JANICE'S BLUES ALLEY
PRESENTS
SMOKEY ROBINSON
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Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, but one could argue that Smokey Robinson was the man who first pushed America's most iconic soul music label toward greatness. As the leader of the Miracles, Robinson was one of the very first artists signed to the fledgling label in 1959, and while he racked up many hits for it with the Miracles and as a solo act, Robinson was also an invaluable behind-the-scenes talent who wrote songs, produced records, scouted and groomed talent, and served as a vice president at Motown from 1961 to 1988. Robinson is one of the most iconic figures in American R&B; his work helped defined pop-oriented soul, his lush, romantic R&B ballads literally gave quiet storm its name, and no less an authority than Bob Dylan has called Robinson "America's greatest living poet." William Robinson, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1940. He grew up in Detroit's Brewster housing project, and picked up the nickname "Smokey Joe" from his Uncle Claude, which quickly stuck. Robinson first developed an interest in music by investigating his mother's record collection, which included classic sides by Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. Robinson's mother died when he was ten, and since his father was frequently on the road making his living as a truck driver, young Smokey was looked after by his older sister Geraldine, and in his early teens he began singing, performing in informal doo wop groups with his friends. In 1955, Robinson assembled a vocal group called the Five Chimes, which featured his schoolmates Clarence Dawson, James Grice, Pete Moore, and Ronald White. In 1956, the group adopted a new name, the Matadors, after Dawson left and Emerson Rogers took his place, and a year later, Rogers and James Grice left the lineup, and Claudette Rogers and Bobby Rogers (respectively Emerson Rogers' sister and cousin) stepped in. With their new co-ed lineup, the name the Matadors was considered a poor fit, and they began calling themselves the Miracles. A guitarist, Marv Tarplin, joined the act in 1958, and the Miracles began making a name for themselves on Detroit's R&B scene. In 1958, Robinson met Berry Gordy, a Detroit-based songwriter who had penned several hits for Jackie Wilson and was looking to make a name for himself in the music business. Gordy was impressed with the Miracles and Robinson's talents as a songwriter; he helped the band land a deal with End Records, and the Miracles released their first single, "Got a Job" (an answer song to the Silhouettes' hit "Get a Job") later that year. While the single sold well in Detroit, it didn't make much noise nationally, and follow-ups on End and Chess fared no better. Robinson believed he and Gordy could do better themselves, and he urged Gordy to follow through on his idea of forming his own label. The Miracles became the first act signed to Gordy's new record company, Motown, and in 1960, their song "Shop Around," written by Robinson, was the first Motown single to become a nationwide hit. Through the '60s, the Miracles were a frequent presence on the pop and R&B charts, scoring hits with such songs as "Tracks of My Tears," "Mickey's Monkey," "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "Going to a Go-Go," "Ooo Baby Baby," and many more. As Robinson became recognized as the creative force behind the group, their name was changed to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1966. Robinson also shared his talents with many other Motown acts; he wrote "My Guy" and "The One Who Really Loves You" for Mary Wells, "My Girl," "Get Ready," and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" for the Temptations, "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone" for Marvin Gaye, and "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" for the Marvelettes, among many others. As a vice president at Motown, Robinson was also a key part of the label's management and production team, and helped guide the company into being one of the most successful independent American record labels of all time. Robinson fell in love with Claudette Rogers not long after she joined the Miracles, and they were married in 1959. By 1969, Robinson was growing tired of dividing his time between his family, Motown, and the Miracles, and he decided to retire from the group so he could spend more time at home and less time on the road. He postponed his departure when "Tears of a Clown" (recorded in 1966) unexpectedly became a major hit in 1970, but a year later, he launched a "farewell tour" with the Miracles, though the group would continue without him (and Robinson would write one of their latter-day hits, "Floy Joy"). After a two-year layoff, Robinson returned to the recording studio with his first solo album, 1973's Smokey. The album found Robinson focusing on midtempo romantic numbers as well as more mature and personal themes, which would carry over to his second solo effort, 1974's Pure Smokey. Robinson scored a pair of major R&B hits with 1975's A Quiet Storm, the title tune and "Baby, That's Backatcha," and the former tune would give a name to the sort of polished, romantic R&B that was becoming Robinson's stock in trade. Robinson was no longer as