What A Find! The Supremes Sing Holland/Dozier/Holland

Who doesn't love Motown and the classic songs of the 1960's? For many families growing up in that era, Motown was the party sound for every kind of gathering. Founder Berry Gordy put together an astonishing collection of artists and surrounded them with an equally impressive roster of songwriters and musicians. Long before Michael Jackson and the Jackson5, artists from Smokey Robinson to Steve Wonder to The Temptations and the Four Tops, the men of the company created instant classics like Tracks of My Tears, My Girl, and my favorite, Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

The women were no less impressive! Mary Wells' My Guy was a smash, and I just loved the songs by Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye. Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, and You're All I Need to Get By were iconic and recorded by many other artists for decades.  (Want to read my favorite Motown remakes, look here.)

All said, it was easily The Supremes, led by Diana Ross, that I heard most often. My aunts played them non-stop, and it seemed I grew to know every word to every song. The ones written by brothers Brian and Eddie Holland with Lamont Dozier were the catchiest of the bunch to be sure.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I found this old album for a dirt cheap price (less than $10). And one in pristine condition no less! Merry Christmas to me!

Motown at 50: An American Musical Institution

Today, 50 years ago, one of the greatest musical labels ever was born. In so many ways, Motown has no peer. It's story is fascinating, and it is ongoing. And the tale continues far beyond the race and heritage perspective. The legends endure, and the artists and musicians associated with it have a right to be justifiably proud of their acheivements.

Instead of rehashing the story, go here to the source: Motown's official site. As for this blog, I'll let the numbers prove my point.

The Supremes: Twelve Number One Songs
Classics Hits include You Can't Hurry Love; Someday We'll Be Together; Where Did Our Love Go; Stop! In the Name of Love

Diana Ross: Six Number One Songs

Classic Hits include Ain't No Mountain High Enough; Love Hangover; Theme from "Mahogany"

Odds and Ends: "The Bodyguard" movie was originally planned for Diana Ross and Ryan O'Neil.

The Temptations: Four Number One Songs

Classic Hits include My Girl; Just My Imagination; Papa Was a Rolling Stone; The Way You Do the Things You Do

Odds and Ends: The classic Frank Sinatra hit "Night and Day" is one of the Temptations best love songs. Much better than the original.

Stevie Wonder: Nine Number One Hits

Classic Hits include Superstition; Sir Duke;You are the Sunshine of My Life; I Wish; My Cherie Amour; Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Odds and Ends: Prime album cuts- "Knocks Me Off My Feet". Best remake of his song: Peter Frampton, covering "Signed Sealed Delivered"

The Miracles (and Smokey Robinson): Two Number One Hits

Classic Hits include Shop Around; Tracks of My Tears; I Second That Emotion; Tears of a Clown; Ooo Baby Baby
Odds and Ends: Best Overlooked album- "Smoke Signals"; prolific songwriter

Four Tops: Two Number One Hits
Classic Hits include I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch);Bernadette; Reach Out (I'll BeThere); It's the Same Old Song; Standing in the Shadows of Love

Gladys Knight and the Pips: One Number One Hit
Classic Hits include Neither One of Us; I Heard It Through the Grapevine; If I Were Your Woman; If Loving You is Wrong

Commodores: Two Number One Hits
Classic Hits include Brick House; Three Times a Lady; Still

Lionel Ritchie: Five Number One Hits
Classic Hits include Truly; All Night Long; Hello

Jackson5: Four Number One Hits
Classic Hits include Never Can Say Goodbye; I'll Be There; ABC; I Want You Back
Marvin Gaye: Three Number One Hits
Classic Hits include I Heard It Through the Grapevine; Let's Get It On; How Sweet It Is to be Loved By You; What's Going On; Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Various Artists and Songs You Know By Heart: Mary Wells (My Guy); Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (Dancing in the Streets, Jimmy Mack, Heatwave); Rare Earth (I Just Want to Celebrate); Contours (Do You Love Me?); Marvelettes (Please Mr. Postman, Beechwood 4-5789); Boyz II Men (The End of the Road); Rick James (Superfreak), Edwin Starr (War); Jimmy Ruffin (What Becomes of the Broken Hearted); etc. etc. etc.

Thank you, Berry Gordy, for creating an American institution! Case closed.

Best Motown Remakes

After talking about the best Beatles' remakes, let's turn the tables and talk about the best Motown remakes. This label defined the 60s, and their songs started my love for music. There were plenty as artists of all types mined gold from the Detroit label's catalogue. Now, my top five, in no particular order...

1. "More Love" - This Kim Carnes hit covered Smokey Robinson's original smash. The perfect match of song and artist, as her gravelly voice and inspired arrangement produced a major hit in 1980. As convincing a performance as her later hit "Bette Davis Eyes".
2. "You Can't Hurry Love" - Phil Collins. Don't get me wrong: I love the original by the Supremes. But Phil's version brings great snap to this old favorite. Plain old fun. Great backing vocals and a typically hot rhythm track. From 1982.
3. "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" - Another James Taylor megahit, one that defined 1975 and my summer pleasures. The definitive version of the song.
4. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" - During the "Frampton Comes Alive" tour, I ate up every note the man played. He split his set into two halves, an acoustic first half, and an electric second. This Stevie Wonder classic was his closing encore. It was so good, I turned to my friend and said, "This would make a great single!" And it was- from the 1977 album "I'm In You".

Maybe I need more than five remakes! " Heatwave" and "Tracks of My Tears" by Linda Ronstadt are two of my favorites. But then again, the playful "Please Mr. Postman" by the Carpenters sounded so fresh to me that I didn't even realize it was Karen singing the lead at first listen! David Bowie and Mick Jagger swung to "Dancing in the Street" while Toni Tennille belted out a new take on "Shop Around". Lastly, could Michael McDonald's "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" be any better? Not in my book! And as they say "The hits just keep on comin'!" at least as long as artists discover what a treasure chest of classics sit in the Motown vault. Thanks, Berry Gordy, for starting an American institution.