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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Released November 2010, this is the 2nd of 3 volumes chronicling Smokey Robinson's solo albums for Motown - and Hip-O Select/Motown B0014571-02 breaks down as follows (72:53 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 7 are his 3rd solo album "A Quiet Storm", released March 1975 in the USA on Tamla T6-337S1 and in June 1975 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11288
Tracks 8 to 14 are his 4th solo album "Smokey's Family Robinson", released February 1976 in the USA on Tamla T6-341S1 and April 1976 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12021
Track 15 is a 7" single-only release - "An Old-Fashioned Man" was released October 1976 in the USA on Tamla T-54276F and was taken from the MGM movie "Norman, Is That You?"
The gatefold card-digipak houses a 20-page colour booklet containing entertaining and knowledgeable liner notes by PETER DOGGETT (formerly of Record Collector magazine and author of the book "There's A Riot Going On"). It also reproduces the American artwork front and rear for each album (even though in truth they're impossible to read), has 4 new full-page colour photos of Smokey from the period and detailed recording and release credits. But the big news for fans is the IMPROVED SOUND...
Remastered by KEVIN REEVES from the original Stereo tapes - the sound quality is truly fantastic - beautifully done (Ellen Fitton did an equally great job on Volume 1). There's amazing warmth now to these recordings and the bass is just so sweet. I've reviewed CDs remastered by Reeves before - he's one of Universal's top engineers (others are Erick Labson, Suha Gur, Gavin Lurssen, Gary Moore and Ellen Fitton). He mastered "Pass The Plate" and "Images" by The Crusaders, "What Color Is Love" by Terry Callier and "I've Got So Much To Give" by Barry White (see reviews for all of them).
WHAT'S MISSING - THE SINGLES:
The two LPs produced several singles Stateside and a couple in the UK - most had edited versions of their longer album tracks, the USA promos 7" singles often came with a promo-only MONO mix - none of those are on here - which is a shame. Perhaps there's going to be a Singles set next year...
To the album itself - having lived with the 3:49 minute single edit of "Quiet Storm" for so many years now, it feels odd to hear the full 7:49 minute album version - but it's just as slinky - and even at that length doesn't overstay its welcome (lyrics above). Also - as the liner notes explain - "Quiet Storm" was the name given to a radio program for Soul Music that year by WHUR in DC - and hundreds of radio stations have adopted the title ever since. The album literally started a `smooth soul' revolution on the airwaves that's been going on ever since - no mean achievement.
Other highlights include two superbly funky winners in "Baby That's Backatcha" (first single off the album in the States) and the lesser-heard "Coincidentally" (tremendous sound on both). "When You Came" opens the "Smokey's Family Robinson" album with a decidedly disco beat that sounds dated now - while the only US single off the album was a wise choice - the well-funky "Open" - a sort of hybrid AWB, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Labelle mishmash. It's a long forgotten gem that deserves rediscovery. The album ends with the plaintive "Castles Made Of Sand" which features a slickly produced acoustic guitar throughout. The bonus track "An Old Fashioned Man" and the overly long "Happy" are the kind of forgettable movie pap that featured in so many Seventies films.
At less than a fiver per album, this is great value for money, and even if the material doesn't always rise to genius, the tracks that have stood the test of time are now in that superb sound quality - and that's enough for me...
Recommended.
PS: I've also created a TAG called "Kevin Reeves Remasters" in 'Amazon.co.uk' - which when clicked will give you a pictorial display of titles he's been involved in. There's also the same for Erick Labson, Suha Gur and Ellen Fitton - if their names are in the mastering/transfer credits, I find it to be a sign of great sound quality
Tracks 1 to 7 are his 3rd solo album "A Quiet Storm", released March 1975 in the USA on Tamla T6-337S1 and in June 1975 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11288
Tracks 8 to 14 are his 4th solo album "Smokey's Family Robinson", released February 1976 in the USA on Tamla T6-341S1 and April 1976 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12021
Track 15 is a 7" single-only release - "An Old-Fashioned Man" was released October 1976 in the USA on Tamla T-54276F and was taken from the MGM movie "Norman, Is That You?"
