Retro Spins: The Jackson 5 - Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

 

Five brothers, a determined father and the Motown sound would soon create one of the greatest artists of all time. A man who not only released the greatest selling album of all time, a spot held even today, but someone who when he passed would send the entire world into mourning. I'm of course talking about Michael Jackson and the group he fronted, The Jackson 5.

Though many people often attribute Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 as the first recordings from the youth group, there is actually another. One which has only recently seen the light of day. 2009 to be exact. This "album" entitled The Steeltown Recordings, featured a nine year old Michael and his brothers laying down tracks such as Big Boy, Under The Boardwalk and My Girl. However, none of these had the punch that Motown would soon pack.

Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 may give the impression that the female Supreme singer discovered the group. However, this was more so a marketing tactic. Motown knew how to utilize already established acts / stars to promote new talent, and this worked out well for The Jackson 5.

However, this would quickly prove to be unnecessary. Entering the charts at number ninety in November of 1969, I Want You Back rapidly shot up to the number one spot by January of the following year, becoming their first of soon to be many number one hits. Who's Loving You would join the track on the charts, but only make it to number fifty-five. Though they never charted, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, You've Changed, My Cherie Amour and Stand are solid tracks unto themselves.

Admittedly, this is not my first time hearing this album from start to finish, but I wanted to give it one more listen as I wrote this post up. This turned out to be a good thing, as I found out that the latter four tracks mentioned above were no longer in my shuffle list. That was something I definitely needed to rectify and did.

So far, I'm really enjoying going back into the annals of rock history. While I've started with the 60's, I'll definitely be jumping around a bit to the 70's, and even the 50's. I want to hear all those classic debut albums from the likes of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and more. Keep it tuned here to join me for my reviews.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

 

Retro Spins: The Beatles - Please Please Me

 

"1, 2, 3, 4." They're the first words and the count off which started Beatlemania. As a child of the 80's, I like many before me know about the Beatles. I know their music, well, some of it anyway. However, what I don't have is that "wow" factor that those who were there to see it all unfold have. To me it's just music.

To truly appreciate the band, you need to first understand the times. Not only was their musical structure ahead of its time, in terms of sound and production, but they also brought with them a youth movement across the globe. Many cultural movements were purportedly inspired by The Beatles, and inspired many young artists to pursue a career in music.

Despite their very short career together as a band, just a mere seven years, they churned out a total of twenty number one hits. However, more so impressive than this achievement would be on April 4, 1964, when they held all five of the top five slots on Billboard with Can't Buy Me Love (1), Twist And Shout (2), She Loves You (3), I Want To Hold Your Hand (4) and Please Please Me (5). If that weren't impressive enough, they also held seven additional spots on the charts this day, for a total of twelve Billboard hits. Those additional songs, I Saw Her Standing There (31), From Me To You (41), Do You Want To Know A Secret (46), All My Loving (58), You Can't Do That (65), Roll Over Beethoven (68) and Thank You Girl (79).

I don't think even Michael Jackson had that kind of success with his album, Thriller. But, hopefully you get the point I'm trying to make. The band was big. As such, it was only appropriate that they would be selected to launch an all new series here at The Toy Box. Retro Spins: The Classic Years is starting with a listen to The Beatles debut album, Please Please Me.

Fourteen tracks encompass the first album, and yet, due to their short nature, the album only totals around thirty-three minutes. I recognized several of the tracks, but my surprise more so came from finding out that these classic hits, which I had heard from several other artists, were written by the Fab 4.

As I listened to the songs, I could tell exactly what people were saying with their style revolutionizing an era. While some tracks, such as P.S. I Love You, sound very bubblegum style, and in line with the sounds of the era, others sound very different. You could tell The Beatles were on the horizon of something, and while it isn't achieved fully on their debut album, you can see the groundwork it's being built on.

Overall, I liked what I heard, and I want to hear more. Good thing I already own their entire UK catalog. As I type this, I feel like it may also be time to track down the US released albums. I may just have to do that.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.