Lost & Found: Along Came Love (1958-1964)

by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Smokey Robinson

Overview

As part of Motown's Lost and Found series, this brings together 20 previously unreleased tracks and rarities of prime Smokey and the Miracles from various early time frames in the Motown catalog. Some of the earliest, like "My Mama Told Me," echo Motor City role models Nolan Strong and the Diablos right down to the guitar riffs behind Smokey's uncharacteristically bluesy vocals, while others, like "Please Say You Love Me," splendidly wear their doo-wop roots on their sleeves. Here we find the group taking on Broadway show tunes in modern jazz harmonies and nailing it on "If I Were a Bell" and "Easy Street." The title track is one of Smokey's patented slow burners. In the rarities department, there's the lost Ron and Bill B-side, "Don't Say Bye Bye," only outdone by "Mr. Misery," a rare lead vocal by Claudette Robinson in the grand girl group style, and a live version of "Shop Around" that's as raw as anything Smokey ever committed to wax. In the final analysis, however, most of the tracks here just make you wonder how material this great could have languished in unreleased forms for so long. Smokey's worst session is still better than most superstars' best work; here's a whole CD that makes even his leftovers a tantalizing prospect. ~ Cub Koda

Product Details

Release Date:	09/28/1999
Label:	Motown
UPC:	0601215386929
Rank:	97164

Tracks

1. I Think We Can Make It
2. I Love Your Baby
3. My Mama Done Told Me
4. Along Came Love
5. Come to Me
6. You've Got to Pay Bills
7. I Need Some Money
8. Would I Love You
9. If I Were a Bell
10. Easy Street
11. Don't Think It's Me
12. I Like It Like That
13. (Talking 'Bout) Nobody But My Baby
14. Yes, No, Maybe So
15. Mr. Misery
16. Don't Say Bye-Bye
17. I Need a Change
18. I Need Somebody
19. Please Say You Love Me
20. Shop Around

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles   Primary Artist
Claudette Robinson   Primary Artist
The Miracles   Primary Artist
Smokey Robinson   Primary Artist,Vocals

Technical Credits

William "Mickey" Stevenson   Producer
William Robinson   Composer
Smokey Robinson   Composer,Producer
Marvin Tarplin   Composer
Frank Loesser   Composer
Berry Gordy, Jr.   Composer,Producer
Billy Davis   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer,Producer
Claudette Robinson   Performer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Janie Bradford   Composer
Freddie Gorman   Composer
Alan Rankin Jones   Composer
Norman Whitfield   Composer,Producer
Ron   Performer
William   Performer
Brian Holland   Producer,Composer
Tyrone Carlo   Composer
Ronald White   Performer
Marv Johnson   Composer