Search - Various Artists :: 20 Hard to Find Classics 2

Rare and well done

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 06/30/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD features songs by Motown artists that didn't have enough hits to have their own "Greatest Hits" album. The CD starts off with six pretty good "girl" songs, none of which were very big hits. Then we have the classic "Money", which was Motown's first hit record. Songwriter Eddie Holland's only hit, "Jamie", is next. Then we have two great songs by the great Isley Brothers. Two fun novelty songs by Shorty Long are next. The classic "Smiling Faces Sometimes" is next. That is followed by two pretty good songs by the rock group Rare Earth. Then there is a pretty good version of "River Deep, Mountain High" by the Supremes and the Four Tops, although it's not as good as Ike & Tina Turner's version. The one hit by one hit wonder R. Dean Taylor is next. They saved the three worst songs for the end of the album. "I've Never Been to Me" is probably the worst hit song ever released by Motown. "With You I'm Born Again" is a terrible duet. The Tom Clay "song" is a dated 70s plea for peace, love and understanding that features news clips about the JFK, MLK and RFK assassinations. Here is the complete track listing:1. Every Little Bit Hurts - Brenda Holloway
2. When I'm Gone - Brenda Holloway
3. Needle in a Haystack - The Velvettes
4. He Was Really Saying Something - The Velvettes
5. Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I - The Velvettes
6. I Can't Believe You Love Me - Tammi Terrell
7. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong
8. Jamie - Eddie Holland
9. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a While) - The Isley Brothers
10. Guess I'll Always Love You - The Isley Brothers
11. Here Comes the Judge - Shorty Long
12. Function at the Junction - Shorty Long
13. Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Undisputed Truth
14. I Just Want to Celebrate - Rare Earth
15. Born to Wander - Rare Earth
16. River Deep, Mountain High - The Supremes & the Four Tops
17. Indiana Wants Me - R. Dean Taylor
18. I've Never Been to Me - Charlene
19. With You I'm Born Again - Billy Preston & Syreeta
20. What the World Needs Now is Love/Abraham, Martin and John - Tom Clay"