Diana Ross & the Supremes / 50th Anniversary: The Complete Singles 1961-1969,

[RossHolloway]

This is NOT a complaint ... just a "thought!" LOL

If the picture is DMF .... well, the title should be THE SUPREMES 50th Anniversary. Flo was never a part of "Diana Ross and The Supremes." I guess I am a purist! :-)

Of course, I know that the 70s Supremes are not on this release [[nor should they necessarily be), but like the 2000 Box Set, I would have LOVED to see this new set titled "The Supremes."

NO disrepsect to Diana, in the least!

If I'm remembering correctly, there is one picture of Florence and Mary taken outside of a venue with the billing of Diana Ross and The Supremes behind them. If I'm not mistaken it was a small photo in the insert from their Anthology album. Does anyone else remember this pic?

[honest man]

Hello someone further up the thread asked why THE WAY YOU DO ....,Is included it was from TCB,i know it was the b side of I SECOND THAT EMOTION,In the uk.cheers.

[carlo]

Well in the UK we only got the lips on this album :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20_Gold...remes_album%29

Eamonn

lol!!! Hehehehehehe

[redlabs]

If I'm remembering correctly, there is one picture of Florence and Mary taken outside of a venue with the billing of Diana Ross and The Supremes behind them. If I'm not mistaken it was a small photo in the insert from their Anthology album. Does anyone else remember this pic?

i remember a pix with Mary and Cindy in the Anthology set where they are wearing street clothes and the sign is behind them and it reads DRATS.

[stopinthenameoflove]

i remember a pix with Mary and Cindy in the Anthology set where they are wearing street clothes and the sign is behind them and it reads DRATS.

I think this is the one you remember? Definitely Cindy, not Florence

[johnjeb]

How come The Temptations' collection gets a real picture

http://www.amazon.com/50th-Anniversa...32979&sr=301-1

and The Supremes' collection gets an artsy makeover? First it was 'off with their heads' now it's 'let's make them look like clowns'!

[[I even like The Temptations picture chosen for their upcoming DVD better than the one that was chosen for The Supremes DVD.)

I'm OK with referring to the group as Diana Ross & The Supremes for this collection. It looks good the way it is done with Diana Ross on one line and The Supremes on the next. I always prefer that a capital "T" is used for "The Supremes". I'm OK with either an ampersand or a lower case "and" depending on the graphics.

Of course my preference is always to see just "The Supremes" when it is just for the classic line-up of Diana, Mary and Florence. However, now 41 years since Diana Ross left the group, and with her successful solo career that followed, I feel adding her name whenever possible is a testament to her career and does not detract from the group or any individual who was a part of that group. It also will generate more sales, which is good for all concerned, and keep the name The Supremes in the public eye. [[In recent years, sometimes seeing just the name "The Supremes" on a CD was misleading if you didn't read the fine print!!!)

In the mid-80s when I visited the UK I purchased some reissue vinyl albums and cassette tapes. My collection is packed-away due to my recent move, but if I recall, some of their early albums had the name changed to Diana Ross and The Supremes on those reissues. I had mixed reaction to that at the time.

My UK reissue cassette of More Hits does say The Supremes on the cover. However, all other graphics refer to the group as "Diana Ross & The Supremes". [[I am fairly certain my UK Sam Cooke vinyl reissue says Diana Ross & The Supremes on the cover.)

Interesting thing about the More Hits cassette cover is that they modifed the square LP cover to fit a rectangular cassette cover. The picture of Diana is in the top left quadrant and Florence beneath her at lower left and Mary at lower right. Upper right quadrant is all the text from the vinyl album cover.

Having said all this I hope the upcoming expanded edition is not "More Hits By Diana Ross & The Supremes".

[danman869]

Looking at that pic of The Temptations' new 50th Anniversary CD set, I'd say they got "an artsy makeover," too. Those suits are awfully blue [[as though they'd been tinted in a computer program) and the skin tone on all the guys is identical. The Supremes and their anachronistic plum-colored lipstick aren't the only ones who were "re-imagined" for the cover of their 50th Anniversary set!

Knowing Andy and his track record with the Motown catalog, I'm 99.9% certain that the upcoming expanded edition of "More Hits" will be credited to "The Supremes" and not "DRATS." If the deluxe editions of "Meet The Supremes" and "Where Did Our Love Go" were [[properly) credited as originally released, so will this set. Let's hang in there until November! ;-)

[marv2]

lol!!! Hehehehehehe

I remember that album from 1977. They made a very big deal about it.

