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Scroll down for reviews of
: - Sparks Presents Motown – Made to Measure; Marvin Gaye – The Real Thing; The
Sound stage 7 Story; The Best of Rotary Connection ;Chuck Jackson – The Motown
Anthology; Kim Weston – The Motown
Anthology; The Ultimate Isaac Hayes – Can you dig it?; Motown Made to Measure: James Brown’s Funky People’s Greatest Breakbeats: Cameo
Parkway 1957 – 1967; Late Night Motown: The Story of Bo Diddley; Chuck Berry –
Reelin and Rockin;
Sparks Presents Motown –
Made to Measure
As I mention below I cannot see much sense in the concept, and all
of the tracks are well known top, pretty standard fare, Motown items, as a
compilation this isn’t a bad selection of tunes, steeped mainly in the 60’s but
a few others from Funk to Ballads thrown in.
Cleo's Back - Walker, Junior & The All
Stars; 2. Workout Stevie Workout - Wonder, Stevie ;3. Can I Get A Witness -
Gaye, Marvin; 4. Brick House – Commodores; 5. Get Ready - Temptations (1); 6.
Don't Leave Me This Way - Houston, Thelma; 7. Mickey's Monkey – Miracles ;8.
Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas; 9. Smiling Faces -
Undisputed Truth; 10. Money - Strong, Barrett ;11. Nitty Gritty - Knight,
Gladys & The Pips
12. Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While) - Weston, Kim; 13. ABC -
Jackson Five ;14. Keep On Truckin' - Kendricks, Eddie ;15. Back In My Arms
Again - Supremes (1); 16. What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Ruffin, Jimmy ;17.
Agent Double O Soul - Starr, Edwin ;18. You Beat Me To The Punch - Wells, Mary;
19. First I Look At The Purse – Contours ;20. Ben - Jackson, Michael
Marvin
Gaye – The Real
Thing

“This is it — the songs and the footage fans
have been waiting for. For the first time ever — the definitive DVD collection
of one of America’s greatest stars!
Issued with the full cooperation of the Marvin Gaye
estate, this is the first official DVD anthology of classic archival television
performances by a Motown artist.
Features Marvin Gaye performing his biggest Motown hits, from “Hitch
Hike” to “Let’s Get It On” and more, in original classic clips from television
and film.
Tracks:
-1. Hitch Hike 2.
Pride & Joy 3.
Can I Get A Witness ![]()
4. Pretty Little Baby 5. Ain't That Peculiar 6. You're A Wonderful One
7. Ain't No Mountain
High Enough ![]()
8. I Heard It Through The
Grapevine 9. What's
Going On 10. What's
Happening Brother
11. Come Get To This
12. Let's Get It On
13. Distant Lover
14. A Funky Space
Reincarnation 15. Ego Tripping Out / Sex and Religion ![]()
16. Heavy Love Affair 17. Hitch Hike
18. Pride & Joy
19. Can I Get A Witness 20. Pretty Little Baby
21. Ain't That Peculiar
22. You're A Wonderful
One
23. Ain't No Mountain High
Enough”
Review: - A beautifilly package DVD and CD
package with 25 marvellous ‘videos’ from the Motwon early days in 1964 and 1965
right through till the 80’s, all taken from US and European TV shows such as
Footage TV clips from Hollywood A Go-Go, The Dinah Shore Show, Hollywood Palace
and American Bandstand, rarely seen since first aired.
The stunning, long-lost live concert footage from
the documentary film, Save The Children, now on home video for the first time
anywhere, featuring Marvin with several Funk Brothers including James Jamerson
— now with restored stereo audio from the Motown vault
There are 2 hours of performances, remastered. In between Marvin talks about his life
and his music taken from various interviews. There is a 50 minute concert , recently unearthed, from Marvin’s hardly-seen Belgium
concert, aired only on local Belgian TV in 1981. Fascinating piece of Marvin in the Studio.
