232. The Vells: “There He Is (At My Door)
This is easily as good a record as the A-side. (6)
Category Archives: Writing credit: Brian Holland (non-HDH)
230. The Marvelettes: “Too Strong To Be Strung Along”
A totally average-sounding early-Sixties girl group record with poorly-conceived, unsympathetic lyrics. Compared to the A-side, this can’t help but be a major disappointment. (5)
229. The Marvelettes: “Strange I Know”
The best record the Marvelettes ever made; magnificent, and beautiful, and forever. (10)
215. Eddie Holland: “If It’s Love (It’s Alright)”
Basically a reworking of Jamie, twice as fast and much more likeable, with 50% more Jackie Wilson. (7)
205. Mary Wells: “Old Love (Let’s Try It Again)”
It’s not terrible or anything; it’s just not up to the standards set either by Mary, by the A-side, or by the Holland-Dozier-Gorman trio themselves, and has to go down as a bit of a disappointment. From small acorns, and all that. (5)
203. The Marvelettes: “Someday, Someway”
This is one of the best records the Marvelettes ever made, and it simply couldn’t have been left hidden away on the album. (9)
196. Gino Parks: “Fire”
Just about the loudest and angriest record Motown had released in its first four years of existence. It’s certainly not blues, but it’s no pop record either; it’s almost defiantly uncommercial. (5)
187. Herman Griffin & Band: “Uptight”
One to miss, unless you somehow forgot to buy The Complete Motown Singles: Volume 1 and so don’t have access to Snake Walk. (2)
173. Eddie Holland: “What About Me”
You can almost feel the frustration of its creators, being so close to greatness and yet so far away. All in good time, Eddie Holland, all in good time. (4)
170. Lee & The Leopards: “Come Into My Palace”
A dated, thin doo-wop dancer, another failed Motown attempt to re-do the Marcels’ Blue Moon and about half as charming.
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
Motown Junkies 