SoulMusic.com calls Mary Wells book "Sympathetic and honest."

Peter Benjaminson, who also wrote the compelling “The Lost Supreme," has pulled on his own interviews with the star, plus conversations with those close to her like her husbands, relatives, friends – one in particular Maye James-Holler, who adds such a unique personal insight into the singer’s moods and feelings. Interviews from the US TV show “Unsung” in August 2011 have also been sourced, likewise other authors’ books to present a fuller, rounder story of what can only be described as an extremely talented ‘troubled lady’ full of self doubts and misconceptions.

Mary’s trials and tribulations at Motown are well documented, as is her move to other companies where much was promised, but little delivered. And for various reasons. While she strived for professional greatness (that afforded to her at Motown, for example) she was also battling to succeed in her personal life, and it’s this insight that tells us more about her as a person. Why she searched for her perfect love, as she fell into affairs, all the while harbouring emotional doubts. Why she attempted suicide, lost herself in the world of drugs and survived several illnesses.

I don’t want to give anything away but there’s stuff about Berry Gordy’s intervention later in Mary’s life that I didn’t know, which is both complex and somehow rewarding. When she lost her fight for life on 26 July 1992, the world mourned her passing. Peter treats the build up to her death with the dignity she deserves.

Y’know I really regret I only met and talked to Mary that once, because I’d like to have gotten to know her more. If only to instil confidence into her that her talent was still very viable during the eighties, when she felt she was floundering career wise. The input from those closest to her, including the Womack family (what was it about them that she craved so much?) shows just how emotionally muddled she became at times. Peter is sympathetic and honest, pulling no punches to present all that contributed to the artist we know and love.

It’s always difficult to write about someone who has passed because their input is lacking, they’re not able to put across their side of the story or explain why they did this, that or the other. However, here, Peter has captured and delivered most of the answers her fans craved with a book that’s testimonial to Motown’s first lady, Mary Wells. For more info check out ww.marywellsbook.com



















































































The Ultimate Destination for Soul Music


















Home


Classic Soul Archives


Artist A-Z


Features


SoulMusic Records


Voice Your Choice


Soul Talkin'


Reviews


Hall of Fame


The Soul Store



















Home Page



Signup



Forgotten Username and Password



Log In



Discussion Groups



Contests



About SoulMusic.com














SHARON DAVIS' MOTOWN SPOTLIGHT - DECEMBER 2012









Published: 12 December 2012



Created By: Sharon Davis About Sharon

















I have to say, Christmas is my favourite time of year, and with this in mind, I delved deep into the cupboard to find my Motown CDs. It was quite a chore as I’d put them somewhere safe from last year. So, playing now is the Jackson 5’s “Ultimate Christmas Collection” – all squeaky-voiced and lovely as they’re having a high ol’ time singing “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town”, “Frosty The Snowman” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”. What fun! Have just listened to “The Ultimate Motown Christmas Collection”, where most of the acts contribute in song but where the most thrilling parts are spoken greetings from Eddie Kendricks, Willie Hutch, The Velvelettes, The Elgins and the Four Tops, among others. Pure magic for sure. Available on Amazon methinks. Then waiting to be heard is “Christmas Cheers From Motown” and erm “Carry On Christmas 1973”. Oi, who put that in with my precious collection??!!! Merry Christmas baby. Let’s TCB..

My lovely pal over at Pickwick Records has given me the green light to tell you about his New Year releases. “The Jazz Soul Of Stevie Wonder”; Mary Wells’ “The One Who Really Loves You”; “The Marvelettes Sing”; “Meet The Supremes”. And then he’s given me a few non-Motown titles to go along side, like “The Best Of Sam Cooke”; Timi Yuro’s “Soul”; Gene Chandler’s “Duke Of Earl” and Etta James’ “At Last”. Mmm, something super to kick off 2013 I reckon.

Frankie Valli, who with The Four Seasons - as you know - joined Motown in the early ‘70s, debuted on the Mowest label with his solo tearjerker of a song “Love Isn’t Here (Like It Used To Be)” during February 1972. Oh, the sleepless nights I spent with this. Anyway, I suppose what the group will most be remembered for is the riveting “The Night”, a Northern Soul classic that embraced the world. What a monster sound that is; very relevant today. Upon its re-issue over here in April 1975, it gave the guys a well-deserved top ten hit. Actually, the reason for mentioning this, in case you wondered, is to remind you that Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons are touring here in June 2013. Manchester, Edinburgh, Bournemouth, London dates, but alas, no Brighton. Why? It’s a city and we have a venue – the Amex football stadium for goodness sake! And this brings me on to the 2013 tour planned by The Jacksons. Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bournemouth, London. And no Brighton! Of late, I’ve been reading some disturbing articles about the Jackson family, and the fact that the four brothers – Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie, Tito - are now preparing to tour here makes me wonder if the stories are accurate. Having said that, I have an open mind. The press release glowed the brothers’ Unity Tour will hit the UK in February and March, and they’ll be performing here for the first time since Michael died in 2009. Prior to this visit which they describe as a “dream coming true”, the brothers had reunited earlier in the year to tour North America. Following the British dates, methinks there’s a visit to Europe, before they hit Canada, and Australia later in the year. After the announcement was made, Jermaine said that he couldn’t wait to sing all the songs that were so much a part of their lives. “We are ready and committed to keep the family’s legacy alive, and perform once again with a level of excellence, creativity, and most of all, integrity”. While Jackie commented – “I can’t believe this is finally happening. There’s nothing like having all the brothers on stage at the same time. This will be exciting for our fans around the world…” The thing I’m trying to get my head around is that Michael was planning to tour alone with “This Is It”, with not a brother in sight. So to read statements like “MJ’s spirit will be in the house with us”, I do wonder if it will be. Anyway, I’ve no doubt the shows will be simply amazing and the visit a total sell out. Do check out www.thejacksons.com for more of an update.

