INDEPENDENT WOMAN

By Alison Holden

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I've finally managed to sit down at the PC and pull some reviews together. Poor Mike has been patiently nagging me for months but with the usual chaotic flourish, my home & business life have changed beyond recognition and I've had very little time to muse on my social life. We still managed to find time to attend venues though and the last couple of months of 2002 saw us revisit Desborough Ritz, Togetherness at Stoke, the Aquarius in Hednesford for a KTF get together, Sheridan's in Dewsbury and the wonderful Orwell in Wigan, probably the soul night most suited to my musical tastes. The Orwell has definitely been nominated my venue "du jour".


TSOP allnighter - Prestwich 2nd December

Since I last drafted the tales of my travels for Life & Soul, I have, almost completely by accident, found myself behind the wheels of steel. Promotor Lynne Davies had a flash of inspiration when a few of us girlies were sat having a chin wag at the last Togetherness, and decided to give the fairer sex an outing behind the decks. I had my first gig with a coupe of girlfriends, at the Prestwich Christmas all-nighter. Teaming up with Chrissie Fineron and Sue Crozier, we became The Desperettes. Nervous as hell but giddy with excitement, Chrissie's ender of Silvetti - Spring Rain had the three of us dancing and twirling up on the stage without a care in the world - thanks to Terry & Lynne Davies for having faith in us, and letting us loose on their punters, who very kindly stood on their chairs to give us a round of applause. It was real buzz.........we absolutely loved it and had the time of our lives. It was a wonderful opportunity to play our part at our beloved TSOP. Due to play Prestwich again soon alongside my partner John Nightingale, in the Modern room in May.
No miscues, although I did try speaking into the mike when it wasn't open !! Only boob I made I think, can't remember really, the time flew by so quickly. So many people came up to us afterwards to say how nice it was to see the DJ's ( still sounds weird ) enjoying themselves so much behind the decks. I began to feel a lot more confident about my forthcoming solo efforts in the next couple of weeks. John was a true calming spirit, putting up with my stressed out moodswings earlier in the day and buying me a bottle of Bollinger to chill me out. Thanks to Sue & Chrissie for being such good team mates and working so well together. I put together an excrutiatingly safe set in the end, well it was the warm up spot and I was petrified that we may have an empty dancefloor, and The Longfield Suite is a big space to fill.


Roadmender club in Northampton and Luton - The Polish Ex Serviceman's Club.


II had wanted to visit Paddy Gradys soul night in Northampton so we left it up to Janine to book a hotel. We usually stay in an inexpensive Travel Inn when doing the rounds of Soul nights but she had booked something seemingly more upmarket. Good god, it was an inexperience, Fawlty Towers for the DSS generation no less. We couldn’t wait to get out of there and away from the broken toilet seat and moulded fibreglass shower cubicle with mould on it ! Headed off to the Roadmender for a fleeting visit on our way to Luton. It seemed heavy on the Junior Walker and club soul in the main room, but there was a eclectic mix of allsorts in the second room where the bar was situated. One positive observation was that it wasn't teeming with traditional "soulies", lots of very enthusiastic youngsters throwing themselves around the dance floor and really getting down to the music. I find this quite refreshing personally although there are some who would no doubt sneer at the interlopers. New blood has to come from somewhere, particularly on the Northern scene which is so obviously retro. We then headed off Luton, not realising that it was about an hour away. Had a difference of opinion with Janine in the car - she wanted a soundtrack of oldies, we wanted to listen to what she calls disco! So we opted for punk instead and sang very badly all the way down the M1. We walk into the club and knock me down with a feather - we saw Elvis! Honestly, he is alive and drinking in the member's bar! He was a dead ringer, and tapping his foot in time to the music. Queenie then managed to do the most spectacular fall on the dance floor, taking two others down with her, creating an orgy of writhing soulies on the floor.


Off to London the next day to jump aboard the Soulcruise. We left in plenty of time but wrongly assumed that there wouldn’t be much traffic on a Sunday, arriving at Westminster Pier a mere 15 minutes late, we then had the task of finding a parking space. Nipped over the bridge and as we were running (well walking fast) back over the river, John said "Wouldn't it be a bummer if we saw the boat pulling away just as we get there". You don't have to be a genius to work out what happened next!


Saracens Christmas party - Cheltenham
Christmas was pretty special. I bought John the classic Sam Fletcher in a picture sleeve, and the superb Norwood Long - I'd Like To Have You. He returned the compliment with Timeless Legend's rarity - I Was Born To Love You. Three very different but much appreciated additions to the collection. Our Xmas party night was spent at the Saracens in Cheltenham; I think it was entertaining, but I have absolutely no memory of the event at all apart from suffering the Devil's own hangover for the next two days. I have a vague recollection of dancing in the "connoisseurs" room with no shoes on (bad move, broken glass underfoot). The main room guests were Kenny Burrell and Chris King, both who kept the party atmosphere and the floor going strong. What I like about the Saracens is that they continually keep providing name DJ's for an audience who don't get out & about to the venues often. In recent months they’ve also had Ginger Taylor and Terry Davies, but I do wish that they would be a bit more experimental with the sounds and the tempo in general. The punters at this soul night are pretty open minded, they're out to have a good time and dance - I've seen them embrace brand new plays with an enthusiastic response on the dance floor. Not every soul night has to be top heavy with oldies surely ? This isn't specifically a whinge at the Saracens, I experience this safety first factor almost everywhere I go on the Northern scene.


Still suffering from the excesses of Christmas and New Year, we made a last minute decision to head up to Blackpool for the inaugural Jazz FM/Hilton Weekend Soul Break. We'd done a lot of Northern lately and needed a fix of something more contemporary. Having blagged some tickets from a mate who wasn't able to go, we turned up in Blackpool ready to chill out to a selection of soul. As we had made our arrangements at the 11th hour, we unfortunately missed out on the premier accommodation on-site at the Hilton. Not a deal breaker as such, but the standard of our overspill hotel was definitely not the same, and popping my head into the SAGA holidays tea dance full of sweet little old dears decked out in their sequins each night made me giggle.

This five-room event turned out to be something pretty special, and definitely sets a benchmark for weekenders of the future. A grown up event for grown up people. The music was truly excellent, five rooms providing Nu-soul, "Tent" music (I love the way that expression has almost become a generic term), Soulful Dance, Rare Groove, Motown & a smattering of Northern, plus the added bonus of live performances. We mostly chilled in the Lounge, with a soundtrack of collectors gems. I was delighted to witness one of the most exotic pole dances ever seen, as London's Paul Clarke performed pornstar moves with mad abandon. Once seen, never forgotten! Some memorable spots too, notably Roger Williams, Terry Jones, Barry Maleedy and Soul Sam who does it for me everytime - that man can do no wrong, except make my wants list grow bigger each time I hear him spin. The verdict - a groundbreaking event and a must for modern soul fans.


