Cumbria's newest soul band, Soul Junction, delivered a powerful set of soul classics in a packed opening gig for friends and family at Penrith Conservative Club on Saturday 3rd December. From the first screeching brass top notes of Midnight Hour, the scene was set and one solid gold dance floor filler followed another. Soul music gets everyone on their feet and Soul Junction's clear and authentic sound meant that the audience needed no encouragement to keep dancing all night. The excitement grew as one classic song followed another, with strong vocals from lead singer Clare Torn and supporting vocalists Jon Skelton, Bill Turner and Nick Thomas. The rhythm section of Nick Thomas on drums, Becky Rudd on Roland keyboard and Bill Turner on bass guitar provided a rich earthy beat, with solos from virtuoso Mark Raine on guitar. Real soul music always has a good horn section and Chris Torn, Rebekah Gall and Jon Skelton sizzled on trumpet and saxophone. The audience loved every minute of the gig and everyone joined in at the end of the evening with old favourites such as River Deep, Mountain High, Mustang Sally and Proud Mary. The band is based in Penrith and will be gigging in the Penrith area, throughout Cumbria and at Maryport Blues Festival.