Includes a 24-page booklet with an extensive
essay by Grammy® Award-winning writer, Rob Bowman, including rare photographs
and memorabilia. The CD
contains a 70 minute concert in Europe in 1976 which is actually very good, and
a 24 page booklet.
This package is essential for Marvin fans, no
Motown fans, no Soul Fans, no Music Fans, no EVERYBODY.
The Sound stage 7 Story

THE DEFINITIVE 3CD HISTORY OF NASHVILLE
SOUTHERN SOUL LABEL
Run by legendary DJ John Richbourg, one of the
first broadcasters to play records by the likes of Chuck Berry, James Brown,
Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin, Nashville-based Sound Stage 7
Records and its affiliated labels - Seventy Seven, Sound Plus and Luna – was
responsible for releasing some of the finest Soul and R&B to emerge from
America’s South between 1965 and 1977, the golden era of Soul Music
Not surprisingly, given its Nashville
connection, the label’s output shows a strong country music influence, even by
Southern Soul standards, and some of it was deeply rural and raw-sounding,
often embracing blues and gospel and providing a welcome contrast to the
slicker and more polished sounds coming out of the big cities at the time.
Disc One of the set, ‘Deep Soul Survey’, concentrates on Sound Stage 7’s
first six years (1965-1970).
Disc Two, ‘Deep Soul
Survives’, covers the years 1971 through to 1977 and brings in not only
releases on Sound Stage 7 during that time, but also product from Richbourg’s
own labels Seventy Seven, Sound Plus and Luna. This set then is more than just
the story of one label, but rather the output of Richbourg’s production
company, JR Enterprises Inc.
Disc Three, ‘Deeper Soul’, digs deeper into the archives and
features a host of Southern Soul gems and rarities.
The accompanying 36-page booklet is provides a overview of the SS7
group of labels. As well as a detailed label story, it includes biographies of
the major artists and individual tracks notes.
by King- What Made You Change Your Mind?
Review – A wonderful set, beautifully packaged containing loads of
bluesy soul, southern soul, deep soul and all things similar. A journey through
your deepest emotions. Of course
out of nearly 80 tracks you will not like everything but there are more than a
fair share of absolute classics, and with comprehensive sleeve note you will
get to know all about the label and the artists. Just to pick out a few of the
highlights for me:-
CD1 – Deep Soul Survey, a stunning vocal performance on the
midtempo I can’t be your part time baby by Gwen Davis. Another great voice on a wonderful
heart rendering plea is Jimmy Church’s Right on time. The slightly sweeeter
voice of Lattimore Brown is also worth checking out. Also a couple of tracks by
Roscoe Robinson, Burning and Yearning is especially strong. Sam Baker’s Its all over now is
stunning. A veritable romp through mid to late 60’s deep soul featuring a lot of well known (in soul circles) artists
and other less well known ones.
CD2 – Deep Soul Survives, takes us into the 70’s with a second run
of releases. Jackey Beavers was
instrumental in several of these tracksincluding the Electrifying Cashmeres and
the Continental Showstoppers, which is especially nice, impassioned vocals
simple arrangement, lush strings, sweet harmonies and simplicity. Still plenty
of bluesy material like Alder Ray Black, geater Davis and Fenton Robinson. Ann Sexton of course was strong and
Willie Hobbs too. The best track
on this set though is Brief Encouters wonderful Crazy about you.
CD3 – Deeper soul,
compiled by Clive Richardson who has picked out some of the deeper gems
in the catalogue, from the names mentioned above.My favourites here are Joe
Simpn’s Farther on down the road, Ella Washington’s Sit down and Cry and don’t
you just wanna!, Sam Baker’s I love you, Charles Smith’s The only time.
The Best of Rotary
Connection

Rotary Connection were a multicultural concept group put together
by Marshall Chess to freshen up Chess and spearhead the Cadet Concept
subsidiary – Psychedelic Chamber Soul and featuring Minnie ripperton. Lots of
string arrangements and is dreamy and abient and whilst very much of an era,
has attained later notice through things like Tribe called Quest samples,
masters at Work covers and Freelance Hellraiser. There is a lot to listen to but it reflects a diametricaly
opposite side to the one I grew up on and therefore I find it very difficult to
get into it, its very much of a different world for me. Groundbreakig it may
have been and it gave us some exceptional talent. Sorry but I find this one
exceptionally difficult so I will pass comment.
Tracks –
Disc: 1
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1. Magical World |
11. Black Noise |
Disc: 2
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1. Salt Of The Earth |
9. I Got My Mojo Working |
The Story of Bo Diddley –
Released 13 March – maybe the originator of the groove, just check
Diddy Wah Diddy. Over 50 tracks
and over 50 years of pure history.
An excellent anthology, superbly packaged

Chuck Berry – Reelin and
Rockin
Released 13 March 2006, another in the above series by the
originator, the groundbreaking Chuck Berry. Contains all yo would want from the boogie tunes, the fun
tunes and out and out original grooves.

Late Night Motown
Well this is totally
the opposite of my review under for Motown made to measure. There is a theme, the songs like, they
are not overdone items and what do you get a package that hangs together, well
structured and full of classy
music. Ifn fact I would say that
this is one of the best Motown compilations for a while, devoid of tired
Northern sounds, but still retaining that Motown Sound
Motown wasn’t all
upbeat it was quality vocals as testified by virtually all of these
tracks. It still retains all the classics like the Tops, Smokey and the Tempts
but groups like Fantastic Four and Originals and Bobby taylor could cut it too.
Some great tracks including the wonderful Will Downing and Chante Moore.
Special mention to Barbara McNair and the Dynamic Superiors and I’ll tell you
what Since I lost you by Gladys Knight …….and the Pips is spectacular.
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1. What Love Has Joined Together -
Temptations (1) |
10. Baby Baby Don't Cry - Robinson, Smokey
& The Miracles |
Cameo Parkway
I know a lot of people will be pleased to see legitimate Cameo Parkway
material and in particular would be hopeful of more Northern Soul Releases.
This is a varied package covering the whole gamut of Cameo Parkway material,
indeed the sound of popular America in th eperiod stated, such was the
diversity of the product.
By definition therefore not all relevant to these pages but there
is a whole host of material that is, packaged nicely here and with excellent
sound quality. From the doowop era through to the mid – late 60’s
Personally I like doowop so stuff like Silhouettes is faultless
and great to hear. Of course Cameo was responsible for Chubby Checker (along
with some other pretty hideous dance crazes- but we’re only concentrating on
things relevant thankfully) and all that went with it, but far superior was the
Orlons Wah Watusi, although Chubby teamed with Dee Dee on Slow twistin isn’t
half bad, as is she on Mashed Potato.
Firmly in American Graffiti land at the end of CD1 and into CD2. The popeye Waddle, whats that all
about, if it weren’t Don Covay!.
The best of course is the wonderful Candy and the Kisses The 81.
Couple of nice Tymes tracks intro CD3, and then Patti Labelle
& her Blue Belles followed by a couple of great tracks SOS Christine Cooper
and frankie beverleys stunning Because of my heart. Also of interest to the ‘norther’ boys Christine Coopers
Heartaches but I’m sure they would have preferred a different Vickie Baines
title, and probably Evie Sands as well.
More soulful interest on CD4 with Eddie Holland and the Five Stairsteps, Delfonics, Bunny Sigler and one of my all times Chris Bartley.Disc: 1
Disc: 2
Disc: 3
Disc: 4
James Brown’s Funky
People’s Greatest Breakbeats
Following on from the breakbeats and samples albums of james own
work, this one features the rest of the JaBo family. Personally I think this one is better with some stunning
examples of James Brown funk rhythms, particularly from the ladies, two
classics from Marva Whitney, the wonderful Myra Barnes (Vicki Anderson), the late great Lyn Collins prticularly
with the mega sampled Think.
