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Motown Cover Versions

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As we are all aware many of the stars of Motown did versions of Motown records, eg. My Girl , temps,Stevie etc. but what about the non motown artists and labels.? Whats your favourite versions ?

Heres a few to get started....

What does it take.................Bay Brothers, Buddy Miles

Signed,sealed,delivered.........calafornia raisens

Baby I need your loving..........Gayle Adams,

All the love I got...................Benny Gordon

Get Ready............................Donnie Elbert

Take me,Girl I'm ready...........Eric Mercury

plus many more.....Whats your favourite. ? add to this list

Dave

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As we are all aware many of the stars of Motown did versions of Motown records, eg. My Girl , temps,Stevie etc. but what about the non motown artists and labels.? Whats your favourite versions ?

Heres a few to get started....

What does it take.................Bay Brothers, Buddy Miles

Signed,sealed,delivered.........calafornia raisens

Baby I need your loving..........Gayle Adams,

All the love I got...................Benny Gordon

Get Ready............................Donnie Elbert

Take me,Girl I'm ready...........Eric Mercury

plus many more.....Whats your favourite. ? add to this list

Dave

remember tracy ullmans pop version of kim westons helplessyes.gif

  • Author

remember tracy ullmans pop version of kim westons helplessyes.gif

unfortunatly some versions were pretty poor, the Rolling Stones did many motown covers.....nono.gif

remember tracy ullmans pop version of kim westons helplessyes.gif

And Mannaton transfer.

I could do you over 50 of these just by British artists on British labels of the 60's.

Except I've got to go to the doctors...

Bobby Byrds version of Signed, Sealed & Delivered on Brownstone is a cracking tune.

...and a different song, I think - is it not the country song by Cowboy Copas that James Brown also recorded? Can't wait to get home to find out! :laugh:

My favourite Motown revivals (not covers) from the world of soul would have to include:

The Soul Children - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)

Donny Hathaway - What's Going On

The Magnificent Seven - Ooo Baby Baby

Syl Johnson - Get Ready

Jimmy McFarland - Lonely Lover

James Carr - I Can't Help Myself

Otis Redding - My Girl

Baby Washington - What Becomes Of the Brokenhearted

Benny Gordon - Gonna Give Her All The Love I Got

Nella Dodds - Come See About Me (which actually WAS a cover!)

Jean Carn - Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things

...and probably loads more that don't immediately spring to mind.

...away from soul, there are too many to mention! I could fiil a page or two with rocksteady and reggae versions, for a start....

...and a different song, I think - is it not the country song by Cowboy Copas that James Brown also recorded? Can't wait to get home to find out! :laugh:

Tony,

Nope its the Stevie song. It's a "live" version, but don't know of its "really live", if you know what i mean. I remember Norman Jay used to hammer this quite a lot in the 80's.

Theres a scan of it at discogs.thumbsup.gif

https://www.discogs.c...release=1136039

I also like Act 1's version of Still Water, but no... before anyone says anything.. It can't compare to the Tops...

Edited by John Reed

And Mannaton transfer.

Besides " Helpless " , Manhattan Transfer also did cover versions of " Where Did Our Love Go " and " Too Busy Thinking About My Baby " .

MT are not alone in abusing the ears with Motwon cover versions , for there are ......

Phil Collins " Too Many Fish In The Sea "

The Jam " War "

Petula Clark " Reach Out , I'll Be There "

Engelbert Humperdinck " Where Did Our Love Go "

Malc Burton

Edited by Malc Burton

Alfie Khan sound orchestra - law of the land - Atlantic

biggrin.gif

As we are all aware many of the stars of Motown did versions of Motown records, eg. My Girl , temps,Stevie etc. but what about the non motown artists and labels.? Whats your favourite versions ?

Heres a few to get started....

