Saturday, July 30, 2016

200 MOST ESSENTIAL MOTOWN SONGS. This update: #160-151. The countdown continues tomorrow.
Hear the 10 songs added today on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/alanrosscaffelatte
                                                                    spotify:user:alanrosscaffelatte
Caffe` Latte` presents…
THE 200
MOST ESSENTIAL
MOTOWN
Motown Productions
SONGS
160
EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD
Diana Ross &
 Michael Jackson
The film version of 'The Wiz' brought Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones together. The former starred as the Scarecrow opposite Diana Ross in the role of Dorothy. Their duet "Ease On Down The Road" was lifted off the 1978 soundtrack album. Jones produced this and then worked on Jackson's next 3 studio albums.


159
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME
Yvonne Fair
In 1975, Yvonne Fair scored a #5 British hit with her remake of "It Should Have Been Me". Before signing with Motown, she had been a member of James Brown's Revue. The sad song was written by Norman Whitfield & William "Mickey" Stevenson. Earlier versions include a stunning interpretation by Gladys Knight & The Pips.
 It Should Have Been Me - Yvonne Fair
158
MACHINE GUN
The Commodores
"Machine Gun" was the title track from The Commodores' debut album. The single and LP were both issued in 1974, the funky instrumental reaching #7 on the R&B chart.
 The Commodores Machine Gun.jpg
157
IN AND OUT OF LOVE
Diana Ross &
 The Supremes
The final Supremes single to feature founding member Florence Ballard's vocals was "In And Out Of Love", 1 of the last of the trio's hits written by the Holland/Dozier/ Holland team. This catchy release peaked at #9 Pop in America.
156
SUPERWOMAN (WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU)
Stevie Wonder
The 22 year old Stevie Wonder proved he was mature beyond his years with "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" from the 1972 album 'Music Of My Mind'. The artist himself wrote and produced the 8 minute track which contains 2 moods; the 1st has him encouraging his partner while in the 2nd, she has left him.
 
155
TREAT HER LIKE A LADY
The Temptations
"Treat Her Like A Lady" returned The Temptations to the upper rungs of the R&B chart. The single climbed to #2 in 1984, becoming the group's biggest soul single since 1975.
 
154
HE WAS REALLY SAYING SOMETHING
The Velvelettes
In 1982, Bananarama reached #5 in the UK with a remake of Motown girl group The Velvelettes' "He Was Really Saying Something". The original version was produced by Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote the song with William "Mickey" Stevenson and Eddie Holland. This recording was issued in late 1964.
 https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSYAsooDqZFNy-fkmY-ZLzB05aGyNpJ9JeBlnLkL4ef4gaGXMQI
153
WHO'S JOHNNY
El DeBarge
El DeBarge reached #3 Pop and #1 R&B in 1986 with his debut solo single "Who's Johnny". He had just quit the family act DeBarge. "Who's Johnny" was produced and co-written by Peter Wolf (with his wife Ina) and was used in the film 'Short Circuit'.

152
LATELY
Stevie Wonder
A major strength of Stevie Wonder's catalogue is the diversity of approaches adopted for his recordings. The ballad "Lately" is a mighty single lifted off his 1980 album 'Hotter Than July'. On the British chart, the track peaked at #3. His vocal performance is emotional and utterly convincing.
 
151
HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Kris Kristofferson wrote and recorded the original version of "Help Me Make It Through The Night". When Gladys Knight & The Pips recorded its cover, they gave the country song an R&B make-over. Knight, on lead, sings the lyrics from a female perspective, bringing more depth to Kristofferson's verses. The Motown remake was unleashed in 1972, 2 years after the original. In the UK, the disc reached #11.
 

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