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Tamla T 54042 (B), June 1961
B-side of Same Thing
(Written by Mickey Stevenson)
Before hearing the actual songs featured on this, Gino Parks’ “real” debut single, I’d guessed (with only the titles to go on) that the A-side, Same Thing, would be a gospel-inflected ballad, rather than the loose, tooth-rattling rocker it actually turned out to be. Similarly, I’d pegged its B-side, That’s No Lie, to be an upbeat dancefloor number, and instead this turns out to be a solid, somewhat rambling, ultimately inconsequential blues. Just goes to show.
The liner notes to The Complete Motown Singles: Volume 1 describe this one as “screaming” and Parks as “positively hair-raising”. I don’t think either of those things is particuarly apt. For sure my hair remains unrisen, but more pertinently it’s Parks who’s (quite literally) screaming here, not the song itself, which is relatively staid and nowhere near as fun as the A-side. Parks can’t be accused of holding anything back, giving a full-on hellfire gospel-rock-blues-whatever performance with echoes of James Brown, but it’s wasted on a standard-issue doo-wop backline that seemingly can’t quite decide on what it wants to be, and an underpowered groove that never gets properly into it.
Once more, the compilers of The Complete Motown Singles: Volume 1 couldn’t find a master tape for this one, so it had to be mastered from a 7″ single. The drop in sound quality is noticeable, but no more than that; I doubt a pristine transfer would have made the record any better, to be honest.
MOTOWN JUNKIES VERDICT
(I’ve had MY say, now it’s your turn. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment, or click the thumbs at the bottom there. Dissent is encouraged!)
You’re reading Motown Junkies, an attempt to review every Motown A- and B-side ever released. Click on the “previous” and “next” buttons below to go back and forth through the catalogue, or visit the Master Index for a full list of reviews so far.
(Or maybe you’re only interested in Gino Parks? Click for more.)
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| Gino Parks “Same Thing” |
The Satintones “I Know How It Feels” |
Motown Junkies 
Was only able to hear a 30 second preview of this song…one thing I can say is Gino Parks had a good voice.
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Well, here’s some good news from 3 years in the future – the whole Motown Singles Collection (almost) is now on youtube, and actually put there by Universal Music Group. There are also all manner of vinyl transfers of the various obscure pressings.
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Thanks for the update Kevin!
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I love your fucking blog. You made Me laugh so hard and not only that I felt that you were talking to me in person. I would like to visit Britain so fucking bad. I’m also a Motown junkie. I bought the Motown Singles From 1959-1970!!!
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