By now, I guess it would be an understatement to say that we’ve covered a considerable amount of Motown material. In some ways, this show is significantly different from the others.

From their inception, Motown worked hard to capture the mood of the times. By 1965, it could be said that they defined the mood, and had become the zeitgeist of that era. In the summer of 1967, though, Motown changed its perspective significantly in that regard. The times had changed drastically, but instead of riding it, Berry Gordy Jr promoted a sense of denial about what was going on all around them.

For a few days in the late summer of 1967, Detroit was in flames, as riots tore the city to shreds, and the police clashed with the black populace. Listening to these songs, you’d never imagine the chaos and turmoil that had been occurring right outside their own front door.

Songs include:

Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone – Martha & the Vandellas

Steal Away Tonight – Barbara McNair

You’ve Made Me So Very Happy – Brenda Holloway

Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

You Keep Running Away – The Four Tops

From Head to Toe – Chris Clark

Window Shopping – The Messengers

I Got a Feeling – Barbara Randolph

I’m Wondering – Stevie Wonder

(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It’s You That I Need – The Temptations

I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Gladys Knight & the Pips

I Want My Baby Back – Edwin Starr

What a Good Man He Is – Tammi Terrell