Very Best of [Original recording remastered]

Velvelettes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00000IFUF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,926 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Very Best of (Audio CD)

Many, many Motown afficionados have always considered the Velevelettes the creme de la creme of Motown's girl groups. Many, many Motown executives considered these ladies the company's most sophisticated in-person act. Had the Velvelettes received toprate material and toprate promotion there is no doubt you'd seen the group's name at the top of the charts over and over. Berry Gordy had a Velvelettes album ready several times but said that each time just as the release date neared there'd be a change in personnel and he'd consequently hesitate. Actually, the group didn't have that many changes in personnel and often it was a matter of different ladies appearing at different times in different configurations but the same group members. Cal Gill has a unique voice, misty yet soulful, tender yet strong, thick but feminine. Motown still has TONS of unreleased Velevelettes material in the vaults, much of it simply glorious, but let us give thanks that at last after nearly 40 years an album has appeared and it is beautifully packaged and annotated and gorgeously mastered. The ladies deserve no less. Yes, they are still performing, sound better than ever and look fabulous. How nice that finally, finally, their home label has given the Velevelettes their just due.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, long-lost Motown, April 10, 2002

By 

Exguyparis "exguyparis" (Lansdowne, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Best of (Audio CD)

How sad is it that an album of songs recorded in the early sixties wasn't released until 1999? Sad, I suspect, if you happened to be a Velvelette, and sad, you'll discover, if you are a Motown fan. There is some powerful stuff on this CD. I'll avoid putting it as crudely and as succinctly as I'd like, and resort to "these girls have testosterone." While the Supremes were all glitz, class, sophistication, airiness, and smoothness, the Velvelettes are soulful, powerful, grounded, and solid.

Compare their version of "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" to Diana Ross' cover- you'll find the V's offer more soul, intensity, and force. "Needle in a Haystack" is catchy and jumpy; you'll be moving and grooving as you take their advice. "Bird in the Hand" is gorgeous- Motown at its finest. The lesser-known cuts will delight as well: "That's the Reason Why" is marvelous. I find no filler at all here, but rather a string of Motown gems.

If you are a fan of Motown, take the time to dive into this CD. The voices and harmonies are spectacular, the Motown musicians show their finest wares, and the total effect is supreme (sorry-that works better than saying the total effect is velvelette!).

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE VELVET SOUL OF THE VELVELETTES, November 8, 1999

By 

shindigger "shindigger!" (WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Best of (Audio CD)

My only knowledge of the Velvelettes came from a "dusties" station in Chicago playing "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'" about 15 years ago. Anyone who hears that record knows it's an earthmover from the very beginning:Piano,horn riff and that legendary Motown snare/bass drum beat! Like everyone else, my heart stopped when I came across this CD! What a fantastic way to be introduced to The Velvelettes! "I Know His Name (Only His Name)" is a scorching H-D-H raver that sounds like the Velvelettes, Marvelettes, and Martha & the Vandellas all having the biggest party on this tune. "A Bird In The Hand (Is Worth Two In The Bush)" is jet-propelled by another funky non-stop snare/bass drum beat. Everyone seems to agree that Motown really dropped the ball on "Let Love Live (A Little Bit Longer)"! Mickey Stevenson and Sylvia Moy really cut a groove and Carolyn Gill gives one of her strongest vocals. This group alone could have put Motown's V.I.P. label on the map. Once again, it is shown the wealth of talent Motown had. Unfortunately, a lot of it wasn't pushed like it should have been. But with releases like this one, a whole new generation really gets to discover this great talent; the way it should have been all along!