Showing posts with label Wigan Casino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wigan Casino. Show all posts

Monday, 20 July 2026

Lay This Burden Down

Trust me #120
Lay This Burden Down by Mary Love


Discogs can provide a good indication of the value soul fans place on a song and record. 215 people have a 7-inch of Mary Love's Lay This Burden Down, but 1,498 want a copy. For those willing to sell, they can get up to £300 from collectors and fans willing to go that high. Fear not, the good folk at Kent Records have included the song on a couple of their excellent compilations - which is where I discovered the song.

I rediscovered it recently while browsing the soul section in Monorail with my sister Carla on Record Store Day. I advised Carla to get the Mary Love compilation that they had. And I'm glad that she did. Little sisters don't always take their big brothers advice!

Lay This Burden Down is 2-minutes and 35 seconds that are simultaneously heartbreaking and utterly exhilarating. Released in 1967, the energy leaps out of the record from the off, the rumbling bass and piano are joined by a fast and steady beat. The energy rises at 10 seconds in when Mary Love begins to sing.

I know I'm heading in the wrong direction
'Cause I'm weak from the lack of affection
I've been afraid to accuse you my darling
'Cause I didn't wanna lose you my baby
I've been knowing about your other love a long time
Given you a chance to make up your mind

Then Love explodes into the chorus, recognising what she needs to do, learning from her tears.

But
Tear stains on my pillowcase
Tells me not to hesitate
I've got to lay this burden down
I've got to lay this burden down
I've got to lay this burden down

The arrangement by Arthur Wright and production by Richard Parker is sublime, absolutely perfect. Everything flows, the band (the Arthur Wright Orchestra) are exceptional and Mary Love is completely in the zone. No wonder this song sends people on to dance floors to this very day. 

The second verse feels even faster, the thunderous wall of sound, driving beat and bass that feels like a heart about to burst. The pace is phenomenal, Love singing about the stress of trying to hold on to a love. 

And then back to the chorus, Love's tear soaked pillow cases underlining what she already knows in her heart of hearts. Love's voice entwined with her backing singers sounds sublime, through speakers or on headphones (for extra appreciation). Heartbreaking and euphoric.


It's grip on my heart, I've got to shake it
Hang around another boy, I've got to make it
I've got to get away so I won't be saved
By the things that make me weaker and fall deeper
I've made up my mind, to make a change
My whole life, to rearrange


But
Tear stains on my pillowcase
Tells me not to hesitate
I've got to lay this burden down
I've got to lay this burden down
I've got to lay this burden down, yeah,

After an instrumental Love's voice soars and brings us back to the chorus, with a little bit of glorious ad libbing afterwards over her backing singers. What an absolute gem of a song, so much soul and emotion in just 2-minutes 35 seconds - POW!

Lay This Burden Down is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement
90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips
91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
92. Acquiesce by Oasis
93. This Is Music by The Verve
94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery
95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub
96. Common People by Pulp
97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper
98. Regret by New Order
99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter
103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 
105-107. Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight - Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe, I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish
108. Cobra by Geese
109. All I Have To Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers
110. Vapour Trail by Ride
111. Teardrop by Massive Attack
112. Since I Left You by The Avalanches
113. Good Dancers by The Sleepy Jackson
114. Kiss My Love Goodbye by Bettye Swann
116. Get Out Of My Dream by The Clouds
117. Sundress by Ben Kweller
118. I Love You by Primal Scream
119. Calico Skies by Paul McCartney


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Thursday, 9 October 2025

Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight

Trust Me #105-107
Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend
Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe
I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish 

In 2001 I moved out of my childhood home and into a flat in Dennistoun. After years of commuting from Carluke for work and pleasure, I was now just a mile away from drinks and nights in the likes of McChuills and Blackfriars, both of which had (and have) a real affiliation with northern soul. 

Blackfriars had a monthly night called Friday Street and there was a pre-party in McChuills. I was turned on to some exceptional music played at these nights and after one I went into town and bought a compilation album called The Best Northern Soul All Nighter Ever. 

Amazon link

Let your backbone slip - energetic northern soul dancing at the Casino

The album concluded with the three songs mentioned above and the sleeve notes indicated that they were the songs traditionally played at the end of northern soul nights - the 3 before 8(am) -at the world famous Wigan Casino. The home, in many people's eyes, to northern soul music.

Can you imagine dancing the night away, right through to dawn, to pounding soul? Stompers, floaters and floor shakers? All night long! Little rest.  Fuelled by the music, atmosphere and whatever else might take your fancy! Pulling moves, dancing to grooves, wondering about song titles, sticky with sweat, wearing your best clothes and shoes/trainers, trying to keep up, getting sucked into the crowd ... getting your kicks out on the floor.

“As the lights came up, the floor shook with thousands of feet, hands raised in the air, and voices belting out the final anthems. It wasn’t just a club night—it was communion.”

I've thought about it many times. The hardcore that could last through the night until 8am would be rewarded with 3 majestic moments, 3 life affirming songs. 

