The Essential Collection

I don’t ordinarily write reviews but I bought this CD hoping to get the original version of Whole Lotta Woman that was on the 45 record and the version on this CD is NOT it. This version on the CD is a horrible version with an awful disco type mix and the singing is even flat in sections and not the vocal track of the original. I don’t think this version could in any way be a relative of the original 45 version. The 45 version is a very flat intimate recording which sounds like you are in a living room listening to the group – it’s fantastic. Go to youtube and search for "Whole Lotta Woman , The Contours", then look for one that pictures the 45 record and listen. You will hear a piano and sax starting it off. Later in the tune you’ll even hear the bongo drums – The 45 version is flat out a true gritty, R&B classic! The CD version is a 100% flop.I actually was dumb enough to buy 3 different CD’s hoping one would have the 45 version but no- all have this horrible cut. I ended up recording the 45 version off one of the youtubes onto my computer and then putting it on a CD.I wanted to warn anyone that is looking for the original Whole Lotta Woman to NOT buy this CD. I’m posting this on each of the CD’s I bought.

A replacement for what i have on vinyle ready ablast from the pastmemories

This is another example of neglect in regard to remastering. The people at Universal Music/Spectrum in the UK chose to include in this collection the MONO singles only. There are no stereo songs on this CD. If Motown or whomever is putting this stuff out, they should print the mono/stereo information on the cover so that the buyer can know what he/she is buying.

nothing

I've always been a big fan of The Contours and this CD is great to add to my "Old School" collections. I'm also going to order the other The Contours classics that you have listed as well.

The Contours Essential Collections is a great collection of this groups many hits. I also purchased this before Amazon announced its "autorip" program, and received the MP3 version with no problem.

The CONTOURS were another FANTASTIC MOTOWN group. If you can't cut the rug to their music, you ain't breathin!!!!!!!!

Loved it

Essential indeed, this marvellous compilation collects the very best of an under rated Motown group who sadly never really hit the Motown A-list but on the evidence presented here thoroughly deserved to. Kicking off with perhaps their best known track Do You Love Me?, from 1962 this is a dance floor filler of the highest order, complete with what is believed to be the first ever false ending. The fantastic Northern Soul classic Baby Hit And Run not released until 1974 in the UK is also here, as is the simply wonderful First I Look At The Purse from 1965. Those three tracks in the same place alone are enough to get Motown aficionados salivating, all very highest quality.Whilst most of this collection concentrates on the singles there are several top notch B sides and a smattering of tracks from their only Motown album released during their tenure at the label to grab the collectors interest. There's nothing substandard here, and what I particularly like is that once again the sheer depth of quality languishing in Motown's vaults simply takes the breath away. Not everything here is in the classic Motown sound of post-1964 due to it's age, some tracks hark back to the earlier doo-wop influence and will be of interest to Mods, but it's all good.Track origins:1. Do You Love Me?, Single A side, 1962 and title track of 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"2. Shake Sherrie, Single A side 1962 and 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"3. You Get Ugly, Single B side (of "Pa I Need A Car")19634. Whole Lotta Woman, Single A side 1961 and 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"5. Don't Let Her Be Your Baby, Single A side 19636. Baby Hit And Run, UK Single A Side 19747. It's So Hard Being A Loser, Single A side 19678. First I Look At The Purse, Single A side 19659. Just A Little Misunderstanding, Single A side 196610. Determination, Single B side "Just A Little Misunderstanding" 196611. Your Love Grows More Precious Everyday, Single B side "It's So Hard Being A Loser" 196712. Can You Do It?, Single A side 196413. Can You Jerk Like Me, Single A side 196414. Searching For A Girl, Single B side "First I Look At The Purse" 196515. The Stretch, Single A side 1961 and 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"16. So Grateful, 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"17. You Better Get In Line, Single B side "Shake Sherrie" 1962 and 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"18. Move Mr Man, Single B side "Do You Love Me?" 1962 and 1962 album "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)?"

The Contours were one of Motown's earlier acts, and recorded some classic stuff during their existence. Unfairly never achieving the fame and status of later acts, they were nonetheless a talented group who recorded some classic soul tracks. The most famous is `Do You Love Me?', later recorded by the Dave Clarke Five. The other material found on this album is just as good, with the Motown trademarks of great production, great songwriting and infectous, feelgood music and singing. This is an essential part of any Motown collection.

While so many other Motown stars of the sixties remain popular today, the Contours are largely forgotten. This is a pity but not really surprising as their biggest hit by far (Do you love me) became an even bigger hit when covered by others.Originally featuring Billy Gordon (lead singer), Billy Hoggs, Joe Billingslea and Sylvester Potts, they were soon joined by Hubert Johnson, a cousin of Jackie Wilson. Jackie helped them to get a recording contract with Motown.After a few unsuccessful singles, they hit big with Do you love me. It topped the R+B charts and made the top three in the American pop charts. In Britain, both the Dave Clark Five and Brian Poole and the Tremeloes covered the song. Brian's version topped the British charts (it was the high point of Brian's career, although his backing group eventually had greater success without him) while Dave's version topped the American pop charts.Meanwhile, the Contours continued to record great music but they didn't quite fit in with Motown's image - they weren't as slick as the other acts. Nevertheless, they had some success in America with Shake Sherrie, Don't let her be your baby, Can you do it, Can you jerk like me, First I look at the purse, Just a little misunderstanding and It's so hard being a loser - this last track being their last new hit in 1967. They had just one (minor) British hit - Just a little misunderstanding, which briefly charted in 1970, four years after its original release in America.During the sixties, the Contours underwent many line-up changes. Joe Stubbs (cousin of Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops) and Dennis Edwards (later of the Temptations) were the most notable names to join the group. The group continued for many years as a live act, performing on the oldies circuit at least until the nineties. Joe Billingslea and Sylvester Potts, two of the original members, appear to have stayed with the group through all the changes. Hubert Johnson committed suicide in 1981.This compilation contains all their hits and several other great tracks. If Motown had had more faith in them, perhaps the Contours would have been more successful. Nevertheless, their music is well worth a listen.

A nice collection

Fills in a gap, some wonderfull tracks.