70's Supremes and Four Tops

[paul_nixon]

I was cutting grass yesterday and whiling away the time with headphones listening to the 'Magnificent' collection from 2009 [[wow ten years ago time sure flies).
I remember getting the impression here that most people didn't give this pairing much kudos for their three LP's together and so was listening especially carefully to at least the first two LPs of the set [[I don't have a very big lawn) probably for the first time in my life and I was loving it.
How amazing was it that different members of each group were given their moment in the sun, to be fair The Tops shared leads around quite regularly but I have come to remember The 60's Supremes being something of a 'one trick pony' with all the leads going to Diana. Hey it's obvious when Diana was replaced Mary was not in any shape vocally to take on the leads and she must have been in the decision making that led to Jean becoming centre stage but at least as the 70's progressed there are quite a lot more times where it's evident that both Mary and Cindy were and felt part of a real partnership, you only have to see them perform live from this period to see they are a real part of the group again.
Anyway back to the pairing of the Tops and the Supremes, I wonder who's idea it was to put them together - obviously Diana and Co had had their day with the Tempts and it had proved fruitful so this was a natural progression but if 'the boss' had washed his hands of the girls why try and push them via this partnership.
The LP's could have been better, it does seem in places that the songs were chosen to emulate the former pairing of the two other groups but in the main I think these albums are probably some of the best 70's albums Motown put out - certainly they were amongst the last to contain that 'real Motown sound'. I need to go back and read Mark Bego's essay again to see how this pairing came about and listen to the second disc in the set [[fortunately the grass does not need cutting today).

[marv2]

I bought and loved all 3 of those albums back when they were released and loved them all. I love the 2009 remix of "River Deep, Mountain High". This was high quality music in every regard!

[gordy_hunk]

I remember buying "The Magnificent Seven" on vinyl when released originally. I've always thought that this LP was rather very good. The "Return" contained some excellent tracks, but not, in my opinion, as good as the first LP. I didn't buy 'Dynamite' until I was on holiday in New York, and bought about 50 new / unplayed Motown LP for about 50 cents each [[1990).

The set, which Paul refers to, issued in 1990, is by far a brilliant collection. I particularly like, as he mentions, that it's not just Jean and Levi singing - but all of them being involved in singing lead [[well, not sure about the 4 Tops).

I know in the UK, the two groups performed live on television, and the first single issued sold remarkably well, as did the LP.

I may be wrong, but I'm sure that Radio Luxembourg had a competition in relation to the first LP - something along the lines of how many faces are shown on the cover.

[marv2]

I remember buying "The Magnificent Seven" on vinyl when released originally. I've always thought that this LP was rather very good. The "Return" contained some excellent tracks, but not, in my opinion, as good as the first LP. I didn't buy 'Dynamite' until I was on holiday in New York, and bought about 50 new / unplayed Motown LP for about 50 cents each [[1990).

The set, which Paul refers to, issued in 1990, is by far a brilliant collection. I particularly like, as he mentions, that it's not just Jean and Levi singing - but all of them being involved in singing lead [[well, not sure about the 4 Tops).

I know in the UK, the two groups performed live on television, and the first single issued sold remarkably well, as did the LP.

I may be wrong, but I'm sure that Radio Luxembourg had a competition in relation to the first LP - something along the lines of how many faces are shown on the cover.

How many faces that were on the cover? In total? LOL!

[marv2]

The first album came out in the Fall of 1970 I think. Motown was flooding the market with albums at that time. They released individual group albums by the Supremes and by the Four Tops around the same time and in quick succession. This may have hurt the combination albums some.

[sup_fan]

to be honest - very little of the duet material for either the Tops combo or Temps combo was all that exciting. never understood why motown used predominately cover songs. there were certainly more than enough talented writers there to come up with new and exciting material for a duet.

there are still super moments with both though - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, River Deep Mountain High. and some of the album tracks across the albums were strong too. but in most cases, it just wasn't necessary.

with the 70s Supremes, i think us fans are more sensitive to the situation because the girls were at a precarious position in their career, whereas DRATS were quite secure. Had the 4Tops material NOT been released, it's very likely that Stoned Love would have charted higher [[possibly #1 pop) as would Nathan Love. their accompanying albums would also have probably done better. Potentially we would have also received another single off of New Ways.

