If you’d have told anyone at Motown that this would end up being Brenda’s biggest commercial hit, and that the raggedy girl group she pulled up by the bootstraps would rack up twelve Number Ones, they’d probably have laughed in your face. (8)
Perfectly capable, enjoyable R&B dance fluff that gets the job done without pulling up any trees; it’s only really the name on the label that marks this out as any kind of disappointment, but ultimately that’s what it ends up being. Sorry, Shorty. (5)
This isn’t the best of Shorty’s Motown singles, far from it, and taken out of context it’d be hard to make any kind of claim for it being a masterpiece or something; what it is, though, is just a great deal of fun. Inexplicably likeable, and undeniably, well, charming. (7)
Better than the Vandellas’ version of Darling, I Hum Our Song, but not quite as good as Eddie Holland’s original; and there’s not very much more I can say about it. (6)
I’m not really surprised that this wasn’t the big hit to revive the Vandellas’ commercial fortunes – it’s just not that kind of a song, greatly enjoyable though it is – but that doesn’t mean it’s not both a fascinating listen and a super dancer.
Motown’s best ever B-side, and – even in light of the perfect pop precision of My Guy – quite possibly Mary Wells’ best ever record. A genuine masterpiece, and a fitting end to a bunch of brilliant careers. (10)
Perfect.
If we were to disregard May What he Lived For Live, then this would easily be the best record Liz Lands ever cut at Motown. As things stand, well, there are certainly much worse farewells in pop history. (7)
The band deserved better, and it’s thanks to their sterling efforts that this is still essential listening for Motown fanatics even with Liz’ ill-judged hollering all over it. (5)
The Andantes gave us plenty of magical moments during their time at Motown; it’s only a shame that their sole single release under their own names doesn’t quite reach those same dizzy heights. (6)
A kick in the teeth for the “real” Andantes, but at least future listeners got a lively and engaging record out of the bargain; a mix of underhanded tricks and decent songcraft resulting in a pretty good dance record. (5)
Motown Junkies 