Ce topic, dont le succès sera à n'en pas douter au moins aussi foudroyant que celui de son équivalent sudiste Stax (2 pages en 2 ans ) est surtout motivé par un coffret célébrant le 50ème anniversaire du label, et dont la date de sortie annoncée est le 9 décembre : "Motown: The Complete No. 1's". 191 chansons rassemblées sur 10 CDs (5 doubles digipacks) logés dans une réplique à l'échelle de la Hit Factory suprême :
 

 
Aucune idée encore de la qualité du mastering, mais la track-list est impressionnante. Et assez surprenante, quand on se rend compte que les CD 4 à 10 (et un bout du 3) portent sur la période post-1971. Tant de n°1s dans une période décriée (à raison), ça surprend. En même temps, c'est bien révélateur - justement - de la raison pour laquelle cette période fut décriée. Les 2 derniers CDs sont évidemment un désastre, à de rares exceptions près. N'empêche, pris dans sa globalité (avec son packaging ultra-kitsch   ), c'est un bien beau coffret, annoncé à 140 $, donc un prix raisonnable (surtout au taux de change actuel   ).
 
La track-list :
 
Disc 1:
 
"Shop Around," The Miracles
"Please Mr. Postman," The Marvelettes
"Do You Love Me," The Contours
"Two Lovers," Mary Wells
"You've Really Got A Hold On Me," The Miracles
"Fingertips-Part 2," Little Stevie Wonder
"Heat Wave," Martha & the Vandellas
"The Way You Do the Things You Do," The Temptations
"My Guy," Mary Wells
"Where Did Our Love Go," The Supremes
"Baby Love," The Supremes
"Come See about Me," The Supremes
"My Girl," The Temptations
"Shotgun," Jr. Walker & the All-Stars
"Stop! In The Name of Love," The Supremes
"I'll Be Doggone," Marvin Gaye
"Back In My Arms Again," The Supremes
"I Can't Help Myself," Four Tops
"I Hear a Symphony," The Supremes
"Ain't That Peculiar," Marvin Gaye
"Uptight (Everything's Alright," Stevie Wonder
"Get Ready," The Temptations
 
Bonus Tracks:
"Dancing In the Street," Martha & the Vandellas
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," Marvin Gaye
"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)," Isley Brothers
"Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)," Marvin Gaye
 
Disc 2:
 
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg," The Temptations
"Blowin' In the Wind," Stevie Wonder
"You Can't Hurry Love," The Supremes
"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep," The Temptations
"Reach Out, I'll Be There," Four Tops
"You Keep Me Hangin' On," The Supremes
"(I Know) I'm Losing You," The Temptations
"The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game," The Marvelettes
"Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," The Supremes
"Jimmy Mack," Martha & the Vandellas
"The Happening," The Supremes
"I Was Made To Love Her," Stevie Wonder
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine," Gladys Knight & the Pips
"I Second That Emotion," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"I Wish It Would Rain," The Temptations
"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day," Stevie Wonder
"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)," The Temptations
"You're All I Need To Get By," Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"Love Child," Diana Ross & The Supremes
"For Once In My Life," Stevie Wonder
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine," Marvin Gaye
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations
 
Bonus Tracks:
"What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted," Jimmy Ruffin
"You've Made Me So Very Happy," Brenda Holloway
 
Disc 3:
 
"Runaway Child, Running Wild," The Temptations
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," Marvin Gaye
"What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)," Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
"I Can't Get Next To You," The Temptations
"Baby I'm For Real," The Originals
"Someday We'll Be Together," Diana Ross & the Supremes
"I Want You Back," The Jackson 5
"Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday," Stevie Wonder
"ABC," The Jackson 5
"Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)," Diana Ross
"It's All In The Game," Four Tops
"The Love You Save," The Jackson 5
"Get Ready," Rare Earth
"Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)," The Temptations
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," Stevie Wonder
"War," Edwin Starr
"The Tears of A Clown," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," Diana Ross
"I'll Be There," The Jackson 5
"Heaven Help Us All," Stevie Wonder
"The Tears of A Clown," Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
"Stoned Love," The Supremes
"If I Were Your Woman," Gladys Knight & the Pips
 
Disc 4:
 
