Customer Reviews

Martha Reeves

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Martha Reeves is the greatest vocalist to come out of the Motown records stable of stars; true, Diana Ross may have had more and bigger hits, but Martha Reeves was the soul of Motown. This CD, her first solo release in the mid-70's, is solid proof of Reeves' enormous talent. Every track shines, and her cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" should have been the biggest hit of that year. If you can sit still during this rousing version, you are better than I am. Unfortunately, this track was not promoted as a single. Other standouts on this collection are Martha's version of "Many Rivers to Cross", "I've Really Got to Use My Imagination" and "Dixie Highway." But in truth, there are NO weaknesses on this CD. It is unfortunate that Martha Reeves' solo career has not been bigger and more substantial, but anyone who appreciates true gut-level feeling in a vocalist, appreciates Martha's contributions to rock music. This CD, finally available in the US, should be in every serious rock music lover's collection.

Today, Martha (even on dates where she has Vandellas with her) generally opens her show with "Wild Night," which never fails to get the audience going. This should say something about the durability of the material. There is honestly not one bad track in this collection. MCA certainly missed the boat by not promoting this one adequately. The material is varied but perfectly balanced, and Martha's born-again voice is smoother and has a wider range than on her Motown sides. These days, she seems to enjoy trilling up and down the scales to show it off, but on this collection she's more restrained and delivers just the right amount of belt. I have been listening to this one regularly since its original release, and am overjoyed that's it's available on CD. Too bad there's not a six- or seven-star option here. Worth every penny!

This album has been a big part of my life since it was released in the early 1970's. I've never understood why this album did not make Martha Reeves have a post-Motown solo success. Producer Richard Perry's work has always impressed me. His work with the Pointer Sisters was stellar.

But the beauty of this album is the voice of Martha. She covers a surprising range of musical styles. The surprising opening is a very successful cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night," with a funky, driving beat that will have you out of your seat and bopping. Next is a gorgeous ballad, the heart wrenching "You've Got Me for Company," which is one of the finest portraits of consuming love I've ever heard.

Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" gets an interesting make-over, with a driving wall-of-sound brass accompaniment and Martha's punchy "woo-woo-woo's" that hammer the "you do me wrong" aspect of the song.

For me, the standout is "My Man," another gigantically powerful love ballad. This song catches me from the first stirring piano chords. I listen to this song constantly, and grow to love it more each time. Martha demonstrates what a true love song is supposed to do: portray the magnitude, pain, power, and glory of love.

"Storm in My Mind" a standout example of the best of Richard Perry's production, includes a powerful instrumental track, stellar background singing, and a powerful lead from Martha. The album concludes with "Many Rivers to Cross," a driving, moving gospel saga.

I was thrilled when this album finally came out on CD. Every song is wonderful-there are no "fillers." I urge you to but this; you will not be disappointed.

What were the radio programmers of America thinking about when they overlooked this total masterpiece? Martha Reeves played LA when this classic album came out and experienced this awesome legend several times & blown away by her tremendous talent...should have made her a Superstar and shocked that radio would not play this awesome lp filled with great songs and performances...called stations but they refused to play Martha...every song in this classic could have been a hit if given exposure but thanks to those sophisicated English we now have this classic for all time in all its glory on compact disc to savor and enjoy. Opening with definitive version of Van Morrison's "Wild Night", this rocking version cooks! Martha Reeves vocals throughout shine and she outdoes her legendary Motown work with inspired arrangements and fiery incredible vocals. Passionate & smooth soul make Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" a smoldering classic and Carole King must have been thrilled with Martha's mesmerizing "Dixie Highway". Another rocker that would have gone to #1 is Gamble-Huff's "Power Of Love" and "My Man (You Changed My Tune)" is a totally awesome ballad sung with stunning vocal beauty that cannot be topped. Smoldering passion makes "I've Got To Use My Imagination" definitive version and the sublime "Many Rivers To Cross" will make you angry this classic work was overlooked...what were they thinking? Do not hesitate getting this masterpiece because anyone who enjoys music will go crazy over this great collection of classic performances sung with a voice that has everything! Bravo Martha, you really did it this time...

I haven't even heard this CD, but the music has been playing in my head since the album came out in the '70s. I've been looking for it on CD for years, and now that I've found it, I'm so excited, I can hardly wait for payday. Martha Reeves was the most soulful of Motown's singers, and this album should have made her the major solo star she deserved to be. For my money, she outdoes Van Morrison on his own "Wild Night," and her cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers To Cross" is deep. Buy it! I even want to buy it for you (and for all my friends)!

This was Martha Reeves' first step toward her solo career. This was supposed to be the album that started it all. Unfortunately however, the album did not achieve the luster that was expected. However, after I listened to it, even before I read the liner notes, that this was due to lack of promotion. I as the consumer know what sounds good and what just flat out stinks. This did not stink. While I did think that Martha sort of held back a little on "Facsimile", I think that "Dixie Highway" should have been released as its own album, because that is my favorite song on the entire album. Even though I am not a religious person, that song really takes you back to church. You can tell by the way she sings it, and the organ playing in the background, that it has that definite gospel feel. You can almost hear the people in the back pews going "YES!" as she brings it on home from the alter. (Needless to say that she hardly held back on that recording). The other tracks including "Wild Night", "Power Of Love", and her version of Gladys Knight & The Pips "I've Got To Use My Imagination", are all fabulous, and I am so angry that the CD was only available for such a short amount of time. However, I have good news, you can get this album new at Hip-O-Select.com. (In case you're interested).

Richard Perry realized the true extent of Martha's talent and showcased her in a wide variety of music. Songs range from the rockin' "Wild Nights" and "Storm in My Soul" to the gospel-like "Dixie Highway" and "Many Rivers To Cross". Most listners who only know Martha from her Motown hits are truly missing a unique experience if they don't hear this album.

In her previous life with the Vandellas, Martha showed Diana Ross & The Supremes how it should be done, but marketing won out over talent. With this album, Martha knocks anything Diana ever did over the fence. Only Irma Thomas could match her voice, and nobody could match her power. Buy it.

This album is truly Martha Reeves' masterpiece. Better than anything she ever recorded for Motown, this album should have had at least one if not ten or eleven hits. I cannot figure out how it missed. If you are thinking about buying this album, don't hesitate...Do so. You will not regret it. That is unless you have a passion for whiny, wimpy singers. Martha's voice is a powerhouse.

Notoriously expensive album that flopped with thunder of some grandiose MGM movie,this album was supposed to establish Martha Reeves as solo act and through the years it had achieved legendary status as "hidden gem".
Is it any good? Well,yes and no. Richard Perry did great job of providing good musicians and it all sounds highly professional but still it lacks any particular focus - Reeves herself was great singer if not always inspired - she was the most effective on ballads ("You got me for company") and Carole King's quasy-gospel "Dixie Highway" where she breathes life into otherwise limpy song but she strangely doesn't sound really convinced with all this business and her trademark fire,so fierce in previous decade is somehow subdued here almost as she left decisions to others.
People say that this is "unearthed treasure" but it just might be interesting exception to Reeves discography - I am against lifting something obscure to legendary status just because it is forgotten,in this case it is half-baked album with no particular highlight.
It actually makes one appreciate "Motown" musicians even more as they really made everything sounds so spontaneous and brilliant,while hundreds of studio hands here somehow failed to give this album any real purpose.
The only real gem here is closing song "Many rivers To Cross" where Reeves finally wakes up and let that passion burst out,studio walls shaking with her roar,it makes one wonder would she be far happier to record pure gospel album where her heart would be in right place.
Excellent singer saddled with mediocre material.