Search - Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Jackson 5 :: First 25yrs/Var

An Excellent Motown Overview

Michael Sherrer | Sherman Oaks, CA United States | 08/10/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After reading Berry Gordy's auto biography-"To Be Loved"-I pulled this Motown compilation out-and thoughly enjoyed the choices that make up this CD. (I have the original 5 LP record collection as well)The between track narrative soundbites give this collection a slight documentary feel-not just songs slapped together.
I am by no means a Motown scholar-but I also suggest the books, Call Her Miss Ross and Dreamgirls which deal specifically with The Supremes. The Motown 25 Video is interesting if you can find it-with a young Michael Jackson stealing the show with Billy Jean.Another reason for getting this-is to hear the Funk Brothers who backed up the singers on the majority of hits. Bassist, (Igor); James Jamerson, guitarist Robert White, drummer Benny Benjamin, B-3 organist 'chunk of funk', Earl Van Dyke which can be seen in the execellent DVD -Standing in the Shadows of Motown.
HDH (Holland, Dozier Holland) contributed to many Motown hits-but the writing ideas came from many different workers of song, in the Motown assembly line.There are hundreds of other Motown songs worth listening to, but this will show what Motown could put out, at full operating strength. If you were around in the '60's-you know the impact of these songs on AM radio. The Sound of Young Amercia; Ford Mustangs and dancing in the streets!"