We tried to take a rest throughout January although we found time to pop over to Nottingham to the Union Club. An exciting line up of DJ's included Andy Dyson, Ally Mayer, Kenny Burrell and the star of the show that night in my book, Keith Money (I like DJ's who sing and dance behind the decks). There was a smaller room upstairs playing The Rarest of the Rare that was really tremendous - definitely a venue that I will revisit


Onto the re-launched Rocket. We arrived in London ready to kick off the Connoisseurs Club warm up session only to find Ian and Gavin were still in the Korean restaurant down the road, so left to our own devices we kicked off with a mix of crossover & rare soul that wouldn’t play so well in the other rooms. Joined by Paul Clarke, Eddie Hubbard, and my other half, John Nightingale, we had an indulgent 3 hours spinning what the hell we liked. A respectable 50 in by the end of the session before we handed over for the allnighter. Great fun was had by all; try it - you may well like it. The main room was more intimate with the inclusion of the record bar upstairs, and the projection screen scanning record labels was a really smart idea. I don't know if the screen was intended for rude messages or saucy photographs but apparently it came in handy! I left poor John DJing in the Modern room, having wandered off to buy him a drink; two hours later he tracked me down. I had forgotten all about him - I must increase my intake of Vitamin B complex; the short-term memory is getting worse. We had been to the Orwell in Wigan the night before and my brain was paying the price for the travel hours and lack of sleep. Really had fun at the warm up, "just like going round to a mates house to play records" Eddie reckoned. Had a fair little crowd in by the end, definitely preferable to Spoofers, the sound was good, but we hadn't been provided with headphones so we were cuing up by sight. If you can hack the endurance test of a 12 hour session, I'd recommend that you get down there. Unfortunately they have decided to kill the Modern Room for future all nighters - and will replaced it with a Motown, Stax, Atlantic space.

This is what I played (in no particular order as John messed my box up).


Jeannie King - You got a good thing going - GA
Ulysses - Broken Hearted Man (John is adamant it sounds like Gerry & the
Pacemakers) Buddah
Ray Frazier - Your Eyes - Carriage Trade
Sonny Craver - I'm no fool - Teri De
George Hughley - Thats why I cry - Buddah
California Rock Choir - Whoever you are - Cyclone
Bessie Banks - Don't you worry baby the best is yet to come Pauline Shrivers
- Won't you come back home - O-pex
Richard Caiton - I see love girl in your eyes - Caiburt
Ed Summers - I can tell - Soya
Marion Love - Can't forget about you baby - Capitol
Bobby Wilburn - I'm a dreamer - Gamble
The Internationals - Beautiful Philosophy - D'ar
King Floyd - I'm gonna fall in love with you - Chimneyville
TSU Toronados - Please heart don't break - Rampart St

Minits - Still a part of me - MGM
Revealers - They had a party at the Watergate -Paramount
Rhonda Davies - Can you remember - Duke
Love Peace & Happiness - Strip me naked - RCA
Patrice Holloway - Stay with your own kind - Capitol
Othello Robinson - So in luv - Era
Serena Johnson - All work & no play - Big 2
Motown Spinners - It's a Shame  - TM

Yet another weekend where we zipped from one end of the country to the other. I had been asked by Dave Rivers to guest at his Escape Club. It's in a great space above a pub in Morden, South London - an enthusiastic crowd and a chance to catch up with Mike Ritson, Roger Stewart and Dave Burton who was over from Kuala Lumpur, spinning tales of Soul Nights run in the Far East attended by ladyboys and bar girls doing interesting things with ping pong balls. Onto Yorkshire for Hitsville @ Sheridans the next night, arriving pretty late so my spot was moved to 4am. I shouldn't have worried because the Sherries crowd are always happy to dance into themselves silly until at least an hour after the club should officially close. Dave Moore was over from the USA, and cracked me up as he dived off the stage to dance to his own records. Nice to see Kym Fuller also from the States - she spent the night either dancing or scribbling details of records furiously on a notepad.

Playlist - Hitsville @ Sheridans on Saturday
Sonny Craver - I'm no fool - Teri-De
Sam Fletcher - I'd think it over - Tollie
The Exits - You gotta have money - Gemini
Theo Coff Invasion - Lucky Day -  Dearborn
Marlena Shaw - Lets Wade in the Water - Cadet
George Hughley - That's why I cry - Buddah
The Minits - Still a Part of me - MGM
Rhonda Davis - Can you remember - Duke
Ruby Andrews - Just Loving You - Zodiac
Nolan Porter - If I could only be sure - ABC
Denise Lasalle - The Right Track - Parka (this caused a lot of interest,
everyone wanted to know who it was, great version !)
Brothers of Soul - I'd be grateful - Boo
A Brothers Guiding Light - Getting Together - Mecury
Bobby Sheen - Something new to do - WB
Jacky Beavers - Trying to get back to you girl - Dade
Bull - Bygones - Bell
Norwood Long - I'd like to have you - Groovey Grooves
Jackie Lee - Oh my darling - Mirwood
Harold Melvin - Get Out - Landa
Maxine Brown - One in a million - Wand
Maxine Brown - Let me give you my lovin' - Wand
Othello Robinson - So in luv - Era
Barbara McNair - You're gonna love my baby - Motown
Jeannie King - You've got a good thing going - GA
California Rock Choir - Whover you are - Cyclone
Florence Miller - The Groove that I'm in - P & P
(these two which aren't that well know went down really well, dead chuffed
about that !)
Bobby Hutton - Come see whats left of me - Phillips




Not the busiest night, possibly due to the clash with Keele, and the pre Christmas excesses, but the dancers were enthusiastic in the main room and
there was a small bunch of diehards, Mr Click, Janine etc, to keep us amused.

I really like Sheridans as a venue, it's a good size, easily accessable, cheap bar etc...and I can't get my head around the fact that its not as busy as it should be....Chris & Rodz really deserve to have the support.

Chris King was kind enough to give me two spots (I sweet talked him !!) so I did an hour in the Northern Room, then a bit of a freeform set for a lot longer in the front room (love that head nodders room, anything goes). Playlist below for anyone thats interested.
Northern Room 1.30 - 2.30

Candi Staton - Now you've got the upper hand - Unity
Jackie Lee - Oh my darling - Mirwood
Ernest Mosely - Stubborn Heart - La Cindy
Chuck Jackson - I only get this feeling - ABC
Linda Jones - Just can't live my life - WB
Valentines - Breakaway - Sound Stage
Sam Fletcher - I'd think it over - Tollie
Maxine Brown - One in a million - Wand
Exits - Gotta have money - Gemini
Babrbara McNair - You're gonna love my baby - Motown
Wade Flemons - The other place - VJ
Othello Robinson - So in luv - Era
Troy Keyes - If I had my way - VMP
Barbara English - You got me sitting in a corner - Aurora
Ruby Andrews - Just loving you - Zodiac
Bobby Sheen - Something new to do - WB
Ujima - I'm not ready - Epic
Linda Jones - My heart needs a break - Loma
Earl Jackson - Soul Self Satisfaction - ABC
Len Jewell - All my good lovin - Pzazz
Jean Carter - Like One - Decca
Voices of East Harlem - Cashing In - Just sunshine
Nolan Porter - If I could only be sure - ABC

Front Room  4.30 - 6 ish (John described this as my Ian Levine length spot)

