High Energy (The Supremes album)

Last updated
High Energy
The Supremes - High Energy.png
Studio album by
the Supremes
Released1 April 1976
Genre Soul, disco
Length32:35
Label Motown
Producer Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr.
The Supremes chronology
The Supremes
(1975)		High Energy
(1976)		 Mary, Scherrie & Susaye
(1976)
Singles from High Energy
  1. "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking"
    Released: March 16, 1976
  2. "High Energy"
    Released: April 1976

High Energy is the twenty-eighth studio album by American girl group the Supremes, released in 1976 on the Motown label. The album is the first to feature Susaye Greene; former member of Stevie Wonder's Wonderlove; [1] and is notable for featuring the last Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 pop hit for the group, "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking". [2] Of their 1970s releases, High Energy is the second-highest charting album on the US Billboard 200, the first being Right On (1970). [3] In Canada, High Energy is the highest-charting Supremes album since TCB (1968). [4]

Contents

Overview

The penultimate studio album released by the group, the Supremes began recording High Energy in December 1975, when its lineup consisted of Scherrie Payne, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. Birdsong was fired in February 1976, and her replacement, Susaye Greene, was overdubbed onto two tracks, including "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking". Greene also assumed lead vocal duties on the title track featuring Joe Sample on piano. Along with Meet The Supremes and Reflections , these are the only studio albums to include four members of the group rather than the usual three. ( Let the Sunshine In and Cream of the Crop both had Florence Ballard appear on a previously recorded track for each album, though she had long been dismissed from the group).

Lead vocals on the other tracks were split between original group member Wilson and Payne. Wilson takes the lead on the album's ballads "Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You", "Till the Boat Sails Away" and "I Don't Want to Lose You" (a cover of The Spinners from 1975). Wilson and Payne split the lead duties on "You're What's Missing in My Life", opening up the dance numbers "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking", "You Keep Me Moving On" and "Only You (Can Love Me Like You Love Me)" for Payne. In the US, the single reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the final Top 40 single release for the Supremes.

Alternate mixes of "High Energy" and of "Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You" appeared on the Supremes' The '70s Anthology compilation. "Room at the Top" was also recorded during the sessions, but Eddie Holland felt that the song didn't fit with the feel of the remainder of the album. This track also surfaced on The 70s Anthology. Scherrie Payne was the original lead vocalist on the title track "High Energy;" however her vocal take has yet to be found. Payne has also stated that Cindy Birdsong also recorded a lead vocal for "High Energy;" however her vocal has also yet to be found.

The entire album was released for the first time on CD on May 17, 2011, on the three-disc set, Let Yourself Go: The '70s Albums, Vol 2 – 1974–1977: The Final Sessions , which also includes the complete album in a different mix by Russ Terrana. The set also includes alternate versions, including; a Wilson-led version of "You’re What’s Missing In My Life", a Payne-led "You’re What’s Missing In My Life" and a Greene-led "I’m Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking". [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Cashbox (Favorable) [6]
Record World (Favorable) [7]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]

In a contemporary review Cashbox published: [6]

'The Supremes have developed a strong reputation for being number one in the field of sweet soul music and "High Energy" only serves to strengthen and broaden that reputation. The album is a pleasing offering of disco. soul and balladry that should find a universal appeal within the r&b. pop and MOR markets. The immaculate production is a tribute to the work of Brian Holland the strings are full and clean — the entire rhythm section tight and punchy. Prime AM material includes the disco feel of "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking" and "You're What's Missing In My Life." The Supremes' gentle touch with a ballad should not be overlooked. "Till The Boat Sails Away" is a case in point.'

In a contemporary review for Record World , Vince Aletti writes: [7]

'The Supremes' "High Energy" (Motown) is their glossiest and most satisfying album in some time. Like The Temptations, the Supremes are usually referred to as an "institution," a euphemism for a group that has gone through multiple personnel changes. But the myth, the spirit and Mary Wilson remain and all feel a lot fresher under the direction of Brian Holland, who produced, and Eddie Holland, executive producer; it's almost like old times again. The prime cut, already on two top 10 lists this week (Tony Smith's from Barefoot Boy and Richie Kaczor's from the new Top Floor), is "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walkin," a sassy, exhilerating song that sounds like a natural single. The title cut, with its shimmering, slow instrumental build-up, is the album's show piece production number, a beautiful job, and three other upbeat cuts—"You're What's Missing in My Life", "Only You (Can Love Me Like You Love Me)" and "You Keep Me Moving On"—should be tested out too' [7]

John Lowe of AllMusic, similarly writes, High Energy is, 'Perhaps the most vigorous (and best) album of their latter-day career', helped by Brian and Eddie Holland at 'the production helm', Scherrie Payne's establishment 'as the centerpiece of the group' and Susaye Greene's 'multi-octative-voiced [...] though producers used her voice more for coloration than for substance.' Lowe describes the album as 'sturdy' and 'dance-oriented [...] highlighted by the hard-driving dance hit "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking," which became their last Top 40 hit in 1976.' [2]

