586. Marv Johnson: “Why Do You Want To Let Me Go”
Intriguing to have him back, and there are certainly better records to come from Marv’s Motown return, but this one is a chaotic, messy shambles which really isn’t Johnson’s song. (3)
Previous articles
585. The Lewis Sisters: “By Some Chance”
The whole thing suffers from an almost total lack of abandon, joyful or otherwise, which makes its supposed jollity come across as forced: rather than bouncy and breezy, it’s grating and flat. Other than that sax break, it’s just boring. (2)
584. The Lewis Sisters: “He’s An Oddball”
This is very, very silly, and it has nothing at all to do with anything else Motown was up to in the summer of 1965 – but it’s catchy, and it knows how strange it is and carries on anyway, and I can’t bring myself to get too angry with it. (4)
583. The Vows: “Tell Me”
The germ of a good song that needed some more polish, and a group who needed another couple of takes to get everything just right. (5)
582. The Vows: “Buttered Popcorn”
It’s still both stupid and annoying, and without the Supremes connection, I’m not sure anyone would pay this any attention at all. (3)
581. Billy Eckstine: “Had You Been Around”
Once more, this is nowhere near as horrific as it might have been, Mr. B bringing a level of class to proceedings which makes it all go down smooth. Truth be told, I’ve ended up becoming rather fond of it. (6)
580. Billy Eckstine: “Down To Earth”
This may be many things, but it’s certainly not another half-assed attempt at a late-career revival for a washed-up has-been; Mr B. can still bring it. (4)
579. Brenda Holloway: “I’ll Be Available”
I still wouldn’t go so far as to say I really liked it, but this is another definite improvement on the original, and if these Mary Wells covers were proving to be chart poison for Brenda, well, on this evidence she was at least getting rather better at doing them. (5)
578. Brenda Holloway: “Operator”
If nobody will be confusing this for a masterpiece any time soon, nonetheless I much prefer this version to the original; finally the song makes sense. Not as a choice of single, mind you. (6)
577. Stevie Wonder: “The Square”
Although it sounds a bit rusty compared to the older and wiser ’65-model Stevie we’ve started to get used to, this turns out to be a more mature and considered piece than Wonder’s actual new records have been of late. (4)
576. Jr. Walker & the All Stars: “Tune Up”
Almost endearingly crazy, and it ends up being entirely likeable. Splendid stuff. (8)
Motown Junkies 