Mary Wells- Something New: Motown Lost & Found

[carole cucumber]

From today's MusicTap:

Hip-O Select will release Something New: Motown Lost and Found featuring Mary Wells on December 4.

I know this was previously listed in another thread which lumped together several proposed projects. But this is the first mention of a release date.

[theboyfromxtown]

With the new book from Peter Benjaminson on Mary Wells, it looks like it's gonna be a good winter for Mary Wells fans.

[RossHolloway]

THis should be a good release. Can't wait for this one.

[hwume]

Pre-sale should be up in a few days. Finally!

[Kamasu_Jr]

No track list until then?

[hwume]

Oh, I have broken "protocol" before, but I prefer to present things first on the site. I can say that the set has half unreleased studio recordings, then the rest collects all of Mary's tunes issued on various releases by Motown after she left the label - but all of those will have previously unreleased extended stereo mixes. They all sound fantastic.

[RossHolloway]

HW - so will this set be inclusive of all remaining unreleased tracks by Mary Wells? OR were there others songs that did not make the cut?

[irv milne]

yes yes ,brilliant news harry when is going to be out in the uk .

[hwume]

As far as I can tell, yes, that should be everything, barring any alternates we're just not aware of.

[jboy88]

So is this exclusively unreleased material or a complete collection [[released and unreleased)?
Either way, it souds intriging!

[hwume]

47 tracks recorded 1961-1964, spread across 2 CDs, about half completely unreleased Motown, all but two are new stereo mixes, the other half are rare Motown recordings that were not issued until 1966 through recent comps; the latter have new stereo mixes.

[jeff9nyc]

Nice Harry! Sign me up!

[762rob]

I must be dreaming, Harry had this on his wish list way back in the Motown BB days. Thanks Harry for finally getting the Mary Wells material to us! This will be a desert island disc[[s) for sure!

[lakedistrictlad1]

I first heard 'My Guy' on the radio when I was in my early teens. It was that song that got me hooked on the Motown sound. 30 years later I am still hooked.

I can't wait for this. It feels like Mary Wells has been overlooked for far too long. I'm amazed there are so many unreleased songs on this set. This one will be on my Santa list for sure.

I REALLY do hope all of Mary's original albums will be issued by Hip-O in the future.

[calvin]

Yes, I'm looking forward to this release very much.

I'm also hoping for a release featuring all of Mary's original Motown albums - perhaps something along the lines of the Miracles "Depend on Me" set, which featured 5 LPs on 2 cds. [[Though 3 cds with some bonus material would be even better!)

[762rob]

Hoping Mary appears on the site today!

Many years waiting for this....

[RossHolloway]

I was also hoping for a complete album set on Mary, similar to what was done for David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrix. Fingers still crossed.

[carole cucumber]

Pre-sale should be up in a few days. Finally!

Harry,
I wonder if you've posted this in the wrong thread. I would think that Marvin Gaye's Trouble Man might be listed as a pre-sale item soon.
The Mary Wells Lost & Found isn't set for unveiling until early December. Pre-sale items usually have not been listed that far in advance...

[hwume]

Trouble Man has now moved to December 4. I've done the "blurbs" for both, but Carole you're right, might be a couple more Fridays. I'll check with the gang on pre-sale date.

Hah! This is what happens when you sneak in a few teases...

Here's another anyway: hope you'll love her standards and her great male, new-to-the-company backup singers, not to mention some Motown originals with her "no hit" backup singers.

[Kamasu_Jr]

Trouble Man has now moved to December 4. I've done the "blurbs" for both, but Carole you're right, might be a couple more Fridays. I'll check with the gang on pre-sale date.

Hah! This is what happens when you sneak in a few teases...

Here's another anyway: hope you'll love her standards and her great male, new-to-the-company backup singers, not to mention some Motown originals with her "no hit" backup singers.

"Her 'no-hit'... backup singers!" Oh No! The Andantes are on here too? LOL

[johnjeb]

"Her 'no-hit'..." backup singers! Oh No! The Andantes are on here too? LOL

That was a good one! lol

[RossHolloway]

Trouble Man has now moved to December 4. I've done the "blurbs" for both, but Carole you're right, might be a couple more Fridays. I'll check with the gang on pre-sale date.

Hah! This is what happens when you sneak in a few teases...

Here's another anyway: hope you'll love her standards and her great male, new-to-the-company backup singers, not to mention some Motown originals with her "no hit" backup singers.

I'm guessing the Four Tops and The Supremes.

[johnny_raven]

http://www.amazon.com/Something-New-Motown-Lost-Found/dp/B009SX9IW6/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1350644364&sr=1-2&keywords=hip-o-select

[robbo3333]

UK Amazon link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-New-Motown-Lost-Found/dp/B009SX9IW6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1QOQEBG686EVI&coliid=I13RFFAT03DI

[theboyfromxtown]

It was me that LIKED it.......lol

[booty]

I see that CD Universe show the titled as "Something New - Vintage Stock Plus Bonus Tracks"

[sophisticated_soul]

From the new Mary Wells biography.

5518

[kenneth]

Wow if some of those tracks are on the set this will be great. I think Mary's voice would be ideal for standards like "The Party's Over", "Secret Love" and "All I Do is Dream About You." Bet there's a lot of other amazing stuff on here.

[mowest]

I'm really curious about "Your Loss, My Gain." "You Lost The Sweetest Boy" is my favorite tune by Mary.

