The Velvelettes
Welcome to the Velvelettes! Yet another female act on Motown that never got a proper LP release. You can read the Wikipedia entry for the group to get the full story on their formation and dissolution and reformation.
My take away from listening to the Velvelettes over the years is that they’re yet another talented Motown group who never got the shine they deserved. However, Brenda Holloway at least had “Every Little Bit Hurts”. Kim Weston at least had “Take Me In Your Arms” and “It Takes Two”.
The Velvelettes had no chart smash even though they had chart smash worthy material. Let’s see some of them:
“He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’” — fantastic dance number
“Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I” — a fantastic dance ballad
“Since You’ve Been Loving Me” — a gorgeous ballad
“A Bird in the Hand (Is Worth Two in the Bush)” — another stomper with tinge of rock going on
All worthy of being hits just like the splendid “These Things Will Keep Me Loving You”. But none of them were.
The good news for the Velvelettes is that although they originally lasted from 1961 to 1970, they have since been lauded by hardcore Motown fans like my crazy self. They regrouped in the mid-1980s recording some new material, but mostly playing the oldies circuit to great effect.
And like they’ve done for other minor artists, Motown in the early 2000s released double-CD anthology of singles actually put out in the 1960s plus many songs of theirs that previously had been left in the vault for decades. That anthology isn’t available on any streaming services, but I have it on CD and it’s a hoot.
So, if you’ve never heard of these fine ladies…
Bertha Barbee
Norma Barbee
Mildred Gill
Cal Gill
Betty Kelley (future member of the Vandellas)
Sandra Tilley (future member of the Vandellas)
Annette McMillan
…please give their music a shot.
PLAYLIST on Tidal
Song scores for tracks on playlist
He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’: 9/10
Lonely, Lonely Girl Am I: 7.5/10
Since You’ve Been Loving Me: 7.5/10
There He Goes: 6/10
That’s the Reason Why: 6.5/10
I Know His Name (Only His Name): 7.5/10
Should I Tell Him: 7/10
Throw A Farewell Kiss: 7.5/10
These Things Will Keep Me Loving You: 8/10
I’m the Exception to the Rule: 6.5/10
Needle In A Haystack: 8/10
A Bird in the Hand (Is Worth Two in the Bush): 8.5/10
Let Love Live (A Little Bit Longer): 8.5/10
I’m So Glad It’s Twilight Time: 7/10
Think of the Times: 7/10
Everybody Needs Love: 7/10
Long Gone Lover: 6/10
I’m In Love (And I Know It): 7/10
(We’ve Got) Honey Love: 6.5/10