Playlist for RtP Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Trocadero Transfer

[keefelc]

Since it's the Veteran's Day Holiday here in the United States and since I have Monday off, I'm up late listening to some music (gee, I wonder what? ) and typing up another part of my recap. Also, tons of pictures from the party (over 200!) have been added to the www.remembertheparty.com website, along with a snippet of the evening's soundtrack. You know the marvelous photo that Remicks brought over for you to see? The sound clip is the music being played around the time the photo was taken. Check the lower right hand side of the site to get to the music player!

Now here's Part 5:

As Ish sang, “Don’t stop cause it feels so good/ Don’t stop cause it feels so good,” Geraldine Hunt soulfully warbled her response about knowing every inch of her body! Jerry continued to entice the dancers onto the floor with this sexy interchange from one song to another. I haven’t mentioned yet that Jerry was in peak form with his smooth seemingly effortless mixing. Every song thus far glided perfectly into one another. Little flourishes here and there kept us guessing what was coming next.

In fact, the flourishes were integrated so well that Jerry gave me disco demerits because I didn’t realize there was a surprise cameo during “Billy Who?” For those of you who now have the soundtrack to this party, can you guess what classic disco epic he took the playful repartee among “Susie” and her pals with the line, “That ain’t no banana”? The answer is at the end of this chapter!

Jerry took his time mixing out of Geraldine into Vincent Montana’s cool “Heavy Vibes” (him and Roy Ayers – I love the way they play those vibes!). With her vocals floating over the intro, “Heavy Vibes” almost switched from an instrumental to a vocal. This song was a sonic joy as the vibes and sound effects popped around from speaker to speaker in the room.

Sharon Brown’s “I Specialize In Love” then bounced in perfectly – the beats of the two songs matching flawlessly. I always remembered this song as a Troc morning music favorite. However, hearing it at the beginning of the evening worked just as well especially since we could hear the song while still fresh and energetic!

Jerry continued with Jackie Moore’s “This Time Baby” follow up where she asked, “How’s Your Love Life Baby,” a record which I always thought should have been a bigger hit for her. Next, Jerry gently slipped in another Troc favorite, “Girl You Need A Change Of Mind” by Paul Lewis.

Switching from the light and echoey TK sound, Jerry then hit us with some funk from Denise LaSalle. Take a dash of Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy” along with a helping of the Rolling Stones “Miss You” and add Denise’s glorious vocals and you have “Try My Love!” This song has been requested by a former Trocladyte, who used to get in to Trocadero when she was only 17 years old (I don’t know how!) and a big supporter of the RtP events, for several of our parties. Wouldn’t you know it? The year the song was played and she wasn’t able to fly to attend!

At this time, the dance floor was really starting to fill. You could actually hear the excitement and happiness build throughout the club. The build up continued as Jerry brought in more love with the Crown Heights Affair “You Gave Me Love.” It’s instantly recognizable hook “Woo woo woo woha/ woo woo woo woho” filling the room. The dancers cheered as the Fantastic Four’s “Got To Have Your Love” finished this love trilogy set!

Next, I was surprised when a familiar guitar and bass lick started making it’s way into the room. JB surprised us with Chic’s “Good Times,” customizing the disco classic with some fresh reedits. Hearing the song nice and loud with the lights bouncing off the mirror ball cluster, I was reminded that Chic was indeed a big part of Troc’s sound. The group was so influential, even to somebody as diverse as Gino Soccio! To demonstrate, Jerry did a loooong overlay of Gino’s “Try It Out” towards the end. So perfect was the mix that they essentially became one song!

Next: The dancefloor sizzles!



What’s song did Jerry play an excerpt of the spoken intro during “Billy Who?” Why it’s from Cerrone’s “Love In C Minor”!

[SandraDee]

OMG. I made it onto one of the photos even though it is the back of me! (some would say that's my best angle!)-& no I'm not one of the drag queens in blue wigs before someone asks!! 26 rows down & 4 columns across - that's moi in the black vest (my little black number!). I seem to have a look of concentration on my visage (what u can see of it ); maybe I was wondering what fabby track Jerry was lining up next. I would give anything to be back there.

