Geoff

Always a good night, I was looking forward to the K&D but Sandy wasn't feeling too good at all, her hip and back giving her a lot of pain. But she decided to join me, and was glad she did so. I think she was really worried I'd get off at the wrong bus stop or end up in Shudehill, actually quite a possibility. We took a cab to the St Mary's Catholic Social Club and arrived about 8,15, Keiron was doing the first spot as usual, a nice mix of tunes including the Drifters' Nylon Stockings, never heard this played out, but a really nice Big City Soul sound. He was followed by the guests, first Derek Gorman from the Irlam Soul Club, then George Hughes from Walkden Legion. Both guests played a mix of styles blending some classic oldies with lesser known tunes. One's that spring to my mind this morning are I'm The One Who Loves You; People That's Why (The Idle Race, love this one); Hurt So Bad (Cathy Carlson); Somewhere Down The Line; You've Got To Hold On; Baby What I Mean; Something About You; plenty more and a few that I didn't know. I think Keiron took over after the guests, though I may be wrong. He played a mix of styles, even including some Ska, not my favourite style but his were okay. We left just after midnight and were kindly given a lift home by Peter Triska, thanks very much. A really enjoyable evening, although I was frustrated by my inability to dance due to having pulled a muscle or something in my left leg that has left me limping around. There was a good crowd in, despite the Bridlington weekender, nice to see friends as usual. Thanks to Keiron and Diane and of course the DJs.

Another great night at the Shirt Soul Club in Radcliffe last night. Nice to see friends and the music was up to its usual high standard. Guests were Bernard Pearson, Gaz Roscoe and Carole Anne McCarthy and they did a sterling job, mixing styles and keeping the dancers happy with tunes like Please Stay; Times A Wasting; Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh (Lenny Williams); Raindrops Love And Sunshine; Let Me Be Your Boy, etc. A nice mix. Bob Spendlove came on at 11 pm and included in his set Joseph Webster's My Love Is So Strong, Big Lee Dowell's What I Done Wrong and the Tiaras' Foolish Girl, pure dance floor magic. Thanks to Carole for playing Don't You Care for me. Sandra and I left at about 11.40, as we passed the pub on the corner of the road a fight had broken out and we saw a guy hit his head hard on the ground of the car park, couldn't have done him any good. We kept well out of things and went on to the kebab shop to get our supper. I'd recommend the Shirt to any soul lovers in the Bury area for a good evening's music. Thanks to the DJs for entertaining us and to Bob and Sam for running a great soul club.

My third visit to the Ukrainian Club rare soul night and it was up to the same standard as my previous visits. Sandy didn't join me, she has developed a rotten cough and cold, not like her to miss a soul night but it couldn't be helped. And when I arrived at Derek Watmough's house I found that his better half, Janet, was afflicted and had lost her voice. So with the addition of Paddy it was going to be a boys' night out. We arrived at the club fairly early, took our seats and listened to the music. To be honest I'm not sure which DJ played what tune but musically the whole evening was excellent. There was a good mix of musical styles: R&B, Northern and Crossover. For example: Bobby Hutton's I've got a memory, played just after we got out seats; Dynells' Call on me; Jimmy Bo Horne's Just can't speak; Otis Lee's Hard road to hoe; Can you remember by Rhonda Davis; Chimes' Beginning of my life; Robert Tanner's Sweet memories; Ivories' Please stay; Pervis Lee's You don't care, didn't know this one till a friend told me what it was; Emory & Dynamics' Let's take a look at our life; Jesse Dixon's Wade in the water, revived my interest in this tune, and so many others, a veritable treasure chest of rare and underplayed soul music. Funny how time whizzes by when you're listening to our music, soon it was time to go. The night ended with a beat ballad that sounded familiar, can anyone enlighten me to what it was please? Not quite so many in as last time but the holiday season is starting, many people are abroad at the moment. More room on the dance floor. Good to see friends there, always good to meet up at a soul night. Thanks to organisers and DJs, and club staff for an excellent night; and to Derek for driving and to Paddy for his company.

I've been at the last two nights at this club, really enjoyed them. Thoroughly recommend it.

