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Back in March, we filled you in about Universal Japan's plans for Motown's 60th anniversary campaign, which included a series of reissues and a 3-CD, 60-song collection. We recently reviewed the U.S.' reissue of the definitive Motown: The Complete No. 1s box set. Now, the U.K. is getting into the act with a different 3-CD, 60-song anthology of its own.
Motown: Greatest Hits arrives on August 16. Like the Japanese set, it boasts 60 classics from the label on three CDs, but the selection is largely different and, naturally, tailored to the territory. Northern soul favorites like Frank Wilson's "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' "The Night" take their place here alongside international Motown staples. Groups represented include The Supremes ("Baby Love," "Reflections," "Stoned Love"), The Miracles ("You Really Got a Hold on Me," "Shop Around," "The Tracks of My Tears," "Tears of a Clown"), Martha and the Vandellas ("Dancing in the Street"), Four Tops ("I Can't Help Myself," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)"), and The Temptations ("My Girl," "Ball of Confusion," "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "Treat Her Like a Lady"). Solo artists such as Stevie Wonder ("Uptight (Everything's Alright)," "For Once in My Life," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)," "Superstition," "Sir Duke," "I Just Called to Say I Love You"), Marvin Gaye ("How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "What's Going On," "Let's Get It On"), and Diana Ross ("I'm Still Waiting," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Love Hangover," "Upside Down," "I'm Coming Out," and "Endless Love" with Lionel Richie) are all featured.
Whereas the Japanese collection goes up to the present day with artists like Ne-Yo and B.J. the Chicago Kid, the U.K. edition ends with DeBarge's 1985 "Rhythm of the Night" and Shanice's 1991 "I Love Your Smile." While there's nothing new or rare on this set, Motown: Greatest Hits is an affordable sampler of The Sound of Young America's golden age and beyond, with an emphasis on hits that registered in the United Kingdom. Due on August 16, it can be pre-ordered at the links below. A cut-down 2-LP version will also be released the same day.
Various Artists, Motown: Greatest Hits (Motown/Universal U.K., 2019)
3CD: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
2LP: Amazon U.S. Link TBD / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD
CD 1
- Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)
- The Miracles - Shop Around
- The Marvelettes - Please Mr Postman
- The Contours - Do You Love Me
- The Miracles - You Really Got A Hold On Me
- Mary Wells - My Guy
- Martha And The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
- The Supremes - Baby Love
- Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- The Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack
- Temptations - My Girl
- Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
- Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
- Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
- Stevie Wonder - Uptight (Everything's Alright)
- Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine
- Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
- Four Tops - Reach Out (I'll Be There)
- Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
- Diana Ross And The Supremes - Reflections
- Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
- The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
- Temptations - Ball Of Confusion
CD 2
- Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
- Edwin Starr - War
- The Spinners - It's A Shame
- Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - Tears Of A Clown
- The Supremes - Stoned Love
- Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting
- Temptations - Just My Imagination
- Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
- Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
- Michael Jackson - Got To Be There
- Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons - The Night
- Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
- Stevie Wonder - Superstition
- Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
- Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin'
- The Miracles - Love Machine
- Diana Ross - Love Hangover
- Commodores - Easy
CD 3
- Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
- Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way
- Commodores - Three Times A Lady
- Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
- Diana Ross - Upside Down
- Jermaine Jackson - Let's Get Serious
- Smokey Robinson - Being With You
- Michael Jackson - One Day In Your Life
- Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
- Rick James - Superfreak (Part One)
- Diana Ross And Lionel Richie - Endless Love
- Lionel Richie - All Night Long
- Temptations - Treat Her Like A Lady
- Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You
- Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
- Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
- Commodores - Nightshift
- DeBarge - Rhythm Of The Night
- Shanice - I Love Your Smile
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Is there a good, comprehensive Motown collection along these lines that’s just 60s and 70s. I lose interest in Motown by the late 70s, a few key Stevie songs aside, and have zero interest in 80s Motown or anything after.
“Motown 60 Greatest Hits,” released in 2015, is a three-disc set which is focused primarily on the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. It’s a Rhino/Universal imprint. Not sure if it’s still in print, but you can get it from third-party sellers on Amazon.
Peace.
Does anyone else think that the versions of I Can't Help Myself and What Becomes of The Broken Hearted are either alternate versions or remixed in a manner that make them sound different? I listened to the versions on Motown Gold and they sound different.