Valentinoes (Bobby, Cecil, et al) also assisted on one of her sessions but although the Ikettes soon became Marys closest friends (Venetta Fields, Josie Joe Armstead, Robbie?) Ike and Tina themselves never used to help out in the studio, Mary only meeting them when their paths crossed on tour. The Modern artists also swopped club names and addresses, if one artist obtained a booking at a new club within days every other outfit from the label would be on the phone pestering the booking agent for a spot. Because of this and also due to the high standard of her live performances she ended up touring extensively in the 60s and has made a good living. Her two year period with Modem Records resulted in six solo singles and one duet with Arthur Adams being released. "Bitter Into Sweet" and "Move A Little Closer" were the most commercially successful but all were very worthwhile releases and many have been reissued in the 80s/90s in the U.K. on the Kent label. "Bitter Into Sweet", "Hey Stoney Face", "LetMe Know" and "Lay This Burden Down" have all become popular with U.K. soul club crowds, however one of Marys personal favourites is the Ashford and Simpson written Dance Children Dance. "Satisfied Feeling" the flip side of her 5th release.. was her 1st self writtentrack but more soon followed. The duet with Arthur Adams her last release on Modern is quite interesting as only one side of the record features ,Mary.The A side "Is That You"was cut first timeand by the time the decision to release the track Mary was out on tour so her friend Sandy Wynns took her place and recorded "Lets Get Together" with Arthur although the track was still credited to Mary on the label. No one would have been any the wiser if Mary herself had not given the credit due to Sandy. Marys least favourite track is surprisingly "Hey Stoney Face", she cant relate to the Iyrics at all and it took her all night to lay the track down in the studio as she kept breaking out into fits of laughter and she has never sung the track live in her life. In 1968 Mary left Modem and signed to Josie (Jubilee) for a one record deal. This was the single "The Hurt Is Just Beginning / If you Change Your Mind", both songs being self written. Both sides of the record have stories attached to them "If You Change..." was written on tour after a show, its theme being a one night stand and how the couples feelings for each other can already have changed by the next morning The A side "Hurt Is Beginning" was Being played on the radio in California at the same time Huey Newton of the Black Panthers was on trial in San Francisco. The protectors outside the court house took their lines from the song "…Don’t let it Happen…" and built it into a chant, so a lot of people know the song by this title. Her next single is on a rare label "There’s someone for me" on ELCO, again its self written and it was released in 1971. Marys grandmother still lived in Sacramento, next door to the Elco Drugstore. The store owner, a Mr Cole heard Mary sing the song and decided to start the label as a hobby. The tracks were recorded at Ray Charles studio in L.A. with Ray engineering the session himself It proved to be the only record on the label Next up is the Magic Disc single Joy in 1977. This was taken from the movie Peady Wheatshaw and a soundtrack albulm was also released at the timewhich included 5 tracks from the film on which Mary was the featured vocalist A single on the T K distributed label Inphasion " Turn me Turn me" followed in 1979 and also around the same time on a visit to Japan Mary cut a record with part Japenese / part English1 Iyrics, extolling the virtues of the Sweet Taste Bamboo Inn. Next| came her U- Tone single "Tit For Tat" in the early 80s and this is one of the songs which has benefited from the changes in musical styles since those days of the disco boom as it sounded much better when performed live by Mary at the Cleethorpes Weekender. Mary acknowledged the input of her U.K.backing band at the event and said they had been influential in the way it ended up sounding when she had performed it. She also expressed her pleasure in having the opportunity toperform with live back-up when compared to her last UK visit when she had to sing over backing tapes. In 1984 another single was released, this being Save Me" which was recorded for Eddie Garons Golden Boy Records in L. A. although it was released on the Mirage label. Shortly after this Mary began to collaborate with Brad Comer who was soon to be her husband. In 1986 while I was helping Move Records of Edinburgh I was forwarded tapes of a number of tracks that had been submitted to them for possible release One of these contained a number of tracks by a