The gatefold card-digipak houses a 20-page colour booklet containing entertaining and knowledgeable liner notes by PETER DOGGETT (formerly of Record Collector magazine and author of the book "There's A Riot Going On"). It also reproduces the American artwork front and rear for each album (even though in truth they're impossible to read), has 4 new full-page colour photos of Smokey from the period and detailed recording and release credits. But the big news for fans is the IMPROVED SOUND...
Remastered by KEVIN REEVES from the original Stereo tapes - the sound quality is truly fantastic - beautifully done (Ellen Fitton did an equally great job on Volume 1). There's amazing warmth now to these recordings and the bass is just so sweet. I've reviewed CDs remastered by Reeves before - he's one of Universal's top engineers (others are Erick Labson, Suha Gur, Gavin Lurssen, Gary Moore and Ellen Fitton). He mastered "Pass The Plate" and "Images" by The Crusaders, "What Color Is Love" by Terry Callier and "I've Got So Much To Give" by Barry White (see reviews for all of them).
WHAT'S MISSING - THE SINGLES:
The two LPs produced several singles Stateside and a couple in the UK - most had edited versions of their longer album tracks, the USA promos 7" singles often came with a promo-only MONO mix - none of those are on here - which is a shame. Perhaps there's going to be a Singles set next year...
To the album itself - having lived with the 3:49 minute single edit of "Quiet Storm" for so many years now, it feels odd to hear the full 7:49 minute album version - but it's just as slinky - and even at that length doesn't overstay its welcome (lyrics above). Also - as the liner notes explain - "Quiet Storm" was the name given to a radio program for Soul Music that year by WHUR in DC - and hundreds of radio stations have adopted the title ever since. The album literally started a `smooth soul' revolution on the airwaves that's been going on ever since - no mean achievement.
Other highlights include two superbly funky winners in "Baby That's Backatcha" (first single off the album in the States) and the lesser-heard "Coincidentally" (tremendous sound on both). "When You Came" opens the "Smokey's Family Robinson" album with a decidedly disco beat that sounds dated now - while the only US single off the album was a wise choice - the well-funky "Open" - a sort of hybrid AWB, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Labelle mishmash. It's a long forgotten gem that deserves rediscovery. The album ends with the plaintive "Castles Made Of Sand" which features a slickly produced acoustic guitar throughout. The bonus track "An Old Fashioned Man" and the overly long "Happy" are the kind of forgettable movie pap that featured in so many Seventies films.
At less than a fiver per album, this is great value for money, and even if the material doesn't always rise to genius, the tracks that have stood the test of time are now in that superb sound quality - and that's enough for me...
Recommended.
PS: I've also created a TAG called "Kevin Reeves Remasters" in 'Amazon.co.uk' - which when clicked will give you a pictorial display of titles he's been involved in. There's also the same for Erick Labson, Suha Gur and Ellen Fitton - if their names are in the mastering/transfer credits, I find it to be a sign of great sound quality
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What an absolute delight this CD is. Peter Doggett writes some brief but very
interesting liner notes.
A QUIET STORM is a lovely album, but my preference is for the stripped-down
SMOKEY'S FAMILY ROBINSON. I was surprised to learn that Smokey wasn't that happy
with the latter album. Motown pulled just one 45 from the set, but I feel the
thing works best as an album and is better than some of the latter day Marvin Gaye
albums. I'd go so far as to say that SMOKEY'S FAMILY ROBINSON is a faultless
set. I wish it had been a success, so that Smokey would have explored this type
of music for a while longer.
In fact, I think the quality of the songs on this set is at least as good as
that on some of the albums Smokey recorded with The Miracles.
interesting liner notes.
A QUIET STORM is a lovely album, but my preference is for the stripped-down
SMOKEY'S FAMILY ROBINSON. I was surprised to learn that Smokey wasn't that happy
with the latter album. Motown pulled just one 45 from the set, but I feel the
thing works best as an album and is better than some of the latter day Marvin Gaye
albums. I'd go so far as to say that SMOKEY'S FAMILY ROBINSON is a faultless
set. I wish it had been a success, so that Smokey would have explored this type
of music for a while longer.
