Bye, bye 2003. Hello 2004
Well what a year 2003 was, but 2004 is set to pass everyone's expectations and become an even bigger year for the UK soul scene.
The Hilton Blackpool: January began with a bang with the third annual Jazz FM luxury soul break at The Hilton Hotel in Blackpool. The weekender which along with five rooms of fantastic soul covering everything from 60's connoisseurs to the latest soul releases included a Philadelphia Soul revue with live performances from Bunny Sigler, Jean Carne, Billy Paul and Dexter Wansell along with Ledisi, The Braxton Brothers and Nathan Heathman. Certainly gave us a cracking start to 2004.
I managed to get a couple minutes with Richard Searling and for him to answer some brief questions I had.
S.L: Richard congratulations to you and everyone involved in the 3rd Luxury Jazz FM soul weekender at The Hilton Blackpool in early Janurary. Myself and everyone who attended has had nothing but praise for the weekend. What was the highlight for you?
R.S: Bunny Sigler and the totally fabulous atmosphere that lasted from friday afternoon until the early hours of monday morning.
S.L: Jean Carne, Dexter Wansell, Billy Paul, Bunny Sigler, Ledisi, Nathan Heathman and The Braxton Brothers certainly didn't dissapoint. What has been their reaction to the event ?
R.S: All of them went away inspired, Bunny in particular as it was his first visit. An official DVD of the shows will be available from Ralph Tee later in the year.
S.L: The calibre of live acts over the past few years has been incredible on both the Northern and Modern scenes, with the likes of The Originals, Phillip Mitchell, Marvin Smith, Gwen Owens, Willie Hutch, James Conwell, Tashan and so many more turning in the performances of their life's. Add to that the fact that now confirmed for the coming year are Bobby Womack for the 4th Jazz FM weekender at The Birmingham Metropole and Archie Bell confirmed for the 7th Togetherness weekender in November. Can this high calibre of acts be maintained?
R.S: Yes as long as promoters still feel it worth the months of worry and stress which precedes any artist actually getting off the plane and onto UK soil.
S.L: So we know a legend we wanted to see for a long time in Bobby Womack will finnaly be appearing in May. Could you give us any more details on that event?
R.S: Bobby will be doing a special show for connoisseurs which will include his most esoteric compositions.
Anyone who would like to gain more info or book for The 4th Jazz FM Luxury Soul Break at The Hilton Metropole Birmingham over the weekend 28 - 30 May 2004 can do so by logging on to the Jazz FM website at http://www.jazzfm.com or call: 0121 780 6262.
The Funk Brothers January also saw Motown's legendary backing band The Funk Bros appearing in Manchester & London along with Billy Preston and Steve Winwood. A fantastic and very emotional performance by The Funk Bros was met by a capacity crowd at The Manchester Apollo. Good luck to The Funk Brothers on the remainder of their European tour, I'll leave the rest of the info for the review featured elsewhere in the magazine.
Los Angeles 2004 Well it is nearly upon us after two years in planning possibly one of the biggest soul events to ever take place will be doing so over the week of 11th March - 18th 2004 at The Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles. The trip is now completely sold out apart from a handfull of entertainment only passes. So if you're in los Angeles between those dates and fancy meeting acts such as Brenda & Patrice Holloway, Eddie & Brian Holland, Alexander Patton, Cuba Gooding and over 40 more log onto www.goldsoul.co.uk . For info on entertainment only passes. If you can't make the event make sure you pick up the next issue of Togetherness in July for a full review of the week.
Bury Town Hall March All-Nighter The day we return from Los Angeles its a case of a quick burger at Heathrow and then a flight upto Manchester for myself due to the next fantastic three room all-nighter at Bury Town Hall were incidentally I will be DJing along with a whole host of other top names on the Northern, Modern and R&B scenes. For more info check out www.geocities.com/northmanchestersoulclub or www.seanlivesey.com . Also don't forget this time Neil Jones hits the big 40 and finnally my accusations of him being old will have some ground. So happy birthday Neil hope you have a great day.
Once upon a time in Wigan After the success of last years tour of this fantastic play by Mick Martin and directed by Paul Sador its back. Once upon a time in Wigan will be touring throughout the UK between January and April 2004 for more details on specific dates & venues etc. Check out the website at: www.onceuponatimeinwigan.com
Lou Pride Is returning to the UK with a full supporting band and will be appearing at The Life Cafe, Peter Street, Manchester on wednesday 21st April 2004. Promoted by www.ARCsounds.com in association with Beatin Rhythm records this is going to be a fantastic night and a welcome return to the UK for a soul music legend.
Impeccable Is set to be The Temptations 60th album and now with new members G.C Cameron & Joe Herndon firmly in place this album is highly anticipated. The album should be released by Motown late Spring or early Summer. Hopefully the next issue of Togetherness in late July will feature a review of this album. Speaking of new albums Motown have a new range of fantastic solo artist anthologies on offer from Barbara Mcnair, Billy Eckstine and Jimmy Ruffin. Each album is a 2cd affair featuring classic hit tracks, forgotten b-sides and unreleased gems. So keep an eye out for these new albums from Universal.
I can't stop Is the title of Al Green's first album since the late 70's and it doesn't dissapoint. Al got together his original producer Stax and Hi records legend Willie Mitchell to produce the album along with many of the original musicians from that legendary label. The culmination in my opinion is absolute magic and will suit fans of that classic southern soul feel down to the ground. The album is available on double vinyl or CD and can be picked up at many top and independent music suppliers.
Taxdodging After finishing my first official year of student life in May there won't be time to rest in June what with the now legendary Cleethorpes weekender taking place and the first ever three room soul night at Bury Town Hall with guests including new Togetherness editor Alison Holden. Don't forget North Manchester Soul Club @ Bury Town Hall is every third friday of the month and once again for more details just click onto the website: www.geocities.com/northmanchestersoulclub.
Sweet seventeen
Along with me hitting seventeen and finnally having the chance of getting mobile with my impending driving lessons July will be a pretty big month soul music wise as well. The 2nd Whitby weekender takes place over 2nd - 4th July with a top DJ line-up in two rooms at the Whitby Pavillion. As with last year admission is just £20.00 for the whole weekends entertainment. After the success of last years weekender im sure this will be an even bigger event.
Along with Whitby Togetherness at The Kings Hall Stoke returns on July 24th for the annual summer oldies all -nighter and that is the night the next issue of Togetherness will be out.
So thats about it for this edition of News, views and paying our dues. All it leaves me with is a good luck message to our new editor Alison Holden, Im sure you'll do great hun.
Hope you all have a great Spring and I look forward to putting pen to paper again in the summer.
Remember if anybody wants to contact me they can do so at livesey1@hotmail.com or via my website at http://www.seanlivesey.com