The Definitive Collection

by The Four Tops

Overview

Solid and steady hitmakers for Motown in the late 1960s, the Four Tops, led by the deep, soulful voice of Levi Stubbs and blessed with A-line songs from the Holland-Dozier-Holland writing team, were one of the finest singing groups the label ever produced. Singles like "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," "Bernadette," "I Can't Help Myself," and the wise-beyond-its-era "It's the Same Old Song" were radio staples in their time, and actually still continue to be staples on 21st century oldies stations. That's staying power, and it's no accident. The songs, at least the singles, were good and the Tops' sound was a hair rougher and edgier than a lot of Motown's issues at the time. It was a winning combination. This set has all of the above songs, each of which is essential, and plenty of other stuff that isn't quite so essential (the Four Tops were really a singles act -- their LPs tended to have a fair amount of filler). It also doesn't have anything the group recorded after they left Motown, but the Four Tops' peak years were at Motown anyway, so for most listeners, this set will be just fine. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	09/23/2008
Label:	Motown
UPC:	0602517805439

Tracks

1. Reach Out I'll Be There
2. Standing In The Shadows Of Love
3. Bernadette
4. Ask The Lonely
5. Baby I Need Your Loving
6. Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worth While)
7. It's The Same Old Song
8. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
9. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
10. Something About You
11. I Got A Feeling
12. Walk Away Renee
13. Still Water (Love)
14. (It' The Way) Nature Planned It
15. It's All In The Game
16. You Keep Running Away
17. 7-Rooms Of Gloom
18. Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Four Tops   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

William "Mickey" Stevenson   Producer,Composer
Barry Korkin   Editorial Assistant
Ellen Fitton   Mastering
Smokey Robinson   Composer
Jerry Long   Arranger
Michael Brown   Composer
Frank Beaty Wilson   Producer
Rebecca Meek   Package Design
Frank Wilson   Composer
Ryan Null   Photo Coordination
Connie Choi   Product Manager
Charles G. Dawes   Composer
Joao Daltro de Almeida   Photo Research
Tony Sansome   Composer
William Robinson   Composer
Carl Sigman   Composer
Pam Sawyer   Composer
Bob Calilli   Composer
Ivy Jo Hunter   Composer
Jimmy Roach   Arranger
Lamont Dozier   Composer,Producer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer,Producer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Harry Weinger   Compilation Producer
Ivory Joe Hunter   Composer,Producer