{"id":634,"date":"2014-01-03T00:34:16","date_gmt":"2014-01-03T00:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/batterymedia.com\/blog\/?p=634"},"modified":"2014-03-26T22:06:53","modified_gmt":"2014-03-26T22:06:53","slug":"rs-423-diana-ross-and-the-supremes-anthology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/batterymedia.com\/blog\/?p=634","title":{"rendered":"RS #423: Diana Ross and The Supremes, Anthology"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Diana
Another anthology\u2026 sigh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Release Date:<\/strong>\u00a02001
\nPreviously Owned:<\/strong>\u00a0No
\nFirst Time Listen:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes<\/p>\n

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Impressions:<\/strong>\u00a0A sprawling 2-disc anthology of the, well, supreme Motown group that has at least three different versions that were released. Let’s dive in!\u2026 The earliest songs are mostly new to me and range from novelty tunes about a man who only eats “Buttered Popcorn” to weird moody\u00a0organ\/flute driven doo-wop of “I Want A Guy.” The singing is already top-shelf from the get go and the dreamy Latin-accented, Smokey Robinson production “Your Heart Belongs To Me” shows everything all coming together early. Diana Ross emerged as the \u00a0star, even though they wouldn’t have a hit until the songwriting team of Holland\/Dozer\/Holland teamed up with the Supremes for “Where Did Our Love Go.” After that, they locked into a real groove and cranked out amazing hit after hit, arguably rivaled at the time only by The Beatles. “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop! In The Name of Love” “Back In My Arms Again.” Look, this stuff is impossible to hate, but with a huge collection of songs that have been played over and over again, it can become a little repetitive and formulaic. But, man, what a great formula: Ross’ smooth but longing lead vocals,\u00a0Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard’s honeyed backup vocals backed up by typically snappy Motown arrangements; like their energetic uber-hit “You Can’t Hurry Love” and a fun cover of the Isley Brothers’ stellar Motown hit “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You.)” Tough to choose a favorite, “Reflections” is probably my personal winner of the bunch; with shimmering beats and shiny keyboards almost preface electronica by more than a decade. The second disc gets a bit rocky with too many strange covers and the tension generated by the feeling that Ross would go solo. But, too much good stuff here to dismiss.<\/p>\n

Starred Songs:<\/strong>\u00a0“Baby Love,” “Stop! In The Name of Love” “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “You Keep Me Hanging On”<\/div>\n
Sneaky Track:\u00a0<\/strong>“Come See About Me,” “Reflections”<\/div>\n
Should this album be on the\u00a0list? <\/strong>The material here is awesome. This album should be here in spite of my feeling that greatest hits seem kinda like cheating.<\/div>\n
Will you listen to this again?<\/strong>\u00a0Probably pick it apart for singles<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Verdict:<\/strong>\u00a0Sprawling collection of pop\/R&B singles from Motown’s greatest success has lots of stunning highs mixed in with some odd B-sides and covers.<\/div>\n
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Rating:<\/strong>\u00a0\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/p>\n