Worst Motown Covers

So encouraged by a post regarding Just Another Lonely Night thought it might be a bit of lightearted relief to see a list of your favourite worst Motown covers - they might even be someone else at Motown covering Motown who knows?

From Freda’s Threads account. Apologies for low-rez quality:
Attachment 21732

Over the years, Motown has been extremely generous in sharing with us its incredible wealth of previously-unreleased recordings from the vaults.

Let's pick our brains and narrow it down to your one -- yes, ONE -- most favorite vaulted track. [[This would be THE one that made you ask the question, "How on earth could THIS have been relegated to the vaults?")

This time around, let's include a YouTube audio link to share with everyone and anyone who may not be familiar with the track.

I'll get the ball rolling with my favorite Motown previously-unreleased track:


MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS
"It's Easy To Fall In Love [[With A Guy Like You)"

MONO [[2:15)
https://youtu.be/KJiFt7GQZhU?si=gEvYdxNJR5gh_qxe

STEREO [[2:26)
https://youtu.be/-YP0wip4hhA?si=MJ_TNBqs79dzO1Qm

Take your pick!

Could someone tell me just exactly are the Andantes singing starting at 2:28 on Stevie Wonder's "Do I Love Her?" I've listened so many times and I cannot make out they are saying. It's one of their marshmallow-mouth moments.

Any clue would be greatly appreciated!

In 1965, Motown producers Wm. "Mickey" Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter composed the hauntingly-beautiful ballad, "Just Another Lonely Night". Since then, it was recorded by 4 different Motown artists as follows:


1) THE TEMPTATIONS [[Recorded in 1965)
Producers: Wm. "Mickey" Stevenson & Ivy Jo Hunter
Backing Vocals: The Andantes
Track included on "Temptin' Temptations" LP/CD
https://youtu.be/Qy5OLFhN5xc?si=ndAyrK1k21-6vQmH


2) BRENDA HOLLOWAY [[Recorded in 1966)
Producers: Wm. "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter & Jeffrey Bowen
Backing Vocals: The Andantes & The Originals
Track included on "The Artistry Of Brenda Holloway" CD
https://youtu.be/uGpHFq1Dt8s?si=BX0IKaTdNz4g-b0Q


3) LEVI STUBBS [[Originally recorded in 1965 by The Temptations)
Producers: Wm. "Mickey" Stevenson & Ivy Jo Hunter
Backing Vocals: The Temptations [[1965)
The Andantes & Four Tops credited as being added in 1967, although I have yet to recognize any Tops' vocals)
Track included on Four Tops "Fourever" CD Box Set"
https://youtu.be/KMTY8GeyMMI?si=rNDGX3DhYcecY9sv


4) THE FANTASTIC FOUR [[Recorded in 1969-1970)
Producer: Clay McMurray
Arrangers: Wade Marcus & Paul Riser
Backing Vocals: The Andantes
Track included on The Fantastic Four's "The Lost Motown Album" CD
https://youtu.be/oleCzHg4CYI?si=ezSnKqRy-HoJO_GM


WHICH VERSIONS ARE YOUR FAVORITES?

List them in the order of preference [[your favorite -- of course -- being #1!)

I'll get the ball rolling with my personal favorites:

1) BRENDA HOLLOWAY
2) FANTASTIC FOUR
3) THE TEMPTATIONS
4) LEVI STUBBS w/THE TEMPTATIONS

SoulTracks.com:

Just in time for the holidays, Mitchell and company give us the upbeat single, “Christmas Fun.” Kicking off with a Merry Christmas greeting from each member [a la the famous hellos on the Floaters’ classic, “Float On”, which was co-written by Mr. Mitchell!], the Emeralds waste no time declaring that Christmas is a fun, joyous occasion with family and friends.

Read full article here:
https://soultracks.com/first-listen-...christmas-fun/