Martha Reeves Getting All Cocky In Record Collector

[Pete S]

I wish I had it with me to quote exactly but Martha Reeves is interviewed in this months Record Collector and the interviewer asks her about her appearance on a bill featuring other ladies of Motown including Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark (and maybe Carolyn Crawford) and Martha insinuates that these were no-hit artists who weren't fit to be on the same stage as her and people only went to the gig to see her!

I think there may well be a few people on this forum who strongly disagree with that statement. I'd pay good money to see Brenda Holloway. You'd have to pay me to go see Martha Reeves.

* FULL ACTUAL QUOTE FURTHER DOWN THE THREAD

[Philb]

I wish I had it with me to quote exactly but Martha Reeves is interviewed in this months Record Collector and the interviewer asks her about her appearance on a bill featuring other ladies of Motown including Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark (and maybe Carolyn Crawford) and Martha insinuates that these were no-hit artists who weren't fit to be on the same stage as her and people only went to the gig to see her!

I think there may well be a few people on this forum who strongly disagree with that statement. I'd pay good money to see Brenda Holloway. You'd have to pay me to go see Martha Reeves.

She didn't sound too good at Vintage Goodwood.

[Chalky]

Her voice went years ago and like you Pete they would have to pay me to listen to her or at the very least let me in for nothing.

Brenda Holloway and Carolyn Crawford I would still pay to see.

[Ted Massey]

I reckon she lost it 20 years ago at least that bloody warbling voice of hers was a real dissapointmnet to me, but my god she can talk for the world once she gets started cant shut her up

[Little-stevie]

Sad to read this... Met her and had a chat a few years ago, i gave her a present and we had a chat.. A real proud moment..

A bitter statement from a lady who as done so much....

Saying all that, can we trust what we read in a magazine/ newspaper.... who knows....

I have been meaning to get back in touch with her, if i do then i will ask her if the statement is true.. I would also let her know the feeling on here about it all..

[Pete S]

Sad to read this... Met her and had a chat a few years ago, i gave her a present and we had a chat.. A real proud moment..

A bitter statement from a lady who as done so much....

Saying all that, can we trust what we read in a magazine/ newspaper.... who knows....

I have been meaning to get back in touch with her, if i do then i will ask her if the statement is true.. I would also let her know the feeling on here about it all..

Well the interview was with Dave Sallis who's a very well known UK based Motown collector, done backstage at a gig recently. When asked who her favourite artist of all time is, she says "Me - Martha Reeves". I'll try and find the mag so I can quote it exactly.

[Pete S]

Okay here's what it says.

Q: I RECENTLY SAW A CONCERT IN LONDON FEATURING SEVERAL FEMALE STARS OF MOTOWN (BRENDA HOLLOWAY, CHRIS CLARK, THELMA HOUSTON, MABLE JOHN), IT WAS A TREMENDOUS EVENING EVEN THOUGH THE VENUE WAS NOT FULL.

A: Oh, you mean "newcomers" to Motown! Mable John, who was berry Gordy's friend, did record some early sides but try and find a Motown record with her name on! As far as playing to a half empty venue is concerned, if they had me - an original Motowner - on the bill, perhaps it would have been full. No one on that bill has the same status as me in this country so perhaps they should have asked!

Q: ALL TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

A: Me.

[Guest]

Okay here's what it says.

Q: I RECENTLY SAW A CONCERT IN LONDON FEATURING SEVERAL FEMALE STARS OF MOTOWN (BRENDA HOLLOWAY, CHRIS CLARK, THELMA HOUSTON, MABLE JOHN), IT WAS A TREMENDOUS EVENING EVEN THOUGH THE VENUE WAS NOT FULL.

A: Oh, you mean "newcomers" to Motown! Mable John, who was berry Gordy's friend, did record some early sides but try and find a Motown record with her name on! As far as playing to a half empty venue is concerned, if they had me - an original Motowner - on the bill, perhaps it would have been full. No one on that bill has the same status as me in this country so perhaps they should have asked!

Q: ALL TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

A: Me.

Given the start of her association with Motown , I would not consider Chris Clark as a newcomer ......

Malc

[Guest GARV]

I wish I had it with me to quote exactly but Martha Reeves is interviewed in this months Record Collector and the interviewer asks her about her appearance on a bill featuring other ladies of Motown including Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark (and maybe Carolyn Crawford) and Martha insinuates that these were no-hit artists who weren't fit to be on the same stage as her and people only went to the gig to see her!