group known as Co-Love The best of these being a male / female duet "Be Baby", a mid tempo number "Never Gonna Break It Up" and a ballad "Mr Man". It transpires that these were the last secular songs recorded by Mary and Brad however I dont believe they gained release anywhere (Move Records went out of business shortly afterwards). Mary and Brad decided to move into the gospel field and recorded and released on their own Co-Love label "Come Out Of The Sandbox" in 1987. The words to the song have significant meaning to Mary as to deal with the mentality of believing in failure and disappointment and explain how everyone can shrug this off as all good things are within us. The record proved very popular in the U.K. and led to further gospel releases, an L. P. "His Servant Am 1" and a 12" "Caught Up / Standing On The Edge Of Time" on a Voices limited edition in 1988. Then in 1990 another 12", this time featuring three tracks "Understanding / In My Life / Morethan Enouglh Love" was released, the later track being a duet with Marys son Derrick Versey. The couple are currently working on a new L.P., they continue to write new songs and Mary performs in churches in the Los Angeles area. They are both very open, friendly people, down to earth in attitude and talented. With their outlook on life they can only prosper in the future. Marys ethos that you should never succumb to the mentality of failure should ensure that we receive new product from her well into her fourth decade of involvement in the music business. written by John Smith from a interview conducted by John Smith / Paul Dunn Background info by Paul Dunn Oxford 1993 video added Mary love - lay this burden down by mickeynold

Dome Friday 30 Mar 01 - New playlists added at end Here's one that cased a bit of discussion, with a soul fan posting up a few complaints of the nite, and the promoters answer, as well you get a few views of the nite, plus full detailed playlists - value for money or what?? Ok a quick brief on what went on last friday at what is said to be the UK's leading and best rare Soul nite, plus a few other views from people out there. Well after the last dome, it seems that this event is now firmly regarded as the leading rare soul nite in uk, not just my view but plenty of others have said the same. So how did the March one go down, well each one seems to throw up something new, this time arriving a hour before it starts, we were took back to see a queue outside about a hour before the doors open, which told us it was going to be a packer. Matt J had said that they have had about 150 new membership applications, so after the last ones one in one out, seems that people were determined to beat the crowd. Inside, with a few of the regular supporting staff away, a quick bit of juggling was done, before doors open, and by this time the queue had grown resulting in a almost non-stop regular flow of people. Doing the warm up spot, was Ady Lupton, now a regular feature this warm up spot is designed to give the chance for up and coming local djs to show us what they're made of, and Ady L delivered a fine set of some cracking sounds. Word going around was that along with guest appearance of Sidney Barnes, it was rumored there would be a few other surprise guests. With Ady l's spot the nite was well under way, quickly filling up, and thus giving the place a great buzz, the record room was a well busy place with a fair few dealers and dealing. Come about midnight it was time for Sidney Barnes to do his stuff, now this was a off the cuff thing, originally he was planned just to sign autographs and so on, but with a bit of sorting out from the venues technical staff, plans where made quickly for him to deliver a quick performance on the main stage, and what a performance it turned out, giving us not just one go but coming back for another, featuring two of his classics tracks - I hurt on other side and You always be in style, and he sounded great! Two of the Flirtations turned up, who Sidney used to manage in their Old town days and gave a quick allright to all, the other rumoured guests unfortunately didn't show, but tell you don't think anyone noticed after Sidney's great performance. He was being looked after by Mark Hanson Ian Levine and Andy Dyson and watch out for some more news regarding that soon, Ady C was guest dj and no prizes for guessing he delivered a great spot, as did all the normal crew, David Flynn, Irish Greg, Alan H, Carl f, of course we were given a helping of the normal Dome flavour of one offs, rarities and classy revivals, This ones for you my love, Downtown crowd, famous tumbleweed classic Barbara Redd, Fran Oliver, to pull a few quickly off top of me head, hopefully more full detailed plays to follow, ending with David f doing the close down 30 mins. Sidney and two of the Flirtations (photo in gallery now) Crowd wise, usual bunch of suspects there, including some Germans who made the trip special from southern Germany just for the nite, a long ride home next day or what! Have heard complaints of too many non soul fans which seems to have spoiled it for some (see posts below), but had no hassle myself. End of nite, well as said it seems to be a case of saying after each one "best one yet" and unfortunately even though sounding like a vg of ebays -as in a scratched record, gotta have to say it again, end of nite the feeling was.... yeah best one yet!! paparazzi a go go -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Always after views from out there, in past have put a couple of negative views sent in from soul fans of a couple of events and received a few critical emails off people for posting them, well always after a easy life, but if people take time and effort to send in will always try and post up views , know people are not always going to agree with what they say including myself, but not going to go down road of white washing, ask if you have views, send them in and will post them, So here's some views on nite... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Highlight of the night - meeting Sidney Barnes. What an absolute gent. When Ian Levine was making the SWONS video I was trying to help Ian out with a bit of editing and effects on a couple of tracks. One of them was the Sidney Barnes - I hurt on the other side. So after looking at the man on the screen for hours and hours it was nice to meet him and discuss it with him. I mentioned how good he looked in the film on the top of that building (in Chicago I think). "Thank you" he said, "That's were I work - I'm the doorman at that building". It's a real pleasure to meet a person with such talent who's down to earth and approachable about it all. Best sounds of the night , Dirty hearts - Benny Curtis brilliant choice Mr Flynn but can you not play it anymore till I can get a copy of it. Mayfield players - love this, is this obtainable in any form cos I'd love a copy?, Downtown Crowd - Allen Sisters , and pretty much everything Alan Hanscombe played. Although the record which I thought got the biggest response of the night was Impressions - You Been Cheatin. You couldn't get on the dancefloor most of the night but when this was played they we're stacking them 3 high. What more can I say. If you haven't been to the Dome before you've got to go. Cheers Al ald@globalnet.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally had posted here a cut email of which I received today regarding friday nite at dome, passed on the original to Matt J as parts of it made certain remarks which I felt he may want to reply, he asked me to post up his reply and whole of the email, so here you go, first the email from soulful bob, and then reply from the promoter Matt J This is gonna be short, sharp and sweet. We were expecting a fantastic night at the temple of rare soul in London with the bonus of Sidney Barnes to boot. What we got was an utter disappointment and an early night! Sidney Barnes was great and it was nice to see the Flirtations as well. The first dj played a great set of rare r&b and Ady C. (get your hair cut you hippie! You look like a Shakespearean actor) didn't disappointment with one of his best sets for years. The others were OK but Jesus! If the Impressions 'You've been cheating' is now considered rare soul then the scene is in real trouble. I was half expecting to hear 'out on the floor' and 'ghost in my house' at any minute! If this is what your gonna be playing in the future then do not advertise yourselves as the temple of rare 60's soul! The sounds I can live with, the crowd however I cannot. I don't know which night Matt was at but it was not as he commented a fantastic atmosphere or crowd! I'm not the only one who commented on this (and I'm sure Winston will be passing the same comments later) but we had those that were there taking the p***, those that were drunk to the point where they spilt their beer over the floor and us, and those that were so far smashed out of their heads they could have been at the local nightclub for all they cared! It caused major problems with our lot and several others sat by the stage. It was annoying at best and causing a lot of friction and tension. If they were all members Matt then 1) I'm a dutchman, 2) the scene's in a hell of a state and 3) I'm stupid! It used to be that soul preceded the payroll but after this night I now very much doubt it! It seems the cash is more important than the