Most Memorable Live Soul Group

[binsy]

Did a bit of bricklaying between songs, did he, Bins' ?

Hope all's well, mate...

TONE

Hi Tone,

No suit, bad jumper, just sang the songs with a great band, no bollocks

[Guest 18miles]

Its got to be the Dells at Trentham, but does anyone remember Martha Reeves at Wigan. A guy at the front was sitting on his mates shoulders and shouted out to her sing One Way Out, then everyone joined in chanting One Way Out so she sang it without the band or her backing singers. Amazing !!

[Roger Williams]

Maze, 1982, Hammersmith Odeon. Never known an atmosphere like it at a concert - seen loads over the years but still never anything that match that night in terms of audience response. Luther Vandross's Valentines Day concert at the Dominion the following year was pretty special as well.

[Kelboy]

Its got to be the Dells at Trentham, but does anyone remember Martha Reeves at Wigan. A guy at the front was sitting on his mates shoulders and shouted out to her sing One Way Out, then everyone joined in chanting One Way Out so she sang it without the band or her backing singers. Amazing !!

Yes i was at that one and ive got it on cassette, not the best quality but you can make it all out.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Maze, 1982, Hammersmith Odeon. Never known an atmosphere like it at a concert - seen loads over the years but still never anything that match that night in terms of audience response. Luther Vandross's Valentines Day concert at the Dominion the following year was pretty special as well.

The Luther experience at the Dominion was ruined a bit for me by the fact that I bought tickets to both shows, and they were 100% identical right down to the last between song ad lib. I should have only gone to the one, I know, and I spoilt it for myself.

Should say, BTW, that on their own each of the shows was indeed 'pretty special'...

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Hi Tone,

No suit, bad jumper, just sang the songs with a great band, no bollocks

Now there's a thought - Otis 'No Bollocks' Clay, world's first castrato soul singer....

...Sorry mate, couldn't resist that one

[KevH]

saw Heatwave at The Grey Topper,Jacksdale(77'?)..."We've got the grooveline..tonite"

[Roger Williams]

Should say, BTW, that on their own each of the shows was indeed 'pretty special'...

I still to this day get goosebumps remembering the response when Luther walked down those stairs they had rigged up on stage. Amazing.

Thinking about it though, I think the actual best 'live' performer I've witnessed, in terms of recreating the recorded experience note for note, is Phil Perry at Prestatyn a few years ago, the man is an incredible vocalist, even after all this time.

[Guest]

for me i am still relatively new to the scene with only 1 year behind my belt, but the peps and steve calloway at the ncsc was certainly a hit with me one night i will never forget was fantastic, but also i have to mention that it was also just as much of a buzz when i met thelma jones, the elgins ebony allayne and chuck from the contours. personally i think it creates a buzz seeing any of the artists live on stage as for me it is all about keeping the scene alive and without the wonderful talent of the live acts we wouldn't have what we all love and adore so much imo KTF soulchick x

[Soul Shrews]

When was Otis Clay? I missed that one completely!

He was also over with one of the "Waylo revues" back in the 80s and rather wonderful he was too.

As its groups I have to go along with everyone whos mentioned the Dells @ Trentham

Saw them a couple of years later in Oakland and it was the same show but without the 'northern' tracks. On the same bill that night were Bloodstone who performance wise gave the Dells a good run for their money.

Cheers Paul

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

On the same bill that night were Bloodstone who performance wise gave the Dells a good run for their money.

Cheers Paul

Saw 'em in the 70s, Paul, as I said elsewhere - and again in either 1999 or 2000 in Sacramento. Great the first time, absolutely sensational the second. I actually think they've gotten better with age and I also think that they're a bit undervalued by the Soul community here in the UK - possibly because they're 'British By Association', having made their first records here in the 70s?

[Lamont]

Temptations Review at Manchester Apollo for me, about 6 weeks before David passed away, the group consisted David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards, David Sea & Charles Blackman, Johnny Moore (Drifters also joined them on stage).

[Guest]

Ois Clay @ the bottom line?, shepherds bush early 90's - packed little venue , his own band - soul heaven!!

Derek

[Guest adlibsoul]

Boston Gliderdrome '66.Balcony/dancefloor packed.Mods suited and booted waiting for the main act, The Small Faces.Direct from America the supporting act,Edwin Starr, with a full backing group/brass section.From the first sound to the last he absolutely mesmerised the crowd .

On came the Small Faces.Just four of them.No brass.No backing singers.Made the massive stage look even bigger.Their sound after Edwin & Co ? Weak,tinney- they didn't stand a chance,didn't sound like their studio produced records.Segments of the crowd called for them to get off and bring back Edwin. Bottles got thrown at them and they stopped playing when Kenny Jones took one in the face.

Back came Edwin and the mods had found a new idol.Never forgotten it.

[Roger Williams]

Temptations Review at Manchester Apollo for me, about 6 weeks before David passed away, the group consisted David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards, David Sea & Charles Blackman, Johnny Moore (Drifters also joined them on stage).

