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THE SPINNERS
The Chrome Collection (Rhino)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
The late-50s Detroit doo woppers who would become the quintessential Philly soulsters in 70s obviously have quite a story to tell. Musically, it's been told well over 20 Best Of releases, including some pretty good documentation by Rhino. This 3-CD, 62-track box set is very nicely done, though it may have market problems. You'd have to be serious fan of the band to want all the non-hit material here, especially some of the tracks on disc 3, recorded after their heyday. If you simply like the band there are numerous single disc collections to choose from. If you're fanatical about The Spinners, you probably want more of the Motown-era music than the handful provided on disc one, and you also probably want everything else you can get your hands on. It's out there.
Who does that leave for this set? Well, before you condemn it to the junk heap, let's look at a few facts. First, it contains a lot of single versions as opposed to album cuts, and there are also some mono mixes, a few remixes, and alternate versions as well. Then there's the icing. The 58 page book that comes with this set is loaded with information, and not just "the story of The Spinners," which is interesting enough. I'm talking about the liner reader's delight: well researched track information! Not just "Phillipe Wynne, vocals on 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love'," because... duh, but how about Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Linda Creed and Barbara Ingram on background vocals? It lists every player on the track, and that puts it in one market for certain: fans of the genre who are into finding out the details.
The more I listen to it, the more I realize that anyone who doesn't have a Best Of already, and is pretty sure they love all the songs they've heard by the group, should give this set serious consideration. Not only will you learn the basic history and have the minutia available if you want to learn that too, you'll have an well designed box set with a considerable amount of awesome soul music to add to your collection. It all comes down to figuring out what your level of interest in the group, or the genre, is.
Track List - Disc One:
That's What Girls Are Made For * I'll Always Love You * Truly Yours * What More Could a Boy Ask For? * Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music * It's a Shame * We'll Have It Made * (Oh Lord) I Wish I Could Sleep * Just Can't Get You Out of My Mind * Just You and Me Baby * Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You * I Could Never (Repay Your Love) * I'll Be Around (Mono version) * One of a Kind (Love Affair) (Censored version) * We Belong Together * Ghetto Child * How Could I Let You Get Away (Mono version) * Could It Be I'm Falling in Love * Love Has Gone Away * Love Don't Love Nobody * I'm Coming Home (Single)
Disc Two:
Since I Been Gone * He'll Never Love You Like I Do * Mighty Love * There's No One Like You * I've Got to Make It on My Own * Living a Little, Laughing a Little * Sadie * Then Came You (with Dionne Warwick) * Sitting on Top of the World * I Don't Want to Lose You * Love or Leave (Single) * You Made a Promise to Me * They Just Can't Stop It (The Games People) * Toni My Love * The Rubberband Man * Now That We're Together * Wake Up Susan * Me and My Music * You're Throwing a Good Love Away (Single Version) * Painted Magic * Heaven on Earth (So Fine) * Back in the Arms of Love * (Love Is) One Step Away * Easy Come, Easy Go * If You Wanna Do a Dance (All Night) * Are You Ready for Love * (A) Plain and Simple Love Song * Body Language * Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me Girl* Cupid/I've Loved You for a Long Time * I Just Want to Fall in Love * Now That You're Mine Again * Yesterday Once More/Nothing Remains the Same * Long Live Soul Music * You Go Your Way (I'll Go Mine) * Love Connection (Raise the Window Down) * Never Thought I'd Fall in Love * Magic in the Moonlight * Funny How Time Slips Away * Right or Wrong * Memories of Allison
© 2003 - DJ Johnson