Customer Reviews

The Supremes - 70's Greatest Hits & Rare Classics

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When Diana Ross left the Supremes, the decision at Motown was to place the big money behind her career because that was needed to launch a lead singer into a solo act. The Supremes did get loving care from the company and a great producer in Frank Wilson, but Miss Ross got the special covers for singles and big promotion. The Supremes nevertheless continued to chart with their singles and issue outstanding albums. In fact, their music after Ross was much more sophisticated, provocative and envelope-pushing. Here is some of the best of it, with outstanding lead vocals by the exemplary Jean Terrell, dynamic Sherrie Payne and satin-voiced Mary Wilson. All the post-Ross albums were outstanding but most suffered from strange titling, stranger packaging and little promotion. (There also is an unreleased album, "Promises Kept," with a fantastic single, "Heart Beats," and several unreleased live albums.) These are still-exciting recordings. You'll enjoy them! As for Miss Ross, she still is going strong with her new album her finest work ever, and Mary Wilson is still out there touring, looking glorious and singing better than ever. The Supremes, even apart, are still Supreme.

Few people are aware that when Diana Ross said farewell to the Supremes January 14, 1970, that the group continued to have hit-making success. In fact, their first recording without Miss Ross, "Up the Ladder to the Roof" actually charted higher (#10 pop) than Ross' first solo recording of "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" (#20 pop)! Anchored by founding member Mary Wilson after Ross' departure, this set includes "Ladder" along with several other top 20 hits such as "Nathan Jones," "Stoned Love," "Floy Joy," and "Everybody's Got the Right to Love." As a bonus we are treated to solo recordings by Ross' lead replacements, Jean Terrell and Scherrie Payne, who led the group from 1970-1973 and 1973-1977 respectively. Mary Wilson's sultry voice is also featured on several group leads. Nearly every single release is included here along with some rare album cuts and alternate takes of some songs. In addition, the liner notes provide lead-singer information for every tune. This is a worthy addition to any Motown collection.

A common myth is that the Supremes withered and quickly died after Diana Ross' departure. Not true! If this CD is anything to go by, they hadn't even hit their stride musically with Ross. Quite simply each track here is as good as, if not better than the last. Jean Terrell was no Diana Ross Xerox copy. Her high, sweet voice could have been the ticket to many more chart-topping success for the group, had Motown not decided to abandon ship and let the group self-destruct. One thing the group never lacked was talent. Aside from Jean Terrell, original member Mary Wilson had successfully begun her metamorphosis from "the sexy one" to a powerful, accomplished singer in her own right. The dynamic Scherrie Payne came along later in the game, and it can be argued that the final assortment of her, Wilson, and Susaye Greene was both the most visually and musically exciting the group had ever known, but by then it was too little too late. If you've never heard Payne before then the last 2 tracks will be a treat. Why the recording industry hasn't done more with this brilliant lady will forever remain a mystery. She could have easily had, and maybe even surpassed Diana Ross' own success.
On background here, we have the always dependable Cindy Birdsong, Lynda Laurence and Susaye Greene, all talents which deserved more recognition than they eventually got.
It can be argued that Motown shot itself and the public in the foot by ignoring the group from 1970 on. Maybe-just don't do yourself the same injustice. This CD is dynamite, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

While this collection is quite good, it could use more of the "Greatest Hits" and a little less of the "Rare Classics". I love the 70s Supremes as well as the 60s Supremes. It is worth seeking out the albums "Floy Joy" (my personal favorite; written and produced by Smokey Robinson) and "Touch" on CD, but ALSO...

It is worth your effort to seek out the cassette version of this title, because it has a COMPLETELY different tracklisting. Not only does it only share 13 cuts in common with the CD, it has in some cases, alternate mixes!

The cassette "GH&RC" follows a more straightforward, chronological tracklisting featuring ALL the group's singles (including the phenomenal withdrawn 1975 single "It's All Been Said Before".) The cd unfortunately, does not contain either this track or these others: "Touch" (my fave 70s Sups cut), "High Energy" (in an edited alternate mix only found here), "Where Do I Go From Here", and "Let Yourself Go".

I'm not sure why Motown released two different versions on Cassette and CD, but both are essential if you love The Supremes!

This cd just goes to show that The Supremes were every bit Supreme without Diana Ross. Jean Terrell lead the Supremes on a glorious journey through several albums, which unfortunately got little support or push from the Motown Machine. Jean has a unique voice that stood right up there along side Ms. Ross. Sadly, The Supremes became an employment agency...a revolving door which hurt their stability and image. Vocally, they were all great line-ups...each one bringing something different..perhaps that was the problems...too many differences. The last line-up with Mary, Scherrie and Susaye may have been the strongest vocally...but, that was basically the end of the group in short order. With this CD, you'll get a sampling of their different line-ups and sounds...all good.

Amazing to me that, given their enthusiasm, NO ONE has mentioned that on this release (and appearing on NO other), is not an alternate version, but the original UNEDITED mono mix of "Floy Joy", and that the version of "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" is here in an alternate PERFORMANCE which blows the released version out of the water!!!! How I would LOVE to hear these in STEREO!!!! I have always loved the Jean Terrell-led version of this group MUCH more than the egomaniacal warblings of Miss Ross, and these two cuts made my decade!!! Just wanted to belatedly add my two cents to the reviews for anyone who reads them so many years after the fact.

The Supremes made great, fantastic music after Monster Ross left and never got credit for it. In this CD you will hear them all. Jean Terell was a terrific singer and actually Scherrie Payne was the best singer of any Supreme. "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" is my #1 favorite Supreme song and I go back to 1963, being crazy about them beginning that year. I saw the Supremes in live concert 6 to 8 times, once with Florence and all the others with Mary, Jean & Cindy. I was so delighted when Monster Ross left. To me The Supremes were back! Three beautiful girls in beautiful gowns singing as a group again. They were not a group after Florence left.

I agree with the reviewers who think that the Supremes hit their musical stride after Diana Ross left the group. As much as I appreciate and admire Diana Ross, the group's performances on record improved with the line-up change. I think Mary Wilson was the heart of the Supremes, and with Jean Terrell and Cindy Birdsong, the trio churned out a number of classics in their own right in a short period of time: "Stoned Love" (the shortened version is on this disc), "Floy Joy," "Bad Weather," "Up the Ladder To the Roof," "Everybody's Got the Right To Love," "Nathan Jones..." Unbelievable!!!!! After Terrell left, the group still turned out some strong sides which are also represented here. I'm grateful I own this disc. (And I will try and search out the cassette version as well.)

Yes, the 70's Supremes (post-Diana Ross) were Supreme...and this collection is living proof. It seemed as if the Supremes just got better and better AS A GROUP with each new member...and there were a total of 8 of them (including Diana Ross and not including Barbara Martin, who left way before the Supremes had their first hit). Hearing more and more of the great Mary Wilson, prominently and deservedly on several cuts, as time went on, was a real treat, and always special for the fans. A great bonus on this collection is hearing her velvet soul. (She still has a huge, international fan base, and has never stopped touring and growing as an artist.) And the purely soulful Jean Terrell shone brilliantly on every tune. Plus, later, the exciting, powerhouse stylist Scherrie Payne knocked your socks off with every performance. And...the last official member, Susaye Green, has a five-octave range that broadened the group's overall sound and provided an additional dimension of excitement. The set's sequencing is extremely effective, rather "chrono/logical," and features all of the major 70's single releases, as well as quite a few treats. Includes a selection from Jean Terrell's solo album for A&M (not my personal favorite tune from that set), as well as two Scherrie Payne solo Motown recordings. I particularly enjoy the alternate version of the Smokey Robinson penned and produced "Floy Joy," which was one of the group's biggest early 70's hits and features a duetted lead between Mary and Jean. There are also 3 significant recordings from the rare Jimmy Webb-produced album from 1972: a dynamic version of "Tossin' and Turnin,'" the power ballad "Paradise," and the very beautiful remake of Mina's "La voce del silenzio" [the title incorrectly translated as "Il Voce de Silenzio"], which is sophisticated and sublime. This collection was a surprise success for Motown. One listen will show you why. By far the best introduction to the 70's Supremes' output [especially at these prices!!]. Very well done, though skimpy on art and notes, but the music loudly speaks for itself. GRAB THIS NOW!

i always loved jean terrell as lead after diana. i never was really a supreme fan after jean departed. i must say the last two tracks on the cd let scherrie payne shine!! i was able to get all the hits, that i was never able to find on any other greatest hits cd! enjoy, i did! steve perron