Post by coops on May 11, 2008 4:46:30 GMT
The Square Peg, Skegness 10th May 2008
As the paying public entered the ‘Squeg’ one could see those who had spent some of the day in Skegness, faces reddened by the sun and sea breeze as the first heat of 2008 hit the country, a heat that, as good as it was, couldn’t match that generated by the soul night that was to follow.
Skegness dee-jay Mac started the ball rolling with an hour of very fine vintage 60s with a slight smattering of 70s to vary the set.
To my total delight he played Ben E Kings’ – Tears, Tears, Tears, which was only the second time I have heard this soulful classic played out in 30 years.
Lincoln man Midge followed Mac with some under played but salubrious and well appreciated cross over sounds, in the main mid-tempo and in the main a wonderful hour of that genre. Those that weren’t dancing were, to a one, tapping their feet, fingers and generally nodding their heads in appreciation of each beat of each soulful tune.
Following Midge was Peterborough’s own Andrew ‘Snudge’ Smith who very rarely puts a record wrong, as with this night it was a pleasure to dance and listen to a set ranging from the De-lites, to the Four tracks, and, for those purists reading, not a ‘boot’ or re-issue amongst them, (not that that bothers me, I feel it’s the music that counts and not the label and Smudges music was right from the top-draw.
The next one-and-a-half hours was in the more than capable hands of Soul Sam, he played the audience of eager listeners and dancers like a guitar string. Sam, to many people is certainly ‘The Man’, always has been and probably always will be.) After Sam had stepped down from his temporary throne from which he ruled this little kingdom for 90 minutes resident Mick Cooper took over and along with a re-appearance of Mac they double-decked their way until almost 3:00.
People from Cleethorpes, Peterborough, Boston, Spalding, Nottingham, Mansfield and all points between came to the Peg and went home feeling full to bursting after this feast of soul music.
Month-on-month the figures go up at this venue but that’s not the most important part of it, the music and the unique atmosphere of this ‘Soul Café’ is what makes it one of the brightest jewels in the east of England.
There were a couple of small hindrances, along with the new extended dance floor some ‘disco-lighting’ had been fitted, this was deemed to be a bit bright by some people who were there and once this was pointed out the management acted swiftly to turn them off, also, someone had left a pool table light on and some people started playing pool, once again, swift action from the management ensured this was curtailed.
All in all a very, very good night at the Squeg, if you have yet to sample it’s delights then the next event is on June 21st, destined to be another sparkling night from this jewel of a venue.
images on:
www.freewebs.com/skeggsoul/index.htm
As the paying public entered the ‘Squeg’ one could see those who had spent some of the day in Skegness, faces reddened by the sun and sea breeze as the first heat of 2008 hit the country, a heat that, as good as it was, couldn’t match that generated by the soul night that was to follow.
Skegness dee-jay Mac started the ball rolling with an hour of very fine vintage 60s with a slight smattering of 70s to vary the set.
To my total delight he played Ben E Kings’ – Tears, Tears, Tears, which was only the second time I have heard this soulful classic played out in 30 years.
Lincoln man Midge followed Mac with some under played but salubrious and well appreciated cross over sounds, in the main mid-tempo and in the main a wonderful hour of that genre. Those that weren’t dancing were, to a one, tapping their feet, fingers and generally nodding their heads in appreciation of each beat of each soulful tune.
Following Midge was Peterborough’s own Andrew ‘Snudge’ Smith who very rarely puts a record wrong, as with this night it was a pleasure to dance and listen to a set ranging from the De-lites, to the Four tracks, and, for those purists reading, not a ‘boot’ or re-issue amongst them, (not that that bothers me, I feel it’s the music that counts and not the label and Smudges music was right from the top-draw.
The next one-and-a-half hours was in the more than capable hands of Soul Sam, he played the audience of eager listeners and dancers like a guitar string. Sam, to many people is certainly ‘The Man’, always has been and probably always will be.) After Sam had stepped down from his temporary throne from which he ruled this little kingdom for 90 minutes resident Mick Cooper took over and along with a re-appearance of Mac they double-decked their way until almost 3:00.
People from Cleethorpes, Peterborough, Boston, Spalding, Nottingham, Mansfield and all points between came to the Peg and went home feeling full to bursting after this feast of soul music.
Month-on-month the figures go up at this venue but that’s not the most important part of it, the music and the unique atmosphere of this ‘Soul Café’ is what makes it one of the brightest jewels in the east of England.
There were a couple of small hindrances, along with the new extended dance floor some ‘disco-lighting’ had been fitted, this was deemed to be a bit bright by some people who were there and once this was pointed out the management acted swiftly to turn them off, also, someone had left a pool table light on and some people started playing pool, once again, swift action from the management ensured this was curtailed.
All in all a very, very good night at the Squeg, if you have yet to sample it’s delights then the next event is on June 21st, destined to be another sparkling night from this jewel of a venue.
images on:
www.freewebs.com/skeggsoul/index.htm
