Customer Reviews

Women of Motown: An Oral History (For the Record)

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As a life-long Detroit resident, the Motown story is near and dear to me. What I like the best about this book is the author lets the distinct voices of these beautiful, tough ladies shine through in this collection of oral histories. It is obvious the women Ms Whitall interviews are important to her. I am glad these stories are being told--too much emphasis is placed these days on the superstars of Motown; Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations. For me, the gritty, soulful backbone of the Motown sound will always be Martha Reeves, Mary Wells, Kim Weston. The homegirls! I am eager to read other books in the series if they are as well-written, thoughtful and fun.

This book is a comprehensive review of a very special time in American music. We are treated with actual stories that haven't been shared in the media until now. For those that feel that Motown women consist of only the Supremes, this book introduces us to a group of musicians that will surely inspire the reader to find some new artists in the Motown section of the local CD store. Let's see some more! Hopefully a new group of Motown ladies are out there that will revive the Detroit sound.

I enjoyed reading this book because it explores the personal side of Motown and its artists. I also appreciated that the writer also explored the stories of lesser-known Motown acts like Mable John and the Velvelettes. My only criticism of the book is that it failed to include a chapter on Gladys Knight. How can you do a book called, "Women of Motown" without Gladys Knight?

I have always been Facsinated By Motown Records.it's so Important For African-Americans to Have A Stake in things and Berry Gordy is someone very Special in Keeping the Dream Alive.more often than Not The Women of Motown were pretty much just show except Diana ROss but this Book kicks that down and explores The Importance Of The Ladies at Motown.This Great Label had Many Great Minds of both Sexes and it's Important that they be heard.

In writing The Women of Motown, Susan Whitall digs beneath the veneer of the Motown publicity machine to give us an intimate view of the real people who literally changed the face of R&B. Even more fascinating than the conversations with those we instantly identify with the Motown sound are the stories of Kim Weston, Mabel John and the Velevelettes, artists who may not have enjoyed the same notoriety, but clearly influenced the heart and soul of Detroit's most famous record company. Ms. Whitall's brings a unique perspective to the project. She grew up in Detroit and has written about its music and culture for more than a quarter century. Her always excellent prose also benefits from the magic touch of rock journalist Dave Marsh, a mentor at Creem Mangazine and an able chronicler of rock history in his own right