There are important ages in a vinyl addicts life: 16, 33 1/3, 45 and 78. Turning 45 at the end of last year I felt the need to mark the occasion with a bit of a do. Having not put a gig on for 5 years I felt it was time to do one now.

So I booked my favourite Leeds Venue (The Brudenell) and asked friends ‘The Mandrills’ and ‘Los Altibajos’ to provide the music. Unfortunately, the worst winter weather in 30 years meant a lot of people couldn’t make it, but those who ventured out were treated to an evening of top entertainment.

‘Los Altibajas’ have been playing together for about a year now. My good friend Ana Luisa who previously sang with the Cuban Big Band now sings with this wonderful team of musicians. The Cuban rhythms are so infectious and got everyone’s hips moving. A bright future awaits these guys! Sledge got some video footage of them

‘The Mandrills’ play to the medical tent at Glastonbury each year and seemed the natural choice of party band. A friendlier, more affable bunch you couldn’t hope to meet. They got the place jumping with a brace of covers that showed off their tight musicianship and wonderful vocals. Very short clip here

As an entrance fee, I’d asked for a 7” single (keeping up the 45 theme) and got the good (Bomber by Motorhead on blue vinyl – thanks sledge) the bad (Stars on 45 – Thanks a lot Jez!) and the ugly (Jason Donovan!?!!!!). Everything from Jim Reeves to Depeche Mode via Baby Love (No.1 when I was born – thanks Dave) and Inspiral Carpet……list of them at the bottom of this article.

Some photos of the night here
I also asked if folks could recreate an album cover – I was going to put them on a power point and project it on a wall…..but only got a few in the end (and 2 of them were mine!) – see what you think…….

Pretty Vacant/No Fun    Sex Pistols
Children of the revolution/Jitterbug love    T.Rex
(I can’t get no)Satisfaction    The Rolling Stones
Just like heaven     The Cure
Tape it        Winter Kids
I’m not used to you       Winter Kids
Albatross     Fleetwood Mac
Happy Xmas (War is over)    John & Yoko/ The plastic ono band
Just like nothing on earth    The Stranglers
Baby jump + The man behind the piano   Mungo Jerry
Bomber    Motorhead
Fools Gold (limited edition)    The Stone Roses
I feel you    Depeche Mode
Police officer/Participation two    Smiley Culture/ The Reprobates
Know your rights    The Clash
You really got me    The Kinks
Get Dancin’    Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes
Dead men don’t need season tickets/ Pythagorane    Diese Menschen sind ehrlich/ Morbid sky    Half man half biscuit/ Faust + Die Goldenen Zitronen/David Thomas and two pale boys
Baby Love    Diana Ross and the Supremes
Stars on 45    Star Sound
Happy Birthday    Altered Images
Do Re Mi/Climb ev’ry mountain    Doris Day/ Tony Bennett
Egyptian Reggae    Jonathan Richman and the modern lovers
Chant No.! (I don’t need this pressure on)    Spandau Ballet
Treason (It’s just a story)    Teardrop explodes
Laid so low (Tears roll down)    Tears for fears
Jump the gun    The Three Degrees
Twist and shout    Salt-n-pepa
Crackers International EP: Stop!    Erasure
Good year for the roses      Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Uniform    Inspiral Carpets
Greased Lightening    John Travolta
This is how it feels    Inspiral Carpets
In the army now    Status Quo
Lesons on love    Level 42
Purple Rain  Prince
Motor Bike Beat    The Revillos
Wenn es schneit in zillertal        Zillertaler Heimatklange
In a mansion stands my love       Jim Reeves
Vienna calling    Falco
Can’t stay away from you    Gloria Estefan
Radar love    Golden earing
Johnny & Mary    Robert Palmer
Sylvia     Focus
Under pressure       Queen & David Bowie
Someone’s looking at you        The Boomtown Rats
When you come back to me        Jason Donovan
Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane    The Beatles
I won’t run away     Alvin Stardust
Joy   Soul II Soul
More than a woman        Tavares
Kick over the statues/ Every bit of me    Walls come tumbling down/ Taste of Cindy    Redskins/ Simply Red + Style Council/ The jesus and mary chain (Single free with The Hit magazine)
Dreaming    Blondie
Make me smile (Come up and see me)    Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
Don’t come around here no more    Tom Petty and the heartbreakers
Bird of paradise     Snowy White
State of Mind     Fish
Illegal alien      Genesis

Thanks to everyone who made it, making it a top night
Bob the Chiropodist