Testimonial Page
A review by Reg Enderby, Editor, The Nottingham Gig Guide www.nottinghamgigguide.com
Sunday 1st October 2017 - Spiegeltent, Nottingham Market Square
Wow! What an incredible pop up venue for Citys Got Soul, a Spiegeltent erected in the Market Square. What's a Spiegeltent I hear you say. Spiegeltents were originally built in Belgium in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the purpose of grand entertainment. It is a sort of half wood, half canvas structure with stained glass windows, a built in stage, a superb wooden dance floor, seating booths and a draped ceiling. More modern features include state of the art sound and lighting and of course a fully fitted out bar for thirsty revellers. This my first ever visit to a Spiegeltent was to see The Team which was the band used by the late American soul singer Edwin Starr and now fronted by his younger brother Angelo Starr. The event was organised by Appnin Events who specialise in Northern Soul & Motown, who also supplied a number of local DJ's actually playing vinyl records on record decks. A great crowd were warmed up with some good old Northern Soul and the circular wooden dance floor was soon in use with spinning and gyrating Northern Soulers. A great reception was given to the live band as they took the stage and the many hits from Edwin Starr's memorable career were belted out to rapturous applause. Although a tribute to the music of Edwin Starr this is not a looky likey tribute act and Angelo Starr is very much his own man with his own style. This was apparent as he covered tracks by other artists including Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" and Cameo's "Word Up". However the crowd were not short changed with Edwin Starr tracks and were ecstatic when Edwin's hit "War" was blasted out through the superb sound system a track also covered by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. On a note about the sound, it was truly one of the best I have ever heard and a big hats off to the PA company and its engineers. A nice touch to the evening was the pleasure of seeing Edwin Starr's manager at the show. Lilian Kyle from Chilwell a lady of mature age but still looking after The Team and enjoying the occasion. The Spiegeltent will be in The Nottingham Market Square up to the 8th of October and will feature a variety of entertainment with comedy, burlesque cabaret, jazz, family entertainment and more.
Some customer comments from a recent Saga cruise:
"One for the road. Went to the tribute to Edwin Starr at The Shed, April 11th 2009, what a night it was. My how Angelo has improved in professionalism and singing talent since I last saw him at Ilkeston two years ago. The Team were excellent and the showstopping performance of Angelo with Marvin Ruffin was exciting and just such fun to sing and dance along too. There was such passion for the old songs and they were so well received by the audience. Angelo sang his most beautiful song Cry For You. I bought Keeping The Faith and haven't stopped playing it since................. Jean your an inspiration to us all and long may love live on. Don't ever give up on this its far too precious for so many of us now gathering older years. Long live that faith!!!!
Sally xxxx, April 2009
After reviewing a LIVE DVD, Bob Davis of www.soul-patrol.com said "...After watching it, I had a new found respect for "The Team". Those suckas are as good as any Soul/Funk band that I have ever seen and are seriously high energy in their approach."
"My wife and I had the pleasure of attending Haven's Dinner and Ball and had the additional enjoyment of being entertained by Angelo Starr & The Team. From the very moment the Band started it was clear that it was going to be a most enjoyable time especially when Angelo himself clearly exhibited his incredible ability to sing, dance and indeed entertain. What a very versatile gentlemen....please pass on to Mr Starr our compliments and thanks."
Lord Rose, 27 June 2008
TO ALL THE TEAM ,
Thank you for such a great night on the 1st of May in Doncaster . I really enjoyed it and I brought a cd which I have just played. It's brilliant, it's like I am there with you live . hope to see you soon
love lynne xx
Best entertainment we have had on Saga
..particularly enjoyed the Angelo Starr band
..very good indeed...excellent audience participation
...were excellent. The atmosphere and music they played was brilliant
..were beyond excellence
"One for the road. Went to the tribute to Edwin Starr at The Shed, April 11th 2009, what a night it was. My how Angelo has improved in professionalism and singing talent since I last saw him at Ilkeston two years ago. The Team were excellent and the showstopping performance of Angelo with Marvin Ruffin was exciting and just such fun to sing and dance along too. There was such passion for the old songs and they were so well received by the audience. Angelo sang his most beautiful song Cry For You. I bought Keeping The Faith and haven't stopped playing it since................. Jean your an inspiration to us all and long may love live on. Don't ever give up on this its far too precious for so many of us now gathering older years. Long live that faith!!!!
Sally xxxx, April 2009
After reviewing a LIVE DVD, Bob Davis of www.soul-patrol.com said "...After watching it, I had a new found respect for "The Team". Those suckas are as good as any Soul/Funk band that I have ever seen and are seriously high energy in their approach."
"My wife and I had the pleasure of attending Haven's Dinner and Ball and had the additional enjoyment of being entertained by Angelo Starr & The Team. From the very moment the Band started it was clear that it was going to be a most enjoyable time especially when Angelo himself clearly exhibited his incredible ability to sing, dance and indeed entertain. What a very versatile gentlemen....please pass on to Mr Starr our compliments and thanks."
