MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS/DANCE PARTY G-915 (-65) US MONO

 

 Third LP from one of Motown's at the time most successful girl groups (for more on them check post on the "Watchout" album https://monolover.blogspot.com/search?q=watchout ). Though released as an original album this is more of a semi-compilation as including A+B:s of three singles issued 1963-64 - "Wild One"/"Dancing Slow", "Dancing In The Street"/"There He Is (At My Door)" and "Nowhere To Run"/"Motoring" - combined with six cuts recorded especially for the release.  As the title implies a dance album for sure with most of the tracks up-tempo balanced by some slow movers. But whatever the song's origins, listening through I'm very glad to be in Motown land again, a place I visit often nowadays when in need of positive reinforcement. And I'm getting a lot of that here. Recordings may seem primitive in comparison with today's standards, but that also brings me near and closing my eyes in the listening chair I can picture the girls in the studio and be there.  So no need for picking favorite tracks. I just like to take part...all through. Sixties issues in Canada, UK (Tamla Motown TML 11013) and a couple of Southamerican countries, also as US 8-track and cassette. Japan 2012 lim. ed. CD in paper sleeve on Gordy (UICY-75334). Early US had ridged label as shown here on heavy vinyl in a cover with laminated front.  (YZÄ*) (TÖMÖ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)

 

MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS/WATCHOUT! GLP 920 (-66) US MONO

I bet most music lovers have heard or danced to some version of their biggest hit "Dancing In The Streets". As public memory faded through the years they are today often seen as a one hit wonder because of that, but there was a lot more going on at the time. Between 1963-67 the combo recorded a string of hits for Motown's Gordy label, including six top ten on Billboard and twelve on the US R&B list, some of them also reaching high in UK and other parts of the world. Much of their success was due to the talent of songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland and mentor/producer William "Mickey" Stevenson, but after both H-D-H and Stevenson left the label 1967 sales started to drop and they disbanded 1972. This album was the last with the old gang. Following a common Motown pattern at the time it has equal parts uptempo dance music and emotional ballads. Most outstanding tracks are the three H-D-H melodic uptempo numbers starting side one - "I'm Ready For Love", "Jimmy Mac" and "One Way Out". The rest also high quality with the familiar Motown magic, but to my taste a little more ordinary. The mono audio on this US press is top notch - big and clear with fine separation - making it as suitable for tranquil listening as for dirty dancing. US Gordy stereo (S-920). UK 1967 issue on Tamla Motown (TML/STML 11051). Premiere US had label as shown here and glossy cover. (TÖMÖ*) (YZÄ*) (ÖXCÅ*)