Motown Singles Box

[J Larsen]

This was mentioned in passing in another thread, but I thought it may deserve its own thread:

http://www.hip-oselect.com/catalogue_motownsingles1.asp

[jazzbo]

Sure looks good! And with only 5000 . . . and the interest in Motown that is so much bigger than the interest in jazz (right?) won't be around too long!

[J Larsen]

I have to admit that I used the investment potential of the box to justify dropping yet another $100+ on cds this month.

[John B]

I've seen this set mentioned in the What Are You Listening To thread, so I thought it might be time to ask a question I've had since I saw that this set was being released.

I've been very tempted by this set but have been put off by the high price. Not considering any "investment potential," what are people's opinions of this set musically and aesthetically? Is it worth the $120 plus shipping?

[Harold_Z]

I bought it a couple of weeks ago. I like it a lot. Even if you're a big Motown fan there's a lot here that you haven't heard. It's early Motown, so it's pretty R&Bish with some doowop and a small portion of hokum and novelty thrown in. IOW it's a bit raw compared to later Motown and there's a lot of unfamiliar artists and a lot of B sides that never made reissue before. At the same time, this is music that is definitely trying for pop success. Like the Mosaic Commodore sets, I don't think you'll see these reissued in as complete a form again.

[jazzbo]

What he said!

AND. . . the sound is good. Comparing a version here to an earlier Motown cd version yields this set a clear winner.

[John B]

thank you both for the feedback. I'll most likely pick up a copy of this.

[Jim Dye]

It was either this, or the Free America series this month. I went for the Free America discs. (I hope they all come in!). If this is still around in May, i'll pull the trigger.

[jazzbo]

It'll be around in May. . . .