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!

Isn't She Lovely?

With no apologies to Stevie Wonder- Here's my wife and I with our oldest and amazing daughter at someone's wedding. Dare I say this bridesmaid and her mom stole the show with their beauty? Yes. A thousand times, yes. Inside and out.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.

Peter Frampton Delivers

Here's a Billboard and Cashbox ad from A&M Records announcing the newest single from Peter Frampton, Signed, Sealed, Delivered. The remake of the Stevie Wonder classic is one of my most loved records. With soaring vocals and his trademark hot guitar, Frampton brought flesh life to it. I remember seeing him during his Frampton Comes Alive tour where this was his encore. I turned to my friend and said, "This should be a single!" Little did I know it would happen as his second release from I'm In You, his follow up to the mega smash double disc.

Totally Hot House Cleaning

The time had come. I had amassed so many CDs, that it was time to be brutal and donate those I really wasn't listening to any longer.   The space for storing discs had run dry, so the pressure I placed on myself was something to act on. 

It was clear that I was storing hundreds of discs but never listening to them. A pattern of not enough time and no longer not enough money either to keep building my collection. The books would be next, but this was a good first step.

In the 80's and 90's, I had become kind of a completest when it came to my favorite artists. Or even one hit wonders- mainly artists discovered on American Idol and such. (Here's looking at you, Elliott Yamin.)

Starting slowly with one box, I picked out discs no longer listened to by America, Gloria Estefan, George Benson, Amy Grant, Michael Bublé  Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, Olivia Newton-John, and more. So many more. Sure, I kept many Greatest Hits packages and every disc by Karen and Richard Carpenter, of course. But for every one I kept, I offloaded seldom listened to discs by Sting, Ambrosia, Neil Diamond, Michael Jackson, various soundtracks and compilations...even some Beatles.  I am sure among the 160 or so discs I donated, there are some gems serious collectors will be wanting.

The aftermath was a sense of release, a bit of sadness for letting go some of my history (isn't it amazing that we music fans associate so much of pieces of our life- good and bad- to our favorite songs?) and ultimately, more space in my life. 

Elliott Gets Real

Let's Get to What's Real.

There's no doubt in my mind that this man can sing. None whatsoever. He can write. But I wasn't exactly rushing out to buy the American Idol's third studio disc. Gather 'round by Elliott Yamin should have been another hit. First, I'd have to pay import prices as no American based record label wanted it. Secondly, it would have to come from Japan, so I wasn't willing to wait, and the disc eventually fell off my radar. However, an Amazon gift card changed all that, and soon enough, the collection was on its way.

The opening number, Three Words, is effective but doesn't grab my ear the way Fight for Love or Wait for You did when I first heard those earlier releases. Not a good sign. Even though I am a big fan of the voice and love all the background vocals, it just seemed as if Elliott was trying too hard. The rest of the cuts on side one didn't do it for me either.

The disc's title opens the second half and is a pretty fun cut. Later, Self Control had great promise but ends much too quickly at just over two and a quarter minutes.

Just as I was about to call the disc a wash and relegate it to my storage bins, the slow jam 70's groove of Let's Get to What's Real popped into my head, winning me over with its old school elegance and catchy lyrical hook. Philly soul meets modern day R&B, an instantly likable, unexpected hit. Relaxed and comfortable in his own skin, Elliott belongs here- honoring the greats of the past by bringing in new songs with an older style.

The man who won the audience's over with his stellar rendition of Moody's Mood for Love should step back and reaccess where he's going musically. With his songwriting skills, terrific voice, and warm personality, Elliott Yamin should make his idols, Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, quite proud. I'm up for one more try...

Gather 'Round for Elliott Yamin

Due today only in Japan, Elliott Yamin's third album of R&B hits the stores. I wondered how long it would be before he had to shop for a label stateside. His first album was a hit, but Fight for Love seemed to disappear before it really began. The third place winner of American Idol (Season Five) may have hit his plateau. His take on Moody's Mood for Love made viewers into voters by the millions, so maybe its time for a smooth jazz album full of classic Motown and 70s soul jams to put him back on the charts. Anyone ready to get his studio recording of A House is Not a Home? I am!

Rod Stewart's Soulbook Lacks

In spite of a few wonderful cuts, Rod Stewart's excursion in 60s Motown territory is a bust. Rod's vocals lack depth, the song choices are mostly uninspired, and the production lacks spark. Like his Songbook collections from the past, there are guest artists (including Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson) aplenty to push things along. Unfortunately, they add nothing to the ride.


Highlights: My Cherie Amour, the Stevie Wonder ode to young love given a very warm harmonica treatment, as well as a wistful reading by Rod. The other bright spot is the closer. The Temptations' Just My Imagination. When it first came on, I exclaimed "This was what I was waiting for!" The arrangement mainly sticks to the original and the result is charming and soulful. Exactly what everything else on this disc is lacking.

(If you're looking for something similar but much better, check out Michael McDonald's discs like Soul Speak, Motown, and Motown 2. Stronger performances, better arrangements- just richer.)

Rising and Falling Stars

Recapping last night's American Idol:

Danny Gokey- Nice guy, great voice, warm smile. Totally authentic. I like him, but why don’t I think he’ll go the distance? Must be song choice. "PYT" was terrific, but it has been a mixed bag since. Very, very solid. I’m rooting for him to hit the top three. Yes, sometimes, nice guys do finish first.

Adam Lambert- Last night’s performance showed a delicate phrasing reminiscent of a young George Michael. Definite stage presence, but he is a bit difficult to watch since his Elvis look a couple of weeks ago. I keep thinking kd lang here. Is America ready for its first gay idol? Probably, we’ve had them before- just didn’t always know it up front!

Kris Allen- He keeps getting better. Terrific voice and growing confidence. Knows how to "play" with the songs, changing each one to make it his own. Maybe last night’s Don Henley cover wasn’t his best- it was original- but give the kid a break. It was his first average performance so far. He may not end up the top dog, but he’s got my vote for best and most versatile voice.

Matt Giraud- Too cool. To tackle Stevie Wonder and give his song a new swing and lift it never had- wow! I’ll buy this song. Growing in confidence as a performer. A family friendly young Justin Timberlake. Give the man a contract.

Allison Iraheta - Once I heard she was going to cover the classic Bonnie Raitt song, I said, "If she can show some restraint with this, it will be amazing." She did- and finally won me over by showing she is more than a one trick rocking horse.

The rest: Lil Rounds, it’s time to go. Powerful voice, nice gal, but predictable. Anoop, above average potential with the right producer and image maker. Scott, hate to say it, but he should have departed a long time ago. Nice, talented folks, but none are in the league of those above.

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.

For a Special Girl

As Stevie Wonder says, "Isn't She Lovely?"... Yes, a thousand times, yes.