Motown Legends: Smokey Robinson - The Ballad Album

Album Review

What could be finer than a whole CD of Smokey Robinson ballads? You may quibble with some selections, but the 11 songs are a good cross section of his career. Three of the 11 songs were solo releases, and the other eight came out when Robinson sang with the Miracles, so the album is a bit misleading; the artist credit probably should read, "Smokey Robinson & the Miracles." Beauties like "Ooo Baby Baby," "Baby, Baby Don't Cry," and "Tracks of My Tears" are superlative and essential, and could be used as blueprints for ballads. His rendition of Little Anthony & the Imperials' "I'm on the Outside Looking In" is an understated masterpiece. Those who prefer D'Angelo's remake of "Cruisin'" to Smokey's sensuous original need to make appointments to have the wax removed from their ears. The only misfire is "The Composer." Smokey initially recorded this with Diana Ross & the Supremes, whose version is as lackluster as his; it would work better as a male/female duet.