But the bedrock of it all I guess is the disciplined but all too
feeling JB’s. Its astonishing to
see how many times these tracks have been sampled but its much better to see
them in all their original, open and unhidden glory. Great album.
Motown Made to Measure

Strange one this, the concept that it, take a Motown fan and gte
him/her to showcase their favourites, and plunder and repackage the back catalogue. Nothing wrong with the tunes, except most if not all are
available elsewhere, so if you want it you probably haven’t got it and if you
haven’t why buy an odd track from somebody elses random mix of sounds. Don’t
get it really because there is no recurring theme whether it be disco,
northern, slowies whatever, something that holds it together – with this there
is nothing.
1. I Want You Back - Jackson Five
2. No Matter What Sign You Are - Supremes (1)
3. You Made Me So Very Happy - Holloway, Brenda
4. Night - Valli, Frankie & The Four Seasons
5. Ooh Ooh Baby - Miracles
6. Bells - Originals (1)
7. Please Stay (Don't Go Away) - Gaye, Marvin
8. Ball Of Confusion - Temptations (1)
9. I Feel Sanctified - Commodores
10. Sugar - Wonder, Stevie
11. Hunter Gets Captured By The Game - Marvelettes
12. From Head To Toe - Clark, Chris (1)
13. Never Can Say Goodbye - Jackson Five
14. Trouble Man - Gaye, Marvin
15. Still Waters (Love) - Four Tops
16. It's A Shame - Detroit Spinners
17. Bad Weather - Supremes (1)
18. SOS Stop Her On Sight - Starr, Edwin
19. Tears Of A Clown - Miracles
20. To Know You Is To Love You - Syreeta
The Ultimate Isaac Hayes –
Can you dig it?
A superbly put together package, double CD, DVD and booklet,
containling pretty much all you could want from the great Isaac Hayes. Obviously most well known for his
groundbreaking Shaft soundtrack but for me he excels on those moody deep slow
jams. Like Stand Accused or Walk on By.
Pretty much excels at everything from instruments , vocals, production
writing , whatever.
From being the standout at Wattstax at that time as Black Moses he
was THE icon, through soundtracks, fun, jazz and into disco this is a superb
package and exceptional value for money.

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Disc: 1 |
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1. Theme From Shaft |
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2. Precious, Precious |
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3. Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic |
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4. Ain't That Loving You (For More
Reasons Than One) |
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5. Never Can Say Goodbye |
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6. By The Time I Get To Phoenix |
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7. Soulsville |
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8. Wonderful |
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9. Help Me Love |
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10. Need To Belong To Someone |
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11. Good Love |
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12. The Look Of Love |
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13. Do Your Thing |
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14. For The Good Times |
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15. I Stand Accused |
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Disc: 2 |
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1. Walk On By |
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2. Joy (Part 1) |
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3. His Eye Is On The Sparrow |
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4. Brand New Me |
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5. If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want
To Be Right) |
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6. Someone Made You For Me |
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7. Baby I'm-A Want You |
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8. Let's Stay Together |
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9. Theme From The Men |
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10. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love
With You) |
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11. Title Theme |
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12. Run Fay Run |
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13. Chocolate Chip |
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14. Come Live With Me |
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15. Disco Connection |
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16. Rock Me Easy Baby (Part 1) |
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17. Medley: By The Time I Get To
Phoenix/I Say A Little Prayer |
Chuck Jackson – The Motown
Anthology

Unmistakeable voice of the Great Chuck Jackson, his time at Motown
was relatively short and this expansive set covers most of what he did. It’s probably fair to say that he didn’t
set the world alight at Motown reaching them at a transitional time for them,
and I’m not to sure whether his voice suited the old Motown or the emerging
Motown. Nonethless there is
somefine material here which would fall into both of those categoties.