Eugene Record - Overdose of Joy - WB
The Fabulous Kays - It's too late - Jardin
Vernon Burch - Frame of mind - UA
Jackson Sisters - I believe in miracles - Prophesy
Skyliners - Our day is here - Drive (this must go massive)
Mark IV - Signs of a dying love - OTB
Florence Miller - The groove I'm in - P&P (everyone that hears it loves it)
Darrow Fletcher - It's no mistake - Crossover
Checkmates Ltd - All alone by the telephone - Polydor
Ed Summers - I can tell - Soya
Dorothy Morrison - I can't go without you - Brown Door
Mandrill - My kind of girl - Arista
The Revealers - Party at the Watergate - Paramount
Basic Black & Pearl - There'll come a time, there'll come a day - Polydor
Bobby Shannon - You're an uplift - To-mar
Oscar Perry - He sent me you - Mercury
David Morris - Midnight Lady - Buddah
The Newcomers - The Whole world is a picture show - Truth
The Minits - Still a part of me - MGM
Peggy Gaines - When the boy that you love - Kent (100 club anniversary single)
Margie Joseph - One more chance - Volt
Betty Lavette - You'll wake up wiser - Atco
Dee Dee Warwick - Where is that rainbow - Mercury
Jackie Moore - Clean up your own yard - Atlantic
Calafornia Rock Choir - Whoever you are - Cyclone
Reggie Sadler Revue - So long sweet little girl - Delite
Love Peace & Happiness - Strip Me Naked - RCA
Billy Cole - Extra Careful - Power Exchange
Beverley Hills - I don't care anymore - Airplay
Gloria Scott - What am I gonna do - Casablanca
James Walsh - Cuz it's you girl - RCA
Gloria Gaynor - This Love Affair - Polydor
Moses Smith - Keep on Striving - Cottillion
Marvin Gaye - Come get to this - Tamla

Thanks to Chris K for giving me the opportunity to play my records & watch people enjoy them & dance to them (feels so weird !) and for asking me to do

Hitsville on a regular basis basis in 2003.

Alison

My humble playlist from Soul on Wax on Saturday

Bill Withers - Harlem - Sussex (Julian liked this one !)
California Rock Choir - Wherever you are - Cyclone
Florence Miller - The Groove I'm in - P & P
The Minits - Still a part of me - MGM
The Voice Masters - If a woman catches a fool - Bamboo
Mark IV - Signs of a dying love (part1)  - OTB
Skyliners - Our day is here - Drive
The Girls - The hurts still here - Memphis
Four Wonders - Just looking for my love - Solid Foundation
Continental Showstoppers - Not too young - 77
Eddie Kendricks - Date with the rain - Tamla
Gloria Scott - What am I gonna do - Casablanca
Darrow Fletcher - It's no mistake - Crossover
Ed Summers - I can tell - Soya
Bull - Bygones - Bell
The Revealers - They had a party at the Watergate - Paramount
The Topics - Booking up baby - Mercury

Bretby 28th September
Went to the Bretby All-nighter for the first time accompanied by my dancing partner & fellow Gloucestershire soulie, Sue Crozier. We met up with some of the KTF crew there, Col & Gaye Kidson, Nige Brown and Andy Humberston. Peculiar venue, the Country Club seems tailor made for a small all-nighter but I had a funny feeling that I was a guest at a birthday party for the first couple of hours. Well attended & well lit record bar ( bugger, that's what happened to that £80 ) a newly re-opened modern room for me to jig about in, bar stayed open REALLY late (I appreciated that seeing as I wasn't driving). Quite refreshing to go somewhere and not hear so many oldies (there were some, but only during certain spots, and not too many of them)
Arthur Fenn did a blinding spot, very eclectic. There was a female DJ on when we arrived (Lianne, Scottish ???) who was playing R & B, not really my favourite genre, but it was danceable stuff and seemed well suited to an early spot.
I'll give it another try in a few months, a pretty decent night out. Depends on what it clashes with.
Alison
TSOP Prestwich 4th October
It was a fleeting visit to Prestwich this time, en route to Fleetwood for the Togetherness weekender. Left Cheltenham about 4 hours later than usual and received a phone call on the way asking me to pick a mate of mine up from Bradford. It's not exactly on the way, but I was running so late so I thought "what the hell". We finally hit the Longford Suite about 11.30, and surprise surprise, the place was jumping ! I'd expected a mighty drop in numbers with Fleetwood being on, and I know that Lynne & Terry Davies were really delighted that so many of the Prestwich faithful has put in an appearance. There was no way I would miss Prestwich, a decent holiday or major surgery may prevent me from attending one day, but it really has become the first Friday of the month ritual. The atmosphere was just as good as usual, and a fair few regular faces around. The modern room was down on numbers, many people had given it a miss and headed straight over to the Cala Gran. Finally managed to tear Janine & Kegsy away, but not until almost every punter had left, and hit the road ready to really get the hedonistic rolling.
Alison
Togetherness Weekender - Cala Gran, Fleetwood. 4th - 6th October
Where to begin...there's so much to take in at a weekender and to be honest, I think it takes a while to settle in, catch up with all your mates, find out who is DJing in which room, so the Friday night was a bit messy for our crew. We weren't staying on site, having only made the final decision to attend after all the accomodation was sold out. Never mind, we found a hotel only 10 minutes away and booked in for just the Saturday night. Who needs a hotel room when you are up for dancing and socialising all weekend. We didn't get in the place until about 4am, missed Phillip Mitchell in the Northern Room (big mistake !!) We drifted around trying to find people we knew but it's so vast a venue, and we found friends scattered in all three rooms then it's hugs & kisses all round. Its not easy when you travel in a pack to find a bolthole that suits all of you, Janine is a 60's baby and preferred the music in the Northern Room, whereas I prefer Crossover and the vibe in the Modern Room was superb (as well as being easier to get served at the bar). So that first night was spent shuffling from one place to another. We then realised that the allnighter finished at 7.00am....we weren't able to book into our hotel room until lunchtime, but friendly folk were offering us santuary in their caravans left right & centre. The unlucky fellow that we descended on was Pete French, who had actually disappeared and gone to bed about 5am, only to have us knock him up at 7.30 demanding tea (Kegsy) vodka (me) and the unmentionable (Janine). Pete kindly played host until I rang the hotel & managed to persuade them to let us check in early. We headed off to the North Euston, a Victorian monstrosity of epic proportions. 3 showers, change of clothes and we were back down to the Cala Gran for the afternoon entertainment. The best chill out room was definately the area adjascent to the record dealers in the Modern Room, a nice place to talk with easy on the ear tunes in the background. Nipped off for a few hours rest then back again for the Final allnighter on the Saturday. Missed Peggy Blu but caught some of Tashan (seen him before). We were really getting into the swing at this point, and I was desperate to spend some time in the Collectors/Connoisseurs/Crossover room. This was undoubtably the musical highlight for me. Almost every tune played is one that I want, one of the treasures I have bought, or one that I will now happily sell my left kidney for. So up my street it was untrue, if only other venues offered this facility I could die happy. I missed most of JJ Barnes performance in order to be in my Crossover heaven, but we caught the final 2 numbers (quote of the weekend from Snowflake was "Who's JJ Barnes")
We were almost up with the larks on Sunday (well in soulie terms - about 10am) and we wandered off in search of tea & newspapers (and a fruitless search for Bananas and Slimfast...Janine swears by it, says it offers all the nutrients she needs !!) As we were checking out, who should we spy in the lobby but Prince Phillip Mitchell. My hero ! Slunk up to him & introduced ourselves, tried not to be too sycophantic but he was just so cool, I am sure that I was like a star struck teenager. I only just managed to stop myself singing Top of The Line to him in public !! We thanked him for the music, then headed off to Frenchies caravan to invite him to the pub with us, and ended up drinking the contents of his fridge. Got ourselves nicely juiced up & then over to the venue where firstly we listened to the Prince (our mate Phil) rehearsing, then off to the Main Room where we plonked ourselves down with a few mates from the ANS list for Ian Levines Mecca spot. Ian played a blinder, the first spot on the Sunday afternoon and he crowd received it very well. My kind of music admittedly, so I danced my socks off, not easy when Ian was conducting a one way conversation with me from the stage, over the microphone, shouting " Wheres my Foie Gras Empress ". Hmmm, the look on my mates faces, I'm not going to live that one down in a hurry. The rest of the day was superb, but just as you settle into a decent routine at a weekender it's time to go. We watched (as best we could - it was packed) Phillip Mitchells second performance, in the Modern Room this time, which was truly awesome.....he's not only recorded but written & arranged some of the best soul music out there - I call it the soundtrack to my life. Corny, but my music means that much to me. We chilled for a few hours, talked records, taking in the final afternoon spot (Bob Hinsley I think) and then around 7 I had to drive Kevin back to Yorkshire (dump him at a train station was the general consensus from the others) I was in two minds whether to return, or just hit the M6 and head home, but that is not the true spirit of a soulie, so back to Cala Gran by 10 pm for the final hours and the Farewell to Fleetwood party. Janine was so pleased to see me, she thought I had cut & run, and that last few hours were a great crack (looking at the photograohs we were not in a fit state to be driving cars, but thats another story) We basically sprawled on the floor outside the disabled toilets and laughed at absolutely everything. The weekend was made truly brilliant by my lovely friend, the darling but wicked Snowflake (told everyone that Kevin & I were her Mum & Dad and behaved like a spoilt brat) No one in the world makes me laugh as much as she does and infuriates me so much as well. Time to go home, and a few coffee stops on the way, I arrived back at my pub to find myself locked out. I had rung my chap at midnight and asked him to hide a key, but he was a tad worse for wear and had forgotten, so at 5.30 in the morning I am climbing up walls and onto flat roofs in 4 inch heels, then throwing bits of gravel through the cat flap !!
No wonder I still feel 16 :-)
Can't wait for the next one, I shall be more selfish & spend as much time in the rooms I want to hear MY music in next time...the oldies thing holds less and less appeal for me these days, and the atmosphere in the other rooms is really happening. I didn't buy any records (except some up that I had ordered earlier in the week) as J & K were like bodyguards and refused to let me spend my money ! Most enjoyable spots of the weekend were Colin Curtis, Modern Room - Saturday night, Soul Sam & Dean Johnson, Connoisseurs Room - Sat night, Ian Levine, Main Room -Sunday afternoon, Bob Hinsley, Modern Room - Sunday afternoon, and Terry Davies' wonderfully retro spot on Sunday night - Main Room - thats not to say the others weren't brilliant, and you can't be everywhere in a site the size of Cala Gran, but they were the stand out ones for me. Its taken me 4 days to recover and be able to write this review....I must have had a good time !
Alison

King Georges Hall, Blackburn & Keele Allnighter 21st September

Janine arrived at lunchtime clutching the usual bottle of Bollinger. I was supposed to be working but we were pretty quiet on Saturday afternoon so we just got tipsy instead. Met up with the manly Mr Hanson at Hilton Park, bundled into one car instead of two, then rushed off to Stoke to collect Colin Curtis & his records en route to Blackburn.

Blackburn was a new one for me, I hadn't been to one of those do's at King Georges Hall before. The place is massive and I gave my legs a fair old workout racing up and down the numerous flights of stairs between the Jazz Funk, Modern & Northern Rooms. Have to say I loved Colins JF room spot, wish it had been longer but the live act (Beverlei Brown) was on for bloomin' ages, well over an hour. She was pretty good, although not my cup of tea. Live act over & done with, I danced my socks off to those standard clubby classics, Roy Ayers -Running Away, The Whispers - The beat goes on, Maze - I can tell by the look in your eyes also Joy & Pain (live version) Archie Bell & the Drells - Don't let love get you down (a personal fave), Mary Jane Girls - All night long, Marvin - I want you, New York City - I'm doing Fine Now, Evelyn Champagne King - Shame etc. Not at all what I went out expecting, but I had a good time on the floor so what the hell.

I barely ventured into the Northern room...the classic oldies scene just isn't my thing, but the vast venue was packed, the dance floor rammed and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. We hid backstage in a little dressing room and gossiped instead, with Terry Davies trying to keep one ear on the tunes being played so as not to repeat them in his second spot..this was made rather difficult by the pianist  of Beverlei Browns backing band warming up by playing classical music for what seemed like an hour. Most distracting.

Headed south at the end of Blackburn onto the revived Keele allnighter where a crowd of mates had already been for hours. Not particularly awake at this point,  but agree that Keele was most enjoyable (even though we missed out on the champagne, not arriving until shortly before 5am !!) managed to pass congratulations onto the birthday girl & the bride to be though, so mission accomplished, thats why we went to Keele in the first place. Found the usual posse signposted by helium balloons to mark our mate Chrissie Finerons 50th vbirthday and Sue Raines' (over from the Isle of Man) engagement. Plonked myself down in the record bar in between Dave Evison & Tony Warot, and didn't move until the end....usual story. Janine had completely lost the plot by this point, she was wearing lollipop wrappers as earrings and an empty coffee cup on her head. I tried hiding from her behind a massive record box but it didn't work.

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and much of the music at Keele, reminded me a bit of that night at Worcester the other week, dance floor still packed at the end of the night, everyone very up for it.
One observation was that Janine & I knew only a handful of folks (with the exception of the DJ's) at Blackburn, didn't seem to be the normal soulie crew. We get out and about a fair bit and just didn't recognise many faces in the crowd, whereas the minute we walked into Keele, we seemed to know half of the people there.

All in all a good night out, completely wasted now (had to work all day as soon as I got back) Highlights of the night were getting down to those disco bunny tunes at Blackburn, the absolutely surreal conversations between Janine, Colin, Jeremy & I in the car, and Jeremy Hansons driving (nerve wracking to say the least) It was a pleasure to chew the fat with Colin Curtis too, he was always my favourite DJ in the old days of the Mecca, and later on the Jazz Funk scene at Manchester Ritz. Just very interesting to talk to someone who has moved on from Northern Soul, and chooses not to be wheeled out to do a retro spot of past glories.

Many thanks to both Kev Roberts for a slick night out & congratulations on a sell out event, and Keith for reviving Keele.
Alison

P.S. We all sang an interesting medley of Barbara Pennington, Evelyn Thomas & LJ Johnson on the way home in honour of Mr. Levine.

