The Definitive Collection [Original recording remastered]

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Martha Reeves | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B001E6T654
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,648 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #47 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Girl Groups

Editorial Reviews

In Celebration of Motown's 50th Anniversary, Motown releases ten new compilations to add to The Definitive Collection series. Each "Definitive" disc contains: Original stereo recordings, digitally remastered; Booklet with classic photos and extensive liner notes; No. 1 hits, anthems and classic B-sides; Familiar Motown greats from every era all whilst being beautifully packaged with a consistent line look. Ten legendary names in music join the all-star "Definitive Collection" roster!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I had forgotten just how talented this group was., January 13, 2009

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

As the story goes Martha Reeves went to work at Motown as a secretary sometime around 1962 for the paltry sum of $35.00 per week. As Martha recalls "As part of my job I had to audition other artists, schedule musicians, maintain studio logs and be 'girl-friday' to all the writers and producers. If I clapped or sang background on sessions that was an additional $5.00 each." Like so many other artists who came to work at Motown in the early days, Martha Reeves just wanted to get her foot in the door. You see in her spare time she was the lead singer of a local Detroit group known as the Del-Fi's. Her ultimate goal was to get an audition and get a recording contract for her group. Soon the Del-Fi's were hired to sing background on several of Marvin Gaye's early records. Berry Gordy quickly realized that these girls were something special. The group changed its name to Martha and the Vandellas and within just a few months the group was riding high on the Billboard Hot 100 with their debut single "Come And Get These Memories". It was the beginning of a fabulous run for this extremely talented and highly energetic group.

"Martha Reeves and the Vandellas: The Definitive Collection" offers 18 of the girls biggest hits and best recordings. To me the pulsating sounds of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were the personification of Motown's moniker "The Sound of Young America". Enjoy once again all of their big hits including classics like "Heat Wave", "Dancing In The Street" and of course "Nowhere To Run" from the early spring of '65. These are tunes that even lots of younger people would be familiar with. But there are so many other fabulous songs in this collection. Those who group up in the 60's would certainly recall tunes like "Jimmy Mack", "Quicksand" and "I'm Ready For Love" all of which were Top Ten hits. One of my favorite songs in this collection was a tune originally issued as the "B" side of a single. Motown really blew it on this one because "Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" is a terrific ballad that would have been a huge hit with the proper promotion. Finally, might I recommend a tune that I had never heard before. "Third Finger, Left Hand" appeared on one of their albums. For me it was one of those rare tunes that I loved the very first time I heard it. Now I can't get the darn song out of my head.

"Martha Reeves and the Vandellas: The Definitive Collection" comes with a neat 12 page booklet that offers a brief history of the group as well as some nice photos. After hearing this collection a few times I have come to the surprising conclusion that this group was even more talented than The Supremes. See if you agree. And while I have your attention you might wonder like I did just what the heck a Vandella is. I had not clue. According to dictionary.com the term "vandella" is defined as "one of several types of ghost-walking or dream-invading demons/vampires." So now you know! Very highly recommended!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the way it sounds, June 12, 2010

By 

Justin Little "music lover" (north east) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Definitive Collection (MP3 Download)

When It comes to the Motown Complilations there are the recent Definitive Collections and the Ultimate Collections from the 90's. Having downloaded both complilations for various artists (both for Martha & The Vandellas/Supremes) I can say the Definitive Collection sounds much much much better. I Understand the Ultimate Collections offer more tracks but I think (IN DOWNLOADED VERIONS)they sound awful (Bass is very high and distorted).
I happen to own the Marvelettes Ultimate Collection on CD. It does not sound awful, although it doesn't sound quite as good as the Definitive Collection. This leads me to believe that the MP3 Download versions of the Ultimate Collections are messed up. Basically, if downloading, I recommend The Definitive Collections and if buying on CD I would say it depends on what you are looking for. Superior sound quality: Definitive; extra tracks with slightly inferior audio: Ultimate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost A Home Run, February 8, 2011

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Luis Duany "Careful Shopper" (Miami Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

This compilation is excellent for the price. You get 18 songs, perfect for this act. Two other compilations offer 11 and 42 songs, but I feel 18 is just perfect for this act, at this price. It covers all of the hits. The one fault in this set is the version for Heat Wave, it is not the single hit version, but a longer version, which is not as good.