We took advantage of the special ‘buy one get one half price’ offer that the Sands had in January and had the most wonderful evening.
First of all the food which is really delicious. Paul had the Lancashire Cheese and Ham Rarebit with Home-made Piccalili Pickle and I had a superb salad. That’s the marvelous thing about the Sands – they will always do their best to help if you have any special dietary needs. Next, Paul had braised shin of beef, which came with creamed potatoes and gravy and I had the most amazing Roast Vegetable Cobbler with an enormous suet crust (see photo below) and delectably sautéed potatoes. For desert we both chose the pancake with yummy cream and rhubarb filling, finishing off with tea and coffee.
Accompanied by the amazing and very versatile Sands House Band, led by Neil Shatliff on trumpet, Marvin and Sara sang a huge range of Soul Songs (all of which I LOVE) – Signed, Sealed Delivered, You make me feel like a natural woman, Need your loving,
At this point, I really must mention (and thank) Mark, the sound engineer at the Sands. Mark keeps on checking throughout the evening in order to make sure the sound really is the best you will hear in the UK today.
On with the show – You make me feel brand new, Young Hearts Run Free, You got the best of my life, Your love is lifting me higher and higher, Same old Song (with a different beat since you’ve been gone), For Once in my Life, You can’t hurry love.
Both Marvin and Sara are extremely talented singers and what a brilliant combination they make – not just with their singing but also with their stage craft and interaction with the audience.
The Second Half of their performance began with Freedom, then Midnight Train to Georgia, My Girl (which Marvin’s cousin David Ruffin who was in the Temptations made famous), Build me up Buttercup. Then with George, the pianist and arranger with the Sands House Band Ain’t no mountain high enough, Son of a Preacher Man. Then Marvin gave a rousing rendition of Mustang Sally, going seamlessly straight into The Midnight Hour.
Sara introduced the band members: guest on Guitar Johnny Hayes, Drums Erroll Roberts, Trumpet Neil Shatliff, Tenor Saxophone Mike Hope, Piano George King, before finishing with Ain’t nobody and finally Another Star.
Marvin and Sara then found more voice for us to interview them and you can hear these interviews on our next show on Preston FM 103.2 (http://www.preston.fm/ “Listen Live) on Friday, 4th February 2012 at 7 p.m.
TO FIND OUT WHAT'S COMING TO THE SANDS, VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE: http://www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk/