This night was first mooted by Ady in 2020 but the pandemic got in the way and it was cancelled. When I read on Facebook that it was on again I immediately booked a hotel, I just couldn't wait for it. I'd never been to any of the early 6ts Soul & Rhythm Society events, didn't know it was taking place. At that time I had other things on my mind, work, marriage, etc. However I knew the proposed night would be playing many of the records I loved when I was a teenager in the 60s and attending the Mod clubs of the time: the Flamingo, Scene, Last Chance, La Discotheque and later ones. And I wasn't disappointed. After travelling from Manchester to London, settling in to my hotel room, and eating I met up with Dave Swift and William Lewis outside the Blue Posts in Newman Street. After a catch up Kev and Ann Moore walked by and I joined them to walk around the corner to the 100 Club where there was a queue already. Nice to see Matt taking the cash and then downstairs. As soon as I got downstairs I realised how much I'd missed the place, my spiritual home. Last time I'd been was the anniversary last September, far too long. My excuse is that it's a very long journey from Manchester, but must do better. Anyway on to the night and the music. Ady was playing an instrumental track as I entered the dance area, but as I sat down at a table near the back the strains of The Girl's Alright With Me hit my ears, can't remember last time I heard that, and naturally the first dancer was Dave Swift. There was a continual procession of friends passing by, Sean, Gary and Jan, Charlie, Matt and Hannah, Sharon, Alan H and Ged, Kev, Tony Smith, Liam, etc. Lovely to see all of them, missed them so much. And the music kept on, so many great tunes, the DJs did an absolutely splendid job, mixing things up well. As usual as I try to recall tunes played my memory lets me down but here goes: Woman's Got Soul; I'm The One Who Loves You; Getting Mighty Crowded; I Remember The Feeling; Don't You Just Know It; My Babe (Little Walter); Land Of A Thousand Dances (Cannibal & The Headhunters); Everybody Needs Somebody To Love; I'll Do Anything; What's Wrong With Me Baby; I'll Be Doggone; Rescue Me (I don't think I've danced to that since the 60s); The Walk; The Cat, the latter two taking me back to happy sweaty nights at The Scene; Wang Dang Doodle (Koko Taylor); I Can't Turn You Loose; and so many more. If anyone reading this can add to the list I'd welcome their contribution. Perhaps the DJs could list their plays. There was a really good crowd in, obviously I wasn't the only person looking forward to this. It thinned out a bit after midnight, people have to get their last train or tube home. I stayed till the end but must admit I was tired by 1am. I think the night was a triumph for Ady and Matt, a big thanks to them and to the DJs. They reminded us all of the roots of the music we love and for me it took me back to my dim and distant youth, where did it go? The only downside was the journey home. Due to engineering work on the line to Manchester from Euston I had to go from St Pancras to Sheffield and then on to Manchester, the last leg spent standing, not much fun. But the night before made it all worthwhile.

Sandy and I had been told good things about the soul night at the Ukrainian Club in Ashton by friends, so we were very happy to be offered a lift by Derek and Janet Watmough there last night. Thanks very much to them for the lift and for their company plus that of Paddy, our other travelling companion. A superb night, brilliant music and great company. A good variety of Northern and Crossover soul was played, didn't hear any top 100 tracks, nothing wrong with them but nice to hear different sounds. Guest DJ was one of the UK's premier DJs Ted Massey, We'd seen him a few weeks ago at the Spitfire Club in Farnworth, so it was good to see him again last night. Tunes like Don't Be So Jive, My Love Is So Strong, Beside Myself, What I Did In The Street and many more enticed me on to the dance floor, thanks for playing my request. Always good to see him. But all the other DJs did a sterling job, plenty of records I didn't know or recognise, my memory not as good as it used to be. Trying to remember what was played is never easy the following day for me, but early on I heard Bobby Hutton's I've Got A Memory and Billy Harner's She's Almost You. My first foray on to the dance floor was to Ooh Boy, always like to dance to that one. I did find my legs had given out towards the end of the night but that and perspiring heavily proved I'd enjoyed myself. It was good to see Sandy dancing, I know how much it means to her. It's always nice to see friends at a soul night, hadn't seen Steve and Rowena Morgan since Boomerang last August I think, and always good to see Sandra Bail, Joyann and co. And the guys from Soulsville and the Bury Soul Club. The Ukrainian Club is a nice venue with a good dance floor. Bar prices seemed very reasonable, although I was on Pepsi Max; and the staff were friendly too. I hope to return there. There was a collection for the Ukrainian refugees which raised a good amount, a worthy cause. Thanks to the DJs and promoters for a very enjoyable night.

