Elly Roberts reviews

Rating: 10/10+ Two thousand Soul revellers, many from Wrexham, Denbighshire and Flintshire and across the UK descended upon the Pontins Holiday Centre in Prestatyn between Friday 13 and Sunday 15 of October. Now in its fifth year as a concept, the event is growing in strength each year. This was the first time the three day festival was held in Prestatyn. Along with live acts, there was a host of the top Soul DJs from across the UK, such as Sean Chapman from Pontypridd and Wrexham-based Soul Sam, and several record stalls selling classics to rarities on vinyl and CD. With overnight accommodation available, it allowed fans to stay on campus, partying in the four arenas until the early hours. The showcase had a real family feel, with ‘Soul brothers’ meeting up once again for the annual event - the camaraderie was quite remarkable. People were mingling and rubbing shoulders with some of the best known names from the USA.

Using the’ Soul Revue’ format from the 60s, Friday night brought the Masquaraders. Saturday’s bill included Northern Soul legend J.J. Barnes, female trio The Andantes and Tamla Motown legends The Contours, all backed by the superb new generation of ‘Funk Brothers’, the seven piece Midnight Hour Soul Band and two backups, Jo Ankrah and Claire Pilling. Barnes has a cult following despite never charting in the UK - Our Love Is In The Pocket is his most popular song. Others from his set included Sweet Sherry and Real Humdinger all delivered in a masterful performance with the crowd lapping up the songs and creating a great atmosphere for the long night ahead. Motown’s top backing singers The Andantes (backing stars Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes) they gave a stirring masterclass, covering standards like When You’re Young And I Love, My Guy and one of the evening’s highlights I Got A Feeling (Barbara Randolph).

Headliners The Contours’ performance was a dazzling as their jackets. Including original member Sylvester Potts, the singing quartet put on trademark choreographed routines and cultured vocals whilst doing originals such as First I Look At The Purse, Baby Hit And Run, Smokey Robinson’s Tracks of My Tears, Jackie Wilson’s Higher And Higher, only UK hit Just A Little Misunderstanding, saving crowd favourite Do You Love Me? for a thrilling closer. For the finale, all artists appeared for a stunning reprise of I Got A Feeling, rounding off a glorious night for the Legends Of Motown and Soul. For information about the Northern Soul & Modern Soul Weekender March 16-19 2007, call 0870 604 5606 quoting code NS07. Acts for next October’s event will be confirmed around Christmas time.

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008. For prints of any of Elly's concert pics online, email Elly or call 07765 862017.

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