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RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 7TH
CD Edition limited to 5000 non-numbered limited edition copies.
Berry Gordy’s genius was to establish a music company combining the two distinct elements he knew best: one, family –a family of labels driven by a family of producers and performers – and, two, songs – an in-house publishing company. One could feed the other, meaning Motown’s growing stable of talent always had songs to sing: a hot song was often covered endlessly, while a song that may not have the right feel could be matched up with another singer.
Motown Sings Motown Treasures offers an extraordinary glimpse into the process, featuring 45 songs that ended up as hits for someone else. Some are the original versions – who knew that wannabe-pop-star Tommy Good cut the original vocal to the Four Tops’ “Ask The Lonely” to their same backing track? Some are original song sketches: Imagine getting an insider’s look into how Marvin Gaye shaped “Baby I’m For Real” into a No. 1 hit for The Originals – by handing completely different lyrics to Bobby Taylor. Or how the Isley Brothers were first given “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” – also with very different words. Some tracks are simply awesome covers, from Marvin Gaye’s sweet take of “My Girl” to blues belter Hattie Littles, an early Motown act, getting nasty with Barrett Strong’s “Money.”
Included with this new collection is a terrific booklet with track-by-track liner notes with exclusive vault details that further tell the song’s stories, plus recording dates and an introductory essay by Grammy® nominee Adam White. Of the set’s 45 cuts, 21 were previously issued as Motown Sings Motown Treasure Vol. 1, with scant information, in fall 1998. That album was quickly deleted and has been out of print for several years. “Ask Any Man” was previously issued on 45; the Spinners’ “Shop Around” and the Vandellas’ “The Tracks Of My Tears” were previously issued on vinyl in the Eighties. Not only is each of those making their commercial CD debut, the rest of the songs on this collection are being issued for the very first time in any format.
Did You Know? Marvin Gaye’s hit “Ain’t That Peculiar” was one of those rare Motown classics not covered by several artists: only Dennis Edwards, before he joined the Temptations, got a shot at it, and you can hear it only on this collection.
Price: $39.98
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