Best live performance

[Mike Lofthouse]

I have seen some wonderful Soul performers in recent years....all performing far better than you have any right to expect.......some highlights include...

Ann Sexton and Debbie Taylor at The Witon

Irma Thomas, Barbara Lynn, Mabel John, Willie Hightower, Tony Owens, Brenda Holloway and Betty Harris in New Orleans in 2016 (Ponderosa Stomp)

William Bell, Ann Sexton,  Masqueraders, Denise Lasalle, Timmy Thomas, Spencer & Percy Wiggins, Don Bryant, John Gary Williams and Randy Brown in Memphis in 2016, also down the road in Muscle Shoals Eddie Floyd and Mary Gresham with Travis Wammack

Phillip Mitchell, Barbara Mason, Michael James Kirkland, Lew Kirton, Lenny Williams and Margie Joseph in Bilbao over the past 5 years

The O'jays in Nevada in 2010

and Aretha Franklin in North Carolina in 2016..

Nearer to home -  William Bell at the Sage Gateshead last year (with the Stax Academy) were fantastic and in London last year Don Bryant at Ronnie Scotts was brilliant as were The Impressions at The Union Chapel....

The Albert King/John Lee Hooker/ Buddy Guy and Jnr Wells show at The Hammersmith Odeon mentioned earlier was a night to remember although Albert was in better form at Colne the year he died in '92. ...and not forgetting the great Bobby Bland at the Albert Hall back in 2000...

Try to catch as many as I can..always worth the effort.......

 

 

 

 

[Baz Atkinson]

The Dells At Trentham Gardens  was an incredible experience some doubt as to whether there would get over as Marvin Junior was poorly. Probably the highlight for me when there sang give my baby a standing ovation the windows nearly went  out words just failed me ! 

Eddie Parker and Lorraine Chandler the night before there played Stafford at Darlington was fantastic also and not forgetting Edwin Start at the casino, such a under rated performer ! 

[Mike Lofthouse]

1 hour ago, Baz Atkinson said:

The Dells At Trentham Gardens  was an incredible experience some doubt as to whether there would get over as Marvin Junior was poorly. Probably the highlight for me when there sang give my baby a standing ovation the windows nearly went  out words just failed me ! 

Eddie Parker and Lorraine Chandler the night before there played Stafford at Darlington was fantastic also and not forgetting Edwin Start at the casino, such a under rated performer ! 

The Dells was a legendary night for sure Baz...everyone was there it seems, the only person who missed it I know was Kev Kane!

[Chalky]

16 hours ago, Mike Lofthouse said:

in fairness Syl gave him hard time throughout the show.......don't think he up to the standard Syl Johnson was use to...

 

Remember it well and not the first time Snake has been given a hard time by an artist.  Chuck Jackson really gave it to him during rehearsals at Yarmouth.  

[Stevesilktulip]

Just back On Maze. On the Sarah Cox eighties show a year or two back, she had a guest on who'd just brought out a remixes album and she asked him a list of general questions including 'best night out in the eighties'. He promptly responded Maze Live and the lovely, charismatic Coxy asked who Maze are. 

Reminds me of when Johnny Walker thought the Yes Album was their first album. A record shop in Leeds made a similar mistake when Mrs Silk picked up a copy of the wrong album for me, but Walker hosts Sounds of the Seventies and fancies himself as a bit of a rocker.

We're so well served by knowledgable DJs. 

[Colnago]

35 minutes ago, stevesilktulip said:

Just back On Maze. On the Sarah Cox eighties show a year or two back, she had a guest on who'd just brought out a remixes album and she asked him a list of general questions including 'best night out in the eighties'. He promptly responded Maze Live and the lovely, charismatic Coxy asked who Maze are. 

Reminds me of when Johnny Walker thought the Yes Album was their first album. A record shop in Leeds made a similar mistake when Mrs Silk picked up a copy of the wrong album for me, but Walker hosts Sounds of the Seventies and fancies himself as a bit of a rocker.

We're so well served by knowledgable DJs. 

Reminds me of a tale of a dj who was playing aLeroy Hutson track and was asked about an album track request , “he’s done an album has he , didn’t know that “ was the reply , anyway he was left to do his spot educating the crowd , bless him . By the way this was recent !! 

[Stevesilktulip]

I think his second album's due out soon.

[Guest Spain pete]

No  you wrong it's his third .

27 minutes ago, stevesilktulip said:

I think his second album's due out soon.

 

[Guest Polyvelts]

Not seen too many Soul artists live but Randy Brown at the Shaw theatre mid eighties was pretty special ! Put on by Steve Davis the snooker player, Randy made him take a bow and you could see how embarrrassed he was !

Pat Lewis at SHS in a small basement below a pub near Liverpool St was a special night, she went out onto the dancefloor and practically  serenaded everyone  individually. Wow ! I remember looking over at Ian Levine and tears were streaming down his face. Well done Dave !!!

On a lighter note, in the early 80s I saw the village people at the Pink coconut in Brighton, they put on one hell of a show ! The lead singer was incredible (policeman) but then he was Valerie Simpson’s brother !!

 

[Rob Wigley]

On 20/04/2018 at 17:47, RICK SCOTT said:

Jesse James Sunday 17th September 1989 All Dayer At Romeo & Juliets (George Street Hull)

A Two Room Event with The Sounds Of Cleethorpes In One Room (Romeos)

DJs Steve Croft * Poke * Rick Scott * "JESSE JAMES" Live * Soul Sam * Rob Wigley * Bub * 

And Modern Soul In the other  (Juliets)

DJs Leyland Collective * Bob Jones * Gary Welsh * Darren (Hull) * Tom Jackson * Soul Sam * 

                                                                      AND

SAM DEES LIVE at the Canal Tavern Thorne SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER (1991 if memory serves me well)

Along with seeing the Four Tops Live at the fiesta Club Sheffield in the Early 70's mmmm Joy

 

Agree Rick

I introduced Jesse James at Hull in the small room he even sat nest to my ex-wife singing to her LOL old smoothie !  And if you've seen the video of Sam Dees at Thorne, I took it ! Tats had a video camera back then ! A very very foggy night, the busiest the room had ever been, but still only 100 in, I've heard that many people say they were there there must have been 1000 ! we know the truth

Rob 

[Rob Wigley]

On 22/04/2018 at 19:58, IanP said:

I was present at that gig... £4 

. So good , I saw them again at Hammersmith Odeon , for the Back in Stride tour 

Me too always in my top 3 no matter how it changes around ! They were just on the brink of international stardom Fabulous !

[Roburt]

On 26/04/2018 at 21:26, Baz Atkinson said:

The Dells At Trentham Gardens  was an incredible experience some doubt as to whether there would get over as Marvin Junior was poorly. Probably the highlight for me when there sang give my baby a standing ovation the windows nearly went  out words just failed me ! 

Eddie Parker and Lorraine Chandler the night before there played Stafford at Darlington was fantastic also and not forgetting Edwin Start at the casino, such a under rated performer ! 

WOW, my memory must really be going as I didn't list the Dells @ Trentham Gardens in my top live show list ... a magic night when you just couldn't believe what you were seeing. A great performance by a brilliant soul group.

[Rob Wigley]

3 minutes ago, Roburt said:

WOW, my memory must really be going as I didn't list the Dells @ Trentham Gardens in my top live show list ... a magic night when you just couldn't believe what you were seeing. A great performance by a brilliant soul group.

THAT VOICE  when Marvin Junior walked out on to the stage to join the others !

[Roburt]

Not ones to go on my top live performances list BUT still great nights due to what happened after the artists left the stage ... Sammy Ward at the Morecambe Weekender (around 1988) ... he liked his beer & drank quite a bit (mainly after the show) and was enjoying himself so much, he got on the dance floor & stayed there ..