Saracens - Cheltenham 13th September

Only just beginning to feel vaguely human. Well the Saracens never lets me down - it's always without fail a packer, and full of old mates. Had a surprise phone call from Janine at tea time saying that she & her blokey were on their way up to Cheltenham so that was an added bonus having my partner in crime around to play with. I'm not a massive oldies fan, and the Sarries is a 75% oldies venue but every time I sat down something special came on & I just had to hit the dance floor.
Nice to see Steve Whittle again, we were mates in the old days & we had a good chin wag. Frenchie played his new Flame N King cover up (I know what it is cos I've got a copy) and it went down really well. Nicest touch of the evening was when it finished, lights were on, and Neil stuck "Get Out" on and everyone just flooded back onto the floor with their coats on !! Big crowd, lots of travellers, including Tony Ellis up from London, Nick Brown too)

Top night, got a bit tiddly & dragged a few back to the house in town for some after hours entertainment, eventually crawling in a 5am ! Bought a handful of records too, I'm not even safe from my addiction at my local soul do - I need therapy ! My ex husband has a theory...that the compulsory purchasing of music is just another excuse for me to shop !!! Sounds about right.
Don't know if I can face the trip to Yorkshire tonight for Sherrys, have to see how I pull together later on.

TSOP Prestwich 6th September & Desborough 7th September

Just crawled in from a superb weekend full to the brim of laughs, dancing, soul & friends. This, for me, is what it's all about.
Kicked off yesterday afternoon with that nightmare drive to Prestwich (whatever time I leave the godawful M5/M6 merge adds an hour onto my journey) Arrived at exactly with Martyn & Sue who had left the same county a good hour & a half before me. Prestwich is always a great night out and such a good crack, though I can't ever understand why I wake up feeling like death the next day (especially as I wasn't drinking Stella !!) & we always check out of the hotel an hour later than we should. Janine is usually still asleep at kick out time ! Didn't make a note of the playlists on this night I'm afraid, but I do know that I didn't pick up on any new sounds.I still love this venue though, it is slickly run by Terry & Lynne Davies, features great DJ's, marvellous crowd there, and it caters for the "middle ground" very well with the mix of classic tunes, indemanders and a nice vibe in the modern room.Back to Cheltenham, Janine in tow, chilled out with newspapers & cups of teas, then hid at my mates cottage so I didn't get asked to do any work (watched Pop Rivals...hilarious !!) Snuck out of the pub, without telling the bloke where I was going (the grown up version of shinning down the drainpipe) and hit Desborough about 11.30pm.

Only decided at lunchtime to do Desborough....we thought about Lawnswood and Frobishers but the thought of the long trek back from Yorkshire in the early hours killed those plans stone dead. I'd never been to Desborough Ritz...and the place blew me away. We had been tempted into going by Ginger the night before. One of those soul nights with all the atmosphere of an excellent allnighter, packed out too. Loads of folk there who I wasn't expecting to
Musically, really refreshing. I LOVED Soul Sam's spot, bought a handful of records, dragged Queenie kicking & screaming up to the Modern & Crossover room....fabby night out. Got to do that place again, I really liked it. Highlight was bopping away to Marvin Gayes - Come get to this…I never in a million years thought that would be played in a Northern Room, but it went down a storm. Heard tunes that were new to me in the Modern Room, scribbled titles down on the back of a packet of Marlboro Lights, which I promptly threw away when empty. Doh !

(think I have used up all my brownie points stored in the bank, how am I going to get away with the Saracens & Sherdians next week ?)

The Marrs Bar All-nighter -Worcester 17th August

I can't remember dancing so much in years. I must have danced for 4 or 5 hours!!! What a fantastic night!!! Took me completely by surprise in one way, I knew we'd have a laugh as there were a handful of mates there from the ANS & KTF internet lists, and a few of us had met up for a meal first so we were suitably excited, although none of us knew what to expect from this new venue..... but considering I knew maybe only 20 people at the Marrs Bar, I had one of the best nights out in ages.

The venue is a small, intimate little club (capacity 250 I believe) in the centre of Worcester; used for music nights, live bands etc. There's another room upstairs which was used as the record bar, but it overlooks the main room with a little caged-in balcony, so you can be part of the action & hear the sounds at all times. Only negative about the record bar was it was pretty dark, not really well lit enough for flicking through boxes, that didn't stop me from parting with £170 though :-( Theres another little chill out area in the corridor upstairs, with lots of comfy sofas, and masses of seating everywhere. A decent sized bar downstairs, which served 'til 2, then stayed open all night for non-alcoholic drinks. No fuss about pints of iced water free of charge either. I'd hazard a guess that they had about 175-200 in, and the majority stayed the course.

The main reason that this night was so brilliant was the music, a real melting pot, a kind of party atmosphere out on the floor, punters unaffected by politics or trends gave it their all to big oldies, rarities, new plays, modern, R&B, storming Northern, Classic soul and the indefinable. They didn't give a damn whether they knew a record or not, whether it was an indemander, they just DANCED…to everything….all the time !. A DJ's dream night I suppose. It was a sight to behold, the dance floor NEVER cleared, just filled up to capacity when a real CHOON got played. We arrived around midnight, settled ourselves in the record bar and the lure of the dance floor proved too much almost immediately. Mr Click & I got a few pictures under our belts before the invasion of the drowned rats (I was soaked to the skin within half an hour - it was like a sauna, 100 Club stylee) and I was nicely warmed up and had adapted my feet to the slightly sticky dance floor by the time that Ian Levine came on. He played a really mixed bag, including a very surprising Chris Montez - The more I see you, and the crowd went mad for it ! Kitch, but it worked. I lost myself on the dance floor to Bull - Bygones (and then got to actually hold it, sad case that I am, but it's SO RARE, I just needed to touch it) Other stand out tracks for me, not necessarily the best but what stood out as special moments (short term memory problems here) Dave Rimmer - Come see what's left of me, almost makes me cry when I hear it. Mark Freeman - Blinding set (played Headin' West for me too !), and Nige Browns set at the end was just superb. Started off on a 70's vibe, then later he dedicated the Volcanoes- Laws of love to me, one of my all time favourites and getting played out a lot again lately (usually for me !)

Honestly one of the best all-nighters I've been to in ages. It just had that little bit of magic, favourite for me was Nige Browns spot (he gets better & better)...it was awesome...he played the ender (Timi Yuro) and everyone just started clapping, cheering and calling out for more, so we got 2 extra numbers and everyone was still dancing away with massive grins on their faces. Nige read the mood of the punters perfectly and after his ender, he obliged with a couple of crowd pleasers, Angie Stone ("I can't believe I'm playing a pop record", he said!) and Prince Phillip Mitchell - I'm so happy...a real upbeat end to a fabulous night. Every DJ had a rousing round of clapping at the end of their spots, the punters were even cheering! Many plays were routinely applauded for their choice of tunes, as is the way these days.

Highlights were, 60's loving Gaye Kidson gittin' down to a modern track or five, my fave track of the moment being played (Pure Soul Band - Headin' West - MAM) Niges' end spot (he's my favourite DJ at the moment) Janine in her Charlie's Angels outfit doing her little mod dance to Dottie & Millie, then talking Dave Rimmers ears off 'til it looked like his head was gonna explode. Matt Males rather fetching dragon shirt. Gaye, Mark Freeman & I sitting on stools for the final spot, looking like contestants in Blind Date.
Still buzzin' from this one, a really memorable evening. We were hanging around outside afterwards in little groups, just like we used to when we were 16 & couldn't face going home.
Still smiling like a village idiot now :-)

My memorable plays of the night of the plays of the night were Wind - Groovin with Mr Bloe, Original - Suspicion (transported back to Stafford), Mandrill - Too Late (an all time fave), Pure Soul Band - Headin West (my big want at the moment) all played by Mark Freeman. Pick of the Levine tunes were The Constellations - I don't know about you & Patrice Holloway - Stolen Hours (I just adore her voice). Dave Rimmer gave me plenty to dance to including Patience Valentine - If you don't come, Frank Dell - He broke your game wide open, Andrea Henry, I need you (like a baby, and the wonderful Johnny Mae Matthews - I have no choice. However, my fave spot of the night was Nige Browns final hour between 5 - 6 am. Clarence Carter - Messin with my mind, Sam Dees - Lonely for you baby, Volcanoes, as mentioned before, the wonderfully Wiganny Robert John, Raindrops Love & Sunshine (sent me into retro paradise), Clydene Jackson - I need your love (so yummy).

