Marv Johnson - Marvelous And More (1960)

Best remembered for a handful of hits including the Top Ten smashes "You Got What It Takes" and "I Love the Way You Love," Marv Johnson was also a seminal figure in the early history of Motown Records. Marvin Earl Johnson was born in Detroit, MI in 1938, and was raised in a musical environment that mixed the gospel music of the Baptist church with the jump-jazz of Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. By the time he was in high school he had joined a local singing group, playing carnivals and fairs. In 1958, he cut his first sides, "My Baby-O" and "Once Upon a Time;" the single failed to sell, but the recording session resulted in a meeting with songwriter and would-be record producer Berry Gordy. Read on +/-

After Johnson played his original song "Come to Me" for Gordy and his future wife Raynoma, the couple chose Johnson as the first artist for their fledgling record label, Tamla. Because the new label didn't have distribution outside of Detroit, "Come to Me" (credited to Gordy and Johnson) was released nationally by United Artists, and rose to No. 6 on the R&B charts and No. 30 on the pop charts. Gordy soon lost direct control of his first discovery after United Artists signed Johnson directly, but continued as the singer's manager. Johnson also toured with Motown acts such as the Miracles in addition to appearing on Alan Freed's rock & roll revues and media venues such as American Bandstand, and joined early package tours and stage revues where he shared bills with his idols Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson.

Johnson's second single fared poorly, but his third, 1959's "You've Got What It Takes," exploded onto the charts, becoming a Top Ten hit and earning a gold record. The 1960 follow-up "I Love the Way You Love" also landed in the Top Ten; among his subsequent singles, "You've Got to Move Two Mountains" was a more pop-flavored effort that reached the Top 20, while "Happy Days" got to number seven on the R&B charts late in 1960. "Merry-Go-Round," issued in early 1961, was Johnson's last chart success. Even many R&B and soul fans have overlooked the greatness of Marv Johnson, whose smooth, exuberant, and sometimes poignant style helped turn some weepy numbers into triumphant outings. He sounded uniformly great throughout this early '60s albums, doing everything from light pop to anguished soul and singing with strength, conviction, and intensity.

1960 LP Marvelous Marv Johnson (US United Artists UAL 3081)

01. Marv Johnson - September In The Rain
02. Marv Johnson - You've Got What It Takes
03. Marv Johnson - Summertime
04. Marv Johnson - 's Wonderful
05. Marv Johnson - I Can't Get Started
06. Marv Johnson - Come To Me
07. Marv Johnson - Let Me Love You
08. Marv Johnson - Almost Like Being In Love
09. Marv Johnson - Love Is Here To Stay
10. Marv Johnson - I'm Coming Home
11. Marv Johnson - When I Fall In Love
12. Marv Johnson - Don't Leave Me

1960 LP More Marv Johnson (US United Artists UAL-3118)

01. Marv Johnson - Baby, Baby.mp3
02. Marv Johnson - This Heart Of Mine (Will Surely Sing)
03. Marv Johnson - I Love The Way You Love Me
04. Marv Johnson - River Of Tears
05. Marv Johnson - Clap Your Hands
06. Marv Johnson - Ain't Gonna Be That Way
07. Marv Johnson - When You've Lost Your Love
08. Marv Johnson - I Need You
09. Marv Johnson - Easier Said (Than Done)
10. Marv Johnson - Let Me Love You
11. Marv Johnson - What A Need
12. Marv Johnson - All The Love I've Got

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