The story of Sondra "Blinky" Williams has long been shrouded in mystery. The soulful singer came to Motown Records in 1967 following stints at Vee-Jay and Atlantic, bringing her passionate and powerful deep soul sound to Hitsville, USA. Despite recording dozens of tracks between 1968 and 1973, only a small handful saw release: a mere four 45s plus an album of duets with Edwin Starr, two live cuts, and a couple of one-off recordings, including a key moment on the best-selling soundtrack of Lady
Release Round-Up: Week of June 29
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! The Supremes, Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland: Expanded Edition (Motown/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) The Supremes' smash 1967 album featuring "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" gets a must-have 2-CD deluxe treatment, including the original mono and stereo albums, rarities, outtakes, remixes, and a live set from The Copacabana in 1967 featuring one of the last joint performances of Diana Ross, Mary
The Happening: "The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland" Expanded Edition Due in June
Love is here... On June 15, Motown/UMe will celebrate the legacy of The Supremes with a new 2-CD Expanded Edition in the long-running series. 1967's The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland will be expanded from 12 tracks to a whopping 52, incorporating rarities, outtakes, live performances, and much more. The Supremes' final album to be completely written by the team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland (with a little help on two songs from "Indiana Wants Me" tunesmith R.
Everybody Dance Now! Cherry Red's Soul Time Imprint Collects Northern Soul, Detroit Rarities
Cherry Red's Soul Time imprint is on fire! The crate-digging team there unearthed two box sets' worth of R&B rarities in the final months of 2017 that we're happy to spotlight now! Mr. M's Northern Soul 1974-1981 is a 3-CD set celebrating the "oldies room" at the Wigan Casino, the late, fondly-remembered club in Wigan, England famous for its northern soul all-nighters held each Saturday from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday morning. Mr. M's was born out of necessity in 1974, a "club within a
Release Round-Up: Week of November 3
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! The Supremes, The Ultimate Merry Christmas (Second Disc Records/Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are joining Motown Records to unwrap a celebration of The Supremes' 1965 perennial Merry Christmas. The Ultimate Merry Christmas features the album in three distinctive versions: the original 1965 mono and stereo mixes, as well as a brand new, never-before-heard 2017 mix premiering
COMING TOMORROW! The Supremes Kick Off Our Christmas Slate with The Ames Brothers, Connie Smith
TOMORROW, Friday, November 3, is the day we've been waiting for here at Second Disc HQ - when we can finally unveil our new, and biggest ever, Second Disc Records slate of Christmas releases to you! Tomorrow, we're joining Real Gone Music for a trio of titles beginning with The Supremes' The Ultimate Merry Christmas, a deluxe 2-CD, 50-track celebration of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard's 1965 Merry Christmas. This is one ultimate collection we're confident will live up to its
Release Round-Up: Week of October 20
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! George Michael, Listen Without Prejudice 25 (Columbia/Legacy) 2-CD (Disc 1 & 2 Only): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3-CD/1-DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Legacy is delivering a deluxe edition of George Michael's classic 1990 album. Listen Without Prejudice 25 sees release in several formats. The biggest is a 3-CD/1 DVD box set. The first CD contains a
BREAKING! Second Disc Records, Real Gone Music Unwrap The Supremes' "Ultimate Merry Christmas"!
Longtime readers know that Christmas is our favorite time of the year here at Second Disc HQ, and this year, we're celebrating with our most lavish release yet: The Supremes' The Ultimate Merry Christmas! Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music are counting down the days until November 3, when we proudly present one of the greatest Christmas albums of all time - from the world's number-one girl group - in an edition that's years in the making! Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard
Here They "A' Go-Go"! Classic Supremes Album To Be Expanded in April
Get ready! A new, rarities-packed edition of The Supremes' chart-topping The Supremes A' Go-Go is headed to stores this spring! Released late in the summer of 1966, the ninth album by Motown's powerhouse vocal trio (Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson) reads like a who's-who of pop and Detroit soul, with a slew of covers (mostly from the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team) given that Supremes treatment. Here, you'll find versions of The Isley Brothers' "This Old Heart of Mine
Ace Collects Classic Beatles Covers On "Let It Be: Black America Sings Lennon, McCartney and Harrison"
If there was ever any doubt as to the versatility, adaptability and endurance of the songs of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, it would certainly be dispelled by Ace’s new release of Let It Be: Black America Sings Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. The latest volume in the label’s Black America Sings series (also encompassing volumes dedicated to Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, and the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and the second dedicated to the music of The Beatles,
Dreaming of a Supremes Christmas: Expanded "Merry Christmas" Available NOW!
Christmas came early in 1965 for fans of The Supremes. In November of that year, Motown released not one, but two albums from the beloved trio of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard: The Supremes at the Copa and Merry Christmas. Both of these LPs would not only score on the Billboard charts but become truly sparkling additions to the Supremes' discography. Still perennial favorites, both Copa and Merry Christmas showcase the group's tremendous versatility, vibrancy and dynamism.