[marv2]

i remember a pix with Mary and Cindy in the Anthology set where they are wearing street clothes and the sign is behind them and it reads DRATS.

I remember that too. I believe that was from Expo '67 in Montreal.

[marv2]

I think this is the one you remember? Definitely Cindy, not Florence

That was in Montreal at Expo '67.

[stopinthenameoflove]

That was in Montreal at Expo '67.

Thanks for the info marv2

[marv2]

Thanks for the info marv2

You are welcome.

[ladonna]

How come The Temptations' collection gets a real picture

http://www.amazon.com/50th-Anniversa...32979&sr=301-1

and The Supremes' collection gets an artsy makeover? First it was 'off with their heads' now it's 'let's make them look like clowns'!

[[I even like The Temptations picture chosen for their upcoming DVD better than the one that was chosen for The Supremes DVD.)

I'm OK with referring to the group as Diana Ross & The Supremes for this collection. It looks good the way it is done with Diana Ross on one line and The Supremes on the next. I always prefer that a capital "T" is used for "The Supremes". I'm OK with either an ampersand or a lower case "and" depending on the graphics.

Of course my preference is always to see just "The Supremes" when it is just for the classic line-up of Diana, Mary and Florence. However, now 41 years since Diana Ross left the group, and with her successful solo career that followed, I feel adding her name whenever possible is a testament to her career and does not detract from the group or any individual who was a part of that group. It also will generate more sales, which is good for all concerned, and keep the name The Supremes in the public eye. [[In recent years, sometimes seeing just the name "The Supremes" on a CD was misleading if you didn't read the fine print!!!)

In the mid-80s when I visited the UK I purchased some reissue vinyl albums and cassette tapes. My collection is packed-away due to my recent move, but if I recall, some of their early albums had the name changed to Diana Ross and The Supremes on those reissues. I had mixed reaction to that at the time.

My UK reissue cassette of More Hits does say The Supremes on the cover. However, all other graphics refer to the group as "Diana Ross & The Supremes". [[I am fairly certain my UK Sam Cooke vinyl reissue says Diana Ross & The Supremes on the cover.)

Interesting thing about the More Hits cassette cover is that they modifed the square LP cover to fit a rectangular cassette cover. The picture of Diana is in the top left quadrant and Florence beneath her at lower left and Mary at lower right. Upper right quadrant is all the text from the vinyl album cover.

Having said all this I hope the upcoming expanded edition is not "More Hits By Diana Ross & The Supremes".

Is it just me, or is this post beyond obsessive?

[nabob]

Is it just me, or is this post beyond obsessive?

Everything on this site about our "girls/ladies" is bred from obsession.

[Roberta75]

Is it just me, or is this post beyond obsessive?

Just a tad. LOL

[johnjeb]

Is it just me, or is this post beyond obsessive?

OK, so I went over-the-top in my post. But I have been an avid Supremes and Motown collector for 45 years. I'm a collector what do you expect?! Collectors are obsessive.

I'm not sure my comments are more obsessive than other comments on this Forum but maybe I did ramble on a bit.

I've been following this thread but have been too busy to comment on specific posts and just got carried away when I finally did.

I'm not apologizing for my post, just acknowledging how others saw it. I'm sorry my mind-relaxing exercise was mind-numbing for some.

[longtimefan]

Johnjeb,

You have no reason to apologize. This a "forum" where fans can share ideas and thoughts. You thoughts were interesting to many of us. I do not feel a need to examine your "personality traits" in order to read your message. I hope you continue to post.

[carlo]

Johnjeb,

You have no reason to apologize. This a "forum" where fans can share ideas and thoughts. You thoughts were interesting to many of us. I do not feel a need to examine your "personality traits" in order to read your message. I hope you continue to post.

I totally agree with longtimefan. No need to apologize. I did not find anything wrong with your post, Johnjeb.

[Bokiluis]

As several posters have stated, a collection like the "50th Anniversary: Singles Collection" is for fans. The Beatles may not have as many compilations out as Motown has released on The Supremes, but, make no mistake, they have quite a few. In fact, the latest is a remastering of their "#1s" set that they are treating like a new release.
I, for one, am happy that it only features the Diana Ross-led Supremes. At the risk of stirring controversy, The Suprms 70s, were entirely different group in my view. The fact that they included "Up the Ladder to the Roof" on the Ed Sullivan video reels is annoying enough. I think to keep the peace in general, wherever possible, do not mix the material together. Both groups have distinctly different fan bases. Where there is overlapping, I'll venture to say that the preference is not to mingle where possible.

