A Cellarful of Motown!

Updated on Nov 06, 2023

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Volume 1 (2002) Volume 2 (2005) Label Tamla Motown		Release date 2002 Genres Soul music, Funk

Released July 30, 2002 (2002-07-30) Recorded July 2, 1962 (1962-07-02) – December 1, 1969 (1969-12-01) Similar The Saints Are Coming, Essential Film Themes, Greatest Hits Collection, The Greatest Hits Colle, Playlist: The Very Best of D

A Cellarful of Motown! is a series of compilation albums of Motown rarities, containing versions of known songs by alternative artists, as well as demos of songs that were not released at the time, but had been shelved for various reasons. Much to the surprise of Motown connaisseurs these recordings from the sixties and seventies emerged in the 21st century. Compiled by Paul Nixon the series ran for 4 volumes before being cancelled by Universal Records. Some of them had failed to pass the selections by Motown executives, in other cases Motown's owner Berry Gordy had his personal reasons to withhold releases. Four examples out of many:

"Danger, Heartbreak Dead Ahead" was a hit for The Marvelettes, but appears in a version by The Contours.

Likewise, Smokey Robinsons "My Heart", once a minor hit for Carolyn Crawford, is in this compilation performed by Tammi Terrell.

From Patrice Holloway no recording whatsoever was released by Motown, but a demo she once made appears in this compilation.

The Spinners' original song "Too Late I Learned" was recorded but never released, not as a single nor as an album track

Volume 1

Source: Classic Motown, Allmusic

Volume 2

Source: Discogs, Allmusic

Volume 3

Source: Discogs, Allmusic

Volume 4

Source: Soulsource, Allmusic

Songs

1Baby a Go-GoBarbara McNair2:49
2All Your LoveBrenda Holloway3:25
3He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'Earl Van Dyke - The Soul Brothers2:34

References

A Cellarful of Motown! Wikipedia

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