Generally credited as being one of the founders of the world
famous “Motown Sound” that swept the nation in the 1960s, Mary Wells is
considered not only one of the best female singers in the music industry, but
also a vital part of the success of Berry Gordy’s prestigious label. This DVD
release, though definitely too brief and somewhat dashed off, celebrates her musical offerings.
While still in her teens, Wells began working as a contract songwriter for Tamla
Records, and in short order got her own performance contract. Health problems
plagued Wells throughout her life (as a small child, she suffered a bout of
spinal meningitis, which left her temporarily paralyzed, and with partial
blindness in one eye), so it was somehow less shocking — but no less
unfortunate, for music lovers and her loved ones — when Wells passed away in
July of 1992, at the age of 49 years old.
by working with Smokey Robinson as a producer. She penned and recorded “Bye Bye
Baby” in 1961, and the tune became a big hit, marking the start of a very successful
five-year run. Three major singles would follow the next year: “The One Who
Really Loves You” which would chart at #8, “You Beat Me to the Punch,” which
would chart at #9, and “Two Lovers,” which would hit #7. Tours of Europe and
the American South and Northeast followed, turning Wells into a solo sensation,
which was confirmed in 1964 with her own #1 hit, “My Guy.”
collection of a half dozen of the singer-songwriter’s tunes, along with four
more bonus tracks from the up-tempo Contours and the Crystals, groups that were
also part of Gordy’s satellite of stars. The aforementioned quartet of 1961 songs
kick things off, followed by “What’s Easy for Two Is So Hard for One.” Signature
tune “My Guy,” meanwhile, closes things out, with Wells’ soulful performance
coming across as at once intimate and forcefully grand (older American Idol fans can see a pinch of Wells
in Melinda Doolittle). At 40-some minutes, and with no supplemental features, this
DVD feels fairly threadbare. While remaining true to the title of the
collection (these are her hits), it’s
a shame that there’s no room for “Once Upon a Time,” Wells’ captivating duet with
Marvin Gaye, or other of her offerings. B- (Concert) D (Disc)