Author Topic: 16 Big Hits Albums  (Read 524 times)

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
16 Big Hits Albums
« on: February 17, 2020, 10:34:25 pm »
Does anyone have handy track-listings for the UK 16 Big Hits albums?

I remember them fondly for being the only place one could hear certain tracks in stereo.

SWI

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


Paul Nixon

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 477
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2020, 02:51:23 am »
The stereos of these LP's are worth looking out as there are quite a few different versions used - don't ask me which as my memory is not so good as it was but as I say well worth seeking out

Roger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1769
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2020, 06:53:18 am »
Does anyone have handy track-listings for the UK 16 Big Hits albums?

I remember them fondly for being the only place one could hear certain tracks in stereo.

SWI

I've managed to put together a list SWI … there were 8 in total in the series … Volumes 2 & 3 being confusingly called "Hitsville USA" & "Motown Magic".  Six of them were UK only (unless they were also issued elsewhere outside of The US of course), Volumes 4 and 5 duplicated the track listings of "16 Hits" compilations previously issued in The US and the first 4 seem to be Mono only.

There was also the "Motown Memories" series of three LPs which I've also included.

Roger

1 :- "A Collection Of 16 Tamla-Motown Hits" - TML11001 - Mar 65 - Mono Only

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11001

UK Only Release -

The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
Marvin Gaye - Try It Baby
The Miracles - I Like It Like That
Stevie Wonder - Hey Harmonica Man
Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving
Mary Wells - What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One
The Marvelettes - You're My Remedy
Martha And The Vandellas - Heat Wave
Mary Wells - My Guy
The Miracles - The Man In You
The Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack
Marvin Gaye - You're A Wonderful One
Brenda Hollloway - Every Little Bit Hurts
The Temptations - Why Do You Wanna Make Me Blue
Martha And The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
The Supremes - Baby Love

2 :- "Hitsville USA" - TML 11019 - Dec 1965 - Mono Only

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11019

UK Only Release -

The Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love
Four Tops - It's The Same Old Song
Marvin Gaye - Pretty Little Baby
Martha And The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
The Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
Brenda Holloway - When I'm Gone
The Temptations - Since I Lost My Baby
Junior Walker And The All Stars - Shotgun
Junior Walker And The All Stars - Shake And Fingerpop
Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
The Marvelettes - I'll Keep Holding On
Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone
The Temptations - It's Growing
The Supremes - Nothing But Heartaches
Stevie Wonder - Kiss Me Baby
Martha And The Vandellas - You've Been In Love Too Long

3 :- "Motown Magic" - TML 11030 - Jun 1966 - Mono Only

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11030

UK Only Release -

Stevie Wonder - Uptight (Everything's Alright)
The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You
Four Tops - Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar
Kim Weston - Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
The Temptations - My Baby
The Marvelettes - Don't Mess With Bill
The Miracles - Going To A Go Go
Four Tops - Something About You
Marvin Gaye - One More Heartache
The Elgins - Put Yourself In My Place
The Miracles - My Girl Has Gone
Jr. Walker And The All Stars - Cleo's Mood
The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony
Martha And The Vandellas - My Baby Loves Me
The Marvelettes - Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead

4 :- "A Collection Of 16 Big Hits (Vol 4)" - TML 11043 - Mar 1967 - Mono Only

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11043

Same Track Listing as US Release "A Collection Of 16 Original Big Hits Vol. 5" Motown MS 651 - Aug 1966

Junior Walker And The All Stars - Shot Gun
Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
The Temptations - My Girl
Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone
Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
Martha And The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
The Supremes - Come See About Me
The Temptations - It's Growing
Kim Weston - Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
Martha And The Vandellas - Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)
Brenda Holloway - When I'm Gone
Stevie Wonder - High Heel Sneakers
The Marvelettes - I'll Keep Holding On
The Contours - First I Look At The Purse

5 :- "A Collection Of 16 Big Hits (Vol 5)" - TML 11050 - Jun 1967 - Mono Only?????

