Supremes a Go Go

Although there were many incarnations (read: lineups) of the Supremes, when a true fan hears “Supremes,” he or she only thinks Diana, Florence and Mary. This then is the ultimate Supremes album. The Supremes at the peak and pinnacle of what made they who they were. Any later lineups, even just a couple years later, coincided with evolutions in their sound which, while still distinctive because of Ross singing lead, lost their unique character and sound as Florence and Mary were increasingly augmented (or even replaced) in the background by Motown’s super studio backup group, the Andantes.This is one of the last studio albums with the original lineup of Diana, Mary and Flo. It also contains two of their greatest songs. The first, “Love is Like an Itching in My Heart,” a stomping, floor filling, soul shouter, which was not typical Supremes, and certainly not a typical Ross lead vocal, something more you might associate with Martha and the Vandellas. This may have ultimately confused the fans because it wasn’t as big a hit as it might have been, considering the place it ultimately carved for itself in Supremes history. The second, “You Can’t Hurry Love,” is the much covered, true Supremes “anthem” with a throbbing, pulsating Holland Dozier Holland musical background, during their truly golden period. They used the same beat and rhythms on a few other hits from the era, “All I Need” (for the Temptations) and “I’m Ready for Love” by Martha and the Vandellas.Those two tracks alone would make the album a keeper. But to flesh out the singles into an LP, Berry Gordy had the girls cover a host of their stable mates’ originals songs, such as the Isley Bros. “This Old Heart of Mine,” the Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself,” and the Temptations’ “Get Ready” as well as having them cover other hit songs of the era such as Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” and the McCoys’ “Hang on Sloopy” (really!).The album glitters from start to finish. This actually was never a favorite Supremes album of mine. To me, the covers seemed a little rushed and “rote,” perhaps. But the masters at Motown/Universal have gone all out in recapturing the original magic of this groundbreaking trio. The sounds sound fresh, “mod” and exciting, as if you are hearing them for the first time. The original album was recorded partially on the West Coast utilizing members of the fabled Wrecking Crew (which at various times included Leon Russell, Nino Tempo, Hal Blaine and other legendary musicians) and partially in Detroit utilizing Motown’s in house band, the Funk Brothers (James Jamerson on bass, Benny Benjamin on drums, Ivy Jo Hunter on piano). A fellow poster on the Soulful Detroit Forum, a Motown and R&B lovers paradise, pointed out to this reviewer that the album’s sequencing was such that the West Coast/Funk Brothers tracks were alternated throughout the LP. This creates a fascinating contrast.The Funk Brothers never sounded better and are truly in their element. I mean these guys just seem to love these songs. It’s almost as if by covering songs they’d done before (at least in the case of the Motown artists), the Funk Brothers were able to amp up the musical ante even more the second time, to, as they say “stretch out” in the music. But the Wrecking Crew, no slouches either when it came to talent, also lets loose in a genre they weren’t generally well known for playing - soul - and hit the mark again and again. In some cases, the West Coast tracks exceed those recorded at Motown in terms of irresistibility and just plain funk, most notably on “Money (That’s What I Want)” which fairly screams “get off your ass and jam!” and “These Boots are Made for Walkin’” which has a series of explosive hand claps that I dare you to try and replicate at home. It’s fun and fabulous, almost a “battle of the bands” underneath the soaring vocals, a fascinating subtext to the songs and vocals themselves.Hard to believe that Diane Ross was barely 21 at the time. One can only appreciate later in life what those times must have been for her. Clearly, whatever you think of the lady, she embraced being a career artist fully, and likely no one ever worked harder to get and stay on top. In a way she was the Joan Crawford of the music industry (I in no way mean in her personal life, however. What I mean is she worked harder than anyone to be who she was to the public.The first of the two discs as the original album in both Monaural and Stereo mixes, followed by a few bonus tracks. Back during these transitional years when the recording industry went from Mono to Stereo, singles were still all produced in Mono only, but albums came out in both Mono and Stereo versions. Many people started buying Stereo albums right around then, so it got to be common that one knew the single sounded somewhat different than the album version. But the differences didn't always mean the Stereo version was better. Berry Gordy was said to make sure his single releases sounded good on a recreated “car radio” in the listening room, so he would know how it would sound to “the kids.” The Mono mixes generally had more punch and immediacy. Anyway, it’s fun to debate it. Some songs seem to leap out of the speakers, the girls' version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," for one. I never liked their arrangement of this; it always seemed insipid and uninspired. Well, the remaster geniuses have amped up the bass and percussion, and the Ross vocal (I don't even think this one has any backgrounds) truly rivals that of Nancy Sinatra's cynical, tough reading of the lyric. And anyone who claims that Ross could never sing soul (a belief I long held) should hear her version of the early Motown Barrett Strong classic, "Money (That's What I Want)." She truly wails the lyric! Again, the background instrumentation (on this track, the West Coast team) just go all out.The second of these two fantastic discs is made up of outtakes, alternates and a few surprises: one, a combination/mash-up of “Shake Me, Wake Me (When It’s Over)” which combines the original 4 Tops recording with the Supremes cover, making a very real sounding and fun duet. (The 70s version of the Supremes, with lead singer Jean Terrell, recorded three albums with the 4 Tops several years later.) Another great surprise is a truly awesome remix of the lead off single, “Love is Like an Itching in My Heart,” which still has the immediacy, the itch, today that it did when it first came off.Along with all the excellent surprises of the first and second disc, the producers have enclosed not one, but TWO marvelous booklets. The first has the usual detail of the release, what led to it, and the Supremes Timeline continues from the last release in the Expanded series, "I Hear a Symphony." The second booklet is an especial treat. It is a reproduction of a complete Supremes tour booklet from the era. Lots of rare photos, public relation blurbs, and ads for other Motown albums make you feel you're back at a Supremes concert, which (who knows?) might have cost all of $5.00 at the time - which would have been a lot to a teenager in the 60s - clutching your souvenir program while hearing all the great music. Everything about the packaging, just like the mastering and song selection, prove that this truly was a labor of love for all concerned.This then is truly the ultimate Supremes album, and Motown/Universal, whose team includes many of the experts from the used to be Motown Select/Hip-O, has truly delivered a glorious gift to the girls’ many fans. If anyone ever asks you who the Supremes were, play the two singles off the “A Go Go” album, or, better yet, play them the entire 2-disc set!