Loved that. I couldn't believe it was half empty though, oh to see that concert again eh?

Bobby Womack at Manchester International II, round about the same period, was pretty spectacular, playing for hours and running out of tunes to play so he asked for requests!

[Mal C]

Ois Clay @ the bottom line?, shepherds bush early 90's - packed little venue , his own band - soul heaven!!

Derek

I'd have to say Edwin Starr in Birmingham Q Club in the mid 9ts, you were there with me Derek, JJ and Steve mancha also sang but Edwin stole the show, they did 'Time', and he's at the front of the stage, bellowing this tune out with a sea of Brass behind him, everybody around me was static, but my legs were just going for it on their own..

Absolutely awesome!!

Mal.C.

[Guest]

I'd have to say Edwin Starr in Birmingham Q Club in the mid 9ts, you were there with me Derek, JJ and Steve mancha also sang but Edwin stole the show, they did 'Time', and he's at the front of the stage, bellowing this tune out with a sea of Brass behind him, everybody around me was static, but my legs were just going for it on their own..

Absolutely awesome!!

Mal.C.

Mal

I remember. I must have seen Edwin half a dozen times and he was always excellent.

Derek

[Arabica]

Not a big live act fan either, curiosity value and sentimental support for me . . . . .but one that always sticks in my mind was Chuck Jackson at what was the Sherwood Rooms (now Oceana) Nottingham, absolutely great performance, not sure of the year - just the girl I was with to date it! (1982/3?).

Got some tapes somewhere of Edwin Starr at Wigan, Jr Walker too, must have a sort out.

Hi Dean

Are the tapes live on stage film would love to see them. If you can find them??????

Mall

[Lamont]

Loved that. I couldn't believe it was half empty though, oh to see that concert again eh?

Bobby Womack at Manchester International II, round about the same period, was pretty spectacular, playing for hours and running out of tunes to play so he asked for requests!

Also BB & CC Winans in Oldham, a much better concert than the full Winan family concert at The Apollo

[Jez Jones]

DEC 1972

MAJOR LANCE @ THE TORCH ALL NITER

HOSE STREET

TUNSTALL

STOKE ON TRENT

BEST NITE OF MY LIFE AT A NITER

ONLY PEOPLE WHO WHERE THERE WILL KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!

NIGE B

Yeah what was it about that night? I can't put my finger on what made it so special. It just seemed that everything come together so effortlessly. The time the place the people ---- the buzz about the night beforehand. everyone was talking about it and hyping it up which sometimes can be dangerous if it turns out to be a big let down, but not this night. What energy in that building on that night!

Spoke to an old soul buddy of mine from way back a couple of months ago about this night. He agreed it was really special but added there was a similar night at the Wheel he went to when Junior walker was on. Just so much energy on the night without trying. Funny innit what makes these ---different than the 'normal' cracking night etc.

Another point on this, people at the time who weren't into the 'northern scene' were aware of what went on that night. It was almost as though it raised awareness of northern soul to a wider audience around our way anyhow. People who didn't know the difference between mamie galore and pussy galore( and didn't give a f**k anyway) started to ask questions and i'm sure a few more people got into northern because of what they heard about 'that' night.

Tell you what though, The Stylistics at the Torch were bloody good also!! Different buzz and build up to the night9as you can imagine but credit where credits due, a really professional and polished performance.

[Jaco]

Loved that. I couldn't believe it was half empty though, oh to see that concert again eh?

Bobby Womack at Manchester International II, round about the same period, was pretty spectacular, playing for hours and running out of tunes to play so he asked for requests!

That's the one for me. Must have been about 300 in and if I remember rightly Womack was on stage for nearly 3 hours!

A complete contrast to those other Womack performances listed by posters where he appears to have not been on his game, so to speak.

Other than this night I would rank Bobby Bland in a "supper club" San Diego, 1986 as the most spellbinding performance I've had the privelage to witness.

[Soulhustler]

The Dells was truly a one off, despite Lavine it was a great night.

Always end up in tears when I see a great live act

Backing group were exceptional aswell their tune up would blow many outfits away.

John Pugh & myself standing on a table turned to each other with tears in our eyes & asked each other "What the fook are you crying for" truly memorable

[Guest JJMMWGDuPree]

Tower of Power at the T&C, 1990. They were better after Garibaldi's return circa 2000 but nothing's gonna replace the buzz I got from the T&C. Soundwise that has to be one of the best venues out.

[Lamont]

Temptations Review at Manchester Apollo for me, about 6 weeks before David passed away, the group consisted David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards, David Sea & Charles Blackman, Johnny Moore (Drifters also joined them on stage).

This was taken off a Jonathon Ross show on the same tour, I have this on Video in much better quality which I need to transfer, they also did another song I think it was "Ain't To Proud To Beg"

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Jimmy James the Vagabonds always been someone i loved to see live and that's 3 times

Real Thing again seen them 3 times and it's been good

Geno Washington can't remember much of when i saw him live but i do remember it being good