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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Marvelettes Smash Hits Of 62' / Playboy
Soul - Released by TwoFoldRecords on 1 Jan 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Candy Licious
Soul - Released by ladies old hits - remastered for gold on 13 Mar 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lets Have A Drink
Soul - Released by obligat music on 20 Nov 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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You Should Know
Soul - Released by Brillant Nebulosa on 3 Apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Marvelletes Sing the Hits of 1962
Soul - Released by Black Sheep Music on 8 Apr 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Marvelous Marvelettes
Soul - Released by cappo digital on 1 Jan 1963
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Smash Hits of '62 (Original Album With Bonus Tracks 1962)
Soul - Released by Soul Story on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Playboy (Original Album Plus Bonus Tracks 1962)
Soul - Released by Soul Story on 1 Jan 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by Fantasy Day - União Lisboa on 16 Jul 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Above the Clouds
Soul - Released by getmyhits rec. on 23 Jun 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nightingale
Soul - Released by oldies and hits for future on 12 May 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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I Think I Can Change You
Soul - Released by Vinyl Diamonds on 1 Dec 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The One Who Really Loves You
Soul - Released by Fat Eyes on 1 Dec 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Essential Collection
Soul - Released by Essential Collection on 20 Oct 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo