28th February - 3rd March, 2008

Two Days, Two Spots, Ten Miles, And a World Apart

It’s been a really busy weekend for me this time, DJ spots on the Friday and Saturday nights. Both of which were geographically only ten miles away from each other. So how did I clock up nearly three hundred and fifty miles over the weekend ?
Well, Friday I went up to Culcheth to DJ at The Soulful Shack, ‘Birthday Boys Special’. My parents still live in Culcheth, so it was a nice way to get to see them, celebrate my Birthday, and spin a few tunes.

The Soulful Shack is actually held in the British Legion (Which has been renamed The Phoenix Bar “Rave On”), and is run by Mike Hawkins and Steve Longworth (It was Mike’s Birthday this weekend as well.) Their music policy is quite clear: Quality 60’s Soul, R &B, and some Popcorn thrown into the mix as well. And the night certainly didn’t disappoint on that score.

The other two guests, Steve Crooks (Who was the third DJ celebrating a Birthday this weekend !!) and Bram Breeze, certainly started the night off with the musical agenda fixed firmly in their minds. Steve and Mike also hammered out some great stuff as well.

Now, I’ll be honest. Not all of the tracks were to my taste, in fact I think some of them strayed a little bit to far into the Rock and Roll genre, and there was quite a few tracks of what has become known as ‘Tumbleweed’. But that’s a minor criticism. The vast majority of the tracks played before my spot were hard R & B, and I must have heard more records I didn’t know in one night than I have for a long time, which is a huge plus !

Numbers were quite low, but that didn’t stop the dancers being enthusiastic, and there were a lot of travellers from outside the North West as well as some from fairly local places. Derek and Janet Whatmough being one such couple, and Derek insisted on taking me outside to show me the spare wheel cover on his small truck ! It did impress me though, so much that I took a picture with my phone, hence the poorer than usual quality of the picture.

Here’s what I played between 11 and 12 pm in roughly the right order.

Bobby Freeman - Swing Me - Unreleased Autumn
James Crawford - If You Don't Work You Can't Eat - Mercury
Renee Perri - I Aim To Please - Soulville
Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay
Caressors - I Can't Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Troy Dodds - The Real Thing - El Camino
Kent Meade - Funky To Me - MC
Bettye Lavette - Happiness Will Cost You One Thin Dime - Unreleased Scepter
Jimmy Lewis - Let Me Know - Minit
Daniel E Skidmore III - Little Old Groovemaker - Parkway
Reatha Reese - Only Lies - Dot
Roy Wright - Hook Line & Sinker - Mica
Bobby Baskerville - Gotcha Where I Wancha - Dot
Idols Just A Little But More - Reveille
Bobby Bland - Sweet Lips Of Joy - Duke LP
Ted Taylor - Miss You So - Ronn
Al Apollo - I'm Walking - Cub
Douglas Banks - Ain't That Just Like A Woman - Guyden
Carlena Weaver - Jealousy - Audel
Tommy Dodson III - Co-Operate - Main Sound
Johnny K Killens - Frenchy The Tickler - Deep City
Larry Banks & Jaibi - My Life Is No Better - Unreleased GWP
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Gwenn Douglass - The Picture - Michelle

Jock gave me and Margie a lift back to my parents for free B & B (It was less than half a mile away), and then we caught the train back home on Saturday morning.

Steve and Mike are trying to get a night that is a little bit different going here, they are both enthusiastic collectors and DJs, and have decided that they are going to stick to their guns with the music policy rather than going down the Oldies route. They deserve support, so if you fancy a night a little bit different, The Soulful Shack is the place to be.

Saturday night, and I should have been DJing at Stafford Rangers. However, Shute, the promoter was hospitalized last month with a brain aneurism. Obviously the night at Stafford was cancelled, but the good news is that Shute is now home and recuperating.

The intention was to DJ at Stafford and then go back up to the North West to DJ at the inaugural New Century Soul allnighter at Maximes in Wigan to DJ there. As it was Woody and Lou picked us up to head up the motorway straight to Wigan.

We arrived around 11pm, just as Chris Waterman was getting out of his car. There were a few others arriving so we all went round the corner to a little boozer called Hartley’s Emporium. Great little boozer as well, free juke box, full of Northern Soul, cheap beer (In fact it was Banks’s bitter, which is brewed in Wolverhampton, so what I want to know is how come it was cheaper to buy a pint of Banks’s in Wigan than it is in Wolverhampton ?)

The only down side was there was only one barmaid serving, and an influx of about twenty thirsty Soulies meant service wasn’t the quickest, but she worked hard for her money that night.

At midnight there was a quite healthy queue forming outside Maximes, something you only really see at The 100 Club these days. I dragged the sales stuff up two flights of stairs to find Chris had set all the dealers up along one side of the room. I never went to Maximes back in the Eighties, in fact I’d never been before, but I’m reliably told the layout has hardly changed, but there has been some modernization work done, and the toilets were spotless, again, the beer was reasonably priced for a town centre club, the only downside being they didn’t do tea and coffee (For Margie and Lou of course).

The first two spots, from Steve Pownell and The Soul Twins set the place off to a cracking start. Uptempo Oldies, the faster the better. By 1am there was a very healthy crowd in, and the dancefloor was getting busier all the time.

I went on at 2am, something to do with Mick Lyons wanting the 3am spot. No problem, I’ll do any spot, and enjoy doing it as well.

Here’s what I played, 2am to 3am, again in roughly the right sort of order:

Johnny Sayles - I Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Love) - St Lawrence
Ike & Tina Turner - Dust My Broom - Tangerine
Ted Taylor - Somebody’s Always Trying - Okeh
Mickie Champion - What Good Am I - Musette
Betty O’Brien - She’ll Be Gone - Liberty
The Idols - Just A Little Bit More - Reveille
Betty Everett - I’ve Got A Claim On You - One-Derful
Joanne Courcy - I Got The Power - Twirl
Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise
Caressors - I Can’t Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Vondells - Hey Girl (You’ve Changed) - Airtown
Hyperions - Why You Wanna Treat Me Like You Do - Chattahoochie
Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay
Johnny K Killens - Frenchy The Tickler - Deep City
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Satisfactions - Take It Or Leave It - Smash
Cavaliers - Hold Onto My Baby - RCA Victor
Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before - Chess
International G.T.O.S - I Love My Baby - Rojac
Cooperettes - Shing-A-Ling - Brunswick
David And Ruben - (I Love Her So Much) It Hurts Me - Warner Brothers

You’ll notice although there are half a dozen records that are in both playlists, this spot was one for a hot sweaty dancefloor rather than one for the collectors. Having said that, the floor stayed as full for the rarer things as it did for the well known Oldies.

Mick Lyons followed me and stuck with the Oldies, then Karl Heard came on and went back onto the more obscure side. Fair do’s, the dancefloor responded, and it must have encouraged Woody because he came on at 5am and played an absolute blinder of a set.

I spoke to him after he finished his set, and he was still up on the adrenalin rush of doing a set and knowing that you got it right ! Certainly one of the best sets I’ve heard him do in a long time, and when he comes out with a set like this you suddenly realize how underated he really is.

Almost certainly because it was a midnight start, you didn’t get the thinning out of the crowd until way after six, and that meant the good atmosphere that had been generated, stayed right through until we left about 7am.

Nice to see so many friendly faces, and especially to see Jack McDougal again for the first time in probably three or four years (Four of them had traveled down from Scotland, and guess who ended up with the Scottish £20 note in his pay packet…..bloody foreign money !)

I think Chris Waterman has got a real prospect of a very successful allnighter at Maximes, I thoroughly enjoyed myself from beginning to end, and didn’t hear one moan from anybody. Looking forward to the next one. The rather poor quality scan is of the metallic stickers that Chris was giving out to everyone.

A journey home in rain, well it was a bank holiday weekend, with a brief stop to be robbed by the highwayman they call Motorway Services these days meant we got home around 9am.

So that was the weekend, two spots, ten miles apart, but a world apart in music policy. Just goes to show the breath and strength of the scene these days.

It Had Snowed When We Came Out

Last night it was my second favourite allnighter. Rugby Soul Club. (The 100 Club is up there at number 1), so Woody and Lou picked us up and off we set in brilliant sunshine. It's become a bit of a tradition that some of us meet up at The Avon Mill for a drink and a meal before the nighter, and this time Toby, Mandy, Chrissie, and Kylee joined us. I tried to embarrass Kylee by saying in a very loud voice so that everyone in the pub looked at her " Bloody hell that is a short skirt". (It was as well, she almost needed two hairdo's). She just did a pirouette, and said "Yeah". Ah, the confidence of youth !

