Music : Motown: The Classic Years
List Price: $24.98Price: $9.99 You Save: $14.99 (60%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0601215946628
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Utv Records
Manufacturer: Utv Records
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Utv Records
Release Date: August 29, 2000
Sales Rank: 74115
Studio: Utv Records
Related Items:
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
No one can lay claim to the development of urban music like Motown can. From Marvin Gaye to Diana Ross and the Supremes to the Jackson 5, Berry Gordy and crew sifted through the finest singers, hooked them up with the slickest songwriters, and ushered them into the studio--while simultaneously bringing in a new era in music. On Motown: The Classic Years, that foresight and talent is showcased in 40 lovingly selected all-time hits from 1960 to 1972. Whether you're looking for an introduction to R&B or just a flawless mix of great songs, pick up this double disc. Not only will you find classics such as the Supremes' "Stop! In the Name of Love" and "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, but there are also some interesting juxtapositions, such as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips in succession with the same song sung (even more famously) by Gaye. Best of all are the liner notes: in a few sentences, the story behind each song is given, as well as its date of release and its peak position on the charts. Urban Music 101, indeed. --Heidi Sherman
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I have been listening to this CD for about a year now, and I cannot believe how great the songs are and how much they remind me of. Better than that, I see things in them that I missed 40-odd years ago. I can listen to these over and over.
The only criticism I have is that the recording quality is somethings lacking. There are light distortions in many of the songs, probably from recording from LPs to a new format. However, it doesn't by any means ruin the listening experience.
Highest recommendation. The compilation is a great deal, all hits, which is better than albums of single artists as many of their tracks were filler.
Rating: -
I'm not anywhere near old enough to remember hearing any of these songs when they first came out. To compensate, my parents bought Motown: the Classic Years. Forty classic soul cuts by The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, etc. You'd be hard-pressed to find a bad song on this, after all it's got Money (That's What I Want), Fingertips pt. 2, Shop Around, My Girl, Stop! In the Name of Love, Heat Wave, Shotgun, The Tracks of My Tears, Ain't too Proud to Beg, You Can't Hurry Love, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Reach Out (I'll Be There), Someday We'll Be Together, Jimmy Mack, War, The Tears of a Clown, What's Goin' On and my favorite Soul song, Papa Was a Rollin' Stone. Yes, some key songs were waltzed over - I'd make a case for Standing in the Shadows of Love, Cloud Nine and I Second That Emotion - this is a damned fine CD and one that belongs in your collection, no matter what you listen to, whether it's rock, jazz, blues, (c)rap...
Rating: -
Between 1961 - 1972, Motown Records boasted several of the most remarkable productions in the history of music. Based in Detroit, the label gradually grew to become more than just a record label, hosting a string of legends that remain unparalled. Berry Gordy wanted to establish his roster of all-black Soul/R&B artists to have music that would cross-over onto the mainstream charts (the more profitable white market) whilst firmly retaining their black roots. And it worked. There is an injection of pop in most of these soulful numbers that are also coated with a commercial R&B sound. From Diana Ross to Marvin Gaye to The Four Tops to Stevie Wonder, the lists of legends goes on and on.
This compilation, approriatley titled The Classic Years, features a wealth of Motown's landmark recordings. Motown's first release was the bluesey, Money (That's What I Want) by Barret Strong,a song that echoes the perils of ghetto life. The infectious Shop Around features a very young Smokey Robinson, giving an enthusiastic performance. Smokey Robinson would perharps be one of Motown's most gifted songwriters and was even described by Bob Dylan as "being the greatest love poet alive".
Please Mr. Postman was sung by Motown's premier female group, The Marvelettes who take the honourerd credit for delivering Motown its first U.S chart topper. The sound of young America was well underway and soon Diana Ross And The Supremes, The Four Tops, The TempTations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie ... Read More
Rating: -
My order was excellent. I received it very fast. Quality was just excellent. Cd was in perfect condition and the music just excellent. I would recommend it for anyone who likes motown or just plain out like the oldies.
Rating: -
As a former native Detroiter who grew up with this music (and has a considerable vinyl Motown collection), I was looking for a good classic collection to take along with me to listen to in the car, in the office, etc. This is one of the best brief (2 CD -40 song) Motown collection that I've seen.
True, it is primarily a condesation of the more comprehensive Hitsville 1959-1971 collection. But in one respect it is definitely better, and that is regarding the Supremes. The Hitsville collection inexplicably omits their signature hits Where Did Our Love Go and Stop! In the Name of Love, as well as their swan song Someday We'll Be Together, all of which are on this collection. This collection also keeps the maximum number of songs per act to five, which enables it to include great hit songs by lesser known groups such as the Undisputed Truth and the Contours.
Above all, this is the Best of the Best of Motown (16 of these songs were No. 1 Pop Hits, only one song - Money - did not make the Top 20), and that is very good indeed.
Browse for similar items by category:
|
