Hitsville USA
Last night I had the misfortune to catch the latest "scampi in a basket" version of The Temptations on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.
It did howvever motivate me to delve into my Motown collection and reminded me of my first serious major introduction to the joys of Tamla Motown.
By the mid seventies I was heavily into The Who and their early Mod routes introduced me into the world of soul both via Motown, stax and Chess.
One day I managed to pick up a bargain import of "The Motown Story" in Makro with the trademark import giveaway of the punched sleeve.
Thi s was a 5 record treasure chest of the best of Motown and whilst I have replaced the vinyl now with CD versions of the Chartburster series it still remains a major influence on my musical education.
Volume One: Intro - Berry Gordy Jr 2:26
1. Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want) 3:00
2. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Shop Around 3:35
3. The Marvelettes - Please Mr Postman 3:36
4. The Marvelettes - Playboy 3:12
5. Marvin Gaye - Stubborn Kind Of Fellow 3:28
6. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - You've Really Got A Hold On Me 3:01
7. Marvin Gaye - Pride A Joy 2:14
8. Stevie Wonder - Finger Tips 3:51
9. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Come And Get These Memories 3:33
10. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Love Is Like A Heatwave 3:07
Volume Two:
1. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Mickey's Monkey 3:06
2. Marvin Gaye - Can I Get A Witness 3:23
3. Mary Wells - My Guy 3:27
4. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go 4:24
5. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street 3:06
6. The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving 3:39
7. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Baby Love 3:33
8. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Come See About Me 2:31
9. Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is (To Be Love By You) 3:02
10. The Temptations - My Girl 4:08
11. Jr Walker & The All Stars 3:04
12. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Stop In The Name Of Love 3:09
Volume Three:
1. Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone 3:06
2. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Back In My Arms Again 3:24
3. The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself 2:46
4. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears 3:01
5. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Nothing But Heartaches 3:04
6. Diana Ross & The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony 3:04
7. Stevie Wonder - Uptight (Everything's Alright) 3:06
8. Diana Ross & The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You 2:42
9. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - My Baby Loves Me 3:28
10. The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud To Beg 3:19
11. Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted 3:20
12. Diana Ross & The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love 2:58
Volume Four:
1. The Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There 3:24
2. Diana Ross & The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On 2:51
3. The Four Tops - Standing In The Shadow Of Love 3:02
4. The Tour Tops - Bernadette 3:17
5. Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Jimmy Mack 3:11
6. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell 2:57
7. Stevie Wonder - I Was Made To Love Her 2:52
8. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Reflections 3:25
9. Gladys Knight & The Pips - I Heard It Through The Grapevine 4:07
10. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - I Second That Emotion 3:15
11. The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain 3:04
12. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Love Child 2:51
13. Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life 2:46
14. The Temptations - Cloud Nine 4:13
Volume Five:
1. Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me 2:55
2. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine 3:18
3. Jr Walker & The All Stars - What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) 2:56
4. The Originals - Baby, I'm For Real 3:30
5. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back 2:54
6. The Temptations - Psychedelic Shack 3:40
7. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together 5:35
8. The Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof 3:45
9. Diana Ross - Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand) 3:40
10. Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough 6:15
Here are The Temptations in their prime.
Here is Chess Records first real attempt to reproduce in Chicago the Detroit Motown sound
Even UK punk knew a good thing when they heard it as per this Clash tribute.