Despite some trepidation about the clash with Middleton affecting the numbers I worried needlessly. A steady trickle of people at eight pm turned into a veritable flood by midnight, and the numbers were up over the 250 mark again easily.

The clash of the R & B titans in the freestyle room attracted a lot of new faces to Rugby this time, and although I only poked my head through the door a couple of times it was the busiest this room has been so far, and all the patrons of that room arrived good and early, so it was kicking from the start. Great idea, and one that should be repeated soon.

The main hall looked a little sparse by comparison early on. Matt Smart started the night off nicely, followed by 'Triple A Kenny' (This is Back Door Kenny's new name as he no longer does the back door at the 100 Club, he's now Access All Areas Kenny)

Meanwhile vinyl sleuth extraordinaire, Woody, turned up with one of my top wants, The Soundmasters, which he'd just bought at a very competitive price (and then borrowed half the cash to pay for it from me !!). Bugger !!!!!! I'm really pleased for him because he does put the time in at every venue bent over the record boxes searching for that elusive want. Tonight he found one, if I wasn't so idle about looking in record boxes I could have beaten him to it, but there you go.

In the main room Jon Buck was whipping a storm up on the dancefloor with an out and out Oldies set. I followed up in much the same vein, and left the stage to James Trouble. Now I wondered what James was going to play, because he has a deserved reputation for playing Newies, but no, he read the floor right and carried on with the Oldies to start his first set off.

By now it was just gone midnight and Adam cranked the dancefloor up by throwing a mixture of Sixties and Seventies in, he was quickly followed by Matt Smart again. Matt has DJ'ed at Rugby from the beginning and it's been great seeing how his collection and confidence has grown over the last five years.

By now nearly all the regulars had arrived and the main room had filled up nicely in time for James Trouble to go back on and play a more esoteric set. As always the crowd at Rugby accept almost anything played, and James managed to play some of the rarer things he's known for.

Jon Buck came back for the penultimate set, and left me with a full dancefloor for the last hour. here's what I played in my second set:

Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise
Satisfactions - Take It Or Leave It - Smash
Vondells - Hey Girl (You've Changed) - Airtown
Larry Atkins - Ain't That Love Enough - Highland
Marge Dodson - Be Your Baby - Decca
Johnny Killens - Frenchy The Tickler - Deep City
5 Royales - Catch That Teardrop - Home Of The Blues
Idols - Just A Little Bit More - Reveille
Delcos - Arabia - Ebony
Big Daddy Rogers - I'm A Big Man - Midas
Betty Everett - I've Got A Claim On You - One-Derful
Dorothy & The Hesitations - Trying To Work A Plan - Jamie
Douglas Banks - Ain't That Just Like A Woman - Guyden
Enchantments - I'm In Love With Your Daughter - Faro
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Hyperions - Why You Wanna Treat Me Like You Do - Chatahoochie
Bobby Freeman - Swing Me - Unreleased Autumn
Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay
Tommy Dodson III - Co-Operate - Main Sound
Troy Dodds - The Real Thing - El Camino
Renee Perri - I Aim To Please - Soulville
Caressors - I Can't Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Fantastic Four - Can't Stop Looking For My Baby - Ric-Tic
Ray Pollard - The Drifter - United Artists
Johnny Mae Matthews - I Have No Choice - Big Hit

They are roughly in the right sort of order, and although there is less R & B in there than normal (Let's face it, if you wanted R & B, you would have been in the freestyle room all night, but that room had finished as I started my set), I still really enjoyed playing the last set of the night.

Unfortunately, because the hall was booked for an Antiques Fair at 7 am we had to finish at 5 am, but next time it's back to the normal finish at six.

That just leaves me to say thanks to the Rugby collective, Sian and Dean especially, you make this the friendliest niter on the scene at the moment, when you combine that with a good variety of music in probably the best venue in terms of layout, with staff that enjoy themselves as much as the punters it's going to be a success for a long time.

So, you don't really have an excuse for not coming to the next one in June, do you, and hopefully the weather will be a little better because when we walked out of the Benn Hll there was an inch of snow on all the cars.

5th April, 2008

28th February - 3rd March, 2008

Artists Draw Pictures Don't They

As I get older. The feeling of surviving a weekender, rather than attending it, gets stronger. It’s Tuesday morning now, I can just about focus on the screen with my eyes, my voice has just about returned, my back is killing me, and I ache all over. Margie said she has no sympathy, it was lt self inflicted. She’s right of course, but what a great time I had doing it.
Johnny Weston was driver for the weekend because Woody couldn’t come due to Lou’s knee operation (Good job really because he was rushed into hospital himself for an operation on the Monday !). He picked me up around 1pm and we had a nice easy drive down with a stop for a meal on the way. Arriving about 4pm on the Thursday, we checked straight in, collected all four passes and found to our delight that the shed we were in, sorry did I say shed, I meant Chalet was as close as we could be to the Queen Vic. First thing we did was feed a fiver into the electric meter and turn all the heating on.

On the subject of the chalets, I notice there has been a fair bit of criticism this year from people. In one sense it’s fair criticism, because they were built in a different era, when people’s expectations were different. Yes they are sparse, not the cleanest, and cold. But what the hell were you expecting. We use ours to sleep in, get washed in, and get changed in and that’s it. For those purposes, it’s fine. If you want luxury, book into the hotel round the back of the site !

At five, we decided that the pub was calling. So we wandered over to find a seat with Toby and Mandy. A few beers were consumed, and I introduced John Weston to Kath who does the Northern soul radio show in Brighton. Three quarters of an hour later he came to thank me ! This was the first Prestatyn for me when the smoking ban was in force, and there was a gale blowing outside, so it didn’t take me long to work out that as I could see the front door of our chalet from the front door of the Queen Vic I was going back there to smoke my cigarettes. Funnily enough other people soon cottoned on, and there were quite a few visitors that night. We eventually drifted into the main room where I was delighted to find that my sales table was still in the main room rather than moved into the amusement arcade (More about that later). The night went quickly, and as always the good intentions of an early night went out of the window, and I eventually staggered back to the chalet getting on for 3am.

I was up before 8am though, and decided to go for breakfast in the café. Talk about chaos ! I don’t know where the normal staff were but it was two of the reception people doing the serving an they had no idea what they were doing. Never mind, I eventually got my bacon and eggs, and ended up paying for part of Gloria Jones’ breakfast as well as my own because she hadn’t got enough money on her. So I’m claiming I took Gloria Jones out for a meal on the strength of that one !

The weather was still rather on the cold side so a taxi into Prestatyn was called for. I’d brought the lights for the stall, but no extension lead, so had to buy one. By the time I got back Weston was surfacing, so I went to set the records up, and then wandered into the Queen Vic where the Soultown alldayer was just starting with Geoff and Sue Claxton DJing. I listened to their spot and then went and opened the stall. Reality struck me a little later. I’d started drinking at midday, and wasn’t due to DJ until 6am, 18 hours later, so a little sense showed and I went for a kip and something to eat. Needless to say, Johnny Weston didn’t, which would probably explain the state he was in when later on in the night. At one point I saw him tip his own pint over his head. Now with the price of the beer at Prestatyn that’s an expensive party trick !

Laugh of the night came when Jenny Banks and Tracy Watson decided to sit at the tables that had “Reserved For Artists” written on them. They had a notebook each and a box of crayons and were drawing pictures, claiming to be artists. The look on Jerry Williams face was an absolute picture in itself !!

Second laugh of the night as seeing Lyndsey and Karen arrive looking as though they had been swimming fully clothed. “Raining outside is it ?”. It was a very rude reply !

James Trouble was seen sporting a rather natty flat cap, all he needs now is a whippet and then he really will think he’s a northerner !

Musically, the Friday night was pretty good. Even though it’s a big venue, the DJs played pretty much their regular allnighter spots rather than sinking to the lowest common denominator of the top 500 Oldies, so I really enjoyed the night. My own spot was 6am to 7am, and to be fair, it had been a long day so the numbers ahd thinned out considerably by then, but I was pleased with the dancefloor reaction, and even more pleased that I could shoot off straight to bed when I’d finished.

