THE SUPREMES/SUPREMES SING COUNTRY WESTERN & POP MT-625 (-65) US MONO

The trio's fourth LP and second in a line of "theme albums" that started with the previous "A Trip To Liverpool". Produced by Clarence Paul, who also wrote six of the songs (two together with his protage - the 14 y.o. Stevie Wonder). Two of the tracks had earlier shown up on '45:s. The A-side "My Heart Can't Take It No More" and "(The Man With The) Rock And Roll Banjo Band" - originally B-side to "A Breathtaking Guy" and also included with the UK version of "Meet The Supremes". To me this is the oddest of all their original issues - for better or worse. It doesn't sound Motown at all - no "Funk Brothers" backing, hardly any production and no typical arrangements. In fact it's more like rehersals or early trials. Diana Ross vocals sometimes strained to the limit, almost squeeky, and instrumental backing rudimentary at its best with quite a few false notes. All very loose and direct. And that makes it valuable in another way. With all Motown's common expressions stripped off you get honest and direct and probably the only time a Supremes recording fits the tag "pure garage". The audio on this mono pressing is superb - big, clear and natural. I have a very limited knowledge on US issues and therefore don't know how early this copy is. Maybe someone reading this can tell. The matrix numbers are machine stamped (BR4M-6560-1-D/BR4M-6561-1-D), labels glossy and the vinyl thick and unflexible. (ZYZÖ*) (FÄV*) (TÖMÖ*)(YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)