soul. There is no way these people were soul brothers and sisters. I even had one twat say to me 'what's this crap playing then? Don't they have any garage?' Laugh, I almost nutted the **** there and then. I and many of my friends from all over the UK will not be attending the Dome again until this is sorted out. I'm not happy as I've always considered the club to be fantastic and a real credit to the scene. I urge Matt to sort it out for the next night B4 it's too late. Soulful Bob Soulfulbob@aol.com Matt j's reply in blue This is gonna be short, sharp and sweet. We were expecting a fantastic night at the temple of rare soul in London with the bonus of Sidney Barnes to boot. What we got was an utter disappointment and an early night! Sorry to hear this Bob, our aim is that everybody has a good night Sidney Barnes was great and it was nice to see the Flirtations as well. The first dj played a great set of rare r&b and Ady C. (get your hair cut you hippie! You look like a Shakespearean actor) didn't disappointment with one of his best sets for years. The others were OK but Jesus! If the Impressions 'You've been cheating' is now considered rare soul then the scene is in real trouble. I was half expecting to hear 'out on the floor' and 'ghost in my house' at any minute! If this is what your gonna be playing in the future then do not advertise yourselves as the temple of rare 60's soul! I must say that the music policy at the Dome is a mix of rare and underplayed tracks mixed in with 'suitable' oldies. This I believe works well, the dancefloor reflects this. As I've said many times before, people vote with their feet. Until the dancefloor starts to dwindle there is no need to alter the policy. The Impressions was reported in one review to have caused the most fervour on the dancefloor all night. Try telling those rushing to the dancefloor that the track shouldn't have been played? Tracks played are skillfully chosen by the DJs in my opinion, but everyone is different so we cannot be expected to please everybody all of the time. I'm happy if the dancefloor is buzzing with the enjoyment of the majority of the crowd. I must caution you not to put words in my mouth, falsely quoting me. Never once have I described the CSC as a "temple of rare 60's soul", your words not mine. Simply it is what it is, everybody makes their own opinions on that, I cannot tell you what to think. The sounds I can live with, the crowd however I cannot. I don't know which night Matt was at but it was not as he commented a fantastic atmosphere or crowd! I'm not the only one who commented on this (and I'm sure Winston will be passing the same comments later) but we had those that were there taking the p***, those that were drunk to the point where they spilt their beer over the floor and us, and those that were so far smashed out of their heads they could have been at the local nightclub for all they cared! It caused major problems with our lot and several others sat by the stage. It was annoying at best and causing a lot of friction and tension. 'Fantastic atmosphere', that is a personal opinion and it was from where I was standing, but you are entitled to your opinion. Others that I have spoken to and emails from members, whom I do not even know, all seemed to enjoy the atmosphere, which is great to hear. Again we can't always please everybody. We will be releasing over an hour of film footage from the night very soon, so people who didn't attend can judge for themselves. Troublesome people that you witnessed is another matter entirely, you are right to be annoyed. I'm glad that you have brought it to my attention. There will always be the odd isolated incident, the only way to deal with this is to report it at the time. I cannot solve problems that I know nothing about. In the past I had one or two cases of people who had one too many to drink or are not respectful on the dancefloor. Usually a quiet word from me (after someone has brought it my attention) sorts it out with a friendly "sorry mate, I didn't realise" reply and no further trouble. On the second night this wasn't enough and I had to throw two people out (and went membership only the following month to avoid people walking in off the street). I also post signs saying "Do not take drinks on the dancefloor", to keep the floor dry. I've ejected people from the club before and I have no qualms about doing it again. But you must tell us on the night, or we can do nothing. If they were all members Matt then 1) I'm a dutchman, 2) the scene's in a hell of a state and 3) I'm stupid! It used to be that soul preceded the payroll but after this night now very much doubt it! It seems the cash is more important than the soul. There