Customer Reviews

Forever: The Complete Motown Albums 1

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One aspect of Motown's brilliance was to capture in sound the exuberance, naivety and, not least, need to dance of the American teenager in the early sixties, often performed by artists who were teenagers themselves; and then to mirror with deadly accuracy their emotional, intellectual and musical maturity throughout the rest of the decade. The Marvelettes were a perfect example of this as they were initially a five piece from Inkster who were all at high school when they signed to Tamla, and still were five hit albums later.

The Marvelettes have been overlooked in the Motown reissue programme for far too long, with none of their original albums being in print prior to this very welcome box set, and as they are quite possibly my most preferred Motown artists I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, which tells the story up to early 1966 with the release of their Greatest Hits album. By then they had become a trio of just Wanda, Gladys and Catherine, but had the genius of Smokey Robinson as producer and writer, creating some of the most adroit and pithiest hits in Motown history.

Georgia, who was the primary writer of their first hit, Please Mr Postman, apparently dropped out just before they signed to the label, with Juanita leaving circa April 1962 and Georgeanna around two years later.

Forever - The Complete Motown Albums Vol. 1 contains their first five albums plus the compilation Greatest Hits and a further twenty-six extra tracks which were all B-sides, non-album singles, live recordings from mixed artists compilations and outtakes which were not released at the time. It really is complete in that every known official release is here in at least one form.

Disc One contains their first three albums: Please Mr Postman, The Marvelettes Sing (Smash Hits Of '62) and Playboy, released 1961-1962. On the early albums the gloriously hoarse and intense voice of Gladys Horton was featured on most of the hit singles although Wanda Young (who had stepped in to replace Georgia Dobbins when the band were signed) sings lead on over half of the Please Mr Postman album, and on four from The Marvelettes Sing. On that album sleeve all the girls were name checked apart from her, with Gladys solely credited as lead singer; Wanda was pregnant at the time and Tamla may have wanted to depict the group as it would appear on live appearances over the following few months. This probably also explains why she is only heard in the foreground on a couple of songs on Playboy. These include Forever, which later doubled as a B-side, and did well in the US R&B charts.

Motown was still finding its composers and trademark sound in those early years and the second album entirely consisted of covers of pop and R&B hits from 1962. Mashed Potato Time, a hit for Dee Dee Sharp, had actually been written by several Motown writers including Brian Holland, though it was to be 1963 before the familiar signature of Holland-Dozier-Holland was to appear on a Marvelettes record (Locking Up My Heart). Although Juanita Cowart had left by the time the Playboy album came out in July 1962, she can be heard on three of the older tracks on the record.

The Marvelous Marvelettes opens Disc Two. Released in February 1963, regular producers Mickey Stevenson and Brian Holland were joined on this album by Norman Whitfield, who was later to provide many of the girls' mid-sixties hits. It featured Locking Up My Heart and My Daddy knows Better, both singles, as well as the stage favourite Strange I Know, which had been out as a single the previous October.

Strange I Know also featured on their live souvenir The Marvelettes On Stage - Recorded Live, complete with spoken section, and is reprised in another live version they contributed to Recorded Live At The Apollo Vol. 1, and again on Recorded Live: The Motortown Revue Vol. 2 as part of a medley. The Marvelettes On Stage mostly featured their recorded repertoire with Motown's touring band, but does have a cover of Bobby Lewis' 1961 hit Tossin' And Turnin'.

The rest of Disc Two is taken up with Bonus Tracks - namely B-sides, tracks unreleased at the time and a single designed to sound like a Phil Spector production, in particular the Crystals. It came out under the name the Darnells, but the singer was clearly identified by radio listeners as Gladys Horton. As the Andantes were also involved on the single it's possible that the rest of the Marvelettes were not on it. The B-side, Come On Home, is a largely instrumental track borrowed from a Holland And Dozier session, with some vocal interjections from Gladys and Brian Holland near the end, and was also released in a version by Holland And Dozier.

After 1963's The Marvelous Marvelettes, they did not have another new studio album until March 1967, although their Greatest Hits compilation album, released in February 1966, contained five recent singles that had not appeared on an album. These were amongst their strongest releases to date. There was enough material in the can for an album but Motown was presumably too stretched promoting the Supremes to bother. Ironically, the "no-hits" Supremes had finally hit pay dirt with Where Did Our Love Go, a song that had been turned down by the Marvelettes for being too childish and dumb, opting instead for Too Many Fish In The Sea. It was probably a better record, and reached no. 21 in Cashbox, but was not the phenomenon that Where Did Our Love Go became.

