11. Ron & Bill: “It”
Quite comfortably the worst Motown single thus far, though it would be challenged handily for that crown later on, this is a blot on the copybook of everyone concerned. (1)
Tag Archives: Motown
10. The Swinging Tigers: “Snake Walk (Part 2)”
Really just a continuation of the extended Funk Brothers instrumental semi-jam which made up the A-side Snake Walk (Part 1), this is more of the same; again, it’s hard not to start bobbing around and dancing to this stuff, so you may not want to play this if it’s possible someone will walk in on you and (for argument’s sake) see you dancing like an uncoordinated idiot. For instance. (8)
9. The Swinging Tigers: “Snake Walk (Part 1)”
This is for all intents and purposes a Funk Brothers single, albeit recorded under a silly name. It’s also entirely splendid. (8)
8. Chico Leverett: “I’ll Never Love Again”
A better song than Solid Sender, a solid (ha!) chunk of doo-wop balladry made considerably more interesting by whoever the (uncredited) vibes player is, but it’s still not much to write home about. (4)
7. Chico Leverett: “Solid Sender”
An R&B record written specifically not to offend religious relatives? Nothing can go wrong with that idea! (3)
6. Barrett Strong: “Do The Very Best You Can”
Three singles, three B-sides which might, all told, be better than the plug sides. Hmmm. (6)
5. Barrett Strong: “Let’s Rock”
The most energetic Motown single up to that point, it has a liveliness not found in the label’s previous sides which makes up for the lack of imagination on show here. (5)
4. Eddie Holland: “It Moves Me”
The whole thing is probably a better all-round record than the A-side, although it’s less charming and Eddie’s given less to do. (5)
3. Eddie Holland: “Merry-Go-Round”
Not one of Gordy’s classic songs, then, but it has a nice enough tune, and the vocal performance is excellent – and more than enough to carry it through. (5)
2. Marv Johnson: “Whisper”
A slower, more contemplative number than its Historically Significant A-side Come To Me, this is much less energetic and done in a more straightforward and familiar doo-wop setting, but it’s also – for my money – a considerably better song. (6)
1. Marv Johnson: “Come To Me”
People will always want to seek it out, but the reason for that is because of its historic value, rather than its musical merits. A decent enough start, but there was considerably better to come, even in that shaky, uncertain first year. (5)
Motown Junkies 