In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Four Tops' formation in 1954, this Anthology compiles all of their significant chart hits over the years, with a couple of nice surprises thrown in. Motown of course is where they recorded the bulk of their hits and that tenure is represented on the first 30 (of 48) recordings. The leadoff track - 1964's "Baby I Need your Loving" - was the Tops' first collaboration with the songwriting-production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. It established a winning formula: lyrics that entail Levi yearning for or proclaiming his love for a girl he has lost or can't have; pulsating music cut in a (high) key out of Stubbs' regular vocal range, the subsequent strain causing his pleas to sound even more dramatic; background vocals with a full, almost Spectorian resonance, thanks to the addition of Motown's resident session singers, the Andantes.
After a mediocre "Baby I Need Your Loving" soundalike "Without The One You Love" stiffed, the Tops rebounded in 1965 with the majestic ballad "Ask The Lonely," their first number one smash "I Can't Help Myself" and "It's The Same Old Song" (and truly the latter was, a melodic retread of "I Can't Help Myself"). The Tops reached their commercial peak in late 1966 to early 1967 with some of the most exciting recordings they ever cut: "Reach Out ("I'll Be There)," "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," "Bernadette," and "Seven Rooms Of Gloom." In late 1967, however, Holland-Dozier-Holland abruptly left Motown in a dispute over financial compensation. This prompted the label to release year-old remakes of "Walk Away Renee" and "If I Were A Carpenter" as follow-up Tops' singles. They are proof that the Tops could make a hit out of practically anything.
In 1968 and 1969, other Motown writer-producers like Ivy Jo Hunter, Johnny Bristol, and Norman Whitfield attempted to fill the void left by Holland-Dozier-Holland's exit. None of their work with the Tops, however, penetrated the pop or r & b top 20 (although the ponderous "What Is A Man" ranks with their best recordings). In 1970, Frank Wilson took over as the Tops' producer for the landmark Still Waters concept album. Wilson ditched the Andantes from the background and put more emphasis on the Tops harmonies. As evidenced by the hits "It's All In the Game" and "Still Water (Love)," the Tops had risen to new melodic heights. They were followed by more of Frank Wilson's well-crafted singles like "In These Changing Times" and "(It's The Way) Nature Planned It" as well as the stunning "A Simple Game," a one-off collaboration with the Moody Blues.
Unfortunately these 1971-1972 singles received little promotional support from Motown and struggled on the charts. Frustrated, the Tops left the label in late 1972 and signed with ABC subsidiary Dunhill Records. At Dunhill, they immediately hit with the urban message song "Keeper Of The Castle," the Shaft in Africa theme "Are You Man Enough," and the multi-format symphonic smash "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)." With the countrified "Sweet Understand Love" and their funkiest recording ever "One Chain Don't Make No Prison," the Tops maintained the high quality through 1974, but their 1975-1976 r & b hits (including the disco "Catfish," the reggae in molasses "Midnight Flower") were duds. This period concludes with the Tops' dance smash "H.E.L.P." which is finally making its cd debut (pleasant surprise number one).
In 1981 the Tops signed with Casablanca, where they released two of their strongest albums ever. They are represented here by the retro smash "When She Was My Girl," its amorous follow-up "Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over," the wedding staple "I Believe In You And Me" (Levi's performance buries Whitney Houston's hit version), and the Grease II theme "Back To School Again" (the only redeeming component of that film). Bringing this retrospective to a close are "I Just Can't Walk Away" a stirring ballad from their shortlived return to Motown in 1983, and "Indestructible," their final top 40 entry from their lone 1988 Arista album, plus Levi Stubbs' wondrous contribution to the Little Shop Of Horrors film, "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space" (pleasant surprise number two). The Tops also recorded many great album tracks over the years (most of which can be found on their box set FOUREVER). But if you only want the hits - all of them - this double-disc collection is the set to get.
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Anthology: 50th Anniversary
Rmst Dig ed.