The other non-album singles included were As Long As I Know He's Mine (1963), You're My Remedy (1964), Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead and Don't Mess With Bill (1965). All but the first of these feature Wanda, whose voice had matured into an altogether more sensuous and vibrant instrument, and had been developed by Smokey Robinson, following his regular work with the girls from 1963 onwards. The album was released in mono and stereo versions, and it is the stereo version that has been included here, at the start of Disc Three. It also affords the opportunity to hear the stereo versions of seven of the singles taken from previous albums. In the case of Please Mr Postman this is a completely different take to the mono single (I cannot say which version the mono edition of Greatest Hits used). These are the only stereo tracks on the box set.

The rest of Disc Three is titled Mono Singles & Rare Sides and features the mono single mixes of the four non-album singles on Greatest Hits, and their B-sides, the A-side He's A Good Guy (Yes He Is)(1964), the single I'll Keep Holding On/No Time For Tears (my personal favourite Marvelettes record, and their first release as a trio)(1965) and three excellent stockpiled tracks that were not released at the time, recorded between 1964-1965.

All that is missing from what has been released thus far is the stereo mix of the entire Playboy album that came out on CD in 1992, and the pin-sharp stereo mix of I'll Keep Holding On that first appeared on A Collection Of 16 Original Big Hits Vol. 5 in August 1966. I am hoping these have been earmarked for Volume Two. Perhaps they might also unearth a stereo mix of No Time For Tears, surely the most unjustly neglected work in the Marvelettes canon?

This is an essential, unmissable slice of sixties Motown.

Best ever collection for The Marvelettes! Every album from 1961 through 1966 is on board for this 3CD set (and a second volume is promised later this year to cover the rest of The Marvelettes work from the late '60s). And while it's billed as "The Complete Motown Albums-Vol. 1", Universal/Motown really went the extra mile with this set by including the original album artwork from every LP, the non-LP singles (and their B sides), the mono mixes of singles from the "Greatest Hits" album, and rare gems like "Maybe I Dried My Tears (For The Last Time)", "Little Girls Grow Up" & "I Should've Known Better" which were previosly released only in England. If you're a fan of The Marvelettes, this set is highly recommended (pick it up quick since it's a "Limited Edtion" set).

It is ironic that in 1961, Motown's first number one pop single was the Marvelettes Please Mr. Postman, and now in 2009 the easiest way to obtain The Marvelettes Forever, The Complete Motown Albums Volume I is to have the postman deliver it! The three disc set distributed by Hip-o Select in a limited 5,000 edition is not readily available in stores and sold primarily online.
The Marvelettes, long revered as one of the premier examples of the girl group gendre, finally get the respect they deserve. The long out of print first four studio albums, Please Mr. Postman, The Marvelettes Sing, Playboy and The Marvelous Marvelettes are included here in their entirety in digital remastering which greatly adds to the listening pleasure of these classic recordings. A live album, On Stage: Recorded Live comprises of tracks recorded at the Apollo Theater in 1962, and the Regal Theater In Chicago in 1963. The stereo version of their Greatest Hits album, along with mono singles and rare sides, plus bonus tracks of recordings the Marvelettes recorded under the name of the Darnells, round off this superb collection.
The packaging is up to the usual high standard Motown enthusiasts have come to expect of the Hip-o Select line. The accompanying booklet is well researched, featuring plenty of rare photographs, reproductions of the album graphics front and back and notes on individual recording sessions.
Disc three hints at the sophisticated soul that the Marvelettes would evolve into during their second phase of their career when Smokey Robinson would mastermind a new direction for the ladies. Hopefully a follow up volume two of their complete final albums is in the works.
This highly anticipated set is well worth the wait and goes a long way in underscoring the Marvelettes contribution as pioneers in rock and soul. Sure to sell out quickly, this is a must have addition to the collection of any serious fan of Motown music.

I knew this would finally happen, and happen it has!! Releasing the first 6 lp's by one of Motown's flagship groups, The Marvelettes finally get thier due with the release of thier earlier efforts, with many extra tracks to leave us burning for more.
The sound quality is excellent, and to hear it on cd (tho i still enjoy hearing these tracks on vinyl) is a joy. Well packaged and maticulous, Motown is finally giving us the goods in a huge helping, rather than just another repacking. Let's face it, how many 'best of's' and various artists cd's with the same tracks could Motown collector's stand?
This package will appeal to the most 'casual' of listeners of Motown music, and is a perfect start to those who are just beginning to realize how important Motown meant to many, including the music of today.
I have been collecting Motown since 1974, and am still amazed with the diverse product the company has released. This set is 'classic' Motown at it's roots with the girl group genre, tho, with Motown, girl groups was never a genre. At the time, owner, Berry Gordy Jr. perfected girl groups in not just the way they were heard, but presented. So many girl groups from the various Motown labels lasted much longer on the pop charts than the girl group genre itself. Many thank Mr. Gordy for his vision, and openess that black singers CAN cross over to the pop charts with the proper material. When dj's during the 60's obtained a new Motown 45, it didn't take a rocket scientist to know what the next step would be.
Again, many thanks to Motown for such a fine job.
Enjoy! It is a fascinating listen from start to finish.
Much applause to all involved.

