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 (Remastered)
Soul - Released by Vintage Records on 10 Jan 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Marvelletes, All the Love I Got
Soul - Released by Firefly Entertainment on 1 Oct 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Hits Collection
Soul - Released by Music Manager on 24 Apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Great Vocal Groups
Soul - Released by Play Digital on 21 Apr 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Marvelettes Recorded Live On Stage (Live At Apollo Theater/1962)
Soul - Released by UNI - MOTOWN on 1 Jan 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Please Mr. Postman (2018 Digitally Remastered)
Soul - Released by AVID Pop on 6 Apr 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Marvellettes - The Selection
Soul - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 25 May 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Please Mr. Postman (Remastered)
Soul - Released by Vintage Records on 26 Dec 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masquerade (60'S Rhythm n Blues Hits)
The Marvelettes, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder
Soul - Released by Beach View Records on 29 Jul 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Please Mr. Postman
Soul - Released by Black Sheep Music on 16 Jul 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Goddess Of Love
Soul - Released by Chords of Passion on 20 Feb 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Oh I Apologize
Soul - Released by Brain Candy Recordings on 6 Feb 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Marvelettes Sing (Original Album With Bonus Tracks 1962)
Soul - Released by Soul Story on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Don't You Know
Stevie Wonder, The Marvelettes, The Miracles
Soul - Released by Irish21music on 13 Jan 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo