Drifters - Drip Drop

[Joefromupnorth]

A few in conversation have mentioned this reocrd to me over the last year or so saying how much they like it i just heard it saturday and thought surely this is moving away from the music the scene is centred around ? who started pedalling this as soul ? if we are going to have to listen to this era why then not invite the survivingTeds to the party and get some Big Boppa etc on the decks !!

I ask who started playing it because do they think the true sound from the 60's has been exhausted ? if they do they need to be shown the error of their ways as there is shed loads of tunes out there some going for less than £2 that are danceable and more importantly soul.

Trouble is those running many of the venues specialising in the worn out haven't a clue and it then begs the question is it all about door money,the music secondary.

Your thoughts ?? a nice stirring one for the start of 2013.....all the best

Edited January 1, 2013 by JOEfromupnorth

[Dave Pinch]

i dont understand it... it came out in 1958 and to my ears its rock n roll... maybe a room for the early rnb 50`s sounds and a room for for soulful housey garage is the answer but not in main rooms..we are supposed to be a broad church tho a straight jacket is nearer the answer in the main rooms...i like a bit of diversity but think maybe this is a bridge too far

Edited January 1, 2013 by dave pinch

[tosspot]

Believe it or not, this is a true story....about 12yrs ago i bought a record from the states, think i paid @ $14 (incl. p&p). the guy couldn't have had any packing pieces so he packed it with 2 x 45s, one of which was drip drop the other was a dee clarke record (can't remember which one), so what a bargain lol

[Kjw]

Believe it or not, this is a true story....about 12yrs ago i bought a record from the states, think i paid @ $14 (incl. p&p). the guy couldn't have had any packing pieces so he packed it with 2 x 45s, one of which was drip drop the other was a dee clarke record (can't remember which one), so what a bargain lol

You should have handed it back and asked for a cardboard liner

Awful record - I literally have to leave the room when I hear it played

Sounds like something you'd hear at the Women's Institute Line Dancing Club

[Joefromupnorth]

Nice to be vindicated lads,i was worried for a time there when nobody replied,i thought no this could be the future lol..........don't know about leaving the room,didn't those Teds start ripping seats out when their music was played,bit worrying for the venues

Edited January 1, 2013 by JOEfromupnorth

[Chalky]

It's no different to much of the early R&B that has found it's way onto the scene the last decade or so.

[tosspot]

You should have handed it back and asked for a cardboard liner

Awful record - I literally have to leave the room when I hear it played

Sounds like something you'd hear at the Women's Institute Line Dancing Club

Yes, but 3 usa original records for less than a tenner, "flog it" / bargain hunt....eat your heart out lol

[barney]

little queenie - Bil Blacks Combo

classic rock and roll been played out since noah was a lad

[Joefromupnorth]

Barney but its not as in yer face as its an intsrumental,my point is why and even more so all these years later with the net etc and more knowledge do we need em whilst forgetting about those records that deserve a chance.

[pikeys dog]

Do I like it? As an early R&B Rocker, yes.

Would I play it at Northern venues? No

You can't blame the record, for it's type of sound it's a good 'un,

The blame lies squarely at the feet of the DJ(s) who thought it was suitable for introduction to the Northern rooms.

If you want R&B type sounds to play in Northern rooms there are loads of underplayed mid-60s R&B tunes that wouldn't jarr alongside classic oldies...

[barney]

is it because its by the drifters ,music I liked and danced to in the mid to late 60s with sounds like SNATMovies etc ..

we have always listened and danced to an eclectic mix of music and shouldnt close our eyes and ears to anything .

[Joefromupnorth]

is it because its by the drifters ,music I liked and danced to in the mid to late 60s with sounds like SNATMovies etc ..

we have always listened and danced to an eclectic mix of music and shouldnt close our eyes and ears to anything .

Much to do with it probably being the Drifters,any idea who played it first anyone ?? maybe they will

read this thread,i'd guess at someone known over a wide area as thats usually how they end up around the country getting plays in the first place and to me thats

sometimes a bad thing as there has been some dross in my opinion played only because " X " played it somewhere or other and so it must be brilliant.

