Search - Various Artists :: Motown Classics: Gold

Another great Motown Classics CD

Long Distance Voyager | Hong Kong, China | 05/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the 5th Motown Classics compilation I have, the previous four are "20 Greatest Songs in Motown History" issued in 1985, " Motown Elite 9000 series" in 1987, "Motown - the Hits Collection volume 1" in 1994 and "Motown 40 Forever" in 1998. I just love to buy these Motown compilations as everytime it will give a new look and experience of these classics even though most of the selections are the same. This latest instalment of mine surprised me, by having the stereo version of "Please Mr. Postman". I have the two cds set "The Marvelettes - Deliver the singles 1961- 1971", the songs are all remastered in the original mono master, and the mono version is a mandatory version included in some of the above compilations, so this is the first time that I heard it in stereo. Another surprise is "My girl", my No.1 favorite Motown Classics, the version here has a much clearer vocal, and the remastering sound is gorgeous. "Heatwave" by Martha and the Vandellas is another gem, the most common version is the 'fake stereo' version with lots of echo added, Martha's vocal is shifted to the left, here we have the genuine stereo version of different mix (the horns' playing in the bridge is longer than the usual version),the sound of the accompanying instruments can be clearly heard. When listening to this compilation, it seems that you are hearing a new version of these classic songs."

Classic Motown

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 05/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There isn't a song on this 40-track collection that hasn't already been permanently etched on my brain. When I was a teen in the Sixties, these songs were a part of the soundtrack of my life. [Only the final four tracks charted after 1970.]



Motown was already a proven hit-making label four years before the British Invasion when Barrett Strong charted with "Money" in 1960. The label also was a huge influence on at least one British group. The Beatles recorded their own versions of "Money" and "Please Mr. Postman" and others in the early Sixties. With artists like Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and countless others; Motown didn't merely survive the British Invasion--they thrived. Motown would continue to have hits into the Seventies and Eighties, but this compilation covers their golden age.



Motown has released numerous collections over the years, including the definitive HITSVILLE USA box set. But this collection is one of the best. [It should be noted that MOTOWN GOLD was first released in 2000 under the title MOTOWN THE CLASSIC YEARS. But if you didn't make that purchase, GOLD is selling at a midline price and is clearly the better buy.] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

A Treasure Chest Of Artists And Their Classic Cuts

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 04/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the years Motown Records has repackaged its legendary artists and hits to varying degrees of commercial and critical success. And as with many labels it seemed at times that the retrospectives became more important to the company coffers than developing new talent or promoting new releases by existing artists.



Without investing in the pricey boxed CD sets, this collection is perhaps the best of the Motown bunch, with 40 songs that captures the true essence of what made the label great; artists who believed in their music, songs that told real stories and hooks that are as infectious today as they were when initially issued all those years ago.



Barrett Strong's Money (That's What I Want), the Four Tops' I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Going To A Go Go by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and the Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love are great examples of complex themes that are wonderfully told within a commercial - Top 40 -radio format.



The juxtaposing of I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Gladys Knight & the Pips and Marvin Gaye is an especially nice touch. And though artists like Bruce Springsteen and Frankie Goes To Hollywood have recorded War, nothing beats the powerful vocals of Edwin Starr.



This is not a smorgasbord sampler that's tossed together with little thought; the two CDs are a treasure chest of legendary artists and the songs that defined a generation."