[sophisticated_soul]

Wow if some of those tracks are on the set this will be great. I think Mary's voice would be ideal for standards like "The Party's Over", "Secret Love" and "All I Do is Dream About You." Bet there's a lot of other amazing stuff on here.

I'm hoping too that most, if not all, of these titles will be included. I have heard about a proposed Motown album titled "The Second Time Around" which had Mary singing standards much like those on side two of the "My Guy" album. I don't know for a fact that this is true but many of these titles would seem to fit that concept. Here's hoping.

[kenneth]

I'm hoping too that most, if not all, of these titles will be included. I have heard about a proposed Motown album titled "The Second Time Around" which had Mary singing standards much like those on side two of the "My Guy" album. I don't know for a fact that this is true but many of these titles would seem to fit that concept. Here's hoping.

I'm sure we'll see most of these titles on the set. I love that Wells' voice could adapt to either standards or R&B, like many of the Motown alumni. She really deserved such a more illustrious and longer career than she got to have. She really could have grown into a Nancy Wilson type; her phrasing can sound like Wilson's on some of the standard tunes.

We're really lucky to have so much coming from Hip-O.

[hwume]

All of these, except the alternate version of "Operator," will be on the forthcoming set. [[Although I provided the author with that list, that alternate, it seems, doesn't really exist.)

[RossHolloway]

That list of songs looks quite promising. Can't wait for this release.

HW - In putting together this set, did you discovery any new live recordings by Mary?

[hwume]

Good question. I should clarify that we focused on the studio recordings. There are live recordings in the vault that may be available at some point.

[hwume]

And, by the way, of the tracks listed in the Peter Benjaminson book, "Again" also features the Four Tops. I just didn't know it when I provided Peter with that list.

They are not as prominent as on the other three; when we were mixing and listening to every detail, it was clear the four guys backing up Mary were Levi, Lawrence, Obie & Duke.

[RossHolloway]

That's very interesting. I can't wait to hear the backstory of how those recordings with the Four Tops came to be.

[jboy88]

Is "I Remember You" the same track as the one by Hank & Carol Diamond on Workshop Jazz?
If so, is it a duet with Levi?

[sophisticated_soul]

HW: Did the unreleased album “Second Time Around” get as far as a final [[and available) track list? I was under the impression the album was a collection of standards, but last night while rereading the booklet to “Mary Wells The Ultimate Collection” I was reminded that both “I’ll Be Available” and “Goodbye And Good Luck” were recorded for “Second Time Around”, sounds more like the concept of the “My Guy” album half Motown, half standards.

[hwume]

In re to 'Second Time Around,' I put a brief explanation in the forthcoming set's booklet that says, in essence, no actual track list not that we've seen, and if there had been one it hasn't survived - or turned up.

Sorry, I don't recall the source of the annotation I put in the Ultimate Collection booklet. It was only 15 years ago, I know, but, hey, maybe the old files will be enlightening - if any of us can get to the office next week.

In re to the tracks with the Four Tops, Levi is not solo'd, and in the strictest terms none of them can be termed true duets. The Tops, in *group harmony*, are featured prominently, enough that they deserve some billing. A consensus was reached to say "featuring," not "with."

[sophisticated_soul]

Thank you very much for the info, HW. I'm really looking forward to this set. The thought of hearing so many previously unreleased tracks by Mary and having all the other rarities together has me on a cloud!:) I know the project will be first class in everyway and done with great love and respect. Thanks again. :cool:

[booty]

5546

Cover

[kenneth]

Love the cover! Wasn't that photo used in an ad for "Bye Bye Baby"? I know I've seen it before.

[theboyfromxtown]

"Never-Before-Released Masters From Motown's Brightest Stars - The 1960's"...Tamla Motown LP WL72425 released in 1986:


http://faac.us/adf/messages/131452/141594.html?1174837397


The Day Will Come - Mary Wells [[1961)
The Tears - Diana Ross & The Supremes [[1961)
Mind Over Matter - The Temptations [[1962)
Knock On My Door - The Marvelettes [[1963)
I'm Stuck On You - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles [[1966)
Break It Up - Jr Walker & The Allstars [[1966)
Don't You Feel It - Stevie Wonder [[1964)
Can't Break The Habit - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas [[1965)
I Can't Escape Your Memory - The Four Tops [[1967)
Lois - Stevie Wonder [[1963)
Stay In My Lonely Arms - Diana Ross & The Supremes [[1967)
Tearstained Letter - The Temptations [[1962)

[sophisticated_soul]

The photo was used on the back cover of "Mary Wells The Definitive Collection", in color and reversed. It was also used in the booklet [[in black & white) of "Mary Wells The Ultimate Collection". It does make a nice cover though.

[RossHolloway]

"Never-Before-Released Masters From Motown's Brightest Stars - The 1960's"...Tamla Motown LP WL72425 released in 1986:


http://faac.us/adf/messages/131452/141594.html?1174837397


The Day Will Come - Mary Wells [[1961)
The Tears - Diana Ross & The Supremes [[1961)
Mind Over Matter - The Temptations [[1962)
Knock On My Door - The Marvelettes [[1963)
I'm Stuck On You - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles [[1966)
Break It Up - Jr Walker & The Allstars [[1966)
Don't You Feel It - Stevie Wonder [[1964)
Can't Break The Habit - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas [[1965)
I Can't Escape Your Memory - The Four Tops [[1967)
Lois - Stevie Wonder [[1963)
Stay In My Lonely Arms - Diana Ross & The Supremes [[1967)
Tearstained Letter - The Temptations [[1962)

Have the songs The Day Will Come or Break It Up appeared on any other collections?

[honest man]

Well a'int that a great feeling to actually see a lost and found cd again.i loved these sets ,hope this is the start up of this fantastic series being issued once again . PLEASE...................POWERS THAT BE, cheers.

[johnny_raven]

Have the songs The Day Will Come or Break It Up appeared on any other collections?

Ross, "Break It Up" appeared on the UK two-fer Shotgun / Soul Sessions. Now, ever since this Motown's Brightest Stars LP was released, I wondered why "The Day Will Come" was even on it. It's on Mary's 2nd album "The One Who Really Loves You", which was [[and will soon be again) released on CD.

[sophisticated_soul]

Have the songs The Day Will Come or Break It Up appeared on any other collections?

"The Day Will Come" was released on the two disc set "Mary Wells Looking Back 1961-1964" released in 1993. It's from the album "The One Who Really Loves You" which was released on CD [[as a twofer with "Bye Bye Baby") in 1987.

[RossHolloway]

Thanks Sophisticated Soul and Johnny Raven! I know the version of Can't Break the Habit is a different version than the one that appeard on Martha & The Vandella's Lost & Found.

[pghmusiclover]

I am really looking forward to this!

[johnny_raven]

Ross:

Were you talking about "Break It Up" by Jr. Walker or "Can't Break The Habit" by MRV? Also, "Can't Break The Habit" wasn't on their Lost & Found set. It appear on the Dance Party / Watchout! 2-fer, which was a different version than on the Brightest Stars LP.

[RossHolloway]

Johnny raven - thank you for that correction! I was indeed referring to Can't Break The Habit. I wish the version from the Brightest Stars would make its way onto cd

[johnny_raven]

Ross: Just wondering if I needed clarification or more coffee. I agree that the Brightest Stars version should be on CD.

[RossHolloway]

Ross: Just wondering if I needed clarification or more coffee. I agree that the Brightest Stars version should be on CD.

No worries Johnny raven it was all me.

[carole cucumber]

http://www.hip-oselect.com/scr.public.product.asp?product_id=0A35965D-3A46-4468-9BC9-745ACA95C595

[lakedistrictlad1]

I would love to think Universal wouldn't drag their feet with a U.K issue date on this as happened with 'I Hear A Symphony' . Before Christmas would be good so I can get it as a present.

Looks great. I'm staggeringly excited about hearing all this new music from Mary.

[carole cucumber]

http://www.hip-oselect.com/scr.public.product.asp?product_id=0A35965D-3A46-4468-9BC9-745ACA95C595

Strange, it's only showing disc 1 ... and no longer posted at Hip-O-Select.

[RossHolloway]

Did anyone else notice that there will only be 1500 copies?!

[Glenpwood]

Did anyone else notice that there will only be 1500 copies?!

Just a reminder that number is only the amount available to buy directly from the Hip-O Select USA website. That number does not include the discs Amazon, physical stores, or overseas customers get if bought through those avenues instead before there's a panic.

[hwume]

The full track list has now been posted.

http://bit.ly/Uk2Ucz

[Kamasu_Jr]

The full track list has now been posted.

http://bit.ly/Uk2Ucz


Thanks for posting this. Another forum jumped the gun and posted what was thought to be the track list. It says "in stock," does that mean it's ready to be rolled out to buyers?

[mowest]

Does anyone know what is meant by "Graystone Version" in reference to "Strange Love" in the track list?

[hwume]

Does anyone know what is meant by "Graystone Version" in reference to "Strange Love" in the track list?

Yes, I do...

It was recorded at the Graystone, not the Snakepit, with a live orchestra but no audience, with the intention to create a "live" track for her "live" album. Ultimately no "live" ambience was added and this version was shelved. Until now.

[mowest]

Thanks for the explanation, sir! Can't wait to get my copy!

[RossHolloway]

Aint that Good News!

[BayouMotownMan]

Harry, this brings up a point. Were any of the other selections on her live lp recorded at the Graystone? Two tracks, Operator and Old Love were studio versions with live ambience.

Also, were the stereo mixes done in the 60s or by your people today?

[mowest]

[QUOTE=BayouMotownMan;131142]Harry, this brings up a point. Were any of the other selections on her live lp recorded at the Graystone? Two tracks, Operator and Old Love were studio versions with live ambience.

The version of "I Don't Want To Take A Chance" is definitely not the original studio recording; it doesn't have any live ambience.

[hwume]

Mixes of all tracks except two were done this year on vintage equipment with vintage EQ and compression, then captured digitally. The remaining two were taken from the only existing masters, mono reference mix tapes from 1963, that were also mastered analog then captured digitally.

We didn't find any other without-audience tracks from the Graystone that were not released.

[RossHolloway]

I just pre-ordered this release!

[hwume]

A little something from inside the booklet - taken with my [[lousy) phone camera: Mary listening to her latest release.

5618

[RossHolloway]

HW do we know what release Mary was listening to?

[vcq]

I just preordered my copy today. Thank you, HW and Hip-O Select! Now how about that Junior Walker box set with his unreleased '70s albums? ;-)

[hwume]

HW do we know what release Mary was listening to?

No - the photo doesn't show exactly what, sorry for leading anyone on.

