The Andantes and The Motown Girl Groups

[Fullfillingnessfirstfinale]

IMO Berry used The Andantes to keep the other girl groups longer alive. I am curious how the other members of The Supremes, Vandellas, Marvelettes or Velvelettes feel ? Thought them their voices were to bad or was the Motown industry so bussy and they have not enough time ?

What´s your opinions about that fact ?

[reese]

I don't think Berry used the Andantes to keep the girl groups alive longer. I also don't think they were used because the vocals of the group members themselves were bad. If they were, they wouldn't have been signed in the first place. I think there was a variety of reasons for the Andantes being used.

Possible reasons:

1) The Andantes were in-house when producers were recording a track so everything could be ready when the lead vocalist was available.

2) Another reason could be that the Andantes were quick studies. I'm not sure if they could sight read but if they could, that probably added to getting a session done quicker.

3) Some producers preferred their sound to those of the actual group members.

I'm sure group members weren't happy that there were times they weren't used on their own recordings. Having such a loss of control must have been disheartening. But I do think it bears repeating that the use of additional vocals or substituting vocals is not unique to Motown. Phil Spector did the same, as did some of the Philly producers and many, many others.