Out of Reach [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Reissue of the avant-garde German electronic/ prog legends' 1978 album for the Harvest label. Seven tracks. 1999 release. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Boston Is a Lovely Town
I'm a Woman, I'm a Man
Zig-Zag
Saturday's Hero
Room to Let (To Rowena with Love)
Reach out of the Darkness
Wise Man Changes His Mind
Ode to a Dandelion
If Love Is in Your Heart
Weddin' March (I Feel Groovy)
Way We Were in the Beginning

Product Description

1. Boston Is a Lovely Town
2. I’m a Woman, I’m a Man
3. Zig-Zag
4. Saturday’s Hero
5. Room to Let (to Rowena with Love)
6. Reach Out of the Darkness
7. A Wise Man Changes His Mind
8. Ode to a Dandelion
9. If Love Is in Your Heart
10. The Weddin’ March (I Feel Groovy)
11. The Way We Were in the Beginning

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Hard to find item........2006-11-11

I was having a pretty hard time looking for several of the songs on this CD. I tried several music services and finally found it at Amazon. The CD is very good quality and plays perfect. There are only three songs on it that I care for but that is typical of CD's and me. If you are looking for the song "Reach out of the Darkness" this is the CD for you. This was the only place I could find that song.

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Reach Out
The Williams Brothers
Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Soulful Healing
Cover Me
Greatest Hits Plus
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Still Here

ASIN: B000FGFUJ0
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

Oh Mary Dont You Weep The Williams Brothers
Back To The Cross Melvin Williams
And They Were Gone Melvin Williams & Doug Williams
So Good The Williams Brothers
Oh How I Need You Melvin Williams
Fear No Evil Melvin Williams
Just Like He Said He Would The Williams Brothers
Peace In My Heart Melvin Williams
Glad I Met You Melvin Williams
Reach Out And Touch Somebodys Hand The Williams Brothers
You Blessed Me Still Melvin Williams

Tracks:

Weve Come To Magnify The Lord RiZen
Incredible God, Incredible Praise Youthful Praise
Go Through Evelyn Turrentine-Agee
Give Him Glory Stephanie Dotson

Album Description

Celebrate the legacy of Gospel music with REACH OUT, an inspiring collection of music from one of the genre's most enduring vocal ensembles, The Williams Brothers. Filled with Gospel greats such as "Just Like He Said He Would", "Oh How I Need You", and "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand", REACH OUT is certain to uplift listeners of all ages.

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Highly recommended

Ultimate Movie Album

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Incredible Film Music Box
The Queen

ASIN: B00005QC28
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

Bridget Jones's Diary: Out Of Reach - Gabrielle
Gladiator: Now We Are Free - Gavin Greenaway
Moulin Rouge: One Day I'll Fly Away - Nicole Kidman
Notting Hill: When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
American Beauty: Dead Already - Thomas Newman
Braveheart: Main Theme - For The Love Of A Princess - London Symphony Orchestra
Four Weddings And A Funeral: You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White
O Brother Where Art Thou: Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss
Hannibal: Vide Cor Meum - Gavin Greenaway
The Shawshank Redemption: Courtyard Theme: Che Soave Zeffiretto (Marriage Of Figaro) - Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin
The Thomas Crown Affair: Windmills Of Your Mind - Sting
Platoon: Adagio - Neville Marriner
Ghost: Unchained Melody - Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Fantasia: The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Montreal Symphony Orchestra
The Big Lebowski: Just Dropped In (To See What My Condition Was In) - Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
Philadelphia: La Mamma Morta - Monserrat Caballe
Snatch: Hernando's Hideaway - The Johnstone Brothers
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels: Eighteen With A Bullet - Lewis Taylor And Carleen Anderson
A Room With A View: O Mio Babbino Caro - Sylvia McNair

Tracks:

Billy Elliot: Cosmic Dancer - Marc Bolan & T-Rex
Captain Corelli's Mandolin: Pelagia's Song - Orchestra
Four Weddings And A Funeral: Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves: Maid Marian At The Waterfall/Everything I Do - Michael Kamen
Dances With Wolves: John Dunbar Theme - John Mauceri
American Beauty: Any Other Name - Thomas Newman
Gladiator: The Battle (Excerpt) - Gavin Greenaway
The Silence Of The Lambs: Goldberg Variations (Aria) - Andrei Gavrilov
Notting Hill: She - Elvis Costello
Pulp Fiction: Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
Mission Impossible: Main Theme - Orchestra
Waking Ned: Let The Draw Begin - Orchestra
Out Of Africa: Love Theme - John Williams
Shine: Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30 - Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Godfather Part III: Intermezzo From Cavalleria Rusticana - Pavarotti
The Mexican: End Credits Medley - The Hollywood Film Chorale
Body Heat: Main Theme - John Williams
Apocalypse Now: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Star Trek: The Final Frontier - Main Theme & March Of The Klingons - John Williams

Album Description

UK compilation featuring a combination of hit songs & theme music from some great soundtracks. Tracks include, Gabrielle 'Out Of Reach' (Bridget Jones Diary), 'Now We Are Free' (Gladiator), 'Dead Already' (American Beauty), Alison Kraus 'Down To The River To Pray' (O Brother Where Art Thou), Ronan Keating 'When You Say Nothing At All' (Notting Hill) & many more. 35 tracks on 2 CDs. 2001.

Customer Reviews:

Highly recommended.......2002-08-20

This pricey UK import CD filled a lot of gaps in my music collection and is an excellent overview of notable music of (mostly) recent films. It's difficult to find consistently listenable soundtrack collections like this, by that I mean free from the obligitory Whitney Houston or Celine Dion embarrassments. Usually rights issues prevent comprehensive compilations like this in the US, too. While I enjoy a lot of soundtrack music, there aren't so many complete soundtracks that I would care to own, some examples of exceptions being Ennio Morricone scores and the About a Boy Soundtrack. While certainly most of these tracks are the actual recordings used in their respective films, I noticed that "La mamma morte" from Philadelphia is not the Maria Callas version. There might be other cases like this, I'm not sure. And "Unchained Melody" from Ghost is an orchestral version, not the pop song (but I consider this a plus). This collection seems to focus on the subtle and quirky, yet melodic music of indie films, with less emphasis on the loud sweeping orchestral scores of major Hollywood hits, but of course there are a few like Gladiator and Braveheart, which are welcome here because like I've said, I probably wouldn't listen to the whole score. I love the two Thomas Newman compositions from American Beauty, and it's good to have some music from films by the Cohen Brothers here. My only complaint would have to be the order of the songs. You would think they would avoid jumping back and forth between pop songs, orchestral scores, and quiet music, but it just seems thrown together by random. I would compare this collection to the excellent "Miramax Films Greatest Hits" but the makers of that album knew to group the two pop/rock songs at the end.

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"What The World Needs Now . . ."
Rediscovering a gem
Burt, slightly hurt.
Burt, slightly hurt.
Great Album!

Reach Out
Burt Bacharach
Manufacturer: Rebound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Make It Easy on Yourself
20th Century Masters: The Best Of Burt Bacharach (Millennium Collection)
Burt Bacharach's Greatest Hits
Futures
What the World Needs Now: Burt Bacharach Classics

ASIN: B0000047RC
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Reach Out For Me
Alfie
Bond Street
Are You There (With Another Girl)
What The World Needs Now Is Love
The Look Of Love
A House Is Not A Home
I Say A Little Prayer
The Windows Of The World
Lisa
Message To Michael

Amazon.com essential recording

Burt Bacharach's vintage solo albums, while sharing many of the signature songs he and Hal David crafted for the likes of Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield, are different experiences than those hit singles. Despite nearly duplicate arrangements, the composer's own renditions of "Reach Out for Me," "Are You There (With Another Girl)," and "The Look of Love" are less dramatic, more laid-back; Bacharach also indulges himself in codas that sound like he's working out bits of movie music. All that said, the 1967 Reach Out is a quite fine example of Bacharach left to his own devices: after three plays, you may well find it irresistible. Also, don't miss the fab period liner notes by the Beatles's then-publicist Derek Taylor. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

"What The World Needs Now . . .".......2006-01-16

". . . is love, sweet love,
It's the only thing
that there's just too little of. . .
What the world needs now
is love, sweet love
No, not just for some
but for everyone."

Burt Bacharach's collaboration with one of the best contemporary lyricists in the music world, Hal David, is one of the greatest things that ever happened in musical history. Their partnership was so fruitful and they were the most prolific pair of songwriters back then. Together, they have produced numerous pop hits in the Billboard and garnered almost all of the major songwriting awards.