[Eman]

Wow! Sorry I missed this party again guys, but thanks Keef for the updates. As you know with the fires in San Diego, then my BF coming from Spain after a 3 year tour and helping him unpack in his house, then work...it never ends....oh well but just wanted to say I ordered the CDs as soon as Keef emailed me. Thanks Keef. Oh Sandy, if you ever go to Spain, Barcelona is beautiful and so is Madrid. Also make it a point to go to Rota, which is in the Southern part of Andalucia. You could also go to a place called Torremolinos...which is about a 2 hour drive from Rota. Rota is where the Naval Base is. - Eman Oh since my BF is back no more trips to Spain over the summer and I already miss it and so does he especially the beautiful beaches where one can sunbathe sans swimsuits without any malice like here in the U.S.

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by Eman

Oh Sandy, if you ever go to Spain, Barcelona is beautiful and so is Madrid. Also make it a point to go to Rota, which is in the Southern part of Andalucia. You could also go to a place called Torremolinos...which is about a 2 hour drive from Rota. Rota is where the Naval Base is. - Eman Oh since my BF is back no more trips to Spain over the summer and I already miss it and so does he especially the beautiful beaches where one can sunbathe sans swimsuits without any malice like here in the U.S.

I've always wanted to go to Barcelona. Maybe one day... I like the sound of the naval base in Rota - feel free to PM me with more info! (I do like men in uniforms) & yes the US may be a vibrant exciting place but Europe tends to be more relaxed re bodily matters!

[Eman]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

I've always wanted to go to Barcelona. Maybe one day... I like the sound of the naval base in Rota - feel free to PM me with more info! (I do like men in uniforms) & yes the US may be a vibrant exciting place but Europe tends to be more relaxed re bodily matters!

You are so right there Sandy! I sent you a PM. Anyway just wanted to let you all know I received the RMTP 6, 8 cd set and it is fabulous. The packaging is better this time around and the music speaks for itself. Oh Keef, our office Xmas party is on the 6th of Dec and if it's a drag again like last year...which I suppose it will be cuz they hired the same DJ again...I'm gonna have this years RTP cds in my car just in case and hopefully the party will last all night. I also informed my friend that the cd's were out and she'll order hers. Danny ordered his cuz of Disc 2 has Doctors Orders mixed with his fave disco song A Little Lovin! LOL I told him get your hands off my cd's man...anything else is fair game...just not my cd's...

[keefelc]

Sandy, now that our producers know who to look for, they are going to scour through the photos to see what they can find! Be careful what you wish for!! I'm so happy you had a terrific time at the party. I was worried since you took the time, expense and energy to fly all the way to SF for the party. Thank you!

Eman, can you believe it's already time for Christmas parties??! Anyway, I'm glad you have the Troc's 30th soundtrack just in case! Hope you enjoy this set as much as you enjoyed last year's set.

After a bit of a delay, here is Part 6 of my recap.

Part 6

Before the party, several friends and acquaintances commented they wanted to arrive at the party early so as not to miss all the delights this night had to offer! Now that we were well past the first hour of Troc’s Anniversary Party, the club and dance floor were getting noticeably full so people really did follow through. Everybody had time to hang up their coats (or whatever!), down a cocktail (or whatever!), give their friends a welcome hug (or whatever!), now it was time for some serious dancing!

Jerry kicked the party into it’s next phase with a nice long segue out of the wonderfully shuffling beat of Nancy Martin’s “Can’t Believe” into an extended intro of a Trocadero favorite. I remember we first heard Love Deluxe’s “Here Comes That Sound Again” at Troc before the record was commercially available. Something about the song instantly caught our ears and favor. Now 30 years later, well, here comes that song again and the dance floor filled! The lyrics were right, “Must be the music!” How could the momentum not continue to build with Celi Bee’s classic “Fly Me On The Wings of Love?”

Next Jerry told me had to include in Trocadero’s anniversary a bit of Alec Costandinos’s “Trocadero Suite” from the “Trocadero Bleu Citron” soundtrack album. Of course he did!

John Luongo remixes were a staple of Trocadero, especially in the Viteritti years. The Neil Cloud Orchestra’s “Time Of The Season” was included in that group of records. Brian Bean, who was one of Trocadero’s bartenders back in the day, was in the booth when Jerry mixed into the song and he quickly remarked, “This song is sooo Trocadero!” If you haven’t already done so, I invite you to check out his wonderfully written Troc Memories at: http://www.remembertheparty.com/your_troc/beaners_troc.shtml

Back a couple of months, Jerry, our RtP producers Chris and Richard, Barry Walters and myself were enjoying dinner together since JB was in town (San Francisco). During the evening, the topic of disco came up. Weeeeellll actually most of the evening we talked about disco! How could you not when you have both Jerry and Barry, our very own disco experts, IMO, sitting at the same table??!

