Best Ever Albums

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

AfterHours — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:07:16 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 06/27/2017 23:07

StreetSpirit wrote:

I hear ya. Been busy as hell myself the past couple months. When I said somebody should do an ADP again, Jimmy Dread provoked me to do one. So guess what? BEA's first ADP in nearly two months is going up tonight, or tomorrow morning for BEAers in Europe. I already have it written out. I'll post it around 10PM Pacific. I hope you find time to do one soon.

Great thanks, I'm intrigued about what you come up with. Maybe I'll squeeze the time in to contribute.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

CA Dreamin — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:55:16 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 06/27/2017 22:55

bobbyb5 wrote:

Oh, goody!! No more "mindless one word answers" from all us mindless fools out here, huh?

I never said you nor anyone else was a 'mindless fool.' That would be a dick thing to say. Relax bro, I don't think you're a mindless fool; I think you have good taste. But I also think BEA is missing threads that ask for a little more thought from its users. They used to be posted all the time but they're rare nowadays. Anyway, I hope you contribute to the ADP. Cheers dude.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:39:51 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 22:39

StreetSpirit wrote:

Oh, goody!! No more "mindless one word answers" from all us mindless fools out here, huh?

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

CA Dreamin — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:33:24 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 06/27/2017 22:33

AfterHours wrote:

Thank you, I like your insights too, and many others on this site. I would like to do one and when I find the time I will probably do so. I've only been able to show up on BEA for very short increments, just quick updates and usually having to limit my posts/replies content (unless I put them together over multiple occasions, which maybe I'll do to put an ADP together).

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

AfterHours — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:02:54 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 06/27/2017 20:02

StreetSpirit wrote:

It's time somebody did an ADP again. AfterHours, we never heard from you. Come on dude, I enjoy reading your insight.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:13:40 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 19:13

[quote="AAL2014"][quote="bobbyb5"][quote="AAL2014"]No disrespect to any of the Motown greats (because there are a lot of them), but really, for full albums filled with rich musicality, world class song writing, beautiful lyrics to match the already gorgeous melodies, there is but one contender, Steveland Hardaway Judkins.

Innervisions and Songs In The Key of Life are two of the greatest albums ever, let alone soul/Motown. I can put those albums on at any time and be immersed in the music completely. Almost as if, I'm seeing what Stevie sees as I try to pick apart the songs. Of course the only difference being, he created it, I'm interpreting it. That's what makes those albums especially beautiful for me, I can hear them my own way, but no matter how hard I try, I'll never see 100% of the vision. Same thing with most truly great albums.

Innervisions features Living For The City, one of the great narratives in the pop music canon, and as good a sociopolitical message as anything from the incredible and timeless What's Going On from Marvin Gaye. To me Stevie was just on a different level than any of the great singers at Motown, he wanted to be an artist, a songwriter, a creator, a visionary, and with those two albums in particular, he did just that.[/quote]

I half agree. I think Innervisions is the great one, but i thought there was a humongous drop off in the quality of his songs after it. I find Songs in the... a little mushy and ordinary. Only I Wish is up to the high level of earlier records. Thats just me tho. And he was : unusual at Motown in that he had an artistic ambition. Everyone who was associated with Motown would tell u thats not what they were all about. Their greatness was in how pleasurable and enjoyable their stuff was. They understood they were just popular music. Or, as they themselves always described it, rock n roll. But of a really fantastic high quality. Thats how all these other albums are just as great. Great in a different way, of course, than Innervisions. But all those albums i listed are great nonetheless.[/quote]

Yes, I remember your views on Songs, fair enough. But as good of a single I Wish is, to me it's not one of the strongest on the album even. I prefer As, Knocks Me Off My Feet, Love's In Need, Contusion, and probably Sir Duke personally.

(Side note from my fuckin stupid brain: it's also much more enjoyable to hear covers of any of the songs I mentioned ahead of I Wish, merely because I saw a band do it the other night. Can't start that song with "Looking back on when I was a little nappy headed boy" unless you're Stevie. Just makes me cringe otherwise, feels trite)

Anyway, of course, there are a number of great albums in the Motown spectrum and I do enjoy a lot of Marvin's work, the Temptations, Smokey, the list goes on and on, but I don't find myself exploring their catalog like Stevie. He just peaked my musical interest a long time ago and still does.[/quote]

I've never heard any covers of those songs you mentioned but I'd love to. There are some great covers of Stevie songs. Most spectacularly "until you come back to me" by Aretha Franklin and Ribbon in the Sky by Diana Ross and Its a Shame by The Spinners. Tons more too.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

AAL2014 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:04:36 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 06/27/2017 19:04

bobbyb5 wrote:

AAL2014 wrote:

No disrespect to any of the Motown greats (because there are a lot of them), but really, for full albums filled with rich musicality, world class song writing, beautiful lyrics to match the already gorgeous melodies, there is but one contender, Steveland Hardaway Judkins.