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11050

Same Track Listing as US Release "A Collection Of 16 Original Big Hits, Vol. 4" Motown MS 633 - November 1965

Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving
The Marvelettes - Too Many Fish In The Sea
The Miracles - That's What Love Is Made Of
The Supremes - Baby Love
Marvin Gaye - I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby
Marvin Gaye And Mary Wells - What's The Matter With You Baby
Mary Wells - Two Lovers
Martha And The Vandellas - In My Lonely Room
Marvin Gaye - Try It Baby
The Contours - Can You Jerk Like Me
The Temptations - I'll Be In Trouble
Marvin Gaye And Mary Wells - Once Upon A Time
The Supremes - Let Me Go The Right Way
Shorty Long - Devil With The Blue Dress
Junior Walker And The All Stars - Hot Cha
Mary Wells - My Guy

6 :- "A Collection Of 16 Big Hits (Vol 6)" - STML 11074 - Jun 1968 - Stereo Only?????

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/stml11074

UK Only Release -

Marvin Gaye - Your Unchanging Love
Diana Ross And The Supremes - In And Out Of Love
The Contours - It's So Hard Being A Loser
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone
Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
Rita Wright - I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You
Shorty Long - Night Fo' Last
The Temptations - Fading Away
Four Tops - Walk Away Renee
Gladys Knight And The Pips - Just Walk In My Shoes
The Monitors - Since I Lost You Girl
Barbara Randolph - I Got A Feeling
Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
The Elgins - It's Been A Long Long Time
Jimmy Ruffin - I'll Say Forever My Love
The Marvelettes - My Baby Must Be A Magician

7 :- "A Collection Of 16 Big Hits (Vol 7)" - STML 11092 - 1969 - Stereo Only?????

https://www.discogs.com/Various-A-Collection-Of-16-Original-Big-Hits-Vol-7/release/4966309

UK Only Release -

The Temptations - I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back)
Diana Ross And The Supremes - I'm Livin' In Shame
Marvin Gaye - Chained
Isley Brothers - All Because I Love You
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playin'
Edwin Starr - 25 Miles
Tammi Terrell - This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
Chuck Jackson - Girls, Girls, Girls
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Your Precious Love
Gladys Knight And The Pips - Didn't You Know (You'd Have To Cry Sometime)
Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers - Does Your Mama Know About Me
Blinky - I Wouldn't Change The Man He Is
Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - Baby, Baby Don't Cry
The Monitors - Say You
Fantastic Four - The Whole World Is A Stage
Jimmy Ruffin - Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got

8 :- "A Collection Of 16 Big Hits (Vol 8 )" - STML 11130 - Jan 1970 - Mono/Stereo?

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/stml11130

UK Only Release -

Diana Ross And The Supremes - The Composer
Four Tops - What Is A Man
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - Doggone Right
David Ruffin - My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)
Isley Brothers - I Guess I'll Always Love You
Junior Walker And The All Stars - What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)
Gladys Knight And The Pips - The Nitty Gritty
The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain
Shorty Long - Here Comes The Judge
Stevie Wonder - You Met Your Match
Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell - Good Lovin' Ain't Easy To Come By
Edwin Starr - I Want My Baby Back
Marvin Gaye - You
Jimmy Ruffin - Don't You Miss Me A Little Bit Baby
Marv Johnson - I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You)

"Motown Memories" - STML 11064 - Jan 1968 - Mono/Stereo 

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11064

UK Only Release -

Martha And The Vandellas - Come And Get These Memories
Kim Weston - A Little More Love
Eddie Holland - Jamie
Marvelettes - Please Mr.Postman
Elgins - Put Yourself In My Place
Detroit Spinners - I'll Always Love You
Chris Clark - I Want To Go Back There Again
Mabel John - Who Wouldn't Love A Man Like That
Contours - Do You Love Me
Brenda Holloway - Together 'Til The End Of Time
Velvelettes - A Bird In The Hand (Is Worth Two In The Bush)
Hattie Littles - Your Love Is Wonderful
Shorty Long - Function At The Junction
Tammi Terrell - Come On And See Me
Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - You Really Got A Hold On Me
Diana Ross And The Supremes - A Breath Taking Guy

"Motown Memories Volume 2" - TML 11077 - Oct 1968 - Mono Only? 

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/tml11077

UK Only Release -

Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)
The Marvelettes - Beechwood 4-5789
Shorty Long - Devil With The Blue Dress
Kim Weston - It Should Have Been Me
Eddie Holland - Take A Chance On Me
Barbara McNair - You're Gonna Love My Baby
R. Dean Taylor - There's A Ghost In My House
Carolyn Crawford - My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside Down
Stevie Wonder - Fingertips, Part 2
Mary Wells - When I'm Gone
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - Darling I Hum Our Song
Smokey Robinson And The Miracles - I'll Try Something New
Diana Ross And The Supremes - Standing At The Crossroads Of Love
Choker Campbell - Come See About Me
Brenda Holloway - I'll Always Love You
The Monitors - Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)

"Motown Memories Volume 3" - STML 11143 - May 1970 - Mono/Stereo 

https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/stml11143

UK Only Release -

Mable John - (I Guess There's) No Love
Junior Walker And The All Stars - Satan's Blues
Sammy Ward - Breadwinner
The Vows - Buttered Popcorn
Gino Parks - Same Thing (Will Happen To You)
Amos Milburn - My Daily Prayer
The Darnells - Come On Home
Earl Van Dyke - Soul Stomp
Shorty Long - I'm Walkin'
Gino Parks - That's No Lie
Sammy Ward - Part Time Love
Mable John - You Made A Fool Out Of Me
Stevie Wonder - I Call It Pretty Music But The Old People Call It The Blues (Pt. 1)



Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2020, 06:57:34 am »
Thanks for that, Roger.

Plenty for us to get our teeth into!

SWI

Paul Nixon

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 477
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2020, 03:30:24 am »
Thanks for that, Roger.

Plenty for us to get our teeth into!

SWI

My bad I thought you guys were talking about the US versions where the stereos ARE pretty special

Roger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1769
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2020, 04:08:09 am »
Thanks for that, Roger.

Plenty for us to get our teeth into!

SWI

My bad I thought you guys were talking about the US versions where the stereos ARE pretty special

Sounds like there is going to be another topic to be discussed Paul. …  :)

Roger

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2020, 05:10:53 am »
Yes indeed - you're right, Paul that the US albums were pretty unique.

If I remember correctly our pal Ivor and our French friend Jean-Baptiste (I hope I have the name correct) were going through the US albums sequentially, picking out the oddities. Not all those US albums were re-issued on CD and I suspect some of those oddities may have been replaced by the common versions.

This was on the old MT Yahoo group. I forget how far in the series the guys got to but it would be interesting to resurrect those old posts and copy them here.

SWI

Paul Nixon

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 477
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2020, 05:14:13 am »
Oh yes you are right Eric I remember now but I don't think that ever really got off the ground - I was able to run down all the US stereos to CD but have never gotten round to really studying them closely to find the anomalies

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2020, 09:09:36 am »
Jean-Baptiste posted this in August 2014:-

Hi everyone!

This thread made me want to listen to the series again, and post here
the differences I could spot on the cd editions.
It has never been easy for me to remember exactly what alternate mixes
or takes are found on these cds as for me some of those alternates were
for me what I considered / thought to be the original version. Plus
certain versions have since appeared on many common cd releases.
Therefore I'll put the stress on the versions I beleive are unavailable
elsewhere, marking them with an (*).

I'll try not to make too many mistakes - I don't feel the courage to do
an A/B comparison with the all too numerous cds those hits have appeared
on since the late 80's.

I'll make a post for each of the 10 cds. Here's the first one.

A PACKAGE OF 16 BIG HITS (MOTD-5448)

Most of the tracks sound 'different' to me. As these are the first time
most of these tracks were released in stereo, many must have been mixed
for inclusion on this album so it all makes sense.

1. MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS - Come and Get these Memories : probably
common stereo mix
2. MARVELETTES - Beechwood 45789 : there's less high-end on this stereo
mix than found on later cd releases. Nothing to get excited about
though. It may have appeared on subsequent cd releases as well.
3. MARY WELLS - The One who Really Loves You : sound is less crisp than
the LP stereo mix, but sounds the same stereo mix to me.
4. EDDIE HOLLAND - Jamie : maybe a few seconds longer here
*5. MARVIN GAYE - Stubborn Kind of Fellow : different stereo mix
altogether. Voices are very upfront on the right channel and you can
hear Marvin as if he was just singing right into your ear. Also this is
slightly longer at the end.
*6. LITTLE STEVIE WONDER - Contract on Love : alternate stereo mix than
the one relaased on the UP-TIGHT lp. Matches the mono feel of the song
but in stereo. Also is a few seconds longer at the end than elswhere.
*7. THE CONTOURS - Do you Love Me : alternate vocal take
8. THE MIRACLES - Shop Around : common mono mix, albeit it sounds muffled
9. BARRETT STRONG - Money : common version, good sound quality though
this time around
*10. MARVIN GAYE - Pride and Joy : stereo mix of the single vocal take
(ie different than stereo album mix). This has appeared numerous times
thereafter but here the glitch at 0:17 is absent. Also sounds
significally better here to me than elsewhere.
11. MARVELETTES - Please Mr Postman : common stereo version, I beleive
anyway...
12. MARY WELLS - You Beat me to the Punch : same as lp stereo version.
Common stereo mix
13. THE MIRACLES - You've Really Got A Hold On Me : stereo 'huming
intro'. Best found on the Miracles 'Ooo Baby Baby - Anthology'
14. KIM WESTON - Love Me All The Way : same as on 'Big Motown Hits
Vol.3' or Kim's '20th Century Masters'
15. LITTLE STEVIE WONDER - Sunset : sure sounds better than my stereo
'Tribute to Uncle Ray' lp! But every cd stereo release of the song now
corrects the original distortion present on Stevie's voice.
Oddly the track fades at 2:17 or so while the complete song is 3:48
elsewhere
*16. THE SUPREMES : The only stereo version which has a clean
instrumental part, without having the high frequencies removed. I mean
there's no tape hiss or defects heard here, as on all subsequent stereo
releases - even the expanded 'Meet the Supremes' version don't sound
that good. But this is ruined by some slight distortion on Diana's vocal.

For the completists, there are 5 tracks out of 16 that make this cd a
must-have.
Tracks 5 to 7 being partularily interesting alternates / extended mixes

...and please don't take my words for grated, I may be wrong - well, not
for tracks 5 to 7 for sure. Any correction is welcome.

;-)

JB

More to come.

SWI

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2020, 09:12:00 am »
And J-B sent this in for Volume 2:-

Same as for vol.1, (*) denotes a mix making this cd worth hunting for.

*1. MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - Heat Wave : alternate stereo mix of the unedited song (ie long solo)

2. STEVIE WONDER - Fingertips Part.2 : common mono mix

3. THE SUPREMES - When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes : same stereo mix as on the 'Where Did Our Love Go' lp

*4. THE MIRACLES - I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying : alternate stereo mix. It sounds as if a bit more echo was added here compared to other stereo mixes. I may be wrong as I haven't compared with other CDs ('Ooo Baby Baby - Anthology' comes to mind). But it does sound a 'wider' mix to me anyway. It has more punch than elsewhere. Nothing very exciting either at that.

*5. EDDIE HOLLAND - Leaving Here : great sounding stereo mix which emphasizes the guitar on the left channel. Maybe has a tad longer fade out too. The usual glitch is here btw.

6. MARY WELLS - You Lost the Sweetest Boy : common stereo mix.

7. THE TEMPTATIONS - I Want A Love I Can See : common stereo mix, albeit it has a slight electrical buzz throughout the whole track, and especially during the intro.

8. THE MARVELETTES - As Long As I Know He's Mine : common stereo mix.

9. MARVIN GAYE - Hitch Hike : common stereo mix. I had never listened that carefully to the bongos on the left channel btw!

10. MARY WELLS - Bye Bye Baby : a tempered mix or whatever you might call it. This is the fake stereo mix we know with the majority of the music in the right channel. Here there's more bleeding or echo from it in the left channel. It's as if they took a bad mix and managed to make it sound worse   .

*11. THE CONTOURS - Shake Sherrie - Not only I don't recall hearing a true stereo mix of the song elsewhere, this is an alternate vocal take.

*12. THE SUPREMES : Buttered Popcorn. Same mix than the album except Flo is heard singing the title at the end of the verses; this is mixed out on the album version. Something I had never noticed before.

13. MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - I'll Have To Let Him Go : similar to the common stereo mix - well if it can be said the stereo mix is common. Background vocals are maybe slightly less echoed than on the more recent stereo releases of the song, but I suspect a difference in mastering rather than a mixing difference can explain this.

*14. THE MARVELETTES - Playboy : alternate stereo mix. Slightly longer at the end (running 2:45)

15. KIM WESTON - Just Loving You : stereo mix. Must have been reissued on Kim's Anthology. If not, then it deserves an (*). To be honest, I never really cared for that song...

*16. THE VALADIERS - Greetings (This is Uncle Sam) : stereo mix. What a track! As I usually skip this song when it manages to come my way, I can't tell you if it is available on the Japanese 'Motown Rare Groups' or whatever. A COLLECTION OF 16 BIG HITS VOL.2 being easier to find, and the VALADIERS' song being unavailable in stereo elsewhere, completists should not pass on it...

Considering the differences with what I'm used to ear, ear-catchers to me are 'Shake Sherrie', 'Buttered Popcorn' and 'Playboy'

JB

Plus:-

A little correction concerning 'Buttered Popcorn'. Flo is edited out on the mono album mix but not on the stereo album mix. Anyway, on A COLLECTION OF 16 BIG HITS VOL.2 cd, while the stereo album mix seems to have been used, for whatever reason, we can hear Flo sing the two words 'Buttered Popcorn' louder here.

There's probably no alternate mix here, but the different mastering which narrows the frequency range allows us the hear a part sung by Flo that appears to be buried in the mix elsewhere.

It makes it worth having for me.

JB


More to come.

SWI

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2020, 09:14:04 am »
Ivor chimed in about Volume 1:-

Ah, well done JB!  I was hoping you would chime in on this thread as I thought it would be right up your street.  I think your synopsis on the tracks on this first volume is spot-on from memory. The comments you’ve made about distortion on the lead vocals on a couple of tracks was an audio problem that seemed to affect certain tracks on several volumes of this CD series.  The only other thing I would add is the version of Kim’s “Love Me ALL The Way” used on this collection is the stereo version which, as you say, was subsequently used on the “20th Century Masters” CD but it was not used on “Big Motown Hits & Hard To Find Classics Vol. 3” as the mono single mix was used on that compilation.  The stereo version was later included on Kim’s double disc “Motown Anthology” set also.

 

Keep ‘em coming JB!

 

Ivor

SWI

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2020, 09:15:26 am »
J-B posted this in respect of Volume 3:-

Vol.3 in the series is less interesting than the first two volumes as many stereo mixes match the previously released album stereo mixes. Anyway, some sound noticeably better here. There are still some alternates sounding tracks here and there, although it's hard to tell if this is due to an alternate mix or to a different mastering.

An alternate mix is something that has been done in the studio, by altering at least one of those two things for each track from the master tape :
-the placing of the instruments / voices (on the far left channel, on both channels...)
-the volume at which each instrument is mixed compared to the others.

Hence two very similar mixes can sound nearly identical, albeit being genuine alternate mixes (listen to some of the alternates mixes on TCMS and you'll see what I mean...)

At the same time, two sources can sound different while the placing of the instruments and their volume are the same. It can happen when the songs have been mastered or played to on machines set with a different frequency range for instance. This doesn't make the two recordings genuine alternates.

At least that's how I understand things. And to me many tracks on A COLLECTION OF BIG HITS VOL.3 sound different, with more trebble, less hiss, but are really the same mixes we have elsewhere. Thankfully here their sound is often fuller and generally they sound better. Period.

1. THE MIRACLES - Mickey's Monkey : common lp stereo mix

2. BRENDA HOLLOWAY - Every Little Bit Hurts : common fake stereo

*3. THE MIRACLES - What's so Good About Good Bye : alternate stereo mix with the background vocals far left in the mix. Excellent separation of the channels. I haven't checked if this mix was the stereo mix from 'Greatest Hits from the Beginning'. In any case I dont remember having this mix on another cd

4. THE TEMPTATIONS - The Way you do the Things you do : common stereo mix. There's no hiss heard during the intro. Sounds crisp and bright.

5. THE MARVELETTES - Locking Up My Heart : common stereo mix

6. MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - Quicksand : has the extended intro. Common mix but has more trebble. In other words, sounds better than elsewhere.

7. MARY WELLS - What's so Easy for Two is Hard For One : sounds slightly different with a bit more bass on the right channel and a clear guitar on the left one. But placing of the instruments is the same as on the common stereo mix. Therefore this is probably not an alternate mix.

*8. MARVIN GAYE - Can I Get a Witness : no hiss or damage on the tape. Marvin's lead vocal is to me obviously mixed slightly louder. Else this is similar than what we have on other releases.

9. THE TEMPTATIONS - The Girl's alright with me : common stereo mix. This time around the tape used is 'noisy' though

10. MARVIN GAYE - You're a Wonderful One : different stereo mix than the 'How Sweet it is to be Loved by You'. This mix can be found on various other cd releases in better quality.

11. STEVIE WONDER - Hey Harmonica Man : common stereo mix

12. THE MARVELETTES -Forever : common stereo mix

*13. THE CONTOURS - Can You Do It  : alternate take altogether. This is the highlight of the cd and makes it worthwhile for this track alone. Clearly the best ever mix of one of the best tracks of the Contours. This take can also be found as the opening track of the 'MOTOWN YEAR BY YEAR 1964' cd from 1995.
It has a slightly longer fade here on Vol.3 though - I believe.

14. MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - Dancing in the Street : sounds different. To much trebble this time. Otherwise same mix as the common stereo mix found everywhere.

15. THE SUPREMES : A Breath-taking Guy : common stereo mix

16. THE SPINNERS - That's what Girls Are Made For : particularly noisy fake stereo mix of the song, probably being a bad needle drop from an original single then processed to a fictive phasing in order to make believe it is not monoral. Yech!

In the end only 'Can I Get a Witness' and 'Can you Do It' save this cd.

JB

This stuff is fascinating!

SWI

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2020, 09:16:52 am »
Back to Volume 2 for Ivor's comments:-

Again JB, well done!  The only observations I would add are:-

 

1.       “I Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying” is a unique stereo mix as you said JB with that added reverb.  It’s different to the stereo mix that appeared on both ”Greatest Hits From The Beginning” and the stereo LP/CD of “The Miracles Doin’ Mickey’s Monkey” album.  The stereo mix that was used on the “ Ooo Baby Baby – Anthology” set was another alternate and extended version only available on that particular collection.

2.       “Leaving Here” was a unique stereo mix at the time but this is the same stereo mix that has been used since and most recently on Eddie’s “It Move Me Tears” double CD set it’s just the remastering for that set seems to have cut down on the brightness in favour of a more thumpy bass type sound but it is the same mix. 

3.       “I’ll Have To Let Him Go” is the same stereo mix that was used on the stereo edition of the “Come & Get These Memories” album which, of course, didn’t get released until 2002 in the UK twofer with “Heatwave” album.  I can’t think where else the stereo version has appeared as the double LP “Anthology” set featured the mono single mix. I’ve just played the two CD versions JB and I would say it’s the version the “16 Big Hits” collection that  has more echo on the backing vocals but have another listen yourself and see what you think.

4.       The stereo mix of “Just Loving You” is the same mix that was subsequently used on both Kim’s “20TH Century Masters” and “Motown Anthology” CD collections.

5.       As far as I know the stereo mix of the Valadiers’ “Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)” is still unique to this collection as I can’t think of another release it has appeared on but I stand corrected on this as something in the back of my mind is telling me it might have featured on an Ace/Kent various artists collection but I may be going bonkers.   It wasn’t featured on the Japanese “Motown Rare Groups” set as that was the Valadiers’ “While I’m Away”.

6.       Oops, nearly forgot the Marvelettes’ “Playboy” (smack on wrist for that).  The stereo version used here is the same stereo mix that was subsequently used on the girls’ “Greatest Hits” LP and all other compilations that the stereo version has been used like their “20TH Century Masters” collection for example.  The stereo mix that was featured on the original stereo CD release of the “Playboy” album is the mix that is totally unique and far superior to any other mix of the song, mono or stereo, as that one is crystal clear and the backing vocals are just sublime in the sound quality stakes whereas in this stereo mix the backing vocals are way back in the mix and almost sound muffled and a little distorted. I’ll just add that whole stereo master of the “Playboy” album is fabulous especially when you consider the album’s vintage and ditto the stereo album master of “The Marvelous Marvelettes” album but that one has only ever seen the light of day on a Japanese LP reissue in the early 70s but I wouldn’t be without it. A shame the original CD issue of this album used the mono mix and was repeated in the “Forever” CD box set as that would have been the ideal occasion to have used the ultra rare stereo album mix.

 

Ivor

 SWI

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2020, 09:17:54 am »
And Ivor's comments on Volume 3:-

Again JB, well done on your observations and, as you say, this is one of the less interesting volumes of this series.  The only thing I would add for your info is the version of “Can I Get A Witness” here is the same stereo version that popped up on the UK double LP set of Marvin’s “Anthology” (don’t know what version was used on the US triple LP set).  As for the Contours’ “Can You Do It”, again as previous volumes, it’s a completely alternate take with a different lead vocal which does lead me to believe these Contours’ tracks were mixed to stereo for this series and for some reason the mixing engineer(s) decided to use alternate versions from the multi-track tapes to craft these stereo versions but three cheers for that.

 

Ivor

SWI

Silly Wasnt I

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1298
    • View Profile
Re: 16 Big Hits Albums
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2020, 09:22:29 am »
J-B on Volume 4:-

Hi!

As always, most of the songs are presented in a slightly different mix than what we have elsewhere. Some differences are marginal though. Tracks sometimes fade out a couple seconds later too. Unless I haven't put it in the track by track annotations, there's nothing to really hunt for.