[barney]

think I first heard it at soul in the sun 7 or 8 years ago popular with the crewe crowd,

its just another quirky sound thats played , agree that I woudnt want to hear it in the main room though

[JOE TORQUAY]

i'm sure they used to play it in the wheel when i first went there in 66.

i'd say it's more a soul record than say

little richard / get down with it

joe.

Edited January 1, 2013 by JOE TORQUAY

[Joefromupnorth]

i'm sure they used to play it in the wheel when i first went there in 66.

i'd say it's more a soul record than say

little richard / get down with it

joe.

If indeed it was an early wheel play that could be understood as it was less than ten years old at that point,the best as they say was yet to come !! and of course the spinners at that time would have been digging in what was without doubt a difficult field without todays comms. overload to help find records.

But repeating my point,Bill Black as was mentioned earlier became a memory from the Wheel and would be played purely for that reason without it

being as accepted as it is by later crowds but the point is now we all have more to choose from and tunes left on the shelf why dig around amongst the doo wop/rock and roll stuff now to play in a northern room when theres proper tunes begging to be played and you don't need pots of money to buy them.

This one seems to have been left on the shelf for the same reasons but now has resurfaced to the detriment of other more deserving records.

Edited January 1, 2013 by JOEfromupnorth

[Dave Pinch]

is it because its by the drifters ,music I liked and danced to in the mid to late 60s with sounds like SNATMovies etc ..

we have always listened and danced to an eclectic mix of music and shouldnt close our eyes and ears to anything .

its a bit early for me barney and it sounds it......coz its by the drifters dont have nothin to do with it..i was listenin to my i`ll take you where the musics playin lp just yesterday..and SNATM is 6 years down the line.from drip drop. bill blacks combo is mid 60`s also..i dont dislike drip drop but i`m with pikey on this one as its a bit too early for the northern rooms imvho

Edited January 1, 2013 by dave pinch

[Haydn]

I'll admit to having it in my sets, siding well with new breed r'nb. And I'll play Freddie or BB King either side of it.

Early Little Richard and Larry Watson aren't on my agenda but been heard in main rooms, rock'n roll to my ears.

I dont' who is touting it as northern, but then again...I dont understand that "northern" term anymore.

Meanwhile.......my mate, who is a ted is puzzled as to why i am listening th The Falcons early recordings, surely I can't be a fan of doowop.

Loks oh Lord!!!!

I listen to quality music, thats my drug ;)

H

[barney]

its a bit early for me barney and it sounds it......coz its by the drifters dont have nothin to do with it..i was listenin to my i`ll take you where the musics playin lp just yesterday..and SNATM is 6 years down the line.from drip drop. bill blacks combo is mid 60`s also..i dont dislike drip drop but i`m with pikey on this one as its a bit too early for the northern rooms imvho

suppose your right dave

but its relative as to when you first got into the scene and many on here including myself were into northern before northern was coined as a name for the music we listen and dance to , I have to bow to people though who have a far superior depth of knowledge of the northern soul and rare music scene than myself ,

cheers B

[Guest kid mohair]

Not one for a Northern room thats for sure, the record is what it is , Rnb room ..yep..

[Kev John]

Sorry i ate the fekkin thing :( :(

[Jim G]

well they could always play this one (he he, ducks behind sofa)

[Guest Garry Huxley]

You think this is crap, when at casino back around 75 i heard a so called big time DJ play saturday night at the movies twice in sucession,

how sad the scene was then but was it the chemicals or the ignorance of the sceneat the time, it's been 30 years since i danced to joe 90, and all those disco records that were played at mecca, yes there were some superb modern soul discoveries there as well,

just keep it real, each to their own and lets get on, were not getting younger and we need new sounds and new blood or do i have to still like do i love you ???????????????????????

[Robbk]

its a bit early for me barney and it sounds it......coz its by the drifters dont have nothin to do with it..i was listenin to my i`ll take you where the musics playin lp just yesterday..and SNATM is 6 years down the line.from drip drop. bill blacks combo is mid 60`s also..i dont dislike drip drop but i`m with pikey on this one as its a bit too early for the northern rooms imvho

And it was performed by a Drifters' group with NOT ONE MEMBER that was in The Drifters who recorded "Drip Drop"- (although Johnny Moore was a Drifters member in both the mid '50s and the '60s-bouncing in and out of the group).

