JB  aka  Paul and his 'Lost Weekends'

Roving Soulie Paul (aka JB) reports on his weekend,

October 10th       Click Here for a pic of dancers at the Dome

Did Blackburn King George's Hall a couple of weeks ago. A Wigan Anniversary so the music was well known. Unreserved dancing the ticket said, well if you couldn't be bothered to que for 20 mins at the bar to get a drink.
Bernies the Rec in Warrington the following Friday, now I know the difference between a DJ and someone who plays the records. Bernie had the crowd working, something an earlier DJ found more difficult, knowing your audience helps. (Cheers paul, The cheque is in the post :) Those that play the music that the punter wants to hear will survive, those that don't will die. RIP the Saints? For Saturday I travelled to Llandudno, North Wales to meet up with some fellow internet soulies called keep the faith. Best night I've had for years, finished a 4am!
For this weekend I fired up the laptop. Auto Route said the distance to The Dome in London was some 30 miles shorter than to Lowton, from where I work in Coventry. So instead of heading North, I went South, weird! Still not sure how I ever find these places, but Matt the promoter, as
usual had given me directions that where not quite spot on. Opposite Tufnell Park Tube Station he said. I find the station and try the streets around it, 3rd one luckily I spot a Scooter, Vespa crap but it guides me to the place. I turn round and park right in front of the scooter, close to the entrance. The bouncers are not happy to see my camera, so I mention Matts name, who? Up the stairs and clear it with a girl dressed in black, nice, sat behind a table with a keep the faith London and raised fist motif behind her, forgot to ask name as usual. No sign of Matt.
Music, classic Northern dancers as I walk in, I'm happy. Some classily dressed females, Michele, was it Matt? Strange feeling of nostalgia, the place is half the size of Lowton, square shape, bar on the left, DJ's behind a grill at the far end, and is painted a dark matt colour with a revolving glass ball reflecting the lights in the centre. Spookily it reminded me of a large Beachcomber without the skull lamp shades. The Beachcomber was a dark place underneath the Casino, that played sounds before the main room opened up at 2am and in the morning after 8am. I wonder round, get a beer, see Jessica from New York and more KTF'ers I'd met at Llandudno, say hello to Dave Rimmer, still no sign of Matt. Meet up with Jean & friend, also Martin and Paul TP. Good music, I chat to Jean for a while noticing that for once she has a skirt on and what have to be the longest legs on the soul scene. I wonder round taking a few pictures. Meet up with Matt my trademark man in black is no more, Matt is dressed in a similar black suit, shirt & tie! He's happy, not surprisingly with the turnout for a first night, more to follow in the future? The first night at Wigan Casino was crap, no I wasn't there but I know a girl who was and Denny her name was Les, I did the 3rd one and a few more besides!

The dance floor is has seen better time! It's uneven, not been polished for years and had beer spilt on it in places, as I found out as I nearly ended up on my arse as I hit a wet patch in one of my more exuberant dancing moves. That minor point apart and a shuffling section late on is my only criticism of an excellent night. OK some of the punters don't know the etiquette of a Northern night, no smoking, drinking or trying to chat up women on the dance floor, it can be a bit dangerous when an old souly starts bouncing round the room!

I spy a Japanese girl dancing so thought I'd chat to some locals for their views, picked a bloke. Hi my names Paul from Wigan he says! So last week I met a Paul from North Wales this week Paul from Wigan, taking to Paul from St Helens!

I leave at the same time as Jean, 12mins before the end at 3am, did it go on for longer? Well I had to be at work in Coventry for 8am. So, sorry to Dave Rimmer for whimping out early on his spot but thanks for playing Barry Track, I like to leave on a high. The journey back was quicker, well all I had to do was follow the signs North, I'm a Lancashire Lad and have a homing instinct for my roots, still I'd return for another helping from the smoke. Lowton or the Dome same night, 50/50 choice? If it was my weekend off I'd go to Lowton, well I live up there! But the Dome is, on this showing a very good second choice! Very well recommended!!!

So from Paul, JB from St Helens don't keep it spread it!
 

September 20th

Hi all

Friday I spent 2 hours travelling north on the M6 from Coventry and still hadn't passed Crewe! Off the motorway and home via Middlewich and Northwich, where?! Then on to Warrington before finally getting to St Helens after 4 hours for a 120 mile journey I can normally do in under 1hr 20mins, allegedly!

A quick meal, shower and up to near Preston for Lorna's 40th birthday party! Steve's Conner & Gardner, Karen, Dave & Kay and Margaret from North Wales now a teacher in Southport, a girl I haven't seen for years, plus family & friends. Kev, Lorna's partner amongst others, playing the records. Met up with her mate and my dancing partner Adrienne for a bop
round the floor also Julie an air hostess I fancy. Some youngster there said we should do a gap advert! Compliment or taking the piss? I think they actually where slightly impressed that such oldies could actually still move round the dance floor with some energy. Then again Adrienne
is part of a women's squash team and very fit. She also brought with her one of her team members. A junior champion, looks like Sephie Graff, long blond hair with legs as long as Jeannie's, and only 14, did I feel old! Went home via Wigan, to say hello to Les, Denny's protector.

Adrienne phoned me the next day about Keele. Stick around my house doing house work and mow the lawn? Nah! Keele it was! I arrived about 3am to say hello to Lee in the car park no Maria? Saw Dave Rimmer selling records, small world isn't it? Call me cynical, I am, but my
last allnighter, the Ritz, I really enjoyed. Would Keele be as good?

Better! OK around 6am it got a bit flat and a lot of people left during the almost obligatory fire alarm that cleared the place an hour later. But the final hour, Keith Minshall more farewells performances than Frank Sinartra, Dave Evison and finally Brian Rae played classic
Northern Soul. The last three records? No prizes, what do you think? Nearly On My Way when Brian played one more, Sonny Boy William's, a bit of R & B to send me back to Coventry. Fading scene? Check out the rave music in the second room, reasonable attendance considering the university term only starts this week.

Blackburn next and Jean's interview with one Richard Searling, I'll stand back and take the pictures!

Paul, JB