In 1970 a determined Supremes recorded three albums -- unprecedented for a band who lost a superstar lead singer. That all three albums launched hits in the Top 25 is amazing as well. New Ways But Love Stays is the second volume of this film as directed by producer Frank Wilson, containing the post-Diana Ross Supremes biggest hit, "Stoned Love." Co-written by Frank Wilson, as was the other Top Ten smash, "Up the Ladder to the Roof" from their debut with Jean Terrell on lead vocals, Right On, the two albums were recorded almost simultaneously. "Everybody's Got the Right to Love" was recorded on April 22, 1970 and released almost immediately; "Stoned Love" began recording on March 2, prior to the second hit from the Right On album. The two works deserved to be combined on one CD with liner notes by Frank Wilson, they are extraordinary girl group recordings.
The cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is a reinterpretation, the way a good cover should be, with sound effects, and a sultry vocal, a mixture of rock and gospel. It's wonderful. Here is the genius of the Supremes on their own. With Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye making inroads and developing their skills as producers and songwriters, Frank Wilson broke the girls out of the Holland-Dozier-Holland formula, bringing different flavors and styles to this class act. Vindication comes in the form of The Supremes four-CD boxed set, an entire disc given to the artists who were part of the latter day Supremes. "Come Together," "Love the One You're With," and "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" are the other three covers on New Ways But Love Stays, however this is no mere marketing ploy of putting familiar tunes on a Motown album. The Supremes' light version of "Come Together" is one of the strangest, and most unique, Beatles covers in music history. The production has a bit of the feel of "I Am the Walrus" thrown in; they do a splendid job with "Love the One You're With," a song title given to Stephen Stills by singer Doris Troy of "Just One Look" fame. But it is the originals on the album which really sparkle, "Shine on Me" proving producer Frank Wilson had a truly amazing ear for writing songs as well as recording them. It, along with "I Wish I Were Your Mirror," which he co-wrote with Pam Sawyer, who penned two songs for the previous Right On album, are stunning pop/R&B tunes. Another Frank Wilson co-write, "It's Time to Break Down" has "groundbreaking hit" written all over it. The elements in this composition are pure genius and why Motown didn't push this one song, and push again after the success of "Stoned Love" is a mystery. Vincent DiMirco, who co-wrote "Up the Ladder to the Roof," gets another chance with his gospel/R&B/pop number "Thank Him for Today." As this song fades at two-minutes-and-fifty seconds there's an additional 20 seconds of "Stoned Love" tagged on to the end of the CD. It's a nice touch for the band in transition with the loving, guiding hand of Frank Wilson steering them through uncharted waters in a wonderful way. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide
