Fretplay.com The Four Tops CD reviews The Four Tops guitar tabs The Four Tops CD reviews The Four Tops tabs The Definitive Collection


The Four Tops - The Definitive Collection Audio CD

A fair review of the The Four Tops "The Definitive Collection" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Four Tops reviews here, or go back to the The Four Tops tabs.

The Four Tops Band: The Four Tops
Title: The Definitive Collection
Rating:
Release Date: 2008-09-23
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Reach out I'll Be There 2: Standing in the Shadows of Love 3: Bernadette 4: Ask the Lonely 5: Baby I Need Your Loving 6: Without the One You Love (Life's Not Worth While) 7: It's the Same Old Song 8: Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever 9: I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) 10: Something About You 11: I Got a Feeling 12: Walk Away Renee 13: Still Water (Love) 14: (It's the Way) Nature Planned It 15: It's All in the Game 16: You Keep Running Away 17: 7-Rooms of Gloom 18: Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)

A very unique group and collection
I got the same great feeling listening to this excellent CD. I saw the Four Tops in Las Vegas in the 80s with the Temptations as the support act and remember that it was like watching a live juke box of timeless hits being performed.

Starting in 1964 they had several years of hits especially with the much used call and answer model of many Motown hits and the production of Holland and Dozier. Combined with an ability to push the limits, especially in Levi Stubbs passionate lead singing and the Funk Brothers backing, two early 60s hits of "Reach out I'll be there" and "I can't help myself" exemplify the winning formula.

The group has been unique in the history of Motown music with the four original members remaining the same for over 40+ years until the deaths of Lawrence Payton in 1997 and Levi Stubbs in 2009. While possessing no great songwriters (even though Obie Benson may have contributed to "What's going on"), the loss of Holland Dozier & Holland to Motown impacted the number of late 60s hits they achieved. Fortunately they avoided the influence of a dominant producer such as Norman Whitfield and his psychedelic phase with the Temptations, instead remaining true to their forte of strong vocals. Under Frank Wilson they kept with the harmonies and the hits ("Clear Water" and "It's all in the game") though not hitting the high levels of the charts again before ultimately leaving Motown .

This CD brings together all the hits across this time period on Motown and in its great selection of recordings (no great 60s hits seem to be missing) together with a clear mastered sound probably make this as the title implies the definitive collection of this group and the one Four Tops CD of hits to own. .


Thank You Beardo and Spinner~!
I grew up in the 60's and boy did that song and the others on this album bring back memories. I was listening to Beardo and Spinners latest Bandana Blues Podcast when Reach Out, I'll Be There tune came on.


You can see a complete list of all The Four Tops discography, or go back to the The Four Tops tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]