Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
Come And Get These Memories/Heatwave
Universal/Motown 2 on 1 CD
Released in the UK on 13th May 2002

This review should be read in conjunction with my on-line interview with Martha Reeves of which a number of songs from these two albums are featured in conversation, and are a useful source of information for Motown enthusiasts. Furthermore at the bottom of this page you will find the link to the interview in question, as well as a link to some amazing footage of this great lady from the sixties.
 
 

'Come And Get These Memories'

The earliest of her albums and a real taster of what was to come in the following years. Like so many of her other albums Martha liked to cover other artists songs, which is something she did so well, and actually made even the most bland song sound soulful. ‘Can’t Get Used To Losing You’ a song made famous by Andy Williams gets a treatment that sounds not too dissimilar to his version, yet at the same time is given Reeves’ individual touch which dare I say it, makes it an all-round better version.

It could not have been easy to take on ‘Tears On My Pillow’ a song that Little Anthony & the Imperials had score so heavily with yet her version makes compelling listening as she crafts her vocal dexterity around this popular song. ‘Moments To Remember’ shows all the signs of the big Motown hits of the middle sixties and this skipping lightweight affair may have had more impact with a heavier all-round production – who knows?

The much recorded ‘A Love Like Yours (Don’t Come Knocking) represents Martha’s very early work for the label and this semi ballad song was typical of the girl group recordings of the period with this sounding very much like the Shirelles etc. Her influence with the doo-wop groups of the late fifties is brought to the fore with ‘To Think You Would Hurt Me’ which has male backing vocals – Four Tops??

‘Give Him Up’ is another prime example of the way that Gordy was developing the Motown sound and this fabulous mid-tempo song that superb backing vocals is a pure joy to listen to. Let’s not forget too the importance of the Vandella’s as a major force behind Martha’s success much in the same way that the group had done for Marvin Gaye’s early material on the label. Speaking of which, the inclusion of ‘I’ll Have To Let Him Go’, which contains a rhythm track similar to ‘Hitchike’, and has over the years become Martha’s most expensive collectable 45.

Whilst Martha would see bigger success further on in the decade, this album represents the lady in her earlier years and showcases her incredible talent that lasts to this day.

Rating 8/10

‘Heatwave’

The title track is noting short of a classic to this day. This is what Motown in the sixties was all about. This is the Holland Dozier Holland format that put the company on the map for the entire sixties with a sound that simply couldn’t be matched. This was Motown big beat with a vengeance. Heatwave was conceived out of the scorching hot weather that was all over the United States during the summer of 1963 and the girls also had a little dance routine that they did whenever they sang the song.

This album came with a host of cover versions of pop standards, which didn’t match the aforementioned title track. ‘If I Had A Hammer’ a hit for Trini Lopez was a fast, yet pleasant rendition of a song not normally associated with Motown, whereas their cover of Barbara Lewis’ ‘Hello Stranger’ makes compelling listening as it is sung in the same tempo and stays very close to the original. That is also case for Eddie Holman’s hit song ‘Hey There Lonely Girl’ (re-titled Lonely Boy) another pleasant near to the original cover of a nice song.

Sadly not the case with their interpretation of ‘My Boyfriends Back’ a hit for the all girl group The Angels earlier that year was in retrospect not a good move, and neither was their recording of Inez & Charlie Foxxs’ ‘Mockinbird’ and Doris Troy’s ‘Just One Look’. All three were totally sub standard songs no doubt included on the original LP at a time when Motown were experimenting to get the right balance of material.

One other song worthy of mention is the excellent ‘Wait Till My Bobby Gets’ Home’ which surfaced on a budget CD from Spectrum a few years ago and at that time was a standout song with its snappy uptempo feel.

Whilst ‘Heatwave’ is a great CD to have in one’s collection (and the sleeve is worth it for that alone) the overall make up consists of less than favourable cover versions that will possibly make ardent fans less than enthusiastic about shelling out again if they already own the original vinyl copies.

Bonus tracks include;

Quicksand -  (Stereo Mix)
Livewire – (Stereo Mix)
My Baby Won’t Come Back
Undecided Lover – Previously unreleased stereo mix)

Rating 7/10

To check my interview on line – click here
To see Martha Reeves & the Vandellas in action – click here
Other Motown CD review from Martha – click here