Smokey & Friends Smokey Robinson

• 1 The Tracks Of My Tears 03:27
• 2 You Really Got A Hold On Me 03:28
• 3 My Girl 04:30
• 4 Cruisin' 04:53
• 5 Quiet Storm 04:59
• 6 The Way You Do (The Things You Do) 03:31
• 7 Being With You 04:14
• 8 Ain't That Peculiar 03:46
• 9 The Tears Of A Clown 03:22
• 10 Ooh Baby Baby 03:01
• 11 Get Ready 03:21
• Total Runtime 42:32

Info for Smokey & Friends

Five years after the release of his acclaimed last album, Time Flies When You're Having Fun, legendary Motown icon Smokey Robinson rejoins with an utterly fascinating all-star duet album. Smokey & Friends was produced by American Idol" star and bassist Randy Jackson. And the all-star lineup that meets on duets with Smokey Robinson ranges from Steven Tyler, Elton John, Sheryl Crow and James Taylor to John Legend, Aloe Blacc and Ledisi to Mary J. Blige, Jessie J. and Cee-Lo Green.

The repertoire was composed by the singer and his producer from the incredibly extensive hit catalog Smokey Robinson created in his 50-year career. There are eleven under the skin love songs that have already passed the test of time and are now among the classics of rhythm 'n' blues and soul. Among them are hits that Robinson had written for the Miracles (the ensemble with which he made the breakthrough in 1965), Marvin Gaye, the Temptations or other artists.

Reaching #12 on Billboard’s album chart, it stands as Smokey’s second most successful solo album.

Smokey & Friends: a pop jewel with a high recognition value.

Smokey Robinson, vocals, backing vocals (track 2)
Elton John, vocals (track 1)
Steven Tyler, vocals, backing vocals (track 2)
Aloe Blacc, vocals (track 3)
JC Chasez, vocals (track 3)
Miguel, vocals (track 3)
Jessie J, vocals (track 4)
John Legend, vocals (track 5)
CeeLo Green, vocals (track 6)
Mary J. Blige, vocals (track 7)
James Taylor, vocals (track 8)
Sheryl Crow, vocals (track 9)
Ledisi, vocals (track 10)
Gary Barlow, vocals track 11)

Smokey Robinson
Once pronounced by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” acclaimed singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson’s career spans over 4 decades of hits. He has received numerous awards including the Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. The group was Berry Gordy’s first vocal group, and it was at Robinson’s suggestion that Gordy started the Motown Record dynasty. Their single of Robinson’s “Shop Around” became Motown’s first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Going to a Go-Go,” “More Love,” “Tears of a Clown” (co-written with Stevie Wonder), and “I Second That Emotion.”

The Miracles dominated the R&B scene throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s and Robinson became Vice President of Motown Records serving as in-house producer, talent scout and songwriter.

In addition to writing hits for the Miracles, Robinson wrote and produced hits for other Motown greats including The Temptations, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye and others. “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” “You Beat Me to the Punch,” “Don’t Mess with Bill,” “Ain’t That Peculiar,” and “My Guy” are just a few of his songwriting triumphs during those years.

John Lennon of The Beatles made countless remarks regarding Robinson’s influence on his music. The Beatles had recorded Robinson and The Miracles’ “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” in 1963 and in 1982 another popular British group, The Rolling Stones covered the Robinson and the Miracles’ hit “Going To A Go-Go.”

He later turned to a solo career where he continued his tradition of hitmaking with “Just to See Her,” “Quiet Storm,” “Cruisin’,” and “Being with You,” among others.

He remained Vice President of Motown records until the sale of the company, shaping the label’s success with friend and mentor Berry Gordy. Following his tenure at Motown, he continued his impressive touring career and released several successful solo albums.

During the course of his 50-year career in music, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences around the world with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing, and profound sense of lyric. Never resting on his laurels, Smokey Robinson remains a beloved icon in our musical heritage.

This album contains no booklet.