From the category archives:

Stevie Wonder

"I Hear A Symphony" (1965, 1966 & 1969)

January 12, 2009 · 6 comments

the-supremes-i-hear-a-symphony

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The Supremes -- I Hear A Symphony (1965)

Released as a single in October 1965,  “I Hear A Symphony” became The Supremes  sixth #1 on the Billboard Top 100.  Capitalizing on it’s hit status the song was also included on the LP, of the same name released in February 1966,  that zoomed to #1 on the R&B Charts and #8 Pop.  I can even recall the day I crossed the street  and walked around the corner to pick of my brand new copy of the LP! You see --  getting an new Supremes album was always an event to me as a tween. The Supremes were my “Miley Cyrus” as it were (LOL).

Looking back on this LP and it’s change from all cutesy tunes to the more romantic strings  got me to thinking if  “Symphony” was HDH’s answer to The Toys hit “Lover’s Concerto,” which coincidentally is covered on this album!  I have never seen this in print anywhere, but it was just a feeling I always had and would love to ask the trio if I ever had a chance to.

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The Isley Brothers -- I Hear A Symphony (1966)

The Isley Brothers had been singing since the Fifties. While at Motown, the group were assigned mostly cover tunes.  Like Gladys Knight and The Pips  (who were also assigned mostly cover tunes), The Isleys left the label and went on to create their own label, their own music and much success!

This is one of the many cover tunes assigned to the group during their Motown tenure. It appeared on their LP “This Old Heart of Mine” without their photo, to appeal to a crossover audience. Oh those sixties!

BTW you just gotta love Ron Isley’s lead on this track: his tenor voice is smooth like butta! I think he is one of the best male vocalists of our generation.

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Stevie Wonder -- I Hear A Symphony (1966)

Recorded in the summer of 1966, Wonder’s cover did not appear on either of his 1966 releases. Instead the world first heard it  in the “Motown Sings Motown Treasures” compilation of 1998.

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Barbara McNair -- I Hear A Symphony (1969)

McNair’s cover was made for her second Motown LP. It really is unfortunate that McNair was relegated to cover versions of other folk’s hits while a Motown. They rarely gave her her material (or the promotion) suited just for her unique style and talent. If you look at the track lists on her first two Motown releases you will see  what I mean. An the third and final Motown release is all Smokey songs originally made hits by The Miracles other Motown artists. Harumph.

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Michael Jackson -- I Hear A Symphony

Released in an now out of print compilation of previously unreleased tunes form the Motown Vault — Mike’s cover of  “I Hear A Symphony”  finally saw the light of day in 1986.  It was probably recorded when they started to launch his solo career away from his brothers at Motown.

Wonder if the camera man was told to focus on you know who (who messed up a lyric or two in this live TV version -- LOL)

Trivia tidbit:  Co-writer and co-producer of the original “I Hear A Symphony” actually recorded his own cover version of the song on another label in 2002.  Lamont Dozier’s cover appears on his release “An American Original.”  You see Dozier was a singer before he became a songwriter/producer  for Motown.

So you know the drill. Please share your thoughts on your favorite version  and any comments you have on all of the above!

My sincere thanks for your visit and participation. I am honored to have you here.

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Filed under: Barbara McNair, Holland/Dozier/Holland, I Hear A Symphony, Michael Jackson, Motown, Motown Covers Motown, Pop/R&B, Sixties, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, The Supremes

"All I Do (Is Think About You)" (1966 & 1980)

January 8, 2009 · 4 comments

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[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4583737_a7fqk/02%20Tammi%20Terrell%20-%20All%20I%20Do%20Is%20Think%20About%20You%20%281966%29.mp3] Tammi Terrell – All I Do (Is Think About You)

This is the original version of a fabulous song composed by Clarence Paul, Morris Broadnax and a teenaged Stevie Wonder in 1966. The song was then first  recorded by Terrell — but then sat in the infamous “Motown Vault” until it was released on the wonderful UK compilation  “A Cellarful Of Motown!” in 2002.

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[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4583738_dc1rm/19%20Brenda%20Holloway%20-%20All%20I%20do.mp3] Brenda Holloway – All I Do (Is Think About You)

Once again another under-rated and under utilized songstress on the Motown label  recorded “All I Do” and her version *also* sat in the “Motown Vault” until the 2005 release “Brenda Holloway: Anthology” compilation.