2 CD, Remastered
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WARNING:
California’s Proposition 65
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1 | Baby I Need Your Loving |
2 | Without the One You Love (Life's Not Worthwhile) |
3 | Ask the Lonely |
4 | I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) |
5 | It's the Same Old Song |
6 | Something About You |
7 | Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) |
8 | Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever |
9 | Reach Out I'll Be There |
10 | Standing in the Shadows of Love |
11 | Bernadette |
12 | I Got a Feeling |
13 | 7-Rooms of Gloom |
14 | I'll Turn to Stone |
15 | You Keep Running Away |
16 | Walk Away Renee (Alternate Mix) |
17 | If I Were a Carpenter |
18 | Yesterday's Dreams |
19 | I'm in a Different World |
20 | What Is a Man |
21 | Don't Let Him Take Your Love from Me (Stereo Single Mix) |
22 | It's All in the Game |
23 | Still Water (Love) |
24 | River Deep-Mountain High (Stereo Single Edit) |
25 | Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life) |
26 | In These Changing Times |
27 | MacArthur Park (Part II) |
Disc: 2
1 | A Simple Game (U.K. Single Mix) |
2 | I Can't Quit Your Love |
3 | (It's the Way) Nature Planned It |
4 | Keeper of the Castle |
5 | Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got) |
6 | Are You Man Enough |
7 | Sweet Understanding Love |
8 | I Just Can't Get You Out of My Mind |
9 | One Chain Don't Make No Prison |
10 | Midnight Flower |
11 | Seven Lonely Nights |
12 | We All Gotta Stick Together |
13 | Catfish |
14 | H.E.L.P |
15 | When She Was My Girl |
16 | Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over |
17 | I Believe in You and Me |
18 | Back to School Again |
19 | I Just Can't Walk Away |
20 | Mean Green Mother from Outer Space - Levi Stubbs and Chorus |
21 | Indestructible (7-Inch Extended Single) |
Editorial Reviews
No Description Available.
Genre: Soul/R&B
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 13-JAN-2004
Product details
- Language : English
- Product Dimensions : 4.92 x 5.59 x 0.67 inches; 4.73 ounces
- Manufacturer : Motown Records
- Item model number : 2002985
- Original Release Date : 2004
- Date First Available : October 22, 2006
- Label : Motown Records
- ASIN : B00016MSYE
- Number of discs : 2
- Best Sellers Rank: #25,916 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #140 in Motown (CDs & Vinyl)
- #217 in Classic R&B (CDs & Vinyl)
- #700 in Pop Oldies
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
389 global ratings
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2004
- Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2009From the first bars of "Baby I Need Your Lovin'," the Four Tops' music was passionate. At their best, they drove a strong emotional lyric married to a memorable melody with that addictive beat, "When you see me smiling, you know that things haven't gotten worse; Any smile you might see has all been rehearsed." The piano opening on the #1 hit "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" grabs you & refuses to let go, "When I call your name, girl it starts to flame, burning in my heart, tear it all apart." "It's the Same Old Song" pumps sounding upbeat while the lyric speaks of heartache, "We used to dance to the music; Make romance to the music." The classic opening on "Reach Out I'll Be There" builds; and a few beats of the tambourine announces the chorus while Levi's vocals grab you and won't let go, "I'll be there to love & comfort you & I'll be there to cherish & care for you." Top ten classics "Standing in the Shadows of Love" & "Bernadette" sound great remastered here. One of my favorites was their cover of "Walk Away Renee" which took the lovely melody and framed it in a classic soul arrangement. "I'm In a Different World" didn't set the charts on fire, but is a strong classic Tops track. Their take on the classic "It's All In the Game" cruises on a string arrangement & charms. The first disc is all from their Motown classics while the second disc combines sides from Motown, Geffen, Island, Polydor & Arista. "Anthology" is a comprehensive collection, well worth the investment to overview this classic band. Enjoy!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024I listen to this music daily. It is timeless.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2009As a follower of the Tops for over 45 years I have waited for a collection of hits such as this for a long time. This collection has just the Hits, as well as a few surprises.Levi Stubbs was one of the 5 greatest vocalists to record for Motown, as well as being one of the top 20 greatest all-time vocalists,in my opinion.The Tops didn't rely on sophistcated coreography like the Temps,they just sang their faces off. You will be hard-pressed to find 3 better songs than Reach out I'll Be There, Standing in The Shadows Of Love, and Bernadette in ANYONE'S anthology or greatest hits collection.The Four Tops are great examples of SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE for 5 decades.
