This is Genre 1, Motown, episode 5.
For those of a certain age this will bring back some fond memories and get your foot tapping. If you are a lot younger, as this is such good stuff, you will have heard most before, as it is a truly classic genre.
I give thanks to Wiki of course and for this genre and to Britannica.com and to Wiki.
After its heyday from the late 50’s to 60’s, we entered the 1970’s era. My era as a young teenager, at the youth club, meeting girls. Music is there to listen to, but also to remember things.
Here is a fine selection of songs from the 70’s produced by the Motown hit machine.
The Tunes:
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles- I second that emotion. Awesome, what a fantastic artist.
Here he is last just last year, 2022, Smokey Robinson – Being With You – Live at Stagecoach 2022, bit of a band medley at first but then he starts.
Another classic from Smokey, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Tracks Of My Tears
Now for a band which I have never ever played one track before. This one though (at least for me) is a bit special:
The Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There
An absolute legend is of course Marvin Gaye. At the time I was not a great fan, but nice to go back in history and find some great tunes:
Marvin Gaye What’s Going On Live 1972
I think another brilliant song is, Marvin Gaye – Live It Takes Two 1976, Sorry, do not know the female singer, but she has a belting voice.
Here he is with the lovely Tammy Terrell:
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (extra HQ) – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Here’s the Rev, Al Green. Al Green – Let’s Stay Together. Absolutely beautiful.
Al Green- How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (Live on Soul!, 1972), As much as I enjoy the Bee Gees doing this, the Al version, is so powerful, wonderful lyrics, wonderful voice.
More of these next time, super group to which I am very guilty of trying to singalong to:
The Drifters perform ‘Under the Boardwalk’ live
I shall finish with this classic, again from Marvin:
Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Live), come on, you gotta love this.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to Origins Series:
Featured image: “Smokey Robinson at Stern Grove” by scorpio-tiger is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
© Phil the ex test manager 2023