Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

i love,something stupid and memory chest marvin and tammi lp tracks

plus,baby ive got it,j.ruffin

Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

I think many of us on here started with Motown and then gravitated to Northern Soul. Some of the greatest Northern Soul is on Motown anyway - you can't really beat "This Old Heart Of Mine" - The Isley Brothers, "Do I Love You" - Frank Wilson, "Heaven Must Have Sent You" - The Elgins etc, etc.

Motown was the template for Northern!

Ian D

i dont know anyone that dont like a Motown tune or 2

me i like loads of the stuff

You car'nt beat a bit of MOTOWN grew up with the stuff...love it....

one of me favorite tracks must be...I Ain't Going Nowhere.(jr walker & the all stars)

......"IT'S WHATS IN THE GROVE THAT COUNTS"......

....................FANTASTIC.................

Surely Northern Soul is the bastard child of Motown

Surely Northern Soul is the bastard child of Motown

No.............chicken and egg situation

What got me interested in this stuff in the first place was "The Supremes- You Keep Me Hanging On". Think I was only 8 years old when I heard it for the first time and man, was I hooked. And the rest is history.

And even nowadays, everytime I hear that guitar riff at the start of that 45 the hairs on the back of my neck stand up ...

Edited March 28, 200817 yr by The Soul Intention

Surely Northern Soul is the bastard child of Motown

More likely to have been the other way around ........

Malc Burton

More likely to have been the other way around ........

Malc Burton

Sorry Malc,

I can't see that for one moment? That could be a thread on its own.

Brian B

Sorry Malc,

I can't see that for one moment? That could be a thread on its own.

Brian B

I thought my TIC statement would get a response .......

Motown adapted rhythm and blues and made their own variations on the theme ; Other Detroit and U.S. labels did the same ........

Malc Burton

Don't think we can talk about it in these terms 'cos when Berry stumbled on that sound, Dave Godin hadn't yet formed the TMAS & was 5 or 6 years away from coining that term, peculiar only to the UK.

I'd say we're partial to music recorded in that style & Motown of course weren't the only purveyors.

They would say something like 'often imitated but never equalled', but that's down to personal taste rather than hard facts. If 'This Old Heart Of Mine' had been discovered by Ian Levine or Graham Warr, it'd be one of the holy grails (clich) of the scene. Answering the question, yes, I love Motown. The early stuff bores me a little, but when they get into that thump, thump groove ie 'I Guess I'll Always Love You' it's just so uplifting. The Psyche like Ball of Confusion & Cloud Nine doesn't really reach my parts, even though the vocals are second to none. Motown is definitely the corner upon which the house was built, in UK terms that is.

M

I thought my TIC statement would get a response .......

Motown adapted rhythm and blues and made their own variations on the theme ; Other Detroit and U.S. labels did the same ........

Malc Burton

Hi again Malc.

True-But many labels tried to cash in on and jump on the Motown bandwagon when it went massive? They tried to recreate that sound and sometimes ended up creating something totally different?

Edited March 28, 200817 yr by The Soul Intention

Hi again Malc.

True-But many labels tried to cash in on and jump on the Motown bandwagon when it went massive? They tried to recreate that sound and sometimes ended up creating something totally different?

I will agree on that one , Stuart ........

One record , to my knowlwdge , that has been openly admitted to being made to replicate the Motown sound , was by Leonard Chess , regarding " Rescue Me " by Fontella Bass , which , despite being a good record ( it still is ) , failed on release to acheive the same chart success that Motown records were having at the time ........

Malc Burton

Hi again Malc.

True-But many labels tried to cash in on and jump on the Motown bandwagon when it went massive? They tried to recreate that sound and sometimes ended up creating something totally different?

been into northern for 20 odd years now ,and still keep finding great motown tracks , album and 45.

saying that most of the polished chart hits get on my wick

I bought the 'Big Wheels Of Motown' LP before I'd ever heard of Northern Soul. Then two friends Caroline and Conway said "If you like that, you'll love this" stuck on the Capitol Soul Casino and as "This is the end" blasted out of the speakers, my interest began.

Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

Some of the greatest Northern Soul records of all time are out and out Motown soundalikes.