In fact, I think the quality of the songs on this set is at least as good as
that on some of the albums Smokey recorded with The Miracles.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
"...A Power Source...Of Tender Force..."
10 Dec 2010
Format:Audio CD
Released November 2010, this is the 2nd of 4 volumes (so far) chronicling Smokey Robinson's solo albums for Motown - and Hip-O Select/Motown B0014571-02 breaks down as follows (72:53 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 7 are his 3rd solo album "A Quiet Storm", released March 1975 in the USA on Tamla T6-337S1 and in June 1975 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11288
Tracks 8 to 14 are his 4th solo album "Smokey's Family Robinson", released February 1976 in the USA on Tamla T6-341S1 and April 1976 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12021
Track 15 is a 7" single-only release - "An Old-Fashioned Man" was released October 1976 in the USA on Tamla T-54276F and was taken from the MGM movie "Norman, Is That You?"
The gatefold card-digipak houses a 20-page colour booklet containing entertaining and knowledgeable liner notes by PETER DOGGETT (formerly of the UK's famed "Record Collector" magazine and author of the book "There's A Riot Going On"). It also reproduces the American artwork front and rear for each album (even though in truth they're impossible to read), has 4 new full-page colour photos of Smokey from the period and detailed recording and release credits. But the big news for fans is the IMPROVED SOUND...
Remastered by KEVIN REEVES from the original Stereo tapes - the sound quality is truly fantastic - beautifully done (Ellen Fitton did an equally great job on Volume 1). There's amazing warmth now to these recordings and the bass is just so sweet. I've reviewed CDs remastered by Reeves before - he's one of Universal's top engineers (others are Erick Labson, Suha Gur, Gavin Lurssen, Gary Moore and Ellen Fitton). He mastered "Pass The Plate" and "Images" by The Crusaders, "What Color Is Love" by Terry Callier and "I've Got So Much To Give" by Barry White (see reviews for all of them).
WHAT'S MISSING - THE SINGLES:
The two LPs produced four singles Stateside and a couple in the UK - most had edited versions of their longer album tracks, the USA promos 7" singles often came with a promo-only MONO mix - none of those are on here - which is a shame. Perhaps there's going to be a Singles set next year...
To the album itself - having lived with the 3:49 minute single edit of "Quiet Storm" for so many years now, it feels odd to hear the full 7:49 minute album version - but it's just as slinky - and even at that length doesn't overstay its welcome (lyrics above). Also - as the liner notes explain - "Quiet Storm" was the name given to a radio program for Soul Music that year by WHUR in DC - and hundreds of radio stations have adopted the title ever since. The album literally started a `smooth soul' revolution on the airwaves that's been going on ever since - no mean achievement.
Other highlights include two superbly funky winners in "Baby That's Backatcha" (first single off the album in the States) and the lesser-heard "Coincidentally" (tremendous sound on both). "When You Came" opens the "Smokey's Family Robinson" album with a decidedly disco beat that sounds dated now - while the only US single off the album was a wise choice - the well-funky "Open" - a sort of hybrid AWB, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Labelle mishmash. It's a long forgotten gem that deserves rediscovery. The album ends with the plaintive "Castles Made Of Sand" which features a slickly produced acoustic guitar throughout. The bonus track "An Old Fashioned Man" and the overly long "Happy" are the kind of forgettable movie pap that featured in so many Seventies films.
At less than a fiver per album, this is great value for money, and even if the material doesn't always rise to genius, the tracks that have stood the test of time are now in that superb sound quality - and that's enough for me...
Recommended.
PS: I've also created a TAG called "Kevin Reeves Remasters" in 'Amazon.co.uk' - which when clicked will give you a pictorial display of titles he's been involved in. There's also the same for Erick Labson, Suha Gur and Ellen Fitton - if their names are in the mastering/transfer credits, I find it to be a sign of great sound quality
Tracks 1 to 7 are his 3rd solo album "A Quiet Storm", released March 1975 in the USA on Tamla T6-337S1 and in June 1975 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 11288
Tracks 8 to 14 are his 4th solo album "Smokey's Family Robinson", released February 1976 in the USA on Tamla T6-341S1 and April 1976 in the UK on Tamla Motown STML 12021
Track 15 is a 7" single-only release - "An Old-Fashioned Man" was released October 1976 in the USA on Tamla T-54276F and was taken from the MGM movie "Norman, Is That You?"
The gatefold card-digipak houses a 20-page colour booklet containing entertaining and knowledgeable liner notes by PETER DOGGETT (formerly of the UK's famed "Record Collector" magazine and author of the book "There's A Riot Going On"). It also reproduces the American artwork front and rear for each album (even though in truth they're impossible to read), has 4 new full-page colour photos of Smokey from the period and detailed recording and release credits. But the big news for fans is the IMPROVED SOUND...
Remastered by KEVIN REEVES from the original Stereo tapes - the sound quality is truly fantastic - beautifully done (Ellen Fitton did an equally great job on Volume 1). There's amazing warmth now to these recordings and the bass is just so sweet. I've reviewed CDs remastered by Reeves before - he's one of Universal's top engineers (others are Erick Labson, Suha Gur, Gavin Lurssen, Gary Moore and Ellen Fitton). He mastered "Pass The Plate" and "Images" by The Crusaders, "What Color Is Love" by Terry Callier and "I've Got So Much To Give" by Barry White (see reviews for all of them).
WHAT'S MISSING - THE SINGLES:
The two LPs produced four singles Stateside and a couple in the UK - most had edited versions of their longer album tracks, the USA promos 7" singles often came with a promo-only MONO mix - none of those are on here - which is a shame. Perhaps there's going to be a Singles set next year...
To the album itself - having lived with the 3:49 minute single edit of "Quiet Storm" for so many years now, it feels odd to hear the full 7:49 minute album version - but it's just as slinky - and even at that length doesn't overstay its welcome (lyrics above). Also - as the liner notes explain - "Quiet Storm" was the name given to a radio program for Soul Music that year by WHUR in DC - and hundreds of radio stations have adopted the title ever since. The album literally started a `smooth soul' revolution on the airwaves that's been going on ever since - no mean achievement.
Other highlights include two superbly funky winners in "Baby That's Backatcha" (first single off the album in the States) and the lesser-heard "Coincidentally" (tremendous sound on both). "When You Came" opens the "Smokey's Family Robinson" album with a decidedly disco beat that sounds dated now - while the only US single off the album was a wise choice - the well-funky "Open" - a sort of hybrid AWB, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Labelle mishmash. It's a long forgotten gem that deserves rediscovery. The album ends with the plaintive "Castles Made Of Sand" which features a slickly produced acoustic guitar throughout. The bonus track "An Old Fashioned Man" and the overly long "Happy" are the kind of forgettable movie pap that featured in so many Seventies films.
At less than a fiver per album, this is great value for money, and even if the material doesn't always rise to genius, the tracks that have stood the test of time are now in that superb sound quality - and that's enough for me...
Recommended.
PS: I've also created a TAG called "Kevin Reeves Remasters" in 'Amazon.co.uk' - which when clicked will give you a pictorial display of titles he's been involved in. There's also the same for Erick Labson, Suha Gur and Ellen Fitton - if their names are in the mastering/transfer credits, I find it to be a sign of great sound quality
Another good rerelease including Smokey's most overlooked album
29 Nov 2010
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's admittedly hard for me to come to terms with the fact that while I am ecstatic about one of my all time favorite artists finally getting his back catalog issued on CD, I am not thrilled with the effort being put into them thus far.
But I should probably start with the music first.
Any fan of Smokey's solo career is probably most familiar with "Quiet Storm". It's considered his seminal solo album. I for one, have never rated this album very highly. It's certainly good, but doesn't contain many of my favorite Smokey tunes. The first three tracks are on most compilation albums that have been released over the years. And of the remaining four, I would probably only rate "Coincidentally" as a very strong tune. In particular, "Wedding Song" and "Happy" just don't speak to me on a regular basis.
