Search - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles :: 35th Anniversary Collection

Sssssmokin'

the-disco-kid | Bay City, Babylon 7 | 04/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What can one say about Smokey Robinson & The Miracles that hasn't been said at least 1000 times before? Not much, I'm afraid. Except, perhaps, from my point of view, how important those guys - Smokey in particular, of course - and their music is to me and my personal and spiritual well being. This music is just so spiritual, soul-soaking and timeless that it is difficult to describe it in mere words without it coming across as an unbearable drivel. But while there are and have been many good Smokey compilations out there (the classic double "Anthology" and/or 19992's "Greatest Hits" come highly recommended for those whose budgets are too modest for this 4CD set), this is the ULTIMATE Smokey Robinson & The Miracles collection since it not only contains their very best work as a unit, but also after they went their seperate ways. Then why 'only' a 4 star (4 & a half is more accurate, but that's not possible here, unfortunately) review, you might ask. Well, as much as I LOVE almost all of their stuff, some of the very early songs are just a tad 'ordinary'. I mean, they sound a bit like they could've been done by almost any late 50's/early 60's R'n'B outfit; the sophistication and uniqueness which came with and, indeed, brought on success for both Smokey & co and Motown a little later, just wasn't there that early on. So that's my only beef with these discs: the early years in their representation here could've used some slimming down. Otherwise, though, this is pure heaven. "You've Really Got A Hold On Me", "Ooo Baby Baby", "The Tracks Of My Tears", "Save Me", "More Love", "I Second That Emotion", "Abraham, Martin And John" (THE definitive version...sorry Marvin), "The Tears Of A Clown", "Going To A Go-Go", "Cruisin'", "Quiet Storm", "Love Machine" and many, many more - all titles of legendary proportions in the history annals of popular music and plenty enough reason to dish out whatever amount Amazon is asking for this set. But wouldn't it have been cool if we'd have gotten an extra disc containing some of the best stuff Smokey & associates wrote (& produced) for other Motown acts like The Temptations, The Supremes, Stevie, Marvin, Supremes, Mary Wells, Marvelettes and all the others? Phew! But, for the time being, this'll do very well indeed."

Just a bit more than is needed.

Eric V. Moye | New York, by way of Dallas | 10/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I feel a bit like Goldilocks. The Ultimate Collection is a bit short. This one just a bit too long. (The Motown Anthology is, in my opinion just right).I have raved about Smokey elsewhere. His ability to write clever and moving lyrics is unparalleled. In the simplest love songs he could make the greatest turns of a phrase.Here, however, I found a bit too much unnecessary fluff. Some unreleased songs (like "Father Dear" and Sad Story", neither of which should have been released in my opinion). Some of the live cuts were so understandibly drowned out by the screaming of the crowd.The Motown Anthology has every great Smokey song (with the exception of "Cruisin'"). That is the ticket."

As good as they come

the-disco-kid | 05/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No one will ever have a complete anthology of music where every song is a favorite...the compilation of Smokey and the Miracles is a close as they come.Whether you enjoy the harmony of the 50s or the seductiveness of the 80s/90s, Smokey Robinson has to be respected for recognizing the trends of the times and appealing to the sounds of that era.More importantly, his genius as a song writer clearly is reflected in this collection. Listen to the words and how he intertwines the music and the melodies and you can't help but appreciate his talents. Before Wonder, before Gaye, even before Holland, Dozier and Holland, there was Robinson. He was the original and the others but imitators.You may not find all of your favorite Smokey songs here, but you can be guaranteed you will find others you may have forgotten or are hearing for the first time. And that's what really makes this a worthwhile collection to have. You aren't necessarily getting the songs you hear over and over on the radio. "Tracks of My Tears" is a great song, but "Fork in the Road" is more emotionally interesting and will have you hitting the repeat button more often.Sit back and groove with the oldies, reminisce with the sounds of your youth or experience the smooth jazz sounds of today...Smokey and the Miracles share it all, and it doesn't get any better."