At last there is a definitive cd representing and giving respect to the Marvellettes. This set features their earliest recordings.
For some people who prefer Motown from 64 thru 69, this may not be their cup of tea.
I like this set because it show cases the sex appeal that the Marvelletes had.
The early Supremes and Temptation's lps 'Meet the' series displays what these icons
would become later. In a sense this cd does the same for them. I think Hunter gets
captured and Don't mess with Bill were their high points.These tracks on this cd,
if you can get past the fact that they're early Motown, with that cha cha sound,
are very melodic. I like 'I think I can change you' 'Goddess of love' and
'You should know' from Playboy. outstanding also is the unedited verion of Strange
I know' one of my favorite tracks from this period. I think the Marvelletes Sing hits is the most interesting of the set. After all they sing covers of tracks that
were already hits in 62, so how could they loose. I really like Good luck charm
and love letters. The later because we rarely heard the Marvelletes cover
standards or show tunes.
I can't wait for vol #2.

You need only to read the track list to know what an extraordinary compilation this is. Albums like "The Marvelettes Sing" & "The Marvelettes Recorded Live On Stage" are hard to find even on vinyl. The powers that control the Motown catalogue took their sweet time releasing this material. But having these 6 albums in one set made it worth the wait. Plus, the sound is incredible! If you are a true Marvelettes fan, you can't help but be pleased. Here's looking forward to Volume 2.

This set really is THE box set, Part One, that THE MARVELETTES truly deserve, and that the fans have waited for. It's a real treasure trove of the hits, but treasured mainly for what was never on CD before. The LIVE album gets it's first official release, and it illustrates that these girls could sing. Dig the way they did PLAYBOY live in concert - much faster than the studio version. These girls could throw down in their day! Also new is the SMASH HITS OF 1962 on CD, which I never heard any song from. The albums PLEASE MR. POSTMAN, PLAYBOY and MARVELOUS MARVELETTES were all issued on CD before, but this package conveniently puts everything together that the group did through to the February 1966 release of their GREATEST HITS album, here in stereo. A big addition is the many number of songs culled from various artists compilations and foreign releases. While some of the non-LP b-sides were already released on the excellent 2 CD set, DELIVER THE SINGLES, this 3 CD set packs them all together with I guess, everything [ unless there's even more unreleased songs from this period ] from this fervent period of THE MARVELETTES career from 1961 - Feb. 1966. So, even though you may have the DELIVER set, this new FOREVER Anthology is essential to have for the many new-to-CD albums and songs .

Also, THE MARVELETTES many achievements and 10 year history of hits really needs to be addressed by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This group deserves the honor of being inducted into the Hall for all that they did in their career and at Motown. The fact that they have not been inducted is a major oversight that needs to be corrected and soon. 4 of the original 5 Marvelettes are living, and they deserve their rightful place in the Hall for all that they did - a pioneering girl group starting in 1961, first Motown act to have a #1 record , and music that still lasts and is played forever.

2009's "Forever" is yet another superlative trawl through the Tamla archives by the award-winning Hip-O Select label.

Long-time label associate ELLEN FITTON has remastered the first generation master tapes with typically superb results; the fully featured 30-page booklet is a treat to look at and an informative read, while the 3-way gold digipak lends the whole package an element of real class. And as it's been given a European release (Hip-O stuff is normally US-only and therefore a pricey import) "Forever" offers soul fans everywhere a huge treasure trove of early Motown girl group tracks for a very reasonable price.