Smokey's Family Robinson on the other hand is a virtual masterpiece. In the liner notes, Smokey apparently felt this album was recorded poorly (it was the first in his new home studio), and I simply could not disagree more. I love the borderline unpolished production of this album. The opening track "When You Came" has a lot of energy. And that electric cello solo is so "Un-Smokey", it's absolutely fantastic. Speaking of Un-Smokey, how about the sheer funk of "Like I Do"? It's album track songs like this that have remained unheard for far too long. What a killer track. The last two mellow songs "Like Nobody Can" and "Castles Made of Sand" are two more prime examples of how Smokey can write, (and sing) a hauntingly beautiful, original song. Unlike Quiet Storm, Smokey's Family Robinson has no weak moments for me personally.
There is a bonus track from a long out of print soundtrack that doesn't do much for me, even though I'm very grateful for its' inclusion.
Like my review of the first rerelease, I am a bit disappointed with some of things that have not been included. In a 20 some odd page booklet, yet again, there are no lyrics. Come on, Smokey is just as famous for his brilliant words as he is anything else. Their omission is very disappointing. And the writer of the booklet's liner notes, while obviously a Smokey fan, doesn't really provide much in depth material. Smokey was interviewed specifically for this rerelease series, yet the inspiration behind so many tracks get left out again. Seeing that this is probably the one and only chance this material is going to get released during my lifetime, I just feel like it could/should have been done better.
Like the first time around, I don't want to lead anyone astray. Please support this music. It is timeless and extremely worthy of being purchased. Bravo for Hip-O and Smokey. But as a "product review", I feel compelled to inform that I expected/hoped for a bit more than what we have been receiving thus far. And seeing that volume three was set up the exact same way, I fear that is going to be my underlying theme throughout this series.
But I should probably start with the music first.
Any fan of Smokey's solo career is probably most familiar with "Quiet Storm". It's considered his seminal solo album. I for one, have never rated this album very highly. It's certainly good, but doesn't contain many of my favorite Smokey tunes. The first three tracks are on most compilation albums that have been released over the years. And of the remaining four, I would probably only rate "Coincidentally" as a very strong tune. In particular, "Wedding Song" and "Happy" just don't speak to me on a regular basis.
Smokey's Family Robinson on the other hand is a virtual masterpiece. In the liner notes, Smokey apparently felt this album was recorded poorly (it was the first in his new home studio), and I simply could not disagree more. I love the borderline unpolished production of this album. The opening track "When You Came" has a lot of energy. And that electric cello solo is so "Un-Smokey", it's absolutely fantastic. Speaking of Un-Smokey, how about the sheer funk of "Like I Do"? It's album track songs like this that have remained unheard for far too long. What a killer track. The last two mellow songs "Like Nobody Can" and "Castles Made of Sand" are two more prime examples of how Smokey can write, (and sing) a hauntingly beautiful, original song. Unlike Quiet Storm, Smokey's Family Robinson has no weak moments for me personally.
There is a bonus track from a long out of print soundtrack that doesn't do much for me, even though I'm very grateful for its' inclusion.
Like my review of the first rerelease, I am a bit disappointed with some of things that have not been included. In a 20 some odd page booklet, yet again, there are no lyrics. Come on, Smokey is just as famous for his brilliant words as he is anything else. Their omission is very disappointing. And the writer of the booklet's liner notes, while obviously a Smokey fan, doesn't really provide much in depth material. Smokey was interviewed specifically for this rerelease series, yet the inspiration behind so many tracks get left out again. Seeing that this is probably the one and only chance this material is going to get released during my lifetime, I just feel like it could/should have been done better.
Like the first time around, I don't want to lead anyone astray. Please support this music. It is timeless and extremely worthy of being purchased. Bravo for Hip-O and Smokey. But as a "product review", I feel compelled to inform that I expected/hoped for a bit more than what we have been receiving thus far. And seeing that volume three was set up the exact same way, I fear that is going to be my underlying theme throughout this series.
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