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When news came of Mary Wilson's passing on the evening of February 8, 2021, a collective gasp could be heard around the world. Wilson was planning for an active 2021 once it was safe to resume performing, including a tour with B.J. Thomas and the release of previously unheard recordings. In her final message to fans shared on YouTube, the legendary Supreme confirmed that "I finally decided how to work with Universal, and they are going to release new Mary Wilson recordings. Yes! At last! At last." Mary promised that her 1979 self-titled album for Motown would finally see a reissue as well as the productions by the late, great Gus Dudgeon (Elton John, David Bowie). "It was four wonderful songs that were never released...and I also have some other songs, some surprising new songs...Thank you Universal for chiming in with me and helping this come true. Hopefully some of that will be out on my birthday, March 6th... I've got my fingers crossed."
Today, one day before what would have been her 77th birthday, Universal announced that it has made good on Mary's promise. The digital premiere of Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition on April 16 will include the original Mary Wilson album; three single versions of the album's disco anthem "Red Hot;" the four bonus tracks produced by Gus Dudgeon; and an all-new single streaming now with special relevance to the world in which we live, "Why Can't We All Get Along." The latter was produced by Richard Davis of Gold Forever Music, a publishing company established by Mary's old friend and collaborator Eddie Holland. The poignant song was written by Davis and Angelo Bond, co-writer of Freda Payne's 1971 anthem "Bring the Boys Home."
1979's Mary Wilson - her solo debut, released over two years after The Supremes' final album - is the centerpiece of this digital release. Produced by Hal Davis (The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Bobby Darin), the Motown LP was geared at the dancefloor and anchored by the smoldering and insistent "Red Hot." Penned by Frank Busey and John Duarte, that song is celebrated by the inclusion of its original single edit and 12-inch remix by Rusty Garner, as well as by Garner's shorter promotional remix.
While Mary Wilson charted on the Billboard R&B survey and "Red Hot" made it to both the R&B and Disco charts, the album didn't launch the Supreme's solo career as was hoped. The next year, Mary teamed up with Gus Dudgeon to pursue a new sound as the post-disco era was already taking hold. In her second memoir Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together, she wrote, "I was very excited about these four songs. It wasn't the formula disco of my first album. Two of the songs were big ballads. The other two were rock and roll in the style of Tina Turner's mid-eighties hits; I was certainly ahead of the time." Despite the strength of the songs and Dudgeon's typically immaculate productions, they sat on the shelf. In 2015, "You Dance My Heart Around the Stars" saw a belated release from its co-writer Stephen John Kalinich, the poet-lyricist best-known for his collaborations with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. It's reprised here while the other three songs are all making their official debuts.
Mary Wilson retained ownership of her solo recordings, and so it's hoped that this digital expanded edition will be just the first project this year to celebrate her life and extraordinary legacy. Watch this space for any and all news on upcoming releases. You'll find the track listing below. Beginning April 16, Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition can be enjoyed on Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever else you do your digital listening! In the meantime, "Why Can't We All Get Along" is streaming now!
Mary Wilson, Mary Wilson: Expanded Edition (Motown LP M7 927 R1, 1979 - reissued 2021)
- Red Hot (6:06)
- I've Got What You Need (5:08)
- You Make Me Feel So Good (5:51)
- (I Love A) Warm Summer Night (4:07)
- Pick Up the Pieces * (5:01)
- You're the Light That Guides My Way (3:18)
- Midnight Dancer (3:08)
Bonus Tracks
The "Red Hot" Singles
- Red Hot 7" Single Version (3:53) (from Motown single M 1467F, 1979)
- Red Hot 12" Disco Version - Remixed by Rusty Garner (7:12) (from Motown 12-inch single M 00033D1, 1979)
- Red Hot 12" B-Side Promo Version - Remixed by Rusty Garner (3:53) (from Motown promotional single PR-58, 1979)
The Gus Dudgeon Sessions - previously unreleased except **
- You Dance My Heart Around the Stars ** (4:34) (from California Feeling 2, MsMusic Productions MUS 107-1, 2015)
- Love Talk (4:05)
- Save Me (3:53)
- Green River (3:36)
The Richard Davis Sessions - previously unreleased
- Why Can't We All Get Along (Single Version) (4:50)
Release Round-Up: Week of March 4
The Weekend Stream: September 4, 2021
Release Round-Up: Week of April 16
While I am glad for these tracks to see the light of day, it is disappointing that it is only a digital release. I will pass unless there is a CD at some point.
Agree
I ordered on AMAZON UK BUT its been cancelled by AMAZON
When will the Cd come out ?
Hope sooner than later!
I DEFINATELY agree with that !
Surely fans of Mary will be of a certain age who want physical releases not downloads?
Please release a cd version.
This is GREAT NEWS.
Tony Ross.
Definitely deserves a CD with proper liner notes, credits, etc.
Wonderful and timely news! Will TSD be behind a possible physical release sometime down the line? *fingers crossed*
Such a bittersweet announcement; a thrill this is at long last being released.....yet such disappointment it will be physical only.
For as much as Mary Wilson did to keep the Supremes legacy alive, and in light of her recent passing, this is beyond deserving of a PHYSICAL release.
As much as I regret having to do so, I'll have to pass. I can only hope that Joe and the good guys behind the scenes recognize what a treasure this would be to her fans and press a limited amount of copies for keepsakes.
I agree but the FUNNY GIRL album was on download for 2 years before a cd release..
AMAZON UK CANCELLED MY RED HOT DOWNLOAD PRE ORDER MAYBE UNIVERSAL HAS HAD SECOND THOUGHTS ON THE RELEASE
That's true; however, the CD release of FUNNY GIRL was expanded from the digital edition.
I'm not certain why Amazon U.K. would have cancelled your digital pre-order for Mary's album, but rest assured it will be coming out on schedule and I'm sure orders will once again be open soon.
CD please!
Very pleased that this album is finally getting the exposure it deserves. I just wish Mary had been here to bask in the excitement! (RIP, MW!)
Though I am disappointed that it is a digital-only release, I'm hopeful that it could make it to a physical CD release someday. I think fans of The Supremes and Mary Wilson would've preferred that this set was released in physical form--even if in limited edition format. With her death, it would've been even more logical to press CDs. I hope someday that Univeral "gets it"--music fans of Motown want CDs, not digital releases.
I'll be purchasing this digitally to support the release, but sincerely hope Universal (or perhaps SecondDisc Records?) sees that at least running a limited number of copies on CD would certainly sell with the right promotion.
Any word as to whether or not this release will include digital liner notes?
This is a disgrace and disrespectful to Mary Wilson's legacy this release is deserving of an extended and expanded release complete with liner notes on a physical CD I'm sure if Mary Wilson was still with us she too would be disappointed in digital release only...I will not be buying this until it is released on CD ...Universal has become a huge disappointment who no longer cares about what its customers want . There should be no reason we have to be waiting for the rest of the Supreme s catalog to be released on CD we are now in the 3rd year of waiting for the release of Reflection's they put out Funny Girl to appease us get with it...
Hope sooner than later!
DanMan , I agree and am hoping for a true deluxe treatment, complete with liner notes.
In keeping in line with all of the previous Supremes related releases, it makes perfect sense to have this on physical format. With the persistence of the Second Disc team, we were lucky enough to get "Funny Girl" finally on disc. Even Scherrie and Susaye's "Partners" LP and Jean's solo effort were given releases on CD. For argument sake, these two combined couldn't have as much interest or a fan base more than Mary's.
As fans and collectors, it's another important addition and chapter in the Supremes story.
When was Jean's A&M album re released?
Thanks
"I Had to Fall in Love" was reissued in 2006 on CD in the U.K.:
https://www.discogs.com/Jean-Terrell-I-Had-To-Fall-In-Love/master/158154
Thanks, Joe. I hope the disappointment of most repliers re: digital only of Mary Wilson results in a cd issue really soon.
One more thing...any hope of Supremes At the Talk of the Town cd reissue?
There's certainly hope for physical expanded editions of both titles, Harry. Fingers crossed...
I am certain that you all share in my thoughts of great sadness for the shocking passing of Mary Wilson, and much hope for her family.
Everyone has expressed great joy to me for the long awaited re - release of May Wilson's 1979 self titled solo debut album " MARY WILSON ", for Berry Gordy's Motown Records.
I believe that Ms. Wilson would certainly prefer to have her recordings released with her notes for all her friends and fans on a CD set. She deserves no less.
For those that have not yet heard Mary Wilson's, " Gus Dungeon Sessions " you will be delighted. I am sure they will become some of Mary's most talked about recordings. I felt these four recordings should have been released at the time of the publication of " Dreamgirl, My Life As A Supreme". That period was an amazing time for Mary, and I was happy to tour extensively with her for years.
Also you will find her recording of " Why can't we all get along together", emotional haunting and flawlessly performed, in true Mary Wilson Style.
For an iconic and legendary superstar such as Mary Wilson we all expected this set of recordings to be released on CD, hopefully Universal can understand that.
And as for me, Ms. Mary Wilson has not died but entered eternal life. Once it was alright!
RIP SISTA DIVA!!!
Tony you are right about those Gus Dungeon recordings. Wow! They capture her strong voice and could have launched a whole new sound/vibe for Mary. I always liked “rock and roll” Mary. She said shortly before her passing that she always had an edge. “Green River” proves that.
Thank you Rob for your comment and thoughts. If Mary had more than herself behind her she would had been a Superstar in her own right. For many of us she was, a SUPERSTAR, and always will be. With no major push on her solo album from Motown, the situation proved dire, right out the gate.
