Motown Guy Groups [Original recording remastered]

Motown Legends (Series) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Umvd Special Markets
• ASIN: B0000047JD
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Do You Love Me [*]

2. Shotgun

3. 7-Rooms of Gloom

4. I Wish It Would Rain

5. Little Bitty Pretty One

6. Ooo Baby Baby

7. Cloud Nine

8. Baby, Baby Don't Cry [*]

9. Baby, I'm for Real [*]

10. Mama's Pearl [*]

11. Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) [*]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Seven essential soul groups, July 7, 2009

By 

Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Motown Guy Groups (Audio CD)

The MOTOWN LEGENDS - GUY GROUPS set features eleven selections by seven vocal groups. The front cover insert includes only a song list. All tracks except "Do You Love Me" are stereo. Transfer quality is very good.


ARTISTS--

THE CONTOURS signed a Motown recording contract in late 1960 thanks to the intercession of Berry Gordy's cousin, Jackie Wilson. In 1962, "Do You Love Me" hit #1 and #3 on the R&B and Pop charts, respectively. It was their only Top 10 record.

THE ORIGINALS were primarily a back-up band in the late 60s, until Marvin Gaye began working with them. Their #1 R&B hit, "Baby I'm For Real" was co-written and produced by Gaye.

After she saw them win a 1967 Apollo Theater talent contest, Gladys Knight recommended kid group THE JACKSON 5 to Motown founder Berry Gordy. Concern about child labor laws in part influnced Gordy's decision to not audition the boys. A year later a persistent Knight got other Motown execs to see the Jacksons in concert. Gordy was shown footage of this event and he reversed his previous decision. Their first four singles all went to #1-- a record. "Mama's Pearl" charted at #2 in 1971; "Little Bitty Pretty One" only went to #13 a year later.

In 1963, Berry Gordy lured the FOUP TOPS away from Chess Records, where they'd been since 1956. "7-Rooms of Gloom" was the quartet's eleventh Top 40 hit, charting out at #14.

JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS came to Motown in 1961 by way of Fuqua Records when it was absorbed by the larger company. "Shotgun" (from 1965) was the band's first Top Ten hit, reaching the #4 slot.

One of the most successful recording acts in history, THE TEMPTATIONS also landed at Motown in 1961 after they left the smaller Northern label. They struggled for several years until going to #1 with "My Girl," a song that Smokey Robinson had written for his wife. "I Wish It Would Rain" reached #4 in 1967; "Ball of Confusion" went one slot better in 1970.

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES were a founding Motown group. Their "Shop Around" was the company's first #1 million seller. "Ooo Baby Baby" from 1965 went all the way to #16 and "Baby, Baby Don't Cry" broke the Top 10 in 1967, reaching #8.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 35:11

5.0 out of 5 stars Motown, October 18, 2008

By 

Darryl M. Stinger - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Motown Guy Groups (Audio CD)

I love motown and I grew up on motown. Brings back lots of great memories.