Customer Reviews

Motown Classics: Gold

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This is the 5th Motown Classics compilation I have, the previous four are "20 Greatest Songs in Motown History" issued in 1985, " Motown Elite 9000 series" in 1987, "Motown - the Hits Collection volume 1" in 1994 and "Motown 40 Forever" in 1998. I just love to buy these Motown compilations as everytime it will give a new look and experience of these classics even though most of the selections are the same. This latest instalment of mine surprised me, by having the stereo version of "Please Mr. Postman". I have the two cds set "The Marvelettes - Deliver the singles 1961- 1971", the songs are all remastered in the original mono master, and the mono version is a mandatory version included in some of the above compilations, so this is the first time that I heard it in stereo. Another surprise is "My girl", my No.1 favorite Motown Classics, the version here has a much clearer vocal, and the remastering sound is gorgeous. "Heatwave" by Martha and the Vandellas is another gem, the most common version is the 'fake stereo' version with lots of echo added, Martha's vocal is shifted to the left, here we have the genuine stereo version of different mix (the horns' playing in the bridge is longer than the usual version),the sound of the accompanying instruments can be clearly heard. When listening to this compilation, it seems that you are hearing new version of these classic songs.

Over the years Motown Records has repackaged its legendary artists and hits to varying degrees of commercial and critical success. And as with many labels it seemed at times that the retrospectives became more important to the company coffers than developing new talent or promoting new releases by existing artists.

Without investing in the pricey boxed CD sets, this collection is perhaps the best of the Motown bunch, with 40 songs that captures the true essence of what made the label great; artists who believed in their music, songs that told real stories and hooks that are as infectious today as they were when initially issued all those years ago.

Barrett Strong's Money (That's What I Want), the Four Tops' I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Going To A Go Go by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and the Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love are great examples of complex themes that are wonderfully told within a commercial - Top 40 -radio format.

The juxtaposing of I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye is an especially nice touch. And though artists like Bruce Springsteen and Frankie Goes To Hollywood have recorded War, nothing beats the powerful vocals of Edwin Starr.

This is not a smorgasbord sampler that's tossed together with little thought; the two CDs are a treasure chest of legendary artists and the songs that defined a generation.

There isn't a song on this 40-track collection that hasn't already been permanently etched on my brain. When I was a teen in the Sixties, these songs were a part of the soundtrack of my life. [Only the final four tracks charted after 1970.]

Motown was already a proven hit-making label four years before the British Invasion when Barrett Strong charted with "Money" in 1960. The label also was a huge influence on at least one British group. The Beatles recorded their own versions of "Money" and "Please Mr. Postman" and others in the early Sixties. With artists like Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and countless others; Motown didn't merely survive the British Invasion--they thrived. Motown would continue to have hits into the Seventies and Eighties, but this compilation covers their golden age.

Motown has released numerous collections over the years, including the definitive HITSVILLE USA box set. But this collection is one of the best. [It should be noted that MOTOWN GOLD was first released in 2000 under the title MOTOWN THE CLASSIC YEARS. But if you didn't make that purchase, GOLD is selling at a midline price and is clearly the better buy.] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

These are not the original classics. The producers have remixed to add extra percussion, a thumpa-thumpa/hip hop bass and slowed several of the songs down so the original Motown sound is lost with some songs sounding particularly heavy and dragging.

This is what I've waited for for decades. The sound is phenomenal. I bought the "Hitsville" box set back in '92. It was good, but this is great. I never heard this stuff sound like this. Get the follow up, "More Motown Classics Gold", and it's like getting a box set for half the price. I can't recommend it more.

All 40 of these songs were landmarks in the history of rhythm and blues, for these tracks managed to crossover to White America while retaining their black roots. The variety within this package is undeniable. The Supremes provided the slick pop, the Marvelettes and the Contours provided the gritty rock and roll numbers, and Jr. Walker offered blues and jazz flourishes. Smokey and Stevie discussed romance and the Temptations and Marvin sang of both romance and politics. And the lead-off cut comments about life in Detroit, later definitively rendered by those Beatles. The Funk Brothers are the background heroes on all these recordings and their funk unit smoked. Praise bassist James Jamerson and drummer Benny Benjamin. Also, the growth of the music and lyrics seemed to deepen with each successive year. The song consistency here is the most remarkable of any Motown reissue ever. Another plus of this recreation is compression (no artist gets more than five tracks apiece). This enables some of the lesser known artists to shine: Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr and the Undisputed Truth. Even though every cut deserves its place on this well-priced CD, my only qualm is that it short-changes the Marvelettes. I love all three of Martha's entries, however, they should've squeezed two more from the Marvelettes. My nominees would be the bouncy "Too Many Fish In The Sea" and the sophisticated soul of "Don't Mess With Bill". Heck, there's room for "Beechwood 4-5789" and "Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead" too. There's your five. Grab this anyway, young and old.

The music on the collection was really great! Was totally worth it! It has a pretty solid collection of motown classics.

This 2005 released two disc set from Universal(who now combines under one roof many previously separate labels,Motown included),gives us a glimpse at the cream of the Motown crop.The set starts in 1961 with Barrett Strong's' influential rendition of "Money" all the way to 1972's "Neither one of us" by Gladys Knight accompanied by the Pips.In between are some really sweet songs that are bound to evoke many memories for those that where around way back when and remember them as they came blaring out from your local fave radio station of the day.
Inside the set is included a 16 page booklet which includes many pics,complete release data for each song(very important) and a short blurb.What becomes very obvious from just a cursory glance at the titles' songwriters and producers credits,is what great talent lay behind each song,beside the artists performing on them.Peeps behind the scenes like Smokey Robinson,the legendary Berry Gordy himself,Marvin Gaye,Norman Whitfield and so many others went into what made these songs the huge sellers they were.
What I like about this set is the variety included.We seem to have someone who actually cared about the selections instead of a throwing together of the usual chestnuts that we've heard ad nauseum like "My Girl" and "I Can't Help Myself".Even though these two are there,they've included some beautes like "What becomes of the broken hearted"by Jimmy Ruffin,"Shotgun" by Jr.Walker,"You Beat me to the punch" by Mary Wells,"Jimmy Mack" by Martha Reeve,"two versions of "I heard it through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and Marvin Gaye,"Ball of Confusion" by the Temps,"It's a Shame" by the Spinners,"Smiling Faces"by the Undisputed Truth,one of my all time faves"War" by Edwin Starr and many others.Some of these tunes are hard to find except in this set and that's definitely a good thing.
All in all a great compilation of Motown hits.I looked and compared the "Mowtown Fifty" series in the black and yellow covers.They both contain only 30 tracks on three discs,both are very similar in their compilations(why?) and they cost more than this set.For some major dollars less,MORE songs(40) and a better variety this is the best value all around.Get yours today!

This CD is the absolute best! Every single song brings back a flood of memories. When listening to this CD you will be able to "see" the performers singing their great music when they were on t.v. way back when. If anyone has lived through this great era, they will be able to sing to every single song on this CD. I have previewed and/or bought other Motown CDs but were disappointed with every other song. However, this one is the best. (Even my 15 year old sings along with these songs.) Will the songs that are being sung today be considered the great oldies of tomorrow? I think NOT. These songs on this CD will live on longer because they are the best!

Debbi

"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and other hits will have you or your friends and family reminiscing about the "Good Old Days" of Soul Music.