“Sault Ste. Marie” (1971) – The Original Caste * Written and arranged by Bruce Innes * Produced by Roger Nichols * 45: “Sault Ste. Marie” / “When Love Is Near” * Charts: Canada #35
Calgary’s Original Caste enjoyed a flurry of Canadian success between 1968 and 1971, after their version of the Dennis Lambert-Brian Potter song “One Tin Soldier” made the US Top 40. Their sixth and final Canadian chart hit (not counting a 1973 revival of “Soldier”) happened in 1971, and was one of those situations where the radio stations ignored the A-side (a Paul Williams-Roger Nichols tune called “When Love Is Near”) and jumped all over the B-side, written by the band’s own Bruce Innes. In RPM Weekly, the Canadian music biz trade paper of the day, a young Terry David Mulligan praised “Sault Ste. Marie,” saying it was “about time the very talented and highly creative leader of this Canadian group received some recognition.” Mulligan and the radio stations were right about “Sault Ste. Marie,” which was a Canada-centric road song built to last, with a classic line in the chorus: “I’m just trying to make it to Montreal / I do believe that I’m going to hell.” In truth, the Original Caste were on their way to Japan for some touring, then into the studio, eventually, for one more album in 1974, but no more rides up any pop charts.