102. The Contours: “The Stretch”
While it’s not quite as striking as their début, The Stretch is another opportunity to enjoy the young Contours having a great time to a stomping beat, which is always a good combination. (6)
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101. The Marvelettes: “So Long Baby”
Not a patch on the A-side, and Wanda’s incredibly high pitched falsetto vocals are actually painful to listen to in places.
100. The Marvelettes: “Please Mr Postman”
This is just about as good as any pop record that had ever been made up to that point, and while it would still be years before Motown approached anywhere near this level of quality on every release, it’s still an essential inclusion in any Motown best-of shortlist. In a word: marvellous. (10)
99. The Golden Harmoneers: “Precious Memories”
Slow as molasses, a rather striking contrast to the rollicking A-side; a genuinely strange, and not entirely comfortable listening experience. (5)
98. The Golden Harmoneers: “I Am Bound”
Considering the grim spectacle of a hectoring, dour session of po-faced sermonising conjured up by the title and group name, this one comes as a relief to say the least. (6)
97. The Temptations: “Romance Without Finance”
If this unstructured, forgettable mess had been the A-side, it’s possible we’d never have heard of the Temptations again. One to miss, I’m afraid. (2)
96. The Temptations: “Oh Mother Of Mine”
If it’s not an obvious starting point for one of the great groups of all time, it’s a likeable (and danceable!) little record on its own merits. (6)
95. The Supremes: “Who’s Lovin’ You”
The song works well enough rearranged for a female vocal group – Flo, Mary and Barbara provide decent support for Ross as she struggles her way through the material – but it just doesn’t suit Ross’ voice, and (as was discussed when talking about the Miracles version) I really don’t think the song is anything special to begin with, despite the critical praise that has since been lavished on it. It’s an average B-side with a quite pretty tune, and no more than that. (4)
94. The Supremes: “Buttered Popcorn”
Poor Flo gamely gives it her best shot, interspersing the first line with a charming series of saucy, throaty giggles and delivering a really committed vocal performance, giving much better than the piss-poor material deserves, but it’s a hopeless battle; this record is an unsalvageable dud. (2)
93. The Satintones: “My Kind Of Love”
It’s an indicator of where the HDH stable would eventually ply its trade: knocking out a straight pop song with a strong hook and effortless charm, but twisted ever so slightly so that the tune grabs the ear and forms the beginning of an involuntary smile.
92. The Satintones: “I Know How It Feels”
This is a worthy successor to My Beloved and Angel; that should be enough for anyone. (7)
Motown Junkies 