New ‘Motown Anthology’ Celebrates The Life And Work Of Mary Wilson

The first-ever collection to celebrate the contribution and career of cherished Motown star Mary Wilson will be released on March 4.

The Motown Anthology is a 2-CD and digital set with almost almost two dozen tracks by the Supremes, the soul and pop superstars she co-founded, as well as deep cuts, new mixes, and previously unreleased tracks. The anthology will include a 44-page booklet with rare and unpublished color photos and testimonials from world-famous admirers. The first track from it, “Falling In Love With Love” (Live at The Frontier January 13, 1970), with the Supremes, is available now.

The album is a worthy commemoration of Wilson’s work and standing as a singer, activist, author, fashion icon, actress, US cultural ambassador, motivational speaker, dancer, and much more. In her private life, she was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to so many; she also became the enduring ambassador for the legacy of the group in which she featured in every incarnation, from 1961 to 1977,

Wilson was also an advocate for social and economic challenges in the US and abroad, using her fame and flair to promote diverse humanitarian efforts to fight hunger, raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, and promote world peace. Wrote the New York Times Magazine: “When I think of Mary Wilson, that’s what comes to me: this endless desire to pull someone else along with her in her joy.”

As an advocate of artists’ rights, she played a key role in explaining the importance of the Music Modernization Act to members of Congress, and how it directly affected artists, before it was passed (with her seated in the Senate) on October 11, 2018. She continued to make music and to perform to adoring fans around the world, writing several bestselling books and tirelessly promoting the Supremes’ legacy.

The Motown Anthology features 38 songs, of which 33 are only available physically in this CD format. Featured songwriters include Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Deke Richards, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Thom Bell and Linda Creed. It features the worldwide CD debut of the 1979 Mary Wilson album, which was digitally released in expanded form after her sad and sudden death in February 2021.

Rarities, remixes, testimonials

The anthology also features solo tracks, on CD for the first time, produced by the late Gus Dudgeon, the much-respected producer of Elton John’s classic early albums among many others. It has Eric Kupper’s remix of “Red Hot,” from the 1979 album, as well as seven songs unheard anywhere before. These are “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and the newly-available “Falling in Love with Love,” from the unheard January 13 performance by the Supremes at the Frontier, “Send Him to Me,” “If You Let Me Baby,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Witchi Tai To,” and “Anytime at All.”

Mary Wilson’s daughter, Turkessa Babich, has overseen the collection with Jay D. Schwartz, Mary’s longtime publicist. The 44-page booklet also offers detailed track annotations, and exclusive tributes to Mary from such fellow stars, notables, and admirers as Dionne Warwick, Darlene Love, Otis Williams, Duke Fakir, Martha Reeves, Claudette Robinson, Brian and Edward Holland, Paul McCartney, Rita Coolidge, Merry Clayton, Brenda Russell, Blinky Williams, and RuPaul. Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton has written a special appreciation for the unique release.

Pre-order Mary Wilson’s The Motown Anthology, which is released on March 4.

The full tracklist of the 2CD edition is:
Disc 1
Pretty Baby (Mono Single Version) – The Primettes
Baby Don’t Go (2021 Alternate Mix) – The Supremes
The Tears (Stereo Mix) – The Supremes
Our Day Will Come (2021 Alternate Mix) – The Supremes
Come And Get These Memories (Alternate Mix) – Diana Ross & The Supremes
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Live at The Frontier January 13, 1970) – Diana Ross & The Supremes
Falling In Love With Love (Live at The Frontier January 13, 1970)- Diana Ross & The Supremes
Send Him To Me – The Supremes
If You Let Me Baby – The Supremes
Son Of A Preacher Man – The Supremes
Witchi Tai To – The Supremes
Touch (2021 Alternate Mix) – The Supremes
Floy Joy (2021 Alternate Mix) – The Supremes
Automatically Sunshine (2021 Alternate Mix) – The Supremes
I Keep It Hid (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes
Can We Love Again (Outtake) – The Supremes
Early Morning Love (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes
You Turn Me Around (2021 Alternate Mix) – The Supremes
You’re What’s Missing In My Life (2021 Alternate Mix Edit) – The Supremes
Don’t Let My Teardrops Bother You (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes
Till The Boat Sails Away (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes
I Don’t Want To Lose You (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes

Disc 2
We Should Be Closer Together (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes
You Are The Heart Of Me (2021 Alternate Vocal and Mix) – The Supremes
Anytime At All – Mary Wilson
Red Hot – Mary Wilson
I’ve Got What You Need – Mary Wilson
You Make Me Feel So Good – Mary Wilson
(I Love A) Warm Summer Night – Mary Wilson
Pick Up The Pieces – Mary Wilson
You’re The Light That Guides My Way – Mary Wilson
Midnight Dancer – Mary Wilson
Save Me (The Gus Dudgeon Sessions) – Mary Wilson
Love Talk (The Gus Dudgeon Sessions) – Mary Wilson
Green River (The Gus Dudgeon Sessions) – Mary Wilson
You Danced My Heart Around The Stars (The Gus Dudgeon Sessions) – Mary Wilson
Why Can’t We All Get Along – Mary Wilson
Red Hot (The Eric Kupper Remix) – Mary Wilson