Search - Four Tops :: Essential Tops

Best Single Disc Overview Of The Tops

James E. Bagley | Sanatoga, PA USA | 07/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc lives up to its name with major representation from all of the labels that the Four Tops recorded for from 1963 through 1983. Motown of course is where they recorded the bulk of their hits and that tenure is represented on the first 14 recordings. The leadoff track - 1964's "Baby I Need your Loving" - was the Tops' first collaboration with the songwriting-production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. It established a winning formula: lyrics that entail Levi yearning for or proclaiming his love for a girl he has lost or can't have; pulsating music cut in a (high) key out of Stubbs' regular vocal range, the subsequent strain causing his pleas to sound even more dramatic; background vocals with a full, almost Spectorian resonance, thanks to the addition of Motown's resident session singers, the Andantes. After a mediocre "Baby I Need Your Loving" soundalike "Without The One You Love" (not included here) stiffed, the Tops rebounded in 1965 with the majestic ballad "Ask The Lonely," their first number one smash "I Can't Help Myself" and "It's The Same Old Song" (and truly the latter was, a melodic retread of "I Can't Help Myself"). They reached their commercial peak in late 1966 to early 1967 with the powerful "Reach Out ("I'll Be There)," "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," and "Bernadette." In late 1967, however, Holland-Dozier-Holland abruptly left Motown in a dispute over financial compensation. This prompted the label to release year-old remakes of "Walk Away Renee" and "If I Were A Carpenter" as follow-up Tops' singles. They are proof that the Tops could make a hit out of practically anything. In 1968 and 1969, other Motown writer-producers like Ivy Jo Hunter, Johnny Bristol, and Norman Whitfield attempted to fill the void left by Holland-Dozier-Holland's exit. None of their work with the Tops, however, penetrated the pop or r & b top 20 (and none of it is included here). In 1970, Frank Wilson took over as the Tops' producer for the landmark Still Waters concept album. Wilson ditched the Andantes from the background and put more emphasis on the Tops harmonies. As evidenced by the hits "It's All In the Game" and "Still Water (Love)," the Tops had risen to new melodic heights. They were followed by more of Frank Wilson's well-crafted singles like the enclosed "(It's The Way) Nature Planned It." Unfortunately these 1971-1972 follow-ups received little promotional support from Motown and struggled on the charts. Frustrated, the Tops left the label in late 1972 and signed with ABC subsidiary Dunhill Records. They immediately hit with the urban message song "Keeper Of The Castle," the Shaft in Africa theme "Are You Man Enough," and the multi-format symphonic smash "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)." With the countrified "Sweet Understand Love" and their funkiest recording ever "One Chain Don't Make No Prison," the Tops maintained the high quality, but their final ABC/Dunhill hits in 1976/77(the disco "Catfish," the reggae in molasses "Midnight Flower") were duds. In 1981 the Tops signed with Casablanca and released two of their strongest albums ever. They are represented by the retro smash "When She Was My Girl" and the wedding staple "I Believe In You And Me" (Levi's performance buries Whitney Houston's hit version). Interspersed between these two gems is "I Just Can't Walk Away" a stirring ballad from their shortlived return to Motown in 1983. The Tops also recorded many lesser hits and great album tracks over the years (most of which can be found on their box set FOUREVER). But if you only want the big hits, this 24 track collection is the best single disc set available."

Tops

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 08/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're going to limit yourself to one single-disc CD of the Four Tops, this should be near the top of your shopping list. It contains most of the important and best-known singles spanning the entire career of this exceptional group out of Motown. While their music style evolved over the years and evan as they switched label companies, their music was always consistently exceptional. The fact that they had no personnel changes in their entire recording career, an almost unheard of accomplishment, was a big factor in their musical continuity. While there is a slight emphasis on their later post-Motown output, the selection of the 24 tracks chosen here is pretty close to optimum. The only omission that keeps this CD from being the ultimate career retrospective is the pre-Motown "Ain't That Love" track. Credit to Hip-O though for the inclusion of the hypnotic ballad "I Believe In You And Me", a track that, though originally only the b-side of a lesser single, has become a classic Four Tops tune. Sound quality is very good with many of the early Motown singles appearing in the mono versions that are more true to the sound of the Tops on AM radio. Tracks 1-10 and 13 are in mono with the remainder in stereo. Included is a 16-page booklet with about half devoted to a musical history of the group and the remainder being track info, credits and pictures. A top-notch product that does justice to this phenomenal music group."

"soulfully resilient, sweet melody personify the Tops"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 11/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Four Tops began in 1953 in Detroit, Michigan, where Stubbs, Benson, Fakir and Payton were born and raised, when they were called "The Four Aims", while still attending high school. The group worked as opening acts with Brook Benton, Della Reese, Billy Eckstine and the band of Count Basie, by that time they had changed their name to "The Four Tops".Recorded for several labels before Motown Records in 1963, after signing with them a year later had their first hit "BABY, I NEED YOUR LOVING", reached No. #11 on the Pop Charts in July 1964. Big tune for them was Stubbs singing "ASK THE LONELY", was No.#9 on the R&B Charts, and No.#24 on Pop Charts...recorded for Dunhill in '73 reached No.#2 R&B Charts & No.#4 Pop Charts "AIN'T NO WOMAN LIKE THE ONE I'VE GOT"...and "KEEPER OF THE CASTLE" was No.#7 on R&B Charts & No.#10 on Pop Charts, wonderful hits by this legendary group of artists.Hip-O Records hats off to you for one of the most familiar and enthralling releases - "Four Tops - Essential Collection", simply as good as it gets...melody, lyric and interpretation launched some of the most enduring songs ever made!Total Time: 76:15 on 24 Tracks...Hip-O Records 314 560 824...(2000)"