Friday 15 January 2010

Blackpool Hilton Luxury Weekender Jan8-10 2010


A couple of reviews of the weekend :-
A fantastic weekend for us from start to finish. Our thanks as ever go to Ralph, Richard all the DJ’s and everyone involved in organising this event and the smooth running with no hiccups along the way – it went like a dream. We all have our expectations so high and are never disappointed but I think we can all safely say this was by way something very very special. Chapter 8 were awesome and in a totally different league not enough words to describe how we felt and if only we could have bottled it all up. Only regret I didn’t take my albums I bought all those years ago to be signed !

This weekender has always been our ‘New Year’ party and as we left on Friday our son waved us off and said “have a good one Mum and Dad because I know what this means to you”.

So lovely to meet up with our soulful family, EMS’rs, friends and meeting new ones. Enjoyed all the DJ sets we were able to fit in and yes did have to dash about a bit to catch some of the sessions that clashed but I think we managed it. As always loved the Queens vibe and the way Colin and Bob lift the tempo, in fact nearly lifting the roof off wonderful stuff, gets better and better each year, never think it can but it does. Roger’s set on Saturday afternoon was just stunning and very well put together loved the Full Blast track ‘Stars in your Eyes’ sounded fantastic loud. This was highlighted as a NOT under any circumstances to be missed and we weren’t disappointed – great stuff. Quickly moving on to the Fro-Disia and boy were them tunes hot another needed bottling up session. However, we have to give an extra mention to Colin Curtis as he amazes us every time, how he changes his style within minutes of being in the Queens to spinning the Mecca Memories so professional a true legend in every sense of the word, our hats go off to you. Loved the Parkers Revival on Saturday night and hearing Leo Sunship ‘Give me the Sunshine’ at around 3.30ish/4.00 am was another one of those moments (the tune is still in my head now). Oh and how wonderful was that group hug in the middle of the dancefloor at around 4.00 am - how much love was there!!!

We never can leave on a Sunday so always stay the extra night and what a wonderful treat we had as Ralph announced not to move as we were all in for something really special and were blew away again by Gerald Lyles couldn’t take our eyes off him. It's looking good for 2010 as he has new material. So exciting to see them all together raising their glasses and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Finally got a picture with him so all was not lost. Anyway enough of the rambling, its back to reality. We do hope Birmingham goes ahead.

Thanks again to all involved and see you all soon.
Karen and Billy

From our arrival on Friday @ 3pm ish to leaving on Sunday @ 11am ish (didnt want to leave) THE BLACKPOOL LUXURY WEEKENDER 2010 WAS JUST BLOODY AWESOME in more ways than one. Thanks to all involved.

Ill get this out of the way as its only a little groan....The only down side for me is I didnt get to hear all the dj's that I wanted to hear as some clashed but you cant be in two places at once can you.

Fro-disia was an integral part of the weekend for me and for Steven and Im sure he will add his own bit to this thread later.

Fro-disia an explosion of Jazz, Nujazz Funk and Latin. The music just spoke for itself and made you want to dance. I am always a bit apprehensive to get up dance to this type of music but once I did I just couldnt sit down. I left feeling exhilarated and happy (that music makes you smile doesnt it) and absolutley knackered it was great! The people that do make it special and add to the vibe are those that could dance and do their thing. I look on in amazement at their efforts and feel slightly envious that I cant dance like they do. Maybe if I took my 3 inch heels off then maybe I could, Flat shoes are a must. To the Dj's Tony Cooney, Mark Grice and of course Colin Curtis A BIG THANK YOU for making it happen !!

Chapter 8...an enthralling performance just bloody fantastic. They still have it dont they, vocally enchanting. !!!


Colin Curtis - Mecca Memories......well I dont have any because I wasnt there first time around but I do know the tunes and I did sing quite a bit and danced my shoes off .Yes they had to come off...its against my religion to take my shoes off you know but everyone was having such a great time I just couldnt sit there watching everyone having a great time I had to get stuck in. It was great to see Colin doing his thing behind the decks and enjoying every minute. A great crowd in that room made it a very nice end to the night for me. I couldnt dance anymore my feet wouldnt allow me to.
Colin you forgot to turn the mic off and our lovely Lorna and Adriana added a lovely ending to the Mecca Memories ....enjoy :-))
From blackpool hilton jan 2010

there's loads more to add but as you can see I had a right good time so I wont go on and on. Ill let the pictures do the rest....



Louby





A Colin Curtis Playlist from The Lounge @ Hilton Luxury Weekender
Friday Night 9pm till 11.00 pm Berlin meets 90's & today !
Elton Franklin I Got It
Darwin RandolphMercy Mercy Me
Maiko Watson Some Kinda Love (For that lovely welsh fella Roger Williams :-))
Janet Lawson Dindi
Jose Feliciano Golden Lady
Heidi Leonore Everybody Loves The Sunshine
Alive Skindo Le Le
Zo ! Nights Over Egypt
SoulPersona/Leroy Hutson Lucky Fellow
Dramatics Key To The World
Art N Soul Dog N Me
Joe Can't Let You Go
Marc Staggers Can't Get Enough Of This Groove
Zhane Vibe
Jahiem Ain't Leavin Without You
Love Unlimited If You Want Me Say It
Webster Lewis Give Me Some Emotion
Temptations Aiming At Your Heart
O’Jays My Favourite Person
Al Johnson I’m Back For More
Kindred The Family Soul As Of Yet
Leo’s Sunship Give Me The Sunshine
Alessandro Magnanini Stay Into My Life
Grady Tate Little Black Samba
Jerry Bell Tell Me You’ll Stay
Clark Sisters J.Moss Kiki Sheard I Want To Thank You
The Winds Of Fate Praise Him
Zhane So Badd
Wornell Jones It Must Have Been Love
Michael Wycoff Looking Up To You
Leroy Hutson All Because Of You

Here is a link to the first 80mins of that set in the lounge
Condolences to Andy Davis who stubbed his toe in the snow and couldn't go !
Thanks to everyone for making this a great weekender and a great start to 2010.
ALL rooms and ALL dj's played their part.
As has been said The Frodisia Session on Saturday afternoon
went like a dream for Tony,Mark & myself,big shout to all the jazz dancers !
The Queens for me was a dream on Friday and Saturday with some
great support for the Soulful Dance vibes and some top spots from Bob Jeffries,Pete Haigh
and Gary Dennis dropping some heavy hitters !
And of course the Mecca crew for the love on Saturday night which continued
until about 3:30 with extra thanks for all their work over about 5 days
to Adrienne and Lorna finishing with their vocal remix of Jimmy Radcliffe :-)
Last but not least the Fabulous Chapter 8 who sang like they had never been away
backed by top P.A.'s from Darnell Kendricks,Gianna,Jovonnie and Victor Haynes.
Final thanks to Richard and Ralph !
And judging by the fact that The Hilton is already sold out for next year
we'll see you then !!!!!!!!!!!! Can't Wait ........

Here is a link to an absolute shed load of weekender images provided
by our own version of David Bailey Mr Jeremy Longsden !!




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