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TIT

'Mary Wells - Greatest Hits'
(Mary Wells / DVD / NR / 2007 / MVD)

Overview: Founder of the world famous "Motown Sound," Mary Wells is considered not only one of the best female singers in the music inddustry, but also a vital part of the success of the prestigious label.

DVD Verdict: From an early age Wells had a love of music and singing, and was a member of the Northwestern High School choir. She also sang at local clubs and competed in various talent contests. In 1959, she met Tamla Records chief Berry Gordy's assistant, Robert Bateman, telling him about a song she had written for artist Jackie Wilson. Bateman arranged an audition for Wells and her song with Gordy, and she sang the song for the record producer. Instead of buying the song for Wilson, Gordy offered Wells a contract as an artist. The song Wells had sang, "Bye Bye Baby," became her first single after some polishing and was released on the Tamla label. The song ended up a top ten R&B hit in 1960, and crossed over to pop radio where it peaked at #45.

With Mary Wells' debut success, Gordy, who was at the time expanding Tamla Records into the Motown Record Corporation, immediately brought her back to the studio. Their work produced the follow-up hit, "I Don't Want to Take a Chance," which equaled her first single's success. Her third single, "Strange Love," met indifferent reception at radio and failed to chart. In 1962, Gordy decided to bring Wells and Motown's star songwriter, Smokey Robinson, together.

In early 1962, "The One Who Really Loves You" swept across the nation. The ballad broke into the top ten at both R&B and Pop radio, eventually peaking at #2 at R&B and #8 on Billboard's Pop chart. Gordy immediately followed with the release of "You Beat Me to the Punch," a light-hearted tune that reached #1 at R&B and replicated its predecessor's success at Pop. The string of hits continued with "Two Lovers," a tune that brought Wells her second R&B #1 and her third Pop top ten in a row. When the album The One Who Really Loves You was released, it broke the top ten at the album chart and became the best selling Motown album to that point.

That was all in just 1962 and so a legend was born ... until 1992 when still suffering the effects of her known cancer, her weakened immune system could not take the extra strain. Wells died on July 26, 1992 at age forty-nine.

This DVD is a fine tribute to the First Lady of Motown and features such cuts as 'You Beat Me To The Punch,' 'The One Who Really Loves You,' 'Bye Bye Baby,' 'Two Lovers,' 'What's Easy For Two ...' and 'My Guy.' But, it doesn't end there as there are a handful of extra Bonus Tracks, which include The Contours' 'Just A Little Misunderstanding' and 'Do You Love Me' along with The Crystals' 'He's A Rebel' and 'Da Doo Ron Ron.' This is a Standard Version Presentation (4:3) and comes with no Special Features.

www.MVDvisual.com





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