From: "Gostelow, David I (IRNW)" <david.gostelow@ir.gsi.gov.uk>
Subject: The Viaduct On Friday
Sorry for the delay in posting and the brevity of review but just had to mention last Friday's "oldies spectacular" at The Viaduct.
I got the 2 o'clock train from London and was met at Lime Street station (Liverpool) at 5o'clock by soul-mate Sheila who'd agreed to drive the 20ish miles to Newton Le Willows and our B+B Hotel, The Kirkfield.(£40 double b+b, highly recommended). After check in it's over the road to the pub (can't remember it's name) where 2 meals for £4.99 seemed a good idea but the place was full of local families (i.e. screaming kids) on their weekly night out. A few beers later we're on the train, one stop to Earlestown (65p). It's a bit early so we do a couple more pubs on the half mile or so walk to The Viaduct club. Arriving about 9, the place is EMPTY! Alan of all trades Barnes is on the door and doesn't seem too bothered about the lack of clientele at this stage. There is an alternative soul nite being advertised at N. le W.cricket club this night but Alan says it's more of a "rave" and finishes at 10.30 so shouldn't attract too many of the Viaduct crowd.After stocking up at the dead cheap bar (but foolishly forgetting that I'm not in L'pool where "take your own" means have a 20p. tip!) we sit down and catch the end of MIKE WALKER'S opening set. Next up is STAN EVANS, ex Wheel DJ who runs his own soul nite at the Sink Club in Liverpool. Stan plays a good set and gives it plenty on the mike. Is it just me (I'm a scouser meself) but does a scouse accent seem out of place at a Northern Soul do? Probably me bein' paranoid. The third slot went to KEITH BRADY who was excellent and followed on stage by the star turn, TONY JEBB. Tony looked in a bad way and had someone on stage with him picking out the records, putting them on the decks and cueing up! He miked ok but the set was very tame, commercial oldies all the way and one ridiculous 3 record sequence (wish I could remember the tunes) which sounded like a northern "stars on 45" - we demand the record, the whole record and nothing but the record! IMO mixing just doesn't work in a northern environment. Tony got a great reception at the end of his set, despite having managed to totally empty a pretty chokka dancefloor at one stage even though playing tunes we all knew. Full marks to Alan for giving Tony a go but anybody who turned up at the gig just to see TJ would have been mighty disappointed, he struck me as being the DJ equivalent of Hoagy Lands, for those who caught the singer recently.STEVE THOMPSON was next on board and played a stormer, by the time he finished at 1, the floor was heaving again. Main man ALAN BARNES took over for the final hour and rounded off the evening in style with a real mixed bag of oldies. Sadly we had to shoot off before the end as some turd had robbed me drink while we wuz dancin' (and boy do I need a drink before and after a dance these days!) and was also goin' round hasslin' all the luverly ladies in the place. Anywhere other than a soul night he would've been a gonner but there's just summat about our doo's that stops me wantin' to have a nark with anybody, even pillox who rob ale and hassle women, if he's there next time though...
Anyway 'twas a great night. There was a free raffle for a "spirit of the mecca" CD which we didn't win and which I think, was signed by Tony. Heard some Gladys, some Betty, some Womack and loads of other great tunes but can't remember who the hell played what. Must take pen and paper next time if I'm gonna do this review lark seriously.
KTF Dave G.
A Night Out With Martyn Ellis
Viaduct 26 March 1998
The return of a Torch legend? We go undercover and reveal thje truth about this amiable man.
Anorth night fraught with rushing and being ready on time as we were being picked up by usual Mr Punctual Proudlove & Deb, his gal. We'd arranged to meet Martyn just outside Winwick Psychiatric Hospital (very apt - book me a bed) when we arrived there. we found it blocked off, oh oh no. Never fear Sharon was driving and was on time, a bottle of whisky was produced for birthday celecrations and we set off for Newton-le-Willows, Viaduct Club. Arrived to a warm reception off Alan and took over the end table near the stage as Martyn could suss the action, fairly quiet as of yet, but it was early. People came over to Martyn, shook his hand, clapped him on the back, praised him, reminisced with him... "Who the f*ck are they? Do I know them?" Martyn asked of us. I howled with alughter, such honesty. Well that set the seal on how the night would be:- MAD, MANINC, FUNNY, WITTY, CRAZY. Alan played a mix of old and new, some good, some crap. The fish just weren't biting tonight. I've never known spaces on the dancefloor. It wasnt empty, but it wasnt packed either. Ste Connors followed, all the time building up to Martyn's 11pm spot. Meanwhile the 6 of us sparked off each other and talked and laughed, people still coming up to Martyn - who seemed unable to remember anyone properly bar 1 or 2, (he probably owed them money!) 11pm arrives and a whirlwind was released with a torrent of 100mph patter. 1st record Philip Mitchell - Free for All. 100 mph records to match. Much too fast for an old wrexk like me to dance to. Next record jumped the decks. The old pro smoothed this over with his unique brand of charm and expletives, my kind of guy. Belting sport, he was on top form, though he was nervous and twitchy. Not fully appreciated though, too fast records, not knowing all of them, attendances a little down, et etc - who knows. I am afraid others paled into insignificance for me. I became an Ellis groupie in 1 hour (it took Sharon at least 11 years. I dont need to praise the venue as I've never had a bad night at the Viaduct, but he made it special for all concerned. WE had a brilliant night. What soul nights should be; fun, laughs, great company, great music. Can't wait for the next time.
Here at Manifesto we heard through the grapevine that this was a cracking soul night. Then instead of visiting a soul night we ended up at the first nighter. And what a night. Music was again for the dancers, coming from four of the scenes top DJs: Neil Clowes, Dave Evison, Brian (wade in the water) Rae (and yes he did play it), and not forgetting Chris King. Together they played the part of what a DJ is paid for, entertaining the crowd with what they want to hear.Packed hall, good music, brilliant atmosphere. If you've been thinking of going, just do it, you will enjoy yourself.
Earle Street, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Nr Warrington..
Tel: 07930 240732. Email: viaductsoul1@activemail.co.uk
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