Getting to
Manchester during the daytime is no pleasure, especially when you get log
jammed in traffic due to Stockport Carnival! But a trip that had to be done.
The final Hideaway Club session just could not be missed. Having admired the
club from afar for so long and the club having helped direct and shape some of
the core Mod music played around the country for the last 15 plus years this
was a definite 'Not to be missed' occasion.
Arrived in
time to catch the last couple of hours of the free afternoon at the Old Nags
head pub in centre of Manchester, home of the legendary Hideaway Club. Greeted
by the sight of several scooters parked outside on the walk down Lloyd Street
and soon you could hear the sweet R'n'B sounds drifting out of the open
upstairs windows.
Once in
side and upstairs, a mixed relaxed crowd were enjoying the free afternoon, a
few great vintage stalls (some gorgeous John Smedleys for sale) in the back
room and some great tunes being spun. In fact at some points the dance floor
was pretty full. With the likes of Tarheel Slim - Wildcat Tamer and Jimmy
McCracklin - Get Tough being played there were plenty of happy faces and
tapping feet as well as dancers.
The
evening started about 9pm and on arrival at about 9.30 people were just
arriving in numbers. Again a fairly mixed crowd into the music but plenty of
sharp suits and classy ladies.
The next 5
and a half hours were magical. The music played by Neil Henderson, Mike
Warburton, Bill Kealy, John Godden and others was outstanding, obviously those
that enjoy their New Breed R&B and original mod era club sounds (like me!)
were in heaven. John Lee Hooker, Howlin Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Slim Harpo
etc, etc... This was pure unwatered down 'get up and go' gritty R'n'B from
start to almost finish.
People
(Rachelle Piper et al) were still arriving at 11pm and by midnight the upstairs
front room was a cauldron of people, dancing and steaming hot tunes.
By 1.30am
the crowd was beginning to thin. Which just left more room on the dance floor
for everyone else! At 2.30am a few hideaway favourites were spun and as they
are all now Mod classics the dance floor was heaving right up to the end at
3am. Hot, sweaty, exhausted goodbyes were said as the final track 'It Keeps
Rainin' Apt words.. It keeps rainin.. since you gone all I do is cry.. Left me
reeling and rocking..
I
sincerely hope this IS NOT the last we hear of the Hideaway Club and the
wonderful people behind it. But if it is the final, final Hideaway Club night..
this weekend was a most suitable send off.
Thank you
for a night never to be forgotten.
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