FOUR TOPS/FOUR TOPS ON BROADWAY M-657 (-67) US MONO

  Motown is a favorite label and whenever I see an original issue, especially from one of its more prominent acts, I try to buy. Like this Four Tops one - recorded as an attempt by Barry Gordy to present the label to a wider audience. Not from a Broadway performance, but ten of the cuts handeled in Los Angeles 1966, with addition of two earlier recordings - "Make Someone Happy" and Nice 'N' Easy". What I get is covers of old show tunes, faithfully performed and orchestrated. Very well sung of course, though without a trace of the customary Motown spirit I like so much. An ably done cover album, but doesn't add anything to the originals and if I wanna hear the songs again I prefer to get back to those. Still it is a good mono mix with top audio so very good to the ears. And as a part of Motown and Four Tops history it is important. I don't think it will be listened to a lot in the future, but I'm happy to have it and it will fit right in with its siblings. Also originally issued in Canada (MO/MS 657) and Germany (Tamla Motown STM 657), plus US reel and cassette, but to my knowledge never on CD. Early US (stereo MS 657) had label as shown here in a laminated cover with Motown ad inner.  (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)  (FÖRH*) (TÖMÖ*)