Lord Rose, 27 June 2008
TO ALL THE TEAM ,
Thank you for such a great night on the 1st of May in Doncaster . I really enjoyed it and I brought a cd which I have just played. It's brilliant, it's like I am there with you live . hope to see you soon
love lynne xx
North West End Review
It's a cold, wet and windy 'summer' evening in New Brighton and you could be forgiven for wanting to curl up in front of the fire and TV and for those that did, you missed a fantastic performance at the Floral Pavilion as Scott Ritchie Productions presented The Edwin Starr Band featuring Angelo Starr, younger brother of the late Edwin Starr and with special guest appearance of Northern Soul artiste, Lorraine Silver in a brilliant Northern Soul and Motown party night! Angelo Starr is a charismatic guy with fabulous stage presence and a natural born performer. From the moment he walked onto the stage he has the audience captivated and treated us to hits from numerous Northern Soul and Motown artists. Supported by The Edwin Starr Band - 'The Team', consisting of several original formative members of the band that toured with Edwin and with others having been with them for over 20 years, it is evident that this is just like one big happy family as they recreate the exact sounds of the past. Beverley Miller and James Renford give incredible performances on saxophone as do the other equally talented musicians with Steve Greeves on guitar, Kevin Kendall, bass, 'Jonah' drums, Steve Owen, keyboard, Clive 'JJ' Hare, percussion and with the amazing backing vocals of Ingrid Dunkley who joined The Team in 1996. Angelo Starr first played guitar in The Team' during the 1990's standing in for a guitarist and then continued with them as musical director. After the death of Edwin in 2003 that could have been the end of it all, but after much thought it was decided that Angelo would front the band, a position he is truly appreciative of and is respectful to his brother’s memory in every way. Lorraine Silver recorded 'Lost Summer Love' in 1965 at the age of 13 and this hugely popular song on the Northern Soul circuits was a firm favourite with the audience tonight. Looking and sounding fabulous Silver performed in the first half with several songs including 'Landslide', '1.2.3.' and 'Long After Tonight is Over'. Although Starr sings many of his brothers classic songs starting off with the 1969 hit '25 Miles', Edwin's first success with the Motown label, he is not a tribute artiste, this is a tribute to the legacy of the music performed by Edwin and others such as Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and Levi Stubbs (Four Tops) The show just flows from song to song and the music never stops. Starr constantly engages with the audience with such an ease that it really is like one big party and during the second half everyone dances and sings along through every number with even the theatres ushers joining in! He also throws in a few lyrics from present day songs for the benefit of some of the younger members of the audience who would possibly not have known some of the songs from what is probably not just their parents 'days', but their grandparents 'days'! But make no mistake, this audience may mainly be of an older generation but wow did this theatre come alive as they danced in the aisles, many side stepping and spinning in typical Northern Soul dance style! Starr's performance of 'War' with the audience participating was yet another fun part of the evening. The show is almost two and half hours long and every single minute is an absolute thrill to be part of and I fully recommend if you get the chance, get yourself to a show and party the night away. Reviewer: Lorna Weekes Reviewed: 21st July 2017
It's a cold, wet and windy 'summer' evening in New Brighton and you could be forgiven for wanting to curl up in front of the fire and TV and for those that did, you missed a fantastic performance at the Floral Pavilion as Scott Ritchie Productions presented The Edwin Starr Band featuring Angelo Starr, younger brother of the late Edwin Starr and with special guest appearance of Northern Soul artiste, Lorraine Silver in a brilliant Northern Soul and Motown party night! Angelo Starr is a charismatic guy with fabulous stage presence and a natural born performer. From the moment he walked onto the stage he has the audience captivated and treated us to hits from numerous Northern Soul and Motown artists. Supported by The Edwin Starr Band - 'The Team', consisting of several original formative members of the band that toured with Edwin and with others having been with them for over 20 years, it is evident that this is just like one big happy family as they recreate the exact sounds of the past. Beverley Miller and James Renford give incredible performances on saxophone as do the other equally talented musicians with Steve Greeves on guitar, Kevin Kendall, bass, 'Jonah' drums, Steve Owen, keyboard, Clive 'JJ' Hare, percussion and with the amazing backing vocals of Ingrid Dunkley who joined The Team in 1996. Angelo Starr first played guitar in The Team' during the 1990's standing in for a guitarist and then continued with them as musical director. After the death of Edwin in 2003 that could have been the end of it all, but after much thought it was decided that Angelo would front the band, a position he is truly appreciative of and is respectful to his brother’s memory in every way. Lorraine Silver recorded 'Lost Summer Love' in 1965 at the age of 13 and this hugely popular song on the Northern Soul circuits was a firm favourite with the audience tonight. Looking and sounding fabulous Silver performed in the first half with several songs including 'Landslide', '1.2.3.' and 'Long After Tonight is Over'. Although Starr sings many of his brothers classic songs starting off with the 1969 hit '25 Miles', Edwin's first success with the Motown label, he is not a tribute artiste, this is a tribute to the legacy of the music performed by Edwin and others such as Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and Levi Stubbs (Four Tops) The show just flows from song to song and the music never stops. Starr constantly engages with the audience with such an ease that it really is like one big party and during the second half everyone dances and sings along through every number with even the theatres ushers joining in! He also throws in a few lyrics from present day songs for the benefit of some of the younger members of the audience who would possibly not have known some of the songs from what is probably not just their parents 'days', but their grandparents 'days'! But make no mistake, this audience may mainly be of an older generation but wow did this theatre come alive as they danced in the aisles, many side stepping and spinning in typical Northern Soul dance style! Starr's performance of 'War' with the audience participating was yet another fun part of the evening. The show is almost two and half hours long and every single minute is an absolute thrill to be part of and I fully recommend if you get the chance, get yourself to a show and party the night away. Reviewer: Lorna Weekes Reviewed: 21st July 2017