The 2 really go hand in hand, although when I 1st started in NS in 71/72 there were very

few Motown records played.

I do find that the production quality on Motown to be on the highest strata, just listen to

Velvelettes - Lonely, lonely girl, the arrangements and production are wonderful.

On a personal view I just Motown, always did and always will, when I'm in me room bashing

out stuff on my PC I tend to put on Motown stuff quite frequently, never a duffer...........

Chris L

I bought the 'Big Wheels Of Motown' LP before I'd ever heard of Northern Soul. Then two friends Caroline and Conway said "If you like that, you'll love this" stuck on the Capitol Soul Casino and as "This is the end" blasted out of the speakers, my interest began.

My sister had Big Wheels of Motown album too... Love the motown sound and am a huge fan of the more 'overplayed' Soul stuff too, in fact my fave albums for ages were the 'Casino Classics'... Even have the owl on the cover tattood on my arm... Felt a right plonk walking into the tattooists with an album cover in my hand, but needs must and all that.

I will agree on that one , Stuart ........

One record , to my knowlwdge , that has been openly admitted to being made to replicate the Motown sound , was by Leonard Chess , regarding " Rescue Me " by Fontella Bass , which , despite being a good record ( it still is ) , failed on release to acheive the same chart success that Motown records were having at the time ........

Malc Burton

I suspect that was because CHESS had such a reputation for deep soul, whereas Motown appealed

constantly to white pop fans too. Had CHESS perhaps had a subsidary label that would have

replicated Motown who knows, they certainly had the clout to take Motown on, the Chess brothers

were canny businessmen too. However they followed up with a few similar "Rescue Me" type tunes for Fontella that didn't do her cred any good. Having said that, what a sound "Rescue Me" is, that intro,

that beat, the singign, it's got it all, that black UK Chess copy in it's original sleeve is a treasured item in my house, I only ever DJ'd once in my life, that was my intro record. Chris L

Love it cant beat a bit of smokey

Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

As with a lot of "sourcers" Motown was my first real musical love, and many of the tunes are timeless in my opinion, more's the pity that due to the enormous output from Hitsville, that a certain percentage never saw the light of day releasewise but alas I suppose I'm grateful for the chance to hear unreleased stuff albeit somewhat dripfed of late ........

My first musical tastes were of Motown, being weaned on it from an early age. The sound of the Four Tops, Temptations, Supremes, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Edwin Starr to name but a few. Play it anywhere and watch the floor fill regardless of what the music policy is.

I still derive great pleasure from playing Stoned Love with the intro and watching the people disappear from the floor before suddenly realising what it is and come rushing back in their droves to fill the floor. Never fails.

Steve B

Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

Motown never fails, endless stream of music. With so much good stuff it is very hard to pick a favourite. I have to settle for fav of the moment.

today they are:-

Do You Love Me Just A Little Honey - The Four Tops & Supremes

Since I lost My Baby - Temps

Ask The Lonely - Four Tops

Love it cant beat a bit of smokey

Hi Di

I agree ....when smokey sings...........................

Grew up on Motown in my house having a mod n two skinheads as older sister n brothers didnt have much choice.

Yeah there was a lot of stuff on Motown that didnt float my boat but in general I'd call it Feel good music

Helen

XXXX

Getting Mighty Crowded is as good as anything that came out of the Motown stable, no?

Chicago put down some tunes, no doubt about it...

M

Can't beat a bit of Motown! Just actualy been re-visiting some Motown tracks, definatly my roots when it comes to soul. This is my current iTunes playlist of Motown, not a duffer among 'em!

Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

If your a DJ, any 60's Temptations...bankers every one, and rightly so

Bazza

Surely Northern Soul is the bastard child of Motown

i agree with this posting from mike,

Martha Reeves & the Vandellers...(car'nt break the habbit)

another great motown album track..does anyone know if was ever released on a 45..

Four Tops...(tea house in china town)...

Detroit Spinners...(just car'nt feel the pain)...

Martha Reeves & the Vandellers...(car'nt break the habbit)

another great motown album track..does anyone know if was ever released on a 45..

Four Tops...(tea house in china town)...