Two years since we last got together at the Haydock Park Golf Club for the Spirit of the Orwell, for me one of the highlights of my soul year. I never got to the original Orwell night in Wigan and this is a worthy substitute I think. A bitter winter's day, and a tricky journey for both myself, and for Dave Swift who joined me from London. But we got to our hotel and a cab took us to the venue. We were one of the first people in, thus able easily to get a seat. The night officially started at 8pm, one of the first records played was I'm Gonna Paint A Picture, by Jerry Jackson, the flipside of It's Rough Out There, great doublesider that, two superb beat ballads. The four original Orwell DJs did the first two hours before Butch, a really good mix of soul music from the 60s and 70s, from slow to up-tempo. As usual the day after a soul night my mind is fairly blank when trying to recall what was played, I just know I enjoyed the music. Butch came on at 10pm for a two hour set, covering all genres of our music. He included Northern Soul 100 Club favourites like Martha Jean Love's Old Time Lover cover up, that had both Arthur Fenn and myself rushing to the dance floor, and Butch followed it with Sandy Golden's Your Love Is Everything, what can one say? And on the Modern Soul side he included Luther Davis Group's You Can Be A Star, J Haymond's Kiss Me Girl On Your Way Out and Annette Poindexter's Wayward Dream plus of course loads of others. Loved hearing and dancing to There Was A Time by Joe Burrell, formerly covered up as Our Love Is Dying, one of my favourites from Scenesville days. Of course there were quite a few I didn't know and that is what you expect and wish to hear. Great set as usual. But the music was excellent all night. When Butch finished Steve and the other guys took us through to 1.30 and kept us entertained and many on the dance floor. It was good to see friends there and have a good chat. I'd seen Arthur and Maria the previous week at Boomerang but hadn't had time to have much of a talk, so really good to do that last night. Matt and Fay were at Boomerang and it was good to see them last night. And particular thanks to them for giving Dave and myself a lift back to our hotel, it seemed all cabs were booked so we could have been in difficulties, it was a very cold night. Thanks to all the DJs for a great night, and to all who helped putting it on, etc. I look forward to more of these, always nice to hear a wide selection of styles of our music.

I hope this is the right place to post a review. Boomerang – Saturday 7 August 2021 At last we were back at the Canal Tavern for Boomerang,and to make it even more exciting it was a day to celebrate Soul Sam's 80th birthday. And what a day it was, one we'd waited so long for all during the long depressing days of lockdown. For my own part I travelled from Bury to Thorne, longer journey than it would normally take because of engineering work on the Manchester tram system. But I finally got to my hotel, rested, washed and changed clothes and off to the venue where Boomerang is always held. I walked into the bar to find Arthur Fenn, Eddie Hubbard and Yan Vatiste waiting to be served, so long since I've seen these guys. Great to catch up and so much to say. It was just past 4pm, when I walked into the room where the night is held, surprised there were quite a few in already and was surprised and pleased to see my friends Linda and Darrill sitting at a table, waving to me. As usual at the alldayer it was Soul Sam himself doing the first set, getting things off to a good start with a set of mainly Crossover and Modern, I'm not going to give a rundown of every set, suffice to say the music was top notch, all the DJs were on top form and covered the whole gamut of soul music, so something for everyone. There were dancers on the floor from almost the start but it did take time for the floor to really get busy. I'd been to three local soul events prior to Boomerang and did wonder if my feet would work properly after a long lay off, not the same at home is it? But when Maria played Make Your Love A Hurting Thing by William Cummings I finally felt I'd got into my groove, although of course others may disagree. The last set of the night was by Sam and it was for 75 minutes which allows a DJ to play all his favourites and big tunes, which Sam did to perfection. A masterclass in the art of DJing and keeping everyone satisfied. The night ended just after 1am, leaving us all happy and in my case very hot and sweaty. Among the tunes played during the evening by the DJs were, in no particular order: Allison - Who's #1, Who's #2, Coffee – Casanova, O'Jays – Message In Our Music, Betty Wilson – I'm Yours, Hamilton Movement – She's Gone, Joseph Webster – My Love Is So Strong, Mixed Feelings – Sha La La, Poets – Wrapped Around Your Finger, Earles – Everybody's Got Somebody, Sonny Turner – Now That You've Gone, Norma Jenkins – Here I Am, Jesse James – Are You Gonna Leave Me, Tiaras – Foolish Girl, Frazelle – Today Is The Day, Richard Caiton – I'd Like To Get Near You, Sea Shells - A Quiet Home, Gene Chandler – There Was A Time, Eddie Foster – I Never Knew, final record played by Sam was John & The Wierdest's Can't Get Over These Memories but he then slipped in Johnnie Mae Matthews - I Have No Choice. You can see the depth of music played, and Cliff included quite a bit of Modern that I didn't recognise. Halfway through the evening Maria stopped the proceedings to present Sam with a birthday card, cake and present arranged by Natalie Steele. Arthur reminisced about first meeting Sam in 1974 and mentioned that Sam had a very sweet tooth, no doubt he will enjoy his birthday cake. Personally I've always found Sam a very nice guy, easy to talk to and very knowledgeable, a real gentleman of our scene. He's an inspiration to all of us and long may he continue. As an aside I would like to mention that I had a very tasty meal of liver and Lancashire sausages in the Canal Tavern during the evening, a large portion and reasonably priced, always worth having a meal there when attending Boomerang. It was a great afternoon/evening/night, one I'm sure all attending had looked forward to, the soul scene is back! Thanks to Maria and Arthur for organising it, and to Cliff and Sam for their services. And to the Canal Tavern staff. And we will all continue our adventures on our wonderful soul scene.

Looking forward to this very much, it's been a long wait for a return to the Canal Tavern. It'll be good to see friends and hear great music.

Is this event still going ahead?