One topic that made it’s way into the conversation, we wondered why so many compilations included Cory Daye’s “Pow Wow” when “Green Light” was the song we loved and danced to in the clubs. Jerry decided Troc’s 30th would be a perfect opportunity to remind everyone “Green Light” was the club hit and a fabulous little song. I couldn’t have been happier! Not sure why but I love the part where Cory sings, “Here comes Carloso,” and the backup singers (actually herself) reply, “Carloso!” Something about that line just makes the song so delightfully goofy and lighthearted to me.

Also, at this time, the lighting team really started to dazzle us with their lighting artistry. As I mentioned earlier, this year we had three arc lamps lighting the mirror ball cluster. Carla and Chris were on the side of the room adjacent to the DJ booth, and Bobby M. was on the opposite end of the room. The placement of the arcs insured that all sides of the mb cluster could be covered with lighting effects from the floor level. Those three worked in conjunction with Bob Bear, who controlled the lighting effects from above! Bob, who was a professional lighting director in the theatre for many years, masterminded all the lights on the circular tressel which surrounded the mirror balls, plus the lighting equipment mounted on the ceiling and on the stage.

By experience and instinct (they didn’t have headsets this year), these four worked in coordination to paint the room with a kaleidoscope of colors totally coordinated with the music! I thought it was amazing when during “Green Light,” the three arcs hit the mirror balls with blazing green spots simultaneously, not missing a beat.

Anyway, as Green Light neared it’s conclusion with Cory singing, “But he never knew, the heartache I was going through,” the sounds of an intense bass and guitar joined the song! The arcs went off replaced by white lights illuminating only on the tops of the mirror balls, everything and everyone else was in darkness. Suddenly, the familiar strings of Claudja Barry’s “Sweet Dynamite” filled the room. The crowd immediately recognized the song and roared their approval!

Jerry later told us how happy he was with the reaction because this song had a special place in his heart. He explained “Sweet Dynamite” was the first song he heard when he walked into his first leather club. Oh that JB!

“Sweet Dynamite” set the floor sizzling with it’s sassy sound and as it approached the end break. But sizzling wasn’t enough, there was something very different! Jerry added a very noticeable powerful punch to the break – added bass, added percussion. All these sounds drove the intensity of the dancefloor wild as the break went on for about a minute without anyone recognizing what song was coming on. Suddenly, the familiar horn riff from Jimmy Bo Horne’s “Spank” filled the room. We all recognized, we all cheered!! The packed floor was now on fire.

The flaggers and fanners hit the stage twirling as if their lives depended on it. This year we decided to highlight the flaggers and fanners on the stage. A professional black light unit was added above the stage and a simple black curtain covered the back of the stage. We were stunned with the beauty of the twirling flags and fans against the black backdrop.

All through “Spank,” the dancers were loudly singing along, imitating the horns and shouting, “Spank!” The pandemonium continued when a familiar “eee eee” seeped in towards the end of “Spank!” That sound belonged to Rufus & Chaka’s “Do You Love What You Feel” which Jerry mixed in without missing a beat. More shouts of approval from the crowd as Jerry played us the extended mix with all the beautiful instrumental flourishes of my favorite Rufus song, flawlessly produced by Quincy Jones.

I could not believe when Jerry then mixed in one of my favorite Emotions song, “I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love!” Neither could the dancers as another loud cheer erupted from the room. As the arc lamps hit the cluster with shades of red to represent love, I was filled with a flood of memories remembering the dance floor of the first disco I ever went (no, it wasn't a leather club!) to filling whenever the DJ played this song.

Jerry had the floor cheering and whooping with his extended break of the Hutchinson sisters singing “I don’t wanna lose your love, don’t want to lose your love! … Come on and say that you will, I’ll do my best to fulfill, I don’t wanna lose your love, I don’t wanna lose your love!” and then their fabulous gospel riff, “Heeeyyyy, you just don’t know what you do to me!” Hands up in the air, people jumping up and down, more cheering - the church of Trocadero was back!

