Mary Wells

INCLUDES 4 BONUS TRACKS

Mary Wells (Detroit, May 13, 1943 – Los Angeles, July 26, 1992) was the first star to bring consistent sales and recognition to Motown in the early 1960s. She was also the first of many Motown stars to break away from that label acrimoniously (Brenda Holloway and Kim Weston also left the label under tense circumstances). Few other soul singers managed to be as shy and sexy at the same time as Wells, because Mary had the voice and the presence. She sang with a pout, which made her seem almost dangerously sophisticated. On stage and in publicity stills, she had a tendency to dip, assuming a charming, slightly crouched pose that was all her own.

Long unavailable on vinyl, this quintessential collector’s edition includes Mary Wells magnificent debut album for Motown, Bye, Bye Baby -I Don’t Want to Take a Chance (1961). It is an essential LP for anyone who likes the sound of early ‘60s pop-soul. We have also included 4 bonus tracks, consisting of singles from the same period.

Released in the fall of 1960, the song “Bye Bye Baby” hit number eight on the R&B chart and crossed over to number forty-five on the pop chart, giving Wells her first significant success. She quickly followed up “Bye Bye Baby” with the doowop styled “I Don’t Want to Take a Chance”, which became her first top 40 hit peaking at number 33 in 1961. Motown issued her first album that year under the combined title of her first two hit singles and put her on the road with several other Detroit performers including Motown alumni The Miracles. At the same time, Motown’s success picked up speed after The Miracles released the label’s first million-selling hit “Shop Around”, and its leader Smokey Robinson was anxious to find a female vocalist to accentuate his simple but effective lyricism. After several failed attempts, Berry Gordy decided to team Robinson with Wells, who struggled to find success with her third single, “Come to Me”. The duo’s first collaboration was the supple “The One Who Really Loves You”, which featured Wells singing in a controlled soprano. The song became her first hit single reaching number two on the R&B chart and number eight on the pop chart. After this success, Smokey Robinson began teaching Wells how to “soften her voice up a little” sensing the potential of her unique sound. The talent of the performers coupled with Smokey’s outstanding composition and arrangement, made for a winning combination.

PERSONNEL:

MARY WELLS, lead vocals on all tracks, plus:

Probable personnel
Eddie Willis (guitar), James Jamerson (bass),
Richard “Popcorn” Wylie (piano),
Benny Benjamin or Richard Allen (drums),
Paul Riser (trombone)
Wanda Young, Georgeanna Tillman, Wyanetta Cowart, Katherine Anderson (backing vocals).

Recorded in Detroit, Michigan, between 1960 and 1961.
Original recordings produced by Berry Gordy, Jr. and William “Smokey” Robinson.

SIDE 1
01. COME TO ME
02. I DON’T WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE
03. BYE, BYE BABY
04. SHOP AROUND
05. I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE
06. THE ONE WHO REALLY LOVES YOU *
07. SHE DON’T LOVE YOU *

SIDE 2
01. I’M GONNA STAY
02. LET YOUR CONSCIENCE BE YOUR GUIDE
03. BAD BOY
04. I’M SO SORRY
05. PLEASE FORGIVE ME
06. YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH *
07. I’VE GOT A STORY^*