The Four Tops: Second Album - 1965

The first two Four Tops albums were actually quite credible soul albums. 

From the third one onwards, for a while, Motown started to produce albums that featured the current singles, their ‘b’ sides and then, in a (possibly misguided) but understandable attempt to “crossover” and win over “adult” audiences, they packed the rest of the album with middle of the road standards. This was a shame, because The Four Tops were worth more than that and indeed, Motown was worth more than covering Frank Sinatra or Beatles songs. Diana Ross & The Supremes also suffered from these “supper club” type albums. Even worse was The Four Tops’ On Broadway album of covers from musicals. Dear oh dear. 

Anyway, this second outing, entitled The Four Tops Second Album (inventive title!) is a pretty convincing soul album. Nearly all the songs are Holland-Dozier-Holland ones. 

I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) is impossibly catchy and full of superb harmony vocals and, of course, stunning lead vocals from the great Levi Stubbs. Although poppy, it is magnificently played by The Funk Brothers, Motown’s “house band” and are just magnificent examples of peerless Motown singles of the time. Nice big, deep saxophone solo in there too. Oh and how could I forget that deep bassline?

Love Feels Like Fire is a yearning, soulful number with a hooky, brass and bass backing. The recording of this album is a stereo one and, for 1965, it is pretty good. Is There Anything I Can Do is a Smokey Robinson song, but suits The Tops here, Stubbs' voice being stronger than Robinson’s. 

Something About You had a pounding, fast beat that made it a Northern Soul hit some seven or eight years later. When it comes on, you just think “Northern Soul”, as opposed to Motown, funnily enough. It has a captivating Funk Brothers beat, powerful as hell, and Levi Stubbs' vocal is truly titanic.

The second truly huge Four Tops hit this year, It's The Same Old Song is Motown Heaven, Pure and simple. One of my favourite Motown songs of all time. Its lyric is so sad yet its melody is so damn uplifting and joyful. How could Motown capture that contrast so many times? You'd think Levi was having the time of his life. That big baritone saxophone solo is just so typical of so many mid-sixties Motown hits too. Simply sublime, effervescent but soulful pop. It is impossibly catchy and full of superb harmony vocals and, of course, stunning lead vocals from the great Levi Stubbs. It is magnificently played by The Funk Brothers, Motown’s “house band” and stands as a magnificent example of the peerless Motown singles of the time.

The Tops’ cover of Helpless was another Northern Soul floor-filler, although Kim Weston’s version is my preference. Hers has more vitality, which is saying something, as The Tops’ one is certainly not lifeless. Just As Long As You Need Me is a yearning mid-paced ballad. 

Darling I Hum Our Song was a bit retro and had been recorded by Martha & The Vandellas as the 'b' side to Quicksand back in 1963. The Tops deliver it in suitably muscular fashion. 

The poppy, uptempo I Like Everything About You is probably not the best on the album, a pretty average number, but average Motown is many other artists’ great tracks, isn't it? Since You've Been Gone is another Northern Soul retrospective hit. So many tracks on this album just have that beat. Great saxophone in this one. 

Stay In My Lonely Arms has a Sam Cooke vibe to it. Hints of You Send Me (not for the first time on a Four Tops song). I'm Grateful was an upbeat, typical 1965 Motown tune to finish off a genuinely authentic Motown album. No real filler or panderings to “crossover” audiences here, a big plus point.