[Duke]

I don't know who is playing it or where....If I did I wouldn't go there.

[Guest]

Personally I like the record but its not really one for the northern rooms I suppose more popcorn doo wop scene or whatever it is lol still dont know what popcorn is except the stuff you eat.

[Guest giant]

It's no different to much of the early R&B that has found it's way onto the scene the last decade or so.

its utter rubbish

[Haydn]

and with the same respect.........

https://youtu.be/u7XEjl5GNS8

well they could always play this one (he he, ducks behind sofa)

Edited January 3, 2013 by Haydn

[slimharpo]

And it was performed by a Drifters' group with NOT ONE MEMBER that was in The Drifters who recorded "Drip Drop"- (although Johnny Moore was a Drifters member in both the mid '50s and the '60s-bouncing in and out of the group).

Sorry but I don't understand this. I believe the lead singer on Drip Drop was Bobby Hendricks who was also lead on a number of other Drifters sides. I like Drip Drop but I would not consider it 'Northern' although IMO it is a much better record than many Northern tracks that are played. However, I also agree that there are plenty of unplayed sounds out there that should get a play ahead of DD at Northern venues.

[slimharpo]

I thought someone might be interested in this story & scans. I saw The Drifters in 1970 at The Mardi Gras, Billy Butler's Club in Parliament St, Liverpool. They had just ended their long association with the Atlantic label and came over to the UK where they were still obviously popular. They had not signed up to the Bell label at this point. They were absolutely fantastic, Johnny Moore was the lead singer. They sang most of their repertoire inc Drip Drop and even White Christmas although it was July! The crowd just wouldn't let them go.

I knew Billy Butler from attending some of his dicos in the 60s around the Wrexham & Oswestry areas. I would even go to some obscure village pub to hear his records as at the time he played great Soul sounds. I asked Billy if I could go backstage to meet The Drifters which he arranged. The first thing that caught my eye when I went into Billy's office where the group were, was Billy's records! Anyway I had good chats with all the group and got them to sign my copy of Bill Millar's book on The Drifters. Faye Treadwell the wife of George Treadwell had taken over the management of the group after George (who was thir 1st manager) died. She was a very classy lady but was not impressed with the book. As you can see from the scan, she signed it 'This Is Not Authentic But Nice Reading'. I later learned the book had many errors inc crediting Rudy Lewis as lead on Sweets For My Sweet rather than Charles Thomas. It was right though on crediting Bobby Hendricks as lead on Drip Drop!

A

3 or 4 years later I met Ben E King in a club in North Wales and he signed a middle page in the book. I met him when he was going through a quiet period recording wise. However, he told me he had re-signed to Atlantic and was going to be cutting some 'exciting new stuff' on his return to the States. On his return he made 'Supernatural Thing' his biggest ever record!

attachment=147421:scan0004.jpg]

[Steve L]

You think this is crap, when at casino back around 75 i heard a so called big time DJ play saturday night at the movies twice in sucession,

how sad the scene was then but was it the chemicals or the ignorance of the sceneat the time, it's been 30 years since i danced to joe 90, and all those disco records that were played at mecca, yes there were some superb modern soul discoveries there as well,

just keep it real, each to their own and lets get on, were not getting younger and we need new sounds and new blood or do i have to still like do i love you ???????????????????????

Yeah but its not 1975, we've all grown up and matured and should now be able to see the wood from the trees.

Its defies belief that something like this could be played when you think of all the quality records that, as Joe says, are criminally overlooked/ignored.

Today is the first time I've heard this BTW, thank god I dont go to venues where it would be played

[Pete S]

You think this is crap, when at casino back around 75 i heard a so called big time DJ play saturday night at the movies twice in sucession,

..a 'big name dj' wouldn't play a record that was in the charts a year earlier in the main room at Wigan.

It's because of stories like this that people think Wigan played whatever was in the charts. They actually played the rarest of the rare Northern Soul. Mr M's might have played it or Evison maybe but don't associate it with the real Wigan.

