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Saxafone

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  1. Have to admit that the gig at Basildon totally rocked............Motor City Essex. Clearly not Northern repertoire but the theatre was chocka and Richard and the band had them all off their feet and bouncing. Richard's ability to contribute to a full set is clearly limited and whilst the band did approx a 2 hour show Richard opted out on many and did intros and the like. However when the 6ts numbers came around he was the dog's and gave it the full monty. He did loads of Motown anecdotes and in particular he did a very poignant intro to "I wish it would rain" which he took the lead on brilliantly ........explaining the fate of the writer Roger Penzabene who committed suicide just as the record was issued because his wife was playing around. I personally never knew that and "I could never Love another" has always been a favourite of mine. It will have added meaning in future. Taff http://en.wikipedia....h_It_Would_Rain More so than a number of other Motown songs, there is real sentiment and pain behind the song's words. Lyricist Penzabene had just found out his wife was cheating on him with another man. Unable to deal with the pain and unable to stop loving his wife, Penzabene expressed his pain in the lyrics of this song and its follow-up on the Temptations' release schedule, "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)". The distraught Penzabene committed suicide on New Year's Eve 1967, a week after the single's release.
  2. According to an article in the Sunday Times it looks like Bettye's new book is going to stir a few skeletons in the proverbial Motown cupboard. Can't post a link to the Times as you have to pay to access, hope this one works. https://www.thedailyb...an-like-me.html Taff
  3. Smokey's lyrics are always a cut above, but how many of us when we first heard Tears of a Clown all those years ago knew who Pagliacci was ? Certainly no one at my Youth Club in north Wales although we all sang along. I used to think it was "Pal Archie". Once I did find out about the characters in the opera Pagliacci it just seemed to convey more power to the song and made me appreciate the words even more. Hat off to Smokey So simple that everyone gets it at the first time of hearing but very clever too. Just like Pagliacci did I try to keep my sadness hid Smiling in the public eye But in my lonely room I cry the tears of a clown When there's no one around. Stevie Wonder (who was discovered by Miracles member Ronnie White ), and his producer Hank Crosby wrote the music for the song, and Cosby produced the instrumental track recording. Wonder brought the instrumental track to the 1966 Motown Christmas party because he could not come up with a lyric to fit the instrumental. Wonder wanted to see what Robinson could come up with for the track. Robinson, who remarked that the song's distinctive calliope motif "sounded like a circus", provided lyrics that reflected his vision and sang lead vocal. In the song, his character, sad because he does not have a woman who loves him, compares himself to the characters in the opera Pagliacci, comedians/clowns who hide their hurt and anger behind empty smiles. He had used this comparison before: the line "just like Pagliacci did/I'll try to keep my sadness hid" appears in the song "My Smile Is Just A Frown (Turned Upside Down)", which he wrote in 1964 for Motown artist Carolyn Crawford. Taff
  4. Chalky, if I have my usual after work Friday decompression pints, I'll probably be seeing 2 of him in Essex as well! Taff
  5. Chalky, I think it's one combined venue - Pyramid & Parr hall. It looks from their web site like he's on at the Parr Hall. http://www.pyramidpa...bout-the-venues Taff
  6. Just seen this in the local press. If anyone in Essex is not busy Vajazzling the cat and short of something to do on Fri 12th Oct it could be worth a butchers. During the mid-1960s, Street performed with a Motown act called The Monitors, who had only one minor hit, 1966's "Greetings (This is Uncle Sam)", to its name."¨ Street knew the Temptations and Otis Williams, in particular, having worked for Motown in quality control and through his vocal work with the Distants and the Monitors. By the late-1960s, Street was being called upon to travel with The Temptations and sing Paul Williams' parts from off-stage, while Paul Williams, who suffered from both alcoholism and sickle-cell disease, danced and lip-synchedonstage. Street officially replaced Paul Williams in mid-1971, after both he and Eddie Kendricks left the group."¨"¨ Taff http://www.towngatet...?articleid=4265 http://www.richardstreet.net http://www.richardst...early_years.asp During the mid-1960s, Street performed with a Motown act called The Monitors, who had only one minor hit, 1966's "Greetings (This is Uncle Sam)", to its name."¨Street knew the Temptations and Otis Williams, in particular, having worked for Motown in quality control and through his vocal work with the Distants and the Monitors. By the late-1960s, Street was being called upon to travel with The Temptations and sing Paul Williams' parts from off-stage, while Paul Williams, who suffered from both alcoholism and sickle-cell disease, danced and lip-synchedonstage. Street officially replaced Paul Williams in mid-1971, after both he and Eddie Kendricks left the group."¨"¨Taff Born and raised in Motor City, Detroit, Richard Street began his musical career at the tender age of 12, playing piano and singing with his mother's encouragement and support. Since then he has been a professional entertainer for over 47 years. Well known as an incredible vocalist, in the early days of Motown Richard lent his tenor to sweeten vocal tracks, but stayed away from the public eye. This placed him in the unique setting of being the voice behind many of the leads in The Temptations; although, no one saw him in the group. He was on the microphone in the wings as the vocalist on stage lip-synched to his vocals, frequently receiving a standing ovation. In 1971, through the orchestration of God's hand, Richard assumed his rightful place with The Temptations as a full time member. The group undertook a notable shift in direction and within a few years The Temptations were tracking topical subjects such as the Vietnam War and urban poverty. Richard delighted television, stage, radio and record-buying audiences with his leads on songs like 'Heavenly', 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', 'Firefly', 'Hey Girl', 'Masterpiece', 'Every Time I Close My Eyes', 'I'll Keep My Light In My Window', 'Super Star', 'Show Me Your Love', 'Bare Back', 'Standing On the Top', 'Love and many more. Among the awards Richard has received are three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and an NAACP Award. He was also there when The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. For over 22 years as a member of The Temptations Richard performed hundreds of shows and along with other members past and present, they visited over 40 countries worldwide. Now, with all but one of the original members of the original Temptations having passed on, Richard presents the music of The Temptations in its original 5 man group format with a group lineup consisting of Lawrence Jones (originally from Detroit now resident in Las Vegas), together with current Detroit native Eddie Watkins, Larry Johnson and Bob Henley 111. Presenting all of The Temptations best-loved hits. Richard and his group are a "must see" musical journey in time ... the way it used to be!
  7. Just seen this in the local press. If anyone in Essex is not busy Vajazzling the cat and short of something to do on Fri 12th Oct it could be worth a butchers.During the mid-1960s, Street performed with a Motown act called The Monitors, who had only one minor hit, 1966's "Greetings (This is Uncle Sam)", to its name."¨ Tap to view this Soul Source News/Article in full
  8. John, I imagine you danced round the garden to most of the tracks played which are also no doubt in your "Modern" box ! ;-) The Hit Man and Her, the perfect antidote when it was on telly to suppress any urge to go "clubbing". Watched for half an hour, heard the "it sounded good on drugs" structured hypothesis about northern Soul and then the Kraftwerk bilge. Put on some proper sounds and had an all nighter ! Taff
  9. Hadn't seen anything up about this before. Impressions have 2 gigs at the Jazz Cafe, London. Fri 7th and Sat 8th Sept. Got my tix booked for the Saturday. Heard great reviews following their last live appearance at the Barbican which clashed with Cleethorpes methinks. https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F004876A0C88AB7?camefrom=CFC_UK_MAMA_JAZZCAFE&brand=jazz_cafe Taff
  10. Michael, unfortunately there's not much in the way of Northern out these parts. Most folk trek into London and further afield for their fix. Dan at ktf lives near Chafford and promotes local nights. Link to ktf and other local nights below. https://www.themodgen...ile/AlmostGrown (Southend next night 7th Sept) https://en-gb.facebook.com/ktfsoulclub (looks like they are on 21st Sept must be on your door step) https://www.facebook....08017552569209/ https://www.facebook....05530182809653/ https://www.youtube.c...ernNoiseKursaal Solid Hit Soul Club by Liverpool St is probably the closest (and by far the best) regular night and it's on this Friday ! https://www.solidhit.co.uk/ Taff
