Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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The Supremes

  • Diana Ross and the Supremes Greatest Hits [Motown, 1967]  
  • Floy Joy [Motown, 1972] B+
  • The Supremes [Motown, 1972] C+
  • At Their Best [Motown, 1978] C+

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Diana Ross and the Supremes Greatest Hits [Motown, 1967]
In August 1964, "Where Did Our Love Go" began the Supremes' run of chart-topping singles. By the end of 1967, they'd scored 10 of them. In the same timespan, so had the Beatles. Nobody else came close. All 10 are arrayed on this chart-topping 20-track double-LP along with well-remembered also-rans like "Nothing but Heartaches" and "Love Is Like an Itching in My Heart" and filler sure to grow on you as you down yet another round of upbeat erotic longing. Forlorn more often than fulfilled, Ross' sexy love is an up either way thanks to the irresistible Motown rhythm section and a soprano so sweet and lucid that half a century on it still gives the gift of optimism against all odds.  

Floy Joy [Motown, 1972]
For the most part this miracle of homogeneity bounces along in the background, occasionally brightening the room with a riff or a harmony or a phrase or a touch of electricity that betokens writer-producer Smokey Robinson expressing himself. "Your Wonderful Sweet Sweet Love" and "Floy Joy" and "Automatically Sunshine" aren't prime Smokey. But they're choice, meriting my most generous Muzak rating. B+

The Supremes [Motown, 1972]
Jean Tyrell Isn't Diana Ross. Here the new appointee confronts producer/arranger/songwriter Jimmy Webb, who isn't a boy genius anymore, but with a small "i." The result is, well, confusing and schlocky, but it does feature Young Jimmy doing a Sweet Baby James imitation in the background. I remember when Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson used to have that job. C+

At Their Best [Motown, 1978]
In which the great pop factory of the '60s flounders around in the superstar '70s, incapable of fabricating hits around the greatest of girl-group trademarks. "Stoned Love," from 1970, is the last undeniable single Berry Gordy's depleted forces can provide their act; by the time Smokey enters the lists in 1972 he's turned into an album artist. "Love Train"? "You're My Driving Wheel"? Has it come to this? C+