The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb
The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb | ||||
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Studio album by The Supremes | ||||
Released | November 1972 | |||
Recorded | March–June 1972 | |||
Genre | Pop, Rock, Soul | |||
Label | Motown | |||
Producer | Jimmy Webb, Sherlie Matthews, Deke Richards | |||
The Supremes chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb | ||||
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The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb is the twenty-sixth studio album released by The Supremes on the Motown label in 1972. It stands as a unique entry in The Supremes' discography as it was the only album produced (and primarily written) by a non-Motown artist, the accomplished songwriter and producer Jimmy Webb. This album also marked the final appearance of Jean Terrell as the lead singer of The Supremes during the early 1970s.
In the United States, only one single from the album was released, the emotive ballad "I Guess I'll Miss the Man," originally from the musical Pippin. Additionally, the album features renditions of songs outside of Webb's contributions, such as Joni Mitchell's "All I Want," Harry Nilsson's "Paradise," and covers of hits by Bobby Lewis and Mina, specifically "Tossin' and Turnin'" and "La voce del silenzio" respectively.
Overview
Besides serving as Jean Terrell's final Supremes album, The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb marked a significant milestone as it was one of only two Supremes' LPs to feature vocals from member Lynda Laurence. The other album that included Laurence's vocals was the live record In Japan! This transition took place after Laurence replaced Cindy Birdsong earlier in 1972. She participated in the recording sessions alongside original Supreme Mary Wilson and Jean Terrell just prior to her official inclusion in the group.
The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb represented a notable departure from the familiar Motown Sound that had been a hallmark of The Supremes' music for the past decade. Instead, the album shifted the group's musical direction away from its established pop/R&B genre and into a rock/pop style, expertly orchestrated by Jimmy Webb. This creative shift resulted in an album that carried a distinct sound, one that both the public and The Supremes themselves were unaccustomed to.
Throughout the album, Webb employed the technique of overdubbing additional background vocals, often provided by The Blossoms. These vocal layers complemented the voices of Mary Wilson and Lynda Laurence, enhancing the overall sonic experience. While Jean Terrell took the lead on the majority of tracks on the LP, a notable exception was "I Keep It Hid," where Mary Wilson assumed lead vocal duties. Additionally, Terrell engaged in a duet with Jimmy Webb on the song "Once in the Morning."
The sole US single from the album, the opening track "I Guess I'll Miss the Man," was not originally part of the Jimmy Webb project. Instead, it hailed from a Stephen Schwartz composition featured in the Motown-financed Broadway production of Pippin. This particular song was handled by songwriters-producers Deke Richards and Sherlie Matthews. Despite the efforts, neither the song nor the album managed to garner significant radio play or sales within the United States. However, on the international front, two singles were released in 1973: "Cheap Lovin'" in Italy and "Tossin' and Turnin'" in the United Kingdom.
Aside from being Jean Terrell's personal favorite during her tenure as a Supreme, The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb garnered a devoted following, solidifying its status as a cult favorite among fans.
Following the release of In Japan! with distribution limited to Europe and Japan, Supremes enthusiasts outside of these regions faced a three-year wait for a new album. After the culmination of the Jimmy Webb project, the group unveiled the single "Bad Weather." This funky track, written and produced by Stevie Wonder, gained popularity on disco dance floors and received substantial radio airplay throughout Europe. Regrettably, the song was met with minimal promotion in the United States. Frustrated by the situation, Jean Terrell departed from the group, Lynda Laurence followed suit due to her pregnancy, and Mary Wilson found herself tasked with assembling a new lineup for the group's future endeavors. In an interview many years later, Webb blamed the failure of the album on Terrell, saying Motown was having problems with her. Indeed, Jean Terrell did go to battle with Motown promotions department over this album and was distressed that the company was pushing the recently released "Lady Sings The Blues" album and movie. This was Diana Ross' comeback and Terrell saw the handwriting on the wall concerning the future of The Supremes.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Cashbox | (Favorable)[1] |
Christgau's Record Guide | C+[2] |
Rolling Stone | (Favorable)[3] |
Cashbox published, "Jimmy Webb produced and arranged this most satisfying Supremes creation since the group's re-organization. The unquestionable highlight of the session is a foamin' funky remake of Bobby Lewis' "Tossin' And Turnin'." Also on the upswing, Joni Mitchell's "All I Want" (complete with "Up Up And Away" riffs) and a strange lyrical bit of "Cheap Lovin'." On the sweet side, their latest single "Guess I'll Miss The Man" from "Pippin" and a beautiful "Silent Voices." They've got the feelin' and the talent to put it across."[1]
Track listing
All songs produced by Jimmy Webb, except "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" (Sherlie Matthews and Deke Richards).
