Motown Christmas - Vol. 2 (2001) (Remastered)

Product Summary Label: Uni/motown UPC: 00044001636424 Release Date: 11/6/2001 Buy.com Sku: 60509902 Item#: MWXWMG Buy.com Sales Rank: 25079 Format:  CD Song Listing Disc 1 Song Title Sample 1. Won't Be Long Before Christmas - The Supremes (stereo mix, previously unreleased) ~ Various Artists 2. Love Comes With Christmas - The Temptations ~ Various Artists 3. Purple Snowflakes - Marvin Gaye (stereo mix, previously unreleased) ~ Various Artists 4. Winter Wonderland - The Funk Brothers (alternate mix) ~ Various Artists 5. Up On The House-Top - The Jackson 5 ~ Various Artists 6. Little Drummer Boy - The Temptations (1980 version) ~ Various Artists 7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Supremes ~ Various Artists 8. White Christmas - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles ~ Various Artists 9. Wish You A Merry Christmas - Kim Weston (stereo mix, previously unreleased) ~ Various Artists 10. Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Marvin Gaye (live) ~ Various Artists 11. Christmas Twist - Twistin' Kings (previously unreleased, full version) ~ Various Artists 12. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Jackson 5 ~ Various Artists 13. Oh Holy Night - The Supremes (previously unreleased) ~ Various Artists 14. Someday At Christmas - The Temptations ~ Various Artists 15. (untitled) - (hidden track) ~ Various Artists (P) 2001 Universal Motown Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. (C) 2001 Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. Song Listings and Artists: 2. Love Comes With Christmas - The Temptations 3. Purple Snowflakes (Stereo Mix) - Marvin Gaye 4. Winter Wonderland (Alternate Mix) - The Funk Brothers 5. Up On The House Top - Jackson 5 6. The Little Drummer Boy (1980 Version) - The Temptations 7. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Supremes 8. White Christmas - The Miracles 9. Wish You A Merry Christmas (Stereo Mix) - Kim Weston 10. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) (Live At The Apollo) - Marvin Gaye 11. Xmas Twist (Complete Version) - The Twistin' Kings 12. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer - Jackson 5 13. Oh Holy Night - The Supremes 14. Someday At Christmas - The Temptations 15. Bonus Track - A Motown Christmas, Vol.2   Album Notes and Credits Notes & Personnel Info Digitally remastered by Kevin Reeves (Universal Mastering Studios-East). Appearing almost three decades after the first volume, which topped charts in 1973, A Motown Christmas, Vol. 2 collects 14 holiday tracks from the biggest and best stable of soul singers ever seen. Unfortunately, several of these tracks were recorded long after Motown's prime era; the Temptations' "Love Comes With Christmas" and "The Little Drummer Boy" are rather maudlin affairs from their 1980 holiday record Give Love at Christmas, while the Jackson 5's "Up on the House Top" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" are fluffy throwaways. Still, half a dozen of the tracks are previously unreleased (at least, in their original mixes) and the rarities are interesting for Motown collectors. Marvin Gaye contributes the bizarre yet affecting "Purple Snowflakes," while Ronnie White and house band the Funk Brothers contribute two tracks: "Winter Wonderland" and "Xmas Twist" (the last billed as the Twistin' Kings). Stay tuned after the 14-song program for Christmas shout-outs from the Supremes, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations, Duke Fakir of the Four Tops, and the Spinners. ~ John Bush Producer: Harry Weinger (Compilation)   Technical Info Release Date : 11/06/2001 Original Release Date : 2001 Catalog ID : 016 364 Label : Motown Records Number of Discs : 1 Studio/Live : Mixed Mono/Stereo : Stereo SPAR Code : n/a UPC : 00044001636424   Professional Reviews Entertainment Weekly (11/30/01, p.94) - "...Focussing on rarities...Best is the Jackson 5's familiar 'Up on the House Top'..." - Rating: Bn    Product Image