The World’s No.1 Northern Soul All-Nighter – Saturday 21st July, King’s Hall, Stoke ST4 1JH

The Kings Hall, Stoke is now in its 16th year as the World's Best Attended Northern Soul All-Nighter and was used extensively in the motion picture 'SOULBOY’.

Promoted by Goldsoul, they say their All-Nighter features an unrivalled DJ line up playing the Best Loved Oldies, Up Front Discoveries and Forgotten Floorshakers.

Many people have likened the King's Hall to the Wigan Casino; the huge main hall is surrounded on three sides by a seating balcony from where you can witness the awesome view of Northern Soul dancers. 

Opening Times - from 9pm until 7am  

DJ team- Mick H, Chris King, Ginger Taylor, Kev Roberts, Dave Evison, Andy Dyson, Sean Chapman, John Poole, Nige Brown, Rob Smith and guests. 

There are two more All-Nighter’s in 2012 – 6^th October & 1^st December.

New Bruce Foxton Solo Album Featuring Paul Weller

Bruce Foxton has announced plans to release a new solo album later in 2012 via Pledge Music (an organisation that helps artists and bands design a specifically tailored fundraising campaign to raise money for their next release).

Bruce says, “This will be my first solo album since “Touch Sensitive” and I’ve worked with some really exciting artists while making it. First and foremost, the band, Russell Hastings & Mark Brzezicki, both very dear friends and fantastic players, we’ve had a ball recording together. Also on the album are Paul Weller & Steve Cropper! It was such a pleasure to work and hang out with Paul again. Then there’s the equally-legendary Steve Cropper. What an honour to have them both play on the album. I’m so proud of this record and hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your continued support.”

You can pre-order the album via Pledge Music along with a range of never-before-seen items and experiences, all of which you can pre-order or ‘pledge’ on. These items will be sent out when the album is released and allow you access to the project as a whole, viewing exclusive footage from the studio, behind the scenes and concerts, as well as exclusive photos, audio and news updates.

You’ll find snippets from 2 of the new album tracks in the player on the left hand side of the Bruce’s Pledge Music page. They’re called “Glad I Found My Tears” and “Number 6” which features Paul Weller on piano. Just go to http://www.pledgemusic.com/brucefoxton and click the grey ‘play’ button on the left hand side.

New Paul Weller single out on 23rd July

Paul Weller releases his next single, ‘The Attic’, on Monday 23^rd July. Taken from his recent number 1 album, ‘Sonik Kicks’, it will come backed with a brand new song, ‘The Piper’ and a full length version of the album track, ‘Sleep Of The Serene’.

The www.paulweller.com website describes ‘The Attic’ as a song that motors along in a space-age rockabilly style with PW crooning like a pining teen idol for his lover. Weller himself says, “Lyrically, it’s a bit lovelorn”.

'McVicar' on Sky

For anyone who wants to see McVicar (starring Roger Daltrey) then you luck is in. Set your digital box to record the Sky Crime/Thriller channel at 3am tomorrow morning on Sky channel 307, Virgin 407 or HD at 437.

But be quick, only a few hours to go!!!

The Jam's 'The Gift' album is to get the Deluxe Treatment

News is just in that The Gift album by The Jam is to be given the 'Deluxe' treatment. Details are very sketchy at present but we are promised a stack of rare and unreleased material.

Furthermore, there's a special limited edition deluxe box set due to be released on 19th November (see the photo above) that will retail at £79.99.


More details will be released shortly via http://www.paulweller.com/

'Alfie' on Film 4 Tonight

Michael Caine's classic, 'Alfie', from 1966 is on Film 4 tonight at 10.40pm.

That's channel 315 on Sky, 428 on Virgin, 300 on freesat and 15 on Freeview.

The original is still the greatest!!!

Jon Lord of The Artwoods - RIP

 

I was saddened to hear that Jon Lord, Hammond supremo with The Artwoods, has lost his batlle with pancreatic cancer and has died today aged 71.

Born in Leicester, Lord learned classical piano at an early age before being seduced by watching early rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis and jazz organist Jimmy Smith.

He also worked as a session musician and is thought, by some, to have played piano on The Kinks' hit 'You Really Got Me'.

For me, his greatest work was with The Artwoods who recorded the legendary 'Art Gallery' album as well as several classic singles. Together with Art Wood on lead vocals, Derek Griffiths on lead guitar, Malcolm Pool on bass and Keef Hartley on drums, The Artwoods were one of the best British R&B bands of the sixties. We lost Art a few years ago (and it was my pleasure to work with Art & Ronnie Wood on the Mod Aid 20 single in 2005), and Keef was taken away earlier this year. Now Jon has gone and what a sad day this is - but what a musical legacy he has left behind.

In addition to The Artwoods, he co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 after meeting guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and co-wrote many of the group's best known songs including 'Smoke On The Water'.

The Rolling Stones celebrate 50 years together

 

The Rolling Stones are celebrating 50 years together after first playing at the Marquee Club on 12th July 1962, filling in for Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated (who were recording a BBC session at the time).

The current issue of Mojo (see below) features The Stones and includes a CD of the bands R&B influences, which is well worth picking up.

Guitarist Keith Richards confirmed this week that the band had got back together for a couple of rehearsals and, whilst infering 'live' performances may be on the cards in the future, didn't go as far as giving any tangible details.

ISSUE 13 of the Modzine HEAVY SOUL is out now!!!

Included are interviews with NOLAN PORTER !, Paul Hooper-Keeley talks about life in 80s mod band THE THREADS, Saturdays Kids author / photographer DARREN RUSSELL talks about his book as well as Nick from the Italian record label RECORD KICKS.

Pete Quaifes brother Dave is interviewed about his charity night in honour of THE KINKS bass playing Mod and finally PAUL SAWTELL informs all about the Cambridge Mod Scene.

Also inside is the 5th part of the 100 greatest Mod bands, Dreamsville weekender review, the usual news, and latest 45s reviewed. A look at the 1989 Lowestoft CCI Mod Rally and heaps more too.

Don't forget the 20 track Club Sounds CD, a special supplement on THE THREADS and the latest edition of The West Indian Music Appreciation Society newsletter.

Manchester Mod Weekender 2012

The 13th Manchester Mod Weekender is coming up fast now, with just 2 weeks to go until the 27th & 28th July.

Taking place at The Deansgate, Friday night features the very popular Mod Ball (9pm to 2am) which is always great fun. Entry is £5 on the door.

From noon until 5pm on Saturday we have the 'Free & Easy' session with many guest DJs, stalls and much conversation to be had. And as the name suggests, entry is free.

Saturday night is the big one - 'The Hideaway Club' from 9pm to 3am with DJ's Paul Welsby, Mike Warburton and Neil Henderson (possibly?) plus special guest DJs playing the early R&B dance tunes that has spawned several collections on the Kent label and a huge reputation for taking the Mod scene forward. This legendary club will cost you just £5 on the door.

Shindig! - Issue 27

The current issue of Shindig! features The Chocolate Watchband as the cover stars and includes a 12- page feature of this San Jose based quintet who combined rough elements of R&B with harder edged British bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Yardbirds.

Other interesting main features in this issue are focused on The Wheels from Belfast and The Toby Twirl (who supported the Small Faces on occasion).

Reviews in issue 27 include a look at 'King New Breed R&B Volume 2', Nine Below Zero's 30th Anniversary re-issue of 'Third Degree', Fay Hallam's new album, 'Lost In Sound', the Acid Jazz EP 'Lookin' Good With...' by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and in the book review section, Manu's updated, 'This Is Modern Life: The 1980s London Mod Scene (Mod Chronicles Vol. 1).

Another great issue available directly on line or in W H Smith.