The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A: 1972

The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A: 1972

The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A: 1972

The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A: 1972

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Overview

Two songs into The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A: 1972, the Four Tops sing "L.A. (My Town)," an ode to the city that became Motown's new hometown in 1972. By the middle of the year, all Detroit operations closed and Motown now belonged to Los Angeles, and this five-disc box set chronicles the first six months of 1972, the time when Motown was in transition. Certainly, the 113 tracks here -- the uneven number of songs derives from the number of alternate mixes and promo versions -- showcase a label in the throes of change, its '60s superstars struggling to keep up with the times as the new groups never quite made waves. At this point in time, Motown's heavy hitters were Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Jackson 5, and these three are responsible for the instantly recognizable songs here: Marvin's "You're the Man," Stevie's "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)," and Michael Jackson's "Rockin' Robin." The lack of big hits surely would've been concerning to Motown in 1972, but this paucity of pop hits makes The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A a fascinating listen, as there are covers of familiar songs (the Undisputed Truth's original version of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," Edwin Starr's cover of "Ball of Confusion"), an early single from the Commodores, Bobby Darin covering Randy Newman, attempts at both bubblegum and Latin-tinged funk rock in the vein of War, plus a bunch of stuff that would've seemed comfortable on Invictus, the label founded by former Motown hitmakers Holland-Dozier-Holland. All these contradictory styles, when combined with an increasingly slick production polish, makes this particular Motown box feel very much of its time; it evokes an era of polyester knits, long sideburns, fuzz guitars, show biz strings, and productions larger than the songs themselves. Much of the fun of this box is enjoying certain portions for their feel, while digging deep in others to find the handful of gems scattered throughout. There may be no question that the glory days of Motown were over, but hearing the label struggle to find footing in a new decade in a new town makes The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 12A: 1972 nearly as compelling a listen as the boxes that showcased the label's best years. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date: 06/11/2013
Label: Motown / Universal
UPC: 0602527044453
Rank: 102608

Tracks

Disc 1

  1. A Simple Game
  2. L.A. (My Town)
  3. Our Favorite Melody
  4. You Gave Me Love
  5. A Breath Taking Guy
  6. You're the One for Me Bobby
  7. I'm Someone Who Cares
  8. Once I Have You (I Will Never Let Go)
  9. I'm Someone Who Cares [Stereo Promo Version]
  10. Out in the Night
  11. Gypsy Eyes
  12. Out in the Night [Stereo Promo Version]
  13. What It Is
  14. California Soul
  15. Feel Like Givin' Up
  16. Take Somebody Like You
  17. Take a Look Around
  18. Smooth Sailing (From Now On)
  19. Take a Look Around [Stereo Promo Version]
  20. I Want to Be Humble
  21. My Place
  22. I Want to Be Humble [Stereo Promo Version]
  23. Rockin' Robin
  24. Love Is Here and Now You're Gone

Disc 2

  1. Can You Give Me Love with a Guarantee
  2. If You Gonna Leave (Just Leave)
  3. Can You Give Me Love with a Guarantee [Stereo Promo Version]
  4. Love Isn't Here (Like It Used to Be)
  5. Poor Fool
  6. Love Isn't Here (Like It Used to Be) [Second Pressing]
  7. Poor Fool [Second Pressing]
  8. Walk in the Night
  9. I Don't Want to Do Wrong
  10. Take Me Clear from Here
  11. Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)
  12. I'm Gonna Get You, Pt. II
  13. I'm Gonna Get You, Pt. I
  14. Help Me Make It Through the Night
  15. Mr. Fix-It Man
  16. You've Got to Make the Choice
  17. Taos New Mexico
  18. Shadow
  19. The Zoo (The Human Zoo)
  20. I'm Looking for Love

Disc 3

  1. What'd I Say
  2. Nice to Be with You
  3. What'd I Say [Stereo Promo Version]
  4. Let Me Run Into Your Lonely Heart
  5. Eddie's Love
  6. Eddie's Love [Promo Version]
  7. Me and Bobby McGee
  8. No One's Gonna Be a Fool Forever
  9. What It Is, What It Is
  10. You Are the Special One
  11. Little Bitty Pretty One
  12. If I Have to Move a Mountain
  13. Automatically Sunshine
  14. Precious Little Things
  15. It's the Same Old Love
  16. Last Row, First Balcony
  17. It's the Same Old Love [Stereo Promo Version]
  18. Nihaa Shil Hozho [I Am Happy About You]
  19. End?
  20. Nihaa Shil Hozho [I Am Happy About You] [Stereo Promo Version]
  21. I Can't Quit Your Love
  22. Happy (Is a Bumpy Road)
  23. I Can Make it Alone
  24. Come Clean

Disc 4

  1. Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)
  2. I Love Every Little Thing About You
  3. It's Too Much for Man to Take Too Long
  4. Time Don't Wait
  5. It's Too Much for Man to Take Too Long [Stereo Promo Version]
  6. Long Way from Home
  7. Why Do You Cry
  8. Long Way from Home [Stereo Promo Version]
  9. You're the Man, Pt. 1
  10. You're the Man, Pt. 2
  11. I Wanna Be Where You Are
  12. We've Got a Good Thing Going
  13. We've Come too Far to End it Now
  14. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
  15. Friendship Train
  16. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
  17. Get Me Some Help
  18. If Time Could Stand Still
  19. Get Me Some Help [Stereo Promo Version]
  20. Tear It Down
  21. I Want You Back
  22. Label Me Love
  23. Life's a Ball (While It Lasts)

Disc 5

  1. Mother Nature
  2. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me on
  3. Mother Nature [Stereo Promo Version]
  4. Sail Away
  5. Hard Headed Woman
  6. I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You
  7. Mind, Body and Soul
  8. A Little More Trust
  9. A Day in the Life of a Working Man
  10. A Little More Trust [Stereo Promo Version]
  11. Money (That's What I Want)
  12. For Your Precious Love
  13. Groove Thang
  14. Me and My Family
  15. Lookin' Through the Windows
  16. Love Song
  17. Somebody Up There
  18. But I Love You More
  19. To Know You Is to Love You
  20. Happiness
  21. Somebody Oughta' Turn Your Head Around
  22. Earth People

Disc 6

  1. Somebody Up There
  2. But I Love You More

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Syreeta   Primary Artist
The Courtship   Primary Artist
The Sisters Love   Primary Artist
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles   Primary Artist
Edwin Starr   Primary Artist
Blinky   Primary Artist
Bobby Darin   Primary Artist
The Four Tops   Primary Artist
The Jackson 5   Primary Artist
Jimmy Ruffin   Primary Artist
Crystal Mansion   Primary Artist
G.C. Cameron   Primary Artist
Eddie Kendricks   Primary Artist
Vincent DiMirco   Primary Artist
Junior Walker & the All-Stars   Primary Artist
Marvin Gaye   Primary Artist
Rare Earth   Primary Artist
Rick Rowe   Primary Artist
The Marvelettes   Primary Artist
R. Dean Taylor   Primary Artist
Michael Jackson   Primary Artist
The Supremes   Primary Artist
Thelma Houston   Primary Artist
The Temptations   Primary Artist
Xit   Primary Artist
Chris Holland   Primary Artist
Willie Hutch   Primary Artist
Stevie Wonder   Primary Artist
Gladys Knight & the Pips   Primary Artist
Commodores   Primary Artist
Frankie Valli   Primary Artist
David Ruffin   Primary Artist
The Originals   Primary Artist
The Blackberries   Primary Artist
The Undisputed Truth   Primary Artist
Suzee Ikeda   Primary Artist
Martha & the Vandellas   Primary Artist
Joan Decola   Primary Artist
Howl the Good   Primary Artist
Devastating Affair   Primary Artist
The Different Shades of Brown   Primary Artist
Eric & the Vikings   Primary Artist
Blue Scepter   Primary Artist
Posse   Primary Artist
T-Bone   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
Paul Riser   Conductor,Orchestra Director
David Van De Pitte   Orchestra Director
Tom Baird   Orchestra Director
Jerry Long   Orchestra Director
Leroy Fleming   Ensemble
Frank Hooker   Ensemble
Wornell Jones   Ensemble
James Johnson   Ensemble
Calvin Charity   Ensemble
Jimi Dougans   Ensemble
David Leacraft   Ensemble

