The Supremes "Sings The Blues!"

[marv2]

With all the talk about the upcoming release of The Supremes, the Final Sessions, I thought of what I consider one of their greatest recordings of that period. "We Should Be Closer Together" or as I put it...."the Supremes Sings the Blues"! This was the bomb! It was from the album "Mary, Scherrie & Susaye". It easily matches the Emotions recording "Don't Ask My Neighbors" that was released almost a year later. This duet of Mary Wilson and Susaye Greene is superb! One of my very favorites........how about you Susaye?

[stephanie]

its about time! I have never, never, seen anyone mention this song other than myself and you Marv! How this song is escaped by Supremes fans is beyond me. I am not a huge Emotions fan but this far surpasses Dont ask My Neighbor. It was really the Earth wind and Fire connection that got the Emotions to the masses although they were popular on the R and B circuit. If this song had been played on Quiet Storm stations across the country and made a single it would have been a hit for Miss Mary Wilson on lead. Susaye Greens voice was never better used on a Supremes record like this one her coloring and the use of the Soprano is not only tolerable its wonderful. Minnie Riperton is a great singer but I was never able to take high doses of her...with Susaye and her voice on Come into My Life and this song its the right amount of highness for me.

[marv2]

its about time! I have never, never, seen anyone mention this song other than myself and you Marv! How this song is escaped by Supremes fans is beyond me. I am not a huge Emotions fan but this far surpasses Dont ask My Neighbor. It was really the Earth wind and Fire connection that got the Emotions to the masses although they were popular on the R and B circuit. If this song had been played on Quiet Storm stations across the country and made a single it would have been a hit for Miss Mary Wilson on lead. Susaye Greens voice was never better used on a Supremes record like this one her coloring and the use of the Soprano is not only tolerable its wonderful. Minnie Riperton is a great singer but I was never able to take high doses of her...with Susaye and her voice on Come into My Life and this song its the right amount of highness for me.

Damned Right! This has always been the killer jam! If the name "Supremes" were not attached to it, I bet it would have sold millions. By that I mean that it is in a style and a vocal delivery so soulful, jazzy and bluesy that it is not what's expected from the Supremes! It had "Quiet Storm" written all over it. The interplay of Mary's and Susaye's voices is just gorgeous and years before it's time! This song could get played today and folks would love it!

[detmotownguy]

Marv:
Good point in saying that the song might be ahead of its time; especially the last two albums. I thought Susaye added something very different to the sound and thought maybe, just maybe they would finally take off again. To this day, I still think High Energy is an exemplary effort, in addition to "We Should Be Closer Together". Thanks for posting.

[luke]

I agree per High Energy though I dont feel the same about MS and S tho I do really like We Should Be Closer Together.

[marv2]

Marv:
Good point in saying that the song might be ahead of its time; especially the last two albums. I thought Susaye added something very different to the sound and thought maybe, just maybe they would finally take off again. To this day, I still think High Energy is an exemplary effort, in addition to "We Should Be Closer Together". Thanks for posting.

Thank you! I am just sometimes amazed that we were listening to music this good....over 30 years ago! It also in no way sounds dated.

[marv2]

I agree per High Energy though I dont feel the same about MS and S tho I do really like We Should Be Closer Together.

I remember hearing the title cut , "High Energy" on late night radio back at the time. It was "Quiet Storm" before the term went into use for that format!

[detmotownguy]

They sure put out some good material. The group's latter day success or lack thereof is certainly multi factorial. I heard alot of comment such as, "I didn't know they sound like that" [[in a postive way of course.) As Mary has said, they never lacked for talent! Another point, is that their fans were nearly twenty years older, so I wonder what impact that had on the group, in addition to the short tenure of Lynda. Or maybe it was mostly marketing based issues. Just thinking....