311. Amos Milburn: “My Daily Prayer”
Several years too late to be a plausible hit single, it’s undeniably a quality piece of work. (6)
Previous articles
310. The Contours: “You Get Ugly”
This isn’t just awful on its own terms, as I’d previously believed to be the case, but it turns out it’s also a craven attempt to sponge off another record’s success, the sort of thing I thought Motown had rather grown out of by this point in history. I never learn.
309. The Contours: “Pa (I Need A Car)”
I’d be a massive hypocrite if, having berated the Contours for doing the same thing over and over again, I didn’t at least give them credit for trying something new. I just wish it had turned out a bit… better, that’s all. (5)
308. The Wright Specials: “I Won’t Go Back”
There are real signs here of the group’s undeniable R&B and blues sensibility that was missing from the straight-ahead church hall gospel of the A-side, and for that alone it’s more of an entertaining listen. (5)
307. The Wright Specials: “Ninety-Nine And A Half Won’t Do”
A very capable gospel jam that doesn’t really work in any other context, and it wears out its welcome much too quickly. (4)
306. The Stylers: “Pushing Up Daisies”
Manifestly silly, despite the macabre subject matter, this is still very much below Motown Quality Control’s usual threshold, and it’s a mystery how it managed to find its way into actual record shops. (2)
305. The Stylers: “Going Steady Anniversary”
Already an artefact from a bygone age in 1963, this is positively an ancient relic now. Embarrassing, depressing, soulless drivel with no redeeming features whatsoever. (1)
304. Bunny Paul: “We’re Only Young Once”
Hardly a classic or anything, but it does at least have a sound all of its own, and while completely ineffectual, it’s all still rather pretty. (4)
303. Bunny Paul: “I’m Hooked”
If you’ve ever wondered what the early Marvelettes might have sounded like without Gladys Horton’s lead vocals, wonder no more; she’s the difference between the two versions, and on this evidence, she belongs in the Hall of Fame. (2)
302. The Burnadettes: “I’m Going Home”
Barely over two minutes long, this is a brief and pointless exercise, and it’s no surprise history has since glossed over its existence. (2)
301. The Burnadettes: “First, You’ve Got To Recognize God”
This would be a difficult listen if it was in Portuguese, but the sneer in the lyrics (and the underlying, possibly imaginary threat I keep inferring from it, which may be my issue alone, I don’t know) make it tougher still. Creepy and disheartening. (1)
Motown Junkies 