2nd artist ... another who enjoyed the atmosphere on the night so much that he stayed in the room with the fans after being on stage (& ventured onto the dance floor too) ... Sidney Joe Qualls @ Windsor (the Trout was it ?).

FOR OVERALL BEST FAN REACTION ... it has to be Morecambe Weekender and Sam Dees ... after he finished his act ... with Rob Wigley leading all the room in a football style chant of Sammy Dees, Ohhh, Sammy Dees that went on for ages ... the guy just stood on stage and cried.

BACK TO SAM WARD ....

Edited April 28, 2018 by Roburt

[Rob Wigley]

Guilty as charged sir !

[Jez Jones]

On 26/04/2018 at 21:26, Baz Atkinson said:

The Dells At Trentham Gardens  was an incredible experience some doubt as to whether there would get over as Marvin Junior was poorly. Probably the highlight for me when there sang give my baby a standing ovation the windows nearly went  out words just failed me ! 

Eddie Parker and Lorraine Chandler the night before there played Stafford at Darlington was fantastic also and not forgetting Edwin Start at the casino, such a under rated performer ! 

Dells at Trentham.................unforgetable !!!

[Smudger]

Ann Nesby was awsome at Prestatyn modern room,but i enjoyed Bobby Hutton,Chuck Jackson,Betty Swann ,Mr Womack of course and the spine tingling Dells.

Always wanted to see Curtis and Jerry Butler but too late now,just love seeing the artists reaction when they perform in uk and they can't believe what reactions they get

[Chalky]

On 20/04/2018 at 18:47, RICK SCOTT said:

Jesse James Sunday 17th September 1989 All Dayer At Romeo & Juliets (George Street Hull)

A Two Room Event with The Sounds Of Cleethorpes In One Room (Romeos)

DJs Steve Croft * Poke * Rick Scott * "JESSE JAMES" Live * Soul Sam * Rob Wigley * Bub * 

And Modern Soul In the other  (Juliets)

DJs Leyland Collective * Bob Jones * Gary Welsh * Darren (Hull) * Tom Jackson * Soul Sam * 

                                                                      AND

SAM DEES LIVE at the Canal Tavern Thorne SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER (1991 if memory serves me well)

Along with seeing the Four Tops Live at the fiesta Club Sheffield in the Early 70's mmmm Joy

 

[Wheelsville1]

On 22/04/2018 at 00:03, givemesoul said:

 

Hi Falsetto Perfection.

[dthedrug]

Hi All...  It would be doing an injustice to the many groups that I have seen & those that I worked with as a Roadie, working in both sound & light, also it must be stated that as a Teenager (in the 6ts) most groups could play their instruments & sing the song, they had to if they wanted to make a record contract, also back then 3 & 4 track recording studios was normal, most records were achieved with 1 take, you would be surprised the amount of mistakes that are in 6ts recording, most noticeable are in Jamaican music,

Also I am not going to mention Groups seen at early music festivals such as Reading Cambridge Folk Festival, Wheely Pop Festival, Isle of White, and Glastonbury did you know I went to the very first?

In the 7ts I worked as a DJ playing soul, but also working in student union halls who wanted Rock POP, but it is when I first worked as a roadie, with Soul acts who mainly did the MECCA circuit plus small clubs, Rock & pop, later on Punk Rock, My favourite tours were with the Tramps Tavares, Smokey Robinson, Edwin Starr, Jr Walker Marvin Gaye & Kool & the Gang. white artists I will mention 2 Mike Patto & Alexis Korner,

However the best live acts I have seen were James Brown at the Rainbow 1971 & the Dells at Trenten Gardens are 2 acts that were magic, as I say this is my personal Pick, some would pick the Motown acts, however they were great but the 2 I picked were a bit better. KTF DAVE K

[Geeselad]

James brown at the Bridgewater, bout 2 years before he died. The originals at the ritz, never seen people gasp when i guy sung before! And lee feilds in Manchester last year. 

