YORKSHIRE RIDER LOOK BACK 12/04/03

YORKSHIRE RIDER LOOK BACK 12/04/03

“If it weren’t true…………………..”

Guest DJ: CRAIG BUTLER

 Col & I went up to the Rider good ‘n’ early and, with the help of Eddie who arrived shortly after we did, the decks were set up and spinning toons well before the 8.30 kick off This gave us time to admire the newly refurbished & decorated room, the bar area had been transformed (complete with new barmaid), there were freshly painted walls, a new carpet, and an absolutely wonderful set of gold lamé curtains hanging from the back of the stage (Sidney Barnes would have looked the dogs bo****ks on that stage in front of those curtains – sigh!!!!!!), hmmm the room seemed almost too posh for a northern do now;-)))

Whilst I waited for soulies other than us three to come along and join us, Col & Eddie could detected feedback which meant a bit of tinkering was about to ensue, I now hoped soulies would arrive a bit later. The only thing worse than going to a soul night and being greeted by silence; is going to a soul night and being greeted by nothing at all and believe me Col & I have done that scenario too; we once turned up to a soul night a week early, but then we’ve always been keen ;-)) Eventually soulies did start arriving & I had to make light of the music-less situation the “virgin” barmaid (virgin to her job, not sure ‘bout anything else;-))) had to make light of the dubious looking pint she had just pulled, whilst Col & Eddie continued to try fathom the problem, which of course they eventually did (after what seemed an age to me) and the sound of sweet soul music was once again flooding out of the speakers, the barmaid seemed to have cracked her beer “problem”, so that just left us hoping a few more soulies would come through the door and we’d be set for a good night.

First up was Eddie with a spanking set of toons, followed by Alex who also surpassed his normal standard of plays. Next on the decks was local soul boy Craig (who had stepped in as a late sub for Paul McNamara who in turn was sub for Ion, who was unable to guest for us this month (as advertised) but hopefully he’ll be available on a future date as I hope Paul will). Anyway after a few slow toons he upped the tempo a little and played some lesser known stuff (well they were to me) one I had heard him play before (when he DJ’d at the much missed Beehive in Bradford) was the 70’s version of Ty Karim’s “Lighten Up” , this is one of those records that I always reckon I prefer the 60’s version until I hear the 70ts version, then I think well this is good too!! “Top Dog” Guy then stormed onto the decks and with his usual élan played a scorching set of up tempo dancers. Last, but not least was Col who kept the tempo moving with what I can only described as an awesome set, I know, I know, you’ think I’m biased but if it weren’t true I wouldn’t say it;-))) All in all no-one seemed disappointed with the sounds played even though we had the fewest soulies in ever at the Rider - Where were you all? Still, those soulies who did come along more or less expressed the same thoughts, which are it doesn’t really matter if there are 30 or 300 people in the room (300!! I wish!!!) as long as they enjoy what they’re hearing. Got to agree with that one, but don’t take my word for it (though you know, if it weren’t true I wouldn’t say it) decide for yourself if the music is worth playing…………….

Colin Wood (warm-up)

Mighty Sam – Georgia pines Jackie Wilson – Just be sincere O’Jays – Working on your case Sid Barnes – Safety Zone Ronnie Walker - Trouble Soul Inc – My Proposal Bobby Reed – Caledonia Brown EJ Chandler – I can’t stand to lose you Eddie Engel James Barnes & The Agents – Free at last The Pets – What kind of girl Betty Green – Lonely girl Cody Black – Slowly moulding Edwin Starr – You’re my mellow The Puffs – I only cry once a day now Onyx – You never fail to amaze me Bernard Williams – It’s needless to say Rosco Robinson – What you’re doing to me Honey & The Bees – Dynamite exploded Dream Team – I’m not satisfied George Scott – Family Tree The Strides – I can get along without you now Mikki Farrow – Set my heart at ease Silky Hargeaves – You’re too good Rose St John & The Wonderettes – I know the meaning Sam Cooke – Sugar Dumpling Bill Baker – Another sleepless night

Alex Jones (anyone who reads these reviews regularly will know why his playlist can be a little sparse on info)

Excellent Album Track –Title & Artist known only to Alex;-)))) Lonnie Russ – Say girl Fascinators – In other words Betty Wilson – I’m yours Cautions – No other way Servicemen – Sweet magic Clarence Townsend – I found a love (wicked toon) Gentlemen Four – You can’t keep a good man down Ty Karim – Lighten up (6Ts version) Tokays – Baby baby baby Exits – Under the streetlamp Galahads – I got to find a way Jessie Davis – Hang on in there Soul Set – Will you ever learn Soundmaster – Lonely, lonely

Craig Butler

Holidays – I lost you Beverly Schaffer – Given the score Joe Bataan – Under the street lamp ?Harvey & The Sound – Glamour girl Classmen – Doing me right Clarence Reid – Push a little harder Charmers – Looking for trouble Clarence Hill – A lot of loving going round Marie Knight – No way to treat a girl Tobi Lark – Sweep it out of the shed Cozy – Oh my love Carla Thomas – I can’t take it Ty Karim – Lighten up (70ts version) Guy Hennigan Lord Thunder – Chaos Mary Saxton – Losing control BJ Thomas – Keep it up Joys of Life – Good times are over Caressors – Stay away Apocrophyls – I’m losing you Kell Osborne – Small things Gwen Davis – My man don’t think I know Bud Harper – Wherever you were Johnny Watson – Ain’t gonna move Jimmy Reed Jnr – I ain’t going nowhere Linda Queen – Where can my baby be Victors – Not only a girl knows Sam Williams – Love slipped through my fingers Clifford Bins – You got to help me Lenny Curtis – Nothing can help you now Yvonne & The Violets – Cross my heart

 Colin Wood

Chosen Few – Birth of a playboy El Corols – Chick chick Delilah Kennebreuw – Bright lights Ambers – I love you baby Dynamics – I wanna know Para-monts – Come go with me Edwin Starr – Don’t tell me I’m crazy Bobo Mr Soul – Hithhike to heartbreak road Billy Storm – Please don’t mention her name Soulville All Stars – I’m gonna get to you Al Gardner – Sweet baby Checkmates Ltd – Run nigger run (not very pc nowadays) Connie McGill & The Visions – I can’t stop my love Charles Mintz – Running back Rivieras – You counter feit girl Joel Christie – Since I found you Sandra Lynn – Where would I be Intruders – Check yourself True Tones – He’s got the nerve Echoes – Million dollar bill Tyrone Davis – Bet you win Counts – Peaches baby Big Dee Irwin – You satisfy my needs

Record of the night for me, well this was a difficult choice to make from so many spanking toons played, but Bobo Mr Soul – Hitchhike to Heartbreak Road has got to be one of the all-time oh sooh soulful toons I have ever heard. I just go into meltdown whenever I hear this – what!! I’m entitled to my opinion same as the next person;-)))

Next month May 10th all being well Andy Dyson is advertised as Guest DJ, but with the way things have gone this last couple of months you never can tell. Might be worth you coming along with a “just in case” playbox ;-)))) If you can’t wait until next month get yourself to the Yorkshire Rider website, http://totn.topcities.com where you’ll hear loads of good toons. See ya next month. Soulfully yours, Shirley.

Even more thanks to Shirley for yet another top read.