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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Greatest Hits
Soul - Released by Master Classics Records on 30 Jul 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Hits Collection (Digitally Remastered)
Soul - Released by Sumeway Musik Inc. on 14 Apr 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Les idoles américaines de la soul : The Marvelettes, Vol. 2
Soul - Released by Mpm on 1 Dec 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When You're Young And In Love
R&B - Released by Real Rhythm And Blues Records on 25 Jul 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 12 Dec 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Because I Love Him
Soul - Released by Vantage Music on 10 Oct 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Goddesses of Love, Vol. 1
Soul - Released by Lumi Entertainment on 1 Jan 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Recorded Live on Stage (Original Album Plus Bonus Tracks)
Soul - Released by Soul Story on 1 Jan 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Playboy (Classic Album - Gold Edition)
R&B - Released by Soul City Blues on 31 Jul 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Motown 7" Singles No. 4
The Velvelettes, The Marvelettes
Pop - Released by Universal Music Group International on 1 Jan 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
You Don't Want Me No More
Soul - Released by Platin Records on 1 Sep 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Please, Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by JB Production CH on 16 Mar 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Marvelettes's Hits
Pop - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 15 Oct 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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