Why: “People considered me to be a quiet singer,” said Smokey, “so I said to myself, ‘I’d like to go back and take the business by storm.’ One of my sisters helped me finish it up. Where: Smokey Robinson recorded A Quiet Storm in Los Angeles during 1974, with musicians including guitarist Marv Tarplin, whose intro on the Miracles’ “The Tracks Of My Tears” is among the most recognised riffs in 20th century music. Another track, “Wedding Song,” was composed for the marriage ceremony on December 15, 1973, of Jermaine Jackson and Berry Gordy’s youngest daughter, Hazel Joy. It was the album’s third single, with a song written by Robinson and his sister, Rose Ella Jones.
When: The title track of A Quiet Storm made its chart debut on the Billboard Hot 100 on January 17, 1976, four years after Smokey had left the Miracles. A Quiet Storm became Robinson’s first major LP success of the 1970s, and also included the No. I took a quick listen to some of the tracks on youtube, and "Wanna know my mind" was my favorite.What: The third solo album by the leader of the first group – the Miracles – managed by Motown founder Berry Gordy before he started his own record company in 1959. Both os these albums have some absolute gems. Strangely enough, the first half of the first album is probably the weakest part of the set for me. Nothing spectacular, but it is a very good song. It took me along time to get down with it but I like it. A Tattoo - Weird and unique way to close the album. Fulfill Your Need - Stupendously brilliant track. She's Only A Baby Herself - Good, but not great song.ġ7. It's groovy and I loves me some reggae, but I'm not a fan of this one.ġ6. Just Passing Through - Another fantastic album track written by Smokey's guitarist Marv Tarplinġ5. I Am I Am - You may know this one as it usually makes the compilations. Asleep On My Love - Again, excuse the French, this song is F*ing beautiful and brilliant at the same time. The Love Between Me And My Kids - A little syrupy at times, but still an enjoyable songġ2. It's Her Turn To Live - Great groovy track - Good messageġ1. Baby Come Close - Beautiful intimate tune. Wanna Know My Mind - Pardon my French, but this is an f*ing brilliant funky pop song.ĩ. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? - OK - not sure why he chose to cover this one. Sweet Harmony - Quite possibly my favorite song ever recorded by anyoneĦ. Smoke didn't write a lot of message songsĥ. Just My Soul Responding - This song is a grower. A Silent Partner In A Three-Way Love Affair - Ok but again not greatĤ. Medley: Never My Love/Never Can Say Goodbye - Brilliant cover of the song made popular by the J5 presented in a beautiful medleyģ. I'll give you my track by track breakdown:Ģ. These are Smokey's first two solo albums and have a lot of gems on them. I only know his "Quiet storm" album, is these worth buying? He's got to have a ton of unreleased material. There are so many Smokey solo efforts that have never been released on CD before. My all time favorite artist! Hip-o just started putting out the Miracles albums earlier as well.
I am so glad that his Motown solo output is finally getting its long-awaited justice and being unleashed in all of its remastered glory! I only wish that his 1975 masterpiece Quiet Storm could just get deluxe treatment alone, but I can't wait to get my hands on this and hopefully future releases in this series. A Silent Partner In A Three-Way Love Affair Medley: Never My Love/Never Can Say Goodbyeģ.
Look for more releases in the Smokey Robinson Solo Albums series the rest of the year and in 2011.Ģ. author Peter Doggett interviewed Smokey specifically for this series and his liner notes tell the story. These classics are housed in a lovingly rendered package with a 24-page booklet featuring restored artwork – including lyrics for the debut LP as originally printed – and detailed annotations. Beautifully remastered, the albums are now back in print for the first time in 20 years. UMe and Motown/ are changing that with the introduction of a series, The Solo Albums, which will feature his Motown solo output, beginning with Volume I: Smokey and Pure Smokey, together on one CD. Yet most of Smokey’s classic Motown albums are out of print. He returned a year later with the LP simply titled Smokey, featuring the smash hit “Baby Come Close,” and followed it quickly with Pure Smokey, highlighted by “Virgin Man.” Smokey then became a hugely successful solo artist, lasting until the present day. After embarking on an emotional farewell tour with the Miracles and leaving his longtime group in 1972, Smokey became a full-time Motown executive – until the studio and the stage came calling. Smokey Robinson was a reluctant solo artist.