Northern Soul at the Proms Darrell Smith - The Drifter

From The Royal Albert Hal
Northern Soul at the Proms
BBC Prom 2 15 July 2023
Singer Vula Malinga
Singer Frida Mariama Touray
Singer Natalie Palmer
Singer Brendan Reilly
Singer Nick Shirm
BBC Concert Orchestra
Conductor Edwin Outwater
Music Arrangers Fiona Brice & Joe Duddell
Broadcast BBC 2 26 - 08 - 2023

[@michaelbennett1295]

Hello me again went to watch him last night at Buxton opera the show was outstanding and Buxton a lovely place thank you all who performed last night

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

This three and half minutes is worth the BBC licence fee alone. Best thing I've seen on TV for years. Congratulations Darrel Smith, totally nailed this classic song

[@skoobi25]

hell no .. the licence fee wont ever cover this talent...they spend OUR money on total shite

[@alanlynne17]

I must have watched this performance by Darrell at least 20 times since Saturday and I just love the look on his face right at the end. He knows he's blown the roof off the place and his expression says - "Nailed it". He certainly did...

[@geoff6942]

Alan, you are totally right. A wonderful song, performed by a brilliant singer. Yes, he nailed it!

[@brouwenlewis7592]

A job very well done indeed. Go go go❤️

[@steveapplebys1652]

This programme was the best I’ve seen on TV in years The whole group of singers were outstanding

[@fifib6120]

Me too. This and 'The Night' are both fighting to be my earworms at the moment. Yet I play the songs again and again!

[@sandrawoodmansey3173]

He is the voice of Northern Soul... Outstanding

[@sparkz9803]

Fantastic rendition. 👏👏❤️

[@JONNYHOTROD]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC…..RAY POLLARD WOULD BE PROUD !👍🏻

[@maryoneill6944]

Who’s still watching this every night ..mesmerizing performance. Not in the UK so, no iPlayer so please somebody post more of this amazing Prom ❤

[@amandahuby871]

I am, it is addictive and amazing, the best ❤

[@craiglightowler8922]

May 1st 2024 and watching for the umteenth time. I'm in my 60s and this is in my all time top 10 of best live performance I've ever seen.

[@skoobi25]

im watchin on youtube...grab it if u can is aweswome

[@suzannecollins3537]

Lets start a petition to get Darrell a record deal, talent like his must be seen & heard 😁

[@suzannecollins3537]

Please someone give this lad a recording contract & my life will be complete 😀

[@clivemartin665]

Tuned into the Proms Northern Soul last night....was looking at something else and heard this guys voice. which made me sit up and pay attention....THIS BOY CAN SING.....great talent ....get him signed up ...He's got Soul....

[@tinadavies4195]

Wasn't he brilliant,he blew my mind.

[@andrewsmyth1641]

Best performance last night

[@marymoriarty8246]

Bloke turns up in suit from Asda and blows the roof off of the Royal Albert Hall.What a voice !!

[@ChristianBrown-q6n]

Spot on i thought the same he can sing

[@jakeburtonshaw625]

The suit was his dad's who was used to wear it at the all nighters

[@gaynorross9783]

@@jakeburtonshaw625 oh that’s brilliant, you can tell he knows the music

[@amandahuby871]

What's wrong with the suit , looks ok to me, and yes amazing voice xx

[@missmuffet3874]

@@ChristianBrown-q6nI doubt very much it’s from Asda. Saville Row tailors no doubt. xx

[@sallyb6265]

I’m a die hard Northern Soul fan and don’t generally like anyone else singing these classics, but you blew my mind and stole my heart. Amazing ❤

[@jonathanwilson6514]

WoW! Ray Pollard would have been proud!! Fantastic rendition!

[@johntalbot4253]

What a performer, the guy is quality 👌

[@tonyogrady6604]

great rendition Darrell, and those backing vocals are just sublime.

[@smudge6325]

This show is on tour from the 5th of April if anybody is interested

[@stephendavies8087]

Simply stunning that pays homage to the original. The orchestration of the music lifts it to anew level

[@stewartlegg2269]

Can't stop listening to this track ..fabulous voice ..great performance

[@geoff6942]

I've been listening to this on bbc iplayer for the past few days. Its available there for another year!

