681. Frank Wilson: “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)”
Your happiness is guaranteed. (10)
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680. The Supremes: “Everything Is Good About You”
This is a cartoon relationship, a pick-me-up for lovers everywhere to keep the faith after the relentless emotional pummelling of the A-side, a riposte where for these three minutes, nothing can ever, will ever go wrong, and on with the kissing. Tomorrow can wait.
679. The Supremes: “My World Is Empty Without You”
The music is designed and deployed to devastating effect, the vocal is as good as anything we’ve heard from Diana so far, the whole package is quite startling: this is the saddest-sounding outrageous pop stomper I’ve ever heard, and it’s a masterpiece. (10)
678. Jr. Walker & the All Stars: “Baby You Know You Ain’t Right”
The ingredients all seem to be here for a raucous good-time All Stars jam, but the end result is oddly uninspiring.
677. Jr. Walker & the All Stars: “Cleo’s Mood”
Berry Gordy was vindicated again, the record both gaining plenty of new fans, and selling well; people bought it and people played it, and I find that heartening. Certainly I like this a lot more than I might once have expected to. (8)
676. Tony Martin: “Spanish Rose”
…total, irredeemable garbage, the absolute worst of all Martin’s six sides for Motown, and a fitting note to end one of the most improbable careers in Motown history, as incongruous as anything from Irene Ryan, Albert Finney or the Abbey Tavern Singers. (1)
675. Tony Martin: “Ask Any Man”
Just about Tony Martin’s best single for Motown. Which really isn’t saying very much. (2)
674. The Miracles: “Choosey Beggar”
A success all round, then, leaving aside the nagging curiosity as to what might have happened with just a couple more days’ work: a fitting way to cap the best year so far in the Motown careers of both Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, now restored to their full powers. Roll on 1966. (8)
673. The Miracles: “Going To A Go-Go”
Genuinely excellent, the sort of thing that helps give Motown its good name. And it’s better than anything the Miracles have ever done in this mode until now, there’s no doubt about it. Excellent. Just not quite as excellent as some of the Miracles’ 1965 highlights. (8)
672. Chris Clark: “Don’t Be Too Long”
Not only do I like this less and less each time I play it, in fact, the more I listen, the less it seems to have anything to do with the A-side at all. So much for bright new débuts. (3)
671. Chris Clark: “Do Right Baby Do Right”
Whatever the behind-the-scenes shenanigans, there’s no doubt in my mind that Gordy also felt he had a real talent on his hands. And he was right. (9)