is no way these people were soul brothers and sisters. I even had one twat say to me 'what's this crap playing then? Don't they have any garage?' Laugh, I almost nutted the **** there and then. I'll go with option 3. The security on the night (usually also supervised by Jo Wallace) are given strict instructions that only members or those on the guestlist can gain entry. The guests are all personally known by ourselves and are no trouble, so they are not an issue. All members have to do is send off for a card, that's it - therefore it is not possible to vet people any further. Again any problems can only be dealt with on the night. If it is clear that someone is in the wrong place and is misbehaving, tell me! and I can address it - if it's not reported what can I do??? The rest of the CSC team along with myself are all friendly people and very approachable, so please come over and tell one of us "Cash is more important than the soul"??? This I take as a personal insult and if you knew anything about me or knew me then you would know this not to be the case. On the night I personally turned away 10+ hopefulls for not having membership, and we close the door early so that the venue doesn't get too full, so where's the greed there? Unknown to the paying soulie we were hit with a price increase from the venue management at Christmas and have for two months already tightened our belts and accepted the loss from our own pockets, greedy? I think not. We offer as much as we can to the paying soulie - Website, regular mail out of flyers to 700+ members, free tapes, anniversary keyrings. these things all cost money, a lot of money! And for £5 for a London venue this is surely not too much to ask. We have lots more freebies and ideas that cost money, so even if a slight increase was needed to cover it in the future, we still wouldn't see any of it. I take great pride in the fact that I promote the Dome sheerly for the love of the scene, it's people and it's music, not for money. Ask anyone who knows me! Those saying otherwise are full of shit and should have the balls to talk to me and find out what I'm like before wrongly judging my character! I and many of my friends from all over the UK will not be attending the Dome again until this is sorted out. I'm not happy as I've always considered the club to be fantastic and a real credit to the scene. I urge Matt to sort it out for the next night B4 it's too late. Soulful Bob Soulfulbob@aol.com That's your choice Bob and it's sad to hear but please read what I have said above. Also think twice on your choice of words next time when judging someone who you clearly know nothing about. This night has a much younger age spread than any other but they 'are' a great crowd and well behaved. We must not deter new blood, but educate and encourage them: This is the future of the scene we are talking about. In future, as I've mentioned above I urge anyone with a complaint to see me on the night and I'll happily sort it out. Also I set up, months ago, a comments page on the web site where members can raise any issues. Alternativly pick up the phone, my number is on the flyer, always happy to chat about things. Please contact me with your views, I'm genuinly interested what people think on ths matter To sum up we're prepared to take the rough with the smooth, good reviews and bad reviews but please make complaints constructive (so we can address them properly) and not just an unnecessary personal attack. Regards Matt Jahans ok since both posts, both bob and matt have been back in touch, to cut a long story short and draw a line under this, bob has said that he wrote it straight after event, takes in what matt says and withdraws the cash comments, and end of day was trying to get point over that these non-soul fans spoilt their nite. Matt has said he will take steps to hopefully ensure problem doesn't occur again, and feels now his reply may have been a bit over the top, but the cash thing gave him the hump ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's the ones that bolted from the Flynny stable.........a right mish-mash mixed and blended together in a manner that Jamie Oliver would be proud of.....maybe?! 11.30 12.00 SIDNEY BARNES -I HURT ON THE OTHER SIDE -BLUE CAT FLUFFY FALANA -MY LITTLE COTTAGE (BY THE SEA) -ALPHA EDDIE CARLTON- IT WILL BE DONE -SWAN OZZ & THE SPERLINGS -CAN YOU QUALIFY -GOLDENWAY WADE & JAMIE -DON'T PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW -PALOMAR LITTLE DOOLEY- PITY FOR THE LONELY -KO KO INFORMERS -BABY SET ME FREE -BLACKJACK SOUL COMMUNICATERS -THOSE LONELY NIGHTS- FEE BEE BENNY SPELLMAN -THIS ONES FOR YOU MY LOVE -ALON SIDNEY BARNES -SAFETY ZONE -JOBETE ACETATE SEPTEMBER JONES -GIVE ME ALL OF YOUR LOVE -UNISSUED JIMMIE & ENTERTAINERS- NEW GIRL -TODDLIN TOWN 2.30 3.15 BENNY CURTIS -DIRTY HEARTS -RESIST SUPREMES -LOVE IS LIKE AN ITCHING IN MY HEART -MOTOWN COOKIE JACKSON -DO YOU STILL LOVE ME -PROGRESS FRAN OLIVER -SEARCHIN' FOR MY MAN -C/UP DON RAY -BORN A LOSER -R.C.A. TWO PEOPLE -STOP LEAVE ME HEART ALONE- REVUE HYTONES -BIGGER AND BETTER -ABET SPARKELS -TRY LOVE (JUST ONE MORE TIME) -OLD TOWN BOBBY REED -THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR LOVE- BELL SOUL INC. -MY PROPOSAL -COCONUT GROOVE TONY GALLA -IN LOVE - SWAN IVORYS -PLEASE STAY- DESPENZA CHANDLERS -YOUR LOVE MAKES ME LONELY -COL SOUL VALENTINOS -SWEETER THAN THE DAY BEFORE -CHESS CHARADES -THE KEY TO MY HAPPINESS -M.G.M. BENNY SPELLMAN -THIS ONES FOR YOU MY LOVE -ALON MONIQUE -IF YOU LOVE ME (SHOW ME)- MAURCI JOHNNY MAESTRO & CRESTS- I'M STEPPING OUT OF THE PICTURE- SCEPTER Was my turn to do the closing half hour, so a few more oldies than usual from me, and quite a few requests to be played.....kept the dancers happy, which is a major priority, naturally! David Irish Greg just passed on his plays so here you go Irish Greg - Sounds List Blenders - Your love has got me Down - Marvlus Little Ann - Long lanky daddy - kent 4 Tops - Lonely Lover - Unissued Fascinators - In other words - Bombay Bogus Chimes - I think you'll find - Champ Duke Baxter - Don't let it down - C/up (B.J Thomas) Sonatas - Going on down the road - Hot-Line Gerri Hall - Who can I run to - Hot-Line Flash Mc Kinley - I'll rescue you - Bombay Magnificent Men - I'll keep climbing - Capitol LP Willie & The Mighty Magnificents - Check it Baby - All-Platnum Rocky Gill & Bishops - its not the end - Tear-Drop Dee & flo - This & then - Dee Wolf Prod. Gene Toones - What more do you want - Simco Charles Sheffield - Its your Voo-doo working - Excello Judy freeman - Hold On - Unissued lp version Conquistadors - Can't stop lovin you - Act IV Larry Allen - Can't we talk it over - Green Dolphin Ree Flores - Look into my heart - M&H Jimmy Armstrong - I would believe it til I see it - Jet Set Brand new faces - Brand new faces - Lu-juna Curley Moore - You don't mean - Sansu

Tonys - Blackburn -Sat 03 Feb 01 Beginning of the month , a bit of cash in my pocket so thought time to get back on the road, over last few months have been hearing a fair bit about Tonys new format, and as this weekend the niter featured Irish Greg, Dave Flynn, and Carl f all from the capitol soul club as guest djs, seemed like a good excuse to leave Chatham town and get up to north west. Myself and Andy d met up with Julie g, who recently moved back up there, she had sorted it so that while we were having a quick brew at her house, a request was played on the local soul radio programe welcoming us to the north-west, nice touch or what! Bit of confusion for us over warm-ups as where we thought it was, it wasnt, no great shakes though. Nite itself, well crowd wise bit slow to start, there were a couple of events on earlier elsewhere, noticed that the amount of events to choose from up there is un-believable, though by 2 ish there was a fair few in. It was good to see there was about 20 to 30 of us who had made the trek up from the deepest south, and it was good to meet a fair few up-northers who have just known from email before, though found out later missed a few, such as Howard, should have clicked that the guy with a stack of soul up norths under his arm was him! Dj wise, missed some the early spots as doing the rounds, vague details of nite as memory allows, Carl f was on one of the early spots, followed by Greg, who delivered a fine set including sonatas- going down the road, judy freeman -ext version, duke browner cover, to name a few, then Terry Davis popped up with a great set, with stuff like soul sound, Johnnie Taylor- the blues and more, Dave Flynn followed with some of his current biggies, my proposal, Benny spellmans - this ones for you my love, his Fran Oliver cover - searchin for my man, greatest story ever told - Bernard Harper, then think Paul Baldwin took over starting off with some great r+b - have love will travel-Richard Berry and more, then onto some decent oldies. Had to leave round 6-ish as lift was ready to go Overall my view on it all, was had a great night out, good to get back up to the north west and see whats happening there, place wasnt packed but still had a great friendly atmosphere, with a great nite of great rare sounds, well worth the journey and will definitely get back up there again. Credit to Steve Thompson for making it all worthwhile, think Andy Rix is up on the next one in march so should be a cracker! Big thanks to Julie for looking after us, A great nite! mike h