Customer Reviews

Martha & the Vandellas - Greatest Hits [Motown]

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It's an interesting quandary - you could buy "Ultimate Collection" or search for the defunct 2-disc "Live Wire: The Singles" set. You'd get more Vandellas music in each case, but it would be mono. If, however, you're one of the many folks I've read complaining on here about so much 60s Motown material that isn't in stereo, you've stopped at the right place.

Originally Gordy LP 917 and released May 4, 1966, this first Vandellas Greatest Hits, will carry you through their first three golden years, from February 1963 ("Come And Get These Memories") to January 1966 ("My Baby Loves Me"). This album preceded hits like "I'm Ready For Love"(10-66), "Jimmy Mack"(2-67) and "Honey Chile"(11-67), so you'll HAVE to settle for "Ultimate Collection" if you insist on them too. Motown being Motown however, ALL of these different hits packages will eventually be redone, re-cycled as new, and in versions sure to please some and burn others. Ain't that what we're used to by now?

I'm old enough to have been introduced to all of the hits here on AM radio in the 60s where they all gained their first fame, and through their mono 45 versions. (I was 12 when this album came out.) Naturally, to repeat the experience of them, those are the versions I prefer. But I have both, and as long as I have BOTH, I'll admit the stereo versions are not without curious interest. I never heard "In My Lonely Room," for instance, in stereo anywhere but in this album - it was left off their "Anthology" set when it showed up August 21, 1974.

Whether you're hard-core mono or hard-core stereo, however, Vandellas performances won't let you go near any `off' button. The original liner notes of this one, signed by Scott St. James, mentioned "fond memories of excitement and nostalgia are stirred and reborn" as you listened. Prophetic, wasn't he? I was the kind of kid in those days who, if his Mom couldn't come through with the needed buck for the latest Vandellas side, well...we all know the planet would have just veered off it's orbit into the void, wouldn't it? Thanks for all you taught me about loving with a passion, Miss Reeves.

Great pleasure listening to this album , very very clear well done can't stop telling everyone about it.very good to dance to not to mention memories. thanks

Martha and the Vandellas seem to be eclipsed by and compared to The Supremes. But they were as good.
All the early hits.
And a minor gem, "A Love Like Yours Don't Come Knockin' Every Day." The best.