I'm a fan of lots of soul music but have been listening to a lot of Motown recently and would love to know your favourite Motown tracks, hit & lesser known? (maybe 1 or 2 of each)

Lesser known (to me anyway)

Tammi Terrell 'I Can't Believe You Love Me'

More well known

The Spinners 'It's A Shame'

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas 'Nowhere To Run' 

 

 

Mine will always be Martha and the Vandellas -- Jimmy Mack...

 "Beware Of A Stranger" Rita Wright , From cellarful cd vol 3 ,Nick and Val written produced,from 67 ,a funky edge invictus style chugger. While im on topic from cellarfull Vol 4; " In The Cool Of The Night" David Ruffin, "I Need You More than Ever " Paul Williams {what a guy This Tempt Has got the timing ,delivery ,mellowness of a very soulful Sinatra} all on u tube  lol johnny ,great popular post Mary, LOL Johnny

Spinners - It's a shame.

I sometimes think I could hear this all day every day and never get tired of it.  Perfection from the first note to the last.

to many to mention , but this is my fave today 

diana ross and the supremes / youve been so wonderful to me

Couple I've been going on about for a good while, think there's only me and Grant play the Martha Reeves,

And The Supremes I played off the LP until I tracked down a Dutch 45.

.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSvhjSCI3Ik

 

 

Martha is so under rated. Heartless is a top record, and some of her/their album tracks are immense!

When I saw this thread, I agreed with the comment that we have done this several times before and I thought that it would disappear swiftly. But we are suckers for Motown and some of the tracks mentioned on here - well known and not so well known - are just amazing and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

My number one Motown track has to be Stevie Wonder I Hear a Symphony...just about the best record ever made. I love all Motown, particularly the uptempo/northern stuff, but 2nd place goes to the Tops version of Do What You Gotta Do. 

Err, can anyone put Stevie up for me?

https://youtu.be/aMtCeHyZZ3c

Here you go Bri.

Have to click on link, don't know why it didn't load ?

Edited July 11, 20159 yr by Tony A
insert clip

https://youtu.be/aMtCeHyZZ3c

Here you go Bri.

Have to click on link, don't know why it didn't load ?

Thanks Tony!

Liz Lands - Midnight Johnny

Linda Griner - Goodbye cruel world

Tommy Good - Baby  I miss you

Andantes - like a nightmare

Andantes/Velvelettes ?? - It's a funny way

Well that's 5 that floats my boat 

Is the Andantes  "It's a funny way" rarer than THAT'S A FUNNY WAY?

Far to many Gems to chose from and if you did choose you would probably change  your mind five minutes later the choice with Motown is Overwhelming.

Cheers Mick L

I'm with you on that one (and no doubt others are too). I love them all, but occasionally loathe them when overplayed at venues or more especially on radio or at weddings, the latter thinking there were only 8 releases on the label.

OMO (that's Only My Opinion as opposed to IMO)

Regards

Goodbye Cruel Love was released on Motown and is, by far, the most common.  If you have it on yellow Tamla with Globes, it's the Canadian pressing.  Yes, now I remember that there was one small batch that had the wrong word (guessed wrong by the printer).

The title credit 'Good bye cruel WORLD' was issued only on the firsts promo pressings with the bold Motown design.  Then quickly corrected. So I guess like you that it's the printer's mistake/lapsus since the map Motown design didn't suffer that faith as none of the commercial releases. But indeed what a morbid tune that would have been LOL.  

https://youtu.be/hXgoSc75VCw

• Brenda hollyway  tell me ur story

Great shout. Luther did a credible but very different version with his silky vocals - but The Temptations is best.

https://youtu.be/z8ALeqm_Xbk?list=RDz8ALeqm_Xbk

Peter

 

The Perfections done a great version on Drumhead.

Fantastic Four - Can't Stop Looking For My Baby

Almost impossible to narrow it down given the sheer quality and quantity of the music produced.

I'll go for a Temptations double. Two truly great records in completely contrasting styles, My Girl and Papa was a rolling stone.

 

tune     eddie Holland-jamie

 

lawrence

Temptations...... youre not an ordinary girl. From 1st note to last proper uplifting tune. Love it.

top 5 at moment

Temptations - I want a love I can see

Barbara McNair - It happens every time

Martha Reeves  & The Vandellas - Love guess who

Isley Brothers - It's out of the question

Gladys Knight and The Pips - I know better

 

Ten front room floorfillers for me - love them all:-

Bobby Taylor - Don't be afraid

Kim Weston - A thrill a moment

The Originals - Don't stop now

Four Tops - Can't seem to get you out of my mind

Marvin Gaye - Come get to this

Jr Walker - What does it take

Stevie Wonder - If you really love me

Barbara McNair - Forget you ever met me baby

Martha & The Vandellas - Love guess who

Dynamic Superiors - One Nighter

 

mine for today  o c smith from his motown album

As previously mentioned, with such a huge portfolio, my own Motown  favourites include many previously mentioned, however a few I have been airing regularly at home,are coincidentally all on the same label.

Ivy Jo -I can feel the pain-VIP

Vows-Tell me -VIP

Underdogs-Loves gone bad-VIP

 

A bit off topic, but what happened to the Ivy Jo Hunter CD that was mooted a few years ago? I love Where Are You and would love to hear a good recording of it. 