consistent a hitmaker as he once was, but he continued to make his presence known on the charts with tunes such as "Cruisin'" (from 1979's Where There's Smoke) and "Being with You" (from the 1981 album of the same name). The year 1987 was a memorable one for Robinson -- the album One Heartbeat would score a massive hit for him with the song "Just to See Her," which also earned him a Grammy, and he was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (though the rest of the Miracles were not, much to his consternation). But this came near the end of an important era for Robinson -- in 1988, Motown was sold to MCA, and Robinson stepped down as vice president. In 1990, he recorded a final album for Motown, Love Smokey (Robinson received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy the same year), and he signed with SBK Records for 1992's Double Good Everything. IntimateThe end of Motown came during a turbulent period for Robinson -- in the mid-'80s, he developed a serious addiction to cocaine, and his marriage to Claudette ended in divorce in 1986. While Robinson would kick drugs shortly after the end of his marriage, following the commercial disappointment of Double Good Everything, he wouldn't record again until 1999, when he recorded Intimate for MCA's revived Motown label. In 2004, Robinson (who cited a spiritual reawakening as a key factor in giving up drugs) recorded a contemporary gospel album, Food for the Spirit, and a collection of standards, Timeless Love, followed in 2006. Robinson returned to the smooth soul sounds of his '70s and '80s solo work with 2009's Time Flies When You're Having Fun, released on his own label, Robso Records; several tracks from this album were matched with remakes of Robinson's Motown hits for the collection Now & Then. In 2014, he released a Verve album, Smokey & Friends, for which he remade 11 of his most popular compositions with a roster of duet partners that included Elton John, James Taylor, Mary J. Blige, and Jessie J. -- Mark Deming, All Music Guide |
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1973 Smokey | |||
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01. Holly 02. Medley: 03. Never My Love 04. Never Can Say Goodbye 05. A Silent Partner In A Three Way Affair 06. Just My Soul Responding |
07. Sweet Harmony 08. Will You Love Me Tomorrow? 09. Wanna Know My Mind 10. The Family Song 11. Baby Come Close | ||
1974 Pure Smokey | |||
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01. It's Her Turn To Live 02. The Love Between Me And My Kids 03. Asleep On My Love 04. I Am I Am 05. Just Passing Through |
06. Virgin Man 07. She's Only A Baby Herself 08. Fulfill Your Need 09. A Tattoo | ||
1975 A Quiet Storm | |||
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01. Quiet Storm 02. The Agony And The Ecstasy 03. Baby That's Backatcha 04. Wedding Song |
05. Happy (Love Theme From "Lady Sings The Blues") 06. Love Letters 07. Coincidentally | ||
1976 Smokey's Family Robinson | |||
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01. When You Came 02. Get Out Of Town 03. Do Like I Do 04. Open |
05. So In Love 06. Like Nobody Can 07. Castles Made Of Sand | ||
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1977 Big Time | |||
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01. Theme From Big Time 02. J.J.'s Theme 03. Hip Trip 04. He Is The Light Of The World 05. So Nice To Be With You |
06. Shana's Theme (With Dialogue) 07. If We're Gonna Act Like Lovers 08. The Agony And The Ecstasy 09. Theme From Big Time (Reprise) | ||
1977 Deep In My Soul | |||
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01. Vitamin U 02. There Will Come A Day (I'm Gonna Happen To You) 03. It's Been A Long Time (Since I Been In Love) 04. Let's Do The Dance Of Life Together |
05. If You Want My Love 06. You Cannot Laugh Alone 07. In My Corner 08. The Humming Song (Lost For Words) | ||
1978 Smokin' | |||
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01. The Tracks Of My Tears 02. Love So Fine 03. Baby That's Backatcha 04. The Agony & The Ecstasy 05. Quiet Storm 06. Dialogue 07. Why You Wanna See My Bad Side 08. Daylight & Darkness 09. Madam X 10. The Tears Of A Clown |
11. Bad Girl/ (You Can) Depend On Me 12. Here I Go Again 13. Mickey's Monkey 14. You've Really Got A Hold On Me 15. Shoe Soul 16. I Second That Emotion 17. Ooo Baby Baby 18. Vitamin U 19. Baby Come Close | ||
1978 Love Breeze | |||
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01. Why You Wanna See My Bad Side 02. Love So Fine 03. Feeling You, Feeling Me 04. Madam X |
05. Shoe Soul 06. Trying It Again 07. Daylight & Darkness 08. I'm Loving You Softly | ||
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1979 Where There's Smoke | |||
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Smoke: 01. It's A Good Night 02. I Love The Nearness Of You 03. The Hurt's On You 04. Ever Had A Dream |
Fire: 05. Get Ready 06. Share It 07. Cruisin' | ||
1981 Being With You | |||
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01. Being With You 02. Food For Thought 03. If You Wanna Make Love (Come 'Round Here) 04. Who's Sad |
05. Can't Fight Love 06. You Are Forever 07. As You Do 08. I Hear The Children Singing | ||
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1982 Yes It's You Lady | |||
