EVENTS

SUMMER SOUL GROOVE

BAR APOLLO, BORDEAUX

24 August 2001

The Bar Apollo is what is known as an 'ambience bar'. In other words it is mainly a drinking bar with music, although there is a dance floor.

The Bar has a reputation for playing 'black music' and the origins of the name are obvious. Bruno - the owner - has a large collection of CD's which I went through and it covers a wide spectrum of black music, although jazz probably predominates, and a lot of recent soul. Also there is quite a bit of Latin/ Salsa. The regular crowd therefore, whilst not there necessarily for dancing, are all pretty much into the music.

I played from 10 to 2 am. Before then there were a few people around waiting for the 'English DJ' and wondering what to expect. Bruno had done me some lovely flyers that were pasted all around the area in Central Bordeaux.

Bruno had expressed an interest in hearing some 'Northern' which he had heard of but did not know what to expect. As my playlist showed I covered this with tried and tested popular stuff.

The bar from about 11 was pretty full and everybody seemed to enjoy what was being played - and in this I had a totally free hand. The last 20 mins or so we had to cut the volume (the police stopped by! But I think it really was to do with the licensing laws of these ambience bars) and I played some slow and mellow things.

At the close the shutters went down and we literally had to boot people out!!!!! This is probably a reflection of what always happens but I like to think that it was down to what was being played!!!! A four-hour stint on your own is pretty hard going but with total freedom a good thing to do. As my playlist suggests most of what I played quite well known but it would have been pointless doing anything else. This was in every sense an educational visit - for me and hopefully for
the attendees, and the management.

We will undoubtedly do it again and maybe before next summer. Bruno has said he will help us organise some other events - we shall see how and if it all fits together. If you'll excuse some immodesty on my behalf - on leaving I asked Bruno what he thought of the music and he said simply 'superbe'.!!!!

PLAYLIST

Summer Soul Groove - Life and Soul - Bar Apollo - Bordeaux
24 August 2001

Mellow mellow me James Nelson
Home is where the heart is Bobby Womack
Move on Up Curtis Mayfield
I don't do this Sidney Joe Qualls
Something new to do Bobby Sheen
Lady in Red Ronnie Dyson
My Kind of Girl Mandrill
Kiss my love goodbye Bettye Swann
You're gone Celeste Hardie
Just lovin you Ruby Andrews
If I could only be sure Nolan Porter
Hitchhike to heartbreak road Bobo Mr Soul
Sweetest feeling Jackie Wilson
You didn't say a word Yvonne Baker
That beatin rhythm Richard Temple
Looking for you Garnet Mimms
Stormy Supremes
Nothing can stop me Gene Chandler
Sunny Marvin Gaye
Out on the floor Dobie Gray
Too Darn Soulful Morris Chestnut
Sweetest Feelin Erma Franklin
Do I love you Frank Wilson
Girl across the street Moses Smith
Soul Finger Barkays
I'm so lost Major Lance
Key to the world LJ Reynolds
Rising to the top Keni Burke
Treat her like a lady Temptations
Rumours Timex Social Club
Hey Love Stevie Wonder
How can I go on without you Corey Blake
Lonely Girl Sideshow
Sho' like groovin with you Johnny Bristol
Doing it right on time Bobby McClure
Let's do it again Lenny Dexter
Body Fusion Starvue
Total Satisfaction Dee Heron
Girlfriend Alfonzo Hunter
Just friends Musiq Soulchild
Rainy Night in Harlem Transitions
Hey Mr DJ Zhane
Don't you ever wonder Maxwell
Nights over Egypt Incognito
Never say never Woody Cunningham
Everyday Darwin Hobbs
It's alright Cooly's Hot Box
In the spirit Ann Nesby
Hold On Change is comin Sounds of Blackness
I'll Go Donell Jones
Uo and outta here R Kelly
Masquerade Toshi Kubuto
When you go Tommy Sims
Life and love Lamar Thomas
On and on Erykah Badu
Just like that Zhane
No more rain Angie Stone
Pieces of a man Gil Scott Heron
Whats wrong with you N'dambi
All about you D'Nessa
Soul Singer Ledisi
This is your day Phat Cat Players
Woman in me Carleen Anderson
Get Up Amel Larrieux
Chilling on the DL Karen Bernod

 

 

 

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