Smoove & Turrell @ North East Calling Fanzone. October 4

John Turrell (vocals), Smoove (percussion & vocals), Mike Porter (keyboards & vocals), Lloyd Wright (guitar & vocals), Andy Champion (bass & vocals) & Lloyd Croft (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

Saturday night, following the rugby match at St James’ Park, the Fanzone four thousand capacity marquee burst at the seams. The adjacent fun fair attracted six thousand people. Sunday night couldn’t have been more different. Several bands over seven hours played to a sparsely populated arena. Tens of thousands of rugby fans long gone, entertainment twenty four hours on failed to draw the crowds. Rides stood still as catering concessions closed up shop early. A distinct end of the pier feel shrouded the all but deserted site.

At half past nine in the evening the headline act sound checked to the echo. Bang on ten Smoove and Turrell hit the stage. Local lads, they, and their fans, were ready to party. A beer drinking band (hooray!), the self deprecating on stage patter helped dispel the sense of disappointment gigging to the few in such a huge space.

Smoove and Turrell is a band of friends. Mod-era camaraderie, the hoodie today’s Parker,   a good time vibe, Itchy Coo Park and all that. These boys can play; the Lloyds – guitarist Lloyd Wright, drummer Lloyd Croft, the daft as a brush antics of Mike Porter (keys), the killer riffs of bass man Andy Champion and the main men – Smoove and Turrell. The DJ and musician Smoove, front of stage, all smiles, John Turrell, the voice. A Northern Soul voice, Motown, Philly, crafted in Gateshead. The crowd danced non stop, arms in the air, banter flying to and fro, stage to audience.

Beer orders replenished the band and a truck load of tunes kept on a-comin’. Beggarman  raised the roof and Spencer Davis’ classic I’m a Man left no one in any doubt whatsoever – Smoove and Turrell know how to party!                            

Russell.