Supremes Sing HDH Expanded

[144man]

I guess it's anyone's guess what sound they could have gone with. Judging by "Reflections," "I'm In A Different World," and "Forever Came Today," my guess the sound they were aiming for would have been a more mature, complex sound. I'm not sure how if it would have worked. As incredible HDH were, they were losing their grip a bit on number one strongholds by mid-1967, but they were able to adapt and no doubt would have changed formulas if needed. Take a listen to Chuck Jackson's "Helpless," one of the last songs HDH produced at Motown. The intro of organ, french horn, oboe, bass, drum, and violin was quite different from previous arrangements of the song and shows their experimenting with orchestral instruments in songs. How many soul songs opened with an oboe and french horn? They used an accordion in "Reflections" too. We don't have anything to judge them by between 1968-late 1969 until the Honey Cone's "While You're Out Looking For Sugar" which was a throwback to their familiar 4-on-the-floor sound. Their Hot Wax/Invictus recordings are definitely what I like to think of as a "neo-Motown" sound although not as adventurous or daring as what they did when they were with Motown.

Freda Payne's Invictus album "Contact" starts off with a medley of "I'm Not Getting Any Better" and "Suddenly It's Yesterday" which structurally takes the style of "I'm In A Different World" and "Forever Came Today" into further extreme levels of complexity. I'm sure this is the direction that HDH would have propelled a solo Diana Ross. In fact "Suddenly It's Yesterday" even has a theme similar to "Reflections".

[longtimefan]

My thought: I think that the expanded editions of REFLECTIONS, LET THE SUNSHINE IN, and CREAM OF THE CROP should be combined into one package identical to The Marvelettes two “Forever” compilations. Since those three DRATS albums have so many tracks that cross over the years, there could be both stereo and mono versions plus a disc of unreleased/alternate versions. The booklet would be the perfect place to annotate the legacy of these albums and explain the timeline of the individual tracks and how they came to be included on the various albums. This multi album collection would be an excellent finale to the Diana years.

Oh, I did not forget LOVE CHILD. Of course, it could well be included in this same multi disc set. However, I’m thinking that it might stand alone as an expanded edition. Of course, no one asked me. :-)

[sup_fan]

yeah i had looked at their Invictus material to see if it would have provided any insights as to what could have been at Motown. and frankly, although the stuff is nice, it's not breaking new ground. some songs hit pretty well but nothing made an impact on the overall music scene like their classic Motown stuff. and sometimes people run out of new things. HDH don't really strike me as hard-core r&b producers, like what was emerging in the late 60s and early 70s. they were more on the pop side of things, IMO

[TheMotownManiac]

I agree - I hate the bg on that song. If ever a song needed DMF and only DMF, it was that one!

[RanRan79]

I agree - I hate the bg on that song. If ever a song needed DMF and only DMF, it was that one!

The alternate version or the "famous" version? I was referring to the alternate. In truth, I actually don't mind the background on the single version. In fact I wish the vocals were turned up more.

[Fourtopsbiggestfan]

No problem with the Andantes being on a song instead of Supremes. They had the best best harmonies. The heavenly harmonies blows others out of the water.

[Circa 1824]

I too did not like the background vocals on Forever Came Today. What I do not like is the arrangement for the backup vocals, not the gals singing them. The Andantes are great if their vocal arrangement is great.

[sup_fan]

I don't deny the fact that the Andantes had great vocal skills. their ability to harmonize is top notch.

But there's something about their tone that I've never really cared for. it's very clear on Forever, Love Child and many other DRATS recordings. I don't know how to really describe what it is that I don't care for. something about their vowel formation or something. and not sure if it's mostly 1 voice or the blended combination of the three.

now there are other songs where I find them enjoyable - many of the four tops recordings.

I think the bg vocals on Diana solos [[reach out, mountain and many others) and the four tops Still Water work is much preferred to the Andantes on the DRATS stuff. Perhaps it's the arrangements or keys they're singing in on certain songs. or maybe who's taking the soprano 1 part. I definitely like the Supremes backing vocals after Cindy shifted back to soprano 2 parts. I think her voice is weak on certain DRATS songs [[on the few times they used her) as they had her doing the top harmony with Diana in the middle. with the "new Supremes" Jean often took the top harmony which allowed cindy to move to the middle. jean's soprano tones are stronger and fuller than cindy's, which works better for the upper harmonies.

[Circa 1824]

I do not like the backup arrangement for I's Livin' in Pure Shame. It would have been a bigger hit with a less shrill backup vocal.

[luke]

I think Cindy with her airy soprano adds a great element to I’m Gonna Make you love me, with the Tempts

[TheMotownManiac]

I can’t understand one word of what the bg on Forever is except when copying the lead. I think the mix is too gospelish- the voices seem heavy, I would have preferred the clean, clear sound of Mary and Flo. Although they i’m Not nuts about the bg on Reflections either. It’s all TOO gospelish for me on these songs. I want to hear what they are singing - not discuss for literally 50 years what it might be. I love The A’s on many songs - not these. They are perfect on Love Child. Actually, I also love The Blackberries On No Matter What Sign You Are and on TMITM tracks. In most cases, I do not care for the sound of Mary & Cindy alone on record. Flo’s clear, crisp soprano pierced and livened Mary’s rich, lush alto. Cindy, to me, sounds hushed and weak and dullifies Mary’s sound. Hey, I made up a word! I think. Dullify?