Chuck Jackson Arrives was the first album, here in full. There’s
only a couple of tracks produced by Norman Whitfield, even including a plethora
of unreleased material but I particularly like both of them, Chuck’ss stamp on
Lonely lonely man am I and Ain’t no sun. Another great fingersnapper is What am
I gonna do without you. Girls is classic Smokey ltrically and greatly
performed.
Going back to Chuck Jackson was issued in 1969 and marked a change
from the first album which was pure typical 60’s motown. This album was more Chuck terriory in a
sense, ballads suiting that great voice, but leant for my ears more towards the middle of the road. It
contained soe nice tracks but nothing too inspiring.
Teardrops keep falling on my heart was towards the end of 1970,
old Motown was gone, new directions were forming. This album therefore somewhat
lacked direction but my there are some great vocal performances on here,
several tracks being copenned by Joe hinton and so there was a Southern Soul feel to this, particularly
a glorious Is there anything love can do. Just a little love is another
immaculate vocal performance.
The lat 12 tracks are unissued versions which range from the
dreadful Pet Names, It must be love which will please the Uk’s insatiable
Northern Soul fraternity, an interesting Edwin Starr production (interesting –
I didn’t say good!),
Side 1 1.
MP3
WMA
"You Can't Let The Boy Overpower The Man In You" 2.
MP3
WMA
"Your Wonderful Love" 3.
MP3
WMA
"Lonely Lonely Man Am I" 4.
MP3
WMA
"Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone" 5.
MP3
WMA
"I Can't Go On Sharing Your Love" 6.
MP3
WMA
"Forgive My Jealousy" 7.
MP3
WMA
"To See The Sun Again" 8.
MP3
WMA
"What Am I Gonna Do Without You" 9.
MP3
WMA
"I Like Everything About You" 10.
MP3
WMA
"We'll Find A Way" 11.
MP3
WMA
"Where You Gonna Run To Now" 12.
MP3
WMA
"Girls Girls Girls" 13.
MP3
WMA
"Are You Lonely For Me Baby" 14.
MP3
WMA
"Honey Come Back" 15.
MP3
WMA
"Can You Fell It, Babe" 16.
MP3
WMA
"Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" 17.
MP3
WMA
"Cry Like A Baby" 18.
MP3
WMA
"You Keep Running Away" 19.
MP3
WMA
"Can I Change My Mind" 20.
MP3
WMA
"I'd Still Love You" 21.
MP3
WMA
"The Chokin Kind" 22.
MP3
WMA
"The Day My World Stood Still" 23.
MP3
WMA
"No More Water In The Well" 24.
MP3
WMA
"Rosalind" Side 2 1.
MP3
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"Let Somebody Love Me" 2.
MP3
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"I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away" 3.
MP3
WMA
"Is There Anything Love Can't Do" 4.
MP3
WMA
"The Thrill Is Gone" 5.
MP3
WMA
"Baby, I'll Get It" 6.
MP3
WMA
"Rainy Night In Georgia" 7.
MP3
WMA
"Just A Little Love (Before My Life Is Gone)" 8.
MP3
WMA
"I'll Fight It (Til I Win Your Love)" 9.
MP3
WMA
"There's a Rainbow In Your Heart" 10.
MP3
WMA
"Two Feet From Happiness" 11.
MP3
WMA
"That's Me Lovin You" 12.
MP3
WMA
"Have You Heard About The Fool" 13.
MP3
WMA
"Pet Names" 14.
MP3
WMA
"Who You Gonna Run To" 15.
MP3
WMA
"It Must Be Love Baby" 16.
MP3
WMA
"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" 17.
MP3
WMA
"Nothing Can Ever Come Between Us" 18.
MP3
WMA
"Fan The Flame" 19.
MP3
WMA
"Thanks But No Thanks" 20.
MP3
WMA
"At Lat I Found A True Love" 21.
