Motown Monday ~ “Come See About Me” ~ The Supremes

Released in 1964, third song out of 5 consecutive singles released to hit #1 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

 

Motown Monday ~ Everybody Needs Love ~ Mary Wells

Written by Norman Whitfield and Edward Holland Jr.

Mary Wells was the first to record this song in 1964 but another that Berry Gordy wouldn’t release until Wells left Motown. Instead opting to release The Temptations version done in 1965 first. But not even The Temps could out do Mary Wells.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ Walk On By ~ Dionne Warwick

In reality the video itself tells the story of the magic that was created with Composer Burt Bacharach, Co-Writing Lyricist partner Hal David and Singer Dionne Warwick.

It was the time of an era that spoke to you through the muse, words and vocals like none other. And it was the beginning of one of the best combinations of Music Ever.

Something today that nobody seems to have anymore. A collaboration that lasts because it’s that good.

“Walk On By” was just one of multitudes of hits she would sing with Bacharach & David who wrote over a 100 songs together in the early sixties alone with a good portion of them with Warwick in mind.

Over a 20-year period, beginning in the early 1960s, Warwick charted 38 singles co-written or produced by Bacharach and David, including 22 Top-40, 12 Top-20, and nine Top-10 hits on the American Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto ~ The Girl From Ipanema

Ahhhh it doesn’t get anymore laid back and relaxed.

This song was a prime example of International Talent.

Musicians alike seeked for each other in every country within the continent. And this was a mix made in heaven. Stan Getz renown sax player finds João Gilberto renown guitarist and adds a little, Girl. Astrud Gilberto.

The recording would gain them a Grammy for Album of the Year, Best Jazz Instrumental Album – Individual or Group and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

And this classic “The Girl from Ipanema” also won the award for Record of the Year in 1965.

This was the first time in Grammy history that a Jazz Album won. That achievement wouldn’t be agained again until 2008 43 years later with Herbie Hancock.

In 1964 this was  Bossa Nova and Jazz at its finest.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ “Downtown” ~ Petula Clark

I cannot listen today what the record companies call music anymore when it’s anything but. In fact I haven’t been able to listen to it for years. From this trash called Rap and these so-called singers of the last 20 years who all sound alike. With some sort of blocked nasal cavity sound. People who can sing do so, they let it all out with every dynamic of their vocal chords.

What we heard when I was coming up in the sixties was precision. Total precise lyrics, the singers total capabilities, the arrangement of all the music, every lead, background, harmony, instrument played down to every single break, beat, chord, horn section, strings. Everything combined and composed and it all came out like a masterpiece.

You can hear it all with this song released in 1964 by Petula Clark.

Motown Monday ~ The Andantes ~ Like A Nightmare

Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks and Marlene Barrow didn’t need Ann Bogan to sing lead on the only two singles Berry Gordy ever let this group record as a group.

They had more than enough talent to be one of the biggest acts to come out of “Motown” and Gordy knew it. So he again like he did with so many other artists literally held them back and put them in the back row with The Funk Brothers.

Motown Monday ~ The Velvelettes ~ Stop Beating Around The Bush

Written by Harvey Fuqua
Recorded in 1964

Mildred Gill, Bertha Barbee, Carolyn Gill, Betty Kelley & Norma Barbee