I can't believe that I'm the first to mention this on the list!
Hats off to all the lads upstairs at the Mousetrap on Saturday night who
helped to make it the second best night out I'd ever had (after Skeggy last
year!). It would have been the best night out EVER had they played Esther
Philips' 'Just say Goodbye'! But you can't have everything. After being
miffed that the soul loft didn't actually get going till after 11pm (when
the bloody Tyson fight had finished!), the first record hit the deck, I ran
downstairs to retrieve my bag, put my dancing shoes on and didn't leave the
floor all night. Since my previous trip was less than memorable, Saturday
night produced some of the best music that I have ever listened to. From
Cookie Jackson to Jackie Day, Timmie Williams (the real one or the Banks
pressing? Which one was it Lee?!) to Fats Domino, if I was Vic Ranger and it
was my birthday that night, I couldn't have been happier. I only stopped
dancing to fill up my water bottle and perhaps when a few ska records got
played. ;)
Ms Dixon, my dancing partner for the evening, will testify to the
fantastic quality of music (apologies for my rude exit Kat, I'll explain it
to you sometime, but it was great to see you again). Loads of stuff I didn't
know. Loads of stormers I knew vaguely and very well. Every one a monster.
And what about Lee Miller playing Marvin Gaye's wonderful, rare, remarkably
better cut of 'Lucky Lucky Me'. Hoorah for actually breaking it on the
floor. I've had that on a tape for years. First time I've heard it in a
club. Superb.
Who was the geezer with the video camera? He was upstairs for
AGES early on. No doubt at some point catching my mutually flirtatious
behaviour with a certain little blonde from a certain little mail order
clothes catalogue! Before I found out she was attached! Teased again, God
Damn it!! I digress. I have been told that it may be for a new Action video?
Anyone any ideas?
I actually took a camera to capture on film the nights events!
I forgot about it completely!
It was also heaving. Getting there early anticipating a mad
rush, it was bloody empty, but in true Mousetrap fashion, come midnight it
was rammed, even more so downstairs I believe. Loads of us Northerners down
there there was. Apparently, my mates downstairs said that, for most part,
it was great in the basement as well.
And for the first time in my life, I was actually offered
speeed! Me offered speed! It's usually me who's asked if I've got any for
sale! Our reporter thanked him, declined the offer, made his excuses and
left!
Was anyone else there? Paul Flynn? (BTW, much thanks for the
Isleys docu, it's great!) Great to chat to some long lost faces in the crowd
upstairs from allnighters and soul do's around the country.
And finally finding, and foolishly purchasing, wedged between
Joy Lovejoy and Chuck Berry, a mint copy of Little Walter's 'My Babe' on
London in Portobello (or should that read IN London, ON Portobello?!) for
more than I could really afford completed the whole weekend!
Hello to all those who were there and I didn't spot, but
no doubt you had as great a night as I did!!
If Uncle Bob can guarantee that the quality of music
will be consistently like it was at the weekend, then we've decided that
we'll be returning every month.
By the way,
I still have cramp!
And a curious large bruise on my calf,
Just below it's right ear,
I knew I shouldn't have taken my
livestock down!
That psyche really agitates them!
Anything I've missed?
Still on a soul buzz,
Matt.....
p.s. Where the hell was Paul Secular? I was soooo looking forward to
meeting him then rudely dancing back onto the dancefloor to ska!
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