By Bob Berry

“…I need rain to disguise the tears in my eyes…”.

Nobody sang a “pain” song than David Ruffin.

“Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, “Since I Lost My Baby”, “I Know I’m Losing You”, David’s last song with the Tempts, “It’s You That I Need”, and more.

But above all, stands “I Wish It Would Rain“.

From Earl Van Dyke’s opening notes on the Motown Steinway, to the very tasty and restrained track by The Funk Brothers , and the incredible blend of the background vocals , “Rain” is a great track. And then..

“Sunshine, blue skies, please go away, My girl has found another, and gone away..”.

Nobody sang a “pain” song like David Ruffin.

Sunday Brunch celebrates The Motown Sound with the original “Fab Five”.

By Bob Berry

When I was researching Motown’s #1’s of September, 1970, I neglected to mention another Detroit gem that was Number One for six weeks. In the United Kingdom!

It was “Band Of Gold“, and it was about a “Detroit” as a record could be.

Sung by The D’s Freda Payne with backup vocals by Joyce Wilson and Thelma Hopkins (who soon became Dawn, with Tony Orlando). Written (under the pseudonym Edythe Wayne) by Motown legends Holland-Dozier-Holland, with members of the Funk Brothers including Dennis Coffey, Bob Babbitt, and Uriel Jones on the track. Recorded in Detroit and released on HDH’s new Invictus label.

If it was anymore Detroit, each 45 would have come with a coupon for a Lafayette or American Coney Island!

Released in the summer of 1970, here’s “Band of Gold”, the Friday Song on Keener!

By Bob Berry

I was having lunch the other day, and  “Going To A Go-Go” came over the speakers in the restaurant.

And I started seat dancing to one of the great grooves in Motown history!

Bennie Benjamin fabulous tom-tom back-beat, then James Jamerson’s  bass line locking in with Marv Tarplin’s lead guitar, and The Miracles, Claudette, Bobby, Ronnie and Pete singing the hook smooth as butter.

So there you are, already movin’ in places where most people (especially from outside “The D”) don’t have places-and finally, we get Smokey’s joyful, “come join us” lead vocal: “They come from everywhere, and if you drop in there, you might see anyone in town..”.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, “Going To A Go-Go”!  The Keener Friday Song. “You should have some fun, I’m telling everyone…”, and enjoy this extraordinary “real, live” performance on Hullaballoo.

By Bob Berry

I had about an hour drive on I-75 last night, and after selecting a CD for the ride (and playing it at a far too loud volume), came to this conclusion:

It had been too doggone long, since I had played or heard, Marvin Gaye’s “doggone” song, and the other early 60’s classics. Hits like “Stubborn Kind of Fellow”, “Pride and Joy”, “Hitchhike”, “Ain’t That Peculiar”, “You’re A Wonderful One”, Marvin’s first hit duet, “It Takes Two”, with the great Kim Weston, and, yes, the Smokey Robinson written and produced “I’ll Be Doggone”.

Remarkable songs, sometimes over-looked in the rightful appreciation of  “What’s Going On” and on through to  “Sexual Healing”. But take another listen to the early Marvin Gaye “songbook”. From his use of his three-octave range, through the evolution of The Funk Brothers, to working with Motown’s writer/producers Mickey Stevenson, Holland-Dozier-Holland and Smokey; the results that came out of the”Snakepit”, were fabulous!

Conclusion?  ANY Marvin is great Marvin. And maybe better, live. Check out Marvin’s medley on 1964’s “The T.A.M.I. Show”, with Darlene Love and The Blossoms and the “Wrecking Crew” house band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpnf82hD5Ic