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| 2-for-1 w/Tracks Of My Tears, Ooh Baby Baby, From Head To Toe, I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, bonus cuts, more. |
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| 1 The Tracks of My Tears |
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| 2 Going to a Go-Go |
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| 3 Ooo Baby Baby |
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| 4 My Girl Has Gone |
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| 5 In Case You Need Love |
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| 6 Choosey Beggar |
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| 7 Since You Won My Heart |
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| 8 From Head to Toe |
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| 9 All That's Good |
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| 10 My Baby Changes Like the Weather |
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| 11 Let Me Have Some |
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| 12 A Fork in the Road |
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| 13 Whole Lot of Shakin' in My Heart (Since I Met You) |
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| 14 You Don't Have to Say You Love Me |
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| 15 (Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need |
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| 16 Save Me |
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| 17 Oh Be My Love |
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| 18 Can You Love a Poor Boy |
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| 19 Beauty Is Only Skin Deep |
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| 20 I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself |
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| 21 Baby Baby |
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| 22 Walk on By |
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| 23 Swept for You Baby |
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| 24 More, More, More of Your Love |
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| 25 It's Fantastic |
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Album Review
Gathering the first two long-players credited to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, this two-fer not only compiles the 1965 and 1967 releases "Going to a Go-Go" and "Away We A-Go-Go", but also adds three additional tracks recorded circa the creation of the latter LP -- two of which have never been available in any format before. Admittedly, these are early entries into the voluminous Smokey Robinson catalog; artistically, however, both albums reflect the infinite talents of Robinson and company. Additionally, they are a testament to the cohesive, timeless, and fully developed sounds emanating from the inhabitants of "Hitsville USA" and the originators of the self-proclaimed "Sound of Young America". Both LPs included copious hits, including "My Girl Has Gone," "Ooo Baby Baby," "Going To A Go-Go," "(Come 'Round Here) I'M The One You Need," and "Tracks Of My Tears." However, equally enduring are the deeper album cuts that become more sharply defined when juxtaposed with the previously mentioned chart-topping and genre-defining works. "In Case You Need Love," "From Head To Toe," and "Let Me Have Some" are but a few of the up-tempo and rhythm-heavy sides that display the same "good time" atmosphere as the title track, but became overshadowed in its wake. While the soul rattlin' "More, More, More Of Your Love," as well as the crossover hit and lead-off track "Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart (Since I Met You)" are featured on "Away We A-Go-Go", the album contains more than a few moments of pure and achingly sublime Smokey -- following in the tradition of the classic smoldering Motown love song. The dramatic brass arrangements on "You Don'T Have To Say You Love Me" were obvious influences on the Thom Bell-led Philly soul revolution nearly a decade later. It is the delivery, however, that emotes this version over and beyond Dusty Springfield's more popular rendering. Likewise, the tight string arrangement on "Oh Be My Love" can directly be linked to the similar scores on sexy soul classics such as Brenda & the Tabulations' "The Touch Of You" or Barbara Mason's "I'M Ready." The bonus material continues in the same vein with an intimate studio version of "Goin' Out Of My Head" and a rare live recording of "A Fork In The Road." The latter is from a September 1966 performance by Smokey and the Miracles at the infamous Roostertail Club in Detroit -- which held a series of live performances called "Motown Monday." Some might recognize the title "It'S Fantastic" from the 1979 compilation LP "From the Vaults". While this is the same track, featured here is a previously unearthed stereo version that unleashes a fuller and more vocally prominent mix. The real star of the Motown "classic albums" series is the opulent sound. Although a majority of this material has been previously available on CD, the marked improvement in sound quality makes this rendering indispensable for Motown advocates young and old. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
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• Biography
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Other albums by: Smokey Robinson |
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