Still going through my box sets, I just ran into this song the other day. I don't know the specifics behind this song, like what was the motivation behind it? It's a great song that comes off like a PSA. Maybe it was written specifically for that purpose, but wouldn't the world be that much more cool if all PSAs were Motown songs? Maybe The Supremes singing a song about using protection during sex, or Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell delivering a fiery performance about the evils of crack cocaine (sort of like that James Brown/Marva Whitney duet I posted a while back, that would be awesome). You know, something like that. I think more peeps would be apt to listen when it's not some retarded jingle or some stuffy old white guy in a suit preaching to you. I love this lyric, it's oh so true: "just remember/this simple rule/to be the driver/and not the mule", sing it Brenda, you rock. If I had heard this song when I was a kid, I'd probably have a PhD by now. Well, maybe.
I recently started (slowly) collecting Hip-OSelect's Complete Motown Singles box sets, so there will probably be these random Motown posts of hidden gems I'm running into. This one in particular is Frances Nero's Keep On Loving Me.
I've never heard of her at all, but according to the wiki article, Frances won a contest out of 5000 contestants and won a dozen long-stem roses, $500, and a one-year recording contract with Motown. This is her one Motown single, and it's absolutely wonderful.
You remember this classic by The Jackson 5, right? It's pretty sweet. The Jackson 5 > I Want You Back
Okay, now check out David Ruffin's take, he totally kills it. I daresay I like Ruffin's version better. His voice is so soulful. I first found this on the Motown Sings Motown Treasures album. It's basically like Motown artists covering Motown classics, and it's fucking awesome.
This is pretty sweet, I found it randomly over the summer, kinda forgot about it, and just rediscovered it in my inbox the other day. It's a remix of The Supremes' Where Did Our Love Go? done by someone called Quarterbar. I don't know the specifics of Quarterbar, but just check out the link and it'll probably give you an idea. There are a few other Motown remixes in this manner, this one is my favorite of the bunch. I love the original track as it is, this remix adds a new spin to it which is kinda nice. Take it around the block and see for yourself.
The Supremes > Where Did Our Love Go? (Quarterbar Redo)
When you're feeling like shit, just head on over to 2648 West Grand Boulevard. Listen to this track, The Velvelettes' "Ain't No Place Like Motown", and just try to keep your toes from tapping. I swear, man, the world would be a better place if everyone listened to Motown on a regular basis. I picked this up from the "Cellarful of Motown" two-disc compilation of rarities and unreleased singles, that looks something like this:
If you're even remotely interested in 60s Motown soul, then this is completely for you. Plus the cool thing is that it's not the same songs that you hear over and over on the radio and in movie soundtracks. Chances are, it'll be completely new to you, while still having that familiar feel and sound.
Tracey Thorn has a new album, "Out of the Woods", you can stream a few tracks on her myspace page. I've listened to it only once so far, but it sounds pretty good, like how an Everything But The Girl album might sound. If you know who she is, then you know how gorgeous her voice is. I'm basically using this as an excuse to post one of my favorite tracks. It's actually billed as "Massive Attack featuring Tracey Thorn". I think it may be available as a single (probably out of print by now) or perhaps on a compilation. I know for sure it's on the soundtrack for Batman Forever, which I think was a shitty film. I remember going to see it, but I don't remember anything about it. In any case, it's a cover of The Marvelettes' tune on Motown, "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game". Both versions are well worth your time, check em out.
Massive Attack featuring Tracey Thorn > The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
The Marvelettes > The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game *EDIT* I've been looking around and I've found this kickass version of "Hunter" by a girl called Blinky, who was on the Motown roster way back when. I don't know anything about her, but this track is awesome.
Still going through my box sets, I just ran into this song the other day. I don't know the specifics behind this song, like what was the motivation behind it? It's a great song that comes off like a PSA. Maybe it was written specifically for that purpose, but wouldn't the world be that much more cool if all PSAs were Motown songs? Maybe The Supremes singing a song about using protection during sex, or Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell delivering a fiery performance about the evils of crack cocaine (sort of like that James Brown/Marva Whitney duet I posted a while back, that would be awesome). You know, something like that. I think more peeps would be apt to listen when it's not some retarded jingle or some stuffy old white guy in a suit preaching to you. I love this lyric, it's oh so true: "just remember/this simple rule/to be the driver/and not the mule", sing it Brenda, you rock. If I had heard this song when I was a kid, I'd probably have a PhD by now. Well, maybe.