I think there may well be a few people on this forum who strongly disagree with that statement. I'd pay good money to see Brenda Holloway. You'd have to pay me to go see Martha Reeves.

I saw both Martha Reeves & Brenda Holloway at the Ritz in Manchester [ niter] a good few years ago now, Dave Godin introduced them & Brenda Holloway blew Martha off stage........... her voice had gone then. A friend of mine was taking photo`s [ Jonas Unger] & got to meet them & take some pics backstage, he said that Martha was very arrogant & Brenda could`t have been nicer but sensed there was no love lost between them.

[Little-stevie]

Well the interview was with Dave Sallis who's a very well known UK based Motown collector, done backstage at a gig recently. When asked who her favourite artist of all time is, she says "Me - Martha Reeves". I'll try and find the mag so I can quote it exactly.

Well thats a statement indeed ...

Gonna ask her that also if i get the chance.. We shall see....

Thats called a god complex, we know that from some on the soul scene here too...

Quite sad to read that but no surprise i guess, its the way of the world.... Some folk are humble while others....

Cheers Malc for the info.... Food for thought indeed...

[Simsy]

I think there may well be a few people on this forum who strongly disagree with that statement. I'd pay good money to see Brenda Holloway. You'd have to pay me to go see Martha Reeves.

that bloody warbling voice

Yep that about sums it up for me.

She was the same about the Vandellas on one of those review docu's "I did all the bookings" "I did all the costumes" "I I I, me me me" ... Give over Mart, ffs!

[macca]

sounds like the lady version of jimmy ruffin, over inflated ego, disparaging comments about fellow stablemates and the british scene (yet to come if she reads this)...

[Guest Simon]

She didn't sound too good at Vintage Goodwood.

I'll second that, endured 3 or 4 tunes & that was enough, dire!

Simon

[Guest Mark Holmes]

I really enjoy a lot of Martha Reeves music from when she could sing....I do think if you had spent a period of time in a dog eat dog, cut throat arena such as Motown was in its earlier years then it would be very easy to get a god complex and also want to be at the top of the pile as the "best available".

Shame that she doesn't seem to be able to let go.

You also have to consider she is a politician in one of the most broken cities in the USA and is still scratching and fighting to be at the top of the pile.

[Mrtag]

I wish I had it with me to quote exactly but Martha Reeves is interviewed in this months Record Collector and the interviewer asks her about her appearance on a bill featuring other ladies of Motown including Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark (and maybe Carolyn Crawford) and Martha insinuates that these were no-hit artists who weren't fit to be on the same stage as her and people only went to the gig to see her!

I think there may well be a few people on this forum who strongly disagree with that statement. I'd pay good money to see Brenda Holloway. You'd have to pay me to go see Martha Reeves.

* FULL ACTUAL QUOTE FURTHER DOWN THE THREAD

Totally agree with you Pete the other forenamed artistes have done some great stuff and are certainly not No Hit Wonders in my book anyway!

[Citizen P]

Saw her a few years back in a Motown Revue Type thing with Edwin Starr and Freda Payne............

Voice had certainly seen better days

Tony

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Okay here's what it says.

Q: I RECENTLY SAW A CONCERT IN LONDON FEATURING SEVERAL FEMALE STARS OF MOTOWN (BRENDA HOLLOWAY, CHRIS CLARK, THELMA HOUSTON, MABLE JOHN), IT WAS A TREMENDOUS EVENING EVEN THOUGH THE VENUE WAS NOT FULL.

A: Oh, you mean "newcomers" to Motown! Mable John, who was berry Gordy's friend, did record some early sides but try and find a Motown record with her name on! As far as playing to a half empty venue is concerned, if they had me - an original Motowner - on the bill, perhaps it would have been full. No one on that bill has the same status as me in this country so perhaps they should have asked!

.

If Martha Reeves had been on that show I wouldn't have bought a ticket. Simple as that...

...Mable John still sings 20 times better than Martha and she's at least 15 years older if not more.

Get over yourself, woman!

[Guest Dante]

I've heard about her attitude before.

Not so long ago, at someone's funeral (can't recall who wight now), she talked endlessly about herself and, when asked to return to her seat and let someone else talk, she went into a rant saying she knew Martin Luther King Jr. etc etc etc

[45cellar]

I've heard about her attitude before.

Not so long ago, at someone's funeral (can't recall who wight now), she talked endlessly about herself and, when asked to return to her seat and let someone else talk, she went into a rant saying she knew Martin Luther King Jr. etc etc etc

Such a shame, I still love her early stuff.

