William Robinson Jr., simply known by Smokey, Smokey Robinson or Smokey Bill, by musicologist in communication format. One thing is for certain that, as a writer/producer the man has earned every bit, of recognition given unto him. As, the frontman of the Miracles, he and his compatriots help built Motown Records.
So, this article will tackle the solo career of Smokey Robinson that many fails to give him problem respect for blazing into a stellar career. We shouldn’t be amazed, shocked, or surprised that white magazines or main stream media don’t really comprehend , what a singer/artist career is truly about? They only understand the Carly Simon, James Taylor type individuals. And, they are worthy of being respected for their talents.
But, in comparison neither writer can touched the massive work, of William”Smokey”Robinson, as a solo artist. Who doesn’t truly get notice for his work after departing , the Miracles, in the early seventies? His concept album “Quiet Storm” created a romantic format for radio stations, in many sectors across America. Where you hear a mixture of slow love jams played around a certain time, of night. While writers writes so firmly about Marvin Gaye’s tackling new horizons. Or, the evolution of Stevie Wonder, at Motown, they simly fail to comprehend that Smokey was worthy of the same respect. To, this very day between the two men that gets credit for the changes in their career. Smokey, still has written more songs, as a solo artist then they have, by the end of the seventies.
While Marvin Gaye, wrote, from his intimate nature to his social side. Which was also a subject sometimes tackle by Wonder. Robinson stayed true to, what he was known or doing, as a writer and performer? Simply sing about romantic love that, he was known for ceating around his former group.
Robinson, could mermerize you with his lyrics. And , hypnotize you with his voice. The man , with the smooth falsetta doesn’t get credit for hs expressive syle of writing after the Miracles, from people claiming to adore him.
It’s was only fitting that, at 32, he decided to forge himself a solo career. What else could he prove in the Miracles? He prove or the group prove that they made others great, as writer. In singng “Baby Come Close” you’ll find a lover requesting of his lover to come near for loving. Similar, to Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” mega hit around the same time frame probably. Why one is more direct? Robinson’s is more relax , with the asking. A great production of Smokey and Willie Hutch that stands out greatly, as a soul classic.
The sound reminds you of one of his more recorded song “ooH Baby, Baby, except this one dealings, with pure love and no cheating. His titles stands out for craftiness many times. A good exampe would be “Agony And The Estacy”, which is a modern take on his “ooh Baby, Baby recorded, a decade earlier.
With, his loyal guitarist Marvin Tarplin, a legend wit the history of Motown, as one of Robinson’s co-writer they created a slow love jam called “Cruisin’” where he requesting his lover’s to ride along, with him? And, whatever happens just go with the flow. Smokey golden touched ust kept rising higher along the waves of lovely songs.
In terms, of turning others writers songs into romantic classics. He could do that too. When , he recorded “Tell Me Tomorrow” and placed that velvet voice upon the words, of Gary Goetzman and Michael Piccirillo. But, we’re not shocked because, he done it with his group too. He’s so wonderful, as a love singer that the Master of Funk, on Motown Records known, as Rick James used his vocal skills, on “Ebony Eyes” using the sensual ooooooohhh, Robinspn’s known for, as a vocal trademark.
As, we know some artists greatest work doesn’t always gets the attention, as these songs mention in this article. Listen to many of Smokey solo recordings and yo’ll come away shocked and confused to why they wasn’t released? His “Being With You” that he personally stated was written for Kim Carnes was recorded by him and became a classic, under his smooth sound. Still, you do wonder about Carnes style, if she had the chance to record the song. Just for Smokey to write songs for another meant his juice was being challenge like in the golden days to craft songs for certain people like he did in building Motown.
On , his “One Heart Beat” album recorded, in the late eighties, his record company went to great extremes to promote this album that certain songs make the top ten, on the Pop Chart and the top five on the R&B chart. Again putting his vocals, on other writers compositions. The album(disc) contains some great collaberation, where you see Smokey teaming, with the Temptations unit of the eighties? And, the song was playin respect to “Shop Around” a earlier hit for the Miracles. Where on “It’s Time To Stop Shopping Around” you are reminded, why both individuals was the heart of the golden days, of Motown.
Smokey Robinson, as a solo artist can’t be over looked anymore than those that understands the volumes of compositions this legend has written. Maybe Bob Dylan, knew more about Smokey, than he did about himself. Because, a legend was spoken about , by another legend in their youth about their greatness. Although Dylan’s doesn’t truly gets the respect due him.