DJ's, fans and the general public were watching and waiting to see just what the 70 Sups would do. it was critical that they have a very well thought-out strategy for their work and that's something that didn't really happen. too much random material thrown out there, clinging to an old and outdated image of giggly glamour girls, etc. Had the duets material NOT been released, i think people would have viewed their material more seriously and given the girls more of the support and credit they so deserved

[daviddh]

i wasn't a fan , of the first lp but I liked the single and Stoned Soul Picnic. however I did prefer the 2nd album, the Return Of better. more original tracks, at least to me . I absolutely hated Dynamite except for Melodie.how did that mess get released.
on the 09 collection I do like the out takes.,most of which I like better than what actually got released. of all those songs I could trim them down to make one good album.

[Bluebrock]

i wasn't a fan , of the first lp but I liked the single and Stoned Soul Picnic. however I did prefer the 2nd album, the Return Of better. more original tracks, at least to me . I absolutely hated Dynamite except for Melodie.how did that mess get released.
on the 09 collection I do like the out takes.,most of which I like better than what actually got released. of all those songs I could trim them down to make one good album.
I thought they were a trio of hurredly put together albums. They were inconsistent and for the most part full of inspid cover versions. Jean and Levi did the best they could, but i can barely make up one decent compilation from the three albums. I still listen to the 2009 set occasionally in the hope it will begin to grow on me but each time i am disappointed. A trio of throwaway albums that deflected attention from the excellent material the Supremes were recording around that time. I have little doubt that the product overflow contributed to disappointing sales. Motown should have spaced them out better.

[sup_fan]

I thought they were a trio of hurredly put together albums. They were inconsistent and for the most part full of inspid cover versions. Jean and Levi did the best they could, but i can barely make up one decent compilation from the three albums. I still listen to the 2009 set occasionally in the hope it will begin to grow on me but each time i am disappointed. A trio of throwaway albums that deflected attention from the excellent material the Supremes were recording around that time. I have little doubt that the product overflow contributed to disappointing sales. Motown should have spaced them out better.

I think it's fairly easy to compile 1 solid album from all of the tracks recorded. Is it as solid of an album as Right On or Still Water - no. but it would have been a solid showcase for the singers

River Deep
I'm Glad about it
Reach out and touch
Melodie
For your love
function at the junction

if you could see me now
do you love me just a little
it's got to be a miracle
knock on my door
i wonder where we're going
Is there always one more bridge to cross



other strong songs:
Hold On
If i could build my whole world around you
do you love me just a little honey
chain reaction
Bring back your love
It's your thing
stoned soul picnic

[rovereab]

For me their best song remained in the vault until "The Complete" set was released:

When I'm With You - a fantastic song and vocal performances.

I do feel there is much to like though in all 3 albums that were released.

[marv2]

For me their best song remained in the vault until "The Complete" set was released:

When I'm With You - a fantastic song and vocal performances.

I do feel there is much to like though in all 3 albums that were released.

Here's that song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq6TxzVloQE

[rod_rick]

I think it's fairly easy to compile 1 solid album from all of the tracks recorded. Is it as solid of an album as Right On or Still Water - no. but it would have been a solid showcase for the singers

River Deep
I'm Glad about it
Reach out and touch
Melodie
For your love
function at the junction

if you could see me now
do you love me just a little
it's got to be a miracle
knock on my door
i wonder where we're going
Is there always one more bridge to cross



other strong songs:
Hold On
If i could build my whole world around you
do you love me just a little honey
chain reaction
Bring back your love
It's your thing
stoned soul picnic

I would add Baby, You Got What It Takes because everyone got a shot at singing lead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z71YFpyOTm0

[Fourtopsbiggestfan]

No excuse why a third album wasn't released. Then all the songs could be released.

[Bluebrock]

No excuse why a third album wasn't released. Then all the songs could be released.

They did release three albums. The Magnificent Seven, The return of the Magnificent seven and Dynamite. Three was more than sufficient in my opinion.

[sup_fan]

Agreed. Three was too much. Dynamite was released just before the holidays. Neither group had an lp ready at that time so I’m guessing this done just to have something on store shelves for Christmas

[sup_fan]

I would add Baby, You Got What It Takes because everyone got a shot at singing lead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z71YFpyOTm0

I do enjoy hearing everyone sing but I just think this song and arrangement are too hokey

[Bluebrock]

Agreed. Three was too much. Dynamite was released just before the holidays. Neither group had an lp ready at that time so I’m guessing this done just to have something on store shelves for Christmas
And the very fact that no singles were issued from it in the UK or USA seems to indicate what little faith Motown had in the project.

[sup_fan]

yeah the lack of singles is truly puzzling. the Tops had just scored a hit single in the UK with Simple Game. and the Supremes were getting a hit off of Floy Joy.

The first duets album did very well in the UK, landing in the Top 10 album charts. But the second didn't chart at all there

[Bluebrock]

yeah the lack of singles is truly puzzling. the Tops had just scored a hit single in the UK with Simple Game. and the Supremes were getting a hit off of Floy Joy.

The first duets album did very well in the UK, landing in the Top 10 album charts. But the second didn't chart at all there

I did not hear any potential hits on that album, but had i been working at Motown i would sure as hell have released something. Without a potential hit this album was dead in the water before it hit the record stores.

[kenneth]

I would add Baby, You Got What It Takes because everyone got a shot at singing lead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z71YFpyOTm0

I love "You Got What it Takes!" They all sound like they're having so much fun. I think working with Frank Wilson during this period and also not having the pressure of being part of such a highly scrutinized effort like a "Diana Ross and the Supremes" album gave the girls the chance to open up. Also, we really hadn't heard them much on the last few DR-led Supremes albums anyway.

I love the first Magnificent 7 LP, and the second one has grown on me over the years though I think it suffers from too many original songs. To me, this kind of "superstar pairing" almost dictates that the songs should be familiar to some degree, so the groups can put their own stamp on the material. I haven't listened that much to "Dynamite" though it too sounds better to me than when I purchased it years ago.

I remember there was a Supremes & Four Tops Greatest Hits CD released in the 90s, I think. Its packaging was similar to the "Greatest Hits and Rare Classics" [[I think that was the right name) CDs put out at the time by Brenda Holloway, Kim Weston, and others. Based on the thread input, I wonder what the lineup on that one was and how closely it mirrored our expectations.

[reese]

I remember there was a Supremes & Four Tops Greatest Hits CD released in the 90s, I think. Its packaging was similar to the "Greatest Hits and Rare Classics" [[I think that was the right name) CDs put out at the time by Brenda Holloway, Kim Weston, and others. Based on the thread input, I wonder what the lineup on that one was and how closely it mirrored our expectations.

It was called BEST OF THE SUPREMES & FOUR TOPS and was compiled by George Solomon, with liner notes by Carl Feuerbacher. It was released in 1991.

The songs were:
RIVER DEEP-MOUNTAIN HIGH
IF I COULD BUILD MY WHOLE WORLD AROUND YOU
YOU GOTTA HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART
HELLO STRANGER
WITHOUT THE ONE YOU LOVE
I'LL TRY NOT TO CRY
BABY [[YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES)
CALL ME
DON'T LET ME LOSE THIS DREAM
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LOVE ME
GOOD LOVIN' AIN'T EASY TO COME BY
ONE MORE BRIDGE TO CROSS
MELODIE
IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW
DO YO LOVE ME JUST A LITTLE HONEY
IF

[kenneth]

Thanks Reese! George Solomon did a great job compiling the material, it looks like. I notice that this CD has a very high sticker price on Amazon, so I'm glad we have the Hip-O set which more or less obsoletes this one.