"Mama's Pearl," The Jackson 5
"Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)," The Temptations
"What's Going On," Marvin Gaye
"Never Can Say Goodbye," The Jackson 5
"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology," ) Marvin Gaye
"I'm Still Waiting," Diana Ross
"Smiling Faces Sometimes," The Undisputed Truth
"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," Marvin Gaye
"Got To Be There," Michael Jackson
"Rockin' Robin," Michael Jackson
"I Wanna Be Where You Are," Michael Jackson
"Ben," Michael Jackson
"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," The Temptations
"Superstition," Stevie Wonder
"Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)," Gladys Knight & the Pips
"Masterpiece," The Temptations
"You Are The Sunshine of My Life," Stevie Wonder
"Touch Me In The Morning," Diana Ross
"Let's Get It On," Marvin Gaye
 
Disc 5:
 
"Higher Ground," Stevie Wonder
"Keep On Truckin'(Part 1)," Eddie Kendricks
"Living For The City," Stevie Wonder
"Let Your Hair Down," Temptations
"Boogie Down," Eddie Kendricks
"Last Time I Saw Him," Diana Ross
"Dancing Machine," The Jackson 5
"Do It Baby," The Miracles
"You Haven't Done Nothin'," Stevie Wonder
"Boogie On Reggae Woman," Stevie Wonder
"Happy People," The Temptations
"Shoeshine Boy," Eddie Kendricks
"Shakey Ground," The Temptations
"Baby That's Backatcha," Smokey Robinson
"Slippery When Wet," The Commodores
"Forever Came Today," The Jackson 5
"Walk Away From Love," David Ruffin
"Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)," Diana Ross
"Devil In The Bottle," T.G. Sheppard
"Tryin' To Beat The Morning Home," T.G. Sheppard
 
Disc 6:
 
"Love Machine (Part 1)," The Miracles
"Love Hangover," Diana Ross
"I Want You," Marvin Gaye
"Just To Be Close To You," The Commodores
"Down To Love Town," The Originals
"Don't Leave Me This Way," Thelma Houston
"I Wish," Stevie Wonder
"Got To Give It Up," Marvin Gaye
"Sir Duke," Stevie Wonder
"Easy," The Commodores
"You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On)," High Inergy
"Too Hot Ta Trot," The Commodores
"You And I," Rick James
"Three Times A Lady," The Commodores
"The Boss," Diana Ross
"Sail On," The Commodores
"Still," The Commodores
"Send One Your Love," Stevie Wonder
 
Bonus Track:
"Pastime Paradise," Stevie Wonder
 
Disc 7:
"Cruisin'," Smokey Robinson
"Let's Get Serious," Jermaine Jackson
"I'm Coming Out," Diana Ross
"Upside Down," Diana Ross
"Master Blaster (Jammin')," Stevie Wonder
"Being With You," Smokey Robinson
"Give It To Me Baby," Rick James
"Super Freak," Rick James
"One Day In Your Life," Michael Jackson
"Endless Love," Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
"Lady (You Bring Me Up)," The Commodores
"That Girl," Stevie Wonder
"Let It Whip," Dazz Band
"I've Never Been To Me," Charlene
"Do I Do," Stevie Wonder
 
Bonus Track:
"Lately," Stevie Wonder
 
Disc 8:
 
"Truly," Lionel Richie
"You Are," Lionel Richie
"My Love," Lionel Richie
"All This Love," DeBarge
"Cold Blooded," Rick James
"All Night Long (All Night)," Lionel Richie
"Time Will Reveal," DeBarge
"Somebody's Watching Me," Rockwell
"Hello," Lionel Richie
"Stuck On You," Lionel Richie
"I Just Called To Say I Love You," Stevie Wonder
"Penny Lover," Lionel Richie
"Nightshift," The Commodores
"In My House," Mary Jane Girls
"Rhythm of The Night," DeBarge
"Glow," Rick James
"You Wear It Well," El DeBarge with DeBarge
 
Bonus Track:
"Don't Look Any Further," Dennis Edwards featuring Seidah Garrett
 
Disc 9:
"Part-Time Lover," Stevie Wonder
"Say You, Say Me," Lionel Richie
"Go Home," Stevie Wonder
"If You Should Ever Be Lonely," Val Young
"Overjoyed," Stevie Wonder
"Who's Johnny," El DeBarge
"Dancing On The Ceiling," Lionel Richie
"Love Will Conquer All," Lionel Richie
"Ballerina Girl," Lionel Richie
"Just To See Her," Smokey Robinson
"Tina Cherry," Georgio
"Skeletons," Stevie Wonder
 
"You Will Know," Stevie Wonder
"Dial My Heart," The Boys
"Lucky Charm," The Boys
"Girl I Got My Eyes On You," Today
"Where Do We Go From Here," Stacey Lattisaw with special guest Johnny Gill
 
Bonus Track:
"Dreamin'," The Guinn Family
 
Disc 10:
 
"Rub You The Right Way," Johnny Gill
"My My My," Johnny Gill
"Crazy," The Boys
"Wrap My Body Tight," Johnny Gill
"It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday," Boyz II Men
"I Love Your Smile," Shanice
"Uhh Ahh," Boyz II Men
"Do It To Me," Lionel Richie
"End of The Road," Boyz II Men
"I'll Make Love To You," Boyz II Men
"On Bended Knee," Boyz II Men
"Take Me Higher," Diana Ross
"4 Seasons Of Loneliness," Boyz II Men
"A Song For Mama," Boyz II Men
"Stay," The Temptations
"Liar," Profyle
"Bag Lady," Erykah Badu
 
En attendant, et pour ceux que les éditions anniversaires et Lionel Richie laissent de marbre, la référence en matière de coffret Motown "grand débutant" reste "Hitsville USA - The Motown Singles Collection Vol.1". 4 CDs couvrant la période 1959-1971 et sans le moindre déchet. Insuffisant pour le fan (trop de morceaux qui manquent) mais une base solide pour explorer, un packaging bof mais un mastering quasi parfait :
 

 
Le coffret Vol.2 va de 1972 à 1992 et est complètement dispensable. Pour cette époque, mieux vaut s'orienter vers des compilations individuelles d'artistes, voire vers certains albums complets (les très clichés mais néanmoins indispensables "What's Going On", "Talking Book" etc.).
 
L'érudit fou à tendances encyclopédistes se tournera vers la totale chez Hip'O : "The Complete Motown Singles". 12 coffrets pour la période 1959-1972, la totalité des singles Motown, faces A & B, un total de 64 ou 65 CDs, avec un packaging de folie (livret format 7'' de 130/140 pages, vrai 45 tours inséré dans la couverture etc.). Le programme a commencé il y a bientôt 4 ans, les volumes 1 à 10 sont sortis. Les volumes 11 et 12 devraient sortir avant la fin de l'année.
 
Un aperçu du 1er coffret :
 

 
Les amateurs d'images qui bougent ne pourront se passer de "Standing in The Shadows of Motown" (jeu de mots sur la célèbre chanson "Standing in The Shadows of Love" ). Un docu dédié au Funk Brothers, le groupe maison de la Motown, qui a joué sur "plus de n°1 dans les charts que les Beatles, les Stones, les Beach Boys et Presley réunis". Emouvant, intéressant, bien filmé, on pourra juste reprocher certains choix d'artistes dans les reprises du concert qui est au coeur du docu (Ben Harper, c'est sympa en soi. Mais Ben Harper reprenant du Marvin Gaye, c'est aussi rasoir et inintéressant que Diana Krall reprenant du Billie Holiday).
 

 
Enfin, pour ceux qui veulent des mots sans musique ni images, et même s'il existe des tas de livres spécialisés sur Motown, c'est un livre généraliste sur la soul qui reste le top des best : "Nowhere to Run: The Story of Soul Music" par Gerri Hirshey. Publié en 1984, on n'a pas fait mieux depuis.
 

C'est toujours bon à savoir.  
 
Pourquoi certaines pistes sont listées comme "bonus"?
 
Si le packaging est en carton, je songerais à faire un peu de maquétisme et ne garder que le rez-de-chaussé (et les 3 premiers CD).
 
Juste une remarque, comme un pet au milieu d'un ouragan.

Parce que :

Yep, ça ressemble fort à du carton cheap. A faire trôner dans la bibliothèque, comme nos (grand-)parents plaçaient le baromètre en coquillages souvenir-de-l'île-de-Ré sur le vaisselier (chaque époque a sa beauferie, aujourd'hui ce sont les figurines de Naruto et l'édition collector's imitation parchemin du SDA   ).
 

Je crée un topic Motown, et paf, Levi Stubbs meurt Si j'avais su, j'aurais créé un topic Renaud.    
 

On pourra dire qu'heureuseument (ou malheureusement) il y a déjà des topic L Cohen et Bob Zimmerman.

drââââ pôôôôôô !!!!!!  

Drapal