Commercial response

Cashbox published in their July 17, 1976 issue, 'The Supremes album “High Energy," and single, "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking" are national break-outs, with tremendous sales claimed on the East Coast.' [9]

Track listing

Side one

  1. "High Energy" (Harold Beatty, Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr.) - 5:25
  2. "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" (Harold Beatty, Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr.) - 3:33
  3. "Only You (Can Love Me Like You Love Me)" (Harold Beatty, Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr.) - 3:04
  4. "You Keep Me Moving On" (Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr., Richard Davis, Hugh Wyche) - 3:35

Side two

  1. "Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You" (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland, Jr., Richard "Popcorn" Wylie) - 4:59
  2. "Till the Boat Sails Away" (Barry Payne, Harold Beatty, Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr.) - 4:33
  3. "I Don't Want To Lose You" (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) - 3:30
  4. "You're What's Missing in My Life" (Harold Beatty, Brian Holland, Edward Holland, Jr.) - 3:56

Personnel

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Supremes</span> American Motown female singing group

The Supremes were an American girl group and a premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s. Founded as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts and the most successful American vocal band, with 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Most of these hits were written and produced by Motown's main songwriting and production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. It is said that their breakthrough made it possible for future African-American R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream success. Billboard ranked the Supremes as the 16th greatest Hot 100 artist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Wilson (singer)</span> American singer (1944–2021)

Mary Wilson was an American singer. She gained worldwide recognition as a founding member of the Supremes, the most successful Motown act of the 1960s and the best-charting female group in U.S. chart history, as well as one of the best-selling girl groups of all-time. The trio reached number one on Billboard's Hot 100 with 12 of their singles, ten of which feature Wilson on backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scherrie Payne</span> American singer (born 1944)

Scherrie Ann Payne is an American singer. Payne is best known as a member and co-lead singer of the R&B/Soul vocal group the Supremes from 1973 until 1977. Because of her powerful voice and petite stature (5'2"), Payne is sometimes referred to as "the little lady with the big voice". Payne is the younger sister of singer Freda Payne. Payne continues to perform, both as a solo act and as a part of the "Former Ladies of the Supremes" (FLOS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susaye Greene</span> American singer (born 1948)

Susaye Greene is an American singer and songwriter. She was the last official member to join the Motown girl group The Supremes, remaining in the group during its final year of existence from 1976 to 1977. She is a successful songwriter as well, having written hit records for Michael Jackson, Deniece Williams, and many others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynda Laurence</span> American singer (born 1949)

Lynda Laurence is an American singer.

<i>The Supremes</i> (2000 album) 2000 box set by The Supremes

The Supremes is a 2000 box set compilation of the material by Motown's most popular act of the 1960s, The Supremes. The set covers The Supremes' entire recording history, from its first recordings as The Primettes in 1960 to its final recordings in 1976.

<i>The 70s Anthology</i> 2002 compilation album by The Supremes

The '70s Anthology is a 2002 two compact disc set of many of the songs recorded by the 1970s groupings of The Supremes. The set features 42 tracks, of which 10 had never been released, and 6 were appearing in extended or unedited forms.

Former Ladies of the Supremes, or FLOS, is a female vocal group that was originally formed in 1986 by former Supremes members Jean Terrell, Cindy Birdsong and Scherrie Payne. It has also included former members Lynda Laurence and Susaye Greene. Though they were not Supremes members, singers Sundray Tucker, Freddi Poole and Joyce Vincent have also sung with the group following the departure of Terrell.

<i>The Supremes</i> (1975 album) 1975 studio album by The Supremes

The Supremes is the twenty-seventh studio album by The Supremes, released in 1975 on Motown Records.

<i>Mary, Scherrie & Susaye</i> 1976 studio album by The Supremes

Mary, Scherrie & Susaye is the twenty-ninth and final studio album by The Supremes, released in 1976 on the Motown label. It featured the final line-up for the Supremes, composed of original Supreme Mary Wilson and latter-day members Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene. All three Supremes take leads on the album. The album was a mixture of disco dance tracks (Hi-NRG) and R&B ballads. Payne and Greene mostly took over the dance tracks while Wilson performed the ballads. The album was released in October 1976, nine months before the trio disbanded.

<i>Mary Wilson</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson is the debut solo album by the founding Supremes member, Mary Wilson, released on the Motown label in 1979.

On June 12, 1977, The Supremes performed their final concert together at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, England.

<i>Anthology</i> (The Supremes album) 1974 greatest hits album by The Supremes

Anthology, also known as Anthology: The Best of The Supremes, first released in May 1974, is a series of same or similarly titled compilation albums by The Supremes. Motown released revised versions in 1986, 1995 and 2001. In its initial version, a 35-track triple record collection of hits and rare material, the album charted at No. 24 on Billboard's "Black Albums" and No. 66 on "Pop Albums".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking</span> 1976 single by The Supremes

"I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" is a disco-styled soul single composed by the Holland brothers Eddie and Brian, members of the former Holland–Dozier–Holland team and was released as a single by Motown vocal group The Supremes in 1976 on the Motown label. It was the first single since "Your Heart Belongs to Me" in 1962 to feature four Supremes. It is also notable for being the last top forty single the group would score before they disbanded in 1977.