With 87 tracks, there's a lot on here, so here's a detailed breakdown...
(All catalogue numbers are US)

Disc 1 (78:41 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 11 are the debut LP "Please Mr, Postman" issued on Tamla 228 in November 1961
Tracks 12 to 21 are the LP "Smash Hits Of '62" [aka "The Marvelettes Sing"] issued on Tamla 229 in April 1962
Tracks 22 to 31 are their 3rd album "Playboy" issued on Tamla 231 in July 1962

Disc 2 (74:01 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 are the LP "The Marvelous Marvelettes" issued on Tamla 237 in February 1963
Tracks 11 to 18 are the LP "On Stage: Recorded Live" issued on Tamla 243 in July 1963
Track 19 is "Strange I Know (Live)", a Previously Unreleased Unedited Version
Track 20 is "Medley: Please Mr. Postman/Playboy/Strange I Know/Someday, Someway" from the LP "Recorded Live: The Motortown Revue Vol.2" issued on Motown 615 in April 1964
Track 21 is "Tie A String Around Your Finger", a non-album track, the B-side to "My Daddy Knows Best" issued on Tamla 54082 in July 1963
Tracks 22 and 23 are "Too Hurt To Cry, Too Much In Love To Say Goodbye" b/w "Come On Home" - both are credited to THE DARNELLS and are non-album tracks issued on Gordy 7024 in November 1963
Track 24 is "Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers" issued in the UK only on Tamla Motown TMG 1000 in August 1975
Track 25 is "Knock On My Door", first issued on the compilation "Never Before Released Masters From Motown's Brightest Stars" on Motown in 1986
Tracks 26 and 27 are "On The Other Side Of Town" and "Because I Love Him", both are exclusive to the UK-only CD compilation "Essential Collection" issued by Sequel Records in 2000
Track 28 is "Little Girls Grow Up" first issued on the UK-only 2CD set "A Cellarful Of Motown, Vol.3" in 2007

Disc 3 (72:19 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Greatest Hits" [Stereo Version] issued on Tamla 253 in February 1966
Tracks 13 and 14 are "As Long As I Know He's Mine" b/w "He Won't Be True (Little Girl Blue)" - a non-album 7" single issued October 1963 on Tamla 54088
Track 15 is "He's A Good Guy (Yes he Is)" - a non-album track issued as the A of a 7" single in January 1964 on Tamla 54091
Tracks 16 and 17 are "You're My Remedy" b/w "A Little Bit Of Sympathy, A Little Bit Of Love" - a non-album 7" single issued June 1964 on Tamla 54097
Tracks 18 and 19 are "Too Many Fish In The Sea" b/w "I'll Keep On Holding on" - a non-album 7" single issued October 1964 on Tamla 54105
Tracks 20 and 21 are "I'll Keep On Holding On" b/w "No Time For Tears" - a non-album 7" single issued May 1965 on Tamla 54116
Tracks 22 and 23 are "Danger: Heartbreak Dead Ahead" b/w "Your Cheating Ways" - a non-album 7" single issued July 1965 on Tamla 54120
Tracks 24 and 25 are "Don't Mess With Bill" b/w "Anything You Wanna Do" - a non-album 7" single issued November 1965 on Tamla 54126
Track 26 is "I Should Have Known Better" - previously unreleased track first issued on the 1979 Natural resources US LP "From The Vaults"
Tracks 27 and 28 are "I Just Can't Let Him Down" and "Maybe I Dried My Tears (For The Last Time)" - previously unreleased tracks first appeared on the UK-only CD compilation "Essential Collection" on Sequel Records in 2000

One of the big surprises for me is the non-descript looking "Greatest Hits" set from early 1966 - all 13 tracks are in STEREO and barring some bad distortion at the beginning of the opening track "Don't Mess With Bill", the sound on the other 12 is really FABULOUS. "Danger: Heartbreak Ahead" in particular is now filled with that wonderful Sixties Motown joy. Another treat is the rare non-album B-side "Tie A String Around Your Finger" - as lovely a ballad as HDH have ever produced. And for British fans there's the £100+ single rarity "Finders Keepers, Losers Keepers" - recorded in 1964, but only released on a UK 45 on Tamla Motown TMG 1000 in 1975 when the whole Northern Soul club scene was in full flight in Britain. "Which Way Did He Go" from "The Marvelous Marvelettes" (their 1st LP in the UK) is another track that sounds truly fantastic.

I'd admit that the Live Album is not something I'll ever listen to again - and after 80 slices of non-stop upbeat 60t's sunshine - the whole thing can grate the nerves a bit...but I know there's gems on here that I'll be dipping into for years to come.

"Limited Edition" is stamped on the rear of the digipak in gold, so get this while you can. Recommended.

PS: Volume 2 will feature their sophisticated mid to late Sixties stuff and is to follow soon.

See also my Listmania list of recommended and reviewed HIP-O SELECT releases

And see also my review of Terry Wilson's astonishing 2009 UK paperback "TAMLA MOTOWN - The Stories Behind The UK Singles" - over 700 pages of soul joy and info on the label that will thrill fans...

