The Marvelettes
Probably the most pop-oriented of Motown's major female acts, the Marvelettes didn't project as strong an identity as the Supremes, Mary Wells, or Martha Reeves, but recorded quite a few hits, including Motown's first number one single, "Please Mr. Postman" (1961). "Postman," as well as other chirpy early-'60s hits like "Playboy," "Twistin' Postman," and "Beechwood 4-5789," were the label's purest girl group efforts. Featuring two strong lead singers, Gladys Horton and Wanda Young, the Marvelettes went through five different lineups, but maintained a high standard on their recordings. After a few years, they moved from girl group sounds to uptempo and midtempo numbers that were more characteristic of Motown's production line. They received no small help from Smokey Robinson, who produced and wrote many of their singles; Holland-Dozier-Holland, Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Marvin Gaye, and Ashford-Simpson also got involved with the songwriting and production at various points. After the mid-'60s Wanda Young assumed most of the lead vocal duties; Gladys Horton departed from the group in the late '60s. While the Marvelettes didn't cut as many monster smashes as most of their Motown peers after the early '60s, they did periodically surface with classic hits like "Too Many Fish in the Sea," "Don't Mess with Bill," and "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game." There were also plenty of fine minor hits and misses, like 1965's "I'll Keep Holding On," which is just as memorable as the well-known Motown chart-toppers of the era. The group quietly disbanded in the early '70s after several years without a major hit. Wanda Young died on December 16, 2021 at the age of 78. Co-founder Katherine Anderson died on September 20, 2023; she was 79.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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Playboy (Classic Album - Gold Edition)
R&B - Released by Soul City Blues on Jul. 31, 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
You Don't Want Me No More
Soul - Released by Platin Records on Sep. 1, 2020
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Please, Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by JB Production CH on Mar. 16, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Best Christmas Wishes
Soul - Released by xmas angels 22 on Dec. 20, 2019
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Time To Relaxe
Soul - Released by fsp analog 2be on Jun. 19, 2020
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Blue Jeans
Soul - Released by nature oldies again on Mar. 11, 2020
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Blues Memory (R&B Classic Hits)
Soul - Released by Beach View Records on Aug. 5, 2022
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Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)
Soul - Released by Vinyl Diamonds on Dec. 1, 2020
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Marvelettes Smash Hits Of 62'
Soul - Released by Hallmark on Jan. 1, 2000
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Ain't That Love (60'S Soul Hits)
Stevie Wonder, The Miracles, The Marvelettes
Soul - Released by Redlobstar on Jul. 8, 2022
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Love Letters
The Supremes, Rev. Columbus Mann, The Marvelettes
Soul - Released by Redlobstar on Oct. 7, 2022
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Winter Holidays
Soul - Released by fsp analog 2be on Jul. 10, 2020
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Don't You Know
Stevie Wonder, The Marvelettes, The Miracles
Soul - Released by Ramzy R. M. Delambert on Jan. 13, 2023
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UpGraded Masters (All Tracks Remastered)
Soul - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on Jul. 15, 2021
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Playboy (with Bonus Tracks)
Soul - Released by Music Manager on May 1, 2020
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