This 50th Anniversary set is a real joy to wallow through. Aurally, not one dull moment from start to finish! Visually, equally rich. The first thing you'll notice when you open the left-wing pink cover is a gorgeous photo of Flo on the right inside panel that will surely tug at your heart-strings. Musically, it's exciting to finally have the Mono version of the album available again along with the usual-for-CD Stereo version. For me, the most thrilling aspect of this handsome set is the wide variety of Bonus tracks. These aren't just similar-sounding alternate versions to the previously-released versions. Some of these are really different -- and exciting, too! Highlights: "He's All I've Got" has a beautiful instrumental break in the bridge which, up 'til now, was non-existent. Motown magic! "Heat Wave" and "It's The Same Old Song" are taken at a slower tempo here -- and it works like a charm! "Mother Dear" is REALLY different! Gone is the smooth and familiar shuffle-beat of the "More Hits" album version. Instead, it's replaced by a choppy musical arrangement reminiscent of "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" and "Mickey's Monkey". Strange, but it works! And It's fun, too! "Put Yourself In My Place" contains an instrumental ending which is really pretty. "These Boots Are Made For Walking" boasts first-time-ever handclaps which really jazz it up -- so much so that even "I" like it! (I was never crazy about that track before.) And, the intro to "Hang On Sloopy" is now accented with "Where-Did-Our-Love-Go"-styled foot stomps. (Never cared for that track, either, but I dislike it less here. I guess I just love being reminded of "Where Did Our Love Go" which started it all for The Supremes.)The two extended mixes of "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart", which close out the set, are HOT!!! And, even better, they're nearly-segued! Turn it up and CRANK IT!!! I listened to the entire 2-CD set under my Sony Studio Monitor headphones. The entire set blew me away! Motown never sounded so good!Harry Weinger, Andy Skurow, George Solomon, and Kevin Reeves are to be commended for yet another Motown masterpiece!

Always one of my favorite Supremes' albums, having gotten it when it was originally released so many years ago. A few years ago, I purchased the remastered CD that was done out of Japan and that sounded very good! Compared to my original LP - this CD sounded detailed and vibrant. Motown albums back in the day were poorly pressed and the sound was always heavily compressed ... the Japanese CD opened it up a bit. Now I own this expanded version and no regrets. The sound is vibrant and dynamic. And the alternate versions / unreleased gems are a treat to the ears. I never really liked when they did Heat Wave on the Supremes Sing H-D-H! I love Diana's voice but Martha Reeves did a much better job on that song! Well the alternate version on this edition is a bit better than the one released on H-D-H! It works - although Martha's version is still the go-to! But I do love the way they do another Vandellas' hit - In My Lonely Room. Diana's voice is well suited for that song. They also do a great job on the Contours hit - Just a Little Misunderstanding! Since its original release I was never a big fan of Boots and Sloopy - I felt they could have put songs on the release that were better suited to Diana's voice. I had heard a rumor that a version of Boots was recorded with Flo on lead. Unfortunately, the alternate version on this CD is not that one ... Diana is still singing lead. So it's nice to have "other songs" that fit the Go-Go feel. Overall - this is a great release. Hopefully, they will do a deluxe version of Supremes Sing Holland Dozier Holland before the end of the decade.

At last! This release has been in the offing for so long that I almost came to the conclusion that it wasn't going to happen. I am so very glad that it has. Very many years ago, I purchased this album and it was slightly disappointing as it hadn't been recorded in Detroit; the sound of the backing was thin.This release follows on from the Hip-O Select expanded issues of previous Supremes albums and I am so glad to have the opportunity to listen to the alternative vocals and mixes. They are good and a joy to hear.We get both the mono and stereo versions of the album, which is cool plus many other tracks that are very worthy of being here. Most of the songs have been available on previous cd or vinyl releases, but they are different vocal takes or mixes and some of them are so very different too.A very worthwhile project and the fake duet with Four Tops really works. Naughty, but nice, as they say! plus the final track of the SuperMix on "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart" is excellent too.This has been worth the wait and I recommend it to all!

I am delighted with this release. I waited before purchase and I am glad that I did as a got it for a brilliant £12.!!!! I think it started at a pre-order price of £35. Still worth it at a higher price. These tracks are priceless and I hope as indicated in one of the booklets that we will get expanded editions on CD (NOT DOWNLOADS!!!!!) of "Ross" - the Motown version and "Supremes sing HDH".

Put yourself in my place is the name of the song on this cd with during the whole song you can hear ticks and cracks which proves that the song is recorded based on a vinylrecording and definetly not a mastertape. So I took an other cd of the Supremes of the Supremes with 2 albums on one cd together with Love Child and I could hear the same cracks. I think the record company had to give that information. A shame for such a great company.Eddie from the Netherlands

I wasn't expecting what is basically a hip o select cd issue to arrive when I ordered this . But that's what it is and highly recommended too

What do I need to say, The Supremes......Pure class......Pure talent......No group will ever touch them or come close........ This is a album for the fans and for you if you just found the Supremes........Go Go get the Supremes.