Saxafone

Suppose not Paul, I've been under suspicion ever since that first time, many years ago, when I suggested a totally random June break at a certain Cleethorpes caravan site Taff

It's often mentioned on here how the oddest chance occurances result in memorable soulful occasions, here's another ! Having bailed out of the damp & dismal uk for a fix of spanish sun and sangria 2 weeks ago, there were no expectations or plans of things soul - the price that had to be paid for some warming rays. Day 3 arrives & bored witless in a small (but admittedly, sun-drenched) spanish town with the choice of ear-rupturing Baelaric beats or Dancing Queen and Mama Mia as evening entertainment, the following leapt out of a page of a Spanish Paper (I wasn't having much luck with the crossword and couldn't make head nor tail of my horoscope !) ; El Palau de Altea acoge hoy la actuaci³n de Betty LaVette, la voz del soul americano I still don't understand what the whole sentence means and no time or location was given, but next thing is that we're tearing along in the hired jalopy to a town called Altea, about 20 miles from where we were staying, by some fluke found a venue called El Palau and enquired as to the possibility of the said Ms Lavette appearing there, some time soon. After lots of si si, squinting and ques and pointing at watches, it became apparent that Bettye was indeed on........ in exactly 5 minutos and si there were plenty of tickets available. Time only to neck a quick san miguel and we were ushered in, to be treated to a fantastic show with Bettye giving it large on her current and 60's songs backed by a brilliant band, with us sat a few rows from the stage. In short, Magic Result........or so I thought, feeling extremely pleased with myself........until the subsequent inquisition...........so let's get this right, you brought us to spain without having any clue that Bettye Lavette (who we saw in London last year) was going to be on..........drove 20 miles straight to a venue you had never heard of, and 5 minutes later...........she's on stage, YES, that's exactly how it happened, see there was this spanish newspaper thing and I couldn't do the crossword and........ This is not working for you is it my dearest ? If it was trial by Jury, I'd be a gonner.........great night, truly totally unplanned, but I'm still getting the old fashioned looks that tell me someone thinks differently ! Taff the Innocent

That Icmeler is clearly a place to avoid ! Bout 7 years ago, walking down the main drag which was lined with total pain in the arse. non stop "come in my bar, is best and cheapest in Turkey" hawkers. Having decided we'd had enough of the harrassment we decided we'd give the main drag a swerve and head off to quieter parts for a glug. Just then one of them decides to have one last go, racing across the road .................... "Hey Tommy, Hey Tommy u want drink, Hey Tommy come in my bar is best, Tommy you come have drink in my bar and I play soul music for you"...........Eh wtf ! Turning round to try and understand how this mystic Turkish git had worked that bit out, I was greeted by a guffawing Ion, last seen at the 100 Club a fortnight before, cue retire to bar for a few bevvies and talks of things soul. Must admit tho, he did (and still does) look the part ! Taff

Yep, Soul @ The Ship in Leigh has a very friendly crowd despite their heretical devotion to the devil's musak . I also hear that there is a Soulful R&B / Modern Soul event at Ashwells Country Club, Brentwood, this Saturday 26th April, 2pm to 2am with live appearances from Nicole Jane and Nathan Watson who I am sure are renowned virtuosos of their genre. Contact number for this one is,07775 835901. The link below may give more info. https://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea...iendid=55893960 If all that fails, I'm told a certain shed at the bottom of a garden in South Woodham is a Modern Soul shrine on the occassions when Mr Stubbs lets it all hang out Taff