One of the real problems with Motown records, was the fact that they were stupid (to put it simply). I mean the record company made money off of its recording artists. So to neglect the artists and risk their departure from the label really is just stupid. But in regards to the compilation, the label did not do half bad. I was so happy when I saw this 2 disc set, because it meant I could finally hear more than just "(Love Is Like A) Heatwave", "Dancing In The Street" and "Jimmy Mack". Though those songs are spectacular, even to this day, those are really the only songs by this phenomenal group that are ever promoted or used. Many people will never know the gems such as "Quicksand", "Darling, I Hum Our Song", "Third Finger, Left Hand", and "Bless You". This box set really is worth the money. And besides the great music, there is a little booklet that explains in detail about the group's successes and downfalls. To sum all of this up, even though you would have to purchase this used, it is worth the long delivery wait.
February 20, 2006The hits, the misses and the unrelesed jewels are all great on this set, however what really makes this release spectactacular is the the sound. This boxed set was mastered with love, baby and the sound is simply amazing. It supasses all the other boxed sets from this series. a must have!
May 25, 2004 |  | ALL the M&V you need...FOR DAYS! |  |
I can't possibly leave this one sitting here in Amazon-com a single day longer devoid of even the least praise. That's almost as much a shame as the fact that Motown hasn't kept this superb set in print. I see also that the track listings aren't posted as I write this, so let me address that first.
The set contains 43 selections on two discs, gloriously restored in pristine mono, and every major 'A' side of the groups' you can think of, I assure you, is here: Heat Wave, Dancing In The Street, Quicksand, Nowhere To Run, Jimmy Mack, Honey Chile, I'm Ready For Love - if you've read this far, you know this list. Even latter day sides that were, frankly, relative commercial stiffs are here: I Should Be Proud, Sweet Darling', Taking My Love And Leaving Me. What's new here is the instances where very rare 'B' sides that never (or almost never) made it to LP or CD are included. Remember 'Darling I Hum Our Song,' 'Never Leave Your Baby's Side,' 'A Tear For The Girl' and the unforgettable 'Third Finger, Left Hand'? They're here. The only items I found missing - and it's hardly a major complaint - were a couple of 'B's' like 'Old Love Let's Try It Again' and 'Dancing Slow.' But, without question, this is (was) the most satisfying collection of Martha & the Vandellas Motown EVER offered their fans. I bought it on August 1, 1994 and, for now, you have to settle for it used if you want it. I sure WOULD.
By a few weeks Steve Wonder beat Martha & the Vandellas to the Pop Top 10 first in the summer of 1963, the year I was nine. But between his "Fingertips" and their "Heat Wave" the beginning of my lifelong love of Motown was born. And I think I'm as 'brand loyal' a consumer as they come. Martha & Stevie had me well primed for when the Supremes, Four Tops & Temptations broke through big-time the following year. But I didn't leave anyone behind. It had no impact on me, for instance, to learn later that Vandellas' sides "Live Wire" & "In My Lonely Room" were poorer chart entries than "Heat Wave" and "Quicksand," which preceded them. All I needed to know is that they were Martha & the Vandellas records. For the rest of my life, I never left one of their 45s sitting in any record store if it was one I didn't have. That ought to give you a clue to my happiness when I learned about THIS lavish reissue of their work.
The 'cherry on top' here is the nicely detailed 20 page booklet included with a fine essay of the group's start to finish history by Fred Bronson of Billboard, great photos of the group, record labels and various Motown promotional posters. So what, if the shrink-wrap is off already and some somebody listened to the discs once or twice? If you loved Martha & her Vandellas, THIS is the indispensable set your collection needs. September 27, 2003
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