[sup_fan]

the version of Melodie on the 90's era Sup/Tops GH cd is different from the one on Dynamite and, IMO, better

on the original, the instrumental break/bridge is oddly placed before Jean's verse which just cuts the song up and make the overall flow weird. this is corrected in the 90s version. Levi sings his verse, then chorus. then jean sings her verse and chorus. and then there's the bridge. the song flows so much better. I think it could definitely, in this format, been released as a single from Dynamite

not sure if this newer version was a remix by George and team or if there were originally two versions back in the 70s

I appreciate on Return that they went with more original material. it's just a shame that the production of those originals tunes is lackluster. the songs themselves are ok but how they're produced just seems too MOR.

[sup_fan]

in looking over all of the duet material, there's surprisingly more than enough for a full lp of original material. now on a couple tunes i've gone ahead and listed as original for the duets because the other versions were pretty much recorded simultaneously but maybe released first.

Knock on my door [[duke browner)
together we can make [[duke browner) the Sups version was recorded 2 days prior to the duet version

you gotta have love [[clay mcmurrary)
i wonder where we're going [[clay mcmurrary)
one more bridge to cross [[a&s)
if you could see me now [[henry cosby)
i'll try not to cry [[clay mcmurrary)
I'm glad about it [[A&S)
let's make love now [[henry cosby)
where would i be without you [[clay mcmurray)
what do you have to do [[bobby taylor)

the bigger you love [[frank and bobby)
melodie [[frank and bobby) Bobby Darin's version was done by April 71 and the duet version by June 71

when i'm with you [[duke browner)
chain reaction [[henry cosby)
Bring back your love [[duke browner)

Now from these, i'd pull together an album using:

side A
Melodie - single #1
let's make love now
where would i be without you
when i'm with you
chain reaction
Bring back your love

side B
one more bridge to cross - single #2
what do you have to do
if you could see me now
I'm glad about it
i wonder where we're going
together we can make

[marv2]

I love "You Got What it Takes!" They all sound like they're having so much fun. I think working with Frank Wilson during this period and also not having the pressure of being part of such a highly scrutinized effort like a "Diana Ross and the Supremes" album gave the girls the chance to open up. Also, we really hadn't heard them much on the last few DR-led Supremes albums anyway.

I love the first Magnificent 7 LP, and the second one has grown on me over the years though I think it suffers from too many original songs. To me, this kind of "superstar pairing" almost dictates that the songs should be familiar to some degree, so the groups can put their own stamp on the material. I haven't listened that much to "Dynamite" though it too sounds better to me than when I purchased it years ago.

I remember there was a Supremes & Four Tops Greatest Hits CD released in the 90s, I think. Its packaging was similar to the "Greatest Hits and Rare Classics" [[I think that was the right name) CDs put out at the time by Brenda Holloway, Kim Weston, and others. Based on the thread input, I wonder what the lineup on that one was and how closely it mirrored our expectations.

"You've Got What It Takes" and "IF I COULD BUILD MY WHOLE WORLD AROUND YOU" received radio airplay in Detroit and Toledo.

[daviddesper]

I don't remember which of the three albums it was on but I cannot believe that no one has mentioned their great cover version of Love the One You're With. That and Melodie were their two best collaborations in my opinion.

[sup_fan]

Love The One is a good song but it's barely a duet. jean rocks on it and i guess the tops are in the background. but she does the entire lead.

[reese]

Love The One is a good song but it's barely a duet. jean rocks on it and i guess the tops are in the background. but she does the entire lead.

When Motown released NEW WAYS BUT LOVE STAYS on cd and cassette in the 90s, they actually included LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH as a bonus track.

[Fourtopsbiggestfan]

They did release three albums. The Magnificent Seven, The return of the Magnificent seven and Dynamite. Three was more than sufficient in my opinion.
I meant to say 4. No excuse why a 4th wasn't released.