[@naththunder2624]

Think I listen to 5 maybe 20 times a day 🤣🤣🤣 brilliant version 💙💙

[@frankpaterson9786]

The young man totally nailed a classic, big respect.

[@mareetiffney3525]

I would agree he stole the show , what a voice

[@marymoriarty8246]

An amazing performance. He blew this out of the water!.Gorgeous rich tone.The whole concert was joyus ❤

[@thesoultwins72]

@marymoriarty8246.......please listen to the original - pisses all over this pale imitation

[@yvettestaelens]

Can't stop watching this...

[@KC-gy5xw]

I've been watching this for the last few months. And I LOVE IT. Fabulous.. You can tell the orchestra enjoyed it too.. Wonderful, the best use of my license fee for years.

[@TheRoarin]

As much as I love Ray Pollard, i keep coming back to this as a contemporary version and its so so hard to choose which i prefer. Darell you absolutely smashed a classic, just stunning ❤

[@19195658]

Amazing cover. Great concert. Keep coming back to this. Can't believe how good he is.

[@tommycockles66]

To me this was thee song of the performance and I’ve resisted to the whole concert 3 times. This song means alot to me and when he came on I thought it’s Jarvis Cocker’s kid brother, how wrong was I, he SMASHED it in my opinion. I’m glad this song has its own link and respect to Darrell Smith the singer.

[@tinadavies4195]

He gave me goosebumps..must say he was fantastic..Thank god the BBC put something on worth watching and worth a second viewing..Saying that I must have watched Darrel sing this 20 times..Honestly he's blown me away..👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@missmuffet3874]

I got goosebumps too. ❤

[@sfarnsworth7537]

I am obsessed, what a voice wow

[@kdw712]

same here been on repeat daily

[@Maggie-b8z]

What a treat. The song, his voice. I was entranced throughout his performance and i've bee listening to it again today. I loved it. Well done mate x

[@fayscotland]

At the start I thought Darrell Smith looked nervous and just a backing singer . When it was his time to sing I was blown away and entranced . As the Proclaimers would say , you saw it , you claimed it , you touched it , you saved it xxx

[@Petra1001uk]

same here! my god, what a voice he's got!

[@SistaShire]

Absolutely stunning. Beautifully executed delivery of a stunning classic.

[@yvettestaelens]

still watching - stunning

[@nevillehudson1362]

What a voice Darrell has, his performance that night was just so compelling to watch

[@garyhollins7911]

Best performance of the entire night absolutely fantastic 👌

[@davidtracey5795]

Completley blown away by this...the rich heartfelt emotive tones are spectacular. Complimented by the lush orchestration...something quite special. K.T.F.

[@brianhodgson3182]

Was absolutely privileged to be in the Albert Hall that night. You could see hairs standing up on the back of people's necks during this. It was such a stunning performance. If I had a DeLorean time machine I'd go back to this point time after time

[@gaynorross9783]

Oh I’m so jealous

[@carouselcakes6237]

Watching it now on BBC 4 and I’m wel jel of everyone there. It looks like it was amazing.

[@gaynorross9783]

I’m so jealous

[@alanlynne17]

I wasn't sure that 'Northern Soul at the Proms' would work as I thought the authentic feel and sound, which drew me in in the mid/late 1970s, would be lost. Boy oh boy how wrong I was! From start to finish I loved every minute, and was on an emotional rollercoaster throughout. As others have said, this by Darrell Smith just blew me away and was the highlight of a fantastic evening. Wow, just wow!! What a performance.

[@jayveebloggs9057]

true mate

[@tinadavies4195]

I can't stop watching this clip..Absolutely mind blowing.

[@vivianlawson7655]

Absolutely loved Northern soul at the proms, but he just blew me away. What a voice ❤ xx

[@tinadavies4195]

@@vivianlawson7655 honestly I've watched Darrell at least 10 times today..It was a brilliant show to watch..anyway its about time the bbc put something on worth 👀

[@susanbennett9333]

The whole concert was just sensational. Wow indeed!