The value in this collection is that all their albums that had been released on cd are long out of print. Two of them, "The Marvelettes Sing Hits of '62" and "The Marvelettes Live" have never been on cd other than on poorly recorded bootleg copies. Kudos to Harvey Weinger at Universal for putting this together.

One problem with the collection is that for some reason all of the tracks aren't in stereo. There's also a couple of biographical errors in Gary Graff's liner notes. Despite these flaws it's still an outstanding collection and a must for any Motown or girl group enthusiast.

i was raised on MOTOWN. BOUGHT 45'S AND ALBUMS. and i always loved the MARVELETTES. collection is like the history of MOTOWN. MIRACLES, MARY
WELLS, MARVELETTES, BARRETT STRONG,MARVIN GAYE were all there at the beginning and gave MOTOWN the foundation on which to make it the success
it was. i love the MARVELETTES because their first recordings were raw,
stripped down, not yet the polished MOTOWN sound. these early recordings
are amazing and a true treasure for me to have. GLADYS HORTON had the
raw, deep, big, voice on all the early hits. and even on the first
MARVELETTES recording the album PLEASE MR. POSTMAN-- WANDA YOUNG
is featured and sounds great which gives listeners a choice of 2 singers.
amazing to look and see the writers on these early songs. MARVIN GAYE
playing drums on PLEASE MR. POSTMAN. and even BERRY GORDY right there
at the beginning. i always remember being a young man and seeing the
back of the green MARVELETTES GREATEST HITS album and just looking at these 3 beautiful women. the silver dresses and the wigs. i just thought
they were the best and mysterious. you look at that picture now and
see what class, sophiscation, these 3 girls have, i really like the
MARVELETTES SING HITS OF 1962. IT WORKS because the MARVELETTES give
their own spin to these hits. later when MOTOWN artists did cover songs
from other groups they always recorded them with the MOTOWN sound but
this release is their own style. the release PLAYBOY is when things
were really getting that MOTOWN sound MARVELETTES style. MARVELOUS
MARVELTTES is another great release with great ballads. MARVELETTES
LIVE the raw, early, MOTOWN sound where you hear the songs recorded
live in basic style. MARVELETTES GREATEST HITS was the beginning of what was to come with WANDA YOUNG on "DON'T MESS WITH BILL"
THE SONGS RECORDED WITH GLADYS HORTON ON LEAD COULD ONLY HAVE WORKED
WITH GLADYS THEY ARE HER songs which she and the MARVELETTES on background made history. WANDA YOUNG'S leads were more polished and
made me feel like the MARVELETTES had two legacy's of the group. and
the background vocals on all these releases are what MARVELETTES stand
out. for some reason MOTOWN did not give them a chance to be as big as they should of. but now MOTOWN REALIZES their are fans out there ready
to purchase anything by them because for so long they were neglected
but it is a amazing accomplishment to know this group had talent and
were in my opinion a real girl group all their songs were about innocent themes such as boyfriends, dating, young love. who knows what
MOTOWN could have been if the MARVELETTES, MARTHA AND THE VANDELLLAS,
AND GLADYS KNIGHT, KIM WESTON, BRENDA HOLLOWAY, MARY WELLS,VELEVELETTES WERE all given preference MOTOWN could have been a girl group EMPIRE.
nothing against the SUPREMES i like the years up to 1967 but i now realize they had a formula a good formula but in the same mold of the
polished sound. MY FAVORITE MOTOWN GIRL GROUPS ARE MARVELETTES---SUPREMES
LINE UP--JEAN TERRELL - MARY WILSON- CINDY BIRDSONG, MARY WELLS, MARTHA
AND THE VANDELLAS. the MARVELETTES should be in the rock and roll hall
of fame just for PLEASE MR. POSTMAN a great song with a unforgettable
beginning "wait oh yeah wait a minute" but more than any awards what
matters is a body of work which still sounds great and will always
last. and with the MARVELETTES we got 2 lead singers with great background harmony where all the singers got full representation
in the songs. this is a better fuller sound. better GET THIS NOW
BECAUSE WHEN IT IS OUT OF PRINT no telling what the price will be.
i want to thank all the MARVELETTES for the great music, feel good
sound, positive, beautiful harmonies which made my life a whole like
happy. when you hear a MARVELETTES song you just feel good and smile.
so if MOTOWN never gave you your full attention you deserved. it is
the fans like me who have loved your songs always and to me that is
what good music is about! also the packaging is really nice.