Can't wait for the next one.

TSOP 3rd Anniversary all-nighter 2nd August Prestwich

Only just now capable of writing a few words about Prestwich 3rd Anniversary all-nighter. This one wiped me out for some reason (maybe the 10 pints had something to do with it!!)

I'm a bit of a lightweight at all-nighters these days, being a forty something I would rather attend a soul night. I don't mind the all night sessions, I think the atmosphere is as good if not better, but I like to leave early...but not this time:-) I mentioned to Snowflake that I wanted to head home at about 5am & she talked me into staying for the last hour and I am SO glad she did. That last hour I danced more (in the main room) than I had all night, had a brilliant laugh, scored a few tasty records and met up with an old mate that I hadn't seen for 20 years.

Starting at the beginning, I get up to Prestwich early evening, we had eventually secured a hotel room against all odds (Commonwealth Games you see), but that was a farce in itself. Can't get rooms, finding rooms, booking rooms, cancelling rooms, swapping rooms into someone else's name, paying for rooms, cancelling rooms again...who'd have thought all those years ago that we would need rooms for an all-nighter. Just like my comforts these days, and the pleasure of getting my head down for a few hours before a long drive home.

Janine wasn't arriving til 9-ish so Julian & Vandella had offered to pick me up from the hotel, as we were having a little drinkie at the bar, Snowflake rushes in having dressed herself, applied make up, styled hair etc in the car on the way from Kent!! Wonder woman if you ask me.

Down to the Longford Suite, greeting Lynne on the door then it's straight to the bar. Julian dumped us girls so we had a good gossip amongst ourselves, basing the team in the foyer so we could see folk arriving (and get a bit of modern into the bargain) then in rushes the giddy John Nightingale accompanied by Roger Williams.

I spent a fair bit of time in the modern room, although I was pretty tipsy by this point & therefore can't offer up anything resembling a play list, but Richard Searlings spot was excellent as was Colin Curtis. Gob smacked to hear Maze Joy & Pain played at an all-nighter! Love the record to pieces but it surprised the life out of me to hear it, and then wander into the Northern Room to hear Ralph Graham - She just sits there. Just illustrates what a wonderful melting pot of all genres of soul music this scene of ours has become, and much healthier for it.

Nige Brown (roped in for the final main room spot at the last minute I believe) continues to impress me every time I hear him DJ. If he plays an oldie, it's an in demand revival or something I haven't heard since the old days (Stranger In My Arms was my fave oldie that night), if he plays a slow tune, it's right for the mood of the dance floor, he plays stuff I've never heard that I immediately add to my wants list. I really think he's very intuitive in reading the floor - so there you are, I'm membership number one in the Nige Brown fan club. His ender of Come See Whats Left Of Me almost has me crying as I drag myself off the floor. That feeling of not wanting the night to end, love it :-)

Bought a few 70's tunes just before the final whistle blew, including the Dynamic Superiors - One-Nighter which has barely been off my turntable since I got home. Love going home with a fist full of vinyl, it makes my night :-)
Our usual crew of Sue & Martyn, Col & Gaye etc were conspicuous by their absence having decided to attend other do's this weekend. Chrissy Fineron was there, as was Gordy, didn't really see any others from the list. Met the charming Louis who gave us a lift back to the hotel at the end of the evening, good catch up with Dave Molloy who I hadn't seen in years. Can't think of much else really. still brain dead, had a headache since I woke up yesterday. I wonder why J

Stoke- Togetherness all-nighter 27th July by Alison

A short, speedy & simple seventy miles for me to get to Stoke on Trent. I had been gagging to get out of the door for hours but work commitments meant that we couldn't leave Cheltenham until midnight. I had the company of my partner in crime, Janine, so we were in a pretty good mood by the time we pulled up into the car Park outside the Kings Hall a little after 1am. Car park was packed, a pretty good sign, although these oldies nights to seem to bring out the hordes.

Our KTF& ANS crew had arrived much earlier and Sue Crozier & Gaye Kidson have made securing the best table an absolute art form (near the air conditioning & bar) so we had a decent base for our bags and drinks. First person I saw upon arrival was Pete Smith, which made my day because he was in possession of my recently purchased copy of the Jackson Sisters - I believe in Miracles on Prophecy.

The vibe hit us the minute we walked into the main hall. It’s a large traditional Assembly Rooms/Town Hall type of venue with high ceilings and a balcony. Large dance floor, which was packed with very enthusiastic dancers, plenty of seating (but there's never enough) and only niggle was there was the usual scrum at the bar (I got chastised for pushing in, survival of the fittest I say)

The atmosphere was kicking, the crowd were really up for it, and although I must admit that the first thing I noticed was the god awful sound. Very muffled & distorted - they tried to sort it out intermittently throughout the evening, but it was at least 3am before they got it sounding even halfway decent.

Music? Ah yes, an oldies night!! Well have to admit that it's not my idea of musical heaven. I know all the old arguments about them not been oldies to people new to the scene, but lets do some straight talking here, how many new people ARE there on the Northern scene? Certainly, the majority at Stoke were in their late 30's to late 40's. So lets accept do's like this for what it is, a nostalgia trip. Once you take that on board (you pays your money, you makes your choice etc) then go with the flow and open your heart to the old favourites, with some surprise inclusions. You WILL hear things you haven't heard for years, you WILL hear a NS standard that won't allow your feet to keep still as you hurl yourself onto the dance floor, and you WILL hear things that you are sick to the back teeth of. Simple as that. I can hear in demanders and new plays at the other venues that I attend. There's always a handful of old tunes that I cannot resist dancing too (Alexander Patten - A little loving sometimes, Linda Jones - Just can't live my life, any Mecca mid 70's number) and these were served up just as you would expect. We'd been racking our brains on the internet lists to come up with underplayed classics, my suggestion was The Volcanoes - Laws of Love, and Ian Levine dedicated it especially to me, bless him. Positioned myself bang in the middle of the floor and danced very happily to that one, probably THE record that kicked off my addiction to Northern Soul 28 years ago. Levine's spot went down a storm, even though he was fighting a battle with the sound system. Got to say, he looked as happy as Larry up there, with a consistently packed floor and a very nice selection of plays.

After a while, the same old, same old grates a bit, so that was the time to go a wandering & check out the record bar and the modern room. Record bar full of the usual suspects, but a good place for bumping into mates & having a chat without having to yell, "What did you say"! Kev Roberts gave me a copy of Chairmen of the Board - Bless Your Heart, just because he knows I love it. Aren't promoters nice!! Next stop, a bit of my beloved Modden. Christ almighty, that room was like a furnace - the heat just blasted you as you walked in. Now I know I'll probably not get to heaven, so it'll be Hellfire & the Devils Music for me when I pop my clogs, but even my passion for more contemporary tunes could not give me the incentive to stay in there …just tooooo hot I'm afraid, so nothing to report music wise on the Modern front. If you can't stand the heat etc etc.

