Diana Ross & Supremes - Let the Music Play: Supreme Rarities 1960-1969

Let the Music Play: Supreme Rarities 1960-1969

This CD contains mainly forgetable songs. Many were recorded .....ie. Someday We'll Be Together.....when it appeared that they were trying to "get the song down" and were vastly under par leading one to completely realize why they didn't release the songs in the first place. Some songs were listenable but if you're buying this cd just to hear Diana Ross' voice and the remaining Supremes why not just go ahead and dip in to the VAST catalogue of what is already on the market that are simply great recordings. Generally love the unreleased stuff...and they state in the liner notes that there is more...but I've heard much better compilations of unreleased material. Mainly this cd was a disappointment July 11, 2008

There's A Good Reason These Songs Weren't Released

This Supremes CD of unreleased material is for hardcore Supremes fans (like me) only. CD's like this are an interesting curio for collectors and makes one feel like you have something rare...and you do. So i give it thumbs up for that. Thumbs quickly go down tho simply because most of the songs on this CD are just flat-out no good. I totally understand why Berry Gordy/Motown never released most of this stuff to the public. Some of it is very early and has a very lo-budget feel & sound to it (you can depend on me, because i love him), but most have no hooks or memeorable melody whatsoever--so signature to the Supremes sound. Forays into unchartered waters fail, like gospel (what a friend we have in Jesus, everytime i feel the spirit). Diana Ross is many things, a gospel singer she is not. Even remakes--which The Supremes are usually superb at are pointless (its not unusual, i can't get no satisfaction, uptight) and sound hokey. The best thing about this CD are the retakes of more familar Supreme classics like Take me were you go, ooowee baby, its all your fault & back in my arms again. But even these sound less like "alternative versions" and more like "takes" that were rejected. If you want a awesome recently released Supremes CD with rare songs get "There's a place for us" which has about 15 bonus tracks that are great from start to finish. Production is tight, songs are melodic and fun and Dianas voice is just lush & gorgeous. June 7, 2008

Mostly Different VERSIONS of already released songs.

Should the fans get this CD? Yes. Should non-fans get it? Yes. However, keep in mind that most of the songs are different versions of songs already released.

My favorite song? "Not Fade Away". I enjoyed the ending of "Love Child".

The website mentioned new photos. Most are different poses of photos I had already seen.

My biggest gripe? The producers use the term "Alternate Vocal" for some of the songs. Since the Supremes were 3 ladies, alternate vocal to me meant that the lead was being done by someone other than Miss Ross. Not so. The songs still have Miss Ross doing the lead. To me, the correct term for the songs should have been "Alternate Version" or "Alternate Mix", NOT "Alternate Vocal".

Enjoy!

Peace! May 16, 2008

Vintage Supremes Satisfaction

When Hip-O Select announced the latest installment of its Lost & Found series, Diana Ross And The Supremes Let the Music Play, the play list seemed to be top heavy with alternative vocals and mixes. However, deeper digging into this release reveals some extraordinary gems. Connoisseurs of the legendary harmonies of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross will find a treasure trove here.
Unearthed from the legendary Motown vaults is (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction from the sessions intended for the Supremes A Go-Go lp. Diana bites into the Rolling Stones classic with gusto, no doubt taking some satisfaction from the fact that the Supremes knocked the Stones out of the number one spot not once, but twice in their heyday! From the same 1966 sessions, comes Mickey's Monkey, It's Not Unusual and an alternative vocal for Uptight (Everything's Alright).
Other fascinating discoveries include the Beatles I Saw Her Standing There and Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away recorded for their 1964 album, Bit of Liverpool. In a playful twist, the girls change the lyric to I Saw Him Standing There, forgoing the "Ooooh" in the chorus for "Oh" which throws off the listener accustomed to the Beatles original version. A raver, and rollicking good fun indeed!
Side two features a pair of spiritual hymns which harkens to the Supremes early influences from attending the same church. Diana gets to stretch her vocal talents with some early forays in jazz vocals taking on Canadian Sunset and Autumn Leaves, foreshadowing Lady Sings The Blues. Perhaps the most exciting revelation is the Supremes version of the Norman Whitfield classic, Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone. Their take oozes with street credibility and if this track had been released, it may have set a new direction for the group in the psychedelic soul forum. Berry Gordy obviously had a wider audience for Diana Ross in mind and may have withheld this sure-fire hit for that reason. Interestingly enough, it wasn't offered to any other Motown female group. Equally startling is the alternative vocal for Love Child, featuring an additional verse.
To close off this set is a series of Detroit DJ Scott Regan's radio promos. The sound clip of the girls telephone call to him from their dressing room during an engagement in Las Vegas is quite revealing. According to the information provided in the booklet, there are about another 100 unreleased Supremes recordings in the vaults and diehard fans will not rest till they all see the light of day.
Some criticism has been passed on this project for having packaging and a booklet made from recycled materials. In light of the fact that this release is ten dollars less than the previous releases in the series, this is a minor point of contention. Hip-O Select deserves recognition for their sensitive approach to releasing this important musical document. Supremely entertaining and fully satisfying! May 13, 2008

Rare Treats: Supremes from the Vaults

This is a must-have for any Supremes fan. First, the tracks:

Disc 1
1. You Can Depend On Me
2. Tears Of Sorrow
3. Because I Love Him
4. Hey Baby (version 1)
5. Too Hot
6. You're Gonna Come To Me (version 1)
7. You're Gonna Come To Me (version 2)
8. It Makes No Difference Now (alternate version)
9. Come On Boy (alternate version)
10. Just Call Me (stereo mix)
11. I Saw Him Standing There
12. Not Fade Away
13. Ooowee Baby (alternate Mix)
14. It's All Your Fault (version 1)
15. Hits Medley: Come See About Me/Baby Love/Stop! In The Name Of Love
16. Cupid (alternate extended mix)
17. Take Me Where You Go (version 3)
18. Back In My Arms Again (alternate vocal)
19. You Can't Hurry Love (alternate vocal) - alternate lead by Diana, with mistake!
20. Mickey's Monkey
21. Uptight (Everything's Alright) (alternate vocal)
22. It's Not Unusual
23. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
24. Come And Get These Memories (alternate mix)
25. I Can't Help Myself (alternate mix)
26. Let The Music Play (alternate vocal)

Disc 2
1. Don't Let True Love Die (extended version)
2. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
3. Every Time I Feel The Spirit
4. Believe In Me
5. The Beginning Of The End Of Love (stereo mix)
6. People (unedited version)
7. Over The Rainbow
8. Wish I Knew
9. I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You
10. I'll Set You Free (alternate vocal)
11. Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone
12. In The Evening Of Our Love
13. Love Child (alternate vocal) - with a whole additional verse!
14. Those Precious Memories
15. I'm Livin' In Shame (version 1)
16. MacArthur Park
17. You're Gonna Hear From Me
18. Canadian Sunset
19. Autumn Leaves
20. The Look Of Love
21. Someday We'll Be Together (alternate vocal)
22. BONUS: Scott Regan Promos

Hearing the alternate takes of familiar hits gives insight into the Motown creative process, and hearing some of the previously unreleased tracks makes you realize the amazing quality of music produced in the Motown glory days. For me, the highlight is hearing the additional verse on "Love Child" that didn't make it in the final cut.

For Flo and Mary fans, you will hear a lot from our favorite back-up singers!
May 4, 2008

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