Detroit Spinners...(just car'nt feel the pain)...

i think the m/reeves was lp only,motown from the vaults?? or something like that came out ok uk motown lots of other great tracks on it,

Martha Reeves & the Vandellers...(car'nt break the habbit)

another great motown album track..does anyone know if was ever released on a 45..

Four Tops...(tea house in china town)...

Detroit Spinners...(just car'nt feel the pain)...

No 45 release for Can't Break The Habit.

After a copy of....... Baby don,t you do it - Marvin Gaye........at the mo anybody got one??

JB xxx KTF

My fave all time Motown is I hear a Symphony by Stevie Wonder.

Is there any Motown being played at the moment that isn't on a CD/LP/Single. I suppose on the lines of Take Him Back by the Contours, that sort of thing?

I have a few unnisued Motown on Cds (be patient Laney, my memory is shite) and a few of the tracks sung by Ivy Joe Hunter are perfect for the scene. I love Where Are You, its brilliant. Anybody know anything about it?

Brian B

No 45 release for Can't Break The Habit.

Thats a pity... had the lp for some years now..early 80s it came out..they released two lps..titled never before released masters of motown...the second album was all 70s recordings i think...

if i'm wrong please tell...

Another great lp track on motown....

martha Reeves & the Vandellas...(i'm a winner)

Kiki Dee(love like a warm kind of sorrow)

Thats a pity... had the lp for some years now..early 80s it came out..they released two lps..titled never before released masters of motown...the second album was all 70s recordings i think...

if i'm wrong please tell...

I was wrong...just doug out the lp...wiped away the dust...

some of the tracks were recorded in the 60s aswell as the 70s...

A few of the tracks...

thelma houston(i wanna be where you are)

detroit spinners(shop around)

Jr walker(love hangover)

Many Northern Soul records are simply artists trying to copy the Motown sound. Motown being a success and artists try to emulate that success. Immitation being the finest form of flattery. To me Motown IS Northern Soul, I became involved in soul music aprox 40 years ago,and have been collecting Motown for a few years now. Look at all the unreleased stuff that becomes monster sounds on the northern scene.

When I am fortunate to get a DJ booking (more needed please) my set is usually about 75% Motown with the rest being motown related eg. Buster Jones, Detroit Spinners etc. and I have yet to be critisised , anyway its all music to enjoy, so lets all enjoy it...

Motown Westy

Hi All,

This question popped into my head whilst I was listening to Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell doing "Your Precious Love." Some great stuff. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is way up high on my list of all-time brilliant releases.

I do really love the obscure Northern Soul, but I'm a sucker for the Motown as well.

Your thoughts?

Love all the Motown stuff including the commercial stuff. Also the motown label has given us some Northern/Modern gems.

Many Northern Soul records are simply artists trying to copy the Motown sound. Motown being a success and artists try to emulate that success. Immitation being the finest form of flattery. To me Motown IS Northern Soul, I became involved in soul music aprox 40 years ago,and have been collecting Motown for a few years now. Look at all the unreleased stuff that becomes monster sounds on the northern scene.

When I am fortunate to get a DJ booking (more needed please) my set is usually about 75% Motown with the rest being motown related eg. Buster Jones, Detroit Spinners etc. and I have yet to be critisised , anyway its all music to enjoy, so lets all enjoy it...

Motown Westy

Hi Dave I can remember you playing the Tammi Terrell at Eggborough once and enjoyed this vocal version.Apart from Boogaloo Party,At The Discoteque and Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music, all of my early buys were motown related and I have continued to collect this all my life and like you say there have been loads of unissued tracks that continue to grace the northern scene.I can remember picking up Motown Memories volume two for next to nothing in Scunthorpe around 1970 and could not stop playing the Barbara Mcneir and R Dean Taylor tracks which later went onto bigger audiences.I doubt that any northern fan would not like motown ,and where I live by playing Motown at local venues interspersed with some Northern and Modern stuff a lot of people have grown to like more Northern and Modern sounds.

Out of interest Dave, what is your current playlist?

Following from the requests I've had to list my current playlist after posting comments on S.S. about Motown records...here goes...

I want a love I can see.........................Temptations

Contract of love....................................Stevie Wonder

The one who really loves you..............Mary Wells

Thats the way love is.............................Isley Bros.

Come See about me............................Jr Walker

Why when love is gone..........................Isley Bros.