[sup_fan]

Ahhh like the riddle of the sphinx!! what are the bg to Forever Came Today! lol

there's been several posts on here and I think this was the most accurate:

"Ahhhhh, Got My Man At Last, My My MY My Loneliness Has Passed..."

[Fourtopsbiggestfan]

I definitely agree. The background vocals on a lot of songs that are way too low. Like on LOVING YOU IS BETTER THAN EVER.

[aarondillon2011@gmail.com]

Come on Universal we are ready for a release date :-)

[Bluebrock]

Come on Universal we are ready for a release date :-)

I am sure they will do so just as soon as they are able to, and i am sure it will be well worth the wait.

[daviddh]

exactly Universal....they cant even give us a release date

[jobeterob]

I see this on Facebook:



Patrick Ibens HDH was going to get released eary 2018. We're almost half way through 2018 and still no news....
Manage

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Andy Skurow It’s been finished since January. I have no idea.

[thommg]

I see this on Facebook: Patrick Ibens HDH was going to get released eary 2018. We're almost half way through 2018 and still no news....

When did the year get to be 5 months long? We're only in the middle of the third of 12 months - so not even a third of the way through the year yet.

[Bluebrock]

When did the year get to be 5 months long? We're only in the middle of the third of 12 months - so not even a third of the way through the year yet.

Agreed. I don't think we need to start panicking just yet. I am as anxious as anyone to get my hands on this, but we do not know what is going on behind the scenes so we will have to exercise patience for what will hopefully be for just a little longer.

[thanxal]

Agreed. I don't think we need to start panicking just yet. I am as anxious as anyone to get my hands on this, but we do not know what is going on behind the scenes so we will have to exercise patience for what will hopefully be for just a little longer.

Exactly. We know from the previous releases that Andy and George have little to no say over Universal's release schedule. Its only March so let's give them so more time to work their magic. Maybe if sales of A Go Go were strong, this might get green lighted sooner. Any data on how it sold?

[RanRan79]

When did the year get to be 5 months long? We're only in the middle of the third of 12 months - so not even a third of the way through the year yet.

I think the smiley after "we're almost half way through" is meant to convey the joking matter of the statement. Clearly we're not almost halfway through, but to folks so eagerly awaiting the release, it might feel that way.

[zani57]

Last post here was March 15. Today is April 15. Thought it was time to bump this back up again.

Any news? .........

[Fourtopsbiggestfan]

Last post here was March 15. Today is April 15. Thought it was time to bump this back up again.

Any news? .........

Guess we'll meet back in another month. Lol

[RanRan79]

Lol Hey, it hasn't even been a year since Supremes A Go Go expanded. Patience, patience.

[danman869]

As of today, Amazon is now selling "Sing HDH: Expanded" for $20.19 and is still showing a US release date of Friday, June 29, 2018. If it gets more pre-orders, I wonder if it will go below $20 before release day?

[thommg]

As of today, Amazon is now selling "Sing HDH: Expanded" for $20.19 and is still showing a US release date of Friday, June 29, 2018. If it gets more pre-orders, I wonder if it will go below $20 before release day?

A Go Go dropped lower as more people pre-ordered. I'm pretty sure it'll be worth the $20 bucks so I'm happy with that price! I just wait, impatiently, for the release date. I hope I have it on the 29th as I fly out to Texas for a visit on the 30th. I'd love to have this in my ears as I cross the US!

[vgalindo]

As of today, Amazon is now selling "Sing HDH: Expanded" for $20.19 and is still showing a US release date of Friday, June 29, 2018. If it gets more pre-orders, I wonder if it will go below $20 before release day?

I just looked today and Amazon US has it listed for $24.99. One cent lower than the $25.00 to get free shipping. They sure are smart! LOL

[soulster]

Two days ago I posted that Amazon U.S. had the 2-CD set for $20.19 pre-order on June 29. It must have been a glitch because it's back at $24.00.

[thommg]

Two days ago I posted that Amazon U.S. had the 2-CD set for $20.19 pre-order on June 29. It must have been a glitch because it's back at $24.00.

If you do a search for the CD on Amazon, the price is $24.99. However, if you pre-ordered the CD, you need to look in your order list to see what your price will be. Amazon has a lowest price guarantee. If the price goes down during the pre-order period, your price goes down. If it goes back up, your price stays at the lower price. When I look in my order list, my price is still at $20.19.

[soulster]

If you do a search for the CD on Amazon, the price is $24.99. However, if you pre-ordered the CD, you need to look in your order list to see what your price will be. Amazon has a lowest price guarantee. If the price goes down during the pre-order period, your price goes down. If it goes back up, your price stays at the lower price. When I look in my order list, my price is still at $20.19.