What does it take.................Bay Brothers, Buddy Miles

Signed,sealed,delivered.........calafornia raisens

Baby I need your loving..........Gayle Adams,

All the love I got...................Benny Gordon

Get Ready............................Donnie Elbert

Take me,Girl I'm ready...........Eric Mercury

plus many more.....Whats your favourite. ? add to this list

Dave

What about The Whispers - My Girl

Elsie Strong - Ask the Lonely

Connie Haines - What Two Can Easily Do

Flirtations - Little Darlin'

ELLA FITZGERALD - GET READY :thumbsup:

OTIS REDDING - MY GIRL

BEN BROWN - ASK THE LONELY

BRI PINCH

Edited by bri pinch

What about Connie Haines - What Two Can Easily Do

...It's actually on Motown, so it disqualifies itself!:laugh:

Thought of a few more, though -

He's My Kind Of Fellow - Sandy and the Pebbles

More, More, More Of Your Love - Bob Brady and the Con Chords

Money (That's What I Want) - Skip Cunningham

Never Can Say Goodbye - Gloria Gaynor

Since I Lost My Baby - Luther Vandross

You've Got To Earn It - The Staple Singers

Stop In The Name Of Love - Margie Joseph

et cetera, et cetera...

Always loved to dance to the Seeburg Spotlite Bands version of Nowhere To Run which Guy used to play back in the day.

I think that Seeburg was a bit like the US's version of the UK's Top of the Pops albums in 60's and early 60's - cover versions of hits of the day, although the Top of the Pops covers were s***.

Mick

Elkie Brooks - Way You Do the Things You Do

Stu.

  • Author

The best cover of a Motown tune EVER must be

The Van Dykes-Save My Love For A Rainy Day.

hatsoff2.gifNorman Whitfield outgunned

Tony

thanks to those who have replied. BUT AS I SAID....Whats your favourite cover version.

cheers tony,

Dave

Shakin Stevens - Come See About Me

also the Beatles - Money That's What I Want

OC Smith - Baby I Need Your Loving

Shakin Stevens - Come See About Me

also the Beatles - Money That's What I Want

OC Smith - Baby I Need Your Loving

Doug Parkinson, I'LL be around. This Aussie singer also did a nice version of everlasting love and of course his unknown northern stomper ' soon as your thing is done ' on the srs label. Played it at Prestatyn. ATB Tony, OZ.

Doug Parkinson, I'LL be around. This Aussie singer also did a nice version of everlasting love and of course his unknown northern stomper ' soon as your thing is done ' on the srs label. Played it at Prestatyn. ATB Tony, OZ.

"I'll Be Around" is not a Motown song, though. It's written by Philadelphians, was recorded in Philadelphia and was released on Atlantic.

Although I'll give you that Doug Parkinson is a cover version in that it was released in competition with the Spinners original, rather than reviving the song years later...

"I'll Be Around" is not a Motown song, though. It's written by Philadelphians, was recorded in Philadelphia and was released on Atlantic.

Although I'll give you that Doug Parkinson is a cover version in that it was released in competition with the Spinners original, rather than reviving the song years later...

Fair play Tone, yep it was the blue Motown release of I'll be around by the Spinners i was referring to.

Not only topping my Premier League of such covers, at the moment.. with MASSIVE thanks to Ricky Warburton for making me aware of it. thumbsup.gif

But the ONLY player in the division !! Nothing else can get within two divisions, for me - bit like being a 'Butch' of this type of record. swoon.gifyes.gifyes.gif

Marc Leon 'Nothing's Too Good For My Baby' (Australian HMV)

Total knockout production - as is the case, I find, with many Aussie/Kiwi Northern covers .. Fia Karim's version of Dana Valery's classic (Australian Spin) being THE ultimate - in my little black book at least !! thumbup.gif

Fingers hatsoff2.gif

Not only topping my Premier League of such covers, at the moment.. with MASSIVE thanks to Ricky Warburton for making me aware of it. thumbsup.gif

But the ONLY player in the division !! Nothing else can get within two divisions, for me - bit like being a 'Butch' of this type of record. swoon.gifyes.gifyes.gif

