The Classic Rhythm + Blues Collection is another set of Time-Life CDs. I’m listening to the 1964-1967 volume because those were the years that I was inseparable from my transistor radio. And these were the songs I was listening to hour after hour.
Most of the songs on these CDs were Motown hits. The Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin, The Supremes, The Miracles, The Temptations were all wonderful Motown acts who produced hit record after hit record for a decade.
Sprinkled in with with the Motown songs are some R&B classics like Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves a Woman” and Lou Rawls’ “Love is a Hurtin’ Thing.”
Back in the day, I knew the words to all of these songs–after all, I heard them a hundred times! Just listening to this music takes me back to my teenage years which seemed much more hopeful than the Present. Do you remember these songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: A
19 thoughts on “THE CLASSIC RHYTHM + BLUES COLLECTION: 1964-1967”
Deb
The only one I’m not familiar with is the song by Little Milton, all the other songs I know by heart and would not change the station if any of them were playing. Favorites include “Uptight”, “The In Crowd”, and “In the Midnight Hour”, but how can you really pick favorites from a collection like this? You’re spoiled for choice!
I know I’ve mentioned Andrew Hickey’s excellent and ongoing podcast, “A History of Rock & Roll in 500 Songs”, but—even if you don’t want to listen to it from the beginning (which I strongly encourage)—the episodes about Motown are really excellent and worth a listen. All of the Motown artists on this collection are mentioned—some in great detail. Highly recommended.
Deb, I’ve been listening to Andrew Hickey’s “A History of Rock & Roll in 500 Songs” and learning a lot! You’re right about the episodes on Motown! Great stuff!
Yes, I know all of them – including the Little Milton song, Deb – and many are among my favorites . Hard to pick a few, but My Girl, the Four Tops songs, You Can’t Hurry Love, The Tracks Of My Tears, Knock On Wood and I’ve Been Loving You Too Long would be at the top, with What Becomes Of the Broken Hearted being Jackie’s favorite (along with Knock On Wood).
Deb, speaking of the podcast, last week I listened to the episode about “People Get Ready” and Curtis Mayfield. Great stuff.
I thought at first that I hadn’t heard the vocal version of “The In Crowd”, but unsurprisingly I have…Lewis played it better, but Gray’s vocal definitely matches it. Likewise, I remember everything on the album at least a bit (a few I’d need to hear again before trying to sing), and it’s notable to me how many of the the Motown tracks aren’t my favorites from them, and how many of the most powerful inclusions were on other labels and from non-Motown artists.
Todd, thanks for the link. This proves Dobie Gray is a vastly underrated performer!
Jeff Meyerson
“This Old Heart Of Mine” was the only hit The Isley Brothers had in their brief period at Motown, before returning to their own T-Neck Records, though it is a classic.
Patti, I listened to my transistor radio constantly in the Sixties. As Fred said, this music was part of the soundtrack of my Life as a teenager. Fond memories…
I’m a bit late, but still …
I know most of these songs and listen to them while on the rad.
But my favourites were the songs by the rock groups from Britain – also known as the British Invasion.
The only one I’m not familiar with is the song by Little Milton, all the other songs I know by heart and would not change the station if any of them were playing. Favorites include “Uptight”, “The In Crowd”, and “In the Midnight Hour”, but how can you really pick favorites from a collection like this? You’re spoiled for choice!
I know I’ve mentioned Andrew Hickey’s excellent and ongoing podcast, “A History of Rock & Roll in 500 Songs”, but—even if you don’t want to listen to it from the beginning (which I strongly encourage)—the episodes about Motown are really excellent and worth a listen. All of the Motown artists on this collection are mentioned—some in great detail. Highly recommended.
Deb, I’ve been listening to Andrew Hickey’s “A History of Rock & Roll in 500 Songs” and learning a lot! You’re right about the episodes on Motown! Great stuff!
Yes, I know all of them – including the Little Milton song, Deb – and many are among my favorites . Hard to pick a few, but My Girl, the Four Tops songs, You Can’t Hurry Love, The Tracks Of My Tears, Knock On Wood and I’ve Been Loving You Too Long would be at the top, with What Becomes Of the Broken Hearted being Jackie’s favorite (along with Knock On Wood).
Deb, speaking of the podcast, last week I listened to the episode about “People Get Ready” and Curtis Mayfield. Great stuff.
Jeff, Curtis Mayfield is one of my favorites. Love his music, but saddened by the tragic accident in his Life.
The soundtrack of my high school years. I prefer Dobie Gray’s original IN CROWD to the Ramsey Lewis version, but it’s only a matter of opinion.
Fred, I love both versions of “IN CROWD.” Dobie Gray is an underrated performer.
I thought at first that I hadn’t heard the vocal version of “The In Crowd”, but unsurprisingly I have…Lewis played it better, but Gray’s vocal definitely matches it. Likewise, I remember everything on the album at least a bit (a few I’d need to hear again before trying to sing), and it’s notable to me how many of the the Motown tracks aren’t my favorites from them, and how many of the most powerful inclusions were on other labels and from non-Motown artists.
Todd, clearly you are an R&B connoisseur!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU7Z1AXsss
Todd, thanks for the link. This proves Dobie Gray is a vastly underrated performer!
“This Old Heart Of Mine” was the only hit The Isley Brothers had in their brief period at Motown, before returning to their own T-Neck Records, though it is a classic.
Jeff, The Isley Brothers are still heard as background music on Walmart commercials!
At last! George finally features a CD I can truly get into!
Jerry, I have a few more volumes of THE CLASSIC RHYTHM + BLUES COLLECTION scheduled for the months ahead with music you can truly get into!
Those crummy little radios with their tinny sound brought more joy that cords in your ears.
Patti, I listened to my transistor radio constantly in the Sixties. As Fred said, this music was part of the soundtrack of my Life as a teenager. Fond memories…
I’m a bit late, but still …
I know most of these songs and listen to them while on the rad.
But my favourites were the songs by the rock groups from Britain – also known as the British Invasion.
Come on, of course that should have been:
Used to listen to them while on the road.
Wolf, I have some British Invasion music compilation CDs, too. I’ll have to dig them out!