"Martha And The Vandellas He Doesn't Love Her Anymore" Mono/Stereo versions "Women Of Motown"
"Martha And The Vandellas He Doesn't Love Her Anymore" Mono/Stereo versions "Women Of Motown"
I remember hearing this the first time, the second time and many times - completely baffled by the tricky tempo; is it 2/4? The intro especially does a number on your musical equilibrium.
Once Martha and the Vandellas begin singing, that's what helps establish the balance. Then you realize the drummer is accenting every third beat of each bar (One Two THREE Four, One Two THREE Four). Even the modal/chord changes are something fairly progressive for a Soul/Pop record. Ivy Jo Hunter and the Funk Brothers have deftly constructed one of the more challenging musical arrangements in Motown's body of recordings. But it all goes down as smooth as butter.
The challenging music track allows Martha Reeves to demonstrate her ever-advancing gift for spinning silk from a songwriter's lyrics. Not only does she provide the anchor and compass for the tricky tempo but she also knows precisely the right tone to strike to bring the narrative to life in living colors of reflection, reminiscence, wistful longing.
The odd time signature isn't the only challenge here - even the title enjoys confusing you: "He Doesn't Love Her Anymore". Who's "He"? Is Martha about to sing about a friend of hers whose boyfriend is cheating on her? Hunter has come up with a fantastic narrative device to frame a story where Martha spies a lady who appears "...so lonely, so sad and lonely - just like me" and there's the key that unlocks the rest of a story where Martha surmises this lady is likely going through exactly what Martha is enduring with her own boyfriend. It's a wonderful means of holding a listener's rapt attention.
It's also nice to note that Ivy Jo made extensive use of the Vandellas - Rosalind Ashford and Betty Kelly, giving them plenty of involvement and ample opportunity to add their own color to the final recording.
He Doesn't Love Her Anymore (Ivy Jo Hunter) published Jobete 15-Sep-66
alt title: Heart To Heart
The Vandellas; recorded Hitsville, completed 20-May-66 ; produced by Ivy Jo Hunter
06-Oct-66; 45 (M): Gordy G 7056 B
16-Nov-66; LP (M): Gordy G920 Watchout!
16-Nov-66; LP (S): Gordy S920 Watchout!"
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