[Buttered Popcorn and so forth]

You can listen to samples on amazon.com now!
http://www.amazon.com/Something-New-Motown-Lost-Found/dp/B009SX9IW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353740021&sr=8-1&keywords=mary+wells

[vcq]

I love the jazzy arrangements on the standards...not quite as "wow" as Brenda Holloway's "Summertime" [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2a8qtH9eBk), but a fun listen nonetheless [[and I love the uptempo take on "Always").

[Glenpwood]

The Hip-O site ship date for this was yesterday. Any word yet on it being enrote to us?

[RossHolloway]

@ Glenpwood - good question, I pre-ordered this and my credit card was originally charged over a week and a half ago, but the charge has since disappeared. I wonder what is going on...

[vcq]

Am wondering the same thing...Hip-O's website now says "SITE SHIP DATE: 11/27/2012 **please note new ship date."

[Ryon6]

i looked at my order today and it said "shipped". Looking forward to it.

[longtimefan]

I received an email yesterday stating that mine was shipped on November 28.

[RossHolloway]

I also received a shipping confirmation yesterday. I can't wait to listen to this release.

[captainjames]

Yes this definitely sounds like a winner

[Glenpwood]

Mary just arrived at my desk and all I can say is WOW at the packaging and essay. Love the picture of Marvin and Mary in the booklet as well. Can't wait to get home and play the music.

[justanothermotownfan]

Harry, received mine today and once again I'm blown away! Outstanding package and production! The Second Time Around sessions have been well worth the wait [[listened to disc 2 first). LOVE IT!! Harry and team NEVER DISAPPOINT!! Thanks!!!!

[hwume]

So glad the initial response has been so positive. Enjoy!

[superlou]

Listening to my copy right now. Loving it. The extended endings are great. Some of the tunes sound different to my ears. Not sure if it's because they are stereo mixes or just slightly longer. Thanks for this release.

[midnightman]

Nice pic of Mary...

[theboyfromxtown]

It's £25.62 on amazon.co.uk...it's gone down in price significantly

[woodward]

It's £25.62 on amazon.co.uk...it's gone down in price significantly

I just received confirmation that my CD was shipped 12/1/12. I ordered it from www.importcds.com. The price to the US was $27.10 plus a mere $2.99 shipping. This is in my opinion the cheapest vendor in the USA for imports/non-imports. They are very prompt and have excellent customer service. I don't think it would be that cheap from anyone else in the US.

[mowest]

I just received confirmation that my CD was shipped 12/1/12. I ordered it from www.importcds.com [[http://www.importcds.com). The price to the US was $27.10 plus a mere $2.99 shipping. This is in my opinion the cheapest vendor in the USA for imports/non-imports. They are very prompt and have excellent customer service. I don't think it would be that cheap from anyone else in the US.

Great price! Mine shipped today from amazon.com for $34.00.

[RossHolloway]

My copy just arrived!

[sophisticated_soul]

My copy just arrived a short time ago. I've read the very informative booklet. So excited that within the 47 tracks contained on this set are the equivalent [[25 tracks) of two complete unreleased albums by Mary! Heaven!! Thank you Harry Weinger - and some new names; mixed by Obie O' Brien and mastered by Seth Foster - and everyone else involved in this project. Another top notch product from Hip-O! Now it's time for the listening!:)

[RossHolloway]

Still listening to Disc 1 and taking in some of the exceptionals cuts. Not ready to move to Disc 2 yet.

[brother_love]

http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=kxcx34yw7v&ref=index.php

[RossHolloway]

I've been listening to Disc 1 at my desk for the better part of the day again today and the song 'That's Why I Love You [[Like I Do)' is a complete RELEVATION. I absolutely love this song and have probably replayed it over a Dozen times today. It's Mary and Smokey at their best. For some unknown reason I keep thinking of Sam Cooke when I listen to this song. Thoughts from those who have listened to this song?

[theboyfromxtown]

Boo hoo!

Hello,

We’re sorry to have to let you know that an unexpected delay from our suppliers means that the following items may not be delivered by Christmas:

Mary Wells "Something New: Motown Lost & Found"
Estimated arrival date: January 31 2013 - February 02 2013

We'll keep trying to get these items for you, and we'll send them out as soon as we receive them. Other items that may be in stock will still dispatch separately, with no increase in the total delivery charges.

Please read the FAQs at the end of this e-mail for more details.
If you’d now prefer to cancel the above, or any items from your order, you can do so by going to "Your Orders" in "Your Account" or by clicking the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/css/history/orders/view.html

Find the relevant order and click the “Cancel items” button. Then select the check box next to any items that you wish to cancel and click on "Cancel checked items".

You haven't been charged for this item yet as we don't debit money from your payment card until just before your items are dispatched. We'll send you a confirmation e-mail when your items are dispatched to confirm the date, contents and method of delivery.

Again, we're sorry that we haven't been able to fulfil your expectations for this important order.

We hope to see you again soon.

Warmest regards,

Customer Service Department
Amazon.co.uk

[jack020]

This is the usual pattern:
The Hip-O releases are sold through Amazon UK / HMV, etc . usually 4-6 weeks after release in the USA.
We were always lucky to get them at much lower prices in Europe, but that seems over now with the recent Supremes/ J5 and Marvin Gaye releases.

[RossHolloway]

Why not just order from the US Amazon?

[theboyfromxtown]

After learning that Amazon don't pay much business tax on their UK income, lots of people are turning away from Amazon altogether. Of course the reason is down to clever accountants!!

