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View Full Version : Need help! Shopping for Smokey & the Little Smokey's!


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carlo
08-12-2010, 01:39 AM
I'm ashamed to say that I don't have very much of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in my music collection. Previously I was more of a casual fan, but I've really started to get into them. What do you guys recommend I buy? I feel overwhelmed. I wish there was a buying guide for new fans. I'm looking at the "Ooo Baby Baby 2002 Anthology" [[which I heard was the very best collection out there) and the 35th Anniversary box, as well as the twofers and the new Solo Albums Vol. 1. I don't want to buy them all at once. "Ooo Baby Baby" is now out of print, so I'm probably gonna have to pay the same price as the 35th box to buy it. Which is the better buy in terms of the tracks included and sound quality? What to do...what to do...:confused::confused::confused:

carlo
08-12-2010, 01:41 AM
Maybe I'll start off with the Anthology?? A more simpler introduction perhaps??

carlo
08-12-2010, 02:14 AM
Hmmm...well, it looks like the 2008 UK version of "Gold" is basically the same tracklisting as the 2002 Anthology, so I guess I should buy the UK Gold compilation and save my money. Answered my own question. :)

honest man
08-12-2010, 05:13 AM
35th anniversary is a great set, i saw it really cheap on amazon last week, check it out well worth it, cheers

paladin
08-12-2010, 09:15 AM
Here is a nice comp thats cheap too with some very nice sides. Its so funny to me that most of Smokey's comps start with his early hits Bad Girl, Shop Around, etc and since they have been out forever who doesn't have them....I actually got tired of buying them





http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=smokey+Robinson+miracles+box+set&cid=14863003321390059746&ei=KPJjTIjoG6PGwQW7h-mhBQ&sa=title&ved=0CG8Q8wIwBzgA#p

carlo
08-12-2010, 10:53 AM
Thank you for the recommendations honest man and paladin! :) I went with honest man's recommendation of the 35th Anniversary box. Lot's of great music there. Plus, I think it's all the original mono mixes, which is the way Motown should be heard IMO. This site has it for $32.59, can't beat that:

http://www.moviemars.com/i/737463633420_The_35th_Anniversary_Collection_Box_. htm

theboyfromxtown
08-12-2010, 12:02 PM
Carlo

The 35th Anniversary is the first one you ought to get. The copy that Honest Man saw belonged to an old Motown Treasurers and SDF fan, so that copy was well looked after.

You missed most of the CD's from that collection but the vinyl is there on ebay now. I ought not give the link but check out the Supremes Sam Cooke LP and look for a seller with the name Bernard. It belonged to David Castell who sadly passed....a really lovely guy who I still dearly miss.

John Lester

danman869
08-12-2010, 01:42 PM
Carlo, you're correct that 35th Anniversary is mono mixes. The "Ooo Baby Baby 2002 Anthology" is in stereo. I'd say if you're interested in hearing the differences, get both. I had 35th Anniversary for years and enjoyed it, but when I bought the "Ooo Baby Baby 2002 Anthology" to upgrade a track [[the name of which escapes me at the moment) that I only had on a crappy "Rare Tracks From Detroit" bootleg CD, the stereo mixes on it really POPPED for me! If you can pick it up gently used, it might be worth it for your collection.

carlo
08-12-2010, 09:04 PM
Thank you John and Dan! :)

I will check it out, John!

I'm sure I will eventually pick up the 2002 Anthology, although at this time, it seems a little bit harder to find. I did find a copy a few years ago at a used CD sale they were having at school [[of all places), and I was going to buy it, but I didn't have enough money with me that day. They had the same CD sale the year after, but it was already gone. I just gotta wait for when it pops up on Ebay at a more reasonable price. I also noticed the UK edition of "Gold" has basically the exact same tracklisting [[while the US version, which is identical to the "Icons" series posted above, contains more of Smokey's solo material). The 2002 Anthology was strictly concerned with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles [[and no solo material or Billy Griffin).

Thanks again guys. I already have a compilation, the Christmas CD and a few of Smokey's solo albums on LP and CD...but I'm excited about the box-set. I will also pick up Vol. 1 of his solo albums when it's released via retail.

carlo
08-12-2010, 11:26 PM
Dan, you're a bad influence on me! :) I wasn't planning to buy the 2002 Anthology, but I HAD to buy it tonight!! lol.

theboyfromxtown
08-13-2010, 04:03 AM
Carlo

School!!!

Are you the youngest poster on here?

carlo
08-13-2010, 10:41 AM
I don't think I'm the youngest. Don't we have an 18 year old here as well?? I'll be 21 next month. :)

paladin
08-13-2010, 11:10 AM
I believe Colton is the youngest, but thats in age only, as far as the music is concerned he's older than I am....lol.....

danman869
08-13-2010, 02:51 PM
Carlo, when it comes to Motown, I'm more than HAPPY to be a "bad influence"! Enjoy the CDs!

theboyfromxtown
08-13-2010, 04:00 PM
Ooooooo Danman, I'm more than happy for you to be a bad influence on me....in fact, I'm asking you.

HAHA

carlo
08-13-2010, 05:49 PM
Ooooooo Danman, I'm more than happy for you to be a bad influence on me....in fact, I'm asking you.

HAHA

Naughty! Naughty! Down boy!! lol!

marv2
08-13-2010, 05:50 PM
Carlo, get the original album or rather the CD of "Away We A Go,Go".

carlo
08-13-2010, 05:56 PM
Yes, I'm going to buy the Go-Go twofer. I gotta wait a while though. I ordered the following during the last two days:

35th Anniversary Box-Set
2002 Anthology
The Early Albums Vol. 1
Solo Albums Vol. 1
Solo Albums Vol. 2

And I already have:

20th Century Masters
Our Very Best Christmas
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Where There's Smoke
Being With You

So I got a good start! :)

theboyfromxtown
08-13-2010, 06:17 PM
Carlo

SDF are gonna have to put you on a leash.........I'm following you all over this board and you're wearing me out...slow down boy, you got too many years on me. LOL

And listen to us old timers who know it's not a good thing to buy too many CD's all at the same time. Apart from the expense, even you youngsters need time to digest them properly. Remember that some of us knew these songs before you were born, so we've had time to really appreciate them. In my opinion, digesting them wonderful Miracles sets needs to be done at a different time to Smokey solo....there are big changes in feel and sound and you might even think about playing the Smokey solo's in album order cos Smokey progressed as he went along...against a background of when there was a new Smokey solo album, it was kind of special, cos it didn't happen frequently.

carlo
08-13-2010, 06:49 PM
I guess that's the disadvantage of being a newer generational fan. I began listening to The Supremes in kindergarden...so all of their songs have always been a part of my life. I get what you're saying. Even at that age, I knew all the words to "I'm the Greatest Star". But then as time went on, I started buying all the albums. I started with the Anthology. In 1999, when Diana's "Every Day Is A New Day" came out, it was the most exciting thing watching her on Oprah and everything. I played that album to death. After that, I got "The Supremes Sing Motown", "Diana Ross: The Ultimate Collection", "Take Me Higher", The Supremes box-set in 2000, etc., etc. So for me, I've always listened to and collected everything out of order...including all of these reissues, which have also been released out of order. That's just the way its been for me. And it doesn't bother me. In the end, it's still all great music to my ears.

As for buying too many CD's at the same time, I've had that problem for a few years now. It's one of my addictions I need to get under control! :) Plus, I won big money at the casino this week...so I gotta spend it on something! :)

carlo
08-13-2010, 07:01 PM
I forgot to say I also ordered the Early Albums Vol. 1. :)

theboyfromxtown
08-13-2010, 07:24 PM
Even at that age, I knew all the words to "I'm the Greatest Star".

I don't suppose you had on full make up too.. HAHAHA

"I won big money at the casino this week..."

Carlo....you're a "girls" dream! LOL

I have laughed so much this week.....thanks for being such a good sport with me.

carlo
08-13-2010, 07:34 PM
Your posts give me a good laugh too, John! It's all in good fun. :)

marv2
08-13-2010, 11:59 PM
This one's for bad boy Carlo! Here ya go buddy!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxj1hP3dxdg&feature=related

danman869
08-14-2010, 08:16 AM
Mr. John Lester, I sent you a note here on the SDF forum using our new-fangled "mail" system. Please check your SDF inbox by going to the top right-hand corner of this screen, clicking on "Notifications," and then clicking "Inbox." Deliver De-Letter, De-Sooner De-Better! Whoa-yeah! :-)

theboyfromxtown
08-14-2010, 02:43 PM
Danman

Dont tell Uptight please...he's already got a low opinion of my computer skills as it is

elegant_soul
08-14-2010, 07:33 PM
Keyboard skills aren't as important as the hard-drive......butt whatever......

theboyfromxtown
08-14-2010, 08:25 PM
Elegant..later please, the children are still awake.

