The Miracles Sing Modern was an unreleased 1963 album by Motown Records R&B group The Miracles. It was given the official catalog number of Tamla T234[1][2] and was due for release after The Miracles' 3rd album I'll Try Something New, having been mentioned on the sleeve notes of that album.[3] It was intended for release in March 1963.[4][unreliable source?] However it was never given an official release date and Motown later decided to shelve the project.[5][6][7]
This album was to feature a combination of new tunes along with standards, with the intention of showcasing the Miracles' talent and versatility on different genres of music and the ability of different group members to sing lead vocals in addition to main lead singer Bill "Smokey" Robinson. Cousins Bobby Rogers and Claudette Rogers Robinson shared lead vocals on the standard Easy Street [8][9] and Claudette leads alone on Mister Misery [10] "My Heart Says Yes",[11] and Father Dear.[12] Husband-and-Wife Smokey and Claudette Robinson share the lead chores on the standard "If I Were a Bell" (from the 1950 musical Guys and Dolls) joined in mid-song by Miracles Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, and Ronnie White in an ensemble lead.[13] Some songs showcase all of the Miracles singing five-part harmony.
An official front and rear cover was mocked up and this proposed cover was recently released onto the internet.[4] In a transitional period for the group's line-up, bass singer/vocal arranger Pete Moore was featured on the front cover and Marv Tarplin was on the rear cover - Moore not having been available as he had been recently been drafted into the U.S. Armed Services at the time the photo was taken. (Both Moore and Tarplin had been featured on the covers of the group's previous album covers Cookin' with the Miracles and I'll Try Something New.) Though not released, this album was actually included on the list of albums the group recorded on "The Miracles' Album Discography" in the liner notes of the Miracles' 35th Anniversary 4 CD box set.[14]
Although this album was never released in its original form, all of its tunes were subsequently released on later Miracles albums and CD compilations including, but not limited to, "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Lost & Found: Along Came Love (1958-1964) (released 1999),[15] The Miracles – Depend on Me: The Early Albums (2009),[16] and the Smokey Robinson & The Miracles-The 35th Anniversary Collection box set (1994).[17]
Personnel
editThe Miracles
edit- William "Smokey" Robinson - lead and background vocals
- Claudette Rogers Robinson - lead and background vocals
- Bobby Rogers - lead and background vocals
- Warren "Pete" Moore - bass vocals and vocal arrangements
- Ronnie White - baritone vocals
- Marv Tarplin - guitar
References
edit- ^ "Tamla Album Discography (1961-1981)". Bsnpubs.com. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The 35th Anniversary Collection (1994)Discography: "The Miracles' Albums" [CD liner notes,]. Motown Records Pg 63
- ^ "Photographic copy of magazine article" (JPG). Ekladata.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ a b "Photographic copy of album cover" (JPG). C1.staticflickr.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ Motown Records/Hip-O Select- The Miracles:Depend On Me-The Early Albums (CD Liner Notes, Page 8) by Stu Hackel
- ^ "Miracles, Motown, And Memories". Soul-sides.com. 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' Anthology(31453-0472-2) Liner Notes, Page 20
- ^ Smokey Robinson & The MIRACLES-"Lost and Found:Along Came Love" CD Liner Notes, Pages 6 & 7-by Stu Hackel
- ^ "Easy Street (1999 Lost And Found Version)". YouTube. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ "THE MIRACLES (featuring CLAUDETTE) Mr Misery (Let Me Be)". YouTube. 2012-02-28. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ "The Miracles ♫ My Heart Says Yes ♫". YouTube.
- ^ "THE MIRACLES (Claudette Robinson) - Father Dear [Unissued Motown] 1963". YouTube. 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ "If I Were A Bell (1999 Lost And Found Version)". YouTube. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The 35th Anniversary Collection, pg 63
- ^ "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Lost & Found: Along Came Love (1958-1964)". Amazon.com. 1999. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ "Depend On Me: The Early Albums: The Miracles: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ "Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - The 35th Anniversary Collection". Amazon.com. 1994. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