[Bokiluis]

How can it be obsessive when that is what the forum was created for? If you are a casual, fair weather fan that cares little about the finer distinctions, then this forum is not designed for you. I own multiple copies of most Diana Ross and The Supremes albums. Am I obsessive? You bet I am. From a young lad, I remember staring at the "Where Did Our Love Go" album art for seemingly days on end. Was I obsessive? You bet that I was even at that young of an age. That is what a fan does. And from the summer of '64, I became a huge admirer of Diana Ross and The Supremes...until today as a Diana Ross fan exclusively.

[Bokiluis]

Actually the photo on the "50th", hard to believe I am saying 50 when it still sometimes feels like yesterday, is what got my attention first. It seemed colorized but more vivid. I like it. By the time they got to their first Greatest Hits, weren't they already called Diana Ross and The Supremes? My main issue is once Jean led the group, I saw them as a completely different group that I couldn't associate with the original line-up.

[skooldem1]

The fact that they included "Up the Ladder to the Roof" on the Ed Sullivan video reels is annoying enough.

I never really thought about that. I also didn't like that they include a Jean song on the #1's CD, or the fact that they think "Up the ladder" is a bonus for their new DVD. That's like including "Someday we'll be together" on 70's compilations just because its the Supremes most successful single.

[longtimefan]

A beautiful reply, Bokiluis. Anyone who enjoys a particular hobby, whether knitting, collecting stamps, ice skating, music, etc., uses that interest to occupy time. Hobbies/interests allow us the opportunity to mentally "step away" from life's daily routines. Hence, we have different interests and depths of interest/involvement, too. I appreciate this foum and value its members.

[kenneth]

Actually the photo on the "50th", hard to believe I am saying 50 when it still sometimes feels like yesterday, is what got my attention first. It seemed colorized but more vivid. I like it. By the time they got to their first Greatest Hits, weren't they already called Diana Ross and The Supremes? My main issue is once Jean led the group, I saw them as a completely different group that I couldn't associate with the original line-up.

Yes, the original double LP "Greatest Hits," which ended up being called later "Greatest Hits Vols. 1 and 2" was the first LP where they were referred to as Diana Ross and the Supremes. This was the LP which included the portraits of Diane, Flo and Mary.

The first single where they were referred to as DRATS was "Reflections," which I think came out out shortly after the double LP greatest hits package.

[smark21]

I think the reason why some Supremes fans get a little upset when songs like Up the Ladder and Stoned Love are left off a Supremes greatest hits set is because they love the 70's Supremes and a greatest hits album is usually entree for new fans to discover a group and these die hard fans want potential fans to be get a sample of the 70's Supremes and appreciate them as well and know that the group carried on without Diana Ross and put out some good recordings.

[marybrewster]

One question that comes to mind when talking about including 70's Supremes with 60's Supremes:

I wonder why "He's My Man" was left off the Supremes #1's. "Reflections" which was a [[I believe) regional #1 is there and "Stoned Love" which was an R & B #1 was included.....didn't "HMM" reach #1 on the dance charts? Or is that stretching it?

[carlo]

One question that comes to mind when talking about including 70's Supremes with 60's Supremes:

I wonder why "He's My Man" was left off the Supremes #1's. "Reflections" which was a [[I believe) regional #1 is there and "Stoned Love" which was an R & B #1 was included.....didn't "HMM" reach #1 on the dance charts? Or is that stretching it?

Yes, "He's My Man" was a # 1 on the Dance Charts. If you look at the booklet included with the # 1's, it lists other number one hits by The Supremes and Diana Ross as a solo artist that were not included on the set. I think they purposely included the most popular and commercial songs for the sake of appealing to the general music buying market. They're the ones who prefer the usual hits, versus some of the other number one hits like "He's My Man" and "All of You" by Diana and Julio [[I think it was # 1 on the A.C. charts? Jobeterob would know! Hehehe ).

[carlo]

How can it be obsessive when that is what the forum was created for?

Exactly.

I think it's healthier to be obsessed with The Supremes than to be obsessed with individual Supremes fans, as I know there is a forum on Yahoo devoted to that sort of discussion.

