Alan turns tables to bring sweet soul music to city

HE'S a soul man! DJ Alan Taylor will be spinning the wheels of steel at Sheffield's Showroom cinema tonight to celebrate the legacy of classic soul label Stax - which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Oct 2007, 08:34 BST
Updated 8th Oct 2007, 09:15 BST

The Memphis-based label was responsible for the release of dozens of classic tracks including Dock of the Bay, Green Onions and Sweet Soul Music, in the 1960s, and is regarded by soul fans as one of the cornerstones of the genre.

And Alan, aged 57, from Rossington in Doncaster, has revered the label for years.

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He said: “I think I bought my first Stax single in 1966, when I was 16.

“I’m pretty sure it was Sam and Dave’s Hold on I’m Comin’ and I was just hooked from there on in.”

Just before Alan gets down and funky tonight the Showroom hosts the Sheffield premiere of the film The Stax 1967 European Tour, a concert movie featuring performances from Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd and the Bar Kays.

And afterwards a couple of his personal favourites are sure to make the playlist.

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He said: “I think my favourite Stax track is probably You Don’t Know Like I Know by Sam and Dave, and I’ll definitely be playing that.

“But my all time favourite track isn’t on Stax at all - it’s Billy Stewart’s Exodus. It wasn’t even a single - just an album track - but it’s certainly the song I want played at my funeral!”

Related topics:SheffieldRossingtonDoncaster