Gladys Knight & The Pips “I’ll Be Here (When You Get Home)” (From the LP All I Need Is Time, 1973) This particular Gemini Roll Call needs probably very little introduction. Since her debut on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour some 63 years ago, Gladys Knight has been dazzling audiences with her rich and full…
Tag: Motown
Blinky “I Wouldn’t Change The Man He Is” (Motown 1134, 1968)
Blinky “I Wouldn’t Change The Man He Is” (Motown 1134, 1968) Perhaps the most overlooked, poorly treated woman in Motown’s later golden years was Sondra “Blinky” Williams Oakland born, L.A. raised and recording almost exclusively in gospel settings through 1966, Blinky brought a visceral fire to most every recording she laid down for the Motor…
Stevie Wonder “I Gave Up Quality For Quantity” (1965, Unreleased. From Cellarful of Motown, Volume 2, 2005)
Stevie Wonder “I Gave Up Quality For Quantity” (1965, Unreleased. From Cellarful of Motown, Volume 2, 2005) Motown has two Taurus legends that celebrate birthdays on May 13th, so we’re gonna take a full 48 hours to pay proper tribute to both. First up, we’re paying tribute to Stevie Wonder on the eve of his…
Kim Weston “Fancy Meeting You Here” (1966, Unreleased. From The Motown Anthology, 2005)
Kim Weston “Fancy Meeting You Here” (1966, Unreleased. From The Motown Anthology, 2005) The complications of the Motown release and promotional schedule putting The Supremes first, and just about everyone else second-to-never really did a disservice in getting audiences some rather wonderful performances by a host of Motown artists. The most wonky in stories would…
The Temptations “You’re The One I Need” (From The LP The Temptin’ Temptations, 1965)
The Temptations “You’re The One I Need” (From The LP The Temptin’ Temptations, 1965) 50 years on, it can’t be under-estimated the vast impact that the glut of Motown acts flooding the nations airwaves and television screens made in 1965. Representing a new, suave and sophisticated Black Masculinity were Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and…
Marvin Gaye “For The Both Of Us I’ll Be Concerned” (1971, Unreleased. From Love Starved Heart: Rare And Unreleased, 1994)
Marvin Gaye “For The Both Of Us I’ll Be Concerned” (1971, Unreleased. From Love Starved Heart: Rare And Unreleased, 1994) It’s perhaps the more bittersweet soulful moments of Spring. Perhaps the most everlastingly cruel April Fools Joke. A Day before his 45th Birthday, the complex relationship between Marvin Gaye Jr. and Sr. was cemented forever…
Diana Ross “Surrender” (Motown 1188, R&B#16 Pop#38, 1971)
Diana Ross “Surrender” (Motown 1188, R&B#16 Pop#38, 1971) Icon, legendary, mystery and controversy, where would the world be without Diana Ross, who celebrates her 71st Birthday today. 56 years of performing and still touring strong and gracefully, she has a remarkably vast catalog of popular song that one can barely begin to dissect and analyze and…
Martha & The Vandellas “No More Tear Stained Make – Up” (From the LP Watchout! 1966)
Martha & The Vandellas “No More Tear Stained Make – Up” (From the LP Watchout! 1966) Where would I exactly be in making a presentation on girl groups without thinking of Martha & The Vandellas? Pretty much nowhere, since, after the super obvious case of The Supremes, Martha Reeves and her singing partner’s catalog is…
The Marvelettes “Learning To Forget You” (1965, Unreleased. From The Marvelettes: Forever More, 2011)
The Marvelettes “Learning To Forget You” (1965, Unreleased. From The Marvelettes: Forever More, 2011) The Marvelettes are in heavy rotation as the hours wind down to me taking the microphone at the 2nd ever Queer Astrology Conference where their songs and story will figure prominently in the proto-feminist discussions of the Astrology of the early to mid-1960s….
The Supremes “Come And Get These Memories” (From The LP The Supremes A-Go-Go, 1966)
The Supremes “Come And Get These Memories” (From The LP The Supremes A-Go-Go, 1966) The keeper of The Supremes flame, Mary Wilson, agelessly celebrates her 71st Birthday this Friday. Over 56 years of Performing and showing no signs of slowing down, she is pretty much a living icon. Given that icon status, it’s a bit…
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