This CD is a perfect representation of how great Burt Bacharach is in composing, arranging and conducting an orchestra. He has also played piano on all the eleven tracks. This is a showcase of some of his most beautiful compositions such as "What The World Needs Now Is Love," "A House Is Not A Home," "I Say A Little Prayer," "The Windows of The World," "Alfie" and the very charming "The Look of Love."

On Liner Notes, Derek Taylor wrote:

"If violins and cellos, harpsichord and piano, trumpets, flutes, and sounds of rippling scales have never lightened your spirit;

If your heart has not leapt nor your senses quivered as the conductor's baton taps the music stand;

If Alfie did not become so much a name, more a lonely island of song in a sea of human sadness;

If you believe that the essence of a man and his music can adequately be caught and conveyed within an album liner note;

Then it is likely that the entrapment of music between these covers is not for you, and though it is sad, you should walk on by."

What so moved, affected me and brought tears to my eyes is Burt Bacharach singing his heart out in the most poignant song of all-time "A House Is Not A Home," with lyrics penned by his long-time collaborator, Hal David.

"A chair is still a chair
Even when there's no one sitting there
But a chair is not a house
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss "Goodnight"

A room is still a room
Even when there's nothing there but gloom
But a room is not a house
And a house is not a home
When the two of us are far apart
And one of us has a broken heart

Now and then I call your name
And suddenly your face appears
But it's just a crazy game
When it ends it ends in tears
Honey, have a heart
Don't let one mistake keep us apart

I'm not meant to live alone
Turn this house into a home
When I climb the stair and turn the key . . .
Oh, please be there still in love with me."

Rediscovering a gem.......2004-09-17

The last I ever remember hearing this was at the age of 8 and my folks had bought it new on vynil (circa 1968). This album somehow oddly captivated me with its rich detailed orchestrations, heartfelt melodies and varied tonal colors. Years later, I've rediscovered it and it still not only holds up for me but sounds even better than I remembered it.

My favorite cuts are the rollicking "Bond Street", the plaintive "Alfie", the pondering "Lisa", and although 'ol Burt will NEVER go down in history as a singer, I can't help but like his raw, honest pained vocal on "A House Is Not A Home". Actually, I can't think of a track on here I don't like. "The Look of Love" is another stunning track with its rousing brass! As another reviewer mentioned and I agree with, I'd have loved to know who played on these recordings, the musicianship is nothing short of top-flight!

What seals it for me is the fact that without out-front vocals, Burt's music really comes to life and speaks for itself. Classic stuff!

Burt, slightly hurt........2003-03-22

I love most of the material on this cd. The music brings to mind those walking in the park scenes in movies that they always used in the 60's and early 70's. The only reason I'm only giving it 3 stars is because of the absolutely yucko version of "A House Is Not Home". Burt sings it, and he can't. He should have left it as an instumental like most of the material on the album. With that said, it is a good listening album. Perfect cocktail party stuff.

Burt, slightly hurt........2003-03-22

Great Album!.......2001-08-26

My parents bought this album which I sat down to listen to one day and I immediately fell in love with it. Although it wasn't really rock and roll or soul, it had its own pristine pop amalgam that was brilliantly arranged, played, and produced. One of my favorite albums of all time has been on CD since 1995 (low-priced!)with what sounds to my ears like a wonderful remastering job that brings out all the vibrancy of the original recording. Yes, this is the first CD anyone should buy to listen to the stupendous talent of Burt Bacharach in its full glory. Every track is delectable stereo ear-candy, a bouncy, breezy, cool piece of the Sixties. As others have noticed, some of this music was from movies, like the rollicking 'Bond Street,' and 'The Look of Love' which gives glorious spotlight to the brass section of the studio musicians. I wish there were liner notes about these musicians, who they were, when the sessions took place, etc. They had a master composer, arranger, and producer, that whipped-up with them one of the sweetest, spiciest, and flavorful albums of all time. I only wish 'Casino Royale' had been on this album to take it beyond just great.

Average customer rating:

This is a feast

Hell Can Wait
Carlos Guitarlos
Manufacturer: Nomad Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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West of the West

ASIN: B000AXWHKS
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Love Me From The Start
Got No Time
Get Back
Shake My Blue (w/David Hidalgo)
Save A Dance
I Found Someone
Here I Come
Drinkin' Again
Say You Love Me
Keep Me Satisfied
Woman On My Mind
My Old Dead Body
Baby's Coming Back Home
Shake With My Baby
Making Better
I Feel Love
Sure Is Good
Hole In My Pocket
I've Been Dead Since You've Been Gone

Album Description

Throughout the 90's and into the new millennium, Carlos Guitarlos could be found playing guitar for pocket change on the streets of San Francisco's Mission District. Oftentimes, Carlos slept on those same cold streets where he eventually became a street-corner legend (The SF Bay Guardian name him the city's "Best Street Musician" in 1994). For the one-time musical leader of legendary Los Angeles roots-rockers Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs -- inspiration for the 1984 Van Halen song "Top Jimmy" -- it had been a long, slow downward spiral of divorce, diabetes, and drugs.

In the wake of his hard-knock life, Carlos found himself in a San Francisco hospital, fighting for his life with congestive heart failure. That experience, combined with the alcohol-related death of his friend and former band-mate, Top Jimmy, proved to be the catalyst of his personal turnaround. Within a couple of weeks of his hospital stay, with the help of his family, Carlos finally found his way back into a recording studio, hence the release of "Straight from the Heart" in 2003, which features the helping hands of old pals Mike Watt, John Doe, and Dave Alvin. The album's title track was written from his hospital bed.

Showcasing Carlos's stinging, fluid fretwork, lived-in vocals, and uncanny ability to write original songs in a wide variety of classic styles, the album made Rolling Stone Magazine's "Top Albums of 2003" and it was swiftly picked up for national distribution, a fact that was covered by Billboard Magazine, who described his re-emergence as "one of the most surprising music stories of the year."

The long-awaited follow up, "Hell Can Wait", features a stronger, healthier Carlos on another 19 original compositions. Guest artists include Marcy Levy (Clapton, Shakespear's Sister), Gene Taylor (Blasters, Fabulous Thunderbirds), and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.

Customer Reviews:

This is a feast.......2005-09-21

This is a feast of traditional American music forms and wry twists. The opening cut sounds like Delta country blues, but perhaps with a little Leon Redbone circa 1970's thrown in. From there the CD rambles through many forms, such as the Fats-Domino-style "Here I Am," the soul stylings (with Marcy Levy) of "I Found a Love," the Los-Lobos-style (with David Hidalgo) "Shake My Blue" and the Doug-Sahm-jukebox music style of "I've Been Drinking Again." But the songs are all Carlos originals, with a co-write credited to Levy and Top Jimmy here and there.

The song "Baby's Coming Home Soon" (not sure exact title) starts out like a session from Dylan's "Everybody Must Get Stoned" and crosses paths with old time blues. "Sure Is Good" has the folks from Double Naught Spy Car throwing in what sounds like a TV theme I can't quite place. Hidalgo, Marcy Levy, and the wonderful Gene Taylor add spice, but it's Carlos who serves up this feast. If you don't like one kind of song, wait until the next cut: there's everything here from calypso style to a hard-to-sing-real-fast bluegrass-tinged number.

Average customer rating:

Michael Damian fan forever
Michael Damian "Reach Out To Me" - Great CD!
For Young and Restless Fans

Reach out to Me
Michael Damian
Manufacturer: Scotti Bros.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000I9OI
Release Date: 1993-06-22

Tracks:

Reach Out To Me
Missing
Face Right Out Of A Dream
Can't Stop
If You Want It
I Really Didn't Know
Don't Treat Me Wrong
Love Without You
No Next Time
Why Can't We All Live Together

Customer Reviews:

Michael Damian fan forever.......2002-06-24

This is a good example of the Young and Restless days Michael spoiled us with sneaking some of these songs into the story line. I fondly remember his coming down the stairs singing "If You Want It." to Christine (Cricket). That was a very sweet scene. I am looking forward to his newest release. His tour will not come near Oregon, but I've met him several times in the past and he is a normal and very nice person, from a nice family too. If you don't have this CD, I recommend it.

Michael Damian "Reach Out To Me" - Great CD!.......2000-06-09

For all us Y&R fans we all know Michael Damian for his 18 year stint as Danny Romalotti on "The Young and the Restless." Some fans may even know Michael from the days he was with his family's band, "The Wierz." Before he, Michael, went solo. (The Wierz was before my time musically, but I had heard of them. Read interviews ect.)