[@alanmunro888]

The appearance of a slow number could have brought the evening down a touch, but no - Darrell's emotive performance brought real passion to this song. Coupled with just the right, slightly understated backing from the orchestra, this outstanding gem lifted the concert to a new level, which was clearly appreciated by the audience!

[@alanross7305]

Wonderfully expressed

[@brendahoward4244]

Yes definitely an outstanding gem Darrell. You've worked so hard. They should grab and keep you.❤

[@DonnaDarlington-dk6bv]

@@brendahoward4244 3: you

[@tonysmith9809]

the most uplifting night of music ever todays youngsters will never be as lucky as we were to live through such an era of superb music.

[@traceydunkley389]

Amazing. Can't get his version out my head.

[@JoanWoodyatt]

Blown away by this guys talent. Marvellous night Darrell made it special

[@nessaesmith]

Love this song and Darrell was brilliant singing it.

[@joroy123]

Incredible performance , his voice gives me goosebumps 😍

[@neilneil7911]

Such a soul, blasting it out to beyond the place where you're at.

[@AllanDay-j2s]

Smashed it, played it none stop on my walk today, may have thrown a few moves in .

[@jaquelinegoodman]

Can't stop playing it awesome singer

[@TUGWYN]

Where’s this fella been hiding ! Brilliant version can’t stop listening to it.

[@mikephelps1854]

Where has this guy been all these years. The lad from Clitheroe blew the roof off the place

[@RMGLUCK]

This is terrific - and his take on Frank Valli's 'The Night' was a bona fide tour de force.

[@LysanderLH]

I can’t find it on youtube. any ideas?

[@KD-oi9sk]

@@LysanderLH Whole show is on iplayer ✊

[@LysanderLH]

@@KD-oi9sk thanks. I was wondering why everything apart from The Night is on youtube.

[@SharonSkippings-sy3vz]

​@@LysanderLHif you watch Northern Soul at the Proms on BBCIPLAYER "The Night " starts at 19:19

[@LysanderLH]

@@SharonSkippings-sy3vz thanks Sharon, i will definitely watch the show again. If you find The Night (just that song from the show) on youtube please let me know as I can’t find it

[@dianeleahy3345]

Daryl you really are great. Fantastic vocal range. Thanks.

[@geraldinehill711]

I've been into this scene since my first allnighter at the Casino in 1979. Think the Marvellettes were live that night. I've heard this song loads over the years but it has never ever hit me like it did with this performance. Well done indeed. That was magnificent.

[@traceyjoseph3523]

Absolutely amazing..his voice is something else. I'm sure Ray Pollard would have appreciated how he brings a broken heart into a vocal performance..I think They can sit along side each other with there vocal talents equally conveying empathy to the listener..I could listen to this all day..thankyou..

[@leemadden3able]

This guys immense could listen to him all night he’s the ultimate soul man he owns this record he was the top man at the northern soul proms so much power in that voice

[@catherinemadge7218]

Superb. That voice. Enough said.

[@tinabrown627]

Absolutely brilliant

[@Mr2LET]

What a tune !! Great delivery sir !!

[@annefitzsimons4716]

I've watched the whole concert several times and Darrell's performance was the highlight of a brilliant night. He brings such emotion to this song and deserves to be a huge star.

[@jeffreypage7276]

Absolutely fantastic, im in tears listening to the Soul in his voice. That cannot be taught, its in the heart ❤️

[@yvettestaelens]

What a stellar singer - blew the place apart. Go forth and be mega successful soul man.

[@nickgrant1289]

This is sensational, and so was The Night 👏

[@midge225]

Fantastic performance , thoroughly enjoyed northern soul at the proms , you could feel the atmosphere from our living room KTF✊️

[@fireangel205]

Im in love! This guy caught the very essence of this song made the hairs on my arm stand on end. Omg the memories flooding back. thank you Darrell Smith I hope to see much more of you on the Northern Scene

[@jonnythomas4885]

Ray would be so happy with this version. Fantastic.

[@secondcity11]

Deserves more exposure....

