Winsford Niter - Liberation Review

Going back a couple of Fridays and here's a review by Dave D of his adventures at the Winsford All nighter, complete with modern room playlists......

Liberation - Winsford 18.8.2001

It was my first trip to Winsford and one I had been looking forward to immensely since the beginning of the year as I promised myself that Id pay it a visit. My main reason for visiting was to establish if the recent rave reviews about the modern room, titled Liberation, were substantiated.

After a lengthy but trouble free drive from Chatham, I checked into a b&b, got changed and arrived at the warm-up at The Queens pub at 9.15. It was not very busy at that time and northern soul was blaring out to get people in the mood. Said hello to Roger Williams who was, I suppose, warming himself up for the long night ahead. Also had a chat with a few others until a minibus full of the Soul Down South crew with Terry Jones arrived at about 10.30 and seemed to take over the place. They missed the brief modern spot and was back to northern. I enjoyed The Queens - the music was good, it wasnt too busy and it was a good opportunity to have a few pints and a laugh before the allnighter.

Over to the allnighter. Poked my head in the northern room. its huge - sound system is good playing Terry Callier and John Bowie. Oh no - its gone silent; technical hitch so Im off into the modern room. Theirry Boulanger, over from Belgium for the weekend, is playing Sunshine Anderson. My wife walks straight into the room and onto the dancefloor. In fact, quite a lot of people are dancing, and its only 11.15.

The modern room is a nice small square shape. There are big potted plants and nice comfortable seats set in an almost complete rectangle shape in two corners creating a lounge bar type of environment but there was no lounging going on. The DJ and decks are on the ground, not elevated which all goes to create a intimate party atmosphere.

The music was very good ranging from 70s to brand new, rare to very easy to find but the emphasis is on good modern danceable soul music. Roger Williams and Terry Jones played their sets back to back for what seemed a marathon three hours because the music was so good.

Ive listed Rogers set below and Terry played lots of different things from Vivian Reed to the new Ollie Woodson cut due out on Expansion soon.

Tony Dawber also played a very good set of recent big tunes including Bob Sinclair, Darwin Hobbs, Freddie Jackson and Cynthia Biggs/Sharon Bryant.

The occasional tune did not do it for me but I think thats to be expected for an allnighter lasting nine hours. There was one 30 minute stint where the music was a bit eclectic for my taste but overall 95% did do it for me and thats an excellent hit rate.

An excellent crowd also made for an enjoyable night and it was well worth the long trip.

Recommended.

Theirry Boulanger

GWEN McCRAE - Winners together (Together LP)

G.C. CAMERON - Im gonna give you respect (Love songs LP)

BETTY WRIGHT - Keep feelin (Explosion LP)

BEN TANKARD - N-da-spirit (15") (Git yo praize on CD)

C + C MUSIC FACTORY - Searchin (Same CD)

DRAMATICS - Shes my kinda girl (New dimension LP)

ANDRE DE LANGE - A friend (C&J R&B Mix) (Worth the wait CD)

ATLANTIC STARR - All because of you (All because CD)

RONNIE McNEIR - The good side of your love (Rare McNeir CD)

III FRUM THA SOUL - My body (Same CD)

HAROLD WHALEY - Playthang (Simply Soul 3 CD)

ZHANE - Request line (Saturday night CD)

SUNSHINE ANDERSON - Heard it all before (18") (Your woman CD)

LATANYA - Why you acting shady (19") (Same CD)

OLU - Dont cry (Soul catcher CD

ROBBIE DANZIE - Summer (Best Of CD)

Roger Williams

Sweet & Wonderful - Jean Carn/Glenn Jones

Love Town - Booker Newberry III

Circles - Atlantic Starr

Dont Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & The Drells

Didnt Know About Love Til I Found You - Lenny White

Share The Night - World Premiere

Dont Let It Go To Your Head - Jean Carn

Seventh Heaven - Gwen Guthrie

What Am I Gonna Do - Akwaaba People

Ribbon In The Sky - 2 Men 4 Soul

Wilder - Stargate featuring Tyler

A Miracle - Dez

I Should Be Groovin - Mr. Alexander

Find A Way - Trey Lorenz

Spread Love - Messengers featuring Lisa Millett

We Are One - Urban Blues Project featuring Bobby Pruitt

By Your Side - Greg Gaulthier & Tony L featuring Michelle Weeks

Learn To Give - Arnold Jarvis

Wishing On A Star - Randy Crawford

Oh, and a little forthcoming Expansion eksclooosiv!! - twice, again!!

Everybodys Talking - Rance Allen

Everyday Love - Dazz Band

Here With My Best Friend - Stephanie Cooke

Keep It In The Family - Leon Haywood

Syreeta & GC Cameron (cant remember the title!!)

Dave D