Originally Posted by
westgrandboulevard
Bluebrock, I agree, and certainly don't think the group was given second rate songs to record.
It's true that GK&P were given many songs which also went to other acts to record, but which was just the Motown way of operating a recording business.
There were other artists at Motown who were bigger names in the industry before Gladys & The Pips signed for Motown, and continued to be so, and therefore had first call on new, original songs.
Also, Gladys' version of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' was indeed topped by Marvin Gaye's version.
I can see several, fully justifiable reasons why Gladys, as main spokesperson for the group, would view their stay at Motown with a negative slant. However, I do often wish Gladys could, over 40 years later, be more completely positive about their Motown catalogue, and simply let her fans decide on how they feel about it.
Martha Reeves, for example, could also be very negative about aspects of her Motown career, but does not choose to be, which is very wise. If we still enjoy Martha's recordings and stage performances to this day, then so will she. What we have received and maybe still retain in our lives, should be given far more importance than what we feel we've lost, or never had.
And, 'second rate' songs or not, would Gladys & The Pips have been in the position to achieve success with Buddah, if they had not previously recorded for Motown?
I believe Gladys has stated that she never wanted to sign with Motown in the first place, but was outvoted by the Pips.
It's hard not to form the strong impression that Gladys' initial reluctance then went on to influence her whole perception of their work at Motown, and may continue to do so. That's regrettable, if it is at odds with those of us who continue to enjoy her very high quality Motown recordings, to this day.
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