Flying (possibly in more ways than one!) at the Wigan Casino

So, let's take a trip back in time to find out what was going on ...

In the heart of the 1970s, amid the post-industrial sprawl of the North of England, something magical happened. Wigan Casino, a disused ballroom turned temple of soul, became the unlikely epicentre of the Northern Soul movement. From midnight to 8am, working-class youth travelled from all over Britain danced all night on talcum-dusted floors, fuelled by amphetamines and 100mph American soul records that had been forgotten, many lying abandoned and gathering dust in warehouses until DJ's like Ian Levine went crate digging for them. 

Check this old interview with Ian to get an idea of how his taste and crate digging skills were so important to the development of the northern soul scene.

Upon finding new songs they cherished, when playing them, Levine and other DJ's on the scene, would often cover up record labels, so that other DJ's, collectors and fans wouldn't know the real song title, label and artist. They were more than happy to play the record, but they wanted to be the only person who had it in their box. This fuelled demand and prices!

The queue to get into the Wigan Casino

It might have started with the very first all-nighter - or maybe it just became tradition over time - but when people look back, there’s a shared sense that the ending at Wigan Casino was something truly sacred. As the night gave way to morning, the final moments were marked by a ritual: three songs, always the same, always in the same order. They became known as the Three Before Eight.

Over time, Time Will Pass You By, Long After Tonight Is All Over and I'm On My Way became more than songs. They were ceremony. Closure. A final emotional release before the lights came up and dancers spilled out delirious, tired, sweating and blinking into the dawn.

Wigan Casino closed its doors in 1981. The building was later demolished. But the spirit lives on.

Lets take a look at each song in order.

Tobi Legend – Time Will Pass You By

Perhaps the most poetic of the three, Tobi Legend (real name Tobi Lark) delivers a soaring performance with life affirming lyrics that must have felt like they were written for the scene itself:

Life is just a precious minute, baby…

Tobi Legend recorded Time Will Pass You in Detroit back in 1968. The song was written by John Rhys Eddins, Nick Zesses and Dino Fekaris.

Imagine being back in the Casino when this dropped- a reminder to make the most of every moment, every spin, to wipe away the sweat and forget about the tiredness from hours of dancing - the night was almost over. 

Music doesn't really get much better than this. This song became really important to me when my wife Lynn (girlfriend) and I went travelling in 2007 and 2008. 

And in later life it feels like the lyrics, and the euphoric way that they are delivered, matter even more. 

All you have to do is live for now

Come along with me and I'll show you how

Take my hand I'll show you how to live, why wait until tomorrow

Take my hand and I'll lead the way, to a brighter day


Life is just a precious minute baby

Open up your eyes and see it baby

Give yourself a better chance

Because time will pass you right on by

Jimmy Radcliffe – Long After Tonight Is All Over

A sweeping, orchestral masterpiece released in 1964 on Musicor Records, this song was the emotional heart of the 3 before 8. Radcliffe’s aching vocal and the song’s sense of finality mirrored the bittersweet feeling of dawn. I've always thought it would be a great first/last dance song at a wedding.

Shuffling percussion introduces the song and Radcliffe is in super swoony romantic mood. The four line first verse leads immediately to a chorus that declares undying love.

Tonight with you, for the first time

I have learned what my lips are for

And darling now, that I've kissed you

I am craving to kiss you more


Long after tonight is all over

Long after tonight is all gone

I'll be yours

Forever and a day, and yours

Come anything that may

You'll always be everything to me

There is only one more verse, containing the beautiful line - when I hold you, I can feel that the world is mine , then it is straight back into the chorus. This perfect song is delivered within 2-minutes 23 seconds.

Taking it back to closing at the Casino, imagine this playing after a night of dancing, you are with your friends, or with people who became friends for the night ... jeez it would emotional!

Dean Parrish – I’m On My Way

An explosion of optimism, Parrish’s 1967 stomper gave dancers one last burst of energy. Clapping hands, stomping feet, a chorus of defiance. I've always thought that the opening guitar riff was very Blondie, but the song message is Northern Soul in a nutshell. 

Defiance, resilience, light at the end of the tunnel. This song lifts you up. Whether you've had a bad week, or whether you're at the end of a night of dancing. There are multiple riffs through the song, the lead vocal is rich and soulful, while the backing vocals lift it higher.