MP3
WMA
"Without Your Love" 22.
MP3
WMA
"Here Comes The Morning" 23.
MP3
WMA
"Helpless" 24.
MP3
WMA
"Pin Point It Down"
Kim Weston – The Motown Anthology

Whilst I quite enjoyed the above compilation, I have to say that
this one didn’t do an awful lot for me other than confirm why she probably
didn’t make it through to the first division of Motown. Ok there is some good stuff on here
like the jazz club tinkly piano powerful bluesy ballad of Just Loving You.
Most of the material that is adored, particularly by the Uk, seems
to me to be pretty formulaic. You could argue that 60’s motown itself was
formulaic an it was but that still didn’t stop huge stars coming through, but
there were an awful lot of wannabees, not only on Motown but copycat styles,
that used the formula but didn’t have the magic. I’m afraid for me there is little magic on this set, it’s OK
in the main with one or two classics coming through.
I’m still loving you still hits the spot for me but I wonder
whether it is the song, the performance, or the images of those sweaty walls in
a misspent youth.
Side 1 1.
MP3
WMA
"Love Me All Day" 2.
MP3
WMA
"Just Loving You" 3.
MP3
WMA
"Looking For The Right Guy" 4.
MP3
WMA
"A Little More Love" 5.
MP3
WMA
"I'm Still Loving You" 6.
MP3
WMA
"A Thrill A Moment" 7.
MP3
WMA
"Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" 8.
MP3
WMA
"Helpless" (long version) 9.
MP3
WMA
"You Hit Me Where It Hurt Me" 10.
MP3
WMA
"Hurt A Little Everyday" 11.
MP3
WMA
"Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things)" 12.
MP3
WMA
"I Don't Know If I'm Coming Or Going" 13.
MP3
WMA
"I'm Gonna Make It Up To You" 14.
MP3
WMA
"Come & Get These Memories" 15.
MP3
WMA
"Will I Find My Love" 16.
MP3
WMA
"You Can Do It" 17.
MP3
WMA
"I Got A Weak Heart" 18.
MP3
WMA
"Marionette" 19.
MP3
WMA
"Fancy Meeting You Here" 20.
MP3
WMA
"You Wonderful Sweet Sweet Love" 21.
MP3
WMA
"Where Am I Going" 22.
MP3
WMA
"When I Lost You" 23.
MP3
WMA
"Helpless" (short version) 24.
MP3
WMA
"Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)" (alternate version)
Side 2 1.
MP3
WMA
"I Know His Name (Only His Name)" 2.
MP3
WMA
"Meet Me Half Way" 3.
MP3
WMA
"Perfect Love" 4.
MP3
WMA
"Loving Tough" 5.
MP3
WMA
"Love Trouble Heartache & Misery" 6.
MP3
WMA
"Look My Way" 7.
MP3
WMA
"Another Train Coming" 8.
MP3
WMA
"I Need Him" 9.
MP3
WMA
"Your Mother Called On Me Today" 10.
MP3
WMA
"I'm The Exception To The Rule" 11.
MP3
WMA
"Build Him Up" 12.
MP3
WMA
"Go On Without Me" 13.
MP3
WMA
"When We Get Together" 14.
MP3
WMA
"One & One Makes Two(aka Waiting Out The Blues)" 15.
MP3
WMA
"Joey Joey" 16.
MP3
WMA
"Just Call Me" 17.
MP3
WMA
"He's My Baby (aka Sugar Baby)" 18.
MP3
WMA
"Any Girl In Love (Knows What I'm Going Through)" 19.
MP3
WMA
"I Love You, Yes I Do" 20.
MP3
WMA
"Drop In The Bucket" 21.
MP3
WMA
"Absent Minded Lover" 22.
MP3
WMA
"I Got Good News" 23.
MP3
WMA
"What Have I Done To Myself" 24.
MP3
WMA
"This Dream"
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