Marc Leon 'Nothing's Too Good For My Baby' (Australian HMV)

Total knockout production - as is the case, I find, with many Aussie/Kiwi Northern covers .. Fia Karim's version of Dana Valery's classic (Australian Spin) being THE ultimate - in my little black book at least !! thumbup.gif

Fingers hatsoff2.gif

Don't know that John,

I'll have to get Rick to play it for me next weekthumbsup.gif

ATB

Tony

Don't know that John,

I'll have to get Rick to play it for me next weekthumbsup.gif

ATB

Tony

I'm afraid he won't be able to play it to you Tony.. It's sitting here - in my record room !! rolleyes.gif

I was going to add a clip to Refosoul and post it here - but access denied at the mo whilst it's being 'worked on' !?! huh.gif

So, I'll have to try later today - check back this evening some time.. thumbsup.gif

Fingers

..Aren't we going a bit off post here? This was supposed to be a thread about Soul revivals (and covers) of Motown songs, not Australian versions.

I could name you a hundred Austrailan/UK/Jamaican/French Motown revivals, probably without having to give the matter any thought whatsoever. But that wasn't what the thread asked for so I haven't.

Stick to the script, please!ranting_1.gif

Edited by TONY ROUNCE

..Aren't we going a bit off post here? This was supposed to be a thread about Soul revivals (and covers) of Motown songs, not Australian versions.

I could name you a hundred Austrailan/UK/Jamaican/French Motown revivals, probably without having to give the matter any thought whatsoever. But that wasn't what the thread asked for so I haven't.

Stick to the script, please!:ranting_1:

Are you sure that YOU have the correct script, Tony :huh:

Quote from opening thread:

As we are all aware many of the stars of Motown did versions of Motown records, eg. My Girl , temps,Stevie etc. but what about the non motown artists and labels.? Whats your favourite versions ?

Or is it me ?? Am I missing summink here ??? My humble apologies if I have - it is a Monday tho'..

Fingers :smile:

..Aren't we going a bit off post here? This was supposed to be a thread about Soul revivals (and covers) of Motown songs, not Australian versions.

I could name you a hundred Austrailan/UK/Jamaican/French Motown revivals, probably without having to give the matter any thought whatsoever. But that wasn't what the thread asked for so I haven't.

Stick to the script, please!ranting_1.gif

Thought the original question was What's your favourite Version??

I've given mine

John's given one of his-

Where's the deviation?

Tony

Favourite Motown Version Is.

The Beatles - You Really Got A Hold On Me.

Stu.

Thought the original question was What's your favourite Version??

I've given mine

John's given one of his-

Where's the deviation?

Tony

I'm sure that I read it as soul version. Aplogies to anyone who I might have offended with my mini rant, and watch out because here comes the flood:

REGGAE/ROCKSTEADY VERSIONS

Derrick Harriott - Reach Out I'll Be There

The Wailers (or Keith & Tex) - Don't Look Back

Derrick Harriott (or Slim Smith or The Heptones) - Born To Love You

Derrick Harriott - I Gotta Know Now a.k.a. Sitting On Top

The Uniques - Ain't Too Proud To Beg

The Uniques - You'll Lose A Precious Love

The Uniques - You're My Everything

The Uniques - If I Could Build My World Around You

Slim Smith - Everybody Needs Love

Gregory Isaacs (or Willie Williams) - Get Ready

Bob Andy - Stay In My Lonely Arms

Delroy Wilson - Put Yourself In My Place

Delano Stewart (or Cornell Campbell) - Wherever I lay My Hat

Pat Satchmo - What's Going On

Delroy Wilson - Ain't That Peculiar

The Heptones - My World Is Empty Without You

Delroy Wilson - Baby Don't You Do It

Delroy Wilson - Don't You Miss Me A Little Bit Baby

Errol Dunkley (or Delroy Wilson) - Your Love Is Amazing

Alton Ellis (or Delroy Wilson) - It's A Shame

The Wailers - Baby Baby I Need You

Ken Parker - My Girl Has Gone

The Paragons - Left With A Broken Heart

The Gaylads - Stop Making Love (new words to the tune of 'It's The Same Old Song')

Delroy Wilson - Got To Change Your Ways (new words to the tune of 'Beauty Is Only Skin Deep')

The Wailers - Ska Jerk (new words to the tune of 'Shotgun')

The Shades - Who You Gonna Run To...