All lead vocals by Jean Terrell except where noted.
Side one
- "I Guess I'll Miss the Man" (Stephen Schwartz)
- "5:30 Plane" (Jimmy Webb)
- "Tossin' and Turnin'" (Bobby Lewis, Malou Rene)
- "When Can Brown Begin?" (Webb)
- "Beyond Myself" (Webb)
- "La voce del silenzio" (Silent Voices) (Elio Isola)
Side two
- "All I Want" (Joni Mitchell)
- "Once in the Morning" (Webb) (lead singers: Jean Terrell, Jimmy Webb)
- "I Keep It Hid" (Webb) (lead singer: Mary Wilson)
- "Paradise" (Harry Nilsson)
- "Cheap Lovin'" (Webb)
Personnel
- Jean Terrell – lead and backing vocals
- Mary Wilson – lead and backing vocals
- Lynda Laurence – backing vocals
- The Blackberries (Clydie King, Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews) – additional backing vocals
- Jimmy Webb – producer, arranger, composer, keyboards, vocals
- Henry Lewry – engineer
- Ray Rich – drums
- Fred Tackett – guitar
- Skip Mosher – bass guitar
- Jim Britt – photography
Charts
Chart (1972) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200[4] | 129 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] | 27 |
US Cashbox Top 100[6] | 107 |
US Record World[7] | 104 |
References
- ^ a b "cashbox / alum reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. November 11, 1972. p. 26. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 13, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Vining, Mark (January 4, 1973). "The Supremes: The Supremes: Music Reviews: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "The Supremes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "The Supremes Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Cashbox TOP 100 Albums: 101 to 65" (PDF). Cashbox. December 16, 1972. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "101 THE ALBUM CHART 150: Week of December 23, 1972" (PDF). Record World. worldradiohistory.com. December 23, 1972. p. 37. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- v
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- Florence Ballard
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- Reflections (1968)
- Love Child (1968)
- Let the Sunshine In (1969)
- Cream of the Crop (1969)
- Right On (1970)
- New Ways but Love Stays (1970)
- Touch (1971)
- Floy Joy (1972)
- The Supremes Produced and Arranged by Jimmy Webb (1972)
- The Supremes (1975)
- High Energy (1976)
- Mary, Scherrie & Susaye (1976)
- Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations (1968)
- Together (1969)
- The Magnificent 7 (1970)
- The Return of the Magnificent Seven (1971)
- Dynamite (1971)
- The Supremes at the Copa (1965)
- Live at London's Talk of the Town (1968)
- TCB (1968)
- On Broadway (1969)
- Farewell (1970)
- The Supremes Live! In Japan (1973)
- A Bit of Liverpool (1964)
- The Supremes Sing Country, Western and Pop (1965)
- We Remember Sam Cooke (1965)
- Merry Christmas (1965)
- The Supremes Sing Rodgers & Hart (1967)
- Diana Ross & the Supremes Sing and Perform "Funny Girl" (1968)
- "Tears of Sorrow" (as The Primettes)
- "I Want a Guy"
- "Buttered Popcorn"
- "Your Heart Belongs to Me"
- "Let Me Go the Right Way"
- "My Heart Can't Take It No More"
- "A Breathtaking Guy"
- "When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes"
- "Run, Run, Run"
- "Where Did Our Love Go"
- "Baby Love"
- "Come See About Me"
- "Stop! In the Name of Love"
- "Back in My Arms Again"/"Whisper You Love Me Boy"
- "Nothing but Heartaches"
- "I Hear a Symphony"
- "My World Is Empty Without You"
- "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart"
- "You Can't Hurry Love"
- "You Keep Me Hangin' On"
- "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone"
- "The Happening"
- "Reflections"
- "In and Out of Love"
- "Forever Came Today"
- "Some Things You Never Get Used To"
- "Love Child"
- "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
- "I'm Livin' in Shame"
- "I'll Try Something New"
- "The Composer"
- "No Matter What Sign You Are"
- "The Weight"
- "I Second That Emotion"
- "Someday We'll Be Together"
- "Why (Must We Fall in Love)"
- "Up the Ladder to the Roof"
- "Everybody's Got the Right to Love"
- "Stoned Love"
- "River Deep – Mountain High"
- "Nathan Jones"
- "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart"
- "Touch"
- "Floy Joy"
- "Automatically Sunshine"
- "Without the One You Love"
- "Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love"
- "I Guess I'll Miss the Man"
- "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)"
- "Bad Weather"
- "Tossin' and Turnin'"
- "He's My Man"
- "Where Do I Go from Here"
- "Early Morning Love"
- "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking"
- "High Energy"
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