3rd Blackpool International Soul Festival

Now firmly established on every Northern Soul lovers' calendar, the 3rd Blackpool International Soul Festival did not disappoint the 2,000 fans who attended. Once again the historic Winter Gardens was filled with great music, covering Northern Soul and Motown, jazz funk, ska and mod 60s club soul, modern soul and rarities. But for me, the attraction was a line up of five US soul acts, many of whom I hadn't seen before. And although all five were excellent in their way, pride of place went to Patti Austin (pictured above),a singer who I've always regarded as a bit too jazzy and smooth for my taste, whose 75 minute set on the Saturday evening was absolutely stunning.
But to start at the beginning, Friday saw the appearance of three legends, each of whom were given a mere 20 minutes or so to show what they could do. Time wise it was insufficient, as between them they did only 11 numbers, but I can't fault their professionalism or their ability or, indeed, the excellent backing by Snake Davis and his band. First up was Margie Joseph, looking great in a silver trouser suit, whose high voice did justice to her four numbers from her Volt and Atlantic back catalogues - I'll Always Love You, Come On Back To Me Lover, One More Chance and I Can't Move No Mountains. Afterwards Margie, along with most of the other acts, did a meet and greet and was full of fun as she signed autographs.

Next up was Ann Sexton, fresh from doing a 75 minute set in London which by all accounts was a stormer. She is a ball of fire - raunchy and mischievous - and set the stage alight, but it was a shame that her limited stage time meant that she only sang four numbers and was on stage for just 22 minutes. Originally a gospel singer, she recorded some excellent soul for the Sound Stage 7 label. She came across strongly on Color My World Blue, You Gotta Use What You Got, All Over But The Shouting and her biggest hit You've Been Gone Too Long. Can't wait to see her again.

Final act of day one was Nolan (N F) Porter, a swivel eyed, hat wearing soul man with an engaging manner and a good stage act. The first of his three numbers was Oh Baby from 1972, followed by the excellent If I Could Only Be Sure and his soul anthem Keep On Keepin' On, which went down a storm. 16 minutes was Nolan's allocation.  I saw Nolan perform at the 100 Club a few years ago when he did a full set and would love to have seen more of him but, as with the others, it was great to see them at all. Admittedly for many people attending it was the records and dancing, not the live acts, that were the main draw, but the attraction of such a talented group of soul legends must be huge for many.

Next day Nolan failed to turn up at a question and answer session, earning him the title of No Show, or NS, Porter, but the discussion between DJs Kev Roberts, Richard Searling (organiser of the festival) and Chris Curtis was fascinating. Topics covered included the rivalry, intense at times, between the Wigan Casino and Blackpool Mecca, the antics of DJs in the old days of covering up record labels to steal a march on their rivals, soaring prices of rare soul records and worries about who the live acts might be in 20 years time.

Saturday's live entertainment kicked off with Eloise Laws (pictured above), sister of Ronnie Laws, who looked great in a white blouse and red slacks as she sang three numbers - the upbeat If You Don't Watch Out from 1980, the ballad Love Comes Easy and her Northern hit from 1973 Love Factory. Another short but sweet set, and, as it proved, the perfect appetiser for the star turn of the weekend, Patti Austin.

I had my doubts about Patti beforehand, but she quickly dispelled them when she launched into her excellent 75 minute set. Looking elegant in a black outfit, her long silver hair swaying, she began what she described as a musical journey, covering some songs which she recorded as a teenager - and hadn't even listened to since - as well as some of her current much more sophisticated stage act. Early songs in her set included You're Too Much A Part Of me, the bouncy It Happens All The Time (recorded when she was just 14), at a time when she toured with Patti LaBelle and James Brown. Next came Do You Love Me?, Are We Ready For Love and the jazzy In & Out Of Love, during which she did some scat singing and whistling. It was clear that we were in the presence of a real star, whose stagecraft, rapport with her audience and vocal chords were fantastic . The upbeat (I've Given) You All My Heart followed, and her big Northern soul hit Take Away The Pain Stain. Then it was the jazz flavoured Quincy Jones number We're In Love, He's Good Enough For Me (recorded when she was just starting out), Leave A Little Love (better known as a hit for Lulu), Through The Test Of Time, with audience participation, and Someone's Gonna Cry. Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me, a song written for Patti by Stevie Wonder, and the James Bond styled You Didn't Say A Word, followed before she brought her exquisite set to a close with Music To My Heart. Is Patti really a Northern soul artist? Maybe not, although some of her songs fit the bill, but she's a great performer and has real star quality. The audience certainly thought so, as the extended applause showed. Shame she wasn't at the meet and greet afterwards though. The arrival of all five acts on stage at the finale set the seal on a great weekend.

Next year's line up has already been announced and includes Eddie Holman, Philip Mitchell, Brenda Holloway and Randy Brown, so it looks like I will be making the trek to Blackpool once again.
Below are some photos of me taken with some of the acts.