I am sure many would agree that while we are all happy to see the re-release of Mary Wilson's only solo Motown album, the material selected for her at Berry Gordy's "MOTOWN" basically sucked, and was not the best suited for her voice or perhaps for anyone. The writing was just not strong. Mary Wilson as always did the best she could with what they offered. Believe me she was not happy with the whole thing. Perhaps, Gordy should have brought in the great Ashford and Simpson to write, produce and create for Mary, as he did for Diana Ross. Frankly, we all know Motown never meant for Mary or any of the other Supremes, for that matter, to chart as great recording artist. They where just honoring the contracts. And someone had to say this, so there I said it.
Much like Flo Ballard's solo efforts at ABC Records, the material was just not good. And both of these talented founding members of The Supremes never had a fighting chance with either of these recording companies.
However the "GUS DUNGEON" recordings prove that with the right material and producer, Miss Wilson could stand and deliver an outstanding performance, I witnessed her do this every night, "LIVE" around the world.
Many thanks to you all, on Mary's behalf.
Tony Turner
Once It Was Alright.
They need to reissue all The expanded Supremes CDs that have been reissued thus far. I for one just realized there were Expanded editions. I missed them and now unavailable!
Very disappointed they are out of print!
While I agree with everyone else about having a CD release, I'll be supporting this digital release with hopes that enough purchased downloads will encourage an eventual physical release & more vaulted music from Mary. (My hope's are set high for "My Love Life Is A Disaster"!) I'm thrilled to finally get to hear cleaned up versions of her solo album, the "Red Hot" 12" & the Gus Dungeon tracks. Terrific that I can retire he hissy, muffled bootleg copies I've been playing all these years.
Rest assured that everybody is working hard to make sure a CD release happens. In the meantime, do enjoy this wonderful digital release!
Off the record, do you have any information on a special edition edition cd release of Whitney Houston's self titled 1987 album ? This was supposed to have been released 4 years ago.
Unfortunately, no plans have materialized and it seems likely that any anniversary release in 2022 would take the form of a vinyl project such as last year's reissue of WHITNEY HOUSTON. But anything's possible...
Please let there be a physical CD release of Mary Wilson. Having pictures to admire and a booklet to read are all part of the whole experience. While I am happy that Mary's material will be available digitally, I am not much of a downloader. It would certainly be a wonderful tribute to Mary to provide her fans, whom we all know she loved dearly, an actual CD that we can own and cherish. Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
To The Second Disc, please reach out to Universal to issue Mary Wilson's Expanded Edition released in the form factor of a CD, not just a digital download. Millions of fans all over the world will buy this album on CD, as a physical copy will be able to be added to the album collection we Mary Wilson and Supreme fans already have in our possession.
It is our understanding that a second album will also be released hopefully this year in a form factor of a CD, not just a digital download. Supreme fans are also in need of any old recordings in the Motown vault along with video releases of the NBC primetime special TCB with the Temptations. Perhaps Univeral has ownership of The Supremes at the Copa Cabana 1965 on video as well. This concert will sell by the hundreds of thousands!!!!
We're very hopeful that a CD will be released as soon as possible. Watch this space.
excellent news. RIP Mary Wilson.
but please, as mentioned in almost all the previous comments: a physical deluxe treatment with liner notes is essential
mf
It is so sad that even after her death, Mary Wilson doesn't get the respect or tribute that she deserves. A digital only release is shameful. Instead of waiting a few more months and releasing this properly, I am sure that UMG decided to cash in on Mary's recent passing and are rushing out the digital version.
I am so disappointed.
There must be tons of unreleased Mary Wilson in the universal/Motown vaults. Many of which, Mary singing lead on Supremes 60s/70s material. These unreleased cuts would make great extras on this disc. It could be a two disc set . Thus giving Mary the proper respect she deserves. After all Mary Wilson was a Motown Icon. And she had a large fan base being a former Supreme.
There must be tons of unreleased Mary Wilson in the universal/Motown vaults. Many of which, Mary singing lead on Supremes 60s/70s material. These unreleased cuts would make great extras on this disc. It could be a two disc set . Thus giving Mary the proper respect she deserves. After all Mary Wilson was a Motown Icon. And she had a large fan base being a former Supreme.
I too am disappointed in that this is not in CD media. I've been wanting this for ages when those Complete Motown Singles Volumes came out. Shame it stopped at 1972. There were so many great singles released after that year including the Disco Era, Motown establishing an office here in Toronto, Canada along with the new sounds emulated by Rick James.
Please release this Mary Wilson material in physical form. I would cherish it. Herb in Toronto.
So, I've waited decades for Mary Wilson's debut album to get a proper, definitive release. Within days of her passing, now, at last, her album will see a reissue- and it's not in the CD format. Which also means, no booklet with liner notes, no photographs, no lyrics, no musician/studio/songwriter credits. This is a very poor issue.
I will never, ever buy a MP3 file. NO. So, once again, I pass.
CD, or not CD? For me it's not a question. CD is the answer.
NO CD only
We are all Old Fuckers - we don't download digital.