Not to be too persnickity,but could somebody please tell me WHERE IS LOVE MUSIC? There are at least 5 songs on this collection that are really nothing more than album filler, and as such are non-essential,so why was one of the most essential songs in the Tops hit list left off? Otherwise this collection is strictly ON THE MONEY.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2021Some of the missing songs are "IT'S THE SAME OLD SONG", "7 ROOMS OF GLOOM", "I'LL TURN TO STONE", "IF I WERE A CARPENTER", "RIVER-DEEP MOUNTAIN HIGH", "AIN'T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I'VE GOT)", "ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH", "WHEN SHE WAS MY GIRL".
Thanks AMAZON !
- Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022;It was like going back in time listening to this CD some really great songs.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2023The music is great. I purchased a new cd of the Anniversary Edition of the Four Tops and was also missing the booklet as many others have mentioned happened to them. Would have five rating if booklet had been included.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2018One of the most awesome groups to ever come out, The Four Tops are forever among my top rated. The harmony, the quality. They really were and forever will be the top. Gentlemen always, the songs touch the heart. My favorites are Just Ask The Lonely, and MacArthur Park 2, Still Waters 1&2, I Believe In You And Me, Shake Me Wake Me. But every song is wonderful, those are just my favorites.
Top reviews from other countries
- GordReviewed in Canada on March 23, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars COMPLETE
This is the best Four Tops compilation. It contains all their major Motown hits and some of their better B-sides. Also included is their Dunhill hits and their Casablanca hits. My highlights are BABY I NEED YOUR LOVING, CAN'T HELP MYSELF, SAME OLD SONG, and REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE. Also. it is a real treat to have their duet with the Supremes called RIVER DEEP MOUNTAIN HIGH included. I am so glad the forgotten 1981 hit WHEN SHE WAS MY GIRL is present. All song are presented in order of release date. Finally, all songs are nicely remastered.
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FiusoneReviewed in Spain on October 8, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Grandes los four tops
A pesar de los años, la musica de los four tops sigue tan fresca . Muy buena recopilación de sus famosos temas.
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Client d'AmazonReviewed in France on August 28, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Four Tops
Que du bonheur! Je ne connaissais que les grands tubes repris par Cloclo, j'ai eu le plaisir de découvrir leurs autres succès. C'est une musique pleine de pep's et de bonne humeur. Mon seul regret, il n'y a pas les paroles. .. perso, je préfère avoir un livret de paroles que de photos de pochettes de disques.
- TaorminaReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars The Brilliant Four Tops: all the songs I know and love
I was looking to buy a different CD but came upon a review by Lozarithm in Aug 2005 which suggested if I wanted the best library of content it I should buy this Anthology CD. I'm so pleased I followed this advice because I have been trying to find a replacement for an LP I had many years ago and this fits the bill very nicely. Great group, great CD, quality recording and I fully recommend.
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C. SchaeferReviewed in Germany on August 9, 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars DER DEFINITIVE KARRIERE-ÜBERBLICK
Von den Four Tops gibt es in der Tat viele Compilations - deshalb fällt es schwer, eine einzige zu empfehlen. Jetzt nicht mehr, denn die vorliegende ist die mit Abstand beste, da sie nicht nur alle Hits und mehr enthält, sondern auch aufwändig präsentiert wird. Die Songs im Einzelnen habt Ihr sicher der Beschreibung entnommen. Toll an diesem Set ist, dass hier wirklich alle großen Hits gesammelt sind und gleichzeitig noch einige über die eigentlichen Four Tops hinausgehenden Songs, wie zum Beispiel "River Deep - Mountain High" (mit den Supremes), "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space", das Levi Stubbs für den Soundtrack von "Der Kleine Horrorladen" (Remake) aufnahm und die Maxi-Version von "Indestructible". Das Set kommt im mehrfach aufklappbaren Digipak und enthält ein ausführliches Booklet mit einem Karriere-Überblick, vielen Fotos aus allen Phasen der Band und ausführliche Anmerkungen zu jedem einzelnen Song. Zudem wurden alle Songs digital remastered und erklingen in hervorragendem Sound. Noch eine letzte persönliche Bemerkung: Soul-Bands gibt es viele - doch einzigartige noch nicht mal eine Handvoll. Und zur letzteren Kategorie zähle ich die immer aktuell klingenden Four Tops.