The Boogaloo Bag writers are happy to announce that the Keystone State Soul Weekender is going strong. The fourth annual event took place over the weekend of November 1, 2 and 3 at the beautiful and spacious Lancaster Elks Lodge Hall. Hosts Julio Fernandez and David Raistrick rounded up some of the usual suspects, along with some DJs new to the event. Newcomers included Cher Gingras from Canada; Chey Frazier from Bethlehem, PA; Vincent Ebb from Philadelphia; Agustin Caparros from Spain; Paula Carrillo of East L.A., now living in Minneapolis; and Rich Sibello from New Jersey. Present for the second time were Scott Boyko and Larry Grogan, both from New Jersey; and Mikey Post of Ridgewood, Queens. Along for their third opportunity to spin records at this great event were Connie T Empress of Astoria, Queens; Denise Draper of England; Eric Svirida of Long Island; and George Rodriguez of Minneapolis. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus is humbled to have been asked to DJ for the fourth year in a row, along with such fine record turners as Kev Draper from England; Andrew Turner from Reading, PA; and Andy Powell, also from England. MC for the event for the third year in a row was Brother Weems from Ephrata, PA–and he did a fine job.

Also returning from last year was Don Hodgen, the singer for the local blue-eyed soul band The Ambassadors, whose record “Too Much of a Good Thing” on the Pee Vee label is a Boogaloo Bag favorite. He sang it on Saturday night and that was a gas!

This Keystone Weekender had to be the best one yet; it had the best attendance of the four and somehow the DJs seemed to play better records–though the latter reason could just be that the Boogaloo Bag writers were so excited about being at the event that the records just seemed better! At any rate, the Boogaloo Bag writers were very happy to be in attendance and able to write about the event for the faithful Boogaloo Bag readers.

Not only were the records and dancing of an excellent nature, but the Saturday afternoon record dealers had better records to sell than usual. Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus ran out of his allotted record-buying funds by three in the afternoon!

One of the best changes made to the Weekender was the decision to move it all downstairs to the Elks Lodge’s lounge where breakfast can be ordered; and it is inexpensive and delicious. Records are played by the DJs and it gives everyone a last chance to socialize with attendees and DJs as they chowed down on eggs, pancakes and or bacon. Plus, there were more record dealers for those who buy such things. There is no need for attendees to go searching for morning food when it is all right there at the Weekender.

Folks, the Boogaloo Bag writers would like to state right here that, if you dig reet music, the Keystone State Soul Weekender is a dog gone fabulous time. Even though Pennsylvania can be challenging for progressive thinking people–often called “Pennsyltucky” by residents who have experienced some of its lesser-educated population–Lancaster is a warm and friendly city with many forward-thinking residents, art galleries, vintage stores, restaurants (including one of the best Himalayan joints in the country) and other amenities that make life worth living. Affordable hotels are within walking distance of the venue and just about everything you could want is close. Having been there for four Weekenders, we can honestly say that this is a great event. It happens on the first weekend of November; make you plans now to be at Number Five in 2020.

When Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus was asked by Julio Fernandez to return with a box of records to play for the dancers, he gave The Boog three forty-minute slots and told him to feel free to play some weird stuff. So he did. Friday night’s set was bookended by twine records and included two swim records, two ghost records (it was the day after Halloween) and two duck records. Saturday’s set consisted of his mega-mix of “Move On Up,” some Northern soul favorites and ended with a topical record. He spun all soul and organ groove instrumentals for those at the Sunday brunch. Here’s a list of all the records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the Fourth Annual Keystone State Soul Weekender:

Friday Night

• Alvin Cash & the Crawlers–Twine Time (Mar-V-Lus)
• Kris Peterson–Land of 1000 Dances (Blue Rock)
• Allen Wayne–Chills & Fever (Try)
• Major Lance–Investigate (OKeh)
• The Spellbinders–Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) (Columbia)
• Tony Roman Cinq–Mickey’s Monkey (Canusa; Canada)
• Sly Stewart–I Just Learned How to Swim (Autumn)
• The Daisies–I Wanna Swim With Him (Roulette)
• R. Dean Taylor–There’s a Ghost in the House (Tamla/Motown; UK)
• Azie Mortimer–Haunted (Number One)
• Larry Hale–Shout and Do the Duck (Columbia)
• Marsha Gee–The Peanut Duck (Joker; UK)
• Tony Clarke–Landslide (Chess)
• Millie Small–Carry Go Bring Come (Fontana; UK)
• Prini–Boogaloo (Beverly; Brazil)
• Alvin Cash & the Registers–Un-Wind the Twine (Mr-V-Lus)

Saturday Night

• Dale Serrano–Ou-Wee Man (Stix)
• Curtis Mayfield–Move On Up Part 2 (Buddah; France)
• Curtis Mayfield–Move On Up Part 1 (Curtom)
• The Dynamics–I Need Your Love (RCA Victor)
• The Invincibles–It’s That Love of Mine (Warner Bros.)
• Edwin Starr–Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) (Ric-Tic)
• The Intertains–Need Your Love (Right Now) (Uptown)
• Dave Bartholomew–Shrimp & Gumbo (Imperial)
• The Mid Knights–Somebody Somewhere Needs You (Warner Bros.; Canada)
• Los Johnny Jets–Cul Jerk (Cool Jerk) (Discos Columbia)
• The Exciters–Blowing Up My Mind! (RCA)
• Bob Relf–Blowing My Mind to Pieces (Trans-American)
• Wakefield Sun–Get Out (M-G-M)
• The G-Clefs–I Can’t Stand It (Loma)
• Marie Claire–Nitty Gritty (Citation; Canada)
• Roosevelt Matthews with Billy Ball & the Upsetters–Tighten Up (King)
• The Honey Drippers–Impeach the President (Alaga)

Sunday Brunch

• Boris Gardner–Melting Pot (Jaguar; Jamaica)
• Lynn Minor and His Band–Fat Back (Tammy)
• Lyn Taitt–Out on a Funky Trip (Randys)
• Melvin Jackson–Funky Skull – Part 1 (Limelight)
• Mario Pagaro–Le Rock Du Roc (Atlas Copco; France)
• Calvin Owens’ Show–The Cat (Klondike)
• Bill Justis and His Orchestra–Green Onions (Smash)
• L. Anderson and the Tarnadoes–Neck Bones & Hot Sauce (Part 1) (Cindy)
• Bobby Hollaway–Cornbread Hog Maw and Chitterlin’s (Smash)
• Damaso Perez Prado y su Orquesta–Mexico 70 (Orfeon; Mexico)
• East Bay Soul Brass–The Cat Walk (Rampart)
• Candido–Soul Limbo (Blue Note)
• Ronnie Kole Trio–Batman Theme (White Cliffs)

None of these records are for sale. Some of them have links to the youtubes for the readers edification.

 

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