Together (The Supremes and the Temptations album)
Together, released by Motown in 1969 (catalog number MS 692), was the second and final duets studio album combining Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations into an eight-person Motown act. Like the first duets LP, Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations, it is composed almost entirely of covers, including versions of The Band's "The Weight", Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song", Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (featuring Mary Wilson leading, in preparation for Ross' departure from the Supremes) and Motown songs like "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Uptight (Everything's Alright)". "The Weight" was the only single in the US, and failed to make it into the American Top 40. "Why (Must We Fall in Love)", a UK exclusive single, was a Top 40 hit on the UK singles charts.
Together | ||||
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Original LP cover | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 23, 1969 | |||
Recorded | 1969 | |||
Genre | Pop, soul | |||
Label | Motown | |||
Producer | Frank Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Al Clevland, Terry Johnson, Tom Baird, Henry Cosby, Deke Richards | |||
Diana Ross & the Supremes chronology | ||||
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The Temptations chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
The original American LP for Together has a cover which folds out to reveal a full illustration of The Supremes and the Temptations. The full artwork was also used for some international versions of the album without requiring the cover to be unfolded. | ||||
Singles from Together | ||||
Together was released on the same day (September 23, 1969) as Puzzle People, a regular Temptations album showcasing the group's then-current psychedelic soul sound.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Track listing
Side one
- "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" (Marvin Gaye, Mickey Stevenson, George Gordy) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams) 3:10
- "I'll Be Doggone" (Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, Marv Tarplin) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Paul Williams) 3:32
- "The Weight" (Robbie Robertson) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams) 3:02
- "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams) 2:44
- "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" (Stevie Wonder, Hank Cosby, Sylvia Moy) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin) 3:05
Side two
- "Sing a Simple Song" (Sly Stone) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, Dennis Edwards, Paul Williams) 3:33
- "My Guy, My Girl" (Medley) (Smokey Robinson, Ronnie White) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Paul Williams) 3:13
- "For Better or Worse" (Pam Sawyer, Joe Hinton) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks) 2:37
- "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio) (lead singers: Mary Wilson, Eddie Kendricks) 3:11
- "Why (Must We Fall in Love)" (Deke Richards, Sherlie Matthews) (lead singers: Diana Ross, Eddie Kendricks) 3:05
Personnel
- Diana Ross – vocals
- Mary Wilson – vocals
- Cindy Birdsong – vocals
- Dennis Edwards – vocals
- Eddie Kendricks – vocals
- Paul Williams – vocals
- Melvin Franklin – vocals
- Otis Williams – vocals
- The Andantes – additional background vocals
- Frank Wilson – producer, executive producer
- Smokey Robinson – producer
- Al Clevland – producer
- Terry Johnson – producer
- Tom Baird – producer/arranger
- Various Los Angeles area session musicians – instrumentation
Charts
Chart (1969) | Peak position |
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Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[2] | 29 |
UK Albums (OCC)[3] | 28 |
US Billboard 200[4] | 28 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] | 6 |
References
- Kik, Quink. Together at Allmusic
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6050". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- "The Supremes | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- "The Supremes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- "The Supremes Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2020.