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01. Tell Me Tomorrow 02. Yes It's You Lady 03. Old Fashioned Love 04. Are You Still Here 05. The Only Game In Town |
06. International Baby 07. Merry Go Ride 08. I'll Try Something New 09. Destiny | ||
1983 Touch The Sky | |||
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01. Touch The Sky 02. Gimme What You Want 03. Even Tho' 04. Gone Again |
05. All My Life's A Lie 06. Sad Time 07. Dynamite 08. I've Made Love To You A Thousand Times | ||
1984 Essar | |||
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01. And I Don't Love You 02. Train Of Thought 03. I Can't Find 04. Why Are You Running From My Love 05. Gone Forever 06. Close Encounters Of The First Kind 07. Little Girl Little Girl 08. Girl I'm Standing There 09. Driving Thru Life In The Fast Lane |
06. Close Encounters Of The First Kind 07. Little Girl Little Girl 08. Girl I'm Standing There 09. Driving Thru Life In The Fast Lane | ||
1986 Smoke Signals | |||
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01. Some People Will Do Anything For Love 02. Sleepless Nights 03. Because Of You It's The Best It's Ever Been 04. Be Kind To The Growing Mind 05. Te Quiero Como Si No Hubiera Un Manana 06. Hold On To Your Love 07. Photograph In My Mind 08. No Time To Stop Believing 09. Wishful Thinking 10. Hanging On By A Thread |
06. Hold On To Your Love 07. Photograph In My Mind 08. No Time To Stop Believing 09. Wishful Thinking 10. Hanging On By A Thread | ||
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1987 One Heartbeat | |||
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01. Just To See Her 02. One Heartbeat 03. It's Time To Stop Shoppin' Around 04. Why Do Happy Memories Hurt So Bad 05. You Don't Know What It's Like |
06. What's Too Much 07. Love Brought Us Here Tonight 08. Love Don't Give No Reason 09. Keep Me | ||
1987 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Christmas With The Miracles | |||
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01. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 02. Let It Snow, Let It Snow 03. Winter Wonderland 04. Christmas Everyday 05. I'll Be Home For Christmas |
06. The Christmas Song 07. White Christmas 08. Silver Bells 09. Noel 10. O Holy Night | ||
1989 Love, Smokey | |||
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01. Love Is The Light 02. It's The Same Old Love 03. Love N Life 04. I Can't Find 05. Take Me Through The Night 06. Everything You Touch |
07. Don't Want To Be Just Physical 08. Come To Me Soon 09. You Made Me Feel Love 10. Jasmin 11. Easy | ||
1991 Double Good Everything | |||
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01. Why 02. Double Good Everything 03. Rewind 04. Be Who You Are 05. I Love Your Face |
06. I Can't Get Enough 07. Rack Me Back 08. When A Woman Cries 09. You Take Me Away 10. Skid Row | ||
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1999 Intimate | |||
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01. Sleepin' In 02. Easy To Love 03. Love Love Again 04. Intimate 05. I´m The One 06. Just Let Me Love You |
07. All Of Mine 08. The Bottom Line 09. Feelings Flowing 10. Ready To Roll 11. Tu Me Besas Muy Rico 12. Intimate (Reprise) | ||
2004 Food For The Spirit | |||
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01. Jesus Told Me To Love You 02. Let Your Light Shine On Me 03. The Road To Damascus 04. Standing On Jesus 05. He Can Fix Anything |
06. I Have Prayed On It 07. Gang Bangin 08. I Praise & Worship You Father 09. We Are The Warriors | ||
2006 Timeless Love | |||
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01. You Go To My Head 02. I'm In The Mood For Love 03. Our Love Is Here To Stay 04. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) 05. Night And Day 06. I'm Glad There Is You 07. More Than You Know |
08. Speak Low 09. Time After Time 10. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Baby) 11. I Love Your Face 12. I've Got You Under My Skin 13. Tea For Two | ||
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2009 Time Flies When You're Having Fun | |||
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01. Time Flies 02. Don't Know Why 03. Girlfriend 04. You're The One For Me 05. One Time 06. Please Don't Take Your Love |
07. That Place 08. Love Bath 09. Whatcha Gonna Do 10. Satisfy You 11. You're Just My Life 12. I Want You Back | ||
2014 Smokey & Friends | |||
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01. The Tracks Of My Tears With Elton John 02. You Really Got A Hold On Me With Steven Tyler 03. My Girl With Miguel, Aloe Blacc & JC Chasez 04. Cruisin' With Jessie J 05. Quiet Storm With John Legend 06. The Way You Do (The Things You Do) With Ceelo Green |
07. Being With You With Mary J. Blige 08. Ain't That Peculiar With James Taylor 09. The Tears Of A Clown With Sheryl Crow 10. Ooh Baby Baby With Ledisi 11. Get Ready With Gary Barlow | ||
2017 Christmas Everyday | |||
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01. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (feat. Trombone Shorty) 02. This Christmas 03. The Christmas Song 04. White Christmas 05. Silent Night (feat. Mindi Abair) |
06. The Night That Baby Was Born 07. Please Come Home For Christmas 08. Christmas Everyday (feat. Us The Duo) 09. You're My Present (feat. The Dap Kings) 10. O Holy Night (feat. Take 6) | ||