[jobeterob]

Good replies Longtimefan and Smark.

Carlo is pretty much right. While it is an accomplishment that songs like He's My Man and Take Me Higher reached #1 on the Dance Charts and Motown uses that to pump up Ross and/or the Supremes and their accomplishments, the truth is #1 Dance doesn't matter much. [[If I had a #1 Dance Hit, you'd never hear the end of it though!)

He's My Man hit #69 or so Pop and Take Me Higher hit about #102. Neither single sold much.

Reflections was lodged behind the #1 song of the year in 1967 - Ode to Billie Joe - which was #1 for 6 weeks. And I believe Reflections stayed at #2 for a month and may have hit #1 in Cashbox. It also went on to become the theme song for that TV show.......China Beach, was it? Reflections had a cultural impact; He's My Man was an effort to stay current that was barely noticed.

But to stick He's My Man or Take Me Higher on a one disc CD with all the #1 Pop songs would take the CD down a notch. And in reality, and Andy will confirm this..........those Icon CDS and The #'1s and the Greatest Hits CDS sell and sell and sell and sell..........and you can't give away recent releases by the FLO's etc. Even Extended Editions of Meet the Supremes are a harder sell.

These words from LongtimeFan, I really enjoyed them:

A beautiful reply, Bokiluis. Anyone who enjoys a particular hobby, whether knitting, collecting stamps, ice skating, music, etc., uses that interest to occupy time. Hobbies/interests allow us the opportunity to mentally "step away" from life's daily routines. Hence, we have different interests and depths of interest/involvement, too. I appreciate this foum and value its members.

And it is rude and unkind to make fun of people who enjoy these hobbies, be they Supremes, knitting, Diana Ross, weight lifting, fitness, FLOS, porn flicks or whatever.

[soulster]

The company is also issuing one for The Temptations. I just hope this continues for Stevie Wonder and Jackson 5.

The digital release will come before the CD release.

[ladonna]

Is it just me, or is this post beyond obsessive?

Apparently, it is just me.

[soulster]

OK, so I went over-the-top in my post. But I have been an avid Supremes and Motown collector for 45 years. I'm a collector what do you expect?! Collectors are obsessive.

I'm not sure my comments are more obsessive than other comments on this Forum but maybe I did ramble on a bit.

I've been following this thread but have been too busy to comment on specific posts and just got carried away when I finally did.

I'm not apologizing for my post, just acknowledging how others saw it. I'm sorry my mind-relaxing exercise was mind-numbing for some.

Surprisingly, I did not see your post as unusually obsessive, anymore that that of a fan. As you may know, Motown changed the name of the group in 1967 just as they did to Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. I suppose Berry Gordy saw solo careers for all three people. Too bad it didn't work for David Ruffin! Could you imagine "David Ruffin & The Temptations"??? Hah! Anyway, I also tend to think of the group as just "The Supremes" out of nostalgia for my childhood, and for when the group, as the original lineup, had most of their hits in the 60s. My same feeling goes for the other two groups that got a name change.

So, yeah, it's obsessive, as we collectors are. But at least you aren't talking about the gossip or how long their phony eyelashes are on a picture they took in London on April 4, 1965.

[smark21]

Surprisingly, I did not see your post as unusually obsessive, anymore that that of a fan. As you may know, Motown changed the name of the group in 1967 just as they did to Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. I suppose Berry Gordy saw solo careers for all three people. Too bad it didn't work for David Ruffin! Could you imagine "David Ruffin & The Temptations"??? Hah! Anyway, I also tend to think of the group as just "The Supremes" out of nostalgia for my childhood, and for when the group, as the original lineup, had most of their hits in the 60s. My same feeling goes for the other two groups that got a name change.

So, yeah, it's obsessive, as we collectors are. But at least you aren't talking about the gossip or how long their phony eyelashes are on a picture they took in London on April 4, 1965.

To me the obsessive part of johnjeb's post was not about the name change, but his dwelling on the use of either an amperstand or the word "and" in billing DRATS. Or whether "Diana Ross and the Supremes" is all on one line or several lines. Ultimately, it's harmless, but reasonable people, even a die hard fan like me, could understandably construe attention on such minor matters as obsessive.

[soulster]

To me the obsessive part of johnjeb's post was not about the name change, but his dwelling on the use of either an amperstand or the word "and" in billing DRATS. Or whether "Diana Ross and the Supremes" is all on one line or several lines. Ultimately, it's harmless, but reasonable people, even a die hard fan like me, could understandably construe attention on such minor matters as obsessive.

Yeah, an ampersand or a conjunction...what does it matter? I use ampersands just to be quick about it, and I think it looks better, aesthetically. But, either way, it's cool.

[uptight]

Ampersand or "and," I don't care, either. I don't even mind the shorthand version "DRATS." That's the easiest to type, but I remember a few fans getting all tense about it a few years ago. And now we're all afraid to use "DRATS." I bet there are all kinds of master tapes and log entries with that code in the vault.

[soulster]

Ampersand or "and," I don't care, either. I don't even mind the shorthand version "DRATS." That's the easiest to type, but I remember a few fans getting all tense about it a few years ago. And now we're all afraid to use "DRATS." I bet there are all kinds of master tapes and log entries with that code in the vault.

For real??? People got upset over seeing DRATS??? That's the kind of obsessive fanatical behavior I talk about! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS!

There! let's see somebody get pissed about that!

[ladonna]

For real??? People got upset over seeing DRATS??? That's the kind of obsessive fanatical behavior I talk about! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS! DRATS!

There! let's see somebody get pissed about that!

They already have, dear; and Ralph has been notified. LOLOLOLOL!!

[gordy_hunk]

Whatever Universal do will never get the full support of everyone. This is clearly a financial move, and one which will almost certainly generate a fair profit. Sure, many of us on here won't buy it, but it's not aimed at us specifically. By creating a good profit, Universal [[and therefore people such as HW) may be given more freedom to release those albums which are hard to find, or less likely to be a commercial success.

I have no objection to this [[even if it does contain my least favourite Motown record of all time). It will sell. that's all that matters.

[Jimi LaLumia]

AMEN!..bring on "The Copa"...

[stephanie]

Hey I am obsessive or I woul not be here. Imagine what it was like as a child picking up the needle and playing Make Someone Happy on the Supremes Live at the Copa 20 times. Experience listening to Martha and the Vandellas live and running to books and buying them and reading them and your friends dont understand. Picture at the age of 17 being in your grandmothers basement and finding It Doesnt Matter how I say it by Florence Ballard and questioning the whole family as to who bought this single and when and did you hear it on the radio. I found out it was my brother who bought it. Yes if you think that is bad talk to Xtown or go to England they are beyond obsessive. Imagine a grown man [[true story) sitting in the car with the Velvelettes and teaching them their vocal parts! Its ok obsess on. NO offense to the poster its just they way we are.

[ejluther]

I have no objection to this [[even if it does contain my least favourite Motown record of all time). It will sell. that's all that matters.

What record is that? If you've already mentioned it in a previous post on this thread I've missed it. Just curious...

The first single where they were referred to as DRATS was "Reflections," which I
think came out out shortly after the double LP greatest hits
package.

"Reflections" was originally slated to be included on GREATEST HITS and, in fact, is included on the UK single-LP version of GREATEST HITS:
http://www.discogs.com/Diana-Ross-An...elease/1857420
I'm not entirely clear why "Reflections" was ultimately not included on the US version of GREATEST HITS but maybe "The Happening" was considered the "new" song? After all, it had not made an appearance on a proper Supremes LP yet...

[kenneth]

I'm not entirely clear why "Reflections" was ultimately not included on the US version of GREATEST HITS but maybe "The Happening" was considered the "new" song? After all, it had not made an appearance on a proper Supremes LP yet...

Well...I can think of 2 reasons. One possible reason and one cynical [[and more likely) reason. The first is that "Reflections" was the first single to go by DRATS and which introduced Cindy Birdsong to the public, so it allowed the Greatest Hits to be the "old" group. The second and more likely reason is that they knew they'd have a "Reflections" LP to sell and didn't want sales of "Greatest Hits" to cannibalize the forthcoming product.

[johnjeb]

Per Amazon it is 3-disc box-set to be released October 24:

Diana Ross & the Supremes - 50th Anniversary: The Complete Singles 1961-1969 is housed in packaging similar to the acclaimed series The Complete Motown Singles, accompanied by a booklet filled with detailed information about each single, reproductions of spectacular-looking picture sleeves from around the world, and classic and rare photos of the world's greatest female group of all time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

[ejluther]

Well...I can think of 2 reasons. One possible reason and one cynical [[and more likely) reason. The first is that "Reflections" was the first single to go by DRATS and which introduced Cindy Birdsong to the public, so it allowed the Greatest Hits to be the "old" group. The second and more likely reason is that they knew they'd have a "Reflections" LP to sell and didn't want sales of "Greatest Hits" to cannibalize the forthcoming product.

Good points. In my own mind I often think of "Reflections" as the last single with Flo since it was slated to be on GREATEST HITS at one time and the song itself makes for a poignant break in the group's history [["Reflections of the way life used to be..."). On that topic, I've read conflicting reports about whether or not Flo is singing on "Reflections" [[and "Forever Came Today", too, for that matter) - I've read that the backgrounds are both Flo and Mary, Cindy and Mary, just the Andantes and no Mary/Flo/Cindy, etc. - any way to know for sure?

[kenneth]

Good points. In my own mind I often think of "Reflections" as the last single with Flo since it was slated to be on GREATEST HITS at one time and the song itself makes for a poignant break in the group's history [["Reflections of the way life used to be..."). On that topic, I've read conflicting reports about whether or not Flo is singing on "Reflections" [[and "Forever Came Today", too, for that matter) - I've read that the backgrounds are both Flo and Mary, Cindy and Mary, just the Andantes and no Mary/Flo/Cindy, etc. - any way to know for sure?

Does that mean Flo sang on "Reflections?" It certainly wasn't promoted as such, but that doesn't mean anything.

The Hip-O Singles sets generally say who is on the track, although they don't usually go into any detail as to the "anonymous" background singers. I checked Vol. 9 [[1969) and it does say "Although Florence Ballard took part in the sessions for these two tracks [[Reflections/Going Down for the 3rd Time), by the time the record was released she had been let go."

I always wondered why my copy of the LP "Reflections" had a paste-over on the back because I could see through that the text was the same, then I read later that there were some photos of Flo intermixed with those of Cindy with the group. Oddly, I've never seen a photo of the original back cover before it was pasted over. It would be interesting.

And, stranger still, TCMS Vol. 9 says that "In and Out of Love" was Flo's last session with the group but the background vocals were later overdubbed - by the Andantes! The notes seem to conclude that it was more due to the touring schedule of the girls, who were unavailable at the time to do the re-do of the backgrounds.

I doubt they ever thought 40 years later we'd be picking through this minutiae!

[bradsupremes]

I always thought it was Mary & Marlene Barrow on "Reflections" or it was Mary dubbed twice. I just doesn't sound like Florence was on there. Her voice is so recognizable, but that recognizable voice isn't heard on the song. However, there have been times where I've heard either mono or stereo mixes of the song and I thought I would hear her. I'm not sure though. With the problems that were occurring within the group by that time, I wouldn't be surprised if she wasn't on the recording.

Take a listen to "You Can't Hurry Love," "Misery Makes Its Home In My Heart," and "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted"....the background vocals were recorded a few days apart in early July 1966. The background vocals for "You Can't Hurry Love," and "Misery Makes Its Home In My Heart" were recorded on July 5, 1966. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" had vocals added on July 8, 1966. Listen to the background vocals on those songs and then take a listen to "Reflections." Florence is absent on all four recordngs...

[carlo]

I used to like figuring out who sang backup on what, but I don't like it so much anymore because we're finding out a lot of things I would have preferred not to have known. For instance, the fact that Mary and Flo are absent from 95% of the Christmas album. Even though it isn't them, in my mind when I listen to the music, I still think of the Supremes [[Diana, Mary and Flo) and the good memories associated with the music.

[Roberta75]

I used to like figuring out who sang backup on what, but I don't like it so much anymore because we're finding out a lot of things I would have preferred not to have known. For instance, the fact that Mary and Flo are absent from 95% of the Christmas album. Even though it isn't them, in my mind when I listen to the music, I still think of the Supremes [[Diana, Mary and Flo) and the good memories associated with the music.

Please don't let the fact that Flo and Mary are absent from most of the Christmas Album ruin your festive season Carlo. May the good memories of Diana, Mary and Flo stay with you every time you play this classic holiday album.

[carlo]

Thank you, Roberta. After I had found out about the Andantes being on the album, the first two or three Christmases were really hard, but I have slowly managed to pull through.

[Roberta75]

Thank you, Roberta. After I had found out about the Andantes being on the album, the first two or three Christmases were really hard, but I have slowly managed to pull through.

That's good Carlo. Life is full of surprises but we must keep on truckin.

Best to you.

Roberta