The (Motown) Music That Makes Me Dance: The Supremes' "Funny Girl" Gets Expansion
I'm the greatest star/I am by far! But no one knows it... - Fanny Brice, Funny Girl Back in 2012, while reviewing Hip-o Select's splendidly expanded edition of The Supremes at the Copa, I wrote of the "altogether enjoyable [and] still inexplicably not on CD" album The Supremes Sing and Perform Funny Girl. Indeed, that 1968 LP, featuring Motown's greatest stars tackling the showstoppers from Jule Styne and Bob Merrill's score, has long been one of the rarest and most-requested titles in the
Strictly Tabu: Edsel Readies Reissue Campaign for R&B Label (UPDATED 8/29)
UPDATE (11/4): This post now has confirmed track lists for the FIRST EIGHT WAVES of reissues. The long-gestating reissue campaign for Tabu Records by Demon Music Group looks to be taking shape - not only for the first wave of titles in the spring, but for a slew of content ambitiously planned through 2014. Founded in 1976 by Clarence Avant (who'd previously started the Venture and Sussex labels), Tabu scraped by for six years until a chance meeting and an inconvenient snowstorm gave the label
Can You Surry, Can You Picnic? Ace, Legacy Celebrate the Songs of Laura Nyro
In Wendy Wasserstein’s play Third, a professor is sitting at her desk, cigarette in hand, listening to “Wedding Bell Blues.” Her student enters, and recognizes the tune: “Is that the 5th Dimension?” The professor sharply replies, “Not in my office!” Beat. “It’s Laura Nyro. She wrote it.” He replies, “Cool. Does she have anything new out?” Professor Nancy Gordon answers, “She died of ovarian cancer a few years ago,” and changes the subject. Cancer would take Wendy Wasserstein, too, like
Review: The Supremes, "The Supremes at the Copa"
The building on New York’s East 60th Street might between 5th and Madison Avenues might not have looked like much from the outside. But within the walls of 10 E. 60th, it was a different story altogether, as that address housed the fabled Copacabana. Lyricist Fred Ebb asserted of New York City itself, “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere,” but he could have been writing of The Copacabana. And Berry Gordy wanted to make it there. More accurately, the Motown Records chief wanted
At The Copa: The Supremes Take New York City By Storm On New Expanded Edition
The name of the Copacabana conjures up many memories: maybe of Lola’s love triangle with Tony and Rico, maybe of Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz trying to get their husbands there in the very first episode of I Love Lucy to air. The famous New York nightspot opened in 1940 on East 60th Street, playing host to the biggest and brightest names in entertainment and becoming synonymous with sophistication and glamour. It made headlines when it ended its “no blacks” policy, playing host to acclaimed
Hip-o Select Preps Supremes' Final Sessions
The wait is over: Hip-o Select has finally anthologized the last years of one of Motown's most beloved groups - The Supremes - in their newest limited-edition set. Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol. 2 1974-1977 - The Final Sessions fills in part of the story that hardcore Supremes fans know - that the group didn't just disappear when Diana Ross embarked on her stunning solo career. Jean Terrell replaced Ross on lead vocals on five Supremes LPs between 1970 and 1972. This era saw the last of
Go Insane: Lindsey Buckingham's Early Solo Albums Collected in New Box Set
Lindsey Buckingham's earliest solo works are getting a box set from Rhino this summer. True to its name, 20th Century Lindsey will feature remastered versions of the three albums the Fleetwood Mac singer/guitarist issued during the 20th century - 1981's Law and Order, 1984's Go Insane and 1992's Out of the Cradle - plus a newly compiled disc of eight rarities. The set showcases Buckingham's restless creative spirit that fueled a good portion of Fleetwood Mac's discography, blossoming into
Release Round-Up: Week of April 19
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. With Record Store Day events taking place tomorrow, this is one of the biggest weeks in recent memory - so if you hit up your local indie store tomorrow, remember: there's plenty of non-exclusive releases to check out, too. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TSD also mourns the passing of Dickey Betts, 80. As a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of The
Born to Get Down: Robinsongs Reissues Three Albums from The Muscle Shoals Horns
3614 Jackson Highway: Cher immortalized the Sheffield, Alabama address of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as the title of her 1969 album. The superstar was just one of the many legends who passed through the Studio's doors in hopes of capturing some of that southern swamp magic; others include The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Wilson Pickett, Rod Stewart, and Bob Dylan. Much of that earthy sound was conjured by The Muscle Shoals Horns, the brassy complement to the studio's famed
Release Round-Up: Week of October 27
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the (many, many!) new titles available today! As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Salsoul Orchestra, Christmas Jollies I + II: The Extra Jolly Edition (SoulMusic/Cherry Red/Second Disc) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red) The Second Disc has teamed with SoulMusic Records for the definitive celebration of the Christmas disco/Philly soul classic. The Salsoul
Release Round-Up: Week of September 15
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! The Who, Who's Next / Life House (Polydor/UMe) 10CD/1BD: The Who Official Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: The Who Official Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1CD: The Who Official Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1LP (Album Only, Black Vinyl): The Who Official Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1LP (Half-Speed
Cherry Red's El Label Celebrates Burt Bacharach, Leonard Bernstein on New Box Sets
In recent months, Cherry Red's El imprint has turned its attention to a pair of legendary American composers. Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) and Burt Bacharach (1928-2023) were born just a decade apart, though Bacharach lived more than three decades longer than Bernstein. Neither man was born in New York City, but both created much of their remarkable work there. Both were proud Jewish Americans, and both wrote for the musical theatre. An American in New York: Leonard Bernstein - The City
The Weekend Stream: July 22, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. Today brings remixes from ABC, Madonna and Cypress Hill, plus rarities from Stan Getz and Julie Andrews! ABC, The Look of Love (Single) (Mercury/UMC) (iTunes / Amazon) Another single from the upcoming reissue of The Lexicon of Love; like last week's, it focuses on "The Look of Love" - arguably the
Amazing Journey: New Mega-Box Chronicles The Who's Path from "Life House" to "Who's Next"
What's next? How about Who's Next? On September 15, The Who will revisit their seminal 1971 masterwork in a lavish 10CD/1BD box set as well as multiple smaller formats. The Who's Next/Life House box set, by the numbers, offers 155 tracks - 89 of which are previously unissued in any version and 57 of which are brand-new remixes. This finally offers a comprehensive look at Pete Townshend's ambitious, conceptual Life House (later known as Lifehouse) project, tracing it from its roots as a
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 9
- Next Page »