Top sounds from 75

FRANKIE CROCKER - TON OF DYNAMITE

SKULLSNAPS - I'M YOUR PIMP

LARRY SANTOS - YOU GOT ME WHERE YOU WANT ME

JEANETTE HARPER - PUT ME IN YOUR POCKET

BILLY WOODS - LET ME MAKE YOU HAPPY

WILLIE MITCHELL - THE CHAMPION

CAPREEZ - HOW TO MAKE A SAD MAN GLAD

YVONNE BAKER - YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD

KING ERRISON - ZOLA

FOUR PERFECTIONS - I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH

DRIFTERS - YOU GOT TO PAY YOUR DUES

and

DRIFTERS - SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

?????????????

Edited January 4, 2013 by Pete S

[slimharpo]

..a 'big name dj' wouldn't play a record that was in the charts a year earlier in the main room at Wigan.

It's because of stories like this that people think Wigan played whatever was in the charts. They actually played the rarest of the rare Northern Soul. Mr M's might have played it or Evison maybe but don't associate it with the real Wigan.

Top sounds from 75

FRANKIE CROCKER - TON OF DYNAMITE

SKULLSNAPS - I'M YOUR PIMP

LARRY SANTOS - YOU GOT ME WHERE YOU WANT ME

JEANETTE HARPER - PUT ME IN YOUR POCKET

BILLY WOODS - LET ME MAKE YOU HAPPY

WILLIE MITCHELL - THE CHAMPION

CAPREEZ - HOW TO MAKE A SAD MAN GLAD

YVONNE BAKER - YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD

KING ERRISON - ZOLA

FOUR PERFECTIONS - I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH

DRIFTERS - YOU GOT TO PAY YOUR DUES

and

DRIFTERS - SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

?????????????

I confess to being a fan of The Drifters since the Sixties and whilst I wouldn't expect or particularly want to hear Saturday Night or Drip Drop at a Northern night those tracks shouldn't be dismissed as 'crap' or 'rubbish' IMO. They are good sounds in their context. The Drifters have contributed far more to the development of soul than most performers and all on the above list except for Willie Mitchell. The terms 'crap' or 'rubbish' should be reserved for the likes of 'Northern/Wigan' faves such as Muriel Day or Lorraine Silver in pure soul terms, although I accept they are reasonable pop soul dancers

[Pete S]

I confess to being a fan of The Drifters since the Sixties and whilst I wouldn't expect or particularly want to hear Saturday Night or Drip Drop at a Northern night those tracks shouldn't be dismissed as 'crap' or 'rubbish' IMO. They are good sounds in their context. The Drifters have contributed far more to the development of soul than most performers and all on the above list except for Willie Mitchell. The terms 'crap' or 'rubbish' should be reserved for the likes of 'Northern/Wigan' faves such as Muriel Day or Lorraine Silver in pure soul terms, although I accept they are reasonable pop soul dancers

There's nothing wrong with SNATM, it's a fantastic record. I'm replying to the context that it was put in.

[Koolkat]

..a 'big name dj' wouldn't play a record that was in the charts a year earlier in the main room at Wigan.

It's because of stories like this that people think Wigan played whatever was in the charts. They actually played the rarest of the rare Northern Soul. Mr M's might have played it or Evison maybe but don't associate it with the real Wigan.

Top sounds from 75

FRANKIE CROCKER - TON OF DYNAMITE

SKULLSNAPS - I'M YOUR PIMP

LARRY SANTOS - YOU GOT ME WHERE YOU WANT ME

JEANETTE HARPER - PUT ME IN YOUR POCKET

BILLY WOODS - LET ME MAKE YOU HAPPY

WILLIE MITCHELL - THE CHAMPION

CAPREEZ - HOW TO MAKE A SAD MAN GLAD

YVONNE BAKER - YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD

KING ERRISON - ZOLA

FOUR PERFECTIONS - I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH

DRIFTERS - YOU GOT TO PAY YOUR DUES

and

DRIFTERS - SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

?????????????

I heard Dave Evison play SNATM in the Casino main room during his oldies spot he used to do. 4 oclockish? There were quite a few on the floor too. But I agree youd never hear any of the main jocks play this in their spots. No way. Edited January 5, 2013 by Koolkat

[slimharpo]

There's nothing wrong with SNATM, it's a fantastic record. I'm replying to the context that it was put in.

Sorry Pete, I didn't mean to give the impression you were rubbishing the record. My quote marks were for earlier posts in this thread. I should have been clearer.