Sometimes it is just hard to fathom why so much great music went unreleased and then undiscovered for such a very long time. Also makes me ponder how many other great artists’ careers were stalled by the Motown machine at the expense of a few (or one as the case may be). Last but not least this all causes me to ponder whether or not  Mr. Gordy was the great know all and be all he is made out to be in the annals of music history (no disrespect of his accomplishments is  intended – just an opinion).

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[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4583841_6aeaf/Stevie%20Wonder%20-%2002%20All%20I%20Do.mp3] Stevie Wonder – All I Do (Is Think About You) (1980).

Wonder finally covered the song he co-wrote in 1980 for inclusion on the hit release “Hotter Than July”.  This set charted #1 USA R&B for thirteen weeks, #2 UK and #3 USA Pop. It was another Wonder classic that you could put on the turntable and just let both sides play over and over again.

Now, of course, I want to know which of the 3 versions you prefer.

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Filed under: All I Do (Is Think About You), Brenda Holloway, Clarence Paul/Morris Broadnax/Stevie Wonder, Eighties, Motown, Pop/R&B, Sixties, Stevie Wonder, Tammi Terrell

"My Girl" (1965 to 1967 & 1972)

January 5, 2009 · 7 comments

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The Temptations – “My Girl” Original Vocal Track (1965)

Everyone in the WORLD knows this song no matter what age, race, creed or color! The fabulous, Temptin’ Temptations topped both the R&B and Pop Billboard charts with this #1 smash hit that is still played today on a daily basis and will be played long after we are all gone from this earth. Since you all know it note for note I thought I would post just the vocal to give you the opportunity to really LISTEN to the fantastic vocal harmonies on this smash. This was not just a hit because of David Ruffin but a hit because of the delivery of five of the most talented men to grace a microphone.

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I have avoided doing a post on the Tempts because I didn’t think I could handle writing about them without gushing volumes of praise. But since I have been blogging a while now I figured I had learned to control some of my enthusiasm about these wonderful, wonderful singers.  ;-) These five voices together were the best in the business and no other configuration of “Temptations” has ever surpassed them IMHO! Just listen and you will hear the proof.

This song, written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White of The Miracles, was issued on The Temptations second album with Motown — “The Temptations Sing Smokey.” This 1965 set when to #1 R&B  but only #35 Pop.

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Marvin Gaye – “My Girl” (1966)

Not to be left out of a good thing, then crooner Marvin Gaye also recorded “My Girl” in  New York in June of 1966, but his cover was not released until a 1990 Box Set entitled  “The Marvin Gaye Collection.”

Back in 1966 Gaye was enjoying success with his Kim Weston duets,  so perhaps the Motown Management did not want to  rock the proverbial boat with something different at that particular time.

s-wonder-i-was-made-to-love-her-1967

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Stevie Wonder – “My Girl” (1967)

This is Stevie Wonder’s cover version from his album “I Was Made To Love Her” entitled after his hit of the same name.  This LP Charted #7 R&B and #45 Pop.

michael-jackson-ben-1972

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Michael Jackson – “My Girl” (1972)

Of course one of the last hit solo acts to come out the the Classic Motown Era  was a young Michael Jackson who was being groomed for stardom outside of his family group “The Jackson 5.”

Jackson’s cover of “My Girl” come from his second solo LP on Motown — 1972′s Ben.  This successful  set climbed to #4 R&B and #5 Pop.

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The Temptations – My Girl

I hope you enjoyed all of the covers presented here today,  but I won’t dare leave you stranded without presenting the original Temptation hit with all it’s glorious Funk Brothers music. So please click on the link above, to enjoy the vintage video of the Tempts lip synching to the classic single version.

I just love the looks of joy on their faces as they perform (especially Otis). This was their “break-out” hit and all of their hard work over the past few years had finally put them on top. They had reason to be all smiles! And watching them in this performance makes me smile as well. I hope it brings a smile to your face too.

Keep the oldies alive!

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Filed under: Michael Jackson, Motown, Motown Covers Motown, My Girl, Pop/R&B, Seventies, Sixties, Smokey Robinson & Ronnie White, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations

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