This is new to me also...A Touch of Venus by Marvin, at around 9 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgojenOqLg

Edited July 13, 20159 yr by BrianB
Thought of another record.

 

Far to many Gems to chose from and if you did choose you would probably change  your mind five minutes later the choice with Motown is Overwhelming.

Cheers Mick L

I used to play It's A Shame' every set so overdid it a bit haha but still a solid fave! Recently started playing it again now & then

Unreleased Temptations what A Tune

Al H

 

I would say a rather difficult question so I will go with Marvin Gaye who at the time said his favourite was 'Little Darlin', so good enough for me!   another that I have heard a thousand times but always gets me dancing, Temptations 'Get Ready'.

 

Might make a list..but meantime how about the perfect double header: the UK 45 of The Tempts sublime 'loneliness made me realize...' has the earlier 'a love i can see' on the flip. What a very splendid piece of plastic.

dean

Album track from 1966, Temps, "Solo Years" when it came to versatility the Temps were the masters for me, all of them could take the lead, and some people rightly argue that this fella was the best of them all, Paul Williams

 

Some great tracks here.

 

This takes some beating...Tell Me I'll Never Be Alone, the Vandellas.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbWyvWI-3gg

 

Also love Chris Clark 'Love's Gone Bad'

 

In no particular order, some favourite recordings rather than favourite songs, but first two listed are both -

 

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

 

My Love Is Your Love - Isley Brothers

 

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Tell Me It's Just a Rumour Baby- Isley Brothers 

My Weakness Is You - Edwin Starr

Jimmy Mack - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas 

(wooden blocks used instead of drums to recreate sound of American Civil War army)

Can't Seem To Get You Out Of My Mind - The Four Tops

(Ashford & Simpson meet Levi Stubbs = Soul Heaven)

 

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin & Tammi

Baby I Need Your Loviing - Four Tops 

Helpless - Kim Weston

I Got A Feeling - Barbara Randolph 

(met her and told her about being 16 and getting this on Walsall Market and then looking at it on the bus all the way home and then playing it 20 times in a row, she must have thought I was mad)

Lucky Lucky Me - Marvin Gaye

(All the time when we were kids in love with "All For You" this vocal was lost in the vaults, tragic)

Just A Little Misunderstanding - The Contours

Keep on Loving Me - Frances Nero

Shotgun - Junior Walker 

 

Come On And See Me - Tammi Terrell

Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations

 

There's hundreds isn't there!

 

 

 

   

The Isley Bros - Seek & You Shall Find takes some beating.

Link below to a couple of podcasts with some other faves.

Edited July 17, 20159 yr by autumnstoned

Love the  Spinners  I'l always love you!.......................what a soulful song love it .

One of those thats with you all through your life and there for events that matter brings memories flooding back.One of many that do that but for me everytime I hear it its memory lane time for events in my life.

Edited July 21, 20159 yr by manusf3a

Recently, I've found myself hung up on The Four Tops 'Baby I Need Your Loving'.

Like most, it changes - almost daily.

Lately I have been playing Jimmy Ruffin - Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got quite a bit along with Motown Spinners - Sweet Thing 

 

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - No More Tear Stained Make Up. A lesser known, wonderful ballad penned by Smokey Robinson, which ends full of optimism

• Brenda hollyway  tell me ur story

YES! love this song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnR7u12qfFY

had a carver of this made so i could spin it out (OVO police don't shoot me!)

 

Edited July 25, 20159 yr by ljblanken

and my all time fave

 

 

PLAYING THIS OUT BIT MORE NOW, WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY , THE MIRACLES, TAMLA,

Baby I Need Your Loving - Four Tops 

Levi Stubbs was the man , what a voice , what emotion  

 

recently this

Well into the 2nd page of lists of Motown Classics and unless I've missed it no mention of this???

 

don't think this been mentioned yet

I did seek and did find the Isleys versions but this version is down as one of my motown favs

3 am singalong

Far to many Gems to chose from and if you did choose you would probably change  your mind five minutes later the choice with Motown is Overwhelming.

Cheers Mick L

"Lonely, lonely girl am I" - Velvelettes, lesser known "I've got to find it" - Brenda Hollaway.

Richard Searling on his show today played an hour of classic Motown and featured two sublime Marvin duets, When we're together with Kim and Your precious love with Tammi. Both tracks are so utterly beautiful and pretty much perfect down to the last note. 

Richard Searling on his show today played an hour of classic Motown and featured two sublime Marvin duets, When we're together with Kim and Your precious love with Tammi. Both tracks are so utterly beautiful and pretty much perfect down to the last note. 

Ace can't wait to listen I've been away on hols will catch up tomorrow.

Any other shows you recommend?

 

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - In my lonely room. The way it comes in after the gentle guitar intro is just awesome

Kev

 

David Ruffin - Walk away from love

Four Tops - darling I hum our song

Gladys Knight - What good am I without you

 

 

 

I quite like these tracks:

Eddie Holland - I'm On The Outside Looking In

Richard Wylie - Money

Marvin Gaye - Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) (in fact I can never get enough of the stuff that's on the That Stubborn Kind of Fellow LP)

Edwin Starr - My Weakness is You