Not something I'd usually buy, but I found this 1986 two-fer set from Motown in a smooth-sided jewel case for 50¢ at a thrift store and couldn't pass it up. The legendary tune Shotgun is such a great cut, the rest has to be good, right? Boy howdy did I luck out because this this is some fun stuff. With powerful saxophone solos and raw vocal energy, the music is all very similar, it doesn't take itself too seriously, it's made for good times, and I can't sit still.
SHOTGUN (1965)
11 tracks, 33 minutes
11 tracks, 33 minutes
Press of the time:
- CashBox: "Jammed with a flock of teen shakeables"
- Record World: "Groovy, gutsy instrumentals"
- Billboard: "Powerful album"
- Record Mirror: ★★★
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #108
- Billboard R&B: #1
Tracks: The album contained 5 tunes that hit various Top 40 charts: Shotgun (#1 R&B, #4 pop), Do The Boomerang (#10 R&B, #36 pop), Cleo's Mood (#14 R&B), and the double A-side Shake And Fingerpop b/w Cleo's Back (#7 R&B, #29 pop).
ROAD RUNNER (1966)
11 tracks, 35 minutes
11 tracks, 35 minutes
Press of the time:
- CashBox: "should delight lots of soul fans with this groovy disk"
- Billboard: "this album can't miss"
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #64
- Billboard R&B: #6
Tracks: This album contained 4 tunes that charted in at least one Top 40: (I'm A) Road Runner (#4 R&B, #20 pop), How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (#3 R&B, #18 pop), Money (That's What I Want) (#35 R&B), and Pucker Up Buttercup (#11 R&B, #31 pop).
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.
These Motown Two All Time Great Classic Albums discs have always been must buys for me. The mastering isn't always the best or even consistent between the two featured albums but in my experience its been more hit then miss and I continue to pick them up.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites include Marvin Gaye (What's Going On/Let's Get It On), DeBarge (All This Love/In A Special Way), The Temptations (Psychedelic Shack/All Directions) and a comp of two Motown compilations Every Great Motown Song: The First 25 Years As Originally Recorded.
There's three Al Green pairings which I never understood being a Motown thing. Also, three Commodores discs have eluded me thus far but I know I'll get them someday.