Staring out the window of the train on your way back from some nighter at an industrial northern town having not slept for two days... this was my soundtrack The build-up and resolution at 2:10 still makes my hair stand up as much now as it did then....
GORGEOUS song. Makes me feel all Nostalgic when I think about my parents dancing to Northern Soul when I was a child. They would dance around the living room together and I would get a lovely warm uplifting feeling in my tummy as I watched them dancing with such passion and laughter. I couldn't stop smiling. My parents are still great dancers (they divorced but remain best friends). They used to go to Wigan Casino in the 70s. When they tell me stories about that time I get so emotional thinking about what they experienced. They were so lucky to be brought up during that time. It's not the same now. All this modern Northern Soul doesn't do the same for me. But the music still sounds the same, and I can go into my own little world when it comes on :)
I love this comment. I feel your nostalgia. It’s a very atmospheric song and even I can picture your parents dancing to this while you watch in amazement at their joy.
Not sure if anyone gives a shit but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times you can stream all the new series on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my girlfriend during the lockdown xD
Peter, I'm so glad you posted this. I, too, think Darrell's rendition of this song at the Northern Soul prom was superb. Its available on bbc iplayer until late September. An audio version on BBC Radio 6 2100 hours 9 Sept 23.Correction: Its available on iPlayer until September 2024.
Darrell will be performing it along with some other tracks with us (The Northern SoulTrain) at Blackpool Tower Ballroom on 16th of December 2023. I'm just learning the arrangement of The Drifter, hence why I am here.
I remember my day playing this when my mum left, I was 5 his heart was broke, #sadmemories stay with me forever. She was but a drifter still drifting I think I'm 41 now xx
Totally! The drama and pathos Ray rips out of this lyric is elite tier. Goosebumps and a lump in my throat every time I hear it. Rest easy brother Pollard, forever loved...
Now and again, a records played, that stops everyone dead, then we all start again, singing these soulful words, much slower, appreciating every word, Bliss.
I will always be a rocker at heart, but there isn't any type of music any where to open a heart up like Northern Soul. Attended the Casino back in the day and drew some stares due to the long hair and bike jacket but never felt threatened and once out among the throng on the floor felt positively loved. This is a haunting tune like so many real classics rips your heart in two but always leaves you with hope, if ever I am down and feel the need to cry guess what gets me there and back to normal quicker than any thing, songs like this never fail. Loving the resurgence in Northern long may it continue. Thanks for the great tracks. KTF.
***** Cheers bud, had several trips to the Casino with older lads from Wrexham north Wales, memories that will never fad no matter my age. This sort of music will forever heal as well as break our hearts. if there is a style of music more moving or heart rendering I have yet to find it. KTF.
***** it sure is a cracking track along with other moving tracks like it'll never be over by timmy yuro for example.my era was later ,we went to tony's at blackburn in the late 80's into the 90's,but the same relaxed atmosphere between people was still there.the memories of it all will stay with me forever.it didn't matter what a shitty week you'd had ,you had a venue with your soulbrothers and sisters to look forward to.it made you feel on top of the world.
Thank God a new generation have found this music. Proof if it were ever needed of it's longevity. And I'm sure they are feeling the same way about it as we did. Speaking from the other side of the decks, nothing gave me more pleasure than seeing the floor fill because I chose the the right one to play.
Thankfully I think its a classic tale of quality will always last, I have lost count how many of my friends have gone away with a CD copy of Northern having heard it at parties around my place, most of them might I add bikers who had no idea what it was just that they liked what they heard. Both my daughters and a lot of their friends all love it, given the shocking state of most modern music the future of Northern soul is assured for many, many more years to come. KTF
What a tune makes me have a tear in my eye every time I here it There us also an amazing version on bbc I player by Darrell Smith can't believe he has that voice on him ktf❤
This song drags my heart kicking and screaming from its cavity. Those words are so, so powerful. The five-note riff is iconic, right up there with "Summer the First Time". Greetings from the only N/S fan in Ipswich. KTF!
Got to hear this on the BBC Northern Soul Documentary...now I am solely hooked to this track....has everything...mood, dynamics..and SOUL!!!! 26 sec in is my double when I was 19 back in 1975!!!
Oh wow. If only I could be a youngster back at the Wigan Casino, or other venue 60s/70s. I love to see people my age (60s) continuing the faith. Music is so important for good health. Its used to help people with dementia, who remember it from their earlier days, but little else.
Such a "Classic' tune..&.The casino..Memories..Of 'The Way We Were'.& friends who are no longer with us, Flickin thru the tune's in the record bar..& Your Mate..pulls out The Silhouettes-NOT ME BABY...Good Way..Its 3yrs this week..RIP..(soft lad)..Miss yer Bro!!!
I was at Wigan Casino the night they filmed this (for a Granada TV documentary on Northern Soul) and hated every minute. I was sat hunched in a corner cracking up as we all complained to the TV crew and producer to turn the lights off - but they refused. I had been a regular at Wigan from the opening night in September 1973 - but this was the very last time I went. To me (and many others) this was the end of everything I loved about Northern Soul.
Are you one of the twins from Crewe, i remember the build up to that night, me and a few friends from Shrewsbury, decided not to go that night but went down to St Ives, Huntington instead, couldn't think of anything worse being there with lights and cameras in ya face, cracks ya up thinking about it.
At least for those people who never made it to the Casino .... have the benefit of seeing some rare footage of class dancing from that night ....and no doubt one or two of those stompers have passed on.
I was there the night they filmed that fucking documentary - I didn't realise it was "that" night until I got inside......it was a shite night. The mood was really weird and there was no atmosphere. I wandered around the record bar and shot into M's as soon as it opened. It was the worst night I had at Wigan though and you're right, it was the trigger for the demise of the Casino as we'd known it. Idiots started coming in gawking and laughing, pissed up groups looking for trouble..........It wasn't long after I stopped going.
@@alanforbes8951 ......Hi Alan - sorry for late reply! [I don't seem do get any notifications from YT anymore, so only just came across your comment]. No we are not from Crewe - we hailed from near Stourbridge in the West Midlands. We used to go around with Graham and Nigel Gibbs, Pep and Helen ......
Ian Galvin Boom... ain't that the truth. Other than Little Anthony no one has ever nailed heartbreak quite like Ray Pollard. The build up to that peak. Jesus H Christ... spine tingling every time!
