Customer Reviews

Reach Out: the Motown Record

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

 

 

I can't help but be a bit puzzled by the negative reviews of this CD. Were those people expecting renditions as good as the original recordings that became world-famous back in the '60s? I wasn't; I doubt there's a group recording today who could produce such results (although UK R&B group Blue's take on "Get Ready" comes impressively close). Considering that Human Nature is a boyband from literally halfway around the world from Detroit, USA, I'd say they did a pretty darn good job on this album.

These versions of the songs don't really stray at all from the originals (unless one takes into account that one or two of the songs were made most famous, or only ever previously recorded, by female vocalists), but there's nothing wrong with that. Indeed, it can be argued that Motown classics shouldn't be messed with anyway. The most significant departure is in the closing track, a smooth a cappella rendition of "The Tracks Of My Tears", which puts the guys' harmonization skills front-and-center. And I did find a "new" (to me) Motown song on this collection that I don't recall ever hearing before: "Twenty Five Miles", the original version of which I look forward to someday hearing.

I didn't buy this CD to have a top-flight Motown tribute album; I bought it because I enjoy Motown no matter who's singing it, even if they're not nearly as superb as the legendary artists. And in that respect, as nothing more than the vintage ear candy that is Motown, this album did not disappoint.

I have been listening to this album for over a year now, and know each song off by heart, the favourites on this album are My Girl, if you don't know me by now, stop in the name of love, you are everything. These are my favourites. Easy listening and we saw this group in concert recently and were blown away! Well worth the money paid for memories of mowtown!

I always like to discover new versions of 50's/60's R&B, Soul classics. Originally just another boy band, this Australian group seems to have matured and on this CD offers a quartet of fresh voices singing songs like "Baby I Need Your Lovin'", "Reach Out I'll Be There", and "I Want You Back". The instrumental part doesn't offer anything new, sticking to the way the Funk Brothers and other musicians used to play back in the Motown days, but it's still a very well recorded and sung CD. Worthwhile listening to.

I bought this album with high hopes and was not disappointed. Rich sounds, beautiful harmonies, terrific instrument sounds - a really great recording of some Motown classics. Hopefully it will bring some of those wonderful tunes back into mainstream play - ahhh real music, real singing....

Just gorgeous.
:)

Not impressed. Cd was listed as like new, excellent condition and it skips in multiple spots. This was the first time that I have bought a used cd online and was trusting the description. I am not sure if I will ever buy a used cd online again.

I bought this album on a total whim after hearing their cover of "My Girl" on a demo iPod at an Apple Store. Now that I have the CD and have listened to it at home I realize just how lackluster the performances are. While the lead vocal is OK, if not great, and the harmonies are tight, the band is terrible. I was particularly struck by the limp bass playing. It's mushy and completely lacks punch, especially on "My Girl". And their use of synth strings and horns instead of real instruments is sacrilege. I can't believe I didn't pick up on that when I heard it in the store. Compared to the Temptations' original, it just sucks. The other tracks are similarly disappointing. The only good thing about my purchase is that I got it used and paid less than ten bucks, shipped. If you like Motown, there's really no reason to buy this over a compilation of the originals. Yes, the sound is very clean because of the newer recording technology, but the spirit and energy of the originals are missing.

As a lover of Motown and a frequent listener to Human Nature, I had high hopes for this CD.

The most important thing about recording your own version of someone else's music is that you have to live up to the expectations set by the original artist. With that in mind, Human Nature had a lot on their plate before they even started recording an album of motown classics.

Whilst their vocal harmonies are tight and pleasant, the performances are all uninspiring. A major part of the motown genre was giving equal importance to instrumental and vocal parts. Human Nature have overlooked this entirely and focussed so much on vocal harmony that the equally important instrumental parts sound like an after-thought.

If you're a lover of motown music, or think you'd like to get into it, use the track list for this album and get the songs as performed by their original artists. You won't be disappointed.

Two stars awarded purely for the good song choices.

This album is a true tragedy. Most of the songs are recorded very similarly to their incredible, irreplaceable predecessors as far as tempo and choice of instruments go only that they have been sheened over, had their soul extracted and to quote Melanie Safka "tied up in a plastic bag and turned upside down". The artists who recorded these songs are legendary (Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, The Jackson 5 to name a few) and their voice and soul make the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting come alive in a way that Human Nature will never even dream of. There's no reason for this recording to have been made, I'm all for inspired covers by true artists but this doesn't fit that definition. If you are looking for Motown music then purchase one of the many Motown greatest hits albums like 'The Classic Years' and dance the night away, but don't insult those recordings and yourself by buying this error of a CD.

This group is normally a fantastic group. They do have great voices and harmonies when they sing original material. But when they record Motown, ... I don't know what to say. They don't have the soul or the passion in their voices and the music sounds rushed. Why kill one of the best music genres needlessly? These guys haven't done much lately together, and to make a 'come back' with covers, seems like an easy way to make a fast buck. I have listened to this at the store where I work, but I won't buy my own copy and give them a cent to ruin one of the best music styles in history. You know how they say "White Men Can't Jump"? well not many white men can pull off Motown. Sorry guys.