Search - Various Artists :: Tamla Motown Connoisseurs

Crucial for full appreciation of the Motown sound

Kari Aevarsson | Iceland | 05/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who only want Motown's top hits: this CD provides none of those. What it does provide is a much deeper appreciation of the greatness of the company's writers, producers and performers. I am an avid Motown/Soul fan, and after I'd gotten all of Motown's "big names" like Marvin, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, the Supremes, the Four Tops, etc., I hungered for more. So I thought, "There must've been much more to Motown than those big names and hits everybody knows..." And I was right. I found the 'Big Hits & Hard To Find Classics' series and loved it; then 'Motown Connoisseurs'. But you always want more - the beautiful sounds of Motown are addictive. Luckily, a new volume of 'Big Hits & Hard To Find Classics' has just come out, and a double CD of rare material is just around the corner too. What great times for Motown fans!"

Don't Listen To The First Reviewer, Great Motown Sounds!!!

ralph | Woodbridge, NJ United States | 09/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you are not a connoisseur of the British Northern Soul
scene, this CD of great lost Motown gems will please any lover of the Motown sound or soul music in general. From the first notes of Gladys Knight & the Pips great leadoff track, the
CD will have you hooked! My favorites include the aforementioned
"Here Are The Pieces Of My Broken Heart" by Gladys Knight, "Don't Stop Now" by the Originals, "Forget You Ever Met Me Baby" by Barbara McNair, "Flying High Again" by the Miracles,
"Ain't It The Truth" by Jr. Walker & the Allstars and many others. Not a dud on the disc, and many "shoulda been" hits. If you're into Motown, this disc is well worth the (bargain) price."

Should have been more tracks from the vaults

T. A. Shepherd | Palmdale, Ca. 93550 | 03/12/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although several tracks have appeared on other discs, there are quite a few unique tracks that have been dug out of the vaults. Instead of Ain't It The Truth by Jr. Walker, I would have preferred his recording of Break It Up, which is far superior and more of a rarity. The former already appeared on the Shotgun album in 1965. Likewise, The Marvelettes' Don't Make Hurting Me A Habit was an exceptional track from their 68 release, Sophisticated Soul. Their vault recording of I Should Have Known Better (not The Beatles song) would have fared better here, nonetheless. Hey Love by Stevie Wonder has also appeared elsewhere, giving listeners another dose of redundance. Here, I would have substituted his sensational recording of Can You Feel It, an outtake from Uptight LP. Hence, my rating of just three stars. So, now for the kudos: It is fortunate that this disc contains Ron Isley's excellent reading of My Love Is Your Love (Forever), a composition by Smokey and Stevie Wonder in the traditon of Tears Of A Clown. It is credited to the Isley Brothers, but only Ron's vocal is present and to my knowledge, this is his only solo recording at the time (1967). The song was reassigned to The Miracles for a terrific LP track from "Make It Happen", summer 67. Another highlight is the title track from the last Miracles album with Smokey as lead singer, Flying High Together, a song in the same league as Smokey's Quiet Storm. Written by Bobby Miller, it has an engaging melody and a nice lyric. "New" songs by Brenda Holloway and Tammi Terrell round out the collection, but the majority of the tracks are repeats. I'm ready for another volume of A Cellarful..."