I found the delightful Chris Lalor, all the way from Belgium for the night, and plonked myself at his table with his slightly mad companions who entertained me for the last couple of hours. By 5am, my dancing feet had all but given up on me, so we sat, told tales of the old days, sang loudly & badly, clapped (as us old 'uns do) in all the right places, and I was told marvellous tales of first plays at The Torch, loft discoveries, alternative vocals & the like by the Lalor entourage who have all got at least a good five years on me!!

I had a lot of mates all over the venue that night so I was always going to have a great evening, but there is something about the atmosphere generated at these big oldies nights; you get carried away with everyone's enthusiasm for the event. My friend Sue Raine had come all the way from the Isle of Man for the all-nighter, but I only saw her once, the place was so packed, so many soulies, so little time.

So in a nutshell, a fab evening, not marred by the music policy at all, great people, brilliant venue, I'll go again. Got the Prestwich all-nighter coming up next…stand by for more gibberish from the roving reporter.

TSOP - Prestwich review 5th July 2002

Yet another of my gossipy reviews, although I do try to keep on topic as much as possible. I just get side tracked because a soul night for me is a much a social occasion as it is about the music. Add to the mix the quantity of alcohol that is usually pumping around my system by the end of the night, I really am lucky to recall any information of interest to any of you at all.

Having spent over 3 hours in the car, getting more & more wound up by the nightmare traffic jams on the M5 & M6, I get to our hotel at just gone 8pm. The journey has been made more stressful by the fact that my helpful other half had programmed the radio to cut in with the travel news (& there's plenty of that on the M6) so I barely got to hear one tune I was playing in it's entirety. I wasn't expecting Snowflake for a couple of hours so it was a case of making myself beautiful, and heading over to the venue a mere 5 minutes walk away (no Janine, I didn't order a taxi as per your rather lazy suggestion !! ) The making myself beautiful proved impossible, so I settled for "that will have to do " and even that took a bit took a lot longer than expected. I walked into the venue at 9.30…..no queues, no lock out this time, but it's the third event for TSOP in the space of a month so I had expected numbers to be a little down. Also on that night was the Aquarius near Cannock, and a lot of the KTF were going there so our crew was always going to be less than usual.

Really wasn't too busy when I first walked in, found Martin & Sue along with Julian & Vandella, who had nabbed a table near the air conditioning & the bar. Dance floor was a bit sparse, but picked up quickly enough.

Greeted the Gloucestershire contingent which included Pete French (making his Prestwich debut on the decks) fellow KTF/ANS listees, Al Davison & Neil Self, as well as the darling man I was once married to, Budgie, who immediately stuck his hand down my bra for the first time in over 20 years (there was a good reason for that !) Quite proud of my local mob by the way - 5 car loads travelled 150 miles from Cheltenham just for a soul night. They were all pretty impressed with the place, Phil Taylor likened it to Porthcawl (anyone remember that venue - it was pretty good, lots of the Yate crowd) They were accompanied by the lovely Dave Olley, an all round good egg.

Musically, the earlier part of the evening seemed a little heavy on safe tunes but Prestwich is always a pretty good bet sounds wise, so I knew that I'd get at least a small serving of my beloved crossover (when Ginger was on at least.) Frenchies spot had the expected mega rarities. He kicked off with Soul Step, and in no particular order I recall Joey Delorenzo, The Nomads, Damon Fox, Jay Trayner, Billy Arnell, Al Williams. Half way through he chucked in a few 70's in-demanders, which fired the floor up. (Not that I'm biased towards that particular genre you understand). Terry Davies was absolutely bang on though - Otis Redding - Loving by the Pound has developed almost anthemic status at TSOP. I had meant to be conscientious in recalling specific tracks that were played, but was really too busy gossiping & dancing. Loved hearing Mr. Day - Soul on Wax played out too (I've got 10 copies coming this week). I asked Janine to help me remember (she who knows f*** all) and she said "too much disco" whereas my observation would have been "not enough disco"!!!!. This is where my partner in crime & I differ in our musical tastes. This is the girl who chastised me for playing the wonderful Alice Clark in my caravan at Cleggy (what's this s*** were her exact words). With me it's a case of "You can take the girl out of the Mecca, but you can't take the Mecca out of the girl". She actually stormed the stage when Ginger played Mark IV - If you can't tell me something good, a tune that I love to pieces. There I was, jigging alongside my dancing pal Sue…..in my happy place (ie. the dance floor) and Janine is on stage, telling Mr Taylor to get all this crap off. Don't really know what happen next, but records apparently became Frisbees J

Oblivious to the attempted coup by Snowflake (saviour of the 60's scene!!) I must say that I had a good night. Bit different from usual, some thought that there were a lot of new faces, and fewer of the usual crowd (possibly as a result of the Radio 2 allnighter) but I love this venue with a passion. And the fine company of Martyn & Sue, Carolyn, Julian, Wicksy, Kegsy, et al, made it just what I like best; a great evening out with mates, having a laugh, a few drinkies and good soul music. Stuck my head into the Modern Room a few times whilst I was loitering in the lobby, but I find the Modern Room at TSOP a bit too modern for me. Sounded more like Soulful Garage.

Met up with some faces from the past, Goldie (ex Aldershot now Mansfield) for one - we hadn't seen each other for 18 years. Grabbed Budgie to reunite them (Dave hadn't seen him since our wedding in 1980), spent 5 minutes harrassing poor Richard Searling along with the rest of the Cheltenham crowd, and we persuaded him to do a spot at our beloved local Saracens gig run by Neil & Frenchie. Grabbed Kegsy's ass again...my favourite sport since Cleethorpes. Gave Rob Wicks a run for his money on the dance floor. Posed in front of the camera in differing stages of drunkeness & dishevelment for Mr Click as the night progressed (thanks for the General Johnson CD babe) and generally had an all round good TSOP night. This venue has never let me down yet. Might not have been one of the busiest on Friday, but its always more than good enough. A regular night at Prestwich really equates to a brilliant night elsewhere - Terry & Lynne have created such very high standards.

As we were staying overnight, and it's always pretty hot there, I managed to consume far too many lagers and was a little tiddly when I finally went back to the hotel. Janine went to Tesco's, and developed a canny little shoplifting trick. Unable to be served with alcohol at 3 am she just wandered around the Spirits aisle, unscrewed the tops off the bottles and just drank whatever took her fancy there and then. We sat up talking with a small posse of stragglers until Janine climbed into bed wearing her pyjamas (at that point the visitors took their leave I hasten to add). Woken up at some ungodly hour by my son calling my mobile and asking for a lift to London as soon as I got back from Manchester. Stuff that, I put him on a train…..it was good enough for me when I was his age. The journey home was a dream, accompanied by a handful of tapes that I'd have shoved in my hand the night before (ain't soulies nice eh ?).

Roll on the next one when I believe we may have the pleasure of Newquays finest, my honorary brother John "who put the P in Funk" Nightingale.

Sandi Sheldon at The Rocket - Metropolitan Soul - London 29 June 2002

Review by Alison Holden and adapted and enhanced from an original postings on KTF and ANS websites .