But you can't blame me though, I've retired! LOL

[mr_postman]

A question for you Harry. Apart from the songs that are appearing in stereo for the first time, do you have a list of mono resp. stereo of the completely previously unreleased songs?

[hwume]

"Your Loss, My Gain" and "In Case You Need Love" were mastered from the only known copies, which are mono reference mixes from 1963. All other tracks were mixed form the original three-track session reels - or, in one case, from a binaural two-track master. That means some of the new mixes are in stereo, and some are in mono as they sound best that way. I can't remember which ones without re-playing the entire set again...

[motony]

"In Case You Need Love" was recorded by the Miracles on the Going to A Go Go LP. At the time, I thought that & "All Thats Good" would have been GREAT Mary Wells records.Funny to find out 40 some odd years later that she did record one of them.

[sophisticated_soul]

"In Case You Need Love" jumped out at me the first time I played this set. It's an excellent song with a smoking track and kind of a Dinah Washington/Brook Benton feel. It was certainly worthy of inclusion on Mary and Marvin's duet album, if not a single.

BTW, Harry Weinger, I was re-reading the booklet to this wonderful set and realized that the question I asked you on Midnight Johnny's Nightflight show thread - the one about the tracks on side 2 of Mary's "My Guy" album and their relationship to tracks 16-20 [[disc 2) on this new set - was actually answered already in the booklet. I missed it. Oops! My bad.:)

[RossHolloway]

Is One Block From Heaven HDH's attempt to replicate the Phil Spector Wall of Sound?

And does anyone else think it's an odd coincidence that Smokey Robinson was in the middle of producing two great artists when they both walked away from Motown? Mary Wells and Brenda Holloway - two artist who did their best work with Smokey. I just thought it was odd..

[hwume]

"In Case You Need Love" jumped out at me the first time I played this set. It's an excellent song with a smoking track and kind of a Dinah Washington/Brook Benton feel. It was certainly worthy of inclusion on Mary and Marvin's duet album, if not a single.

BTW, Harry Weinger, I was re-reading the booklet to this wonderful set and realized that the question I asked you on Midnight Johnny's Nightflight show thread - the one about the tracks on side 2 of Mary's "My Guy" album and their relationship to tracks 16-20 [[disc 2) on this new set - was actually answered already in the booklet. I missed it. Oops! My bad.:)

Thats's OK, I had to assume you hadn't read it yet.

[kenneth]

"In Case You Need Love" was recorded by the Miracles on the Going to A Go Go LP. At the time, I thought that & "All Thats Good" would have been GREAT Mary Wells records.Funny to find out 40 some odd years later that she did record one of them.

That's amazing! Very ironic.

[dba]

All I can say is WOW. Listened last night. I now have new appreciation for Mary Wells.

The whole project is just stunning! Thanks Harry.

[motony]

I just got my copy last night when I got home so I haven't listened to disc 2 in depth but in reading the booklet I think that is a mistake on the writers part about "Bye Bye Baby" being recorded in New York...it was done at United Sound in Detroit. LOVE the '63 version of "Strange Love"!

[hwume]

From my POV, the tapes and additional internal [[Motown) paperwork are unspecific with regard to the recording studio and/or city for "Bye Bye Baby." Keith Hughes and I paused at the information conveyed in the notes, but in this editorial instance I had deferred to the writer Stu Hackel, who just sent me this email:

"You could be right, but it was Mable John, interviewed by Susan Whitehall in her book Women of Motown, who said that she was present when 'Bye Bye Baby' was recorded in New York and that's why I wrote what I did in the booklet. While others have speculated that it might have been recorded in Detroit, specifically at Hitsville, and have had good reason to think so, no solid evidence has turned up yet to show Mable's recollection was wrong. I'd be interested to hear what other info is out there to conclude the performance was recorded at United Sound. Thanks for being interested."

[motony]

Mary herself had said years ago that she never had been out of Detroit until she had a record out.I thought a previous CD release listed Bye Bye Baby as being recorded at United Sound.I'm pretty sure that over the years Mary said while on Motown the only outside studio work she did was in Chicago while the Revue was at the Regal. But I do remember Mable John sayin that about New York but I assumed it was some other songs & after the company had a little bit of money,LOL

[hwume]

OK, thanks, entirely plausible.

[motony]

isn't it really kinda eerie that "When I'm Gone" was the last time she recorded at Hitsville, I mean just with that title of a song. Can't wait to get home & listen some more. Really appreciate your hard work, Harry...the results speak for itself!I know Marys kids will be thrilled. I messaged Stacy & Meech today.

[RossHolloway]

isn't it really kinda eerie that "When I'm Gone" was the last time she recorded at Hitsville, I mean just with that title of a song. Can't wait to get home & listen some more. Really appreciate your hard work, Harry...the results speak for itself!I know Marys kids will be thrilled. I messaged Stacy & Meech today.

I touched on the strange fact yesterdady that both Mary Wells and Brenda Holloway both were being produced by Smokey Robinson when they both abruptly left Motown...

[Kamasu_Jr]

I liked the stereo mixes of some tunes [[I Want You Around, One Block From Heaven, Honey Boy, etc.) that I already have in mono and stereo elsewhere. Wasn't Vintage Stock issued in stereo? I believe my dad has a stereo copy. I liked some of the duets with Marvin Gaye and some of the standards recorded with the Andantes. A great job from the crew at UMe. The only thing I was disappointed in were the photos. There were none I had not seen before. When Mary left Motown, did they discard most of her publicity photos? i've never seen a photo of Mary recording in the snakepit/studio.