The bridge into the final chorus, which repeats a line in the second verse, is utterly perfect; 

Baby I give you everything I've ever had to give

And now I'm gonna live


Here I go, I'm on my way out of your sight

I'm on my way, you're off of my mind

(Flying high)

Catch me if you can

Gonna cry, what a way to die


Time Will Pass You By, Long After Tonight Is All Over and I'm On My Way are added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton
1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells
2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond
3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell
4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot
5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon
6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras
7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans
8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland
9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave
10. Sometimes by James
11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time
12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre
13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields
14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals
15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser
16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes
17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth
18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter
19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground
20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub
21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub
23. Belfast by Orbital
24. Clouds by The Jayhawks
25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral
26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair
27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke
28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones
29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze
29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells
30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor
31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton
32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich
33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem
34. Mondo 77 by Looper
35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton
36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats
37. How High by The Charlatans
38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands
39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.
40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
41. There She Goes by The Las
42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes
43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo
44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell
45. Revolution by The Beatles
46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys
47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays
48. American Trilogy by The Delgados
49. Loser by Beck 
50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy
51. Comedy by Shack
52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven
53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr
54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels
55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized
56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds
57. Cannonball by The Breeders
58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane
60. Lucky by Radiohead
61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.
61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell
62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir
63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations
64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses
65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry
66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker
67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones
68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters
69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide
70. Stove by The Lemonheads
71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell
72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s
75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura
76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
77. The Rat by The Walkmen
78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer
79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack
80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys
81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros
82. 69 Police by David Holmes
83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes
84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel
85. Kung Fu by Ash
86. Kids by MGMT
87. Slight Return by The Bluetones
88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement
90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips
91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips
92. Acquiesce by Oasis
93. This Is Music by The Verve
94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery
95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub
96. Common People by Pulp
97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper
98. Regret by New Order
99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter
103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 



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Monday, 30 August 2021

Tainted Love


Cover version of the month #70 - Soft Cell cover Gloria Jones

Tainted Love is a song that instantly reminds me of McChuills, my favourite pub in Glasgow. I was something of a regular circa 2001-2010 and at the end of a Friday or Saturday night Tainted Love would often be one of the last songs played, causing those remaining to dance on the small stage or occasionally on tables.

McChuills would play the original version by Gloria Jones, released back in 1965 as the b-side of My Bad Boy's Comin' Home, an obscure single that failed to chart on either side of the Atlantic.

However, as anyone with the faintest of interest in Northern Soul will know, British DJ's obsessed with Motown and soul music would soon be taking trips to America and scouring record shops and warehouses for singles - bringing them home and playing them at clubs like the Wigan Casino. Ian Levine was perhaps the most famous, coming home from trips to Miami and New Orleans with boxes of records. Levine and others would often cover the label of their records, so fans and other DJ's couldn't try and track down their own copies.

However, in the case of Tainted Love, it was the DJ Richard Searling who bought a copy of the single in 1973, flipped to the b-side and played it in Va Va's in Bolton and then at the Casino.

It's not hard to hear why Searling and the northern soul crowd fell so hard for Tainted Love; the blast of horns from the very start ushers in a constant walking bassline, a driving Motown beat and a hard rhythm guitar, handclaps and soaring vocals with cool backing vocals. 

From the Michael Ochs archive

The lyrics, written by Ed Cobb, tell the tale of a girl looking to get away from an old love that has become tainted. They are written in an incredibly open and graphic way. 

Sometimes I feel I've got to, run away, 

I've got to, get away from the pain you drive into the heart of me

What an opening couple of lines! Cobb, through Jones voice, tells of how the love was going nowhere, the lights been lost and the realisation is causing sleepless nights. The lyrics, throughout the song, are sheer poetry.

Then the chorus, another couple of incredible lines to open it;

Once I ran to you (I ran)

Now I run from you (Now I run)

The tainted love you're giving

I gave you all a girl can give you

Take my tears and that's not nearly all, tainted love, tainted love

The second verse just emphasises the first, the second chorus sounds more definite and then there is glorious bridge into another chorus.

I know you will hurt me so

If I do not pack my bags and go

The song begins to fade at only 2 minutes 10 seconds with Jones voice at its best. Jones rerecorded Tainted Love in 1976 following the love displayed to the song through the northern soul scene, but it is a poor version in comparison to the original, the kick, the urgency, the hurt and the soul (the very essence of the song) just isn't there.

A few years down the line, in 1981, Marc Almond and David Ball, otherwise known as Soft Cell, recorded Tainted Love and it was released as their second single on Sire/Warner Bros. The duo reached number 1 after a theatrical front man performance by Almond on Top of the Pop pushed the song towards the top.

It's amazing how Soft Cell deconstruct the song. They keep the structure but remove horns, guitar, bass and drums, replacing them with synths and drum machines.

Originally written by a man, it's now sung by a man, it's interesting to hear it from a male perspective, with Almond singing I gave you all a boy could give you , even more so as Almond was openly gay - not something that was very common in 1981. So it added another dimension to the song that comes across in the video as Almond sings touch me baby tainted love towards the end, his eyes mirroring his suggestive vocals.

The Soft Cell version is a bold and brilliant cover version, but for me the original is unsurpassed, it has a zip and energy that can't be replicated or bettered.

See below for a full list of songs to feature in my cover version of the month blogs. You can also search for Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions for my Spotify playlist or CLICK HERE.

Gloria Jones 1965 original

Soft Cell video

Soft Cell Top of the Pops


Previous covers of the month

13. Hurt





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