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Hey gang, I'm trying to put together a collection of Motown songs that are either straight country [[like the Supremes "My Heart Can't Take It No More") or have a country vibe or style to them [[like Stevie's "Aint Gonna Stand For It"). Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
A few that immediately came to mind:Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
Sail On - Commodores
My Love - Lionel
Stuck On You - Lionel
Sorry Doesn’t Always Make It Right - Diana
Last Time I Saw Him - Diana
Help Me Make It Through The Night - GK&TP
"Neither One of Us Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye" by GK&TP was originally a country song. Don't know if it counts.
There was the Melodyland label Motown released during the mid-late seventies that thankfully was short-lived. However, one name I'm aware on it was T.G. Sheppard, whose had a couple of Country Number One Hits on the label in "Tryin' To Beat The Morning Home" and "Devil In The Bottle".
Here you go, Melodyland:
https://www.45cat.com/label/melodyland
Who Could Ever Doubt My Love, from More Hits By The Supremes, has a bit of a country sound and would have fit nicely on their Country, Western & Pop album [[although it is also perfect on More Hits).
The Lonesome Road- Stevie Wonder
It's Your Wedding Day- Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me- Jimmy Ruffin
Cold As Usual- Dorsey Burnette
Thanks gang. Most of these were already on my list. Ngroove thanks for the link to the Melodyland label output. I knew Motown had a country label at some point but for some reason I kept thinking it was Mowest, which Thelma Houston was on and she recorded some countryish type tunes. Thanks again!
Don't forget "Lucy" by The Commodores.
A Motown country playlist eh RanRan....... :p
You could include "Honey" by The Four Tops [[from Soul Spin) which was a country hit for Bobby Goldsporo [[whoever that is :p) although it isn't really country in The Tops' hands [[but it is absolutely wonderful). :D
Texas Moon by Wendel Adkins from the Sundowners album is a good one .
Johnny porter[temptations-house party].
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HFiwTmQh36E
The Originals. Game Called Love. Stevie’s creation. Hated it. As I did The Originals Behind Closed Doors. Why on earth did they go down this C&W route?
Diana also did Behind Closed Doors on LTISH LP/1974
I always like to shake things up. Play the wild card, if you will.
He's not Motown. Not a Motown song. BUT it is "Motown-ish". Has a country feel/ vibe to it. And is actually a soul/ blues/rock hybrid!
You unpack all that??
Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around and Fell In Love.
Always thought he was Motown back inaday!
Aren't Stevie Wonder's "Place In the Song", "Travelin' Man", and "Yester-Me Yester-You Yesterday" basically country songs? I can certainly imagine country artists singing them.
How about Martha Reeves & The Vandellas' "Honey Child" or "I Tried"? I've always felt that both of those songs had a C&W feel to them.
And don't forget that before Motown launched the Melodyland label in the '70s, they issued straight Country songs on the Mel-o-dy imprint between Feb. 63 & Apr. 65 by artists such as Howard Crockett, Dorsey Burnett, Bruce Channel and others.Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79