Phil Collins goes back to Motown

Phil Collins much talked about comeback album featuring Motown covers has been christened 'Going Back'.

The album will be Collins first studio album in 8 years.

The superstar drummer has been out of action for many years because of a spinal chord problem that makes it hard for him to drum these days. However, he managed to make his way through the sessions putting down the songs he loved with the original Motown band The Funk Brothers.

"It shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone that I've finally made an album of my favourite Motown songs," explains Collins in a statement. "These songs ? along with a couple of Dusty Springfield tracks, a Phil Spector/Ronettes tune, and one by the Impressions ? make up the tapestry, the backdrop, of my teenage years. I remember it as if it was yesterday, going to the Marquee Club in London's Soho and watching The Who, The Action, and many others, playing these songs. In turn I'd go out the next day to buy the original versions.

"My idea, though, was not to bring anything 'new' to these already great records, but to try to recreate the sounds and feelings that I had when I first heard them. My intention was to make an 'old' record, not a 'new' record. To be able to have three of the surviving Funk Brothers play on all the tracks was unbelievable. There was one moment when they were tracking 'Heat Wave' that I experienced a wave of happiness and wonder that this was actually happening to me! I learned more about production skills and the wonderful songwriting of those concerned whilst making this album, than I have from anything else. To those pioneers... much love and gratitude."

'Going Back' is an all classics album. According to information released from Atlantic Records today it will start with "the Temptations' Holland-Dozier-Holland-penned "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" to the moving album-closing title track, a Collins-arranged version of the Gerry Goffin/Carole King tune "Going Back," made famous by Dusty Springfield. In between, the collection captures multiple songs by Stevie Wonder ? "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," "Blame It On The Sun," "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer"; Martha And The Vandellas ? "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave," "In My Lonely Room," "Jimmy Mack"; and the Four Tops ? "Standing In The Shadows Of Love," "Something About You," "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.""Additionally Atlantic advises "The Temptations get another shout-out with "Papa Was A Rolling Stone," while the Goffin-King team is again represented by a second Dusty Springfield track, "Some Of Your Loving." Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions are captured on "Talking About My Baby," while Phil hails the Ronettes with "Do I Love You?" The Motown-fest continues with Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "Going To A Go-Go," the Supremes' "Love Is Here," and Kim Weston's "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)."

'Going Back' will be released in September.


Undercover.com.au