From the J5 (well nearly then) to Marvin. More rumours – or perhaps it’s fact this time, I certainly hope so – about rock star Lenny Kravitz playing our beloved singer in a forthcoming movie. The news was broken by a London tabloid, but that aside, the film will focus on the time Marvin spent in London after leaving Motown (wonder who’ll be playing me!!??) Will this happen you’re asking? I dunno, as this is another in a long line of proposed films, including my own which I touched on in October. Oh, I’ve been asked who would have played Marvin in it. Mr Daniel Sunjata, my friends! Actually, I got so far as to hear some re-recordings of the Marvin and Tammi tracks which, I can’t lie, were quite something. Regrettably, I had to return them to the film company. Doh!

Motowners will, of course, have a zillion times over the tracks on the newly released “Motown Anthems”, but before this latest 3-disc CD is dismissed out of hand, I have to say that it’s releases like this that keep Motown music alive, in the forefront of people’s minds, and thanks to an extremely innovative TV advertisement, in their homes as well. And if packages like this are successful, the money is banked and, one hopes, the decision makers at Universal will set their sights on further releases, some of which could be off the mainstream track. So, bearing this in mind, I’ve had great fun playing the red hot sounds we’ve come to love from the Company’s finest. Won’t list ‘em all but to list just a few - The Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go”; Martha Reeves & the Vandellas “Nowhere To Run”; The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)”; R Dean Taylor’s “There’s A Ghost In My House” --- “Stoned Love”, “ABC”, “The Tears Of A Clown”, Let’s Get It On”, “Easy”, “Let’s Get Serious”, “Love Hangover”, “With You I’m Born Again”, “Dancing On The Ceiling” ..phew. You get the picture! Methinks it’d make a lovely Christmas present for a non-believer too!

And now Mary Wells. Hip-O Select have just released “Something New: Motown Lost & Found” with 47 rare tracks and 23 previously unreleased titles, including four with Marvin and – what’s been called – two near-duets with The Supremes. A limited edition of 1500, apparently. And that’s the build up to the book - “Mary Wells: The Tumultuous Life Of Motown’s First Superstar” by Peter Benjaminson, who also wrote the compelling “The Lost Supreme”. Peter has pulled on his own interviews with the star, plus conversations with those close to her like her husbands, relatives, friends – one in particular Maye James-Holler, who adds such a unique personal insight into the singer’s moods and feelings. Interviews from the US TV show “Unsung” in August 2011 have also been sourced, likewise other authors’ books to present a fuller, rounder story of what can only be described as an extremely talented ‘troubled lady’ full of self doubts and misconceptions. Mary’s trials and tribulations at Motown are well documented, as is her move to other companies where much was promised, but little delivered. And for various reasons. While she strived for professional greatness (that afforded to her at Motown, for example) she was also battling to succeed in her personal life, and it’s this insight that tells us more about her as a person. Why she searched for her perfect love, as she fell into affairs, all the while harbouring emotional doubts. Why she attempted suicide, lost herself in the world of drugs and survived several illnesses. I don’t want to give anything away but there’s stuff about Berry Gordy’s intervention later in Mary’s life that I didn’t know, which is both complex and somehow rewarding. When she lost her fight for life on 26 July 1992, the world mourned her passing. Peter treats the build up to her death with the dignity she deserves. Y’know I really regret I only met and talked to Mary that once, because I’d like to have gotten to know her more. If only to instil confidence into her that her talent was still very viable during the eighties, when she felt she was floundering career wise. The input from those closest to her, including the Womack family (what was it about them that she craved so much?) shows just how emotionally muddled she became at times. Peter is sympathetic and honest, pulling no punches to present all that contributed to the artist we know and love. It’s always difficult to write about someone who has passed because their input is lacking, they’re not able to put across their side of the story or explain why they did this, that or the other. However, here, Peter has captured and delivered most of the answers her fans craved with a book that’s testimonial to Motown’s first lady, Mary Wells. For more info check out www.marywellsbook.com