Saturday morning arrived, some three hours after I went to bed, another cold and windy day. I opened the stall up, had a few beers, chatted to a few different people who arrived during the course of the afternoon. During the course of the afternoon it became very noticeable that there were record dealers setting up with two or three hundred records for sale who hadn’t paid for a table.

Now, I have no objection when people bring a fifty count box in to sell records, but when people who are known record dealers (who have paid for a table in the past, so know the score) bring four boxes in and set up, he, and all the other people were told to remove the boxes by Pontins Security.

It’s unfortunate that the people with small boxes lost their opportunity to sell records, but it is purely and simply down to the people who decided to bring hundreds of records in. If that hadn’t happened, Pontins wouldn’t have come round and made everyone remove their boxes.

I then went and ate one of the sorriest Steak and Kidney pies it’s ever been my misfortune to eat. The camp chippy excelled itself with this one. Of course I wasn’t DJing on the Saturday, so had free range to drink as much as I wanted because I would be going to bed early.

By the time the live acts came on stage there were so many people in the room that I couldn’t get near the stage to take any photos so I decided to stay with the stall and just listen. ‘Job Opening’ sounded great from the first few bars, it still sounded ok after five minutes. After ten minutes I went for a cigarette, and it was still ‘Job Opening’ when I came back ! There’s nothing like having one song and milking it to death is there ! Gloria Jones was clearly struggling, shame really, but I’m afraid she just wasn’t up to it anymore. I seem to have completely missed Gwen Owens because I can’t remember a single thing about her act ! Jerry Williams was the business. For me, he could have done the whole ninety minutes himself singing his own songs and those he had written and produced for others. Superb ! The Precisions finished the show with another cracking live performance. Top marks to the guys, they still have the voices, the stage presence, and the act to outshine most live acts around.

The idea of an early night went out of the window of course, and I eventually staggered off to bed at around 5.30am.

I was up again by 9am because I wanted some food before I did my radio show. This is the first year I’d been asked to do a radio show, and I’d decided to do the whole thing from CDs rather than vinyl, so was slightly nervous about the whole thing.

The Sound Engineer also decided to mess about with the cabling at the start of my show so that didn’t help much. In the end though I think it went really well and was able to play some tracks that I personally love, but never get the chance to DJ with.

Steve Hobbs stayed in bed, the lazy git, so I over ran by about ten minutes then it was straight into the main room to open the stall up for the last session of the weekender. 4.30pm say me packing up and off for something to eat.

By 6.30pm I was in the Queen Vic listening to Dave Rivers set, then it was time for the highlight of the weekend for me. John Weston and Keith Money, double decking for two hours I can honestly say this is probably the best two hour set I’ve heard since the one they did last year. They both have immaculate taste, amazing collections, and work well together. Without a shadow of a doubt the best set of the weekend. It wasn’t just me that thought so either judging by the sustained round of applause they received at the end of their set. Well done guys, made the weekend for me.

A few more beers and then it was time for my set with Roger Banks in the main room between 11pm and midnight. Rather disappointingly this year, the crowd only wanted to dance to Oldies, we did try one or two other things but they thinned the crowd out drastically, so, we played Oldies for the rest of the set, and then it was time for bed. I’d lost my voice completely again, was suffering from sleep deprivation, and had drunk enough to own shares in the brewery. I’d had enough, so went off to bed.

Overall, I enjoyed this year’s weekender immensely. I sold a few records, chatted to loads of people, those I see every week, and some I hadn’t seen for years, drank a few beers, heard some great DJ spots, and enjoyed the live acts. OK, so the weather was atrocious, but so what, it was February / March, in Wales. That’s what you expect. The beer was expensive if you were a Northerner, but about average if you were from London, and the food available on site was, to be honest, lousy. But the fun I had, the laughs, and the generally good company far outweighed all that. The one thing I’ll never understand is all the miserable sods on Soul Source, who didn’t attend and then complained about the event. Get a life ! I’ll be back next year !

Post Operative Euphoria ? No. The Fabulous Peps

It's Saturday night, and The Fabulous Peps are on stage tonight ! Not only that, but I'm DJing as well.

Which is why it was rather awkward for me. I had a Epigastric Hernia operation just over a week ago, so can't lift anything heavy, like record boxes !!

A bribe to my youngest son soon solved that. No, that's being unfair to him, not only did he give me a lift there, hump all my records and magazines up to the balcony, he also came back at 7am to take me home.

I was there nice and early, and sent the first hour chatting to people and selling a few records. Chris Waterman had told me that there were less than five tickets unsold, and it quickly became obvious that people wanted to get there early as well because by 9.30pm, not only was the dancefloor full, but all the tables were as well. The music before the Fabulous Peps hit the stage was mostly Oldies, it is the West Midlands after all. That's not a complaint either. I love Oldies as much as the next man, and if I go to a venue knowing I'm going to hear Oldies I'm quite happy.

The temperature was rising steadily and everytime I went out for a cigarette my glasses steamed up when I came back in. Then 1am arrived, and The Fabulous Peps hit the stage.

MC'ed by Hitsville Chalky, Joe Harris, Steve Calloway, and Trey Stone came on stage to huge applause, and then just ripped right into the first song.

A blip with the backing track almost caused a problem, but the guys soon got over it and put on a real show. They didn't just sing, they entertained, for a full forty minutes. Here's the running order of the show:

Detroit Michigan
Speak Your Peace
Gypsy Woman
With These Eyes
That's How I Love You
I've Been Trying
She's Gonna Leave You
My Love Looks Good On You

A truly spectacular performance, from three of the nicest guys you could wish to meet. They then went to sign autographs for the next hour or so, and were still in the building at 4 am when I went to start my spot. Here's what I played in roughly the right order.

Johnny K Killens - Frenchy The Tickler - Deep City
The Satisfactions - Take It Or Leave It - Smash
Vondells - Hey Girl (You've Changed) - Airtown
Marge Dodson - Be Your Baby - Decca
Johnny Robinson - Gone But Not Forgotten - Okeh
Jack Montgomery - Baby Baby Take A Chance On Me - Revue
Sheppards - Stubborn Heart - Mirwood
Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise
JoAnne Courcy - I Got The Power - Twirl
Hyperions - Why You Wanna Treat MeLike You Do - Chattahoochie
Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Elbie Parker - Please Keep Away From Me - Veep
Mickie Champion - What Good Am I - Musette
Betty O'Brien - She'll Be Gone - Liberty
The Delcos - Arabia - Ebony
The Idols - Just A Little Bit More - Reveille
Betty Everett - I've Got A Claim On You - One-Derful
Brice Coefield - Ain't That Right - Omen
Caressors - I Can't Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Troy Dodds - Try My Love - El Camino
The Sparkles - Try My Love - Old Town
Mill Evans - Why Why Why - King
Jimmy Wallace - I'll Be Back - Alpha

Steve C followed me with a storming uptempo set, and that left Little Scotty to finish the night in his usual style. Martin, my son, arrived back at 6.45, so we loaded the car up and left Brookfields, with the dancefloor still full. Craig and Dawn accepted the offer of a lift home, because the Taxi they had ordered three hours before hadn't arrived, and the taxi company seemed very vague about when the taxi would arrive.

A couple of hours kip when I got back, then Woody and Lou arrived because we were expecting guests. At 4pm Hitsville Chalky knocked on the door, with Joe, Steve, and Trey. It gave us the opportunity to just chat, get records autographed, and present the guys with a CD of all the photographs I'd taken the night before, 67 in total. The thing that struck me most about all three of them was how genuinely blown over they were by the Northern Soul scene. When I asked Steve if he had enjoyed himself last night his reply was "More than you did, much more than you, it was unbelievable", and both Joe and Trey chipped in with similar sentiments. All three said they would love to come back, and can't wait for the opportunity. They left after about an hour on the way to the chippie to have some fish, chips, and mushy peas for their tea.

So, it was a wonderful way to end a terrific weekend. It's times like these that reaffirm your faith in Soul music.

I can only add my thanks to Chalky for having the dream of putting The Fabulous Peps on live in the UK, and Chris Waterman for putting the whole thing together, and of course, for the DJ Booking.

26th January, 2008

Joe Harris

Trey Stone

Steve Calloway

6th January, 2008

Rule Britannia

A Saturday night without an allnighter is indeed a rarity, so we had a look at the Events listings and came up with two reasonably local alternatives. The Britannia in Shrewsbury, and Shute's Stafford Soul night.

The Britannia won, for the simple reason Chris Morgan told Mrs Soul to bring a box of tunes and do a spot. So even though Johnny Weston was the guest at Stafford we set out for Shrewsbury. (Sorry Shute, but I'll definitely be there in May)

The parking at The Britannia is on the road, so Woody managed to pull up right outside the pub, and I mean right outside, it was less than two yards to the door ! I knew nothing about this night other than it was in a pub, but I'd expected it to be in a room upstairs at the pub, you know what I mean, the usual Soul night type of venue. But no, this was literally, in the pub ! The Britannia is a fairly small, clean, and tidy pub with a good choice of beers, seating for about fifty, and a small, but big enough, dancefloor up the stairs at the back of the pub, and a smoking area at the back, with chairs and tables and a telly no less.

When we arrived Kiddo was the only Soulie in there, and there were about eight locals, Hmm, we thought, it should have started forty five minutes ago, and there's no music, and nobody here. It doesn't bode well. However, within five minutes of our arrival Chris and Carlos arrived, then Kenny Onions, and a steady trickle of Shrewsbury Soulies.

Music policy is quite simple. Anything goes as long as it is Black music, so it was no surprise to hear Chris kick off with a few Ska tunes. The surprise was that the Landlady was dancing behind the bar ! Kiddo followed Chris on the decks, and by then Mr and Mrs Felton had strolled in (And Neil was drinking pints of Coke, claiming he was having a month "Off the beer". He stuck to it as well !)

Lou went up to the decks next, and played a very creditable half hour spot. If I can get a playlist from her I'll add it in later. Kiddo had been telling me that come ten thirty the doors are locked, and the music just carries on (and it went past five in the morning one month), with some comfort being provided to the smokers as well later on, so the night was looking up !

Chris Morgan had persuaded me to do a half hour spot as well, despite my protestations that I only had a sales box with me (Like I really needed persuading !) So here's what I played in roughly the right sort of order as well.

All taken from the R & B side of the box, and as already mentioned all for sale, so I've added the price at the end of each track. PM me if you are interested in any of them

Betty Everett - I've Got A Claim On You - One-Derful - £35
Joe Tex - Don't Play - Checker - £25
Jimmy Norman - I Don't Love You No More - Little Star - £25
Buddy Ace - True Love Money Can't Buy - Duke - £50
Lowell Fulsom - Make A Little Love - Kent - £30
Eddie Floyd - Baby Bye - Saffice - £30
Oscar Boyd - When Things Get A Little Better - Hermes - £30
Buddy Ace - It's Gonna Be Me - Duke - £30
Bobby Bland - Gotta Get To Know You - Duke - £15
Clentt Grant - Just Like You Like It - Duke - £30
Kitty Clark - Big Wheel - House Of Orange - £15
Clennt Grant - All Mine - Duke - £30
Lowell Fulsom - My Aching Back - Kent - £20
Junior Parker - I'm In Love - Duke - £15
Otis Clay - Show Place - One-Derful - £15

So there you go, a half hour that turned into forty minutes of stonkin' R & B. By the end of my spot Mel and Pat had arrived, with Andy Vass, and that brought the numbers up to around forty that were locked in the pub.

Chris Morgan followed me on the decks again and told me the story of his 12" cover up.

You see he's got a Modern 12" covered up, and has had it covered for over a year now. He did however tell a big name DJ what it was. The big name DJ eventually found a copy. So when Chris DJ'ed at Middleton in December he played his covered copy in the main room, only to find later on that the aforementioned big name DJ was playing his copy, uncovered in Carl & Maria's room later on. A tad against the spirit of things I thought ! (Chris did tell me the name of the artist, but I'm not sure if that's the real artist or the cover up name, so I'm not saying !)

Woody was up to the decks next, and surprised me by doing a Seventies spot. Now, Woody is one of the most under rated DJs around, he's got a great collection, and can put them together in the right order, but I'd always pegged him as a Sixties guy, so it really made me sit back when he did a Seventies spot. Well done that man.

Unfortunately, by this time, the beer, and the fact you couldn't see the decks from where we were sitting, means I have no idea who went on next, but I would guess that Neil Felton got involved somehow (He's another guy who played some awesome spots at Albrighton back in the day but never seems to get booked often enough these days), but we eventually left around two O'clock with probably still twenty five people in the place.

So, it turned out to be a very enjoyable night, and it's certainly a night I'd recommend to any one who fancies something a bit different, It's always on the first Saturday of the month, and the pub itself is dead easy to find because it's less than 100 yards from the train station which is signposted whichever way you go into Shrewsbury.

The 100 Club, The last niter of the year.

It's with a certain amount of pride (and gratitude to that nice man Mr Croasdell) that I can say I've DJ'ed at The 100 Club at least once a year for the last ten years. Some years I've DJ'ed at three allnighters, because Ady has used me as a substitute if one of the residents has been ill, others just the once during the year.

Before last night, the last spot I did there was in January 2006, and I must admit I thought I was going to miss out this year. But, thanks to the thirst of Western economies for oil, Keith Money had to work on the rig this weekend, so I got the nod from Ady to do the last allnighter of 2007. So I just squeezed in this year.

It nearly wasn't a good start to the night though. I set off to meet John Weston at Snow Hill station via the Midland Metro from Bilston. The tram got two stops down the line and broke down ! Now if you know Bilston, you'll know that Bradley Lane is hardly a throbbing metropolis, and I was wondering how I would get to Birmingham if the tram didn't start again. Fortunately after about half an hour it wheezed into forward motion again, and I made the train with five minutes to spare.

A few beers on the train and then into Marylebone, a taxi took us to The Blue Posts to meet up with Toby and Mandy. A few more beers were swiftly consumed and then I walked round the corner into Oxford street at about 8.50pm. Trevor from Leicester was outside with two young ladies (Who I won't embarrass by naming) but they were both virtually hopping from one foot to the other and whimpering slightly. I took them downstairs with me so they could use the ladies. Ady hadn't arrived yet, so I shuffled a few tables and chairs round until he arrived.

You'd have thought by now, after all the niters Ady has run he would have realised it was a bit optimistic to put himself down to DJ at 9pm, so he asked me to fill in for ten minutes or so whilst he got more tables and chairs set out and the door sorted. It turned into half an hour before he came back, and played the awesome Jackie Day unreleased track he's just found for the first time.

Here's what I played in the first half hour:

9.00 - 9.30pm

Anglos - Since You've Been Gone - Scepter
Marvelettes - I'll Keep Holding On - Tamla
Barbara Mason - Bobby Is My Baby - Arctic
Johnny Sayles - I Can't Get Enough - St Lawrence
Willie Mitchell - That Driving Beat - Hi
Soul Brothers Six - I'll Be Loving You - Atlantic
Joe Douglas - Something To Brag About - Playhouse
Royal Jokers - Love Games A - Z - Wingate
Edwin Starr - Back Street - Ric-Tic

As Ady's explained in the past, up until midnight the idea is to play Oldies and Club Classics, so that's what I did. My first proper spot was at 10pm anyway, so it gave me a chance to get another beer in and chat to a few of the early arrivals, then it was back onto the decks for an hour.

11.00pm - 12.00 Pm

Lavern Baker - Wrapped Tied And Tangled - Brunswick
Cooperettes - Shing-A-Ling - Brunswick
Major Harris - Call Me Tomorrow - Okeh
Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before - Chess
Doni Burdick - Bari Track - Sound Impression
Rose Batiste - I Miss My Baby - Revilot
Fabulous Peps - With These Eyes - Wee 3
Jack Montgomery - Do You Believe It - Scepter
Theresa Lindsey - Why Weren't You There - Magic City
Jack Montgomery - My Dear Beloved - Scepter
Theresa Lindsey - Prepared To Love You - Magic City
Metros - Since I Found My Baby - RCA
O'Jays - I'll Never Forget You - Imperial
Volcanos - Laws Of Love - Arctic
Van Dykes - Save My Love For A Rainy Day - Mala
International G.T.O.S - I Love My Baby - Rojac
Mel Wynn & The Rhythm Aces - Stop Sign - Wand
Belles - Don't Pretend - Mirwood
Fuller Brothers - Time's A Wasting - Soul Clock

If you notice in the middle of the set I managed to play both sides of Jack Montgomery and Theresa Lindsey, simply because they are great double siders, and the 'flip' sides deserve playing more often. Thanks to Johnny Timlin who replenished my beer half way through my set as well !