Edited April 28, 2018 by geeselad

[Colnago]

50 minutes ago, geeselad said:

James brown at the Bridgewater, bout 2 years before he died. The originals at the ritz, never seen people gasp when i guy sung before! And lee feilds in Manchester last year. 

Re- lee fields , yes top quality, saw him at Leeds , superb performance up there with the best of them .

[Chalky]

Just now, Colnago said:

Re- lee fields , yes top quality, saw him at Leeds , superb performance up there with the best of them .

Fantastic show.  There is some videos on my youtube page.

 

watch it through..worth the wait for when the full band kicks in although the video doesn't do it justice.

[Colnago]

27 minutes ago, chalky said:

Fantastic show.  There is some videos on my youtube page.

 

watch it through..worth the wait for when the full band kicks in although the video doesn't do it justice.

Thanks chalky.

[Colnago]

Should give a member on here a shout out too , Eli Paper boy Reed . Thoroughly enjoyed his show , lays it all out on stage and well worth going to see . 

[Winsford Soul]

On 26/04/2018 at 22:31, Mike Lofthouse said:

The Dells was a legendary night for sure Baz...everyone was there it seems, the only person who missed it I know was Kev Kane!

I was there. From Widnes Via Stuart and Marie's wedding in Lancaster via lowton doing stage security for Dean Courtney then finally got to Trentham  . What a weekend that was .

Ste. 

[Colnago]

Little Milton at colne r n b festival, class

sam Moore at colne , yes he was/is getting on but bloody hell the power he still had was incredible.

[Rick Scott]

3 hours ago, chalky said:

Thanks for putting this up Chalky, You're a Star, i still have mine  but will have to get my Son to show me how it is done (up loading

It was a Fabulous Day it has to be said. Rick

[Carole P]

I went to that with John Farrell & Rob Hurcomb from Worcester,they picked me up in Birmingham.Spent more time in the car getting there & back home.

A year later went to The Memphis Show at the Hummingham Bird in Birmingham.Otis Clay,Ann Peebles,Billy Always,David Hudson & Willie Mitchell Band.Brilliant night.Shame only about 50 people in there.

A week later we saw Bobby Womack there as well.That was full.

Happy days

John

[El Corol]

17 minutes ago, carole p said:

I went to that with John Farrell & Rob Hurcomb from Worcester,they picked me up in Birmingham.Spent more time in the car getting there & back home.

A year later went to The Memphis Show at the Hummingham Bird in Birmingham.Otis Clay,Ann Peebles,Billy Always,David Hudson & Willie Mitchell Band.Brilliant night.Shame only about 50 people in there.

A week later we saw Bobby Womack there as well.That was full.

Happy days

John

I was at both of those, got to speak with Willie Mitchell at the end, nice guy.

Womack was brilliant that night I thought.

[Dylan]

4 hours ago, chalky said:

Fantastic show.  There is some videos on my youtube page.

 

watch it through..worth the wait for when the full band kicks in although the video doesn't do it justice.

The quality of that video is good.  Can't be many putting on that kind of a show now with that level of quality in the vocal.

[Chalky]

Debbie Taylor at the Wilton...

 

William Bell at Cleethorpes

 

[Stevesilktulip]

I did Little Milton at Colne; I also saw him in Manchester on a bill with Latimore.

James Brown was great at the Sage. I was talking to Billy Walker (of Walkers) before and we weren't expecting much but agreed it was more homage. It turned out to be the best night there to date, though bluesman Lucky Peterson a couple of years back was great too.

[Roburt]

Got to agree with Chalky, Debbie Taylor @ the Wilton and William Bell @ Cleggy were both great ... PLUS ... you couldn't wish to meet a nicer guy than William Bell, a real pleasure to spend time with (when he could be dragged away from Jakki that is).

[Mick Sway]

It's a toss up between The Major at the Torch or any performance by Edwin or Junior Walker,

Sadly it's easy to take these artists performances for granted , as they disappear into the mists

of memory and time.