On Friday night I was sent back to 1964 curtesy of the POP Montreal event, The Ponderosa Stomp Revue. In Caberet du Mile End, Montreal DJ, Karen R. and myself took in a night of Motown soul that featured The Velvelettes, Ralph “Soul” Jackson and Lil’ Buck & The Buckaroos.

I got to live out my American Bandstand dreams as I danced the twist to a real 60’s Motown girl group, who were complete with coordinated outfits and synchronized dance moves. As well there was an amazing male soul singer who had perfected that scratchy scream- (Whaaaaaaa!) à la James Brown- like he’s forcing out more sound than his throat can take. Karen and I were highly entertained. I was asked to go steady, slow dance, and there were even promises of a letterman’s jacket. My only regret was that I wish I had put my hair in ringlets and worn a wool shirt.

The grand finale was somewhat unlikely, but incredible none-the-less, Ralph “Soul” Jackson covered Otis Redding’s classic “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” The crowd, including us, went ironically wild for this mellow tune.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding