HRSC 2024 DJ Dayer Profiles #2 - Phil Shields

As we continue to profile our guests at the Home Run Soul Club (more can be found HERE including Dave Ripolles, Pat Bleasdale and Chris Anderton) our aim is to build an archive of those we've had play whilst offering a little sense of who they are and what drives their passion for soul. 

For our first home run Soul club birthday we've picked another great character from the scene (with a great story) and a some of the records you might hear on the day. 

Phil Shields 

How long have you been collecting?

I’ve always been in love with music from well, about aged 8/9. I remember my parents taking me to buy the top 30 singles of the time (oops best keep that bit quiet), then when I went to secondary school I started buying all Bowie’s LPs.

Then in around 1977 I started hanging out with my older brother going to local discos, they called them soul nights even though there was no soul in Belfast but loads of disco and a bit of jazz funk. Anyway, I loved it and after a month or so I couldn’t stay off the dance floor and certainly wasn’t easy to live with if I didn’t manage to get out 3/4 nights a week.

I was buying Black Echoes and was intrigued by the back pages, what were these records they were talking about? I didn’t know any of them. I think I was 15 when I persuaded one of my parents to write a cheque and voila my first soul pack arrived one damp grey Saturday morning and WOW, that was it for me I was hooked, late 1977 and I’ve been buying (and selling) ever since.  

Do you remember your first buy?

To be honest, it’s over 45 years now so not sure. I know that first soul pack was all bootlegs and I remember Frankie & Johnny on Hickory and Johnny Bragg on Elbejay being there.

I did start buying blind from Soul Bowl, them originals that came my way in those early days included Patrice Holloway – Stolen Hours on Capital, Steve Mancha on Wheelsville and The Blue Jays on Jay, all long since sold but one bought back years later but a lot more expensive.

What’s your favourite record in your box?

This is an impossible question, it depends on so many things but here goes but I couldn’t just have one, so here’s three that have been consistently my fave 45s and ones that I’m lucky enough to own –

Johnny Gilliam – Room Full Of Tears on Cancer – Words fail me on this one, spine tingling soul of the very highest quality. I’m now on my 2nd copy after foolishly selling the 1st one

Dusty Wilson – It’s Gonna Be A Tragedy on Mutt – Heard this in the 90’s when I started collecting again, my kinda tune!

Maurice McAllister – Your Love Is Slipping Away  – Well it’s Mr. Soul – What Happened To Yesterday on Genuine. A song I had on tape for a long time, I wore that tape out finally got a copy a few years ago 

Which record do you regret selling the most?

Where do I start? sold too many over the years but there are two that I really do still miss –

Soul Shakers You’re Turnin’ on Teri De
Cal Green – I’ll Give You Just A Little More Time on Filmtown

What’s your fave all time soul club?

Sorry… three again from me –

Rugby Soul Club – Just the perfect venue with a totally across the board music policy and run by two of the loveliest people… oh, and it’s two minutes from my door

Middleton All-Niter – I was very lucky to be taken under Carl Willingham’s wing, absolutely loved this guy and I was over the moon when he called me up as joint resident in his room.

And finally the amazing Belfast Soul Club – Never dreamt there would be a club in Belfast like the one me and Liam Quinn, some fantastic nights plus a couple of weekenders in the mix and the music was incredible!

What’s your all time want?

I give up on wants lists a long time ago, it would be a book by now and I’d need to win the euro millions to buy them!

Ticket for the next event and all other info available HERE 

See you all on the 7th Sept