[Jhsoulnotts]

Drip Drop is 50's doo-wop tinged rock and roll - a nice example of it cause the Drifters have always been class, and some might want to call it R&B and play it out, but its not is it? sounds like Shaking Stevens!

[Haydn]

I am confused now......how can it sound like Shakin' Stevens? He came a lot later.

It wasn't that long ago that so called "northern" fans were screaming to get a copy of Charles Sheffield, of which they have probably got now on repro with the wrong flip side on it.

The teddy boys had been holding on to this for years because of "rock n roll train", the same guys that get a slagging for the music, are probably more in tune with some individuals on the scene.

It's playing in small rooms that brings tunes out, the popcorn scene is also still unearthing some tunes, we don't need to like them all but variety helps us choose.

[Jhsoulnotts]

I am confused now......how can it sound like Shakin' Stevens? He came a lot later.

Historical order has nothing to do with two sounds being similar and pointing it out makes no logical or lexical sense, unless you are judging authenticity. In this instance I was not

[Guest]

If you were to have a room dedicated to Rythm and Blues,then Drip Drop would quite rightley have it's place as would many other black orientated songs.How ever soul it ain't and thus IMO opinion should not be played in a room dedicated to Soul music. Chris.

[Haydn]

But if someone is playing it in northern rooms, and advertising it as such,

I would like to know who, and what their take on it is.

I personally haven't heard it in any northern room.

[Haydn]

And if i hear that popcorn........... Fletcher on Tollie, heads will roll

[Jhsoulnotts]

Sorry Haydn, was a bit grumpy there... been a long day!

[Dave West]

little queenie - Bil Blacks Combo

classic rock and roll been played out since noah was a lad

sea cruise.......

[Haydn]

Sorry Haydn, was a bit grumpy there... been a long day!

yer fine, we got to discuss or the site isn't needed.

Am havin an off day myself , ah been in a good mood all day

H

[Haydn]

sea cruise.......

oo wee babe!

[Guest kolectem]

FIRST HEARD THIS PLAYED OUT AT THE HIDEAWAY IN MANCHESTER, AROUND 2007,

NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CHOON, IF IT,S PLAYED IN THE RIGHT ROOM TO THE RIGHT CROWD..

BRI ,

AS FAR AS BEING PLAYED AT SOUL IN THE SUN, MYSELF AND TONY THE HAT FIRST PLAYED IT OUT THERE

[Guest soulmaguk]

Heard this out over the last couple of years also, first time I heard it, I thought the singer was saying ' Clip Clop..Clippety Clop' seemed to get a dancefloor reaction, imagine if it was a xmas fancy dress Northern night, and some people came as a pantomime horse, they could set a new dance craze, each to their own and all that!

Edited January 8, 2013 by soulmaguk

[Soul-slider]

Was Drifters 'At The Club' played on the scene? I'm pretty sure it was.

[Chatty]

..a 'big name dj' wouldn't play a record that was in the charts a year earlier in the main room at Wigan.

It's because of stories like this that people think Wigan played whatever was in the charts. They actually played the rarest of the rare Northern Soul. Mr M's might have played it or Evison maybe but don't associate it with the real Wigan.

Top sounds from 75

FRANKIE CROCKER - TON OF DYNAMITE

SKULLSNAPS - I'M YOUR PIMP

LARRY SANTOS - YOU GOT ME WHERE YOU WANT ME

JEANETTE HARPER - PUT ME IN YOUR POCKET

BILLY WOODS - LET ME MAKE YOU HAPPY

WILLIE MITCHELL - THE CHAMPION

CAPREEZ - HOW TO MAKE A SAD MAN GLAD

YVONNE BAKER - YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD

KING ERRISON - ZOLA

FOUR PERFECTIONS - I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH

DRIFTERS - YOU GOT TO PAY YOUR DUES

and

DRIFTERS - SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

?????????????

Remember Edwin Starr, Contact, being played in the main room at the Casino early 79 by a big name Dj and it was still rattling about in the lower reaches of the charts.

[Pete S]

Remember Edwin Starr, Contact, being played in the main room at the Casino early 79 by a big name Dj and it was still rattling about in the lower reaches of the charts.

Don't doubt that, it was played as a new release anyway