Scooterboy

What a night! I was chuffed to bits to be asked back by Chris Churm after 2 1/2 years away, COVID-19 and moving 200 miles away to the North East. I've missed both the club and the people who always made the event something really special for me. Huge thanks to Carole Burgess and Dave Beech for putting me up (or should that be putting up with me), feeding me and buying me a special gift of my favouritest beer, Robinson's Dizzy Blonde. I won't risk offending anyone by accidentally omitting names of those who I managed to catch up with on the night, so all I'll say is "I've missed you and was delighted to see you again...and thanks form the hugs!". Musically a belter, as per usual, with great sets by everyone. It's especially pleasing to see so many through the doors early on so that they had chance to catch well thought out sets from Phil Dunn and Carole Burgess, both of who played some records with which I was unfamiliar that that found their way straight to my 'wants' list. Carole's copy of Sonny Rhodes, You Better Stop sparked special interest by more than a few peeps. My playlist is posted at the foot of this note, but to hear Baz and Chris' sets immediately after MY 9:30 - 10:30 set was a treat and a half...I'm glad I wasn't following those guys! Mick's previous write up has named a few of these guys' standout plays so I won't reiterate, but it was great to hear such a great cross-section of rare, ultra rare and excruciating rare 45s that saw the floor rammed for the next two hours. Two 'masterclasses' in my humble opinion. A sea of happy faces left at the end of the night having had their soulful desires sated for the evening. I hope to be back again in the not-too-distant future, as 2 1/2 years without The Ukrainian has almost been too much to bear. Thank you to all of you for making my 'homecoming' so very special. Plays were (mostly in the correct order): Paul Sindab – I Was A Fool The Volumes – Ain’t Gonna Give You Up Jimmy Bo Horne – I Just Can’t Speak Otis Lee – Hard Road To Hoe George Pepp – The Feeling Is Real The Chandlers – Your Love Makes Me Lonely Nat Hall – Why George Tinley – Ain’t Gonna Worry About You George Blackwell – Can’t Lose My Head Duke Browner – Crying Over You The Honey Bees – Let’s Get Back Together Just Brothers – Carlena The Professionals – That’s Why I Love You The Fascinators – In Other Words The Servicemen – Sweet Magic The Inverts – Time Will Change Emory & The Dynamics – Let’s Take A Look At Our Life Timmy Williams – Competition The Dynells - Call On Me Pat & The Blenders – Just Because The Jades – Lucky Fellow The Constellations – I Don’t Know About You Rhonda Davis – Can You Remember

Maybe...does get played at The Ukrainian by Slipmat Player and me.

That was one of the first in the box Simon. Have played it at The Ukrainian once or twice, but think it deserves another outing.

Bugger... just bought that...was gonna be a surprise...

Missed this club and clientele so much since my move to the North East. Looking forward to playing a few tunes, some that are probably associated with my time at The Ukrainian, plus maybe a handful of more recent purchases. I am a giddy little kipper and there's still 10 days to go!

My first time at Easington. Moved to Northumberland two years ago just before lock-down and am now starting to get out and about....and boy, am I glad I made the 140 mile round trip. What a venue! I'd seen videos of the club before, but in the flesh...WOW! Almost custom-made for a soul night and with a sprung dance floor too! I knew from the get-go that I was about to be treated to a great night. Having miscalculated the time it'd take to get there I arrived just before Steve Davidson's spot and, as someone with a daft accent from the West Midlands, was delighted to be made so welcome by not only the hosts, but by the Soulies I foisted myself upon (thanks Ian and Vaughn especially for being so patient). Steve's spot was a delight, classics and in-demand tunes in the rarest of OVO formats. Highlights for me were Clarence Reid - I'm Your Yes Man (took me years to get a copy), Lilly Bryant - Meet Me Halfway, and Mr Soul - Whatever Happened To Yesterday (last two on my 'wants list' if anyone can help). I'd travelled partly to meet up with an old pal and guest DJ for the evening, George Hunt from Carlisle, who I hadn't seen for a number of years. It was great to see you again George. I hope George puts his play list on the site, as it was a lesson to us mere mortals in how to play some of the rarest, priciest, most sought after and popular 45s on the scene and simultaneously delight the dance floor. Highlights for me, without giving George's entire playlist away were: Honey Bees - Let's Get Back Together, Bobby James - I Really Love You, Hytones - You Don't Even Know My Name (Pat Brady's long-term Lee Otis Valentine & The Lost Souls c/u), The Servicemen - Sweet Magic and The Salvadors - Stick By Me Baby. The last spot of the evening was Jimmy McDermott's and what a spot it was. I'd only met Jimmy a few weeks ago at The Terminus in North Shields. What a nice guy, ultra-knowledgeable and with a finger on the pulse of what the audience wanted in that last hour. Jimmy played classic after classic, 100% floor fillers that were right up my street with a few of my personal faves in there, Nolan Porter, Epitome of Sound and George Kirby (which was an absolute steal from what Jimmy was telling me) being just three. Jimmy managed to squeeze in a number of requests, which went down a treat and kept the floor busy right to the end of the night. A great night and well worth the 70 mile drive home with great tunes still ringing in my ears. I think it's fair to say, my first visit to Easington won't be my last. A top night, well done to everyone involved and a big '"thank you" from me. Chris P.S. Next time, if you see a relatively new face, with specs and not too much hair, with a dodgy West Midlands accent, on his own with a notebook writing down all the 'plays' pop over and say "hello". It'll probably be me and I look forward to making your acquaintance.

Hope you have a splendid night folks. See you in May. Chris

Yup...make sure you change the needles after Slipmatplayer has been on!

Gosh, I wish I hadn't moved so far away. This night is one of the best in the calendar...miss it at your peril. See you (hopefully) later in the year. Chris