A Tribute to Ashford & Simpson

Overview

This collection features 14 songs written by Ashford & Simpson and performed by various combinations of ex-Motown artists, as recorded for the Motor City label and initially compiled on the Motor City Hits and The Sounds of Motorcity collections. Despite the lackluster productions, this is an interesting disc. The Andantes were Motown's favorite female voices, appearing as backing vocalists on countless tracks, yet only had one Motown release, "Like a Nightmare." Here they redo "The Boss," and for 5:41 show why their glorious voices and the Motown sound were inseparable. Pat Lewis sang with the Andantes, but gets an opportunity to solo on "Remember Me." Louvain Demps, another Andante and sister of the Dramatics' Larry Demps, solos on "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand." Sherrie Payne, who sang with Glass House and the Supremes, solos on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Syreeta redoes her first Motown recording, "I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You," which comes off better than the original. Some unique duet combinations spice things up: Martha Reeves & G.C. Cameron, Marv Johnson & Carolyn Gill, Kim Weston & Frankie Gaye, and the most obscure, Frances Nero & Gino Parks. Nero, who had one Motown release, is represented by two solo numbers, and holds the distinction of being the most successful Motor City artist. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2011
Label:	Essential Media Mod
UPC:	0894231258121
Rank:	175834

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Syreeta   Primary Artist
Gino Parks   Primary Artist
Frances Nero   Primary Artist
Marv Johnson   Primary Artist
Scherrie Payne   Primary Artist
Martha Reeves   Primary Artist
Louvain Demps   Primary Artist
G.C. Cameron   Primary Artist
Frankie Gaye   Primary Artist
Pat Lewis   Primary Artist
Earl Van Dyke   Primary Artist
Kim Weston   Primary Artist
Blinky   Primary Artist
Bettye LaVette   Primary Artist
Carolyn Gill   Primary Artist
The Andantes   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Scherrie Payne   Performer
Syreeta   Performer
Gino Parks   Performer
G.C. Cameron   Performer
Pat Lewis   Performer
Frances Nero   Performer
Earl Van Dyke   Performer
Martha Reeves   Performer
Kim Weston   Performer
Ian Levine   Producer
Nickolas Ashford   Composer
Blinky   Performer
Louvain Demps   Performer
Bettye LaVette   Performer
Valerie Simpson   Composer
Marv Johnson   Performer
The Andantes   Performer
Paul Klein   Compilation Producer
Carolyn Gill   Performer
Frankie Gaye   Performer