Winnie :-)

First time I've visited this night, so there was that extra degree of anticipation, on my journey. I arranged to meet a friend (Toby Cole) at London Bridge station, this has to do with both my intense dislike of walking and the fact its nice to go somewhere new with someone you know. Due to some technical failure the train wasn't able to stop at the London Bridge, so I had to get off at the previous stop, Blackfriars. I rang Toby and top bloke that he is, he came and got me. Not the ideal start to a night, to put you in a good mood, but as we arrived at the venue I was back in good spirits. At the entrance we were met by Jo Wallace and Paul Thomas Peter, two of the co promoters and DJs, the third promoter Martin Thomson, was doing his first stint behind the decks. After a quick chat Toby and myself made our way downstairs where the festivities actually take place. The first thing that hit both of us was the immense heat, it's a compact venue, and considering the early time that we arrived (it was still only 8:30) was already filling up. This was particularly impressive for me, because I haven't been to a mid week venue (Thursday night) anywhere for years and wasn't sure what the attendance would be like. All I can say is I'm glad I started dancing early, because the small dance floor rapidly became packed. The dance floor by the way had thoughtfully already had talc placed on it, probably because us denizens of the older soul fraternity are getting increasingly forgetful. Now where was I. Something that has become increasingly obvious to me (and probably hasn't been overlooked by others) on my visits to soul events in London are the crowds that are attracted. Firstly, in general they are a much younger crowd and contrary to popular belief, very friendly. Secondly the dancers are "up for it" right from the first record, and usually once on the floor, don't leave it. Thirdly and most importantly in my opinion, they treat "classics" and unknown sounds with equal deference, there are no petty politics. For me, the scene has always been about dancing and hearing quality music, including new sounds, or rediscovered oldies, because without this content, the scene can't survive. I believe this ethic is more than provided for by the current London soul scene and These Old Shoes is no exception to the rule. T.O.S has a tremendous atmosphere, there are people who prefer R&B, some who prefer the classic 6Ts type sound, all are catered for, consequently the dancing never stops. I firmly believe that an "up for it crowd" will in turn create "up for it DJs" who will respond accordingly. I think the DJs recognised the potential of the evening very early tonight, as a result when I eventually left, I was one very satisfied customer. Some of the sounds played tonight: MARTIN THOMSON CHRISTINE KITTRELL- Call his name (KING) YVONNE GOMEZ- My man a go go (HAWAII) DOUG BANKS- I just kept on dancing (ARGO) THE LITTLE FOXES- So glad your love don't change (OKEH) NOLAN PORTER- If I could only be sure (ABC) THE CHARADES- You better believe it (HARLEM HIT PARADE) MARVIN GAYE- Change what you can (TAMLA) MIKE VICKERS- On the brink (UK COLUMBIA) BOBBY LEE TIMBERLAKE- You hurt me (MIRWOOD) FOUR TOPS- Wonderful baby (MOTOWN) ENCHANTMENTS- I'm in love with your daughter pt.1 (FARO) SHUFFLERS- Always be mine (CRACKERJACK) SHIRELLES - Too much of a good thing (SCEPTER) JACK MONTGOMERY - Dearly beloved (SCEPTER) CHARADES - The key to my happiness (MGM) MOUSIE AND THE TRAPS - How about you (TODDLIN' TOWN) TYN TYMES - Baby I love you (THE MUSIC BOX) BETTY EVERETT - Please love me (ONEDERFUL) MARVELOWS - Your little sister (ABC) CLIFF NOBLES - My love is getting stronger (ATLANTIC) JIMMY HUGHES - It ain't what you got (ATLANTIC) CHARLES SHEFFIELD - It's your voodoo working (EXCELLO) GINO - It's only a paper moon (GOLDEN CREST) BRILLIANT KORNERS - Three lonely guys (MODERN) HESITATIONS - I'm not built that way (KAPP) MIKE VICKERS - On the brink (UK COLUMBIA) LONNIE LESTER - You can't go (NUTONE) OTIS LEAVIL - Nobody (SMASH) PAUL THOMAS-PETER CONTOURS - Just A Little Misunderstanding - UK TAMLA EDWIN STARR - I Want My Baby Back - GORDY BRENDA HOLLOWAY - Reconsider - TEST VOLUMES - My Kind Of Girl - INFERNO DEMO JOCK MITCHELL - Not A Chance In A Million - IMPACT DEMO EMANUEL LASKY - Don't Lead Me On Baby - THELMA THE PROFILES - Take A Giant Step - GOLDIE ANITA HULMES AND THE ESSEX - What Did I Do - ROULETTE BETTY SWANN - Lonely Love - MONEY RINGLEADERS - Baby What Has Happened - M-PAC DARROW FLETCHER - What Have You Got Now - JACKLYN LORRAINE CHANDLER - Tell Me Your Mine - GIANT TEDDY RANDAZZO - You Don't Need A Heart - DCP ROY HAMILTON - The Panic is On - MGM PORGY AND THE MONARCHS - That's My Girl - SYLVES DEMO MAXINE BROWN - Let Me Give You My Loving - WAND JJ BARNES - Please Let Me In - RIC TIC HOWARD GUYTON - I watched You Slowly Slip Away - VERVE DEMO KIM WESTON - A Thrill A Moment - GORDY BABY WASHINGTON - It'll Never Be Over For Me - SUE MARVIN GAYE - Little Darling - TAMLA HAROLD MELVIN - Get Out - ROUTE! BENJI FRANKIE AND THE DAMIONS - Man from Soul - JCP DELLS - Thinking about you - CADET MELVIN ELLING - Lonely eyes - STRETCH DYNAMICS - I need your love - RCA FOUR PERFECTIONS - I'm not strong enough - PARTYTIME YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM - Of hopes, dreams and tombstones - COLUMBIA JOE DOUGLAS - Crazy things - PLAYHOUSE DANNY MOORE - Something new - ALLRITE TONY HESTOR - Just can't leave you - KARATE ARABIANS - Please take a chance - LE MANN CHUBBY AND THE TURNPIKES - I didn't try - CAPITOL RANDY HOBBS - Waiting and Watching - EMBER DANNY WHITE - Keep my woman home - ATLAS LARRY ALLEN - Can't we talk it over - GREEN DOLPHIN VALENTINOS - Sweeter than the day before - CHESS BOBBY HUTTON - Come see what's left of me - PHILIPS TOBI LARK - Challenge my love - TOPPER JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - Lovely you'll be - ATCO FREDDIE HOUSTON - If I had known - OLD TOWN TOYS - Deserted - FRENCH COLUMBIA LILIAN DUPREE - Hide and seek - D-TOWN CONSTELLATIONS - I didn't know how to - GEMINI STAR BOBBY SHEEN - Something new to do - WARNER BROS EARTHA KITT - There comes a time - MUSICOR MITTY COLLIER - Pain - CHESS DON RAY SAMPSON - Baby come back - E JIMMY RICKS - Oh what a feeling - FESTIVAL GEORGE FREEMAN - Down and out - VALIANT JO WALLACE. FALCONS - I'm a fool - BIG WHEEL EMMANUEL LASKY - Sweet lies - THELMA JUNIOR VAL & NICK - I found you - GLOVER BETTYE SWANN - Heartache is gone - ABET CURTIS GRIFFIN - I gotta lump - JEWEL GEORGE WYDELL - From out of nowhere - TANGERINE DOTTIE AND MILLIE - Nothing in this world - TOPPER BARBARA MERCER - Call on me - SIDRA YVONNE BAKER - Mend the torn pieces - JOHNNY MOORE - Lonely heart in the city - BLUE ROCK BOBBY ADAMS - You got next to me baby - PILMA DOTTIE AND MILLIE - Talking 'bout my baby - TOPPER EMMANUEL LASKY - Peace Loving man - THELMA SPINNERS - She's gonna love me at sundown - VIP VOLUMES - I just can't help myself - AMERICAN ARTS JIMMY PREACHER ELLIE - I'm gonna do it by myself - JEWEL BUD HARPER - Wherever you were - PEACOCK WILLIE KENDRICK - Gimme lots of loving - RCA MAGNIFICENT MEN - Forever Together - CAPITOL VONETTES - Touch my heart - COBBLESTONE ROSE BATISTE - I miss my baby - REVILOT Finally, it's not usually my practice to single out particular DJs but I just can't finish off without mentioning Jo Wallace. She really has an awesome persona (as well as some great tunes) and just demands that you dance, so you do. Jo so enjoys herself behind the decks, that you can't help but admire her and subsequently be inspired by her. Cheers to all for a great night at TOS and I've just listed you in my diary under the "Events I must visit frequently" column. KTF Winston. Next date for TOS. THURSDAY September 14th 2000 Guest DJ is: Alan H (Capitol Soul) Venue: The River Bar, Tower Bridge Road, London Nearest Tubes: Tower Hill or London Bridge