Saw her at Manchester Arena last year, thought at the time nice to see her perform, got the crowd going a bit, Voice Totally gone though.

If I had realised that she had that kind of attitude I would have gone for a drink whilst she was on.

On the other hand Mary Wilson had the full package Voice & Performance.

Chris Clark I saw a few years ago at Sheffield Arena, Enjoyed the 3 songs, she's still got it.

[Mark Bicknell]

The words arse and hole spring to mind here.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[Guest soulboy]

I wish I had it with me to quote exactly but Martha Reeves is interviewed in this months Record Collector and the interviewer asks her about her appearance on a bill featuring other ladies of Motown including Brenda Holloway and Chris Clark (and maybe Carolyn Crawford) and Martha insinuates that these were no-hit artists who weren't fit to be on the same stage as her and people only went to the gig to see her!

I think there may well be a few people on this forum who strongly disagree with that statement. I'd pay good money to see Brenda Holloway. You'd have to pay me to go see Martha Reeves.

* FULL ACTUAL QUOTE FURTHER DOWN THE THREAD

I SAW HER A FEW YEARS AGO IN THE CROWD WITH MARY WILSON WATCHING BOBBY TAYLOR AND CAROLYN CRAYFORD AT THE Q CLUB IN BRUM , SHE WAS WELL UP FOR THEM CLAPPING AND DANCING ,MAYBE SHE WAS BEING IRONIC ?

[Guest Andy Kempster]

Okay here's what it says.

Q: I RECENTLY SAW A CONCERT IN LONDON FEATURING SEVERAL FEMALE STARS OF MOTOWN (BRENDA HOLLOWAY, CHRIS CLARK, THELMA HOUSTON, MABLE JOHN), IT WAS A TREMENDOUS EVENING EVEN THOUGH THE VENUE WAS NOT FULL.

A: Oh, you mean "newcomers" to Motown! Mable John, who was berry Gordy's friend, did record some early sides but try and find a Motown record with her name on! As far as playing to a half empty venue is concerned, if they had me - an original Motowner - on the bill, perhaps it would have been full. No one on that bill has the same status as me in this country so perhaps they should have asked!

Q: ALL TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

A: Me.

i was at this gig at the jazz cafe and i would say it was far from empty with a very appreciative crowd and some great acts, so sad martha has to be so down on it

[Soulsmith]

I reckon she lost it 20 years ago at least that bloody warbling voice of hers was a real dissapointmnet to me, but my god she can talk for the world once she gets started cant shut her up

I saw her 20 years ago and she was shite.

[Guest Netspeaky]

I saw both Martha Reeves & Brenda Holloway at the Ritz in Manchester [ niter] a good few years ago now, Dave Godin introduced them & Brenda Holloway blew Martha off stage........... her voice had gone then. A friend of mine was taking photo`s [ Jonas Unger] & got to meet them & take some pics backstage, he said that Martha was very arrogant & Brenda could`t have been nicer but sensed there was no love lost between them.

I don't ever remember Martha Reeves with Brenda at the Ritz, when Brenda was there she was with Kim Weston I've got them on video.

[Guest]

She didn't sound too good at Vintage Goodwood.

too true..but i bet she would have looked good going over some of the fences..looks and sings like a horse

moldie

i saw her at the princes hall in aldershot twice and in woking too..she couldnt even remember half the tunes and looked more like whoopi goldberg in ghost

[Guest]

I saw her 20 years ago and she was having a shite.

[Soulsmith]

[Souledtrafford]

Don't know about the quotes in the mag., but I saw Martha at the Arches in Glasgow a few weeks back. Was a bit apprehensive, but she was well worth the money and sounded excellent. Perhaps the smaller venue help her, as she was better here than at the MEN in Manchester last year.

[Maark]

I'll second that, endured 3 or 4 tunes & that was enough, dire!

Simon

I saw her in Swindon in the early 90's and her voice was pants so didn't bother to leave the soul casino to watche her at Goodwood.

Ann Sexton on the other hand....what a voice!!

Edited September 1, 2010 by Maark

[Guest Chris Waterman]

I take as I find,

met her in Manchester a few years back, after she did Mr Winstanleys radio show, I gave her a DVD of footage, from the collection of a friend from Huddersfield, most she had never seen before, I found her very pleasant and accommodating for pictures and stories of the footage and such, a couple of weeks later she sent me a really sweet thank you email.

with reference to the interview, maybe she was having a bad day or maybe I caught her on a good one

Chris W

[Soulsider]

Last time I saw her was on Jools Holland New Year's Eve show in 2008. Terrible and I felt embarrased for her.

[Guest]

Loved her early stuff 4 sure

Think her days on Detroit City Council have made her controversial

I had 2 read RC article twice when I got it, just 2 confirm her conceited view and disrespect to fellow artists/colleagues

Shame really.........................

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Don't know about the quotes in the mag., but I saw Martha at the Arches in Glasgow a few weeks back. Was a bit apprehensive, but she was well worth the money and sounded excellent. Perhaps the smaller venue help her, as she was better here than at the MEN in Manchester last year.

She hasn't 'sounded excellent' in at least 20 years, I recommend Otex, should clear up your hearing problems right away!

Never mind a smaller venue, the only thing that would help Ms. Reeves is if she finally realised that the noise of a knife against a saucepan sounds more tuneful than she does nowadays, and STFU - permanently.

I'm reminded of that short excange between the late great Wilson Pickett and a backstage interviewer in the film "Only The Strong Survive" the crux of which goes something like this:

Pickett - Is Martha Reeves going to be here?

Interviewer - No, she isn't

Pickett - Perfect...

[Mike Lofthouse]

Last time I saw her was on Jools Holland New Year's Eve show in 2008. Terrible and I felt embarrased for her.

Me too - it was several hours before I came from behind the couch,

here it is in all it's glory =>

[Hermanthegerman]

Me too - it was several hours before I came from behind the couch,

here it is in all it's glory =>

Uff, best thing is the backing band

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

she sounds like a right cow, now Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder seem more like the nice ones to appriacate others maybe Martha needs to take a leaf out of there book

[ImberBoy]

"Martha Reeves Getting All Cocky In Record Collector"

Got to be the best ever title for a thread on Soul Source

[Philb]

I saw her in Swindon in the early 90's and her voice was pants so didn't bother to leave the soul casino to watche her at Goodwood.

Ann Sexton on the other hand....what a voice!!

And a very nice approachable person as well, she had a great time and a few dances in the soul casino.

[Rob Moss]

I remember seeing her 'perform' at Baker's Lounge in Detroit several years ago during a benefit for Dr. Teddy Wilson and she was terrible. When I later commented to the late Mike Terry that she couldn't sing anymore his response was surprising yet quite funny. He said 'She never could'

Yet, in fairness, when she sang 'The Lord's Prayer' at Popcorn Wylie's funeral she was absolutely mesmerizing. I must say, it was one of the most soulful and spine tingling deliveries of a song I have ever experienced and a fitting tribute to Popcorn.

[Stevemochan]

she sounds like a right cow, now Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder seem more like the nice ones to appriacate others maybe Martha needs to take a leaf out of there book

I met her and she is a self opinionated horrible cow she can f***k off as far as im concerned

[burt weedon]

pete..man wot u playin at...i av that r/c with martha...an if i new how to do it id stick it on ear...get this martha ,,gladys,,brenda,.

an then sum female singers.on motown wer all shafted by theF KLN LIKES OF D.WROSS,,ETC..WHO WER BEIN SHAGGED BY THE LOT OF EM,,THEY GOT ON.

SO IN LIFE,U AV BIN THERE SO AV I UR SHAGGED THEN ONE DAY U AV A LIL BIT RESPECT,KINDNESS,GIVEN TO YA,,MATE,,

DO U CALL IT GLOATIN OR JUST SIMPLE SAYIN,,HONEST I WAS A GUD SINGER..I NOW I WAS,,BUT NOBODY LISTENED..EVEN IF LASTS FOR TEN FKIN MINS..MATE U FEEL,,HUMAN...PETE DO ME A FAVOUR DONT GET LIKE SUM OF THEESE DICK HEADS,ON EAR..UR OLD SCHOOL.M8 LIKE ME ,WOTS ALL THIS B...KS ON EAR LATELY...I NOT GOING TO MENTION NAMES..BUT..BLAH.BLAH...GROW UP THE LOT OV YA..IF I AV OWT TO SAY I,LL SAY,,BUT RESPECTFULLY,...U DONT SEEE ME DJ DO YA,,...U NOW WHY I CAN STILL DANCE ,,,COLLECT,,AN GO,,AHHR FK IT ..X..

[burt weedon]

MAN WOT THE FK ..IF U AD SED DO U NOW BURT...SHE TREATED U RIGHT...HA.

