Tribute to Norman Whitfield

Overview

The Motor City label -- which specializes in new recordings featuring former Motown vocalists -- pays tribute to producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield on this well-meaning but uneven collection. That's Frankie Gaye singing "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," sadly proving he has only a smidgen of the charisma, power, and phrasing ability of his late brother Marvin. The Velvelettes' three sides are not as compelling as the originals; still, they sound good, singing with vigor on "Needle in a Haystack," "He Was Really Saying Something," and "Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I." Ex-Spinner G.C. Cameron's three sides are decent "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," "Just My Imagination," and "Run Away Child," and his versatile, impressive voice transcends the unimpressive productions. The Undisputed Truth, the Marvelettes, Richard "Popcorn" Wylie, Kim Weston, Billie Calvin, and little-known Vee Allen all perform one song each. This tribute to Norman Whitfield falls a little short, to say the least -- no bag of tricks here. Hearing these classic voices again is a rush, but if you're expecting to hear James Jamerson's wicked basslines, Robert White's shimmering guitar, Benny Benjamin's remarkable drums, or Earl Van Dyke's gifted keyboarding, you will have to look elsewhere. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Product Details

Release Date:	10/24/2011
Label:	Essential Media Mod
UPC:	0894231258220
Rank:	125778

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Satin Tones   Primary Artist
Billie Rae Calvin   Primary Artist
The Velvelettes   Primary Artist
G.C. Cameron   Primary Artist
Vee   Primary Artist
Frankie Gaye   Primary Artist
The Marvelettes   Primary Artist
Kim Weston   Primary Artist
The Undisputed Truth   Primary Artist
Richard Wylie   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

G.C. Cameron   Performer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Janie Bradford   Composer
Richard Wylie   Performer
Frankie Gaye   Performer
Barrett Strong   Composer
Kim Weston   Performer
Ian Levine   Producer
The Velvelettes   Performer
Norman Whitfield   Composer
The Undisputed Truth   Performer
Vee   Performer
William "Mickey" Stevenson   Composer
Paul Klein   Compilation Producer
Billie Rae Calvin   Performer