20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Smokey Robinson & The Mir

by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

Overview

Like any record company worth their salt, MCA knows a good gimmick when they see it, and when the millennium came around, the 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection wasn't too far behind. Supposedly, the millennium is a momentous occasion, but it's hard to feel that way when it's used as another excuse to turn out a budget-line series. But apart from the presumptuous title, 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection turns out to be a very good budget-line series. True, it's impossible for any of these brief collections to be definitive, but they're nevertheless solid samplers that don't feature a bad song in the bunch. For example, take Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' 20th Century volume -- it's an irresistible budget-priced summary of their prime Motown recordings. There may be a couple of noteworthy songs missing, but many of their best-known songs are here, including "The Tracks of My Tears," "Ooo Baby Baby," "The Tears of a Clown" and "I Second That Emotion." Serious fans will want something more extensive, but this is an excellent introduction for neophytes and a great sampler for casual fans, considering its length and price. That doesn't erase the ridiculousness of the series title, but the silliness is excusable when the music and the collections are good. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/10/1999
Label:	Motown
UPC:	0601215339826
Rank:	5165

Tracks

1. The Tears of a Clown
2. Shop Around
3. The Tracks of My Tears
4. I Second That Emotion
5. Mickey's Monkey
6. You've Really Got a Hold on Me
7. More Love
8. Ooo Baby Baby
9. Cruisin'
10. Just to See Her
11. Love Machine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles   Primary Artist
Billy Griffin   Primary Artist
The Miracles   Primary Artist
Smokey Robinson   Primary Artist,Vocals

Technical Credits

Smokey Robinson   Composer,Producer
Marvin Tarplin   Composer
Meire Murakami   Design
Margaret Goldfarb   Production Coordination
Stu Hackel   Liner Notes
Jimmy Pete Georgantones   Composer
Louis Joseph Pardini   Composer
Wade Marcus   String Arrangements,Horn Arrangements
Lou Pardini   Composer
Rick Chudacoff   Producer
Warren "Pete" Moore   Composer
Jimmy George   Composer
The Miracles   Performer
Al Cleveland   Composer,Producer
Brian Holland   Composer,Producer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Harry Weinger   Compilation Producer
Henry Cosby   Composer
William Griffin   Composer
Paul Riser   Arranger
Sonny Burke   Arranger
David Van De Pitte   Arranger
Billy Griffin   Composer,Performer
Freddie Perren   Producer,Rhythm Arrangements
Berry Gordy, Jr.   Composer,Executive Producer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer,Producer