  11. Just going to the The Pier in Morecambe, long before the nighters was the biz. It was Soul Central anyway the nighters just made it better. U.S. Flat Top and his Soul Promotions at the Pier, not that the advertised acts ever turned up - well not the Supremes anyway (coach broke down -in Detroit ). The nighters were awesome but as a local I had grown up in the town and heard my first real Northern sounds there. Best Soul night with atmos in Morecambe (and in my memory ever) was the Empire - everyone dancing on tables. Was it Tops or Isleys live ? Second best but weird was Tommy Hunt doing a summer season in Morecambe and having magical nights with him in the Bath hotel then him doing his cabaret act at the bubble or whatever it was called followed by late night soul sessions at the Carleton......... with Tommy Hunt ! Taff
  12. See Debbie Taylor (Maydie Myles) at the following event: SCOTTISH SOULFUL WEEKENDER, Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries Saturday, 5 November Info: www.scottishsoulfulweekender.com No show ! Debbie didn't do Dumfries. Taff
  13. Tickets sorted.........Cheers Martin Taff
  14. Totally agree Dave, had the same thought a couple of days ago when I noticed the Melvin Davis gig in Cologne this coming weekend. I would deffo have gone had I known earlier. Checked the cost of flights and they are exorbitant. Hope you get a positive response. I would also say that the fact that the Cologne event is actually included in the Soul Source listings suggests that this promoter certainly has no truck with the Brits on the piss hypothesis but an early shout on forthcoming events thread would deffo allow flights and stuff to be sorted. Taff
  15. Tickets ordered and room at Brittania hotel also booked at bargain price of £35 (on booking.com) Taff
  16. The Sleepless Nights anniversary in Dublin is indeed a cracking weekend Paul Taff
  17. No he probably hasn't Rob although he has been to Prestatyn so is an honorary Taff in my book. Your suggestion however may be closer to the truth than you think. Have a look at the link............as Michael Caine may have said, "not many people know this !" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_American Taff
  18. Got word from mission control earlier that Martin completed in 3 hours 33mins and is alive and well (as well can be expected) so defo That's one pair of trainers that need to go in the recycling bin His web site is till open for anyone wishing to make donations in support of his fund raising for the British Legion (see web link on earlier posts) Taff
  19. Just a reminder for those yet to support Martin's relaxing jog round the Metropolis this Sunday, get on his web site before it's too late Taff
  20. Here's ours in Soulful South Essex. They stopped just short of our building, it's the large white one with the huge "Q" on the front. They did manage to capture the Motivational Message we had erected for Stubbsy right outside our entrance (see the "Lighten Up Mr Grumpy" poster) They also captured the ambulance we have on permanent standby outside in case of a major incident like running out of beer Taff
  21. I have been asked at many venues around the south over the past few months "where's Martin Upsetter hiding" The answer is that he has temporarily curtailed his soul travels and associated refreshment intake as he is in training for the London Marathon. He is running in aid of The British Legion and has a web site for anyone that is up for supporting him. So if you know the big fella (and even if you don't), get logged on to his web site and help him hit his target. I'm loading his walkman with plenty of inspiring and motiviational soul sounds, think I'll skip Tim Yuro's INBOFM Taff
  22. If the attendance at last weekend's London Crossfire Nighter is any indication, we're clearly doomed, the end is nigh and the grim reaper is on his way The place was mobbed with annoyingly disrespectful teenage types, dressed in strange, non regulation uniform, many dancing in styles representing a direct contravention of the Soul Police Handbook. There was also widespread disregard for other elements of the aforementioned handbook (etiquette section) such as no drink on the dance floor, no pushing, shoving and orderly queuing at the bar at all times. The buggers were also seen to be openly smiling, laughing and generally having a fantastic time and loving the music. Many were also seen "pinching" flyers for the dozens of other soul events that were on display, heaven forbid they turn up at a soul night near you any time soon Taff p.s. 'twas just like being back at Morecambe Pier in the early 70's
  23. Martin, I have a call out to our "head" of Graphic Design to confirm origin of the Kelly Brothers pic in our flyer. He's currently on the lash in Prestatyn so it may be a while before he responds Update from Planet Prestatyn....................... Paul McKay confirms that the pic on the flyer is actually from a UK President label promo photo that he has. Taff
  24. Well spotted that man, 'tis the other side Taff
  25. Pretty sure it's the Kelly Brothers we have on our current flyer. No doubt I'll quickly be corrected if I'm wrong Taff


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