Boobies of the Day: Jan. 12

Today is the 50th birthday of Motown, the record label that launched a thousand careers and transformed modern music.

Motown was more than a label; it was an institution that replaced three guitars and a backbeat with lush voices, warm strings and a full sound. The movement was utterly American, and sadly utterly temporary.

Many of Motown’s greatest voices were silenced tragically. Marvin Gaye was shot in the face by his father. A brain tumor turned fatal for Tammi Terrell at age 24. And the label’s last great superstar, little Michael Jackson, turned downright weird.

No one epitomized Motown more than Diana Ross, the frontwoman for the greatest pop group of all time. I can’t separate Diana’s life story from the music of The Supremes. Their sound is so beautiful and perfect on the surface, and yet so turbulent, thrashing and violent below. Diana’s voice rises above all this, but only with a sort of unspoken sadness you’d have to be black to understand. Or so I’ve heard; I’m not black.

Barry Gordy allegedly didn’t pay well, and I remember reading awhile back that many of Motown’s studio musicians would play strip clubs in Detroit to earn a little extra scratch. Some of Motown’s greatest lines — “ain’t too proud to beg” among them — were overheard conversations in those clubs.

The boobies blog will break from its normal boob-laden links (hey, you already got the one shot of Diana’s nipple) and share some Motown treasures via the YouTubes. Enjoy.

Bing, Jose and The Supremes: This is one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time. Bing Crosby, Jose Feliciano and the girls roll through 20 or so songs in the span of 8 minutes, 44 seconds. Hearing Bing and the Supremes break down “Harper Valley PTA” and The Beatles’ “Fool on the Hill” while Jose picks at his guitar and a full orchestra blasts out at full volume is one of those moments that lets you know life is worth living, at least for a while. And yes, they’re all stoned. You can see it in Bing and Diana’s eyes.

Baby Wo Ist Unser Liebe: The Supremes sing a classic — in German.

The symphony beneath “I Hear a Symphony”: About two years ago, I found four or five videos done by one guy where he dropped in and out lead vocals, background vocals and instruments on Supremes songs. They were great because you could see how much work went into each song. This isn’t three-guitar rock; each song is as complex as any classical composition. I couldn’t find the videos today, but I found something similar (though not as good). This is “I Hear a Symphony” without Diana Ross’ lead vocal track. You’ll get to hear Florence and Mary as you never have before.

Ain’t no instrument loud enough: In the same vein, Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with the instrumental tracks removed. Very cool.

Ain’t no Marvin: Sort of the same thing, with the focus on Tammi and instrumental tracks.

Heart attack: Tammi’s up-tempo version of “This Old Heart of Mine.” I seem to recall hers was the first version of the song, but it is sadly forgotten. It’s my favorite version.

Motown’s last superstar: Michael was such a cute kid. Shame the way he had to grow up.

Jackson 5 in cartoon form: One of my favorite of their songs.

Marvin sings The National Anthem: The 1983 NBA all-star game was played at The Forum, then home to the Los Angeles Lakers. A sportswriter friend of mine, looking back on the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, said The Forum didn’t feel like a trip to a sports arena; it was like entering a jazz club. Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Byron Scott and A.C. Green were the ensemble, and the entire experience was free-form poetry. A perfect venue for Marvin.

Kim sings The Black National Anthem: This is from Wattstax, often called the black Woodstock. The concert was put on at the Los Angeles Coliseum in an attempt to forge unity following the Watts Riots. Kim Weston’s version of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” was sold as a single with proceeds going to the United Negro College Fund. I downloaded my version for free off the Internets. I should probably make a donation to the fund in her honor. And yes, that is Jesse Jackson introducing her.