*blows kiss*

1382hitsville
08-15-2010, 03:21 PM
I agree with Carlo, I'm also a new generation Motown fan but the exitement is the same. Can I share this with you?

I'm 34 and my first discovery with Motown was when I was 13 years old. We had a milk commercial in the Netherlands running playing "My Girl" as a soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqRZ_lPA7OE

When I heard the full song for the first time when I was shopping with friends on the market I looked at the stall and there was a budget CD from the Temptations. It was 6 euros and I bought it. I was taken by the music....A week later the same stall was playing the Four Tops and I had to buy this CD as well. I did not know they where from the same record company. I realized when I read the names of the composers and producers. At the same time our Dutch billboard [[Top 40) was celebrating it's 30th birthday and they played all the number 1's in a chonological order. Then I've discovered the Supremes and bought my first Supremes CD.

Then...the discovery was really starting. And still, if I discover something I've never heard I can get really happy.

The same years Motown was sold, it made the press in the Netherlands and I've discovered more about the company and the people who worked there. Diana Ross came back to Motown, her new CD's came out, Temptations made new CD's and it was [[and is) still great.

theboyfromxtown
08-15-2010, 03:43 PM
This place gets more like a kindergarten every day!

Hitsville...can you check your email for me please...I am having all the emails with those Supremes tracks sent back to me as undelivered.

1382hitsville
08-15-2010, 04:52 PM
it should be: hitville@upcmail.nl

sorry if I mispelled...

At 34 I'm now potty trained...hahaha

theboyfromxtown
08-15-2010, 04:55 PM
Can I check to make sure!

1382hitsville
08-15-2010, 05:04 PM
remember this?

theboyfromxtown
08-15-2010, 05:27 PM
I stopped looking in the kids section before you were even thought of!

What's it with you guys tonight. I've just had Paulo send me up tonight. I can't help it if I have gotten old!

carlo
08-15-2010, 06:11 PM
"You better make way for the young folks
Oh, yeah yeah yeah yeah"...

:) :) :)

theboyfromxtown
08-15-2010, 06:26 PM
Mind you don't trip on my walking stick...before I hit you with it!

carlo
08-20-2010, 11:49 PM
My copy of The Miracles Early Albums arrived today, but for some reason it didn't come with a booklet. Is this set supposed to come with a booklet???

theboyfromxtown
08-21-2010, 05:18 AM
Paulo...which album do you mean

carlo
08-22-2010, 12:34 PM
My copy of The Miracles Early Albums arrived today, but for some reason it didn't come with a booklet. Is this set supposed to come with a booklet???

Does anyone know??? Surely somebody must have this set??

theboyfromxtown
08-22-2010, 03:05 PM
Paulo

Show a link to the cover please....

carlo
08-22-2010, 08:44 PM
Paulo??????? lol.

http://hip-oselect.com/UserFiles/Image/Miracles%20Cover_Square300.jpg

carlo
08-24-2010, 10:42 AM
??????????????????????????????????? :mad::mad::mad::mad: :D

tomato tom
08-24-2010, 11:41 AM
You got me on the brain???? Its Carlo asking!.lol.. Well, as im here, I got the booklet with my copy..Great too. A mate of mine bought it last week, and his booklet was missing too. He has sent his copy back...Paulo

144man
08-24-2010, 11:56 AM
My Supremes' booklet was missing. Are these all orders from HMV, or is it a Hip-O problem?

carlo
08-24-2010, 01:55 PM
Thank you Paulo!! :D

I'm gonna e-mail Universal and see if they can help me out. They're usually good to us.

144man: I got mine from Amazon UK.

tomato tom
08-24-2010, 02:10 PM
Carlo

I get mine from a local independent shop. Im PASSIONATE about supporting local stores. PLUS, if the already have it in stock, you can check that the booklet etc is there. When I ordered THE MARVELETTES FOREVER set, when they called me to say it was in, I asked them to check that the booklet was there. It was.....I do find HMV and the other big outlets hit and miss...PAULO..XXXX

carlo
08-24-2010, 02:30 PM
Hi Paulo,

I also try to support my local music/record stores whenever I can. I bought 3 items just this week from my local record store. However, when it comes to the Hip-O Select releases, that's when things get difficult. The stores around here don't carry any of the Hip-O Select releases, so everything has to be special ordered. I've tried special ordering the titles before, and from my experience, they go on back-order and never come in stock. I always had to cancel my order because I got tired of waiting. Not only that, but to order the Miracles Early Albums from my local store would have cost $35, compared to the $15 from Amazon UK, which is a lot more reasonable price for a student with limited income.