[@markphillips8852]

I've watched the concert at least 4 times over. It's fantastic. This song was superb and nailed. Well done northern lad. Take a bow.

[@chriscollinson725]

That final chorus octave shift is a thing of utter wonder. Actually welled up a bit with tears it was that good. I had to rush to Discogs and order it on vinyl straightaway. One of the best tunes I've ever heard.

[@thingybob4375]

Yes, this was a stunning performance. One of my favourite Northern Soul tracks ever - he killed it. Like you say, that octave change at the end made me tear up to this song for the very first time. Damn, I wish this performance would go viral, it's that damn good

[@JonathanBinns]

Utterly brilliant and spell binding performance Darrell 😉😘

[@Caromo1993]

Absolutely amazing. What a talent this guy has.

[@warrenmercer3830]

Magical performance

[@JoyceTaylor1964]

Brilliant! watched it last night.

[@paulwebbiweb]

Excellent! I thought this was probably the performance of the night. Passion and power. Darrell certainly outsang the other male singers, in my opilnion.

[@thingybob4375]

Seriously, this was SUCH a stunning performance, Darrell completely stole the show. and |I must have watched this clip SO many times and will be there to watch him in Blackpool in December. This ABSOLUTELY needs to viral from here on. We need to make this happen. If you subscribe to any reactor channels, please, please, please send them this... We need Darrell to be recognised as the amazing singer he is, and we also need to export and promote the Northern Soul scene out across the whole frickin' world. KTF

[@Steve-uv5pe]

It was the best 2 hours of the best music

[@dianerogers8805]

He was fantastic ,The evening bought tears to my eyes .best music ever .

[@davidhamilton1352]

I can’t believe how good his voice is

[@ShonziTho]

much prefer this to the original! i love how he and the backing singers sing "so i go my way, back to the highway" and "laughing and talking, as they go walking" (+ the other variations) 😍 that is how it should've been sung in the original...

[@trevorastley1727]

The first time I had heard this...what a fantastic performance. Sublime key changes. My blood boils at all the dross out there in the music world. This guy is a beacon of Great Soulful singing.

[@gillianallen3492]

Wot a song to take on I'm just a drifter omg blown me away ktf will always be there fantastic ❤❤

[@robertlees7528]

Ray Pollards gem great to see and hear this exposure keep the faith!

[@nancyjones3045]

i had goose bump from start to finish what a singer what a song what a concert

[@TheRoarin]

Really really impressed with this, you have to get the music to reproduce a version as good as this, the highlight of the show for me, nailed it 👌

[@StephenSwift-p4c]

Fantastic kept me spell bound through out the whole performance

[@jaynewest2013]

He nailed this for goddam sure. Great memories. Thank You BBC Proms - I was kickin' an clappin'

[@marcneedham8522]

Amazing so good very emotional 😢

[@Quint1960]

The best voice ever .should be a super star

[@JanetRichardson-ws9mn]

Superb best voice ever need to see more of him

[@JaneEyre-g9z]

Fabulous performance and a truly wonderful concert. Brought back so many memories!

[@standstand6569]

Brilliant performance ! Heavenly strings !

[@nickauger2010]

Have to say very good the show was and being into Northern soul myself it brought back memories well worth it being filmed and put on TV respect to the artists

[@kevinell6605]

Pow ....have that !!

[@craiglightowler8922]

Simply brilliant concert and performance by everybody especially Darrell.

[@GeorgeSimpson-e4k]

Amazing talent what a voice

[@TooDarnSoulful]

A wonderful version of an iconic tune ❤

[@bobpinder902]

Brilliant!

[@robandias]

Ray Pollard’s original version is amazing beyond coverable. However Darrell Smith nailed this !!!! The guy pulled it off to perfection

[@nai57]

Great rendition of a fabulous song!

[@DeviousDamion]

Stunning voice ❤

[@ianmuir6217]

Brilliant.

[@steveghent4550]

Brilliant concert could have watched it all over again

[@michaelbennett1295]

Best music concert I have ever watched singing and backing music outstanding and everybody looked like they wanted to be there