Edwin Starr

OBAL A DESKA VYBORNY STAV

A1  Twenty-Five Miles  2:59
A2  I'm Still A Struggling Man  2:25
A3  Backyard Lovin' Man  2:28
A4  He Who Picks A Rose  2:28
A5  Soul City (Open Your Arms To Me)  2:39
A6  You Beat Me To The Punch  2:31
B1  Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love  2:48
B2  Pretty Little Angel  2:15
B3  If My Heart Could Tell The Story  2:28
B4  Who Cares If You're Happy Or Not (I Do)  2:46
B5  24 Hours (To Find My Baby)  2:40
B6  Mighty Good Lovin'  2:44
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If you've ever heard 1969's "25 Miles" you have to wonder why Motown didn't make more of an effort on Edwin Starr's behalf.  The man had looks, plenty of charisma, was a good writer, and a fantastic voice - easily as good as any of his Motown contemporaries.   Interestingly, Starr's first real LP for Motown (the previous label debut "Soul Master" was little more than a compilation of earlier singles), probably went a long way to explaining why he didn't achieve mega success under Motown's umbrella.  Compared to most of the Motown roster, exemplified by tracks like 'Backyeard Lovin' Man' and '24 Hours (To Find My Baby)' Starr had a far tougher sound.  Mind you, this was still highly commercial soul, with virtually every one of the twelve tracks exhibiting a hook that would have sounded great on top-40 radio.  Still, the album didn't sound like anything coming off the late-1960s Motown product line.  That's probably explained by the fact Starr wasn't originally signed to Motown - Berry Gordy Jr. acquired Starr's contract when he bought up the small Detroit Ric-Tic label.

- Kicked along by Starr's growling, lust driven vocal the title track was one of the best singles Motown ever released.  Always loved the countdown ... This is the song David Ruffin was always looking for.  Shame it isn't as well known as 'War'.
- Beating Marvin Gaye to the social commentary party, 'I'm Still a Struggling Man' started out sounding like a slick and sophisticated ballad until it hit the killer chorus.  Yeah, Starr sounded a little uncomfortable in the key, but he made up for it with that hook.
- Motown magic ...  that's really the only way to describe 'Backyard Lovin' Man'.  How is it this one wasn't a major hit?  Great tune, pounding rhythm section, and one of Starr's instantly memorable performances.  Great, great, great !
- Maybe because he sounded like he sounded like he was straining, 'He Who Picks a Rose' lacked the same appeal to my ears as much of the album.  Motown slapped this one on the 'B' side of 'War'.
- 'Soul City (Open Your Arms To Me)' certainly had commercial potential, though it also sounded kind of contrived.  Not bad, but once again Starr sounded a little uncomfortable being forced into such a commercial box.
- 'Beat Me To the Punch' was the track that came closest to framing Starr in that instantly recognizable Motown sound.  His up tempo cover was certainly pleasant, but added little to the Mary Well's original.
- Side two started with what was the best ballad on the album.  It probably sounds kind of weird, but to my ears Starr's performance on 'Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love' has always reminded me of Sam Cooke. 
- Starr's gruff and growling voice was wasted on a fluffy pop number like 'Pretty Little Angel'.  Shame since the song was actually kind of nice - great drum break.
- The first couple of times I heard it 'If My Heard Could Tell The Story' didn't really catchy my attention.  The song sounded a little to MOR for my ears; another attempt by Motown to kiss up to the suburban audience.  Still not my favorite track, but it's grown on me over the years.   Probably would have sounded better if Smokey and the Miracles had done it.
- Returning to a pounding soul rhythm 'Who Cares If You're Happy Or Not (I Do)' found Starr back in prime form.  Always liked the twangy guitar solo.
- Another album highlight, the Starr-penned '24 Hours To Find My Baby' probably would have been a good choice for a follow on single, though Motown may have been considered the song title and structure was a little too close to the title track.
- The closer 'Mighty Good Lovin'' found Starr embracing a more typical Motown sound.  Unfortunately the results again sounded strained and not particularly impressive.

- Motown tapped the album for a pair of singles:

- 1969's '25 Miles' b/w 'Love Is My Destination' (Gordy catalog number G-7083)
- 1969's 'I'm Still a Struggling Man' b/w 'Pretty Little Angel'  (Gordy catalog number G-7087)

Just remember, Motown's failures shouldn't stop you from discovering the man on your own.  A true overlooked Motown classic that you can still pick up for a reasonable price.

"25 Miles" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Twenty-Five Miles   (Edwin Starr - Johnny Bristol - Harvey Fuqua) - 2:59
2.) I'm Still a Struggling Man   (D. McNeil - Johnny Bristol) - 2:25
3.) Backyard Lovin' Man   (D. Richards - B. Dean) - 2:28
4.) He Who Picks a Rose   (Norman Whitfield - E. Smiley - Eddie Holland) - 2:28
5.) Soul City (Open Your Arms To Me)   - 2:39
6.) You Beat Me To the Punch   (R. White - Smokey Robinson) - 2:31

(side 2)
1.) Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love   (Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong) - 2:48
2.) Pretty Little Angel   (Clarence Paul - Stevie Wonder - M. Valvano) - 2:15
3.) If My Heard Could Tell The Story   (J. Dean - William Weatherspoon) - 2:28
4.) Who Cares If You're Happy Or Not (I Do)   (J. Dean - William Weatherspoon - J. Holland) - 2:46
5.) 24 Hours To Find My Baby   (Edwin Starr) - 2:40
6.) Mighty Good Lovin'   (Williams Stevenson) - 2:44
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"25 Miles" is your real classic wooden floorboards soul-boy stomper.  A masterpiece of of up-tempo soul.  The rest of the album is pretty decent too, but can't help but be over shadowed by the masterful title track.