...these are just a few off the top of my head, there are dozens, scores even, of others...

Johnny Ross & The Soul Explosion - "I Can't Help Myself" - 'twas massive back in the day !!!

As we are all aware many of the stars of Motown did versions of Motown records, eg. My Girl , temps,Stevie etc. but what about the non motown artists and labels.? Whats your favourite versions ?

Heres a few to get started....

What does it take.................Bay Brothers, Buddy Miles

Signed,sealed,delivered.........calafornia raisens

Baby I need your loving..........Gayle Adams,

All the love I got...................Benny Gordon

Get Ready............................Donnie Elbert

Take me,Girl I'm ready...........Eric Mercury

plus many more.....Whats your favourite. ? add to this list

Hi Dave,

Great night at Drax again.There have been some great covers over the years, the earliest ones to me were the Beatles-Please Mister Postman, Money etc, and one I've liked in recent years is Buster Jones version of Just A Little Misunderstanding, but the most played cover version in my collection is I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Creedence Clearwater Revival from their Cosmos Factory album.

At 11 minutes it most be one of the longest Motown cover versions.

Steve

Dave

Now heres the Bad News

Donny and Marie Osmonds stage show is just like a

TRIBUTE

to Motown

and i hate myself for saying this as showmen it wasnt that bad

oh god

bury me Quick

Now heres the Bad News

Donny and Marie Osmonds stage show is just like a

TRIBUTE

to Motown

and i hate myself for saying this as showmen it wasnt that bad

oh god

bury me Quick

How about Vanilla Fudge "You Just Keep Me Hanging On" by the way I agree about the CCR version of Grapvine different but brilliant in it's own way

Donnie Elbert-Where Did Our Love Go......and This Old Heart Of Mine :yes:thumbsup.gif

I really rate his take on "Stop In The Name Of Love" thumbsup.gif

How about Vanilla Fudge "You Just Keep Me Hanging On"

My favorite version is by Wilson Pickett.

jackie wilson-you keep me hanging on

andy and david williams- baby love

detroit shakers-sugar pie its the same old song :no: other side is.... by the nashville strings, cant remember what it is

uptight- henry jerome

Weren't those fellas twins and nephews of Andy Williams.. :lol::lol:

Sure l remember them from Popswap.. yes.gifthumbsup.gif

They'll be in their 50's now.......just like me! :D:D

Pop and son,i have a uk demoph34r.gif

As we are all aware many of the stars of Motown did versions of Motown records, eg. My Girl , temps,Stevie etc. but what about the non motown artists and labels.? Whats your favourite versions ?

Heres a few to get started....

What does it take.................Bay Brothers, Buddy Miles

Signed,sealed,delivered.........calafornia raisens

Baby I need your loving..........Gayle Adams,

All the love I got...................Benny Gordon

Get Ready............................Donnie Elbert

Take me,Girl I'm ready...........Eric Mercury

plus many more.....Whats your favourite. ? add to this list

Dave

The fictitious band California Raisens featuring Buddy Miles on lead vocal, have done a few albums of soul covers including the 2 above you mention and many more motown classics.

Edited by stomper45

The plaids - ask the lonely - It will stand a carolinas group i think.

what about Albino gorrillas - shake me wake me - Uk ember i think.

mark

Blondie recorded a version of "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game" that weren't too shabby at all...great bassline and excellent vocal from DH.

https://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Edited by isis

Picture_010_0.jpgbiggrin.gif

GIL BERNAL - CAN YOU LOVE A POOR BOY - RCA PROMO -

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