233. The Temptations: “Paradise”
A number 122 pop hit, and a reasonably faithful, largely-unimpressive Four Seasons tribute record, which is to say a pretty much complete waste of the Temptations. (4)
Tag Archives: Motown
232. The Vells: “There He Is (At My Door)
This is easily as good a record as the A-side. (6)
231. The Vells: “You’ll Never Cherish A Love So True (‘Til You Lose It)”
Hardly life-changing, but as a single it’s highly enjoyable; as a time capsule from some alternate universe where Martha Reeves never became a star, it’s nothing short of fascinating. (6)
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)
228. Little Stevie Wonder: “La La La La La”
A virtually instrumental dancer, not much more than a glorified jam session, but plenty of fun, and even if it’s not really all that strong on its own merits, the context makes it a highly likeable breath of fresh air. (5)
227. Little Stevie Wonder & Clarence Paul: “Little Water Boy”
A complete waste of Stevie Wonder. Unfunny, meandering, pointless, slightly unsettling, badly performed pap. (1)
226. The Pirates: “I’ll Love You Till I Die”
This would have made a super Temptations single in its own right, and absolutely doesn’t deserve to lie forgotten as a B-side to a cash-in record under a novelty name. (8)
225. The Pirates: “Mind Over Matter (I’m Gonna Make You Mine)”
A decent single with a strong, driving groove, only denied a chart hit by the circumstances in which it came to be made. An important early record by one of Motown’s most important groups. (6)
224. Martha & The Vandellas: “My Baby Won’t Come Back”
Not terrible by any means, but not particularly good either, especially when compared to what was just around the corner for the group. (4)
223. Martha & The Vandellas: “I’ll Have To Let Him Go”
The entire world had been put on notice that Motown had found another great group, almost out of nowhere; next stop, the charts. (6)
Motown Junkies 