#8 R&B

“Hum Along and Dance” is another smash from the minds of the songwriting team Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield.  It appeared on  the Tempting Temptations 1970 hit LP “Psychedelic Shack.” (#1 R&B & #9 Pop).

The original tune was 3 minutes and 52 seconds long making it a very long song for the era. I consider this song  the writing duo’s precursor to “Smiling Faces.”

Please listen and enjoy.

#95 R&B

Rare Earth’s 5 minute and 19 second version of “Hum Along and Dance” comes from their 1973 release “MA.”   Take a listen to this even longer version of this classic.

The Jackson 5′s  8 minutes and 37 second version appeared on their 1973 LP “Get It Together.”  “GIT” was the J5′s second album release of 1973 (September): they had released “Skywriter” earlier that year in March.  Like the entire LP, “HAaD” was an awesome  track — but even better is the 15 minute and 7 second extended version. This one is here for your listening pleasure: it was one of the bonus cuts on my “Joyful Jukebox Music” re-issue CD.

This version is tops IMHO!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCCDxyjDRWg

Now that you have seen this vintage J5 performance of “HAaD” with the handsome Jackie Jackson doing Eddie Kendricks’ high tenor lead part, vote for your favorite here and now. Be sure to leave comments as to why you prefer one rendition over the other.

Musically Yours,

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I remember playing this Gordy 45 rpm over and over and over again on my grey and white record player. In fact I still have the record!

The day I first heard it was the day that I purchased the “Get Ready”  Single, the last song Smokey Robinson wrote and produced for The Temptations. Of course before I played it I flipped it over to hear the B-Side: this was my habit because  some of my most favorite songs were to be found on B-sides that often NEVER made it to LPs.  Beside as a tween I didn’t always have LP money, but I always could scrounge up change to purchase a 45.

Anyway, I played “Fading Away,” the B-Side to  “Getting Ready,” over  and over  and over again and just sat their swooning at Eddie’s voice imagining how it would be when I grew up and met and finally married him (ROTFLOL).

This sweet,  sweet  ballad was composed by three of Motown’ s own  “Miracles”  — Warren “Pete” Moore, Smokey Robinson and Robert “Bobby” Rogers.

Oh well it kept me off of the streets!

This Motown cover is another of those on the one and only Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers Motown Album.  I do enjoy the harmonizing at the hook that is different from the Temptations original,  but all in all no one can do it like those Tempting Temptations.

So which version is your favorite?

Musically Yours,

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#3 R&B, #18 Pop

Composed by The Miracles’ members Warren “Pete” Moore and Smokey Robinson, “It’s Growing” comes from The Temptations’ second Motown  LP — “The Temptations Sing Smokey.” This LP topped the  R&B charts at #1 and was #35 on the Pop LP charts.

Dennis Edwards joined the Contours in 1967 and sang lead on the group’s cover version of “It’s Growing.” This cover stayed buried in the “Motown Vault” until it surfaced on a British Budget compilation in the 70s.  I first heard it on another British Motown compilation that  I purchased decades later  entitled “Tamla Motown Connoisseurs.”

“It’s Growing” was the second song that The Temptations released featuring group member David Ruffin. How ironic that Edwards sang lead on this Temptations’ cover song as a member of the Contours and would eventually replace David Ruffin in the Temptations!

Originally hailing from Canada, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers were Motown’s first hit interracial group.  Their cover version of “It’s Growing” comes from their first and only Motown LP, pictured above.

You know the drill – time to vote for your favorite Motown rendition of “It’s Growing.” Which is your favorite? Leave comments and let us know why.

Musically Yours,

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Even though I am a huge Eddie Kendricks fan, “Get Ready”  is not high on my list of Kendricks’ led Temptations songs. I think this is because the song has been so over- used  (IMHO) when it comes to Motown references over these past decades.

But this song is a perfect way to kick off the new Theme of OSML posts for May 2010 … “Motown Covers  Motown”!

I have used this theme before, including two posts of another original Temptations song that song Rare Earth covered called “Smiling Faces”.   If you missed out on that post just click on the link in the song title.

You may also select the Theme “Motown Covers Motown”  in the OSML Category Search to the far right and read the dozens of  other Motown songs that were covered by Motown artists that you may or may not have been aware of.

#1 R&B & #29 Pop in 1966

First please enjoy The Temptations’ original hit rendition from their chart topping (#1 R&B & #12 Pop)  LP pictured above.  Of course this great song is one of the many Smokey Robinson penned hits that the  Temptations had.

While not exactly a Motown Group, per se, The San Remo Golden Strings were a Detroit group of studio musicians.  Some played for the Detroit Symphony and some were a part of Motown’s Funk Brothers so I felt this version of “Get Ready” was worthy of inclusion in this post. Click on the link above to read what “Soulful Detroit” has to say on the history of the group.

