Search - Diana Ross & Supremes :: Anthology

Aint This Good News

D. A. Vall-lloveras | 01/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would like to commend Motown for this CD. At last you have an Anthology that features leads by all original Supremes. Mary Wilson does lead on "The Tears" and "Can't Take My Eyes off You". The Fabulous Florence Ballard does the lead on "Buttered Popcorn" (their 2nd single) and Ain't That Good News" ( one of the best songs on the this collection). On this version of "Good News" the fade out is much longer and she really blows on this one as only she could. "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart" is wonderful, in fact this version With more Flo and Mary on the fade out would have charted higher. Again Miss Flo rips into "You Keep Me Hangin On". Lastly this version of Diana's "Someday We'll Be Together" is the best. The sound quality is excellent. I am satisfied. A real Supremes Anthology, which showcases them as they should be as a UNIT as a TEAM. THE SUPREMES."

Buttered Popcorn

D. A. Vall-lloveras | 12/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has been out since before Christmas. It's the FIFTH--count 'em--FIFTH Supremes anthology from Motown, not to mention countless hits collections and even uses the cover from a previous anthology, only reversed. This album is better sounding than its predecessors and has a better selection of songs. It also features rare versions of Supremes hits though many rare versions (the psychedelic original version of "Love Is Like An Itching") remain unissued. Here we get the THIRD version of "Buttered Popcorn" to appear on C.D., we get "Mother Dear" in the order it would have appeared as a single (at the last minute, after the Supremes introduced it on the Red Skelton Show, it was wisely replaced with "Nothing But Heartches") and there's the tracks from the nearly impossible to find Hollywood Palace album. There's leads by all the ladies and a splendid essay on the group, much better than a previous has-no-clue effort by a major author who found mystery in the group's history where there is none. Motown's ability to mine the same goldfield over and over is amazing; all they gotta do is stick in one unissued track and they've got a best-seller. There is, however, a TON of unissued material from the Supremes that still hasn't been issued and well worth hearing. As for the Jean Terrell-led Supremes, there's whole albums of music that never made it out, including the splendid "Promises Kept" and several live albums. Couldn't they at least release on C.D. the Supremes "Live in Japan" album? It's a crime Motown year after year after year, owner after owner after owner, simply ignores the possibilities."

The definitive compilation

ianphillips@uk.dreamcast.com | BOLTON, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND | 11/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Diana Ross And The Supremes reign as the biggest girl-group in history. Yet their remarkable and unparalled achievements have always been considerably overlooked. All three Supremes each had potential as lead singer of the group. The groups founder, Florence Ballard had a raw, earthy sound in her voice, whilst Mary Wilsons breathy, seamless voice complimented any ballad she sang on. But whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Diana Ross had the most unique, distinct sound, which had strong commercial appeal to both blacks and whites alike. What Diana Ross bought to the group was an almost regal presence and set them instantly apart from other Motown acts. Diana's soft, sensual voice that oozed heavy emotion and neatly surf-boarded along Motowns complex musical arrangements, had soulful qualities that displayed raw emotions of vulnreability. Their first single, I Want A Guy featured Diana giving a somewhat piercing vocal performance whilst the raucious, driving R&B number Buttered Popcorn featured Florence Ballard as lead vocalist and was far better yet the single sank without trace. These two tracks open this updated Anthology set and also contains some rare material such as The Tears, He and Things Are Changing. Amongst their string of early minor hits include the soft, sensual ballads Your Heart Belongs To Me, the Smokey Robinson produced A Breath Taking Guy and the infectious, upbeat Let Me Go The Right Way. Their first major chart breakthrough, When The LoveLight Starts Shining Through His Eyes is also deservedly featured and is an absolutley fantastic affair, containing a conga beat and generally having all the emphasis of that classic Motown sound. Of course all the famous hits are here with their most soulful outputs being (in my eyes at least), Back In My Arms Again, I Hear A Symphony, My World Is Empty WithOut You, Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart, You Can't Hurry Love, You Keep Me Hanging On, Love Is Here And Now You're Gone, The Happening, the adventurous and experimental Reflections containing elements of the swirling psychedelic sound, Forever Came Today, their social commentary on possibly their finest ever recording Love Child, the gritty I'm Living In Shame and their touching swan song SomeDay We'll Be Together. Beyond that are some more rarities including a sassy take on The Nitty Gritty, Sweet Thing which is perharps no more than typical Motown fare whilst lesser known hits like the electric No Matter What Sign You are and I'll Try Something New (With The Temptations) also get an airing. Other than that the album falls a little on the bland side but are still curiously worth hearing - they woo and coo their way through The Beatles A Hard Days Night (one of Berry Gordys plans to establish the group as all-round entertainers for both blacks and whites), and Mary Wilson takes lead vocal duties on a bland version of Can't Take My Eyes For You. If anything I hold my hands up and admit that this is most probably me being biased when I say this but as a die hard Soul/R&B/Motown fan, its these elements of styles that truly captures their own magical sound. There is about as much pop as there is soul in a lot of their earlier hits like the sassy Come See About Me, and the cutesy girly tone of Baby Love but there work remains a milestone in musical history. Each of The Supremes deserve credit and have their own individual appealing qualities in their vocal deliverys but Diana Ross was ultimatley the star and I strongly rate her as an excellent vocalist. She may not have the volume or power of Martha Reeves or even the groups founder Florence Ballard, but she certainly knows how to use her voice and express genuine feeling and emotion which is why this work remains so timeless. This compilation perharps is their defintive collection. Recommended!"