I screwed up. I put it in my basket but failed to actually pre-order it. Oh well, i'm still going to buy it. I was going to buy the Guns & Roses deluxe set too, but I think i'll just get this one.

[thanxal]

My Amazon has it at $20.19 in 6/16/18.

[soulster]

My Amazon has it at $20.19 in 6/16/18.

And that's what I saw a couple of days ago. Strange. Makes me want to wait until I see it at Zia's.

[johnny_raven]

The iTunes version is missing the I Can't Help Myself / Where Did Our Love Go [Motown Mashup].

[reese]

Oldies.com is listing it at $24.19.

[thanxal]

I ordered using Prime and ordered as soon as it was available. Maybe if your order is further down the queue you get less of a discount ??? [[My 2 are still at $20.19). How Amazon prices is always a mystery to me.

[marybrewster]

$20.19 is a steal when you think about what you're getting.....

[TomatoTom123]

I was going to buy the Guns & Roses deluxe set too, but I think i'll just get this one.

You must have put that in your basket by mistake soulster...

[soulster]

You must have put that in your basket by mistake soulster...

I have the original G&R CD already. I really don't want to buy it again. Besides, it will likely sound worse than the original CD.

"The Supremes Sing H-D-H", on the other hand, will sound much better than what's out there already. It will also include the mono version of the album, which is what I really want, plus the bonus tracks.

[TomatoTom123]

I have the original G&R CD already. I really don't want to buy it again. Besides, it will likely sound worse than the original CD.

"The Supremes Sing H-D-H", on the other hand, will sound much better than what's out there already. It will also include the mono version of the album, which is what I really want, plus the bonus tracks.

Oh soulster I really have to disagree with you now! MONO!? How could you? Whenever I buy an expanded edition with mono mixes, I don't even import them onto my iPod.

[soulster]

Oh soulster I really have to disagree with you now! MONO!? How could you?

Damn right! You must remember that it is the MONO mixes that were released as the singles. The singles were the hits, the ones that got played on the radio and sold in the stores. They are the mixes that people fell in love with back in 60s and early 70s.

Mono isn't just a matter of the same sound in one or two speakers, the balance of the elements in the mix are different. The drums are stronger, the bass is clean and solid, the vocals, and everything else has less echo and is defined with a solid image. The ratio of the vocals to instruments is balanced. Sometimes, there are slightly different edits, or elements that are included or excluded. And, for an even more technical reason, with mono, you don't have any phase issues.

If there weren't such substantial differences, the reissue producers wouldn't bother including them, especially as the first version to add to the set. Companies wouldn't bother to re-release mono singles CDs /boxes. Universal would not have spent time and money to reissue the first Hitsville boxed set, or that massive singles collection with every mono single from the beginning of the company to 1972. It's not just Motown. Stax released not two, but three massive singles boxes, two of which are comprised of mono singles!

Artists who have had mono reissues of their singles and/or albums reads as a who's who:

The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sam & Dave, The Grass Roots, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, Clarence Carter, Aretha Franklin, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Turtles, Steppenwolf, The Mamas and the Papas, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Jr. Walker & The All-Stars, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Marvelettes, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, The Dave Clark Five, James Brown, and many more I can't even think of at the moment.

[ejluther]

Beautifully put! MONO is an art form in its own right!

Damn right! You must remember that it is the MONO mixes that were released as the singles. The singles were the hits, the ones that got played on the radio and sold in the stores. They are the mixes that people fell in love with back in 60s and early 70s.

Mono isn't just a matter of the same sound in one or two speakers, the balance of the elements in the mix are different. The drums are stronger, the bass is clean and solid, the vocals, and everything else has less echo and is defined with a solid image. The ratio of the vocals to instruments is balanced. Sometimes, there are slightly different edits, or elements that are included or excluded. And, for an even more technical reason, with mono, you don't have any phase issues.

If there weren't such substantial differences, the reissue producers wouldn't bother including them, especially as the first version to add to the set. Companies wouldn't bother to re-release mono singles CDs /boxes. Universal would not have spent time and money to reissue the first Hitsville boxed set, or that massive singles collection with every mono single from the beginning of the company to 1972. It's not just Motown. Stax released not two, but three massive singles boxes, two of which are comprised of mono singles!

Artists who have had mono reissues of their singles and/or albums reads as a who's who:

The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sam & Dave, The Grass Roots, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, Clarence Carter, Aretha Franklin, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Turtles, Steppenwolf, The Mamas and the Papas, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Jr. Walker & The All-Stars, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Marvelettes, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, The Dave Clark Five, James Brown, and many more I can't even think of at the moment.

[144man]

I still have my Phil Spector "Back To Mono" badge somewhere.

[thanxal]

Has anyone found any streaming samples for Supremes HDH Expanded yet? Only "The Happening" on iTunes and nothing on Amazon.