Even if it’s out of whack with the rest of his career, it’s a quirky, entertaining finish; meanwhile, there’s no doubt he could be proud of pretty much everything else he’d made. Here’s to you, Singin’ Sammy Ward. (6)
Motown may not have thought there was room for him in their brave new world, and commercially they may have been right; but you can’t help but feel that in discarding such a pro – with such a knack for making good records – they’d made a bad mistake. (8)
Not as good as the A-side, but it’s quality stuff and plenty of fun nonetheless, as well as a reminder that Motown in 1962 still hadn’t given up on the blues. (7)
A cracking record, a rollicking, hot-tempered midtempo number – sat astride the imaginary line that divides “R&B-flavoured blues” and “bluesy R&B” – that demands to be turned up loud. (9)
There’s simply no reason to seek out and listen to this one, not when there’s a superior version of what is for all intents and purposes the exact same song already out there. (4)
Still, best not concentrate on what this record isn’t, and just enjoy it for what it is. And what it is, really, is a lot of fun. It’s just not quite “there” in terms of everything clicking into place. (6)
Hardly among the worst offenders in the Bad Early Motown Records stakes, this is still a poor performance of a poor song and gets no praise at all here.
Another cracking little record, as well as a vindication of the strength of Gordy’s original song; the remake was well worth the trouble.
Every bit as good as the A-side, boosted by a jangling guitar backing and the fun the two singers are evidently having (meaning that this time, there are shades of Marvin and Tammi to be enjoyed). (6)
It’s not exactly Marvin and Tammi, but nobody’s claiming that; what it is is plenty of fun, and there’s extra satisfaction to be gained from knowing this is the record that started Motown down the duet path. (6)
Ward’s achievement in scoring an important early Motown hit record seems to have been largely overlooked by history, so I’m going to put one in the “win” column for him here and now. Well done, Singin’ Sammy.