[zani57]

here is today's [[12/11/12) review from The Second Disc blog --

http://theseconddisc.com/2012/12/11/as-a-matter-of-opinion-i-think-shes-tops-mary-wells-celebrated-on-new-releases-from-hip-o-select-soul-music-records/

[oldiesmusicfan]

I just received this set in the mail a few days ago and am looking forward to listening. There is a problem though and I haven't seen anyone else mention it yet. The track information is missing on Disc 1. When I put the CD in my ITunes, all the titles appear in Itunes as Track 1 Track 2 Track 3, etc. Disc 2 has the title, artist and album name for every track. This is a very expensive set to have something like this wrong with it. I bought it new on Amazon, still in wrap. What can be done about this? I could fill in all that information myself, but really, it should be there!

Oldies

[caliluv]

as with the I Hear A Symphony cd Disc 1, I had to manually add the names to disc 1 of this cd.

[Motown Eddie]

I liked the stereo mixes of some tunes [[I Want You Around, One Block From Heaven, Honey Boy, etc.) that I already have in mono and stereo elsewhere. Wasn't Vintage Stock issued in stereo? I believe my dad has a stereo copy. I liked some of the duets with Marvin Gaye and some of the standards recorded with the Andantes. A great job from the crew at UMe. The only thing I was disappointed in were the photos. There were none I had not seen before. When Mary left Motown, did they discard most of her publicity photos? i've never seen a photo of Mary recording in the snakepit/studio.

Yes, Mary Wells' "Vintage Stock" was released in stereo [[and I have a copy of it). However, the stereo mixes of the songs from LP on the new "Something New-Lost & Found" set are previously unreleased stereo mixes [[according to the notes from "Something New").

[hwume]

Right. We wanted to extend them and freshen them up as possible w/o taking away from the classic sound, and make all tracks on the collection "something new."

[kenneth]

The set is a great collection and the sound and mastering is fantatstic. Hip-O really did a great job on this one; the tracks all sound fresh and new. What a great tribute to Wells and her talent. It's hard to believe this much was in the vaults all these years.

I remember when "From the Vaults" came out, which I think had to be Motown's very first album of various artists' previously unreleased tracks. It had to be around '84 or thereabouts. I remember how excited I was that there were 10 or 12 tracks we hadn't heard before! I think that LP included Wells' "Drop in the Bucket," a great track which is also on this Wells set. Who ever knew what we had to look forward to all these years later?

Thanks, Hip-O!

[Motown Eddie]

The set is a great collection and the sound and mastering is fantatstic. Hip-O really did a great job on this one; the tracks all sound fresh and new. What a great tribute to Wells and her talent. It's hard to believe this much was in the vaults all these years.

I remember when "From the Vaults" came out, which I think had to be Motown's very first album of various artists' previously unreleased tracks. It had to be around '84 or thereabouts. I remember how excited I was that there were 10 or 12 tracks we hadn't heard before! I think that LP included Wells' "Drop in the Bucket," a great track which is also on this Wells set. Who ever knew what we had to look forward to all these years later?

Thanks, Hip-O!

From The Vaults first came in out 1979 [[on Motown's Natural Resources label) and was reissued in the early '80s [[on the Motown label) as part of Motown's line of budget priced LPs. Mary Wells' "Drop In The Bucket" was included on that album. From The Vaults was the first time I heard some of the great music that Motown had hidden in it's vaults. And yes, who ever knew how much we Motown fans had to look forward years [[and decades) later.

and, thanks again Hip-O!

[Motown Eddie]

Right. We wanted to extend them and freshen them up as possible w/o taking away from the classic sound, and make all tracks on the collection "something new."

And you did a great job on the new mixes for the new Mary Wells set and you made all the songs sound like "Something New" [[but still true to the classic Motown sound of the era).

[robb_k]

From my POV, the tapes and additional internal [[Motown) paperwork are unspecific with regard to the recording studio and/or city for "Bye Bye Baby." Keith Hughes and I paused at the information conveyed in the notes, but in this editorial instance I had deferred to the writer Stu Hackel, who just sent me this email:

"You could be right, but it was Mable John, interviewed by Susan Whitehall in her book Women of Motown, who said that she was present when 'Bye Bye Baby' was recorded in New York and that's why I wrote what I did in the booklet. While others have speculated that it might have been recorded in Detroit, specifically at Hitsville, and have had good reason to think so, no solid evidence has turned up yet to show Mable's recollection was wrong. I'd be interested to hear what other info is out there to conclude the performance was recorded at United Sound. Thanks for being interested."
5756
As I remember it, The Snakepit wasn't built yet, when "Bye Bye Baby" was recorded. At that time, Berry was using Motown's very limited studio equipment [[Bristoe Bryants two-track recorder) only for recording demos, and recording for release at United Sound. Mike hadn't yet started with Motown. I remember several references to that recording session having been in Detroit.

I can't believe that Berry took Mary to Detroit to record her first song with Motown. The company had no money. I never heard of him recording artists in other cities in 1959, 1960 or 1961. He had Marv Johnson and Eddie Holland signed to United Artists in New York. Yet, he recorded those artists in Detroit, and sent the tapes to New York. Why would he take his own artist to New York? I think that Mable was quoted incorrectly, or remembers things incorrectly.