Innervisions and Songs In The Key of Life are two of the greatest albums ever, let alone soul/Motown. I can put those albums on at any time and be immersed in the music completely. Almost as if, I'm seeing what Stevie sees as I try to pick apart the songs. Of course the only difference being, he created it, I'm interpreting it. That's what makes those albums especially beautiful for me, I can hear them my own way, but no matter how hard I try, I'll never see 100% of the vision. Same thing with most truly great albums.

Innervisions features Living For The City, one of the great narratives in the pop music canon, and as good a sociopolitical message as anything from the incredible and timeless What's Going On from Marvin Gaye. To me Stevie was just on a different level than any of the great singers at Motown, he wanted to be an artist, a songwriter, a creator, a visionary, and with those two albums in particular, he did just that.

I half agree. I think Innervisions is the great one, but i thought there was a humongous drop off in the quality of his songs after it. I find Songs in the... a little mushy and ordinary. Only I Wish is up to the high level of earlier records. Thats just me tho. And he was : unusual at Motown in that he had an artistic ambition. Everyone who was associated with Motown would tell u thats not what they were all about. Their greatness was in how pleasurable and enjoyable their stuff was. They understood they were just popular music. Or, as they themselves always described it, rock n roll. But of a really fantastic high quality. Thats how all these other albums are just as great. Great in a different way, of course, than Innervisions. But all those albums i listed are great nonetheless.

Yes, I remember your views on Songs, fair enough. But as good of a single I Wish is, to me it's not one of the strongest on the album even. I prefer As, Knocks Me Off My Feet, Love's In Need, Contusion, and probably Sir Duke personally.

(Side note from my fuckin stupid brain: it's also much more enjoyable to hear covers of any of the songs I mentioned ahead of I Wish, merely because I saw a band do it the other night. Can't start that song with "Looking back on when I was a little nappy headed boy" unless you're Stevie. Just makes me cringe otherwise, feels trite)

Anyway, of course, there are a number of great albums in the Motown spectrum and I do enjoy a lot of Marvin's work, the Temptations, Smokey, the list goes on and on, but I don't find myself exploring their catalog like Stevie. He just peaked my musical interest a long time ago and still does.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:40:35 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 18:40

[quote="AAL2014"]No disrespect to any of the Motown greats (because there are a lot of them), but really, for full albums filled with rich musicality, world class song writing, beautiful lyrics to match the already gorgeous melodies, there is but one contender, Steveland Hardaway Judkins.

Innervisions and Songs In The Key of Life are two of the greatest albums ever, let alone soul/Motown. I can put those albums on at any time and be immersed in the music completely. Almost as if, I'm seeing what Stevie sees as I try to pick apart the songs. Of course the only difference being, he created it, I'm interpreting it. That's what makes those albums especially beautiful for me, I can hear them my own way, but no matter how hard I try, I'll never see 100% of the vision. Same thing with most truly great albums.

Innervisions features Living For The City, one of the great narratives in the pop music canon, and as good a sociopolitical message as anything from the incredible and timeless What's Going On from Marvin Gaye. To me Stevie was just on a different level than any of the great singers at Motown, he wanted to be an artist, a songwriter, a creator, a visionary, and with those two albums in particular, he did just that.[/quote]

I half agree. I think Innervisions is the great one, but i thought there was a humongous drop off in the quality of his songs after it. I find Songs in the... a little mushy and ordinary. Only I Wish is up to the high level of earlier records. Thats just me tho. And he was : unusual at Motown in that he had an artistic ambition. Everyone who was associated with Motown would tell u thats not what they were all about. Their greatness was in how pleasurable and enjoyable their stuff was. They understood they were just popular music. Or, as they themselves always described it, rock n roll. But of a really fantastic high quality. Thats how all these other albums are just as great. Great in a different way, of course, than Innervisions. But all those albums i listed are great nonetheless.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

AAL2014 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:16:54 GMT

Author: AAL2014

Posted: 06/27/2017 18:16

No disrespect to any of the Motown greats (because there are a lot of them), but really, for full albums filled with rich musicality, world class song writing, beautiful lyrics to match the already gorgeous melodies, there is but one contender, Steveland Hardaway Judkins.

Innervisions and Songs In The Key of Life are two of the greatest albums ever, let alone soul/Motown. I can put those albums on at any time and be immersed in the music completely. Almost as if, I'm seeing what Stevie sees as I try to pick apart the songs. Of course the only difference being, he created it, I'm interpreting it. That's what makes those albums especially beautiful for me, I can hear them my own way, but no matter how hard I try, I'll never see 100% of the vision. Same thing with most truly great albums.

Innervisions features Living For The City, one of the great narratives in the pop music canon, and as good a sociopolitical message as anything from the incredible and timeless What's Going On from Marvin Gaye. To me Stevie was just on a different level than any of the great singers at Motown, he wanted to be an artist, a songwriter, a creator, a visionary, and with those two albums in particular, he did just that.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

Jimmy Dread — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:57:07 GMT

Author: Jimmy Dread

Posted: 06/27/2017 16:57

StreetSpirit wrote:

Alright I will. Look for it tomorrow morning.

Nice one. Looking forward to it.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

CA Dreamin — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:49:33 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 06/27/2017 16:49

Jimmy Dread wrote:

Go for it chap. Nowt stopping you. I'll do one if no-one else does...

Alright I will. Look for it tomorrow morning.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

Jimmy Dread — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:24:29 GMT

Author: Jimmy Dread

Posted: 06/27/2017 16:24

StreetSpirit wrote:

It's time somebody did an ADP again.

Go for it chap. Nowt stopping you. I'll do one if no-one else does...

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

CA Dreamin — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:16:09 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 06/27/2017 16:16

bobbyb5 wrote:

What do u suggest?

StreetSpirit wrote:

It's time somebody did an ADP again.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:10:29 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 16:10

StreetSpirit wrote:

It'd be better if the threads weren't mindless one-word answers to questions BEA has already covered. For example:
https://www.besteveralbums.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13711

It's time somebody did an ADP again. AfterHours, we never heard from you. Come on dude, I enjoy reading your insight.

Actually, I haven't seen ANY threads that weren't just ""mindless one word answers", as u put it.. What do u suggest? Essays on how Jeff Buckley was the coolest person who ever lived, perhaps/'?

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

CA Dreamin — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 11:17:04 GMT

Author: CA Dreamin

Posted: 06/27/2017 15:17

Jimmy Dread wrote:

Seriously mate, you've got compulsive thread starting syndrome.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

LittleM1971 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 06:40:42 GMT

Author: LittleM1971

Posted: 06/27/2017 10:40

I really love these two...

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

This Old Heart Of Mine by The Isley Brothers

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Make It Happen by Smokey Robinson And The Miracles

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 05:54:18 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 09:54

Also these.

Rick James. Bustin Out of L7
Teena Marie. Wild and Peaceful
David Ruffin. David Ruffin
Diana Ross. Lady Sings the Blues, Touch Me in the Morning "

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:48:44 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 08:48

I also forgot these ones.

Spinners. 2nd Time Around
Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross. Diana and Marvin
Thelma Houston. Any Way You Like It
Eddie Kendricks. People Hold On;, Boogie Down
Temptations. All Directions; Sky's the Limit
Supremes. Floy Joy

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

AfterHours — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:40:12 GMT

Author: AfterHours

Posted: 06/27/2017 08:40

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Re: What is the greatest Motown album?

bobbyb5 — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:11:02 GMT

Author: bobbyb5

Posted: 06/27/2017 08:11

Jimmy Dread wrote:

And I forgot this:

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye

As for S.F. Sorrow - can't see that it counts as Rare Earth only acted as US distrib. It was a Columbia press in the UK in '68, and was released a year later in North America. Can't see it being classed as a 'Motown album', aesthetically if nothing else...

Oh. I didnt know all that about SF Sorrow. I thought it was just part of Motown's freaky rock period. With Rare Earth and stuff. My older brothers had it and i thought it was nice when i was a kid. I liked it. I still do.