This party was in full swing and Jerry wasn’t going to give us a breather, at least not yet, as the Jacksons’ “Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)” sneaked in. People immediately recognized the sounds of the John Luongo remix and they started cheering all over again. The cheers continued loud and strong for a LONG time! “Let’s dance! Let’s shout! Shake your body down to the ground.” They were! They were!!

Next: Danger!

I also posted two videos on YouTube and my MySpace page (better quality) from early in the evening to show you how the dance floor filled up within approximately 15 minutes!

YouTube - Good times at RtP Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Troc!

YouTube - Here comes that sound again at Troc's 30th anniversary

or

MySpaceTV Videos: Good times at RtP Celebrates Trocs 30th Anniversary! by Keefe

MySpaceTV Videos: Here Comes That Sound Again at Troc 30 Anniversary Party! by Keefe

[sfbeary]

hey keefe,

you were right about Brian Bean's entry on the RTP web site.

it's so vivid and so very heartfelt.

i second keefe's suggestion to check it out:

http://www.remembertheparty.com/your...ers_troc.shtml

and your own party recaps remain characteristically lively! i'm going to be remembering these parties through a mix of my own experiences and your ever-exacting descriptions.

thanks again,
barry

[Cdnbob]

Got my copies of the set last week or so and I've been listening to it and its a great mix of stuff. A lot of stuff I remember dancing to. Great collection and glad I ordered it. Thanks to everyone who put in the hard work on this. You guys did yourselves proud!!

[JussiK]

I cannot quite remember what the Trocadero looked like so switched off the mobile, dimmed the lights, took some Ben&Jerry's (Cookie Dough) from the fridge and threw myself on the sofa, ready to enter The House of Worship: from a solid base of red brick and cast concrete only bare walls rise. Stripped of decoration, the place is restrained. Floating above the floor however the striking mirror ball arrangement makes the venue the very epitome of classic disco architecture. So, Music, Maestro, Please.

It's all oh so beautiful - if a bit surprising to say the least. Talking about the first hour and half or so, which consists of music I would have never associated with a gentlemen's club - well it's a gay club, right, and yet this beginning was as straight club music as my mates ever spinned while I was moaning for fcuks sake guys bring on some bpms and banging beats we can jump to, enough with this slow stuff! I wasn't complaining now though, it all made perfect sense.

The highlight of the night: Harold Melvin & Blue Notes going into Love Unlimited's My Sweet Summer Suite. I'll be singing my praises for eternity.

[keefelc]

Thank you Barry and Bob! And Jussi, I always look forward to reading your comments about the music of the RtP events.

BTW, I'm embarrassed that I attributed the mix of Neil Cloud Orchestra's "Time Of The Season" to John Luongo, when the credit goes to Steve Thompson! I think I mix them up on occasion because they both worked with Michael Barbiero (and my memory just ain't what it used to be! ). So my apologies to you, Mr. Thompson (and welcome to the Forum!)!!!

[totouk]

Got my copy at the weekend and the music is fantastic. I knew most of the songs but to hear them mixed together in such a way and to hear the re-edits is brilliant. I have caught myself going "wow" on more than a few times. The re-edit of Searching by Change was amazing (IMO)

One song I didn't know that I have played a few times is Don't Pity Me by Faith Hope and Charity.

Well worth the price and the shipping costs to the UK

toto

[totouk]

I've just been to the Remember The Party website and the photos from this year's event are not coming up clear but the previous years/pages are fine. Has anyone else experienced this?

toto

[keefelc]

You're right Toto! Let me find out what's going on. I suspect our Webmaster may be loading in new stuff!

[keefelc]

The photos are back to normal again, Toto!

BTW, I forgot to mention to Sandy - you know those two drag queens with the majorly teased blue wigs? We know for sure that one of them is a real lady!! Deana is a major part of operations at Under One Roof, the charity we donate part of the proceeds of the RtPs. Plus, she loves her disco!

Now the other person, we've been debating if that was a drag queen or not!

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by keefelc

BTW, I forgot to mention to Sandy - you know those two drag queens with the majorly teased blue wigs? We know for sure that one of them is a real lady!! Deana is a major part of operations at Under One Roof, the charity we donate part of the proceeds of the RtPs. Plus, she loves her disco!

Oops! You know I've got a habit of thinking someone is a drag queen only to discover that they're a real woman! I'm not very good at woman-spotting.