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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
R&B's Two Greatest Supergroups Deliver!, April 30, 2004
With 38 tracks, a generous helping by anyone's standards, this affordable 2-disc is truly complete. In addition to the complete 2 studio albums the Supremes and Temptations recorded together, every Mono single mix is here, as well as alternate mixes and extended fades, PLUS 7 never-before-released songs!!WHAT I LOVED: 1) The compelling Diana Ross performance of "A House Is Not A Home" has been freed from the vaults at last! This track is not a duet, rather it has both The Supremes and Temptations backing her together with a beautiful vocal blend. NOTE: And folks, this truly is "The Supremes", as Cindy Wilson and Mary Birdsong are singing backup here and NOT The Andantes. 2) "Why (Must We Fall In Love)" has never sounded better! This version is the same original LP stereo version, without the minor distortion that tainted the original mix. Now it has been cleaned up and is perfect - plus it is 20 seconds longer. This song features a complex and sophisticated chord progression and could have been a major hit. It sounds like a classic here. And to those who don't think Ross can be soulful, listen to this track. Very soulful. 3) The "Opening Medley". This one is so cute! It starts with The Tempts talking: "Man, this is a wack party without the girls...wait a minute, here they come! There's the sexy one, the shy one, and the skinny one!" (Or something to that effect.) Then The Tempts and Supes go into a 5-song medley of Supremes hits. It is fun hearing the guys sing the Supremes' hits! This track would have fit in perfectly on the original LP of "Join". 4) Lots of rare photos and complete behind-the-scenes liner notes, including input from producer Frank Wilson, put the recording sessions - and top-rated TV specials - the groups did together in historical context. 5) For those who miss the original LP covers, they are full-page reproduced inside the booklet! 6) Also, hats must go off to mixing engineer Ellen Fitton, who newly mixed several of the tracks herself from the original masters. These songs had never been given a final mix, and rather than try to radically play with the sound and "update" or "remix" it, she kept the songs very loyally to the original Motown sound. Great news for audiophiles and Motown purists!
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