St Ives Review 16 Oct Review by Winston

Seems a fair bit since read a review from Winston , but as just passed on his look back to last nites St Ives reunion, looks like back in action.

Published Date: 2004/10/22 3:10:00

St Ives 16th October

When H.G. Wells penned "The Time Machine", one assumes, he envisaged mad scientists working frantically to create a mechanism capable of traversing the very portals of time. A lot of work, and in reality on something that could never exist! Or could it?

If he'd have looked closely at the psyche of the human being, he would have discovered that all the tools he needed were in place, within. Walking into St Ives tonight was akin to stepping back to an era long forgotten. Of course the mullets and afros (disregarding my own, which is rapidly approaching Phil Lynott proportions)  weren't very much in evidence. Nor thankfully were the white socks or tank tops, but sports bags and talc abounded, and of course the odd pair of Spencers with obligatory beer towel surfaced without apology.

The venue actually has a no talc policy, but apparently half the 700/800 had watched the film "The Wooden Horse", and  consequently those with 'roomier' Spencers were detailed to liberally disperse talc from secret compartments. I really wish the 'Northern Soul Bible', and its fourth commandment "Thou shalt fuck the floor by making it impossible to stand up on", had never been commissioned 

But back to yesteryear, the venue's hardly changed, magnificent dancefloor, although even this couldn't cater for the throng in attendance. Thoughtfully tables and chairs had been strategically placed around the dancefloor, for those of us of advancing years, who need to sit down between the stompers. 

If your persuasion was such, there were always the balconies, offering 'Fish bowl vision', but these were in the main, populated by the 'handbaggers'.

It would be remiss of me not to point out the generous serving of KTF'rs in attendance......Karen Crane, Debs, Carms, Lisa, Nogsy, Spanner, Alan Gibbons and Nige Brown. Leaving aside the last three, a KTF beauty pageant.....and yes I know I've included Nogsy, but he did look kinda cute Thankfully he appeared in fine fettle, apart from an insistence on playing R&B Some of you probably know he's not been well, but I told him everyone on KTF wished him a speedy recovery.

First DJ up was Tony Warot a selection of his play list appears below.

1) I lost a true love - Danny Wagner

2) What would I do - Tymes

3) What kind of lady - Dee Dee Sharp

4) Ever again - Bernie Williams

5) Wanting you - April Stevens

6) Ice man - Billy Watkins

7) I wish I was - Eddie Garrigan

Cool Off - Detroit Executives

9) Cry your eyes out - Dottie Cambridge

10) That's not love - Holly St James

Whilst Tony firmly stuck with oldies, a policy required and insisted upon by the audience, nothing seemed out of place. The floor was heaving right from the off, and when the final record was played just after one, dancefloor space was still at a premium.

Derek Allen was next up delighting the crowd with.....

1) I want my baby back - Stevie Wonder

2) Suspicion - Funk Brothers

3) Crying Time - Brenda Holloway

4) Just because - Pat and the Blenders

5) Comin' home baby - Dee Dee Sharp

6) Love you babe - Paulette

7) My little girl - Bobby Garrett

Try a little harder - Fi-Dels

9) Cause you're mine - Vibrations

10) In orbit - Joy Lovejoy

Again, I would like to stress this was never billed as anything other than a revival night and the crowd were in raptures.

Then on strolled the ex shades DJ Glenn Bellamy and his first track?

1) Double Cookin - Checkerboard Squares

2) I'm not strong enough - Four Perfections

3) You hit me - Alice Clark

4) Satisfied - Ben Aiken

5) Can't help lovin' you - Paul Anka

6) Come go with me (instr) - Ed Cobb Orchestra

7) Better use your head - Little Anthony & the Imperials

Breakout - Mitch Ryder

9) Do what you wanna do - Paul Sinbad

10) Cry your eyes out - Dottie Cambridge

11) You didn't mean me no good - Jelly Beans

12) Something's burning - Marvellows

13) Help me - Al Wilson

14) Can't you see you're losing me - Mary Wells

15) Aint no soul left in these old shoes - Ronnie Milsap

16) Please let me in - JJ Barnes.

It wasn't that Glenn played more records than the other DJs it's just that he's more efficient, and actually enjoyed scribbling out his play list.

The last DJ to furnish me with a play list was the immortal Brian Rae.

1) Champion - Willie Mitchell

2) Sad girl - Carol Anderson

3) I can't do it - Eddie and Ernie

4) No one else can take your place - Inspirations

5) Didn't' say a word - Yvonne Baker

6) You got me where you want me - Larry Santos

7) I've got the need - Moments

Lend a hand - Bobby Hutton

9) Wade in the water - Ramsey Lewis

10) Help me - Al Wilson

Even though some records were duplicated, a situation usually frowned upon, there was no frowning tonight! Just hundreds of happy faces, each with their own personal time machine, which had transported them back, some 25 years. The only thing that didn't regress was the price of the records in the record bar, they were firmly rooted in 2004.......but hey, you can't have everything.

I make no apologies for my reflections on a great night being somewhat wordy, I haven't done a review in ages and......it just seemed right.

No apologies from the organisers for the music policy either, oldies was the fare for the night, and it was consumed with passion by the ravenous horde, and if seconds had been available, then everyone's name would have been "Oliver".

As a codicil to this review, I think when Dave Godin coined the phrase "Northern Soul" most of the tracks played tonight would have measured up nicely to his interpretation of our wonderful scene!!

KTF Winston