"Reach Out to Me," as always, Michael put out a GREAT solo CD. Very heart felt. If I were stranded on an island somewhere this album/CD is one I would be playing constantly. Of all Michael's solo albums thus far, this one has to be my all time favorite. Don't get me wrong I like all Michael's solo albums, but for different reasons.

In reguards to "Reach Out To Me" This album/CD holds a very special place for me. The album/CD came out during a turning point in my life.

I have found the title track "Reach Out To Me" to be very uplifting and supportive. As the song says, "... If you reach out to me you know I'll be right there..."

At the same time this album talks about social issues and heartbreak. Songs covering social Issues: "Missing", "Why can't We All Live Together", and "Face Right Out of a Dream"

Songs covering heartbreak: "Can't Stop", "Don't You Treat Me Wrong", and "No next Time."

Michael does a great job relaying what seems to me to be heart felt messages on this album/CD.

This album is a must have for any Michael Damian fan.

For Young and Restless Fans.......2000-04-17

If you are a Y&R fan, then you'll love this album. Most of these songs were sang by Danny Romalotti (the character played by Damian on the soap) in concert or rehearsal. "Reach out to Me" and "I Really Didn't Know" are rock/pop sounds resembling Damian's first album, Where Do We Go From Here (featuring "Rock On"). Damian again goes straight to the heart with the love ballad "Face out of a Dream" and also 'reaches out' by tackling the social issues of missing children with "Missing" and "Can't We all Just Get Along." These songs are "classically" Damian with their strong rock tones; he also sprinkles in a garnishment of the "big band" sound in "Don't You Treat Me Wrong." I don't really like the two 'social issue' songs -- they're not the Damian I like to hear. Also, since the songs were recorded because they were used on the show, the album doesn't have a common thread running through it. If you watch Y&R, you may remember why the character sang a certain song, or to whom he sang it, but it disjoints the album. For anyone who is familiar with Damian's second release "Dreams of Summer," you will know what it is like to be spoiled with an album that has the same theme running through it from beginning to end. And yes, that is my favorite Damian CD. I do recommend this album because all of the songs are poignant and, while the music itself may have you whistling along occassionally, the lyrics will have you thinking and applying them to your life. ["Love Without You" is not recommended after a break-up, but "No Next Time" is good when you're going through the 'revenge and anger' stage of a break-up :) ]

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Top Of The Mountain!
Motown group at their peak
'Reach Out' is One of the Finest Motown Albums Ever Made...

On Top/Reach Out
The Four Tops
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Four Tops' Second Album
Yesterday's Dreams/Soul Spin
Still Waters Run Deep/Changing Times
Dance Party/Watchout!
Come and Get These Memories/Heat Wave

ASIN: B00005OMES
Release Date: 2001-11-12

Tracks:

I Got a Feeling
Brenda
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
Until You Love Someone
There's No Love Left
Matchmaker
Michelle
In the Still of the Night
Bluesette
Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars
Then
Reach Out (I'll Be There)
Walk Away Renee
7-Rooms of Gloom
If I Were a Carpenter
Last Train to Clarksville
I'll Turn to Stone
I'm a Believer
Standing in the Shadows of Love
Bernadette
Cherish
Wonderful Baby
What Else Is There to Do (But Think About You)

Album Description

UK reissue combines two out-of-print Motown classics together on one CD, 'On Top' (1966) & 'Reach Out' (1967). Slipcase.

Customer Reviews:

Top Of The Mountain!.......2006-02-17

"On Top" ( originally Motown 647 ) was a commendable effort from the group, appearing the summer of 1966. It carried the singles "Shake Me Wake Me," and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever." "Shake Me" was a true hit, but in comparison with the rest of the group's run of singles, "Sweeter" must be considered a dud, reaching only No. 45 Pop. It's B-side, Holland-Dozier-Holland's "I Like Everything About You" ( from "Second Album" ) was frankly, more lively. "On Top" also showcased the group's obvious love of supper club standards ( "Still Of The Night," "Quiet Nights," "Matchmaker" ). Two sturdy H-D-H numbers, "Until You Love Someone" and " I Got A Feeling" rode the respective B-sides of "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Bernadette."