By now the place had started to fill up, and the dancefloor was getting busier with each record played, it was shaping up to be a good night. Johnny Weston staggered in from the pub just as my set was finishing (I'm sure he does it deliberately!!!!)

Mick Smith and Butch admirably filled the next couple of spots, with Butch playing a cracking set, and then it was back to me again. As you'll know from previous playlists, I do like a bit of R & B even though I say it myself, and as it was another half hour spot I thought I'd bang on with a full R & B set. I know not everyone likes this side of our scene, but the dancefloor stood testament that there were enough in the 100 Club tonight who do like R & B.

2.00am - 2.30am

Reatha Reese - Only Lies - Dot
Patience Valentine - If You Don't Come - Sar
Betty Everett - I've Got A Claim On You - One-Derful
Delcos - Arabia - Ebony
Beverley Ann Gibson - A Three Dollar Bill - Jubilee
Mickie Champion - What Good Am I - Musette
5 Royales - Catch That Teardrop - Home Of The Blues
Don Gardner - My Baby Loves To Boogaloo - Tru-Glo-Town
Watson & The Sherlocks - Little Old Groovemaker - C/U
Idols - Just A Little Bit More - Reveille
Gladys Tyler - Mr Green Mrs Green - Decca
Barbara Lynn - I'm A Good Woman - Tribe

Karl Heard followed me with his debut set at The 100 Club, and didn't he do well. Karl's put together a nice combination of uptempo Sixties tunes which range from the rare to the quite common, but never heard type of sounds. He ripped into the dancers and never let up through the whole of his set. Well done mate, an excellent debut.

In between my third and fourth sets I was interviewed for 'Kaths Northern Soul Radio Show', which is broadcast on a Saturday at 5pm in Brighton. They also have an internet site which is www.radioreverb.com. It was quite funny because the only place Kath could find to do the interview was on the back stairs at the 100 Club. It wouldn't have been to bad if Mick Smith and Taffy didn't come wandering up the stairs for a fag halfway through. So if the interview is good enough quality to be broadcast, you'll hear the volume of the music go up quite dramatically halfway through as they opened the doors to get onto the stairs.

In fact I was chatting away quite merrily with Kath afterwards without realising the time, and it was only when Butch called me over the mic that I realised it was 4am, and time for my last set.

4.00am - 4.30am

Betty Lavette - (Happiness Will Cost You ) One Thin Dime - Unreleased Scepter
Bobby Freeman - Swing Me - Unreleased Autumn (The Jimmy Washburn C/U)
Satisfactions - Take It Or Leave It - Smash
Hyperions - Why You Wanna Treat Me Like You Do - Chattahoochie
Joanne Courcy - I've Got The Power - Twirl
Vondells - Hey Girl (You've Changed) - Airtown
Marge Dodson - Be Your Baby - Decca
Caressors - I Can't Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Troy Dodds - The Real Thing - El Camino

With the exception of the Bettye Lavette and the Troy Dodds, every single one of these records had been requested during the course of the night. And as they also happen to be some of my favourites, it would have been rude not to play them wouldn't it. I finished off with the 'flip' side of Troy Dodds because it's another great side that you don't hear often enough, and it obviously hit the mark with the dancers because I was able to leave Karl Heard with a full floor for his second set. I think I've got most of the records in the order that I played them, but they won't be far out anyway, and I'm fairly sure I've got them all in the right set 1

Ady finished the night off in his usual style and then it was out into Oxford street at 6am. I must admit, personally I'd prefer the niter to run from 10pm to 7am, rather than the 9pm to 6am it runs as now. Purely selfish of course. Our first train back wasn't until 8am.

The plan was to grab a coffee at McDonalds, but someone said it was shut, so we wandered off to try and find an all night cafe. Futile exercise that was ! We ended up at McDonalds, which wasn't shut, had a quick coffee and then Lionel and Marie dropped us off at the station fifteen minutes before our train was due.

John Weston had been remarkably well behaved all night, so no funny stories to relate this time, just a really good night out at the world's number one allnighter. Long may it reign, especially as all the dates are at the 100 Club this coming year.

So thanks to Ady for inviting me to DJ (Even though I didn't expect to do two and a half hours), and to Keith Money for not being able to make it ! And thanks to everyone else who I spoke to during the course of the night. Your company, and presence on the dancefloor, is appreciated.

1st December, 2007

100 Club dates for 2008

January 19th 2008
March 8th 2008
April 12th 2008
May 17th 2008
July 5th 2008
August 16th 2008
September 20th 2008 [29th Anniversary - ticket-only event]
October 25th 2008
December 6th 2008
December 20th 2008 (Tues) - XMAS PARTY – 9pm-2am

NB: There will be no all-nighters in February, June or November 2008.

 
Cleethorpes Weekender is on June 6-8th 2008.

Click on the link for the 6T's Website

3rd November, 2007

A Thank You And A Marrs Bar

The Belfast Soul Club 4th Anniversary Weekender

Another weekender survived ! I've been through five different airports, done the equivalent of three allnighters and four alldayers in the last eleven days and it's all catching up with me now !

Belfast though was worth every minute though. Those Irish guys know how to party.

Margie and I set off Saturday morning and made it to Birmingham airport in good time to have a cooked breakfast, with the obligatory pint, for me not Margie, before the Rugby crew turned up and then we went through security no problems. The Rugby crew decided they needed to have something to eat and mobbed Burger King. Shame it was so close to boarding, Denise managed to get through the boarding gate still eating hash browns though ! The flight was on time and we landed at a sunny Belfast International airport. Chic and Dean Anderson had arrived before us, so we retired to the bar to wait for guy Hennigan. Denise and I decided we would have a quick cigarette outside. It was only when we got there that we discovered we weren't supposed to return to the arrivals hall. Well my records were still in there so we decided to walk back in though a very long corridor.

As we got about halfway down the PA system announced "STOP ! You cannot return to the arrivals hall once you have left". We ignored it. They repeated it, we ignored it. I had visions of ending up spreadeagled on the floor with a policeman aiming a machine gun at me. At this point someone else passed us. Denise decided it was him they were talking to, so we just carried on. I tell you, it was the longest corridor I have ever seen, especially as they repeated the warning again before we made it to the end !!!

After some protracted discussions with the biggest Policeman I have ever seen, he must have been nearly seven feet tall, Sian arranged a Taxi and a minibus (Why, and how, she arranged this with a Policeman I never actually worked out !). Tina, Fudge, Margie and me were in the Taxi, and Tina set the tone for the weekend by keeping the rest of us in stitches. Her first question was to ask the cabbie what his name was, because the last time she had been in Ireland the Taxi driver was called John, and she wanted a cabbie with a proper Irish name. Now I don't know whether it was his real name, or whether he was just humouring Tina, but this guy said his name was "Paddy", and Tina then quizzed him all the way to the hotel about various aspects of Belfast. I don't know how he kept a straight face because there were tears of laughter streaming down my face at one point when Tina asked him whether there were any prisons in Belfast. Why did she need to know that ?

We arrived at The Parador Hotel, and I'm sure that's the Gaelic way of spelling Fawlty Towers. No, to be fair, they couldn't have been more accommodating to us, mind you, we had booked every room in the hotel between us. We were on the top floor, which in a way was a blessing, but I'm not sure if the hot water ever reached that far up, or whether it was because the whole hotel was so hot that the boiler couldn't heat any more water up. I kid you not, the place was like a sauna all the time, yet the radiator in our room, and all the other rooms were turned off !

The Saturday alldayer started at 3pm, so once we'd all unpacked, we wandered up the road to the venue, The Errigle Inn. A nice bar downstairs which served fabulous meals, and the actual venue was upstairs. A low ceiling in a fairly large room with the decks opposite the bar and dancefloor in the middle, dark and atmospheric, all ready to go ! We retired back downstairs for a meal and I ordered the roast beef. I think I got half a cow with roast, and new potatoes. Delicious though.

Once we'd all eaten it was back upstairs to set up the base camp for the weekend, and the music started. As more and more people started to arrive it was great to renew friendships with the many people I've met from Ireland. If you include last year's Anniversary this was my fourth trip to Ireland (Dublin and Belfast) in the last twelve months. I know it's a cliche, but eveyone is so friendly you immediately feel welcome and at home. I struggle to associate any of the Irish people I've met with the troubles that beset Northern Ireland for so many years, but that's religion for you ! Fortunately we were here for a different religion though...Soul music.

