LOST & FOUND type releases

Almost all Motown acts have enjoyed releases that included some previously 'vaulted' tracks. Either as one of the many 'LOST & FOUND' compilations or as ANTHOLOGY releases.
One of the best of the ANTHOLOGY compilations being the ISLEY BROTHERS release which included 52 tracks in all [[though only 40+ were different songs). Yet back in the 70's, we Brits were told we'd had access to all the Isley's Motown tracks via a couple of comp LP's.
Many acts who had little commercial pop success on Motown have even enjoyed such releases [[Chuck Jackson, Blinky, etc).
. . . . BUT Edwin Starr seems to have been left out.
Just about the most complete compilation of Edwin's tracks seems to be the EARLY CLASSICS CD comp -- this featured 18 tracks [[though some were his pre-Motown Detroit recordings).
Am I wrong in my belief that his EARLY CLASSICS release is the most complete set of his stuff from the 60's / early 70's. If not, which is ?
. . . My next question has to be ... are there any vaulted Motown tracks by Edwin that still have to see the light of day ?
Attachment 21187

Friendship Train produced by Norman Whitfield [ according to the liner notes on the TCMS series ]

Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to your query about any other unreleased material by Edwin.

I would, however, like to make some comments on these Early Classic releases. First I really like the presentation on every one of them. There is a scan of the artist or the group on each one, however, later versions for some unknown reason do not include them. In case others are unaware of these Early Classics, they were brought to us by the efforts of the legendary Sharon Davis. These contain the main songs as well as B-sides and album tracks. I personally think the audio on these are outstanding and I am lucky enough to have every one that was in the series.

In case anyone is interested in obtaining any of these here is the complete listing of them.

552-117-2 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
552-118-2 Marvin Gaye
552-119-2 Four Tops
552-120-2 Diana Ross & Supremes
552-121-2 Edwin Starr
552-122-2 Isley Brothers
552-123-2 Jimmy Ruffin
552-124-2 Mary Wells
552-125-2 Smokey Robinson & Miracles
552-224-2 Michael Jackson & Jackson Five
552-323-2 Temptations

There was also a Sampler edition which contained assorted tracks from all 12 of the previously released classics. Its reference number is 552-434-2, Series Sampler.

Series was initially circa 1996.

Whilst there hasn't been a "Lost & Found" issued for Edwin Starr - there has been no shortage of CDs issued over the years.

Big Break Records [[Cherry Red) issued expanded versions of "Soul Master" and "Involved" in 2014 and these were re-released a couple of years ago as well.

CDBBRX0300 Soul Master [[Expanded) Edwin Starr BBR CD 2014
01 Agent Double-O-Soul
02 I Am The Man For You Baby
03 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S.)
04 Oh How Happy
05 Way Over There
06 My Weakness Is You
07 Headline News
08 Soul Master
09 I Want My Baby Back
10 Love Is My Destination
11 I Am Your Man
12 Time Is Passin' By

Bonus Tracks
13 Agent Double-O-Soul [Alternative Mix]
14 Back Street [Single Version]
15 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S.) [Single Version]
16 I Have Faith In You [Single Version]
17 Headline News [Single Version]
18 Harlem [Single Version]
19 It's My Turn Now
20 Girls Are Getting Prettier [Single Version]
21 You're My Mellow
22 My Kind Of Woman [Single Version]
23 I Want My Baby Back [Single Version]
24 Gonna Keep On Tryin' Til I Win Your Love [Single Version]
25 I Am The Man For Your Baby [Single Version]
26 My Weakness Is You [Single Version]
27 Way Over There [Single Version]
28 Back Street [Instrumental Version]
29 Agent Double-O-Soul [Instrumental Version]

Discogs - https://www.discogs.com/release/6587...rr-Soul-Master


CDBBRX0305 Involved [[Expanded) Edwin Starr BBR CD 2014

01 War 3:23
02 Ball Of Confusion [[That's What The World Is Today)
12:52
03 Funky Music [[Sho' Nuff Turns Me On) 3:09
04 Stop The War Now 3:36
05 Cloud Nine 3:27
06 Stand 3:31
07 Way Over There 2:43
08 My Sweet Lord 4:10

Bonus Tracks
09 Stop The War Now [[Single Version) 3:43
10 Funky Music [[Sho' Nuff Turns Me On) [[Single Version)
4:09
11 Cloud Nine [[Single Version) 3:23
12 Take Me Clear From Here 3:23
13 Who Is The Leader Of The People 2:30
14 Don't Tell Me I'm Crazy 2:37
15 There You Go 3:03
16 You've Got My Soul On Fire 3:26
17 Love [[The Lonely People's Prayer) 3:21
18 Ain't It Hell Up In Harlem 2:42
19 Big Papa 3:02
20 Who's Right Or Wrong 3:19
21 Lonely Rainy Days In San Diego 3:11

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/6549...Starr-Involved


More Edwin Starr to follow . . . . . .

In the UK 2 albums on 1 CD series from around 2002 there were 2 volumes for Edwin and each had a small number of Bonus Tracks

440-016-839-2 Soul Master / 25 Miles Edwin Starr
Motown 2 on 1 CD 2002

Soul Master
01 Agent Double-O Soul
02 I Am The Man For You Baby
03 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S.)
04 Oh How Happy
05 Way Over There
06 My Weakness Is You
07 Headline News
08 Soul Master
09 I Want My Baby Back
10 Love Is My Destination
11 I Am Your Man
12 Time Is Passin' By

25 Miles
13 Twenty-Five Miles
14 I'm Still A Struggling Man
15 Backyard Lovin' Man
16 He Who Picks A Rose
17 Soul City [[Open Your Arms To Me)
18 You Beat Me To The Punch
19 Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love
20 Pretty Little Angel
21 If My Heart Could Tell A Story
22 Who Cares If You're Happy Or Not [[I Do)
23 24 Hours [[To Find My Baby)
24 Mighty Good Lovin'

Bonus Tracks: Non-LP Singles
25 Harlem
26 Girls Are Gettin' Prettier
27 It's My Turn Now

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/6230...aster-25-Miles



440-016-834-2 War & Peace & Involved Edwin Starr
Motown UK 2on1 CD October 2002


War & Peace
1 War
2 Running Back And Forth
3 Adios Senorita
4 All Around The World
5 I Can't Escape Your Memory
6 At Last [[I Found Love)
7 I Just Wanted To Cry
8 Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
9 Time
10 California Soul
11 I Can't Replace My Old Love
12 She Should Have Been Home

Involved
13 Ball Of Confusion
14 Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
15 Stop The War Now
16 Cloud Nine
17 Stand
18 My Sweet Lord

Bonus Tracks: Non-LP B-Sides
19 Love [[The Lonely People's Prayer)
20 Lonely Rainy Days In San Diego

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/5461...Peace-Involved

More on Edwin Starr . . . . .

Edwin Starr Compilations

31453-0064-2 The Hits Of Edwin Starr Motown CD

01 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S.) 2:17
02 25 Miles 2:59
03 Headline News 2:30
04 Agent Double-O Soul 2:37
05 Back Street 2:42
06 I Want My Baby Back 2:30
07 Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On 2:59
08 Soul Master 3:05
09 You've Got My Soul On Fire 3:29
10 Who's Right Or Wrong 3:19
11 War 3:12
12 Stop The War Now 3:24
13 Way Over There 2:42
14 Take Me Clear From Here 3:05
15 Cloud Nine 3:10
16 There You Go 3:02
17 Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love 2:48
18 Time 2:54
19 My Weakness Is You 2:32
20 Harlem 2:30
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/9445...Of-Edwin-Starr

31455-5508-2 Master Series Edwin Starr EU CD 1998

01 Contact
02 War
03 H.A.P.P.Y. Radio
04 Headline News
05 I'm So Into You
06 25 Miles
07 Bigger And Better
08 He Who Picks A Rose
09 Don't Waste Your Time
10 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S.)
11 Boop Boop Song
12 Cloud Nine
13 Sweet
14 If My Heart Could Tell The Story
15 Patiently
16 You've Got My Soul On Fire
17 Never Turn My Back On You
18 I Have Faith In You

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/master/14298...rr-Edwin-Starr


Motown Superstar Series - Edwin Starr

01 Twenty-Five Miles
02 Running Back And Forth
03 Big Papa
04 There You Go
05 06 War
06 Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
07 I'm Still A Struggling Man
08 Time
09 Take Me Clear From Here
10 Ain't It Hell Up In Harlem

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/master/33379...rr-Edwin-Starr


31453-0940-2 The Very Best Of Edwin Starr USA CD 1998

01 25 Miles 3:20
02 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S) 2:18
03 Agent Double O Soul 2:44
04 Back Street 2:45
05 Headline News 2:31
06 I'll Love You Forever 2:19
07 I'm Still A Struggling Man 2:28
08 If My Heart Could Tell A Story 2:28
09 War 3:24
10 Stop The War Now 3:42
11 Time 2:59
12 Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On 3:09
13 There You Go 3:04
14 Easin' In 3:17

Discogs : https://www.discogs.com/release/2317...e-Very-Best-Of

31455-2121-2 Edwin Starr - Early Classics [[As posted above) 1996

01 Stop Her On Sight [[S.O.S.)
02 Agent Double-O Soul [[Vocal)
03 Headline News
04 My Weakness Is You
05 If My Heart Could Tell The Story
06 Way Over There
07 You Beat Me To The Punch
08 Oh How Happy
09 Love Is My Destination
10 Time Is Passin' By
11 Mighty Good Lovin'
12 I Am The Man For You Baby
13 I'm Glad You Belong To Me [[Duet)
14 I Am Your Man
15 Backyard Lovin' Man
16 Twenty Five Miles
17 She Should Have Been Home
18 We'll Find A Way [[Duet)

DISCOGS: https://www.discogs.com/release/7703...Early-Classics

37463-8522-2 Motown Legends - War/25 Miles Edwin Starr
01 War 3:25
02 You've Made Me So Very Happy 3:17
03 Soul Master 3:19
04 Oh How Happy 2:36
05 Way Over There 2:44
06 Twenty Five Miles 3:21
07 Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love 2:46
08 Ooo Baby Baby 2:39
09 You Beat Me To The Punch 2:35
10 At Last [[I Found A Love) 2:52
11 Cloud Nine 3:27

DISCOGS: https://www.discogs.com/release/1126...nty-Five-Miles

All of Edwin's Motown albums have seen CD release, some more than once, including "Hell Up In Harlem" and the album with Blinky "Just We Two". There was, of course, another 2fer in the original Motown 8000 series which paired "25 Miles" with "War & Peace". You can see most of the CDs here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cookep...7720297125624/

Some of the unreleased tracks that have been made available via Cellarful etc [[I've no idea what else may be in the vaults). There must be more . . .

Born Just To Be That Way
Born To Be Bad
Fan The Flame
Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love [[Alt)
I Don't Know What You Got
I'll Always Love You
Never Give You Up [[with Blinky)
Pain From My Loneliness
You Took Me This Far [[Take Me All The Way)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by woodward

Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to your query about any other unreleased material by Edwin.

I would, however, like to make some comments on these Early Classic releases. First I really like the presentation on every one of them. There is a scan of the artist or the group on each one, however, later versions for some unknown reason do not include them. In case others are unaware of these Early Classics, they were brought to us by the efforts of the legendary Sharon Davis. These contain the main songs as well as B-sides and album tracks. I personally think the audio on these are outstanding and I am lucky enough to have every one that was in the series.

In case anyone is interested in obtaining any of these here is the complete listing of them.

552-117-2 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
552-118-2 Marvin Gaye
552-119-2 Four Tops
552-120-2 Diana Ross & Supremes
552-121-2 Edwin Starr
552-122-2 Isley Brothers
552-123-2 Jimmy Ruffin
552-124-2 Mary Wells
552-125-2 Smokey Robinson & Miracles
552-224-2 Michael Jackson & Jackson Five
552-323-2 Temptations

There was also a Sampler edition which contained assorted tracks from all 12 of the previously released classics. Its reference number is 552-434-2, Series Sampler.

Series was initially circa 1996.

---

There's also the oddity that is from 2000 - Stevie Wonder - Early Classics https://www.discogs.com/release/1216...U6NzExMjU5Nw==

The above info just makes me wonder even more why Edwin hasn't had a compilation of the ANTHOLOGY type. There must be around 50 decent Motown / pre-Motown cuts from the above listings that could make up a decent collection on Edwin.

An Anthology just to re-issue everything that's already been out on CD would be pointless. If they found a stash of previously unreleased recordings that might be different but there's no need for same old same old. Just my thought.

I am pleased to see that most of the Edwin collections include the awesome track My Weakness is You. Definitely one of his hottest tracks. Motown must have thought so too because there is an alternate lyrics version as well.

RE: >> An Anthology just to re-issue everything that's already been out on CD would be pointless. If they found a stash of previously unreleased recordings that might be different but there's no need for same old same old.
. . . It would make a lot of sense to me. For one, why should I have to buy 12 to 15 CD's when the contents of them could be collected together onto one compilation. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, if such an ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION was put out today, it would be a 3 x LP release on vinyl [[with vinyl back again as the main purchase choice) and not some crappy CD's.

Good point - there's more likelihood of something along those lines coming out on vinyl these days [[though, of course, aside from the handful of unreleased songs mentioned above - all the tracks have already been released on vinyl).

If they did release a career spanning Anthology on Edwin with a beautiful booklet [[even with some Motorcity perhaps) - I would probably buy it but only on CD. There's no chance of me buying vinyl nowadays - but each to their own.

Back in the day when it was the only option, I was as big a vinyl fan as you will ever find. The album covers, liner notes, etc. were every bit as exciting as the music itself, and I have about 3,000 of them, most of which have not been touched in 20 years. When 8 tracks, followed by cassettes, came along, they introduced me to the concept of playing my favorite music in the car, which beat the heck out of settling for whatever limited selection was then available on the radio. Fortunately those two formats did not last long, since they were not at all user friendly in terms of repeating tracks, etc. And we won't even talk about their limited life span and their tendency to break. So when CDs came along, I thought they were a match made in heaven between technology and my own personal listening style. So I have had a CD player in every car now for 30 years or more and hopefully my current one will last me the rest of my days. As mysterysinger just said, to each his own, but if I ever had to go back to vinyl as my only option, I would be a mighty unhappy listener. CDs and now Sirius XM radio are the perfect combination in my opinion, although nowadays everyone wants to talk about downloading. I understand the convenience and affordability of that, but then you would have NOTHING pretty to look at it. So put me in the CD camp for as long as I can stay there.