UK Greatest Hits albums

**rovereab** · 04-29-2024, 06:53 AM

In the UK we had, I believe, unique Diana Ross Greatest Hits [[volume 1) and Four Tops Greatest Hits [[volume 1) albums. There might be other artist greatest hits albums too.

My questions are ... did Motown UK have control over the cover artwork as I can't recall seeing any US albums with the same pictures.

Also, were the songs included decided by Motown UK?

Thanks.

**grapevine** · 04-29-2024, 08:57 AM

...also ...US Greatest Hits LPs generally had just 12 tracks ...whereas those issued in the UK had 16 tracks ...!

Grape

**Sotosound** · 04-29-2024, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by rovereab

In the UK we had, I believe, unique Diana Ross Greatest Hits [[volume 1) and Four Tops Greatest Hits [[volume 1) albums. There might be other artist greatest hits albums too.

My questions are ... did Motown UK have control over the cover artwork as I can't recall seeing any US albums with the same pictures.

Also, were the songs included decided by Motown UK?

Thanks.

I would say yes and yes.

Stevie Wonder's first Greatest Hits LP in the UK was a 16-tracker and, sadly, the mono version [[which I have) was a fold-down of the stereo release.

IIRC, Four Tops Greatest Hits Volume 2 had different sleeves and track lists on each side of the pond.

Also, Motown USA actually borrowed the iconic UK Motown Chartbusters Vol 3 sleeve for a different US compilation.

Having said that, Four Tops Greatest Hits Vol 1 shared the same cover artwork in both markets, albeit with different track lists.

The UK also released a load of albums that were home-cooked and that reflected what was selling in the UK, including unique and excellent albums by the Isley Brothers and Marv Johnson.

**rovereab** · 04-29-2024, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sotosound

Having said that, Four Tops Greatest Hits Vol 1 shared the same cover artwork in both markets, albeit with different track lists.

Sotosound - I thought this was the US version of the Four Tops Greatest Hits vol 1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fo..._Greatest_Hits whereas we had the outdoors picture in the UK.

**Levi Stubbs Tears** · 04-30-2024, 12:27 AM

The best UK releases were the '20 Golden Greats' albums for The Supremes & Diana.

And yes Motown UK chose the songs based on their success in the UK.

**rovereab** · 04-30-2024, 02:49 AM

I remember the 20 Golden Greats cover - very clever three sets of lips with microphones.

**Sotosound** · 04-30-2024, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by rovereab

Sotosound - I thought this was the US version of the Four Tops Greatest Hits vol 1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fo..._Greatest_Hits whereas we had the outdoors picture in the UK.

Oo-er! I was sure that I'd seen seen a US Four Tops comp on fleabay with the UK cover. Many thanks for correcting this.

And ...... it's Dutch! It has the UK cover and the US track list.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305502572...Bk9SR_Kxy9vlYw

The UK added "You Keep Running Away", "Where Did You Go", "Darling, I hum Our Song", and "I'll Turn To Stone" to that track list.

I've had the stereo UK release since my parents bought it for me for Christmas in 1969 and, as an uneducated 15 year-old, I thought that there was a defect because "Where Did You Go" was in mono. I actually took it back to the shop as this track seemed to have lost its stereo, but they assured me that it was OK. Later on I learned that the stereo mix had an alternative vocal and that EMI had ensured that a mix with the correct vocal was included, albeit in mono.

When EMI went over to stereo-only releases, they were less diligent. They re-issued the previously mono-only British Motown Chartbusters [[Vol 1) in stereo and, to ensure that everything was in stereo, they included the later mid-tempo jazzier version of "Jimmy Mack" by Martha And The Vandellas [[a la "How Sweet It Is") in place of the hit version. Ouch!

**mysterysinger** · 04-30-2024, 01:52 PM

In the UK we also got a Jr Walker & The All Stars "Greatest Hits Volume 2" [[STML11224) and also Martha Reeves & The Vandellas "Greatest Hits Volume 2" [[STML11223) with a very attractive cover.

There was also a 15 track Supremes "Greatest Hits" with Jean Terrell [[STML11256) and a Temptations "Greatest Hits Volume 3" [[STML12061).

We even got an Isley Brothers "Greatest Hits" album on the Starline label [[SRS5043).

We loved Motown over here.