Neil Gits To See Solsbury Hill

I see some interesting stuff and find out some fascinating information on my weekly football trips around the country (as well as watching some cracking matches of course!) but I never expected to be enjoying my footy fix last Saturday at a ground overlooked by a landscape described in a famous pop song of the 70s ! But there I was, taking in an FA Cup tie at Larkhall Athletic near Bath, with the subject of Peter Gabriel’s debut solo hit from 1977 looking magnificent in the September sunshine as part of the beautiful scenery in this part of North Somerset.

I always have a good chat with the locals or visitors from the away team and on this occasion I got a particularly warm welcome on my arrival and had barely set foot inside the turnstiles before a proud home official pointed it out to me “See that behind the goal, up in the distance ? That’s ‘Solsbury Hill’ that is ! You know ? As in that song …” I hadn’t mentioned the fact that I’d been a DJ in varying roles for over 40 years, but it had never occurred to me that it was actually a real hill Gabriel was singing about – and here I was contemplating ‘climbing up’ to see if I could ‘see the city lights’ and maybe even see if an eagle might fly out ! It was a marvellous occasion, but all too soon it was to ‘grab my things and take myself back home’ – and get to work on this week’s playlist …

Of course, I’ve never played the song on my soul show, but it did get me thinking about other landmarks and places of note mentioned in song titles by soul, jazz-funk & disco acts over the years, though that seems to me to be more the territory of rock and country artists. Off the top of my head I came up with The Blackbyrds’ “Rock Creek Park” and Lonnie Hill’s “Galveston Bay” – we are in ‘Soul Connection’ mode now ! Hmmm … maybe … watch this space !

For more of my off-topic meanderings, a chance to stretch your brain and get inside my mind on the afore-mentioned ‘connection’ plus of course, most importantly, two hours of terrific tunes, head for the “Listen Again” page and catch up on any shows missed over the last 28 days and tune in LIVE on Monday between 7 & 9pm for the next episode …

This Week’s Tunes – Monday 4th September 2023

SOS Band – Take Your Time (Do It Right)
James Brown – Get Up Offa That Thing
Gayle Adams – Love Attraction
O’Jays – My Favourite Person
Incognito – People At The Top
Will Downing – Dancin’ In The Moonlight
Aretha Franklin – Willing To Forgive
Karyn White – Superwoman
Collage – Step Right Up
Isley Brothers – Harvest For The World
Slave – Watching You
Helder Sufiano – Ridin’ High
Gary Poole – Stomp
Van McCoy – The Hustle
Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie
O’Jays – Love Train
Output Input – Smilin’ Faces
Mr Maph – Who Cares ?
Sugar Rainbow – People Make The World Go Round
Chic – Soup For One
Change (feat Jocelyn Brown) – It’s A Girl’s Affair
Earth Wind & Fire – I’ve Had Enough
Spencer Morales – Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’

Feel free to get in touch with your soulful request or just for a mention on the show – put a post on “The Old Gits Soul Show” page on Facebook, text (01268)833978 or message me via e-mail : [email protected].

The Old Gits Soul Show is broadcast LIVE from 7pm–9pm every Monday, repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, on Gateway 97.8FM in Basildon & East Thurrock and available nationally via the Radio Player at Sky TV as well as online via www.gateway978.com You can listen on your smart speaker or your phone too … plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website – just search “Cool Soul” !