1. FOUR TOPS - Baby I need your Lovin' : very similar if not identical to the album common stereo mix

2. THE MARVELETTES - Too Many Fish In The Sea : alternate mix (?). Sounds as if all the bass sounds had been almost mixed out. Hence the song looses punch and life. Has tape hiss at the beginning

3. THE MIRACLES - That's what Love is made of : alternate mix (?) but almost identical to what we're to hear. Useless...

4. THE SUPREMES - Baby Love :
Common mix. Useless

*5. MARVIN GAYE - I'm Crazy 'bout My Baby : first ever cd appearance of this B-side. I haven't compared to the Japanese shm version of 'Marvin Gaye's Greatest Hits' from a couple years ago and I must confess I can't remember if the second cd appearance of the track, as a bonus track on European and Japanese 1993 cd editions of 'How Sweet it is to be Loved by You', is mono or stereo. Here it is stereo indeed. We have at least one interesting track at last on the BIG HITS 4 cd.

6. MARVIN GAYE & MARY WELLS - What's the Matter with you Baby : alternate version compared to the album I believe, but a mix found on numerous later cd releases anyway. Nothing to get excited about.

*7. MARY WELLS : Two Lovers : alternate mix. Horns and background vocals are mixed lower here for instance and are barely audible at times. Unique mix which might interest completist collectors. Apart from that, this mix isn't very interesting.

8. MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS - In My Lonely Room : common stereo mix, a short hair longer at the end ( about a bar)

9. MARVIN GAYE - Try It Baby : if it's a different mix it is only marginally different to what we have elsewhere. But it is a few seconds longer at the end so...

*10. THE CONTOURS - Can You Jerk Like Me : alternate mix. Different placement of the instruments. This is the first real unique mix on the cd.

11. THE TEMPTATIONS - I'll be in Trouble : sounds like the lp version. Maybe Melvin Franklin's bass line is a bit more upfront on the mix, but not even sure. Slightly longer fade out at the end and we can hear the echo of the last words if the count in at the beginning.

12. MARVIN GAYE & MARY WELLS - Once Upon A Time : common stereo mix

13. THE SUPREMES - Let Me Go Right Way : common stereo mix

14. SHORTY LONG - Devil with the Blue Dress : alternative mix (?) For what that's worth, Shorty's lead seems to have been treated with slightly more echo...

15. Jr. WALKER & THE ALL STARS - Hot Cha : same as on 'Shot Gun' lp and cd.

16. MARY WELLS - My Guy : common stereo mix it seems.

In a nut shell, you really need this cd for the Contours track

JB

And Ivor adds:-

Up and nice early today (well, early for me at 7.50 a.m.) and I have taken the opportunity to give this CD a listen and I agree with all of your comments.

 

The stereo mix of Marvin’s “I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby” is, quite possibly, unique to this collection as I’m sure the version included on the expanded “How Sweet It Is” CD was the mono mix; certainly the mono mix was included on the UK Britannia “Motown: The History” box set.  I suspect this stereo version was used on the original US triple LP set of Marvin’s “Anthology”.

 

I can’t think of any other release that features those, somewhat, flat stereo mixes of both Mary Wells’ ”Two Lovers” and the Marvelettes’ “Too Many Fish In The Sea”.

 

You are right about the mix of Marvin & Mary’s “What’s The Matter With You Baby” as it is slightly different to the “Together” stereo album mix but it has turned up on other releases like the original CD issue of “Marvin Gaye & His Girls” album.  Just as an aside, the most interesting stereo mix of this track is the one that appeared on the Marvin Gaye “Love Songs: Greatest Duets” CD compilation but I will talk about that in a bit more depth when I start that “Alternate Versions” thread (still thinking about where to start with that one).

 

And, so, that leaves us with the Contours’ “Can You Do It” track which you correctly highlighted JB. It does appear to still to be unique to this particular collection as I have had quick listens to the stereo versions included, again, on the UK Britannia “Motown: The History” box set, the “Motown Year By Year: 1964” CD and the Contours’ “Millennium Collection” CD and the only one of those three that is similar is the “Motown Year By Year” compilation but it’s not exactly the same to my ears although I’m so sick of listening to this track this morning it’s made me feel a tad fatigued with the track so I shall leave it at that.

 

Ivor

SWI