There's been quite a bit of hubbub about the 40th Birthday of Sgt. Pepper, and rightly so, (Aimee Mann/MOG/MY 2 cents) it is a classic. Alongside The Beatles, Motown had a great year in '67, too. In fact, the song I post here from '67, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage is one of my all-time favorite songs in the Motown canon.
I'm thinking a lot about Motown lately because I just got the 7th installment (pictured below) of the Complete Motown Singles. This series, only available on-line from Hip-O Select, is reissuing in chronological order every Motown and associated label A+B side.
Pre-What's Going On, Motown was totally singles oriented, so this format works well for me, and for the most part the single mixes of Motown songs are far superior to the album versions.
At $120 bucks a pop these limited edition collections are clearly not for everybody (or even me if I had half a brain), but who ever is in charge of puting these together, is finally giving the Motown legacy it's due.
The packaging is 45 book size and contains an actual repressing of a a vinyl 45. Each volume features:never before seen pictures (many of them) , 2 new essays (one by a Motowner who was around then and one a critical essay), track by track essays, title and artist indexes, and just about anything you could ask for (no buy 7 get 5 free though)in a re-issue package.
I think of these 37 CD's (so far) as the beginnings of my sons inheritance, and of all the "historical" releases I own, this set is clearly the ultimate sign of my obsessiveness. My wife sighs a bit and is understanding, but I can't quit now.
Having all the great hit records in the form that most closely resembles the way they were heard upon release is comforting to me, and there are other benefits. For instance who knew Berry Gordy released Country, Jazz, and Gospel records? Who knew that records like Sgt. Pepper would convince Mr.Gordy to jump on the rock bandwagon?
Check out The Underdogs doing an Andre Williams Tune in Comments
It took me a long time to come around to really appreciating Motown and what the label has meant to American Music and the Music Business. I may spend a lot of time digging in the crates for obscurities, but Motown, its artists, its legacy, and its contribution to the core of our national soul, can not be denied. After all the years of shoddy Motown re-issues, some one has finally gotten it right.
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Wow. What an impressive project. Just a few comments..
It's interesting to note that they're also making these singles available on iTunes.
Mojo Hannah was a revelation. I wasn't familiar with the original, but I do recall the Neville's version. (It's listed under Aaron Neville on iTunes.)
Do you know how often they're releasing these sets? I suppose I have a long wait until 1978 comes out. I was friends with a (now obscure) band named Fresh that put out a couple of albums for a Motown label then. Don't know if they had singles released, though.
Thank so much for the post, Cody B.
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Hey Red..The boxes are coming about once a quarter..3 to 4 a year. I haven't heard a planned completion date on the entire project
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Smokey Robinson has always been one of my top two or three Motown artists.
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Lester-Who's No.1? Stevie? Marvin? The Underdogs?
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You beg an interesting, and vexing, question, Mr. Cody: Who is the greatest artist Motown has ever produced? In fact, let's make it an insta-poll. Top Six Motown acts:
Here are mine:
6. Marvelettes 4. (tie) Four Tops 4. (tie) Martha and the Vandell 3. Marvin (including Marvin and Tammi) 2. The Temptations 1. Stevie
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Shoot, forgot Smokey entirely. Top Seven acts?
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Smokey, to me is more of a triple threat (artist,writer, producer). Purely on the records: 1.Stevie 2.Marvin 4.Smokey/Miracles 3.Tempts/all solo projects 5.Tops 6.Marvellettes 7.martha 8.Supremes 9.Gladys/Pips 10.Edwin Starr 11.Jr Walker 12.Brenda Holloway 13.Isleys 14.Contours 15.Underdogs 16.Mynah Birds 17.Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers 15.Shorty Long
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That is just the loveliest song (SR & Miracles), and I really enjoyed the Underdog's cover - it's got mojo-teeth! The Complete Motown Singles sounds spectacular, and so glad you are posting info for the rest of us despite this being your son's inheritance!
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Yeah, that's tough. I guess I would have to say probably Marvin and Smokey, and then probably the Temptations. Then Stevie, I have a soft spot for his early 70's stuff (who doesn't) and James Jamerson's bass playing always knocked me out.
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This is when motown was at its finest. Right before my parents got rid of their record collection, I went through and now have a great many motown artists. While vinyl is not something I am able to play on a regular basis, they need to come out at least once a month
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Fantastic tunage!
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effin awesome. Gotta check out this online deal. However I call foul for no bassoon. What gives?!
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One of the most sublime songs ever. Smokey's voice is one of the purest sounds ever recorded. 1. Marvin 2. Tempts [tie] 2. Smokey [tie] 3. Martha and the Vandellas 4. Supremes 5. Jr. Walker 6. Gladys Knight and the Pips
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You're my new hero, cody b! Now that is my kind of investment. J'adore Smokey. My other faves are Mary Wells and The Four Tops!
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I went to the hip-o select site to find out it is a 5CD boxset ltd to 6000 copies so it will sell quick, I could not find prior boxes so i guess they are gone. This is the most serious motown compilation of tunes to date, I understand why you got all sweaty over this. 10 years from now all those tunes will be for free, at least in europe. hey, how come nobody listed the jackson 5? heh
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Ok, SRG, J5 at number 10! Did you also notice the complete James Brown Single Series over at Hip O Select. I'm working on those too.
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Oh Cody - don't make me go shopping, again! I can't afford it. ;-) This is a brilliant idea on Motown / Hip-O's part. Now there! You want to get people to pop $100 for a box set? Give 'em the goods.
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I love oldies...here is one of my favorites. This is the only one I could find ..the dummies spelt BECAUSE wrong...anyway here it is..
Lenny Williams - "Cause I love you"My Trusted MOGs
Tha-aaa-aaa-aaa-nk You, Shud..that song is a beautiful slow jam..We don't get a whole lot of slow jam action on MOG, but I sure wouldn't mind it.
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Did anyone notice there is a box set of Coldplay's singles on vinyl? 15 singles 1999-2006 limited edition UK release... ;P