Technical Credits

Brian Holland   Composer
Al Gorgoni   Arranger
Pam Sawyer   Composer,Producer
Pamela Moffett   Composer
Spencer Leigh   Source Material
Allen Story   Composer
Terry Johnson   Producer
The Andantes   Source Material
Steve Lodder   Source Material
Gladys Knight   Composer,Source Material
Ray Charles   Composer
Berry Gordy, Jr.   Composer,Source Material,Executive Producer
Bob Gaudio   Composer,Producer
Bill Dahl   Source Material,Track Annotations
Bob West   Producer
Jimmy Ruffin   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Crystal Mansion   Producer
Barrett Strong   Composer
Christine Yarian   Composer
Alphonso Mizell   Composer
Andrew Skurow   Tape Research
Ben Edmonds   Source Material
Lawrence Payton   Producer
Clay McMurray   Composer,Producer
Fred Foster   Composer
Fonce Mizell   Composer
Clifton Davis   Composer
Eddie Kendricks   Composer,Producer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Janie Bradford   Composer
Deke Richards   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Catherine Schaffner   Composer
David Nathan   Source Material
Gary Wright   Composer,Producer
Cat Stevens   Composer
Leonard Caston   Composer
Weldon A. McDougal III   Photography,Source Material
Dick Jacobs   Source Material
Vincent DiMirco   Composer
David Jones   Composer
Wade Marcus   Arranger
Wade Brown   Composer
Robert Byrd   Composer
Robert Gordy   Composer,Producer
Leon Ware   Composer
Robert Margouleff   Associate Producer
Valerie Simpson   Composer,Producer
Dick Taylor   Composer
Dino Fekaris   Composer
Jimmie Haskell   Arranger
Ronald Dunbar   Composer
Kathy Wakefield   Composer
Martha Reeves   Source Material
Peter Hoorelbeke   Composer
Marvin Gaye   Composer,Producer
Jerry Butler   Composer
Jerry Marcellino   Composer,Producer
Rare Earth   Producer
Nelson George   Source Material
Barry Shaw   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Marv Johnson   Composer
R. Dean Taylor   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Mike Valvano   Composer,Producer
Randy Newman   Composer
Mel Larson   Composer,Producer
Michael Masser   Composer
Michael Jackson   Source Material
Anita Poree   Composer
Michele Horie   Art Direction,Production Manager
Tom Bee   Composer
The Corporation   Arranger,Composer,Producer
David Bianco   Source Material
David Cole   Source Material
Hal Davis   Composer,Producer
Gilles Petard   Photography
Hidle Brown Barnum   Arranger
Joe Porter   Producer
Sherlie Matthews   Composer,Producer
Marc Taylor   Source Material
Willie Hutch   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Vocal Arrangement
Arthur Brooks   Composer
Stevie Wonder   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Pete Rivera   Source Material
Harry Weinger   Text,Editing,Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Harvey Fuqua   Composer
Harold Johnson   Composer,Composer
Malcolm Cecil   Associate Producer
Keith Hughes   Producer,Source Material,Track Annotations
Daniel Vangarde   Composer
William Guest   Composer
Syreeta Wright   Composer
Paul Riser   Arranger
David Van De Pitte   Arranger
Artie Kaplan   Producer
Commodores   Arranger
Bobby Miller   Composer,Producer
Bill Randle   Source Material
Kris Kristofferson   Composer
Gloria Jones   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Curtis Ousley   Composer
Freddie Perren   Composer
Ellen Fitton   Digital Remastering
Gene Page   Arranger
Charles Calello   Arranger
David Ritz   Source Material
David Ruffin   Composer
Ed Novitsky   Source Material
James Dean   Composer
Johnny Bristol   Composer,Producer
Smokey Robinson   Composer,Producer,Source Material
