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JANICE'S BLUES ALLEY

PRESENTS

Smokey Robinson

 

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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VIDEOS

Cruisin'Cruisin'
Tears Of A Clown Tears Of A Clown
Being With YouBeing With You
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LINKSTITLEYEAR
SmokeySmokey1973
Pure SmokeyPure Smokey1974
A Quiet StormA Quiet Storm1975
Smokeys Family RobinsonSmokey's Family Robinson1976
Big Time Big Time 1977
Deep In My SoulDeep In My Soul1977
SmokinSmokin'1978
Love BreezeLove Breeze1978
Where Theres SmokeWhere There's Smoke1979
Warm ThoughtsWarm Thoughts1980
Being With YouBeing With You1981
Yes Its You LadyYes It's You Lady1982
Touch The SkyTouch The Sky1983
EssarEssar1984
Smoke SignalsSmoke Signals1986
One HeartbeatOne Heartbeat1987
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Christmas With The MiraclesSmokey Robinson & The Miracles - Christmas With The Miracles1987
Love, SmokeyLove, Smokey1989
Double Good EverythingDouble Good Everything1991
IntimateIntimate1999
Food For The SpiritFood For The Spirit2004
Timeless LoveTimeless Love2006
Time Flies When YouTime Flies When You're Having Fun2009
Smokey & FriendsSmokey & Friends2014
Christmas EverydayChristmas Everyday2017


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1973 Smokey

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

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

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

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)


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