217. Singin’ Sammy Ward: “Someday Pretty Baby”
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)
Category Archives: Writing credit: Berry Gordy
209. Saundra Mallett & The Vandellas: “It’s Gonna Be Hard Times”
Not a single, and hardly a classic, it’s still a nice song – but it’s a poor match of vocalist and material. (5)
208. Saundra Mallett & The Vandellas: “Camel Walk”
Really just an excuse to tell the story of Martha and the Vandellas. The record? Not terrible, by any means, not even bad – it’s just a big ol’ plate full of “totally average”, which given the pedigree of everyone involved is a crushing disappointment. (5)
193. The Contours: “Move Mr Man”
Not awful, by any means, but the image of the Contours conjured for new listeners by Do You Love Me is slightly dispelled here. (4)
192. The Contours: “Do You Love Me”
A good example of an inspired match between performer and material; the Contours’ performance makes a thin song into a super record, while Berry Gordy’s song briefly makes a bunch of tone-deaf dancers into a star recording group. (8)
185. Little Stevie Wonder: “I Call It Pretty Music But The Old People Call It The Blues (Part 2)”
I don’t care if someone’s 12 or 72, if they can play the harmonica like this, let them play it all day long. (6)
184. Little Stevie Wonder: “I Call It Pretty Music But The Old People Call It The Blues (Part 1)”
This first single is little more than a calling card, an introduction to a cartoon character – gather round, everyone, and let’s all coo at the adorable blind tween! A poor first showing, then, for one of the all-time greats. Other than as a showcase for Stevie’s spectacular harmonica work, it’s really not very good at all. (3)
182. The Valadiers: “Because I Love Her”
This is by no means a terrible record, there are some neat touches, but overall, it’s not especially memorable, nor especially well-performed. (4)
169. The Marvelettes: “All The Love I’ve Got”
It’s not awful, but it’s highly nondescript. Helpfully, though, this record marks a sort of staging post for the Marvelettes: the end of a digressionary, dead-end period. 3
167. The Miracles: “You Never Miss A Good Thing”
Hardly a patch on the stellar A-side, this is still a very good record well worth a listen. (6)
163. The Temptations: “Isn’t She Pretty”
A fun, frothy, meaningless doo-wop ditty, which coming from a group like the Temptations is both highly enjoyable and maddeningly limited. (6)
Motown Junkies 