Search - Stevie Wonder :: Up-Tight

Not so 'Little' anymore

D.V. Lindner | King George, VA, USA | 02/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first six months of 1966 were pretty darn good ones where Motown albums were concerned. In February, the Supremes released the ethereal "I Hear A Symphony," and before June came the Temptations' "Gettin' Ready" which heralded the start of the group's Norman Whitfield era by also carrying `Ain't Too Proud To Beg.' Both the Vandellas & The Marvelettes put out superb greatest hits sets, and in sequential LP numbers on Tamla (266, 267 & 268), came "Moods of Marvin Gaye," the Miracles "Going To A Go-Go" and Stevie's "Uptight." All three carried at least four hit singles (or eventually would.)"Uptight" was one of those albums that really didn't have a bad cut at all, and you could listen to both sides, all the way through, without your interest waning. The year started with the single of the title song still high in the top ten. Next, came a single whose both sides were equally good: the driving "Nothing's Too Good For My Baby" backed with a hypnotic ballad, just right for Stevie, "With A Child's Heart." Summertime saw a slightly edited version of "Blowing In The Wind" (a near-duet with Clarence Paul) climb high on the pop chart and to No. 1 on the R&B. The LP also reached back to January 1963 to carry the pre-`Fingertips' single, "Contract On Love." The album contained another duet as well: Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops giving Steve an assist on "Teach Me Tonight." Nowhere on the cover was this mentioned - you got the surprise when you played the record. "Hold Me," also, became a strong B-side in 1967 for "I Was Made To Love Her."One little matter could use rectifying if Motown ever re-packages this one. Those as old as me will remember that the original "Uptight" 45 carried a great B-side - the bluesy, lost-love ballad, "Purple Rain Drops," whose writer-credit was Ted Hull, Stevie's tutor. Not even the mammoth "At The Turn Of A Century" set of Stevie's work remembered to pick up this one and, as far as I know, it's never been revived on a vinyl LP or CD set. It doesn't deserve that oblivion."