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Amit Bolds
The Marvelettes: A Legacy of Soulful Harmony
The Marvelettes were one of the first and most successful girl groups in Motown history. Their hits like "Please Mr. Postman", "Don't Mess With Bill" and "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game" showcased their distinctive blend of pop, soul and R&B. They also paved the way for other female vocalists such as The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas and The Velvelettes.
In 2011, Hip-O Select released a four-CD box set titled Forever More: The Complete Motown Albums Vol. 2, which collects their last four studio albums from 1967 to 1970, as well as rare mono versions, bonus tracks and previously unreleased songs. The box set is a treasure trove for fans and collectors, as it reveals the depth and diversity of The Marvelettes' musical legacy.
The first disc features their self-titled album from 1967, which includes their classic hit "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game", written and produced by Smokey Robinson. The album also contains covers of popular songs such as "Barefootin'", "Message To Michael" and "When You're Young And In Love". The second disc contains their 1968 album Sophisticated Soul, which showcases their mature and elegant style. The album features their top ten hit "My Baby Must Be A Magician", another Smokey Robinson production, as well as "Destination: Anywhere", "Here I Am Baby" and "What's Easy For Two Is Hard For One".
The third disc includes their 1969 album In Full Bloom, which was their last album with original member Wanda Young. The album reflects the changing times and tastes of the late 60s, with songs like "That's How Heartaches Are Made", "Sunshine Days" and "Love Silent, Love Deep". The fourth disc contains their final album The Return Of The Marvelettes, which was released in 1970 under the name of The Marvelettes but actually featured only Wanda Young and session singers. The album features their remake of "Someday We'll Be Together", which was originally recorded by them but became a hit for The Supremes, as well as "Marionette", "A Breath Taking Guy" and "Fading Away".
The box set also includes rare mono versions of their albums, which were preferred by some fans and DJs for their punchier sound. In addition, the box set offers bonus tracks such as alternate mixes, extended versions and unreleased songs from the Motown vaults. Some of these gems include "Paper Boy", "Poor Little Rich Girl", "Love Is Good" and "Caught You Putting The Game On Love".
Forever More: The Complete Motown Albums Vol. 2 is a must-have for any fan of The Marvelettes or Motown music in general. It showcases the talent, versatility and charm of one of the most influential girl groups of all time.
The Marvelettes were formed in 1960 in Inkster, Michigan, by five teenage friends: Gladys Horton, Wanda Young, Georgeanna Tillman, Katherine Anderson and Juanita Cowart. They auditioned for Motown founder Berry Gordy with an original song called "Please Mr. Postman", which Gordy liked and signed them to his label. The song became their first and biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. It was also the first Motown song to top the charts.
The Marvelettes continued to score hits throughout the early and mid-60s, such as "Playboy", "Beechwood 4-5789", "Too Many Fish In The Sea" and "Don't Mess With Bill". They also collaborated with some of the best writers and producers in Motown, such as Smokey Robinson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Marvin Gaye and Ashford & Simpson. They developed a distinctive sound that combined sweet harmonies, catchy melodies and sassy lyrics.
However, by the late 60s, The Marvelettes faced several challenges that affected their career. Juanita Cowart left the group in 1963 due to stage fright. Georgeanna Tillman died in 1970 from complications of sickle cell anemia and lupus. Wanda Young struggled with drug addiction and marital problems with her husband Bobby Rogers of The Miracles. Gladys Horton left the group in 1967 and was replaced by Anne Bogan. The group also faced competition from other Motown acts such as The Supremes, who became more popular and received more promotion and support from the label.
The Marvelettes disbanded in 1972 after their contract with Motown expired. They left behind a legacy of music that influenced many artists and genres, such as The Beatles, who covered "Please Mr. Postman" on their debut album; The Carpenters, who had a hit with their version of "Please Mr. Postman" in 1975; and New Edition, who sampled "Don't Mess With Bill" on their song "Mr. Telephone Man" in 1984. The Marvelettes were also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.