Motown- Coined by Berry Gordy in 1960, describing Detroit (“motor town”)- Related record labelso Tammie, changed to Tamla (1960)o Motowno Gordy- Representative Motown artistso The Temptationso The Supremeso The Jackson Fiveo Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (one of the first groups to sign with Motown Records)o Marvin Gaye (solo and with various women in duets, like Tammi Terrell)o Stevie Wonder (closer to soul than anything else on Motown Records)Style Characteristics:- Lead singer supported by backing vocals- Close vocal harmonies- Voices predominant over instruments- Band is very much in the background- More polished sound than soul- Not many instrumental riffs or vamps- Strong beat generally emphasizing all 4 beats in a measure equally (flat four beat)- Some emphasis on backbeat, often with handclaps- In performances, very visually oriented with choreographed moves by backup singers (visual, not aural; not felt on recordings)The Motown Assembly Line:- Maxine Powell- etiquette, fashion- Cholly Atkins- choreography- The Funk Brothers- house bando James Jamerson- bass, arrangero Early Van Dyke- pianoo Bennie Benjamin- drumso Gave Motown acts a uniform sound- Composition/Productiono Norm Whitfieldo Eddie and Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier (Holland-Dozier-Holland)o Smokey Robinsono Together, they had 37 top ten singles between 1964 and 1968Examples:- The Supremes; Where Did Our Love Go? (1964)- Smokey Robinson; Tears of a Clown (1967, released 1971)*more prominent feature of bass guitar because Jamerson started plugging his bass directly into the soundboard*Stevie Wonder (b. 1950)- Child prodigy, first billed in the 1960s as “Little Stevie Wonder”- Career mainly takes off in the 1970sStyle Characteristics, 1970:- High baritone/low tenor vocal range- Heavy rhythmic bass- Tightly arranged horn section- Percussive keyboards, especially synthesizers, clavinet- Precise drummingAfter 1972:- Songs are interconnected- Lyrics embrace social, political, and mystical/spiritual concerns- Studio is part of the composition process, much overdubbing- Increasing interest in electronic keyboards (synthesizers)Superstition
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