There were so many good sets played throughout the day that the copious amounts of Smithwicks Irish Ales I consumed means they have all blurred into a mish mash of great music. I have no idea who played what, and have a very blurred recollection of what I played, but it seemed to go down ok because the dancefloor was full. I did the penultimate spot on the Friday and Guy Hennigan finshed the night off until 1am, then it was back to the hotel.

As I'd mentioned earlier, we had booked every room in the hotel between us (Chris and Carlos, as well as Budgie, Jo and Jeanette had the other rooms) so the decks were brought back to the hotel and set up in the bar. There were about thirty who came back in total, and along with about eight rather bemused locals, we set about having a party. Peter the hotel manager had arranged a late bar, opened the back door of the hotel for the smokers, and as it was a polished wooden floor anyway, we had a dancefloor. For the first time ever I saw Phil Shields with a drink in his hand, and apparently he carried on drinking through the night. I must admit to being a bit of a part timer here because I only lasted until about 3.30am before I had to go to bed. In my defence I did do two niters and two dayers the previous weekend !!! This is why being on the top floor was a blessing, the sound proofing in the hotel was superb and I couldn't hear the music from our bedroom.

I don't know what time they finished in the bar, but room 2 had been designated the party room, and it was still going on when I surfaced for breakfast about 7.30 am. Breakfast was termed 'Continental', which meant you made your own toast and coffee, but the real killer was the sign on the door. "Dinning Room". Now when you think about it, someone, 'designed' this sign, someone else made it, and someone from the hotel bought it, and probably someone else screwed it to the door, and not one of them noticed that it was spelt wrongly ! Did I mention Fawlty Towers, oh yes I did ! So, cereal, toast and coffee, with a healthy slug of Bushmills courtesy of Chris Morgan was breakfast. Margie came down slightly after me, so we just sat around chatting with everyone else who alternated between the Dinning Room and room 2.

As the alldayer on the Sunday didn't start until 4pm we decided to go into the City centre to look at the shops. Not knowing what Belfast was like on a Sunday I asked Phil whether the shops would be open. He said yes, but not until midday. Now I'll assume Phil doesn't do much shopping on a Sunday, rather than it was anything to do with the alcohol in his system, but the only shop open before 1pm was McDonalds ! So after a quick Strawberry shake (Which isn't really the best thing for you if you are diabetic, but it was my treat for the weekend) we hit the shops. I bought nothing, Margie bought four new tops (I don't know why she bothered packing any to bring with her to be honest !!!), but best of all, she paid for them herself !!

Across to the venue for something to eat, again superb, and then back to the hotel to discover the party was still going on in room 2 ! Margie decided on a couple of hours sleep, and I, because I didn't know what time I was DJing went back to the venue to discover I was on at 10pm. Hmm, only another six hours drinking then before my spot !!.

Guy and Dean were leaving around 8pm so they did a spot each early doors, and I actually paid attention this time. Great stuff from both of them. I spent a fair bit of time outside on the roof garden where you could smoke, and as people came and went it made it a really pleasant afternoon just chatting with different Irish Soulies.

By 8pm, all the UK crowd had turned up, and a fair few Irish as well, and although the numbers were down from Saturday, it was still quite a healthy crowd. Paul Grant played the standout spot of the day for me, great tunes, put together as a great set. Especially the one he dedicated to me (And I'm not saying what it was until I've got a copy). I suspect that Phil Shields had been indulging again because he was spotted Pole Dancing round one of the pillers in the room, I blame that Rugby crowd because he used to be such a shy and unassuming chap !! At this point I do really have to say thanks to Phil, he put the whole weekend together, and with assistance from Joe and Jo, organised everything on both days. It all ran like clockwork, even the non appearance of Liam (A flat tire meant he missed his plane) wasn't noticed.

A midnight finsh, with the last spot from Phil himself meant it was all back to the hotel again. A few less people this time, and we were in the Dinning Room as well. Joe and Jim appeared with crates of beer and bottles of wine as the decks were set up. No sound though, and Tina was directing operations. Fuses were changed, plugs were taken apart, cables were plugged in and taken out again. This went on for half an hour, so being nosey I decide to have a look. From where I was sitting I noticed a rather significant problem. "Try connecting the mixer to the amp". Lo and behold, twenty seconds later the music was on.

Again, I part timed it, and sloped off to bed around 2 am, only to be told I missed the funniest thing of the weekend. I bet you thought you'd got away with this one didn't you guys.

Apparently, as the alcohol flowed, Joe, Kev, and Jim decided to do their own version of the X Factor, and lined three chairs up in the middle of the room to stand on as a stage. I believe Marv Johnson was the record, with Kev doing lead vocals over the microphone, with Joe and Jim doing back up either side of him. Oh I wish I'd seen it !

I was again up early, mostly because our double bed only had two pillows and Margie had pinched both of them, again, so I didn't sleep very well and wandered down to the Dinning Room, to find Phil and Jo Brock just finishing tidying the room up. Jo was actually wearing the ice bucket on her head ! Not wanting to intrude on this bizarre spectacle I went out to find a coffee at Subway. Coming back a bit later I roused Margie (That means woke her up for those of you with a limited vocabulary and dirty minds) and we went back down to the Dinning room to find there was no milk left. Sian texted me and suggested that I go and knock on all the doors taking breakfast orders, I texted her back suggesting I didn't, or words to that effect.

The flight out was at 2.35pm, so with nothing else to do we decided to go out to City airport early. Checking out was the last dealings we had with the hotel, and what should have been a simple task turned into Fawlty Towers again. In the end, i paid using my card, for my room, Denise's room, and Sian and Dean's room (Because Sian had neglected to bring her cards with her). The young girl who dealt with it had no idea what she was doing and in the end we just said take £160 off this card. She said Ok, and put it through as £1.60. I was tempted, but then thought it would all come back on Phil in the end, which wasn't fair, so I told the truth and paid the full amount.

The flight back was fine, even watching the Rugby crowd using the self service check in was funny, and we landed on time in Birmingham. Our last sight of the Rugby crowd was of Denise licking the window of the bus stop as we waved goodbye. It says it all really.

Another fantastic weekend, with so many laughs, and such good company. If you have never been across to Ireland, you must go. You're made to feel so welcome, and everyone just wants to party. Brilliant time. I just need to recover now ! 

13th / 14th October, 2007

5th / 6th / 7th October, 2007

Lost in Hamburg with a crocodile and a snake.

Another adventure for the UK's Rare Soul warriors to sally forth onto the continent. And what a great adventure it was.

John Weston picked me up, on time, at 8 am on the Friday morning and we set off to drive to Manchester airport. Arriving a couple of hours later we set off to find the check in and everything went smoothly. A couple of pints in the bar, and then we bumped into the Greatstone crew. At the security checks they even let John and me though without having to open the records up. The guy asked what they were, and when we said "Records" he just waved us through. that's the difference between Manchester and Stansted though. In Manchester they understand what records are !

AirBerlin did us proud and we arrived at Hamburg International on time, a slight wait for the baggage and we were through to find Ralf and Jan (The co-promoters) waiting with Dave and Malayka Thorley, who had flown in an hour earlier from Birmingham, for us. Into the mini bus and off to the hotel.

We knew we were staying in the Kogge Rock and Roll hotel. John had the Tikki Room. Although he actually had black satin sheets with a dragon motif ! Oh yes, that's where the crocodile comes in, there was a stuffed one hanging from the ceiling !!

I had the Honneker Men's Room. Very strange because the photo shows everything in the room, there wasn't even a wardrobe.

As soon as we had dumped the bags it was downstairs to the bar to sample the local Astra beer, and then next door to a restaurant where we had a tasty meal, but more of the restaurant later. Claire, Pete and Karen turned up just as we were finishing our meal, and were duly taken on a tour of the Hotel rooms.

John and I left to go and have a wander up and down the Reeperbahn. I knew of it's reputation as a centre of bars and sex shows, but in all honesty it wasn't as outrageous as I expected. A few beers in a bar and then Toby texted us to say he'd found and Irish bar, so off we went to meet up with the Letchworth Mobsters. On the way back to the hotel to meet up with Ralf we bumped into Mike Bolderson so it was looking to be a good English turnout. Ralf had asked us to meet him so that he could show us the way to the venue. and when we got there I began to wonder if it was the right place ? Surrounded by scaffolding and barbed wire it looked more like a stalag than a weekender venue !

How wrong can you be. Inside the main room was probably as big as Bidds with the Modern room not much smaller. The only down side to the whole weekend was that the dancefloor was concrete rather than wood, but it was lavishly covered in talc, before the niter started.

As we walked in Jan gave us all ten tickets for free drinks, and then told us that when we had used them not to worry because there was a fridge behind the stage that was full of beer for us anyway. It's like telling a kiddie to take whatever sweets they want in a sweetshop isn't it !! We indulged ourselves of this charming facility for the DJs, to say the least.

Musically, the Friday night seemed to be a little up and down to start with. There was nothing wrong with the records played, they just aren't what I would have expected, particularly in the first couple of hours of an allnighter. So fuelled by Astra, Jevers, Kilkenny, and Becks, I set about playing a stomping Oldies set for my first spot. It seemed to do the job nicely and the dancefloor was rammed.

n fact, Mr Weston over indulged, there's a novelty, and left before his second DJ spot. Overall I don't think I heard a bad spot all night, and I would guess that the 600 or so people in the venue agreed.

Saturday morning I was off into the city centre on the Ubahn to do some shopping and buy Margie a present. It seems a nice city but very Modern compared to other cities I've visited in Germany. then again I suppose most of that was our fault back in the war ! Lunch at the train station, because if there is one thing you can guarantee in Germany it's that the main train station will have lots of different food outlets and at least one specialist tobacconist where they sell Old Holborn.

Back to St Pauli, and I met up with Toby at the Irish bar. Which was closed ! Fortunately I'd spotted an English pub earlier just round the corner, so eventually Dave and Pete turned up as well and we settled down to watch the football. Dave is a Man U fan, so was well pleased when they beat Wigan. We of course pointed out that he was a typical Man U fan because he lived near London !

Johnny Weston eventually surfaced and asked where we were by text. I gave him some simple directions. Twenty minutes later I received the text shown on the left.

I eventually had to go out and find him. We discovered the Juke box had 'The Soul Survivors CD on it, which is where The Snake comes in because it was one of the records I picked. Don't know why they all complained, they all sang along to it. Following that it was the Rugby Union. Now it's fairly well known that I'm not keen on Union, but to see England beat Australia, when you are in an English pub in Germany creates a special atmosphere, and it was a terrific afternoon. Onto the alldayer for a couple of more beers and then John and I went back to the same restaurant for some food then, I ordered spaghetti bolognese, which arrived and tasted lovely. But I'm sure it was self reproducing itself on the plate as I ate it. I ate solidly for twenty minutes and there didn't seem to be any less on the plate than when I started !

Onto the Saturday niter. Three rooms tonight, with the introduction of an R & B / Crossover room. Good job there was a third room as well because the numbers were well up on Friday's attendance. The whole night went in a blur of Becks, but my last spot left Ralf and Jan with a fairly full floor as they were starting the last spot of the night.

Sunday morning we all met up at the English pub again before setting out on the boat trip. Great idea, and of course it was free beer for the DJs again. We'd been round a couple of times when I was asked to DJ, and that's when someone managed to fall into the decks and knock beer all over the place. Enough was enough and I ended my spot there and then. Dave Thorley played one of the best Sixties spots I've heard him play in a long time as well.

Stayed on board until 8pm and then decided to go for something to eat at the same restaurant. To our surprise we found Osi from Nuremburg already there with a group of friends, so we joined them.

Eventually we wandered off to the alldayer venue, only to find the three representatives of Scotland at the weekender holding court at the Irish pub next door. We joined them for a couple and then went into the Riverside Five bar. A couple of more drinks and it was gone 11pm. As I'm quite sensible the day before an early morning flight I left and went to bed. John stayed, and I'm told was later seen dancing with a partially dressed mannekin. But I wasn't there so have no photographic evidence.

Monday morning I was up at 7 am feeling fine. John looked like death. Oh happy days. Straight to the airport, and although there were long queues everywhere we made the flight in plenty of time and landed back in Manchester right on schedule.

A really great weekend, and it's only left for me to thank Ralf and Jan for booking me, the sixty or so English (and Scottish) people who came over for the weekend, and all the other German DJs and punters who all contributed to making it such a fun time.

Here's my playlist from the weekender.

I did two spots Friday night in the main room. Three in the main room Saturday night and one in the R & B Room, and one spot on the boat on Sunday.

These aren't in the order I played them, but alphabetically listed

Anglos - Since You’ve Been Gone - Scepter
Al Apollo - I’m Walking - Cub
Larry Atkins - Ain’t That Love Enough - Highland
Douglas Banks - Ain’t That Just Like A Woman - Guyden
Doug Banks - I Just Kept On Dancing - Argo
H B Barnum - It Hurt Stoo Much To Cry - RCA
Bobby Baskerville - Gotcha Where I Wancha - Dot
Rose Batiste - I Miss My Baby - Revilot
Bobby Bland - Yum Yum Tree - Duke
Bobby Bland - Shoes - Duke
Bobby Bland - Sweet Lips Of Joy - Duke
Brilliant Corners - Three Lonely Guys - Modern
Brooks Brothers - Looking For A Woman - Tay
Doni Burdick - Bari Track - Sound Impressions
Solomon Burke - Stupidity - Atlantic
Caressors - I Can’t Stay Away - Ru-Jac
Cavaliers - Hold Onto My Baby - RCA
Mickie Champion - What Good Am I - Musette
Chandlers - You’re Love Makes Me Lonely - Col-Soul
Brice Coefield - Ain’t That Right - Omen
Cooperettes - Shing A Ling - Brunswick
Joann Courcy - I Got The Power - Twirl
King Curtis - Foot Pattin’ Part 2 - Atco
Larry Davis - I’ve Been Hurt So Many Times - Kent
Delcos - Arabia - Ebony
Frank Dell - He Broke Your Game Wide Open - Valise
Doc & The Interns - Baby I Know - Now
Troy Dodds - Try My Love - El Camino
Marge Dodson - Be My Baby - Decca
Dorothy & The Hesitations - Trying To Work A Plan - Jamie
Joe Douglas - Crazy Things - Playhouse
Enchantments - I’m In Love With Your Daughter - Faro
Fabulous Peps - With These Eyes - Wee Three
Five Royales - Catch That Teardrop - Home Of The Blues
Sam Fletcher - I’d Think It Over - Tollie
Edward Hamilton - I’m Gonna Love You - Carrie
Andrea Henry - I Need You Like A Baby - MGM
Hyperions- Why You Wanna Treat Me Like You Do - Chatahoochie
Idols - Just A Little Bit More - Reveille
International GTO’s - I Love My Baby - Rojac
Marion James - That’s My Man - Excello
Dick Jordan - I Want Her Back - Jamie
Charles Lamont & The Extremes - I’ve Got To Keep Movin’ - Challenge
Jimmy Lewis - Let Me Know - Minit
Thelma Lindsey - Prepared To Love You - Magic City
Barbara Lynn - I’m A Good Woman - Tribe
Magnetics - I Have A Girl - Ra-Sel
Ernie Marbray - Ain’t Nobody’s Business - Wee
Barbara Mason - Bobby Is My Baby - Arctic
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes - Get Out - Landa
Metros - Since I Found My Baby - RCA
Willie Mitchell - That Driving Beat - Hi
Jack Montgomery - My Dear Beloved - Sceptre
Jack Montgomery - Take A Chance On Me- Revue
Tommy Navarro - I Cried My Life Away - De-Jac
Cliff Nobles - Your Love Is All I Need - Atlantic
Betty O’Brien - She’ll Be Gone - Liberty
O’Jays - I’ll Never Forget You - Imperial
Elbie Parker - Please Keep Away From Me - Veep
Paramounts - I Won’t Share Your Love - Mercury
Patti & The Emblems - I’m Gonna Love You A Long Long Time - Kapp
Ray Pollard - The Drifter - United Artists
Reatha Reese - Only Lies - Dot
Ringleaders - Baby Baby What Has Happened To Out Love - M-Pac
Big Daddy Rogers - I’m A Big Man - Midas
Johnny Rogers - Gone But Not Forgotten - Okeh
Royal Jokers - Love Games From A - Z - Wingate
Satisfactions - Take It Or Leave It - Smash
Johnny Sayles- I Can’t Get Enough - St Lawrence
Seven Souls - I Still Love You - French Epic
Dee Dee Sharp - What Kind Of Lady - Gamble
Shep - Fool To Fool - TNT
Watson & The Sherlocks - Little Old Groovemaker - C/U
Soul Brothers Six - I’ll Be Loving You - Atlantic
Sparkles - Try Love - Old Town
Rose St John - I Know The Meaning - Veep
Edwin Starr - Back Street - Ric-Tic
Tommy T & The Targets - Sales Pitch - Big R
Ted Taylor - Miss You So - Ronn
Ike & Tina Turner - Dust My Broom - Tangerine
Gladys Tyler - Mr Green Mrs Green - Decca
Patience Valentine - If You Don’t Come - Sar
Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before - Chess
Volcanos - Law Of The Land - Arctic
Vondells - Hey Girl - Airtown
Jimmy Wallace - I’ll Be Back - Alpha
Tammy Wayne - Have A Good Time - Boom
T J Williams - Baby I Need You - Josie
Mel Wynn - Stop Sign - Wand

The 100 Club 28th Anniversary

Well, to start with I forgot the camera, so no photos this time, but that doesn't really matter does it. Woody got on the train in Wolverhampton, and I joined him at Sandwell & Dudley, all we'd got to do was meet up with John Weston at Birmingham New Street and we were set. Couldn't be simpler could it ?

Not if Mr Weston is involved ! I get a phone call from him;

"Dave, you will have to ring me when you get to New Street, there's a train to Euston leaving at 18.30, and another one at 18.33 and I don't know which one you are on !"

So the train pulls into Birmingham and I have to ring him to tell him which platform we are on. Of course there's no sign of him. Did I mention the Millwall fans ? No I didn't did I. The last coach of the train was full of some rather boisterous Millwall fans, so the Police weren't letting anyone go near the back of the train. John's managed to get on the train, but in First Class, eventually he manages to persuade the Police that he isn't going to attack the Millwall fans and they let him come and join us in the cheap seats.

The train arrives in London on time so it's a Taxi to meet Toby at the Blue Posts round the back of the 100 Club, a quick pint and I set off towards Oxford Street to claim my table.

I get there before Ady, and when he arrives he kindly says I can bring my sales stuff down. What he didn't mention was that he really wanted someone to put chairs and tables out for him.

I grabbed my Anniversary single (Damn, it wasn't Luther Ingram or Ben E King) and set the stall up

With the 9pm start the 100 Club now play three hours of Club Soul, and it gives the night a different feel to hear some stuff that everyone knows but probably hasn't heard for ages, then at midnight it's onto the rarer side of things. I must admit I didn't pay much attention to who DJ'ed when, (And I even asked Roger Stewart what time he was on, twenty minutes after he finished his spot Ooops....Sorry Roger) I was too busy chatting to a variety of people. Some of whom I see nearly every weekend, others only in London, and quite a few people I hadn't seen for years.

At least four people asked me where the toilets were during the course of the night, and that to me says they have never been to the 100 Club before, so why did they choose the Anniversary night to come, and possibly stop one of the regulars getting a ticket, and the price of the beer is now extortionate: £3.80 a pint ! I wouldn't mind too much if it was a good pint, but to be honest by the time you get back from the bar it's as flat as a pancake, but that's what you get drinking in London. I have to own up, and say that I did go back to the bar a few times to check that the beer was still expensive, and still flat !

Six hours of top notch Northern Soul rarities from midnight, and all of a sudden it was time to go, the early start means an early finish as well, so it was up the stairs into the sunshine of Oxford Street again. another niter over.

Two and a half hours before the train so it was into the coffee shop at Euston for the strongest brew I think I have ever tasted, I put four cartons of milk in mine and it was still vile ! They announce the train so off we go, only to be stopped at the barrier and told the train is full. The nice man from Virgin Trains said that there was another train on Platform 13 going to Manchester and we could catch that. Minor problem that it didn't stop at Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, or Wolverhampton ! On top of that we spent a good twenty minutes just sitting in the middle of nowhere whilst they decided whether they were going to go forwards or back to Milton Keynes and put us all on buses. Thing is, these horrendous train journeys only seem to happen when John is on the train with me. perhaps he is cursed ! We all got off at Birmingham International and went our separate ways, tired, but happy to have had a good night in good company, with good music as well.

The next trip down to London is going to b for the Kent Records 25th Birthday party next month, and what a party that will be ! Just look at the line up on the flyer. Oh yes, I'm looking forward to that night, and I'll definitely remember to take the camera that night !

22nd September, 2007

8th September, 2007

Rugby Soul Club

Good to be back at Rugby, it seems ever such a long time since the last one in June.

Set off nice and early to have a meal in a pub just round the corner from the venue where we met up with Geoff and Sue Claxton. Sue kept us amused with tales of all the notes and letters she finds in Geoff's car (He's a milkman), and is constantly amazed at how many elderly women sign notes to the milkman with love and kisses. Mind you, the story about the Nunnery ringing up for some milk on a Sunday morning was the best one.

Arrived at the venue just before they opened and set the record sales up in time to see Sian arrive and issue instructions to all and sundry, "You do this, you do that". I have to say, she's a great organiser, some of the time. It's a bit of a standing joke that when Sian does the flyers she always get's something wrong on them. For tonight the deliberate mistake was billing Mick H as Mike H, nothing too drastic there, but with the flyers for November Sian excelled herself. She put September on them !!!!

So, 2,500 flyers with the wrong date on them. Hmmm, all credit to Sian she printed 2,500 stickers with November on them and stuck them all on herself. Being slightly mischevious, the first thing I did was peel one of the stickers off and go to Sian.

"Sian, I thought you'd put stickers on all the flyers ?"

"I have. Oh God, that must be the only one, I'll have to go and check all the other ones I've put out now"

Now I could have been really nasty and let her panic, but the word she used when I dropped the sticker into her hand was most un-ladylike, and I'll have you know my parents were, and actually, still are, married !

My first spot was 7.45 to 8.30pm, and as the room hadn't filled up much yet I took the opportunity to indulge myself and play a mostly mid-tempo set.

Betty Lavette - Only Your Love Can Save Me - Calla
Donald Jenkins - Somebody Help Me - Cortland
Sandy Hollis - I'm Tempted - Big Wheel
The Dells - Thinkin' About You - Cadet
Carlena Weaver - Jealousy - Audel
James Conwell - The Trouble With Girls - 4J
Ann Heywood - Crook His Little Finger - Hondo
Rose St John - I Know The Meaning - Veep
Jimmy Gilford - Nobody Loves Me Like My Baby - Thelma
Joe Douglas - Crazy Things - Playhouse
The Sparkles - Try Love - Old Town
Bobby Bland - Sweet Lips Of Joy - Duke Lp
Al Apollo - I'm Walking - Cub
Ted Taylor - Miss You So - Ronn
Bobby Baskerville - Gotcha Where I Wancha - Dot

Dave Evison followed me with his first spot and I was off back into the bar where I spent the rest of the night chatting away until it was time for my second spot.

By the end of Dave's first spot there was a very healthy crowd in, and they were already dancing

Of the other DJs, Mick H played a blinder of a spot, Adam mixed it up with some Seventies, Matt Smart (Who has come on in leaps and bounds in terms of his collection and his confidence when DJing), and then Dave Evison came back for his second spot.

As always, the last spot of the night is the 'send 'em home happy' spot, so it was a bit of everything from me:

1 Am To 2.10 Am

The Constellations - I Didn't Know How To - Gemini Star
Thelma Lindsey - Prepared To Love You - Magic City
Mel Wynn & The Rhythm Aces - Stop Sign - Wand
Cavaliers - Hold Onto My Baby - RCA
Bobby Freeman - Never Fall In Love Again - Autumn
Ike And Tina Turner - Dust My Broom - Tangerine
Mickie Champion - What Good Am I - Musette
Watson & The Sherlocks - Little Old Groovemaker - C/U
Reatha Reese - Only Lies - Dot
Larry Banks - I've Been Hurt So Many Times - Kent
Syl Johnson - Try Me - Twilight
Betty O'Brien - She'll Be Gone - Liberty
Dorothy & The Hesitations - Trying To Wo