Supremes - Let Yourself Go: The 70s albums, Volume 2 1974-1977
by Daniel Cressey
published: 26 / 6 / 2011
intro
Daniel Cressey reflects upon ‘Let Yourself Go’, a new box set which compiles together the Supremes' final post-Diana Ross recordings between 1974 and 1977.
The Supremes without Diana Ross might seem a strange prospect to many, but the Motown group persisted long after Ms Ross departed at the end of the 1960s. This collection of tracks from the second half of the 70s shows why. Although Ross was probably irreplaceable, the group continued to put out classic soul tracks in the mode they made famous when she fronted them. Scherrie Payne does a stand up job here, but with hindsight it is hard to see how this group could ever equal the heights of the likes of 'Can't Hurry Love' from the Ross period. They have a game job of trying though. High points like 'I Can Never Recover' combine all the elements of soaring lead vocals, sweet back-up harmonies, horns, and strings into pop bliss. But much of this compilation is made up of sweet but otherwise tasteless songs about love in its various guises. Some of the later tracks are also a Marmite proposition. The veer into funk of 'You Keep Me Moving' will not be to all tastes and 'High Energy' can also fail to excite like earlier hits. But 'Let Yourself Go' is not really designed for the casual listener. With its variations, offcuts and outakes, this is for the supreme Supremes fan. Although there may be more filler here than the average listener will appreciate, when the Supremes really hit their stride such fans will not be disappointed.
Picture Gallery:-
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Secret Shine - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPPrisoners - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Jonny Fluffypunk - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Pere Ubu - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart