Question regarding Marvin and Marvelettes Greatest Hits albums

[daviddesper]

I still remember the thrill of finding those Greatest Hits packages in the racks back during my teenage years. You know the ones I mean with the same basic design but with each artist having their own color scheme?

Anyway, Marvin Gaye's was catalog Tamla 252 and the Marvelettes' was Tamla 253. Well yesterday I noticed that Marvin's album has a release date of 1964, whereas The Marvelettes' was released in 1966. It had to be that year because it included Don't Mess With Bill.

So did Marvin's really come out in 1964? If so, why such a delay before the rest of them came out, because I am pretty sure no one else released one until at least 1966 and some may have even been 1967 releases? Just seems odd to me that consecutive catalog numbers would have been released almost two years apart.

[reese]

There are many examples of this in the Motown catalog. For example, IN LOVING MEMORY has a catalog # of 642. The Supremes' I HEAR A SYMPHONY album had a catalog # of 643 and it was released in February of 1966. Based on its catalog #, one would think IN LOVING MEMORY was released close to that time as well. But it wasn't released until 1968.

Another example: IRRESISTIBLE TAMMI TERRELL has a catalog # of 652. Other albums in that range were released late '66 or early '67. Yet Tammi's album wasn't released until January of 1969.

I don't think there's any rhyme or reason to it. Maybe some projects were planned for certain release dates and had to be delayed for some reason.

[Roger Polhill]

I believe that Marvin`s album was released in April 1964 and the Marvelettes in February 1965. Could it be because the stereo albums were released later.

[Motown Eddie]

So did Marvin's really come out in 1964? If so, why such a delay before the rest of them came out, because I am pretty sure no one else released one until at least 1966 and some may have even been 1967 releases? Just seems odd to me that consecutive catalog numbers would have been released almost two years apart.

I've heard that The Marvelettes' Greatest Hits LP was tentativly planned to come out around 1965 but Motown decided to hold on to it until 1966 [yet, didn't change the catalog number of the set].

[nabob]

Sharon Davis' Motown: The History is very well researched. Marvin's GH Vol 1 is listed as released in April 1964 with the newest hit being Wonderful One [[1964). I purchased this album from the Columbia Record Club in 1965 [[stereo). The Marvelettes GH is listed as released in February 1966 with Don't Mess With Bill as the most recent hit. Thanks David Desper. Reese is correct that there was no rhyne or reason for assignment of catalog numbers to conform with the calendar.

[daviddesper]

Thanks for all the additional info. I guess another logical explanation is that Marvin was already established and had "enough" hits by 1964 to warrant a Greatest Hits album. So I wonder what year Mary Wells' GH album was released, since she was on the same path.

If they had rushed out the Marvs or Tops or Temps or Vandellas collections, they would not have been nearly as cool as they turned out to be, since 1965 and 1966 were banner years for Motown. So 1966 was "just right" for those.

Regarding those catalog numbers, I can't remember which two albums it was, but I am pretty sure I recall that Diana Ross released two albums fairly early in her solo career and the one with the later catalog number actually came out first.

[Motown Eddie]

So I wonder what year Mary Wells' GH album was released, since she was on the same path.

Mary Wells' Greatest Hits was released in 1964. Just looked up Diana Ross' on Discogs. Everything Is Everything [MS-724 rel. 1970] and Surrender [MS-723 rel. 1971] and you're right about the two early solo LPs having the earlier release with the 'later' catalog number. That's Life With Motown [LOL].

[BayouMotownMan]

As said previously, releases scheduled were withheld for various reasons. Gordy was thinking ahead with Motown 723 but the modest success of Diana's solo album made him rethink, so he rush released Deke Richards' EIE.

In the case of The Marvelettes, it was scheduled earlier. However the group's sales went into a big slump in 1964, so the company waited until they were hot again. Don't Mess With Bill accomplished that

[gman]

Marvelettes was issued in a green jacket and also a golden orange one, correct? Colors were repeated too....tan/brown for Marvin/Martha and Grey for Wells / Tops...the only ones with any eye appeal were the deep blue Tempts and the orange Marvelettes...why such boring design for such exciting music?
Even the Anthology LPS had pretty lackluster covers...Fleck tone images...Supremes on Flat Gray??? and the cover from Vol 3 used 2 images from the Reflections montage...very lazy art work on some VIP releases.
There is a site on line I don't recall the exact name of, but it gives the history of label design, releases and tidbits of info on many labels...Motown was one...you can see there often the Stereo issues were delayed releases....some coming 2 years after the mono issues.
It's not uncommon for labels to issue a catalogue number and postpone a release...if a hit lingers in the chart a real long time in the top 20....especially if its a 2nd or 3rd single from a Lp, the next album that's ready to go may be delayed and releases by other artists with later issue #'s come out first....most top artists in the 50's/ 60's had multi LP per year contracts....it wasn't till the 70's one LP a year was considered fast...as the decade progressed it was often 2-3 years between LPs for seemingly everyone...

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Bayou, speaking of The Marvelettes' "Greatest Hits", I remember how thrilled I was to get that album [[Christmas time, 1966). [[My copy was the MONO version in the Orange-ish Gold cover.) Having discovered Motown and The Supremes just a year or two before, the only two songs I knew were "Too Many Fish In The Sea" and "Don't Mess With Bill" [[of which I'd bought both singles). The rest were fresh, new, and exciting to me, especially "You're My Remedy" and "Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead". [[Why Motown left off "I'll Keep Holding On" is still a mystery to me, unless it was Motown's way of making us buy the VARIOUS ARTISTS - "A Collection Of 16 Original Big Hits [[Vol. 5)", which, at the time, was the ONLY album available containing that track.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Marvelettes was issued in a green jacket and also a golden orange one, correct? Colors were repeated too....tan/brown for Marvin/Martha and Grey for Wells / Tops...the only ones with any eye appeal were the deep blue Tempts and the orange Marvelettes...why such boring design for such exciting music?
Even the Anthology LPS had pretty lackluster covers...Fleck tone images...Supremes on Flat Gray??? and the cover from Vol 3 used 2 images from the Reflections montage...very lazy art work on some VIP releases.
There is a site on line I don't recall the exact name of, but it gives the history of label design, releases and tidbits of info on many labels...Motown was one...you can see there often the Stereo issues were delayed releases....some coming 2 years after the mono issues.
It's not uncommon for labels to issue a catalogue number and postpone a release...if a hit lingers in the chart a real long time in the top 20....especially if its a 2nd or 3rd single from a Lp, the next album that's ready to go may be delayed and releases by other artists with later issue #'s come out first....most top artists in the 50's/ 60's had multi LP per year contracts....it wasn't till the 70's one LP a year was considered fast...as the decade progressed it was often 2-3 years between LPs for seemingly everyone...

The Marvelettes' "Greatest Hits" in MONO was the Mustard/Orange cover; the Green cover was STEREO. All other LP covers were issued in only one color. FOUR TOPS' "Greatest Hits" was silver, as was MARY WELLS'. MARVIN GAYE's and STEVIE WONDER's was a gold-ish tan, as was Martha & The Vandellas".
THE TEMPTATIONS' was dark blue.

[Roger Polhill]

And the Jr. Walker & the All Stars was red.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

And the Jr. Walker & the All Stars was red.

Actually, Roger, the U.S. version of Jr. Walker's was orange, but the front cover of his "Greatest Hits" was also of a different style altogether -- different from the other artists' "Greatest Hits" albums.

[Roger Polhill]

Point taken Gary but in a similar vein all the other Greatest Hits were very different. If I recall correctly the Australian Four Tops was light blue.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

You're probably right, Roger, although I don't pay attention to any of the foreign versions. It's all I can do to keep up with the American releases!

[paul_nixon]

Actually, Roger, the U.S. version of Jr. Walker's was orange, but the front cover of his "Greatest Hits" was also of a different style altogether -- different from the other artists' "Greatest Hits" albums.

Funnily enough I found a mint US copy in a store in Toronto just before Christmas for 1$C couldn't leave it behind

[DWSheffer]

The Marvelettes' "Greatest Hits" in MONO was the Mustard/Orange cover; the Green cover was STEREO.

Not a rule, the orange and green covers were produced in both mono and stereo versions.
Darin

[Roger Polhill]

Yes Gary and Paul that`s orange I must be colour blind! Incidentally "Mary Wells Greatest Hits" was released in NZ as white cover. The fact that it was released here was a minor miracle as only the odd Supremes LP made it in those early days.

[robb_k]

[QUOTE=reese;818037]There are many examples of this in the Motown catalog. For example, IN LOVING MEMORY has a catalog # of 642. The Supremes' I HEAR A SYMPHONY album had a catalog # of 643 and it was released in February of 1966. Based on its catalog #, one would think IN LOVING MEMORY was released close to that time as well. But it wasn't released until 1968.


There WAS a reason for it. As I remember it, the LPs were assigned a catalogue number when they were "slated" [[planned and approved for production). That number remained with that production project, regardless of how long it's issue was delayed. Even IF the project was completely cancelled, the unused number was rarely assigned to another [[newer approved project). The number almost always remained unused.

[Roger Polhill]

The Temptations "Puzzle People" GS.949 was released before GS. 947 "Psychedelic Shack"

[nabob]

Not a rule, the orange and green covers were produced in both mono and stereo versions.
Darin

Here are postings of all the GH covers with the exception of Jr Walker's Volume 1 - I think all. https://www.flickr.com/photos/nabobs...7615997473344/

The green Marvelettes is from my brother's collection and the orange cover is from mine.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Funnily enough I found a mint US copy in a store in Toronto just before Christmas for 1$C couldn't leave it behind

Yes, Sir! That's the orange cover, alright! Beautiful, Paul! And what a great steal for a price!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Not a rule, the orange and green covers were produced in both mono and stereo versions.
Darin

Well, ain't that a kick in the butt! My MONO copy was orange, and the STEREO was green. I actually prefer the original orange for both MONO and STEREO. Your copies of both covers are beautiful, Darin! While we're at it, for old times' sake, would you mind showing us a photo of both the MONO & STEREO vinyl and labels? It's been years since I've seen them.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Here are postings of all the GH covers with the exception of Jr Walker's Volume 1 - I think all. https://www.flickr.com/photos/nabobs...7615997473344/

The green Marvelettes is from my brother's collection and the orange cover is from mine.

Thanks for posting and verifying a copy of THE MARVELETTES' green cover, nabob. BTW, I was never aware of a Jr. Walker "Greatest Hits [[Vol. 2)". That's gotta be an import release. Had it been an American release, I would've bought it. Still, cool as heck to see it!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I just remembered something. I bought my original MONO copy of The Marvelettes' "Greatest Hits" with the orange LP cover upon its original Tamla release in 1966. Later, when Motown reissued the album in STEREO in the 1980s, the LP cover went from the original orange cover to a green cover, and it appeared on Motown itself, rather than the original Tamla label.

[gman]

All the 80's re-issues were on the Motown label...in very thin laminated covers. BUT....
I have a obvious reissue ...very thin, non 60's cardboard jacket Martha and the Vandella's Come and Get These Memories on the Gordy label...the sound is incredible, the vinyl is thick, and it is the script older Gordy...I don't know what the run out #'s are....I got it crosstown at one current LP but older store shop in the mid 80's [[they had some odd stock.. earlier in like '79-'80 they even had a few of the Cameo LPS sealed w/the bonus 45 under the shrink, and I got the very last orig Decca label release Patsy Cline LP That's How A Heartache a few years earlier there...wish I gotten the Cameo's for collectors sake!) and took M&TV LP over to a collectors shop just to show the owner who I was friends with...and he said he's never seen it, and as long as it sounds good, and I didn't pay a fortune for it, [[it was $8) it was a nice, collectable LP to have.
I also remember seeing thin jacket copies with original label logo's on the covers of the Contours Do You Love Me, Jr. Walkers Road Runner, and I believe the Isley Bros LP with the beach photo on the cover....are these counterfeit copies, or were some re-issues pressed on the original release labels initially?

[reese]

All the 80's re-issues were on the Motown label...in very thin laminated covers. BUT....
I have a obvious reissue ...very thin, non 60's cardboard jacket Martha and the Vandella's Come and Get These Memories on the Gordy label...the sound is incredible, the vinyl is thick, and it is the script older Gordy...I don't know what the run out #'s are...I also remember seeing thin jacket copies with original label logo's on the covers of the Contours Do You Love Me, Jr. Walkers Road Runner, and I believe the Isley Bros LP with the beach photo on the cover....are these counterfeit copies, or were some re-issues pressed on the original release labels initially?

I saw THE FABULOUS MIRACLES amongst these releases as well. I don't remember the exact time period but it was probably the 90s or 2000s. I remember being impressed that they had much better art quality than those 80s reissues as well as the original logos. I don't think they were bootlegs but I don't know for sure.

[Boogiedown]

Bayou, speaking of The Marvelettes' "Greatest Hits", I remember how thrilled I was to get that album [[Christmas time, 1966). [[My copy was the MONO version in the Orange-ish Gold cover.) Having discovered Motown and The Supremes just a year or two before, the only two songs I knew were "Too Many Fish In The Sea" and "Don't Mess With Bill" [[of which I'd bought both singles). The rest were fresh, new, and exciting to me, especially "You're My Remedy" and "Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead". [[Why Motown left off "I'll Keep Holding On" is still a mystery to me, unless it was Motown's way of making us buy the VARIOUS ARTISTS - "A Collection Of 16 Original Big Hits [[Vol. 5)", which, at the time, was the ONLY album available containing that track.

I get the impression you had a nice childhood Gary with indulging parents supportive of your zeal for music.

Out of curiosity, where did you play your music ....where in the house and on what ? I'm picturing a TV / record player combo console .... ??


As for me we had a portable player, probably 14" by 14", and I remember mostly plugging it in in the dining room on the floor and also up on the table.

cheers !

[gman]

I haven't taken the LP out in awhile, but I am fairly certain there is no white or black cover border that the stock Motown reissues had...
I remember Capitol Record Club [[and there short lived discounted off shoot Citadel) pressed all their own LPS...instead of the front slick wrapping around all sides and a back panel sheet pasted over the seams, the covers had printing directly on the rear of the jacket and a front slick that was cropped with a white border on the 3 closed sides....they also had their own stock number printed on both the cover and label along with the standard label issue #....and the label text was printed in line instead of each line being centered the way commercial issues were....I don't know if Capitol issued Motown LPs....I think I recall seeing ads for Columbia Record Club in TV guide and other magazines in the 60's that had a few Motown LPs.. Supremes A Go Go and the 2 LP blue Hits set...I was very young 7-8 so I may be mistaken...but I was pretty anal about studying anything to do with records very carefully. I read every label, back jacket notes and inner sleeve over and over again.

[reese]

I think I recall seeing ads for Columbia Record Club in TV guide and other magazines in the 60's that had a few Motown LPs.. Supremes A Go Go and the 2 LP blue Hits set...I was very young 7-8 so I may be mistaken...but I was pretty anal about studying anything to do with records very carefully. I read every label, back jacket notes and inner sleeve over and over again.

I recall looking through an old EBONY magazine from the 60s and there was a Columbia Record Club ad with some Motown albums like the Supremes' Greatest Hits and the Vandellas' Live!

I gather they must have stopped having Motown albums available for a while because in the 70s, when my dad became a member of Columbia House, I remember him receiving a booklet making a big deal that they were going to be including Motown albums.

[Roger Polhill]

Motown had mass LP re issue in 1981 with the series "Motown Records Proudly Presents The Artists And Music That Started It All" with two 3 LP radio shows featuring Smokey Robinson. The "Marvelettes Greatest Hits" was one of the re issued LPs.

[gman]

Keeping the planned issue catalogue #'s and not duplicating a title with that # was smart...especially if material was already recorded...managing a labels tape library is a serious job.