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Item No: 012

Posted: 20/06/05

Item: Morecambe Soulfest Review; 18th June 2005

Event Review written yesterday with hangover

I'm sat here just as the thunder has disappeared from what has been a tropical climate up here in Lancashire I just wish the hangover would vapourise just as quickly but I'm just playing the Morecambe Soulfest highlights on CD to take away the pain.

Well what a day and night it was on Saturday. Weeks of planning had taken place to get the event hosted and ill save the plaudits for those responsible for later in this review.

The weather was glorious and truly mirrored the lovely sunset picture on the club's promotional flyers and it couldn't have been better could it? The drink flowed all day and the music….. well that was something else.

It all kicked off at 2.30pm with some guest DJ's and for those who made the afternoon session they were not to be disappointed.

Simon Attwood started the proceedings off with a quality hour long set covering the very best in Salsoul & Philly, featuring Loleatta Holloway and Moment of Truth, and even the Charisma Band was in there somewhere too.

Here's a selection from Si's set

Moment of Truth - "So Much For Love"
Melba Moore - "Magic Touch"
Double Exposue - "My Love is Free"
Liberty Girl - "You Better Wake Up"
John Hampton - "Not My Girl"
Major Lance - "Monkey Time"

Northern fans who had made the afternoon resplendent in Wigan Casino attire were not to be disappointed with a great 60ss pot pourri of tunes in there too.

Our guests from the Fylde, Coral, Andy and Julia Lett along with Soul By The Sea's Jim Hargeaves suit\zably dressed in new club T shirt were all there to join in the drinking festivities, although the girls showed greater restraint until the evening sessions!!!

Andy Lett chipped in with his first set, leaning to crossover and tent style tunes, we were not to be disappointed, and bless him he brought Kenny Thomas "Him " too. So this writer was more than made up.

Kenny is appearing at a club in Blackpool on Thursday July 7th. Jim Hargreaves was telling me so watch local press for more details and the message board at www.seasidesoul.co.uk

Duffs brought a little more northern soul to the proceedings but also a few cool modern tunes in there too to keep the massed throng outside more than happy. He never disappoints doioes he?? He played A J Brown "Making Love together" for me too (thanks Duffs).

I was more than happy that Mick and Sharon were trying to get speakers for the punters outside. We must do this again and sooner than later. I was being asked both inside and outside the bar. Come on guys must be worth trying out again!!!

We waited for Tom from Germany but unfortunately he could't make it, but one collector who did was Simon from Chorley, now relocated to Morecambe.

He was only able to bring a box of sevens which had us all looking at comparing notes with tales from previous gigs as though he'd been around for years. Simon was able to play a set upstairs later on in the evening.

Yours truly then brought some crossover and modern soul to the proceedings with Bobby Patterson, Flora Wilson a real find in Arthur Prysock's "When Love is New" from 1976 making a bid for the new big tune!!

It was Yambu's take on the old classic "Sunny" that caught Jason's good ear and then a little more funk for the Mecca crowd with Brainstorm and Coke Escovedo. House party tunes then kept the party going while the lads prepared for the evenings proceedings.

From 7.00pm onwards there was a steady stream of punters making their way in time for the big event at the Carleton Inn later that night.

Sean T and Charlie brought back all the good memories from the niters with Velvet Hammer, The MVP's and Jerry Butler to keep the dance floor moving. By this time the beer and lager really started to flow and it was great to see so many faces who were coming back to the club for quite some time, hopefully we won't have to wait too long for them to return particularly the Lancaster Crowd.

Simon from Chorley played Morecambe Pier favourite Ronnie Dyson "Lady in Red" which I hadn't heard for quite some time, and followed it up with plenty of great northern tunes to keep everyone happy.

More upfront cutting soul from Andy Lett and Dave Hulme followed with some great uplifting soul from Llorca "catching my ear" (Yes please David!!) and Marc Staggers and UBP to keep the balance of music we love at the club.

By this time most of the punters who hadn't the energy to dance, lets face it "my it was stifling on Saturday" and many of us took to the balcony outside to take in the refreshing cool seabreeze.

I made my way up to the Carleton Inn at around 10.00pm while Tim and Duffs finished off proceedings at the Uppy Downy. At the Carleton, where proceedings had started at 8.30pm the northern room was already in full swing with Kev Roberts spinning the familiar discs for the all too happy punters.

I made my way through the curtains to the small modern room which was quiet but then it wasn't advertised, and looking round the northern room I didn't expect too many making their way through, but the regulars from The Seaside Soul Club and the Fylde crew were there for support.

For those who made it, they enjoyed the usual great blend of quality soul from TLC, Marc Staggers, Victor Davies, Miami, Lonne Givens and Bobby Cutchins to name but a few from yours truly.

Larry and Dave then rounded the night off perfectly with great soul club classics from Sean Oliver, Lou Rawls and of course E Smoove and many more great tunes.

The Northern Room continued to be busy and the big screens with the soul videos definately added to the effect, and of course the music was class all evening.

The whole day was a success with many making the effort to support a great local event and I salute you all. I have to thank the DJs on the day including Dave Hulme, Andy Lett, Simon Blackburn, Simon Attwood and the posse for their efforts to make it such a success and of course to all the Crew who had put an enormous amount of effort to get everything running smoothly on the day. Catherine and Jason between them should have enough pictures and live video coverage for all of us to enjoy at some point on the website.
Don't forget to put your comments on the day on the message board at www.seasidesoul.co.uk

The next Seaside Soul Club Night is Saturday July 16th 2005.
We hope that you can all make it to get there next time around

Sean O'Connor

Last Updated: Monday 19 December, 2005 22:00