REVIEW OF SANDI SHELDON @ THE ROCKET - LONDON 29TH JUNE 2002

I usually hit the computer within five minutes of being back home, but today I was too knackered. I have read a couple of other write-ups & concur with the disappointment in the low attendance at The Rocket last night, and heartily agree that Sandi Sheldon was absolutely excellent. What a shame that people stayed away - their loss!

In hindsight, I wouldn't have missed seeing her for the world, and personally I'm not big on live acts at all-nighters. But lets start at the beginning.

Got to London late afternoon to meet up with my best mate for some quality girly time. Another friend had lent me her flat for the weekend, in Kings Cross so ideally situated for the Rocket. This place is beautiful, one of those converted wharf side complexes, all wiggly walls & floor to ceiling glass. Janine arrived to join us with a bottle of Bollinger & a bottle of something sweet, fizzy & unmentionable. She preferred the latter, so I got the majority of a bottle of good champagne down my neck before we went out.

My mates got one of those quality sound systems - Bang & Olufsen. Well I use an ancient Technics kit at home & could I work out how to get the bloody thing to play? 'Course not. I finally worked out that I had to pull the headphones out of the socket but it took me about 15 minutes. Hell, I could never be a DJ :-)
Managed to find one CD out of about 300 that I was up for listening to (I won't mention that Janine dug out Saturday night fever, oops, I just did) so we were chilling out & listening to Dusty when we hear all this whooping & honking outside. Janine had not been near the window up to this point, the glass walls made her feel giddy, but she couldn't resist having a peek. Sailing up the canal was half a dozen people on a raft, wearing traffic cones on top of their head, grass skirts, playing bloody banjos & banging on homemade kettledrums!! Have to say it was a bit surreal.

We tried & failed to convince Lisa to come out with us, and hit Spoofers warm up at 9.45. My old mate Eddie Hubbard was on the decks and there was a nice little crowd already there, meeting up for a few beers and a gossip before the night ahead. Can't remember what Eddie played with the exception of Vernon Greene - Look at me, Look at me, as Janine & I were far too busy meeting everyone with the obligatory hugs, introductions & the gratefully received offer of drinks.

We kidnapped fellow KTFer Andy F & piled over the road just in time to catch Prodigal Pete's spot. Frenchie kicked off with the storming Elijah Rockin' With Soul, my bag was flung into a corner and that was me on the dance floor for the duration until he finished up his spot with the classic Al Williams - I Am Nothing, He played some great tunes (including the wonderful, wonderful Gene Toones) but there were very few in the main hall at this point. What a waste of an intuitive DJ with a brilliant play box who was making his return to The Rocket after a hiatus of a couple of months. Pete was followed by Rob Messer in a sombrero & a gaucho moustache and then the live act was due to come on about 12.30. But where was everybody? One of the DJ's came up to me, & he had done a headcount. About half an hour to go & probably no more than 150 people in the Main Room. For Christ's sake, Kendra Spotswood aka the legendary and iconic SANDI SHELDON was appearing!! You'd think that she might appeal to a lot of the people on the scene, even those that don't go out much these days. It did fill up a bit in the next half hour & I wouldn't like to hazard a guess at numbers, but it really wasn't busy at all.

I nipped downstairs to the Classic Soul (read Modern) Room & record bar for half an hour, saw a few people, including Soupie, Queen of Halifax, queuing up to still come in (I think some of the punters had been to Luton). But to be honest, when Sandi came on stage and everyone moved down to the front, the main room was only about a third full. This didn't detract in any way from the atmosphere & excitement created though. Apparently the sound towards the back of the room was poor, but in my prime position it was clear, loud and audible. The band warmed us up with a very tight rendition of Milton Wright's The Gallop and then this glamorous little lady with a huge smile came bounding onto the stage and launched into Touch My Heart (Vonettes with Sandi on vocals), and very, very good it was too. I positioned myself at the front on the steps to the stage and took a few snaps, but to hell with photographs, she had me singing & clapping and dancing immediately. Followed up with Nothing Worse Than Being Alone, then that familiar intro kicked in and she performed the song that we had all been waiting to hear - Your Gonna Make Me Love You. The crowd went mad for it, whooping and cheering and a lot of us hit the floor and danced to it, rather than just watching the performance. She finished off with Let Me Make You Happy (she had been one of the backing singers apparently) which I didn't think was as hot, but there again it's a different vocal so maybe it's just me having a preference for a male voice there. She performed Gonna Make Me as an encore and then she & Mattie Taylor, Van McCoy's sister, handed out roses to those of us at the front of the stage. She had tears in her eyes, and appeared genuinely grateful for the enthusiastic and warm welcome that she had received, and quite rightly deserved. Sandi apparently hadn't sang on stage for 35 years, but her vocals were marvellous….this lady really has got star quality. We were able to meet her as she signed CD's and postcards in the record bar (mind you, £10 for a CD with 4 tracks on it, and her manager wouldn't let her sign our ticket stubs, kerchink, kerchink $$$$$$) I had my picture taken with her & a pleasant chat. It's lovely to be able to meet these people & say thank you personally isn't it? Not that many of them left either. We have to take our chances when we can.

The rest of my night was actually VERY good. Ian Levine kept a reasonably busy dance floor with some very nice sounds - a mix of classy oldies & the big Levine numbers of the moment (I went a little bit loopy to the Pointer Sisters, makes me dance the way I used to.....shame I don't have the stamina for it these days). Janine & I laughed all night, at anything, everyone & everything. I even managed to drag her downstairs into the Modern Room on several occasions although she just stared at me with pity as I jigged around the floor. Mods in the Modern room, what next? The look on her face as I gave it some to the Jackson Sisters - I Believe In Miracles (homage to JC) was a picture. I like that little room downstairs - it always has a great vibe even when it's a bit quiet.

Record bar was quite buzzy; I managed to spend almost a ton & didn't even purchase any vinyl. I blame the charming Mike Ritson, who only has to smile at me and I part with the hard earned wedge. A quick natter with the usual suspects, and a chat with Kev Roberts about his fantastic new play, Chairmen of the Board - Bless Your Heart. Finally got to meet up with Chris Lalor, (all the way from Belgium to touch the hem of a Northern Soul icon's garment) who was chuffed to bits, as he had been chauffeur to Miss Sheldon and Mattie Taylor that day. Nice one Chris, bet that was a real memory in the making.

I headed back upstairs to the Northern room for that final fling around the floor, the ever-dependable Chris King was on the decks and the first half hour in particular was bang on. He gave us that Magnetics track that everyone has been raving about, although it was my first hearing and I have to say it didn't make a huge impact on me.

I always have a good time at The Rocket, largely because such great people go there. I can understand why the promoters are a little despondent about numbers but it's an absolutely huge venue to try & fill and I'm not sure that London is a convenient destination for a lot of people on the scene. You can only speak as you find, and I will continue to support the event because I feel very comfortable there.

A great night out, honestly not marred at all by the low attendance, did my usual disappearing trick just before 5am and was in bed within ten minutes in my plush & luxurious (borrowed) London apartment, which makes a nice change from daydreaming up the Westway, missing the turn off to Cheltenham on the M40 & getting flashed by the speed cameras. When I left for home this morning, I made up for it by doing two red lights!!

My driving skills aren't improving are they?

 

 

 

 

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