I met her and she is a self opinionated horrible cow she can f***k off as far as im concerned

[Pete S]

pete..man wot u playin at...i av that r/c with martha...an if i new how to do it id stick it on ear...get this martha ,,gladys,,brenda,.

an then sum female singers.on motown wer all shafted by theF KLN LIKES OF D.WROSS,,ETC..WHO WER BEIN SHAGGED BY THE LOT OF EM,,THEY GOT ON.

SO IN LIFE,U AV BIN THERE SO AV I UR SHAGGED THEN ONE DAY U AV A LIL BIT RESPECT,KINDNESS,GIVEN TO YA,,MATE,,

DO U CALL IT GLOATIN OR JUST SIMPLE SAYIN,,HONEST I WAS A GUD SINGER..I NOW I WAS,,BUT NOBODY LISTENED..EVEN IF LASTS FOR TEN FKIN MINS..MATE U FEEL,,HUMAN...PETE DO ME A FAVOUR DONT GET LIKE SUM OF THEESE DICK HEADS,ON EAR..UR OLD SCHOOL.M8 LIKE ME ,WOTS ALL THIS B...KS ON EAR LATELY...I NOT GOING TO MENTION NAMES..BUT..BLAH.BLAH...GROW UP THE LOT OV YA..IF I AV OWT TO SAY I,LL SAY,,BUT RESPECTFULLY,...U DONT SEEE ME DJ DO YA,,...U NOW WHY I CAN STILL DANCE ,,,COLLECT,,AN GO,,AHHR FK IT ..X..

What the f*ck are you on about Ken, I just quoted a magazine article, what's wrong with that?

[Guest JIM BARRY]

pete..man wot u playin at...i av that r/c with martha...an if i new how to do it id stick it on ear...get this martha ,,gladys,,brenda,.

an then sum female singers.on motown wer all shafted by theF KLN LIKES OF D.WROSS,,ETC..WHO WER BEIN SHAGGED BY THE LOT OF EM,,THEY GOT ON.

SO IN LIFE,U AV BIN THERE SO AV I UR SHAGGED THEN ONE DAY U AV A LIL BIT RESPECT,KINDNESS,GIVEN TO YA,,MATE,,

DO U CALL IT GLOATIN OR JUST SIMPLE SAYIN,,HONEST I WAS A GUD SINGER..I NOW I WAS,,BUT NOBODY LISTENED..EVEN IF LASTS FOR TEN FKIN MINS..MATE U FEEL,,HUMAN...PETE DO ME A FAVOUR DONT GET LIKE SUM OF THEESE DICK HEADS,ON EAR..UR OLD SCHOOL.M8 LIKE ME ,WOTS ALL THIS B...KS ON EAR LATELY...I NOT GOING TO MENTION NAMES..BUT..BLAH.BLAH...GROW UP THE LOT OV YA..IF I AV OWT TO SAY I,LL SAY,,BUT RESPECTFULLY,...U DONT SEEE ME DJ DO YA,,...U NOW WHY I CAN STILL DANCE ,,,COLLECT,,AN GO,,AHHR FK IT ..X..

do you you have to be stoned to decipher that ????

[Davetay]

do you you have to be stoned to decipher that ????

Nice one Jim.

[Soulman]

I remember doing an interview with her a few years ago and asked her (knowing that her voice had gone) how she had developed "that vibrato style". Her reply was "That's talent my dear". If I could find the tape you may hear me make an apology as I choked on my beer in a rather expensive Manchester hotel.... and believe me, I was more concerened about my beer than her comment

[Guest rosies dad]

Me too - it was several hours before I came from behind the couch,

here it is in all it's glory =>

good lord........ i was not prepared for how awful that was. i feel bad for saying that,

but how does someones voice even end up sounding like that?

jacob

[Guest Brian Ellis]

Me too - it was several hours before I came from behind the couch,

here it is in all it's glory =>

Just look at the bemusement on the face of Jools Holland just before the end of the clip as her voice goes ballistic - I don't think he can believe what's going on.

Not sure which is the worst version of Heatwave - this one here on YouTube or Phil Collins's BBC Radio 2's 'Record of the Week' a couple of weeks ago.

Fetch the police - a double murder

[Pete S]

On that Jools Holland clip she sounds like the fantastic Mrs. Miller

[pikeys dog]

good lord........ i was not prepared for how awful that was. i feel bad for saying that,

but how does someones voice even end up sounding like that?

jacob

Jools Hollands face at 0.53 says it all....