No one could love you more.................Gladys Knight

My weakness is you...............................Edwin starr

No one there...........................................Martha Reeves

Whole lotta shakin' in my heart.............Miracles

Shake and fingerpop.............................Jr Walker

So many sides of you.............................Bobby womack

Just a little misunderstanding................Busta Jones

I just want to fall in love............................Spinners

Good lovin is just a dime away..............Originals

Come get to this.......................................Marvin Gaye

Rode by the place....................................David Ruffin

I'm so happy..............................................Brenda Holloway

Just wanna get the feel of it.....................Bloodstone

I'll be around..............................................Spinners

I aint going nowhere.................................Thelma Houston

Dont stop lovin me....................................Ivy jo Hunter

The way you do the things you do...........Underdogs

You can do it.............................................Kim Weston

You hit me (inst)........................................Funk Bros.

Plus in the box.....all the edwins, + I'll always love you,Nowhere to run,My love is your love,I'm still loving you,Suspicion, Reconsider, What more could a boy ask for,Good Rockin',What does it take (Raisins)+ lots of unreleased, and just about everything else that may get requested.

Not all Motown but all Motown related.

To those who asked, there you go.

(now all I want is a few more bookings)

Westy

Hi Scunnyjack, have had many requests for playlist which changes from week to week so have put it on a seperate post

All the best

Motown Westy

Following from the requests I've had to list my current playlist after posting comments on S.S. about Motown records...here goes...

Requests - plural? Really?

On here, or in your mind?

Requests - plural? Really?

On here, or in your mind?

That's a bit out of order, Dave from Lincolnshire, where the land is flat & sheep look worried . Just cos the REQUESTS are not on here it doesn't mean Mowest hasn't been asked to post a playlist. So please be nice, as he's most likely forgotten more than you or I know about Motown, could be wrong but then again could be right.

Take care, be safe & remember, "It's a local shop for local people, Tubsy",

Spot.

Hi Scunnyjack, have had many requests for playlist which changes from week to week so have put it on a seperate post

All the best

Motown Westy

As the playlist was requested on this thread I can't really see a need for it to be a topic of its own - merged with this one.

Play nicely now all of you...

That's a bit out of order, Dave from Lincolnshire, where the land is flat & sheep look worried . Just cos the REQUESTS are not on here it doesn't mean Mowest hasn't been asked to post a playlist. So please be nice, as he's most likely forgotten more than you or I know about Motown, could be wrong but then again could be right.

Take care, be safe & remember, "It's a local shop for local people, Tubsy",

Spot.

I could'nt agree with you more Spot, Dave Boogaloo has one of the most impressive Motown collections I have had the pleasure to see, I wish I owned his collection some very rare stuff indeed, keep up the good work mate.

Jonah

Motown never fails, endless stream of music. With so much good stuff it is very hard to pick a favourite. I have to settle for fav of the moment.

today they are:-

Do You Love Me Just A Little Honey - The Four Tops & Supremes

Since I lost My Baby - Temps

Ask The Lonely - Four Tops

Hits the spot every time

Requests - plural? Really?

On here, or in your mind?

yeah plural really

I will agree on that one , Stuart ........

One record , to my knowlwdge , that has been openly admitted to being made to replicate the Motown sound , was by Leonard Chess , regarding " Rescue Me " by Fontella Bass , which , despite being a good record ( it still is ) , failed on release to acheive the same chart success that Motown records were having at the time ........

Malc Burton

so like motown it was covered wasn't it by blinky, seem to think it was on the second cellarful of motown comp

kev

Motown was the template for Northern!

Ian D

Sums it up entirely...

Nothern Soul (NS) is a seperate entity from Motown, NS is essentially the rare tracks/B sides that were never played by the commercial DJ,s. NS was a breakaway from the more main stream disco music of the 70's that became too poptastic and chewing gum type funk.

Nothern Soul (NS) is a seperate entity from Motown, NS is essentially the rare tracks/B sides that were never played by the commercial DJ,s. NS was a breakaway from the more main stream disco music of the 70's that became too poptastic and chewing gum type funk.

Oh is that so ? I didn't know that ...........................eerrr which planet was that

by the way ?

Chris L