Venue ReportBilbao Weekender - Oct 2010
Soul4Real meets SoulEssence

After missing last October's do it was a full 18 months since we'd sampled the delights of Bilbao! The weekender for us started on Wednesday afternoon as we set off and stopped with The Cosby's on Wednesday night as we had an early flight on Thursday. Beer and a session in the Cosby record room got us off to a good start!

Thursday - The beauty of the early flight meant we were in the hotel and ready for action by half ten on Thursday morning! So 'Tapas Trawl #1' it was then! What a great day it was too! Sun, Tapas, Pinxtos, Beer and eventually hitting the Cotton Club for the warm up session later that evening. I say warm up but really it was a full on night and the DJ's really did raise the bar for the rest of the weekend - no pressure then!

Friday - More of the same I'm afraid! Did the Boat Trip this year and became an honoury Leighton Buzzardian for the day as it was two of us and eight of them! Straight onto 'Tapas Trawl #2' weather pretty good, more Tapas, Pinxtos & Beer which soon became the first main night at The Ercilla Hotel. There was a real party atmosphere with Brits outnumbering the Spanish by 4 to 1 (most of them were due to come in for the Saturday night gig). Musically it was mainly 70's, Crossover & Northern and the dance floor was full all night. This really was a great night and it looked like just about everyone agreed!

Saturday - Retail Therapy for the girls swiftly followed by 'Tapas Trawl #3' with yes, you guessed it even more Tapas, Pinxtos & Beer and hitting the Cotton Club again, this time for the afternoon 'Deep' session. Loads of SENSATIONAL tuneage on show there was too! The main Saturday night at The Ercilla had more of a 50/50 split of Brits versus Spanish and musically it was the polar opposite of Friday night! Not much Northern and/or Crossover was heard until the very wee small hours. In the main we got loads of the funkier & jazzier end of the scene which gave rise to two brilliantly contrasting nights. Something for everybody that's for sure!

Sunday - Window shopping followed by 'Tapas Trawl #4' then back to the Ercilla for some farewell tunes in the foyer which was a superb way to end the weekend. As we left for the airport the music carried on and apparantly got very happy and very messy later on!
I've purposely not mentioned any DJ's or names of the many folks we sang, drank, ate and partied with, as there are simply too many BUT a massive thank you to anyone who was unlucky enough to spend time with us this weekend! Thanks also go out to the many DJ's who all did superb sets!

Many thanks to the organisers 'Alex & Aitor' and from the Yarmouth side of the tracks 'Bob & Gavin' for putting together a quality weekender with more fun than you can shake a stick at and of course as much Soul as it's humanly possible to take. Roll on October 2011!

I'll finish with my playlists for both Friday & Saturday nights at The Ercilla Hotel -

Steve Plumb - Friday night (1am-2am) - Paaarrrty

Delfonics - I told you so (45)
Vessie Simmons - I can make it on my own (45)
Willie J & Co - Boogie with your baby (45)
C Henry Woods Troupe - The Stranger (45)
Kool Blues - can we try love again (45)
Charlene & The Soul Serenaders - Can you win (45)
Inell Young - What do you see in her (45)
Bobby Bland - Shoes (45)
Chubby & The Turnpikes - I didn't try (45)
Paramount Four - Sorry ain't the word (45)
Sam Dees - Lonely for you baby (Alt Take LP)
George Kirby - What can I do (45)
Clydene Jackson - I need your love (LP)
Brief Encounter - Human (45)
New Holidays - Maybe so maybe no (45)
Satin - Your loves got me (45)
Tempests - Someday (LP)
Seven Souls - I still love you (45)
Richard Caiton - I'd like to get near you (45)
Norris Vines - Give in (45)

Steve Plumb - Saturday night (11pm-12.30am) - Early doors, setting the tone

Deborah Bell - Close your eyes (CD)
BSTC feat J L - I love it (CD)
DJ Asparagus - Your daddy loves you (CD)
Root Soul feat Leon King - My dream come true (CD)
Laurence Beaman - Thinking of you (CD)
Paris Delane - Can't go back (CD)
Marjorie Ingram - Another woman involved (forthcoming)
Ted Taylor - Farewell (forthcoming)
George Soule - Midnight love affair (forthcoming)
Candi Staton - One more hurt (forthcoming)
George Jackson - Victim of a foolish heart (forthcoming) (Bilbao '1st play' exclusive)
Spencer Wiggins - I'm at the breaking point (CD)
Paramount Four - Sorry ain't the word (45)
Epicentre - Get off the phone (LP Borrowed from Bob Cosby)
Invitations - It was a woman (New 45)
Anthony Hamilton - So in love with you (CD)
Marcell & The Truth - Lost in the moment (CD)
Chantay Savage - Don't let it go to your head (Silks Old School 12")
Esther Philips - Brother brother (CD)
Ella Woods - I need your love (45)
Alice Clark - Don't you care (LP)
Arnold Blair - Trying to get next to you (45)
Joyce Williams - The first thing I do in the morning (45)
Friday Saturday Sunday - There must be something (45)
Lou Courtney - Somebody new is loving on you (45)
Fabulous Playmates - Don't turn your back on love (45)
Barrett Strong - Is it true (45)
Hesitations - Is that the way to treat a girl (45)
Sy Hightower - I know you're leaving me (45)

Cheers
Steve Plumb
Oct 2010