Motown 50 (3CD)
Artist: Various
4 out of 5
(8 customer reviews) | Write a review
In StockSold by Play.com
UK Express Delivery available: get it even faster - find out more.
- Play.com Review
Motown, one of the most legendary record labels of all time, celebrates its golden anniversary with a definitive compilation of its greatest tracks. Boasting a fine selection of classic songs that will ignite nostalgia and brighten up any day, Motown 50 is the ultimate 'fanthology' of the label's best-loved hits, chosen by the people for the people.
As an irresistible force of social and cultural change, Berry Gordy's Motown Records made its mark not just on the music industry but society at large. An important role in the racial integration of popular music, Motown was the first record label to primarily feature African-American songwriters and artists. Fronted by performers such as Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, the label and its soul-based subsidiaries were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as The Motown Sound. That influential sound still resonates today and now as the iconic movement celebrates its fiftieth year the sense of being a community still shines through. Instead of delivering songs that experts deemed to be the fifty best Motown tracks, the company decided that the best way to keep their communal spirit alive would be to set up a online voting poll in which the general public chose their favourite tracks. Motown 50 runs through the results front to back. Topping the poll and kicking the first disc off in exquisite style is Marvin Gaye's acclaimed version of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. Layering the song with vocals that flit between anguish and paranoia, Gaye delivers a mind-absorbing performance that captures the lyrics of the song and demands its contagious chorus to be sung along. Whilst the first disc hits us with track after track of Motown's most recognized sounds including Martha & The Vandellas' 'Jimmy Mack' and The Velvelettes' 'Needle In A Haystack', the second disc delivers a far more eclectic mix of soul tunes. Heading up the second batch are Marvin Gaye and Edwin Starr's respective protest anthems 'What's Going On' and 'War'. Heavier in content the tracks capture the fighting spirit of the label and add an excitably dense contradiction to the delicate love songs such as Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' 'The Tracks Of My Tears'. By the time that the final disc begins, the countdown has nearly reached its completion. With Stevie Wonder and Rick James' beat-tastic 'Master Blaster' and 'Super Freak' offering a taste of the funky side of the label, the final six songs are revealed.
Once the rundown is complete, Motown spoil us with a sublime selection of hard to find cover versions. As the label's most outstanding artists sing the songs of their peers, including Four Tops giving a mesmerising adaptations of 'Everybody's Talking', the release draws to a close. Capturing the sound of a music institution in one definitive collection, Motown 50 is a soulful party compilation that is guaranteed to live on for at least another fifty years to come.
Disc 1
- Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
- The Supremes - Baby Love
- Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
- The Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack
- The Temptations - Get Ready
- The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
- The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Jimmy Mack
- The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears Of A Clown
- Jackson 5 - ABC
- Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two
- Mary Wells - My Guy
- The Contours - Do You Love Me
- Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
- R. Dean Taylor - There's A Ghost In My House
- The Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love
- Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun
- Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
- Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
- Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - You Are Everything
- Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Disc 2
- Stevie Wonder - Superstition
- The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
- Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
- Commodores - Brick House
- Edwin Starr - War
- The Temptations - My Girl
- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
- Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - Endless Love
- Commodores - Easy
- Diana Ross & The Supremes - Reflections
- Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
- Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
- Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
- Michael Jackson - Got To Be There
- Smokey Robinson - Being With You
- Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting
- Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
- The Miracles- Love Machine
- Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)
- Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Disc 3
- Stevie Wonder - Masterblaster
- Commodores - Nightshift
- Diana Ross - Upside Down
- Rick James - Super Freak
- The Temptations - Treat Her Like A Lady
- Lionel Richie - My Destiny
- Stevie Wonder - Light My Fire
- Four Tops - Everybody's Talking
- Rare Earth - Get Ready
- Kim Weston & Marvin Gaye - Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)
- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - I Say A Little Prayer
- Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Wichita Lineman
- Thelma Houston - Jumpin' Jack Flash
- The Temptations - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
- The Supremes - Come Together
- David Ruffin - Put A Little Love In Your Heart
- Michael Jackson - You've Got A Friend
- Play.com Review
Motown, one of the most legendary record labels of all time, celebrates its golden anniversary with a definitive compilation of its greatest tracks. Boasting a fine selection of classic songs that will ignite nostalgia and brighten up any day, Motown 50 is the ultimate 'fanthology' of the label's best-loved hits, chosen by the people for the people.
