The Complete Motown Singles
Vol. 6: 1966 (Motown/Hip-O Select)
Bound for clutching, Hip-O Select’s The Complete Motown Singles campaign preserves the boutique series’ midpoint in another cherished yearbook of music history. The Supremes modeling red sequins, the Temptations’ purple choreography, Smokey Robinson serenading Tammi Terrell: Camelot. By 1966, JFK and Jackie were three years gone, but Kim Weston and Marvin Gaye’s “It Takes Two” sets the soar for the latter’s forthcoming duet with Terrell on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Gone is the kitsch, the novelties, save for Monitors’ recruitment “Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam),” replaced with Tin Pan Alley heft: the Four Tops’ “Reach Out (I’ll Be There),” Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” and Temps’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Any 5-CD diary opening with Martha Reeves getting gooey on “My Baby Loves Me” is pure adore. How two mixes of “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” went to No. 12 with the Isley Brothers instead of No. 1 with the Supremes begs question, but disc two answers with a “legendary lost” Motown 45: Rick James and Neil Young’s Mynah Birds. Dance party three boogaloos with A-sides by the Tops, Vandellas, Miracles, and Pips, while disc four opens on “You Can’t Hurry Love” despite Supremes B-side “Remove This Doubt” playing like another A-side. Two parts of Jr. Walker’s hot-footed “Money (That’s What I Want)” on the final CD sandwich Stevie Wonder’s spreading chestnut “A Place in the Sun” and three miracle sides of “Some Day at Christmas.” Merry Christmas, baby. www.hip-oselect.com.
This article appears in December 8 • 2006.
