Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Hey y’all.

I’m Yobachi of BlackPerspective.net

I wanted to get in on SonDan’s ‘Motown Covering Motown’ theme, especially since I’ve been listening to a lot of great classic soul on YouTube lately – including some Motown stuff.

Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye came together to make several classic duets, one of those being ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’. Three years later Marvin’s label mate, Diana Ross, would remake it.

What’s most notable about this remake is that it is one of the rare occasions where the remake, in large part, is distinctly different in composition from the original, rather than just reinterpreted in the signing.

WikiPedia gives this history on the song:

“”Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is an R&B/soul song written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson in 1966. The composition was first successful as a 1967 hit single recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell for the Tamla (Motown) label. The song became a hit a second time in 1970, when a cover by fellow Motown artist Diana Ross became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award.”

Nough talk, now for the music:

While we’re talking about Diana and Marvin, here’s her tribute to him when he died (also dedicated to Florence Ballard and Paul Williams)

For all the people we lost in 2007 – R.I.P. Grandma!

Hello,

This is SonDan. Thank You Yobachi for you blog. I appreciate you efforts, but I would be remiss if I closed out this particular song topic with out interjecting that Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations also recorded this song *after* Marvin & Tammi, but *before* Diana Ross’ solo version.

200px-supremes-join-tempts.jpg

 Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
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This second Motown rendition of “ANMHE” was recorded in 1968 and was included on the album “Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations” released in late 1968 to coincide with the broadcast of the Supremes/Temptations TCB television special.
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The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and marked the first on-record appearance of new Temptations lead singer Dennis Edwards, who was brought in as David Ruffin’s replacement in July 1968. (italics source WIKI)

200-px-tammi-terrell.jpg

 Ain’t No Moutain High Enough – Tammi Terrell
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A bit to the contrary of what most people think, Marvin and Tammi did not “come together” (as Yobachi said above) to make most of the Motown hit duets that were released on vinyl, and “ANMHE” is one of those instances.
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Whether it was to save on production costs or a requirement after Tammi’s illness, Motown made it a practice of using previously recored (some released and some just sitting in the proverbial “vault” unreleased) and then added Marvin’s vocals to create a hit “duet”.
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What I have posted above is Tammi’s recorded solo version of “ANMHE” that was was used to “create” the duet with Marvin Gaye. Just goes to show you that studio wizardy is not something new just with the advent of computers. ;-)
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Thanks for stopping by.

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Published in: on January 7, 2008 at 7:55 am Comments (8)

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8 Comments Leave a comment.

  1. On January 7, 2008 at 11:35 am Yobachi Said:

    LOL, I didn’t even know about the Temptations/Supremes version.

    How many times can you record one song in 4 years.

    Reply
  2. On January 7, 2008 at 3:08 pm sondan Said:

    That’s Berry Gordy’s Motown for ya! Some songs were recorded even more than ANMHE! Like Prince tried to tell this generation of musician’s — it’s all about the publishing $ (SMILE). Have a great week Yobachi and thanks again for your participation and support!

    Reply
  3. On February 18, 2008 at 4:47 pm Tammi Fan Said:

    FYI, Marvin & Tammi’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough also received a MUCH deserved Grammy nomination (a rarity for the many great Motown recordings back then).

    Reply
  4. On February 18, 2008 at 10:00 pm sondan Said:

    Yes, thanks for sharing Tammi Fan. And you are so right about that being rare for “those” times in which we lived here in the USA.
    I appreciate your input and have uploaded an additional “ANMHE” version just for you. Check it out above.

    Your visit is most appreciated.

    Reply
  5. On April 7, 2008 at 8:28 pm Just wanted to tell you that … « Old School Music Lover Said:

    [...] of the song, especially for a reader who calls himself “Tammi Fan”. Just click right here and scroll to the bottom of the [...]

    Reply
  6. On November 3, 2008 at 8:15 am bruce leary Said:

    i have a album of diana ross and the supremes recorded live in london album (talk of the town) ms676 . i am trying to find whether there is any value of it. h.s-1449 w4rs-4941, motown in 1968.

    Hi Bruce,

    I would suggest you check to see what the item is selling for on auction sites specifically meant for oldies music lovers. I have had great experience both buying and selling on “GEMM.” Check them out at http://www.gemm.com and best of luck.

    BTW, I get this question a lot so I am working on a “Page” of Recommended Sites to check in pricing your “oldies.” Keep in touch and good luck in your endeavor.

    SonDan

    Reply
  7. On November 11, 2008 at 11:40 pm Kasterdero Said:

    Love your site, when you visit my site, give my old school station a listen,i think you’ll like it

    Reply
  8. On November 12, 2008 at 2:23 am sondan Said:

    Thanks for the site compliment Kasterdero.

    And yes, I do love the music you are playing at your site. Your stream will be a change of pace from my “Pandora” listening routine while web surfing. I have just bookmarked your site.

    I’m so glad you found me so that we can share our love of the great oldies.

    Reply

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