As an irresistible force of social and cultural change, Berry Gordy's Motown Records made its mark not just on the music industry but society at large. An important role in the racial integration of popular music, Motown was the first record label to primarily feature African-American songwriters and artists. Fronted by performers such as Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, the label and its soul-based subsidiaries were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as The Motown Sound. That influential sound still resonates today and now as the iconic movement celebrates its fiftieth year the sense of being a community still shines through. Instead of delivering songs that experts deemed to be the fifty best Motown tracks, the company decided that the best way to keep their communal spirit alive would be to set up a online voting poll in which the general public chose their favourite tracks. Motown 50 runs through the results front to back. Topping the poll and kicking the first disc off in exquisite style is Marvin Gaye's acclaimed version of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. Layering the song with vocals that flit between anguish and paranoia, Gaye delivers a mind-absorbing performance that captures the lyrics of the song and demands its contagious chorus to be sung along. Whilst the first disc hits us with track after track of Motown's most recognized sounds including Martha & The Vandellas' 'Jimmy Mack' and The Velvelettes' 'Needle In A Haystack', the second disc delivers a far more eclectic mix of soul tunes. Heading up the second batch are Marvin Gaye and Edwin Starr's respective protest anthems 'What's Going On' and 'War'. Heavier in content the tracks capture the fighting spirit of the label and add an excitably dense contradiction to the delicate love songs such as Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' 'The Tracks Of My Tears'. By the time that the final disc begins, the countdown has nearly reached its completion. With Stevie Wonder and Rick James' beat-tastic 'Master Blaster' and 'Super Freak' offering a taste of the funky side of the label, the final six songs are revealed.
Once the rundown is complete, Motown spoil us with a sublime selection of hard to find cover versions. As the label's most outstanding artists sing the songs of their peers, including Four Tops giving a mesmerising adaptations of 'Everybody's Talking', the release draws to a close. Capturing the sound of a music institution in one definitive collection, Motown 50 is a soulful party compilation that is guaranteed to live on for at least another fifty years to come.
Average rating (8 reviews)
You cannot under-estimate the influence 'tamla-motown' had on the pop scene during it's hay-day,
'Motown' was fronted by some of the all -time greats in the music world.......'the isley brothers' 'the temptations' 'the four tops' 'diana ross and the supremes' to name but a few.............not forgetting 'micheal jackson and the jackson 5' and of course 'stevie wonder' plus 'lionel richie and the commodores'
There are so many more that were a part of the 'motown' hit factory, many of which are included on this collection of memories.
This is a great 3-cd set with some of the most well known artists
And sounds around during the decade or so covered by the collection............well worth adding to your collection.
Having been a lover since the sixties of motown music,i admit most of the tracks on first two cds contain most of well known hits of this era,the third cd however,contains cover versions of other artists hits,many of which are not motown at all,shame could have been a classic album
I did'nt purchased Motown 50 from Play but thought i would leave a review for it anyway, all the songs are very good but i ended up returning it for a refund, I only played the first disc and have to say that the actual recording on 4-5 songs were absloutely dreadful, it sounded like it was been played in the bedroom and as though you were listening to it down stairs in the livingroom, i did compare the first disc with other discs i have with the same tune, the original cd's i have were a far better sound, im wondering if anyone else as experienced the same problem.
The first 2 CD's features some of the finest Motown tracks ever recorded & such artists as: The Jacksons, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, The Temptations & Stevie Wonder. It's a shame the third CD has all cover versions which are nowhere near as good as rthe originals. If CD 3 was the same as the first 2, I might have considerded giving this a 5 Star instead it's a 4.
good collection of motown on 2cds third cd not so hot a good buy
Delivery- Free Delivery to the UK: within 3-5 working days
- Free Delivery to Europe: within 7-10 working days
- UK First Class Delivery: within 2-3 working days
- UK Express Delivery: next working day
To find out more, please read our delivery
policy.
ReturnsWe want you to be happy every time you shop with us, but if you ever need to return
anything, we're here to make things as easy and convenient as possible.
If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can return the item to
us in its original condition within 30 days of receipt and we'll issue a full refund,
or replace the item, if preferred.
To return an item, please go to your order history page, select the order you would like to return, and follow the simple steps at
our online returns centre.
To find out more, please read our returns policy.
PlayTrade purchases need to be returned directly to the seller. If you wish to return a
PlayTrade purchase, please contact the seller through your order history page.
| Other customers also viewed | |