<i>The Supremes: At Their Best</i> 1978 compilation album by The Supremes

At Their Best is a 1978 album by The Supremes. It includes most of their singles from 1970 through 1976 and featured, at the time, two never-before released songs: "The Sha-La Bandit" and "Love Train". It was released first in the United Kingdom in February 1978, including 14 tracks. It was later released in the US in June 1978, with some of the tracks removed and the track order amended.

"High Energy" is a dance/disco song by The Supremes. Released as the album's title-track single in 1976 from their penultimate album High Energy, this energic, sound-bursting tune featured lead vocals by Susaye Greene. Greene, new to the group, was brought in to dub her vocals although Scherrie Payne had already recorded lead vocals prior to Greene's entry into the trio. As such, this was the final single to feature former member Cindy Birdsong's vocals, and the sixth and final single of the group to feature four members. Written by Harold Beatty, Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr., the song peaked at position nine on the dance/disco charts later that same year.

<i>The Supremes (70s): Greatest Hits and Rare Classics</i> 1991 compilation album by The Supremes

The Supremes ('70s): Greatest Hits and Rare Classics is a 1991 compilation album by The Supremes, released on the Motown label. The compilation features a majority of the group's 1970's hits, as well as one solo song by Jean Terrell "I Had To Fall In Love", which was released in 1978 on A&M Records, and two solo tracks by Scherrie Payne, "When I Looked At Your Face" and "Another Life From Now". Three tracks "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" "Floy Joy" and "Automatically Sunshine" also appear in alternate versions.

<i>Let Yourself Go: The 70s Albums, Vol 2 – 1974–1977: The Final Sessions</i> 2011 box set by The Supremes

Let Yourself Go, the follow-up box set to This Is the Story: The '70s Albums, Vol. 1 – 1970–1973: The Jean Terrell Years, comprises The Supremes' albums from 1974 to 1977, featuring original member Mary Wilson, longtime member Cindy Birdsong, newest member Scherrie Payne, and final Supreme Susaye Greene. Included in this set are The Supremes' final three studio albums released in their entirety on CD for the first time. Also included are several unreleased and alternate takes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're My Driving Wheel</span> 1976 single by The Supremes

"You're My Driving Wheel" is a dance/disco song by The Supremes. The song was released on September 30, 1976 as the first single from their album Mary, Scherrie & Susaye. Along with the tracks, "Let Yourself Go" and "Love I Never Knew", "You're My Driving Wheel" peaked at number five on the disco chart. On the Soul chart, the single peaked at number fifty and number eighty-five on the Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Yourself Go (The Supremes song)</span> 1977 single by The Supremes

"Let Yourself Go" is a disco song recorded by the Supremes. It was written by Harold Beatty, Eddie Holland and Brian Holland. The song was released on January 25, 1977 as the second single from The Supremes' Mary, Scherrie & Susaye album, and the last one by the group officially released in the US, ever. The song peaked at #83 on the US R&B charts.

References

  1. ↑ Aletti, Vince (24 April 1976). "Motown Releases Two" (PDF). Record World . p. 38. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Lowe, John. "High Energy - The Supremes". AllMusic . Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "The Supremes Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Results: RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada (The Supremes: Top Albums)". RPM . 17 July 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Let Yourself Go, Vol. 2: The '70s Albums, 1974-1977 - The Supremes". Allmusic . Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  6. 1 2 "cash box / album reviews: HIGH ENERGY - The Supremes - Motown M6 -863S1 - Producer: Brian Holland - List: 6.98" (PDF). Cashbox . 24 April 1976. p. 22. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Aletti, Vince (1 May 1976). "DISCO FILE" (PDF). Record World . p. 26. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  8. ↑ The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. p. 684.
  9. ↑ "Motown Reports Successful TV Campaign" (PDF). Cashbox . July 17, 1976. p. 32. Retrieved January 2, 2022– via worldradiohistory.com.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4153a". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  11. ↑ "The Supremes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  12. ↑ "The Supremes Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "cashbox top albums / 101 to 200" (PDF). Cashbox . July 10, 1976. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  14. ↑ "TOP 50 R&B ALBUMS" (PDF). Cashbox . July 10, 1976. p. 39. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "101 THE ALBUM CHART 150: Week of July 10, 1976" (PDF). Record World . worldradiohistory.com. July 10, 1976. p. 40. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Billboard DISCO YEAR END 1976". Billboard . 25 December 1976. p. 42.
  17. ↑ "1976 Pop Singles Awards" (PDF). Record World . worldradiohistory.com. December 25, 1976. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Record World 1976 Year End R&B Singles Awards" (PDF). Record World . worldradiohistory.com. December 25, 1976. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.