If the Tops can be considered to have a masterpiece Motown album, it was unquestionably "Four Tops Reach Out" ( originally Motown 660). By the time it appeared in the early summer of 1967, the group had amassed three more enduring classic singles, "Reach Out," "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," and "Bernadette" ( No. 1, No. 6 and No. 4 Pop, respectively. ) Simultaneous with the LP release was a fourth single, a genuine double-sided hit, "7-Rooms Of Gloom" and "I'll Turn To Stone". It was the last album fully under the auspices of producers Holland-Dozier-Holland, and fans, eager for any album carrying "Reach Out" sent it to No. 11 on the Pop album chart. ( It might have gone higher, but Motown chose to release "Greatest Hits" in only September, which repeated the cream singles of "Reach Out" and the group's older signature hits back to 1964's "Baby I Need Your Loving." )

The cover tunes were a delight, especially the clear enjoyment Levi shows with the Monkees' "I'm A Believer." Young owners of the album like myself were delighted when Motown went twice back into it for singles for the first half of '68: "Walk Away Renee" and "If I Were A Carpenter" ( both Top 20 ), though we wouldn't fully know for some years the troubling reasons why.

By the end of "Carpenter's" chart run in June of 1968, Motown was a different company. Florence Ballard had been expelled from the Supremes, David Ruffin was out of the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye was increasingly affected by the on-going illness of his cherished duet partner, Tammi Terrell. On corporate levels, things changed perhaps even more profoundly. Producer William Stevenson, a founding pillar, and integral in many Gaye and Martha & the Vandellas hits, asked for stock in the company, didn't get it, and took a deal with MGM Records, taking singer-wife Kim Weston with him. Clarence Paul, an incalculable early influence in Stevie Wonder's career, was soon gone too.

Even those losses, perhaps sustainable, were soundly trumped by the walkout of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland over royalty disputes. The Supremes, now marking time till Diana's solo departure, managed to remain a commercial presence with hits like "Livin' In Shame", "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and genuine milestones like "Love Child" and their "Someday We'll Be Together" farewell. The going was much tougher for H-D-H-dependent acts like Martha & the Vandellas and the Four Tops. The Vandellas never recovered and the Tops suddenly had to struggle for hits as never before. Frank Wilson brought them some respite in 1970 with a re-make of "It's All In the Game," "Still Water" and a Supremes duet, "River Deep-Mountain High". A slightly longer resurgence came with the group's signing with ABC Records in 1972.

But for rabid, mid-60s Motown fans, the party was over. The company would still make enduring hit music, but the days when we could presume a very interesting ( if not chart-topping ) single, by every major act, every three months, were no more. "On Top" and "Reach Out" represent the last glorious days before that coming turmoil and upset, and they surely belong in any Four Tops lover's collection.

Motown group at their peak.......2005-04-28

The first of the two albums here, On top from 1966, includes two American hits, the first of which was Shake me wake me when it's over. The second, Loving you is sweeter than ever, also charted in Britain. The album also includes a cover of the Beatles classic, Michelle, and a couple of songs from the Great American Songbook - In the still of the night (a Cole Porter song that was a huge hit for Tommy Dorsey in 1937) and Quiet night of quiet stars - which are most impressive. The remainder of this album is made up of obscure but excellent songs written by Motown's own songwriters.
The second album, Reach out from 1967 contains six major international hit singles (they all charted at least top twenty in Britain as well as America), although four of them had already been hits before the album was released. The six hits were Reach out I'll be there, Standing in the shadows of love, Bernadette, 7 rooms of gloom, Walk away Renee and If I were a carpenter. The album also includes impressive covers of two Monkees hits (Last train to Clarksville, I'm a believer) and Cherish (an American hit for the Association).

This is the strongest of the Four tops twofers, containing plenty of hits as well as demonstrating the variety of material that they could do.

'Reach Out' is One of the Finest Motown Albums Ever Made..........2002-10-02

It's one of those "put it on/let it ride" products. It has strong tunes written by Holland/Dozier/Holland ("Reach Out..", "7-Rooms of Gloom" "Standing in the Shadows of Love", "I'll Turn to Stone" and the show stopping "Bernadette"), great Motown productions of the Monkees ("Last Train to Clarksdale" and an excellent "I'm A Believer"), the Association ("Cherish") and other 60's standards ("Walk Away Renee", "If I Were A Carpenter"). Stubbs is in fine, fine, fine form here and the digital reprocessing on the Reach Out CD I got in the mid-90's make the fellas in the back ground sound as if they were right in the living room.

It deserves a reprinting.

Reach out Everyone
Average customer rating:
Reach out Everyone

Manufacturer: Harmonie Park Music Group
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000E12B3Y