[sophisticated_soul]

This set just keeps unfolding, there is so much to absorb. This is by far one of the very best of the many great Hip-O releases. As others have stated the sound quality, mixing and all technical aspects leave nothing to be desired. Nor does the quality of the individual tracks. Often I find released vault material - while interesting to have - not essential. Definitely not the case with "Something New" [[a perfect title by the way) every track sounds complete, fresh and worthy of release at the time of recording.

I was stuck on Disc 2 the first week then Disc 1 the second week. This set will remain in my heavy rotation for quite a while. So many wonderful, wonderful tracks. Another great big thanks to Harry Weinger and everyone involved in this born of love project - this very fitting tribute to the one of kind, Mary Wells.:)

[lakedistrictlad1]

Just letting all U.K fans know that Sainsbury's has this set for pre order at the fantastic price of £13.99 with free postage.

This will be twice now I've ordered Motown cd's through Sainsbury's. They seem to be unbeatable on price. And nectar points too!

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Music/CD/Mary-Wells/Something-New-Motown-Lost-Found/product.html?product=E11172712&utm_medium=basefeed&utm_source=google

[soulwally]

I don't think Brenda Holloway was recording much with Smokey when she left Motown. I thought Frank Wilson was her main man in the latter days [[as he had been part od in her early days)

[carole cucumber]

I just took time to revisit the booklet and realized that Eddie Kendrick's Disc 3 [[partial) of The Thin Man The Motown Solo Albums, Vol 2 was not included in the 'other Motown :Lost & Found releases' on pg 31.

[Kamasu_Jr]

It was not a Lost & Found. All of Eddie Kendricks' Tamla albums had been previously issued. There wasn't anything on the set that had been vaulted.

[carole cucumber]

It was not a Lost & Found. All of Eddie Kendricks' Tamla albums had been previously issued. There wasn't anything on the set that had been vaulted.
From Hip-O-Select:

Eddie boogies down! Former Temptation, now a no. 1 solo star, Kendricks keeps the fires burning with the rest of his classic albums – and much more – in The Thin Man: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 2. This 3-CD set captures EK shooting back to no. 1 with “Boogie Down,” hitting the dance floor with a pair of Philly soul spectaculars, then returning to collaborate with Leonard Caston on his final Motown recordings. That “much more”? An incredible bonus of an album’s worth of unreleased tracks.........
That completes Eddie Kendricks’ Motown solo albums collection – almost. As an exceptional bonus to this set are eight “Lost & Found” tracks newly discovered in the Motown vault, a complement to the bonus “album” on The Great David Ruffin, Vol. 2. They’re several outtakes circa People…Hold On and one more, fully completed cuts [[not demos) that went begging to be part of an album.

[hwume]

I just took time to revisit the booklet and realized that Eddie Kendrick's Disc 3 [[partial) of The Thin Man The Motown Solo Albums, Vol 2 was not included in the 'other Motown :Lost & Found releases' on pg 31.

I can't believe I did that. Thanks for noticing.

And thanks to all again for the positive reception to the Mary Wells set.

[Kamasu_Jr]

From Hip-O-Select:

Eddie boogies down! Former Temptation, now a no. 1 solo star, Kendricks keeps the fires burning with the rest of his classic albums – and much more – in The Thin Man: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 2. This 3-CD set captures EK shooting back to no. 1 with “Boogie Down,” hitting the dance floor with a pair of Philly soul spectaculars, then returning to collaborate with Leonard Caston on his final Motown recordings. That “much more”? An incredible bonus of an album’s worth of unreleased tracks.........
That completes Eddie Kendricks’ Motown solo albums collection – almost. As an exceptional bonus to this set are eight “Lost & Found” tracks newly discovered in the Motown vault, a complement to the bonus “album” on The Great David Ruffin, Vol. 2. They’re several outtakes circa People…Hold On and one more, fully completed cuts [[not demos) that went begging to be part of an album.

Dang, how did I miss those? I had to dig the set out and look at it. There are 8 bonus tracks on it. I don't think I've ever listened to them.

[Motown4Ever518]

This set just keeps unfolding, there is so much to absorb. This is by far one of the very best of the many great Hip-O releases. As others have stated the sound quality, mixing and all technical aspects leave nothing to be desired. Nor does the quality of the individual tracks. Often I find released vault material - while interesting to have - not essential. Definitely not the case with "Something New" [[a perfect title by the way) every track sounds complete, fresh and worthy of release at the time of recording.

I was stuck on Disc 2 the first week then Disc 1 the second week. This set will remain in my heavy rotation for quite a while. So many wonderful, wonderful tracks. Another great big thanks to Harry Weinger and everyone involved in this born of love project - this very fitting tribute to the one of kind, Mary Wells.:)

I have only gotten to the end of Disc #1. A very solid set so far with a great booklet, actually one of the best from Hippo. I really like having all the un-released material in one place.

[sophisticated_soul]

I have only gotten to the end of Disc #1. A very solid set so far with a great booklet, actually one of the best from Hippo. I really like having all the un-released material in one place.

Hip-O released many fine projects in 2012, but "Something New" is definitely my favorite. Each play seems to reveal something new:) and I'm struck by the plethora of excellent, quality tracks. It's still in my heavy rotation and is not likely to be shelved any time soon. Love it!:cool:

[mr_june]

Has anyone seen reviews from some of the noted websites? I just heard of the release and just sent my wife a not asking her to buy it for my birthday [[August 17th) now!

[Motown4Ever518]

Has anyone seen reviews from some of the noted websites? I just heard of the release and just sent my wife a not asking her to buy it for my birthday [[August 17th) now!

A good move Mr. June, the Mrs. hopefully will move fast since this is a very limited run. I just listened to the second CD, and because a lot of the first CD has been released in some form or another, I actually prefer it to the first. If I had had to answer the question, Why? Mary recorded these tunes before she was 21, but brought a certain amount of sophistication to the songs, she obviously liked the songs, and appeared to want to record them, and to my ears appears to have taken direction well from the producers. On some of the other Motown artists it was obvious that they were not sold on doing standards, show tunes, or Jazz. Ms. Wells on some of the tunes never sounded better. Even hanging tough with Mr. Gaye, who was definitely singing for his supper.

As an aside, besides our interest in Motown a very august date August is my birthday as well.

Cheers

[jboy88]

I just got my copy this past weekend, I can honestly say this is one of my favorite hip-o releases so far. I couldn't find anything wrong with it what so ever. These track are just as good [[some even better than) the tracks that were released during here time with Motown. A must have for any Motown fan. You got early Jamerson workouts, background vocals from almost every popular Motown group, and the mixing is just superb, Especially through my Beats audio computer speakers. Fantastic all around.

[mr_june]

A good move Mr. June, the Mrs. hopefully will move fast since this is a very limited run. I just listened to the second CD, and because a lot of the first CD has been released in some form or another, I actually prefer it to the first. If I had had to answer the question, Why? Mary recorded these tunes before she was 21, but brought a certain amount of sophistication to the songs, she obviously liked the songs, and appeared to want to record them, and to my ears appears to have taken direction well from the producers. On some of the other Motown artists it was obvious that they were not sold on doing standards, show tunes, or Jazz. Ms. Wells on some of the tunes never sounded better. Even hanging tough with Mr. Gaye, who was definitely singing for his supper.

As an aside, besides our interest in Motown a very august date August is my birthday as well.

Cheers

Cheers to you also Motown4ever. I got the discs earlier this week and was listening while reading the Mary Wells bio that I ordered along with the disc from Amazon. It sure helps the reading when you can que up a song that is being mentioned in the book. There are some real gems on the two disc but I too prefer the second disc more. It was snowing here in Chicago today and I was already late for work but I still went back to the house to get the Well's disc so I could listen on the way to the train station. I'd sure like to have Mary's songs on SACD or DVD-Audio.

My favorite memory of Mary Wells is when I went from "Cowboys to Girls." I was a freshman in high school and I was on my way to the house of a young lady I met in a music class we shared. Before going, I stopped by the house of a guy who lived on the next block from me. He had a Mary Wells album and record player. I remember playing both sides of that album over and over. That's how good it sounded. After that day I didn't hang around with the fellas like I used too and it was a long, long time before I saw my friend with the record player again.

[kenneth]

I think this is one of Hip-O's most outstanding sets. While I love Disc 1, it is the more traditional Motown/Mary Wells. Disc 2 I think truly showcases what Mary's career might have been had she stayed at Motown. The unreleased duets with Marvin Gaye are fun and infectious, especially their version of Sammi and Sherri's "Oh! Lover!" which they do in the same loose repartee style that the original had and which Otis Redding and Carla Thomas later used to so much advantage on songs like "Tramp."

The standards that Wells performs under the subtitle of "The Second Time Around" are really done well. It's hard to believe a girl of 19 or 20 could already sing those songs with so much authority. I love her versions of these selections, especially "Can't Get Out of This Mood" with the 4 Tops singing backup.

This set is just a wealth of great music, but one can't help listening to it without thinking, ah, what might have been. Even though I'm fond of much of Wells' later work on Atco and other labels, had she stayed with Motown I think her career would have had virtually no limits.

[RossHolloway]

@kenneth - I agree with your sentiments about this release - truly a gem. Berry Gordy definitely had a vision for his artist that went beyond just making hits. I don't think he and his artist have gotten enough credit for being so versatile.

[kenneth]

@rossholloway - Thanks for the comment. Played Disk 2 again last night and am just struck by the arrangements and the maturity and confidence in Wells' voice. What can I say, we both have great taste!

[mr_june]

Was listening to track 20 [[didn't check for title name) on the second disc in the car this morning. Wow! that is the best one on the entire set to me. That would have been a two sided hit with one of her more well known songs. I think Mary and Brenda Holloway had the best female voices at Motown back then.

[kenneth]

Was listening to track 20 [[didn't check for title name) on the second disc in the car this morning. Wow! that is the best one on the entire set to me. That would have been a two sided hit with one of her more well known songs. I think Mary and Brenda Holloway had the best female voices at Motown back then.

"A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." It was a standard, though I don't know who sang it originally. I'm sure it was done by folks like Johnny Mathis, Sinatra, and others.

I love her "Graystone" version of "Strange Love" on Disc 1, also. Completely changes the song in the "live in the studio" recording. A really nice, low key jazzy arrangement.

[dickiemint]

After the long wait this set is finally available in the UK ! Playing it for the 2nd time now and taking it all in, I really love the lost and found series and hope there are many more to come, but for now Mary Wells set will be on repeat till I gotta go to work!
Thanks as always to Harry, Andy and the Hipo team.