R&B #20 & Pop #4 in 1970

From their  debut LP,  “Get Ready” released in 1969 on Motown records, Rare Earth’s cover of “Get Ready” was a 21 minute and 30 second live jam that propelled the LP to #4 R&B and #12 Pop.

I vividly recall that this was THE lunch hour jam to listen to in high school to when it  first came out.  Rocking out on a Motown classic was something we had never heard before at it was totally awesome to digest for the first time!

Now that you have heard the official released single versions please watch and enjoy these live performances before you vote on your fave.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mReSXE2HCA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Z8NU5ImK0

Musically Yours,

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There are  more 1969 Grammy Awards left  to discuss then there is month left in February  .

I had a hard time deciding which award winning song to close the month out with, but finally decided on one of my favorite dance tunes of the Sixties -sung by one of my favorite tenors of all time — The Isley Brothers “It’s Your Thing”  which won the 1969 Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Group or Duo.

The brothers had been around as a gospel quartet ever since the fifties.  The group was made up of brother Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley and Vernon Isley. When Vernon passed  after a bicycle accident in 1955,  Ronald became the new lead singer.

From the RCA label with their soulful sounds (“the classics “Shout” and “Twist & Shout”),  to their own label T-Neck, to Motown’s Tamla label, and finally back to T-neck the brothers had their hard-knocks on the road to  Grammy Gold.

Like many others in the Motown stable, The Isley Brothers were tired of the neglect they received at Motown while Gordy concentrated on making The Supremes, The Temptations and Diane Ross the superstars of the label.

They were released from their contract and almost immediately the brothers co-wrote “It’s Your Thing” and released it on their own T-Neck label.  The funky “IYT” topped the R&B charts at #1 and the Billboard Top 100 at #2 , then went on the win the first Grammy Award for any former Motown artist.

Everyone covered the song including many Motown artists.  I am especially partial to The Temptations’ psychedelic cover: the vocals harmonies are awesome! The J5 version is pretty great too IMHO. Check them out right now and let me know what you think.

The Temptations 1960 cover version

This is the original vocal from the J5 cover but it is a current extended Remix that I have been listening to a lot lately. Hope you enjoy it.

Trivia. This is the first song on which the then 17 yr old, baby brother,  Ernie Isley,  played bass on a song. Of course brother Ernie would go on to become an integral part of the third generation Isley Brothers renamed  Isley Brothers 3 +3 — one of the most successful self contained family funk units of the seventies.

The Isley Brothers first charted in 1959 with “Shout -- Part 1″ ( #47 billboard top 100)

The Isley Brothers next appearance on the music charts was in 1962 with  “Shout -- Part 1″ (#94 Billboard top 100)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9xOLpwI0I

Musically Yours,

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A week ago today  I shared with you the first rendition of the Temptations performing “The Christmas Song” featuring one of the few leads by Otis Williams.

Well today I would like to share with you the second version the group released that appeared on their second holiday collection a decade later in 1980.

This LP is truly a classic.  Other songs are repeated from the first Holiday LP,  but the greatest of any holiday song that the Temptations EVER sang (IMHO)  is on this set — “Silent Night.”   Now I  loved Eddie Kendricks’  lead on the 1970 “Silent Night”,  but the 1980 version is a classic that will be listened to for ages to come!

But back to “The Christmas Song” version 2 –  If you have been following OSML then you are aware that the Temptations often made second versions of their songs and always bested themselves. True to course this version has better vocals, better production values and just is a much better listen than the first!

What do you think?

Musically yours,

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It is so good to be back at OSML. This will make my recuperation complete!

Of course December means Holiday oldies and since this has been the year of Motown 50 I am,  naturally, closing out the year with holiday tunes sung my Motown artists.

I decided to start out with the Mel  Torme & Robert Wells penned perennial favorite “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting).  What better way to invoke the holiday spirit that this timeless tune.

This version is from the Tempting Temptations’ first holiday collection from 1970 entitled “Christmas Card.”

I selected this song since it is one of the few leads Otis William has had during his tenure as a Temptation and thought you might enjoy hearing it.

Musically Yours,

Updated 12.13.09 Initially I uploaded wrong song version so I changed text to match song. All is well now

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The Temptations – I Ain’t Got Nothing (1972)

This is the end of  Black Music Month and I sure hope President Obama comes through with the appropriate Proclamation for 2009.  I will be sorely disappointed of he doesn’t.

This is also my last post for the month of June, here at OSML, with the theme being “Motown Guy Groups” in honor of Motown’s 50th Anniversary — which BTW, with the  year now half over, where is the anticipated Suzanne DePasse produced 50th Anniversary TV Special?

Well I have covered some of my favorite Male Motown vocal groups this month purposely leaving these talented gentlemen for last. Many of you younger  readers often consider The Temptations and the Tops the only Motown male vocal groups so I wanted to be sure that the visitors here knew that the Tempts and Tops were just the tip of the talented male Motown iceberg.