Marilyn McLeod   Composer
Marvin Tarplin   Composer
Nick Zesses   Composer
Nickolas Ashford   Composer,Producer
Mike Pinder   Composer
Arthur Greenslade   Arranger
Arthur Ross   Composer
Tommy Bell   Arranger
Brooks Arthur   Composer
Tom Baird   Arranger
Michael Heatley   Source Material
George Gordy   Composer,Producer
Gil Askey   Arranger,Producer
Norman Whitfield   Composer,Producer
Ray Monette   Composer
David Blumberg   Arranger
Jerry Long   Arranger
Katherine Anderson Schaffner   Composer
Nelly Byl   Composer
Brenda Wayne   Composer
John Glover   Composer
Ralph Terrana   Producer,Liner Notes,Photography,Source Material
David Jones Jr.   Composer
Sharon Davis   Source Material
Suzee Ikeda   Photography
Al Slutsky   Source Material
Al DiOrio   Source Material
Bill Crawford   Composer
Gary Quackenbush   Composer
Glenn Quackenbush   Composer
Al Ruzicka   Composer
John Myles   Arranger
Edyth Wayne   Composer
Gordon Frewin   Source Material
Don Waller   Source Material
Leroy Fleming   Arranger
Gary Knight   Composer,Producer
Sal Rota   Composer
Raynoma Gordy Singleton   Source Material
Tony Clarke   Producer
Mark Bego   Source Material
Al Quattrocchi   Art Direction
Eric McClinton   Composer
Susan Whitall   Liner Notes,Source Material
Ken Charmer   Source Material
Michel Ruppli   Source Material
Gene Allan   Composer,Producer,Composer
Larry Brown   Composer,Producer
G. Allan   Composer
Richard Brooks   Composer
Dennis Lussier   Composer
Russ Terrana   Producer,Liner Notes
Patricia Romanowski   Source Material
Gregory Wright   Composer
Eryke McClinton   Composer
Ronnie Gentile   Composer
Johnny Caswell   Composer
Dave White Tricker   Composer,Producer
Frank Wilson   Composer,Producer
Tony Brown   Source Material
Robert Gaudio   Composer
Robert White   Arranger
Henry Crosby   Arranger
Joe Scott   Arranger
Mark Olson   Composer
John Bristol   Composer
Stephen Bowden   Composer
Ryan Null   Photo Coordination
Brit Gaudio   Composer
James Carmichael   Arranger
Jeff Smith   Art Direction
Pam Moffett   Composer
G. Knight   Composer
Haydn Harris   Arranger,Composer,Producer
John A. Jackson   Source Material
Steve Towne   Source Material
Eric Charge   Sheet Music
Willie Shorter   Arranger
Joyce Chambers   Composer
Jo Almeida   Photo Research
Jeff Bleiel   Source Material
Kenneth Stover   Composer
Jimmie Thomas   Composer
Wade Brown Jr.   Composer
Weldon McDougal   Photography
John Abbey   Source Material
Harriet Jacobs   Source Material
Sujata Murthy   Publicity
Bob McGrath   Source Material
Julius Chambers   Composer
Merald Knight   Composer
Richard Haddad   Composer
William Franklin Guest   Composer
Merald Woodrow Knight Jr.   Composer
Merald Knight Jr.   Composer
David Leacraft   Arranger
Ian Stirling   Composer
Ronald Matlock   Composer
Bill White   Arranger
Bryan Brown   Source Material
Carl Chapman   Composer
Co-Creations Inc.   Producer
David A. Carson   Source Material
Debbie Burr   Source Material
Elmer Clawson   Composer
Ira "Wiley" Pack   Composer
John Richardson   Composer
John Swendon   Source Material
Jon Kutner   Source Material
Larry Stephens   Source Material
Maty Wilson   Source Material
Mikel Toombs   Source Material
Mim Eichler   Source Material
Neil Faigenbaum   Composer
Neil Warwick   Source Material
Phillip Taylor   Composer
Reginald J. Bartlette   Source Material
Rick Morley   Composer
Roy Dickson   Composer
Steve Armitage   Source Material
Vickie Wright   Source Material
Jasun Smith   Composer
Ira Pack   Composer
Jerry Ross   Executive Producer
Otis Williams   Source Material
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