October 2009
Fish wrote:
What an amazing few days we had @ the Prestatyn Legends Weekender in October 2009 - CHUCK JACKSON came, performed and delivered. MARC EVANS was just quite amazing, starting off with an impromptu accapella rendition of 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Let's Get It On' and the bonus addition of WILLIAM 'SMOKE' HOWARD on the Saturday night performing 'That's What Love Does' was the proverbial icing on the cake really : - ))
I thought all the dj's played admirably well over all 4 nights and the sound was once again spot on for the entire weekend. The 'Without Boundaries' room as per last year also seemed to get a concerted big thumbs up from everybody present and was many peoples favourite room outside of those actually in attendance specifically for that room - alot of the Northern dj's in particualar seemed to enjoy the 70's tunes coming out of those crystal clear bassbins - so we must be doing something right !!
Lookout for more of the same in October 2010, Thursday 14th - Monday 18th to be precise. Where we're delighted to be able to announce THE VELVELETTES live in concert on the Saturday night + a spectacular live show Friday from disco dons TAVARES.
DJ wise COLIN CURTIS has also been added to the resident 'Modern Soul' team for Legends as per this weekends March event - so expect more quality tunes from him once again.
Fish
Fish wrote:
Fish previews Without Boundaries Arena @ LEGENDS 2009
PRESTATYN LEGENDS once again offers a proverbial feast of entertainment if ‘Modern Soul’ music is your thing, with the excellent ‘Without Boundaries’ arena at the centre of all things good in this genre. We’ve had some fantastic feedback for the room since and during last years event, with ‘Modern Soul’ for the first time having a prominent position at the October Weekender. Dressed to impress, the marquee feel of the room was designed / constructed to give it a similar decor to the sadly missed ‘Summer Ball’ events previously held at the Bass Museum in Burton. With that aim in mind - I think we certainly succeeded, with a subtle blue lighted backdrop, the room felt cool and classy!
The music was however decidedly HOT with all era soul from sweet seventies steppers and obscurities to jazz, contemporary soul & house and everything in between featured.
We intend to build on the success of last year with another remarkably varied DJ line-up featuring Mick Farrer, Seve Hobbs, Fish, Mark Randle, Jamie Taylor, Soul Sam, Steve Guarnori, Tats Taylor, Colin Brown, Kev Laws, Steve J, SOul Intent; Geoff Burgess, Martin Smith, Keith Fox, Martin Lang, Soul Fusion; Neil Self & Steve Lloyd and Dan D (Baltic Soul Weekender) plus percussion from Glenn Worthington.
Friday night sees MARC EVANS perform some of his big tunes for us in an intimate setting that’s sure to take the roof off the place! Hailing from Baltimore the rich powerhouse baritone vocal of Evans has had some massive hit singles here in the UK. And he’s a firm favourite on ‘Modern Soul’ floors nationwide with tracks such as the anthemic ‘The Way You Love Me’ with Ron Hall & The Muthafunkaz. His version of Teddy Pendergrass’ ‘I Don’t Want U Anymore’ and cuts from his amazing debut album like ‘Given Me Joy’, ‘This Thing Called Love’ and (If You Want My Love) ‘Put Something Down On It’.
AND if that wasn’t enough we’re proud to see CHUCK JACKSON performing live for us too in concert on the Saturday evening. Hailed as one of the ALL TIME great live soul performers, don’t miss your chance to see this true legend up close and personal here at Prestatyn this coming October.
Following the success of the complimentary, Thursday night pre-event party at last year’s LEGENDS weekender, we are delighted to invite you once again to join us for the Free Soul Night Party on the Thursday night. All accommodation will be available from 4.00pm on Thursday 8th October 2009, with the arenas opening at 7.00pm.
FISH
Steve Handbury wrote:
The 9th to the 12th of October saw yet another “Legends of Motown” weekender take place at the Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, known to most as quite simply, Pontins. Activity outside the reception gave the impression that the event was another sell-out. Once inside though, it soon became apparent that maybe the credit-crunch had hit a scene which would normally remain untouched by a financial crisis. After all, the majority of northern soul fans are of an age where finances are not the main concern. It’s more a case of visiting the doctor more times a year than the bank manager. I jest of course. I see both as often as each other with the bank manager joining me in the doctor’s waiting room!
Even though the numbers were a little down in comparison to the March event, enthusiasm reigned supreme with everyone present all set for a great time. Meandering through the various arenas throughout the Friday, it soon became clear that there was one room which would hold the crowds attention. Decked in the usual white drapes with subtle electric blue lighting, the modern room somehow managed to draw virtually everyone through its doors (not that there were any doors!) at some point throughout the weekend. There are a number of obvious reasons why that would be so. Curiosity from those who have not ventured into said room before could be one, although I suspect it was quite simply down to the quality of tunes emanating from the superb sound system. Whether it was crossover, Y2K, modern R&B, soulful house or anything in between, or indeed beyond, the buzz created was outstanding. One really couldn’t help but be drawn into the feeling. It was nice to see the bongos in action again, a novel but now anticipated fixture within the hallowed walls. It wasn’t just down to the DJ’s, who included Fish, Mark Randle, Dan D, Soul Sam, Steve J and Kev Laws to create the atmosphere. There was a live set from none other than Marc Evans, a man who in recent years has set the modern and, to a certain extent, the northern scene alive with his unique blend of soul music. There’s an old saying “it’s not big and it’s not clever…,” well let me tell you something. Marc Evans is both big and clever. His long dreadlocks made him instantly recognisable. His huge shoulders looked as if they would take the weight of the world. He took to the stage and grabbed everyone’s attention with his power house vocals. How can someone with such power also have such a silky smooth delivery? I guess it can just be put down to sheer talent. Running through tracks such as “The way you love me”, “I don’t want you anymore” and “Given me joy”, Marc was an instant hit with the crowd.
Speaking of talent, let’s not forget the backbone of the weekend, namely Angelo Starr and the Team. The stage had been moved to the far end of the “Commercial Soul Arena” where they performed a tribute to Motown Records. The biggest of all the arenas in action, it was filled to capacity with soul revellers all waiting for as near an authentic Motown sound as one could wish for. After all, Angelo’s pedigree precedes him wherever he goes. It was a tremendous show with Motown classics performed to perfection by Angelo and the band. The fun continued through to the early hours with Snowy, Dave Tidswell, Andy McCabe and Nev Shooter all playing dance floor fillers of a commercial variety.
The UK’s premier soul music publication “manifesto” took over the Queen Vic for a mammoth session between noon and 11:30pm. Contributors and guests provided a varied selection of quality soul music covering all genres throughout the session and provided a more intimate overview of what could be expected in the larger arenas throughout the weekend.
In Arena 4, Roger Banks, Ted Couldstone, Hoss and Kev Drage amongst many others played the very best of sixties R&B and deviated very little from the expected format. It may be an acquired taste for many, but the room had a steady stream of visitors along with the hardcore who seemingly remained on the floor throughout.
For those who had travelled and fancied an early night (were there any?), there was always the radio. A more diverse selection of DJ’s and music you will never have seen or heard in your life I’m sure. They all did a sterling job and, as far as I’m aware, kept the station up and running throughout the whole weekend although, to be fair, I had to go to bed and couldn’t listen in for the full 60 hours! Well done guys.
Saturday arrived. There were a few sore heads and many bleary eyes as people slowly but surely realised that there was at least another 24 hours of punishment coming their way. Those who were up and about early enough will have been lucky to see Angelo Starr and his band being joined by the headline artist for what seemed a brief rehearsal, something usually seems to take up the whole of Saturday morning. Not so on this occasion. Those of us who watched could only presume that everything was already sewn up and watertight as far as the performance later that night was concerned. By now, many of the stalls had opened up in the central bar area. Over the years there seems to be less record dealers and more memorabilia and clothing retailers plying their wares. Is the whole soul thing really becoming a fashion accessory? Let’s face it, Asda, River Island, Triple 5 and Ringspun amongst others, have already got themselves on the bandwagon! What next: Ric Tic label wheel trims for cars and plastic coated picture sleeves for table placemats? Maybe I should get a patent pending on those before they arrive at a record stall near you! Business for the traders seemed brisk although they all seemed to suggest that the year of 2009 had not been the best.
Throughout Saturday, all the arenas once again showed no sign of letting up on the quality soul, apart from “show time” in the main hall that is. The Team were revved up and raring to go back stage. Last minute tuning took place before the final curtain call. Then the big moment arrived. Back in the UK to face his biggest audience for a good few years, the legend that is Mr Chuck Jackson was let loose on a very eager crowd. It wasn’t long before the beads of sweat started appearing on his brow. He effortlessly went through classics such as “Love Lights”, “Something |You’ve Got”, “Hand It Over”, “Since I Don’t Have You”, “Chains Of Love”, “Two Feet From Happiness”, “I Wake Up Crying”, “Any Day Now”, “Good Things”, “Girls, Girls, Girls”, I’ve Got The Need”, “I Don’t Wanna Cry”, “What Am I Gonna Do” and “All Over The World”. An extended and very emotive version of “Stand By Me” was his spiritual encore. It not only hit a core with Chuck himself, but with the crowd too. Backstage, he was more than appreciative to the reception he was given and he was heard to say that he couldn’t wait to get back and do it all again. Let’s just hope that it’s not in the too distant future.
The night continued courtesy of Chris King, Ginger, Mick H and Rob Smith amongst others with the very best of northern soul in the main hall. Kev, Chris and Rob also took turns behind the decks in the Commercial Soul Arena proving that it’s not just about the rare side of things that creates an atmosphere. The floor seemed to be buzzing with the crowd loving every record the DJ’s dared put on the turntables.
The same could be said of all the other rooms too. Once again, the guys behind the Prestatyn weekender had excelled.
Steve Handbury
Photo Gallery
DJ Info & the Arena's they played