Another misconception regarding Motown, specifically The Temptations, was that Otis never sang lead. Well I am here to tell you that is so wrong. Not only did Otis Williams’ mellow tone help to blend the other four voices together in perfect harmony but he had some leads and they were quite good.

The song I am presenting here today, with Otis singing lead, comes from 1972′s “All Directions” LP.  The song  “I Ain’t Got Nothing” was composed by Evans King & Maurice King. The album “All Directions” is The Temptations’ first after Sweet Eddie Kendricks had left the group.  I can recall at that time saying that I would never buy another Temptations LP again.  But I was a very wrong teenager.

My Father had purchased this LP, played it and sang from it  non-stop, so I of course I eventually fell in love with it as the rest of the country obviously did: it charted #1 R&B and #2 Pop on the Album Charts.

Musically Yours,

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Edwin Starr – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love) 1967

Released 2 months after the Temptations  “Cloud Nine”  LP (below), in April 1969, “25 Miles” was actually comprised in part of single sides, some going back as far as 1967.  Starrs’ gospel tinged version of “GKOTTIWYL” also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 7:1967 — so this appears to be the original release of the song. I am not sure though so if anyone has more details I would be beholding.

  Jimmy Ruffin – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love -1968

David Ruffin’s older brother Jimmy’s version of this song appears on the May 1969 album release “Ruff ‘N Ready”.  Ruffin’s version of “GKOTTIWYL” also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 8: 1968″

The Temptations – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love (1969)

This is one of my favorite Classic Temptation albums. It charted #1 R&B and #4 Pop in 1969.

After the David Ruffin dominated “I Wish It Would Rain” LP – - the “Cloud 9″ set, released February 1960,  was a breath of fresh air –  featuring all of the Temptations on leads. This particular song featured the “New Guy” Dennis Edwards on lead. I like Dennis immediately. He was a perfect fit for the group IMHO.

Marvin Gaye – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love) 1969

Norman Whitfield produced this Marvin Gaye outing, so of course he had Gaye cover this Temptations song of  his.  It appeared on the 1970 LP release entitled “That’s The Way Love Is” which included Gaye’s hit cover of this Isley Brothers’ original. The song also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 9: 1969″

The Temptations – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love (1971)

This completely re-worked psychedelic version appeared on Sweet Eddie Kendricks’ Temptations swan-song album  along with the classic “Just My Imagination.”  Eddie sings lead on this slowed down version that picks up on the psychedelica where Ruffin’s cover left off.

So which do you prefer?  Let’s talk about it after you vote.

Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love – Composed by Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong

Like the birds in the trees, my heart sings a rhapsody of love for you.
Girl, you won my heart the very first time I layed eyes on you.
I know your love belongs to someone else.
But girl, I got to have you for myself.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
Gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love, woo.
A fallen star that’s what you are, from the heavens above.
There’s no treasure on earth, that can match your worth.
You’re a picture of love.
I know to you I’m just a love sick guy.
But you’re wrong.
I love ya and I need you, by my side.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.

I can’t help but thinkin’ ’bout that guy.
He just got you by his side.
He’s got everything.
There’s is no end to of his happiness to be in his place.
I’ll be glad to give you anything.
I know your love belongs to him.
But girl, I can’t be satisfied jus’ being your friend.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
Gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.

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The CLASSIC Temptations – It’s Summer (1970)

Bass singer Melvin Franklin takes lead on “It’s Summer” while the awesomely harmonious Temptations provide a glorious background on this cut from the 1970  “Psychedelic Shack” album. The was their first of the new decade and their 15th in their career.  Another class set,  every song on this LP was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong,  and of course Whitfield produced all sessions.

I recall that this single was the B-side to “Ball of Confusion” and I played it over and over again on my portable record player — just listening to this song as it it were being sung only for me. I also recall that I was getting on my Grandmother’s nerves playing it over and over again.   But Mel’s voice was just mesmerizing. Don’t you think?

The 4 MAN Temptations – It’s Summer (1972)

Now imagine 2 years later when I find out that the same song with Melvin’s lead has been replaced.  I  resented this fact — plus the fact that my dear sweet Eddie Kendricks was not a part of this album. Eddie was now gone because of his desire to continue to sing love ballads and not the psychedelic soul Whitfield was intent on making.  But my Dad played this Album so much that he finally wore me down and it is now a favorite.

This album is also notable in that it contains the last Temptation’s song that Paul Williams ever sang on, “It’s Summer,” and it is  the only song on the album with his voice.  Paul was now  gone from the group due to sickle cell and alcoholism and I just felt betrayed that my classic five were no more. I really took it hard.

This time around Norman Whitfield not only had another artist re-do his song but had the same artist repeat it themselves with another one of his elaborate musical orchestrations.  Wonder how Melvin felt about them turning his solo  masterpiece upside down? And which one do you prefer my friends?

Trivia: With Eddie now gone this song was recorded with only 4 Temptations instead of 5!

Musically Yours,

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