"Been a former member of Wigan Casino, have attended many gigs including for the last 17 yrs Blackburn Soul Nites and have a particular good taste in Soul RnB and Disco music if I don't say so myself - I have to say Soul Devotion are just something else!!"
"Thanks guys for a great night last night at Port Vale - can't understand why I've never come across you before now - see you all again soon!"
Richard (Congleton)
"We had a fanatstic time last night at the Swan listening, & of course dancing, to Soul Devotion - thanks to you all.
Donna (Stafford)"
"Can you please pass on to everyone an enormous thank you for a superb night. It was electric, everyone was complimenting you. People were saying the atmosphere was even better than last time as we were all together instead of being spread out outside. We were still buzzing this morning when clearing up and some one would shout out "higher and higher" and all our arms would go in the air. THANK YOU
Hazel (Stafford)"
"Thank you for making our wedding reception so special. Everyone had a fantastic night, no-one was expecting such great entertainment – the entrance was brilliant. Thanks for helping make it a day we'll never forget. All the best,
Mark & Julia (Ashbourne)"
"Just wanted to say a belated thank you for providing us with the MOST AMAZING entertainment for our wedding at Crewe Hall on 25th July. The band were incredible, very talented performers which were without doubt the highlite of our wedding day. Please pass on my thanks to all of the band members – they are legendary!! We only wished we could have carried on all night!! Kind regards,
Melanie & Mark (Hants)"
"I would like to thank you on behalf of the whole division of Pathfinder Pubs for the immense effort you put into making our Annual Ball a success! You proved what a professional outfit you are and thank you for your expert help when organising the finer points with Jo. Great music! Please express our thanks to the whole band! Kind regards,
Derek Andrew – MD Pathfinder Pubs
Soul Devotion – The Grapes 17th Oct 2008
By Rachel Roberts
If you want to get transported back to the swinging 60's and sultry 70's, Soul Devotion are your bag. Disregarding the mild disappointment upon seeing the singers in modern day outfits instead of those resembling dresses of The Supremes; you will be satisfied in any need for reminiscence for classics such as 'Son of a Preacher Man' and 'Carwash'.
Soul Devotion are a successful touring group from the UK, formed in 2005 as a follow on to the cult success in The Commitments Too. The ten-piece band consisting of four singers, one trumpet player, a percussionist, saxophonist, lead and bass guitar and keyboard makes the stage crowded, however the band appear comfortable with the cramped conditions.
Waltzing through the crowd to the beat of 'Dance to the Music', the singers already integrate the crowd in to their music. The audience could see that they would not keep performing if the audience weren't as involved in the music as much as the band themselves.
Lively, pure and unique to much of music around today, Soul Devotion shows a vocal soul in the form of Jenny, class in the form of Lisa, a new age Dusty Springfield within Billie and the little pocket rocket of energy in Jo-Anne. Unlike most bands performing at the moment, the passion of Soul Devotion isn't only shown through the lead singers; each member of the band has a unique personality which was threaded through the performance.
Their version of 'Tainted Love', best known as an 80's electro pop hit, was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964, and served as a reminder to the hard-core soul fans that their music is not forgotten. They truly show an appreciation for all different genres of music for example seamlessly mixing in 'Dontcha' by the Pussycat Dolls to the beat of 'Billie Jean'.
If you could make a slightly reproving point, it would be that they shouldn't feel the need to try so hard to show their talent. They have the talent, the innovation and the pure, good music from the time that taste remembered; they don't need to keep proving how good they are. They just … are.