It doesn't matter whither you already have the box set AND the two previous anthologies (1986 and 1995 respectively). The price of admission is well worth the sixteen re-mixed stereo versions of classics dating from 1962 to 1965. When the stereo LP "From the Beginning" came out in 1964, the tracks were, for the most part, shorter than the mono singles. Most of these new mixes have not only been brought to thier original length, but are quite a bit longer than the originals. The original version of "What's So Good About Goodbye" lacked the strings ending, but on this new collection, the ending has been restored. You've Really Got A Hold On Me, Mickey's Monkey and I Like It Like That have all been extended. In addition, there are the B-sides, "I Can Take A Hint" and "When Sundown Comes" both released here on disc for the first time. The rarer hits like "Everybody's Got To Pay Some Dues", "Mighty Good Lovin'" and "The Man In You" are also here. Brighter guitar solos from Marv Tarpin and a crisp brass section previously burried on the originals are noticed more. Strings and chiming backup singing are heard up front giving the listener renewed appreciation of this remarkable group. (A warmed-over version of the Platters, indeed!) It's a good thing Barry Gordy was at the audition and rescued The Miracles from obscurity. We can only hope they do the same type of sound treatment with other classic Motown artists.

THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ALL SMOKEY FANS AND FANS OF THE MOTOWN SOUND PERIOD, THIS SET HAS SMOKE DOING HIS THING BUT THOSE TIGHT HARMONIES OF THE MIRACLES ARE STRONG AND CLEAR A GOOD EXAMPLE IS "WHATS SO GOOD ABOUT GOOD-BYE" CHECK OUT THE CHIMES, CD IS FULL OF UNRELEASED "STEREO" VERSIONS NOT HEARD BEFORE......TRUST ME....I'VE GOT THEM ALL

the inclusion of "would i love you" on this cd is great as it was never available on an LP, except for the "In the beginning" anthology from the late 60's. the inclusion of this song was great, but whoever was doing the picking, picked the wrong one. this is not the original "would i love you", but is an alternate take. the original is much better. too bad they did not include that. the remainder of the cd is great.

I dont care what others say about The Supremes,Temptations, or other Motown groups,the MIRACLES were the greatest group to ever come out of Motown.PERIOD!! Why ? for one thing,they were the FIRST MOTOWN GROUP.It was their success that paved the way for all the others. Had they not been successful, there would have been NO MOTOWN,and none of those other groups would have even found fame ,or at least not to the extent which they did.They also had Motown's first million-selling record "Shop Around".THE MIRACLES put MOTOWN on the map. During the company's critical early years- 1959-1964- they were BY FAR Motowns TOP GROUP,(despite what certain reviewers have written},with top 10 pop hits in '1961,'62,AND' 63, the STAR ATTRACTION of the legendary MOTORTOWN REVUES,and the ONLY group that was bringing any serious money into the company!! By 1964, the year that the SUPREMES, TEMPTATIONS, AND THE FOUR TOPS had their 1st hits, THE MIRACLES had already released their 1ST DOUBLE ALBUM of GREATEST HITS !! Yet, while all these other Motown groups have been inducted ,AS GROUPS, into the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, The MIRACLES have been ignored.They chose to induct only Smokey.What a shame and insult to MOTOWN'S legendary First Group. The TEMPTATIONS ? great singers and dancers to be sure,but what most Temptations fans WON'T tell you is that 9 of their first 12 hits were actually written by The MIRACLES !! not just Smokey,THE WHOLE GROUP !! Don't believe it ? just look at the writing credits on the Tempts GREATEST HITS album !(How many MIRACLES songs did the TEMPTATIONS WRITE ? think about it}. THE SUPREMES ? They wouldn't have even GOTTEN on Motown if not for Smokey !!Stevie Wonder? He was discovered by Miracles member RONNIE WHITE !! THE MARVELETTES,MARVIN GAYE & MARY WELLS ?Yep, they wrote their stuff too.The MIRACLES were responsible,either directly or indirectly, for the success of just about EVERY EARLY ARTIST ON THE MOTOWN LABEL!! In fact ,of the five leading Motown groups ( Supremes, Temptations,4 tops,Miracles,J-5 }The MIRACLES were the ONLY ones that wrote their own material. Hopefully one day ,the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME will induct them ALL-SMOKEY, BOBBY,RONNIE, PETE, MARV & CLAUDETTE ,not just SMOKEY , as they did.Want to know why they deserve it? Just listen to this CD.Then, read the writing credits.It will prove that SMOKEY wasn't the ONLY serious talent in this group.

The first five tracks on this CD are from the days before Motown.

Very rare since the first Motown hit for the group as well as the label was "Shop Around". With this collection you get to hear the pre-Motown Miracles.