I Hear a Symphony: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Perform The Classic Hits of Motown (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Music Review)

November 2, 2009 by Dennis Amith 

Mesmerizing and enjoyable! “I Hear a Symphony: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform The Classic Hits of Motown” is for the most part an album that is fresh and musically different, especially for those who are used to hearing the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing Beethoven, Dvorak, Mozart, Handel and other many notable, classical greats.  But to hear them perform these classic Motown hits was definitely unexpected but shows the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s versatility.  Definitely a unique and fresh addition to their many wonderful musical releases.

BAND: I Hear a Symphony: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform The Classic Hits of Motown

ALBUM: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

LABEL: Silva Screen Records

DURATION: 59:10

RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2009

1. I Hear a Symphony (Overture)
2. Dancing In the Street
3. I Heard It Through the Grapevine
4. Get Ready
5. My Girl
6. Three Times a Lady
7. Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
8. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
9. For Once In My Life
10. Touch Me In the Morning
11. What’s Going On
12. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
13. Someday We’ll Be Together
14. I Hear a Symphony (Finale)

A new album from the Royal Philharmonic (the well-known London based orchestra) featuring Ben Foster as the conductor and Evan Jolly responsible for musical arrangement comes “I Hear a Symphony”.

The album features the orchestra performing famous Motown classics such as Marvin Gaye’s “Dancing in the Street”, The Miracles “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong), “What’s Going On”, Smokey Robinson’s “Get Ready”, Lionel Richie (or the Commodores) hit track “Three Times a Lady”, the Temptations “My Girl” (written by William Robinson Jr. and Ronald White) and many more hits originally sung by The Supremes and Ashford and Simpson.  You get 14 tracks of Motown goodness in orchestra format.

Needless to say, it is quite different to hear the orchestra performing Motown hits versus classical songs but for the most part, for those who enjoy philharmonic orchestra-based music can feel energy and excitement through these musical covers of those hits songs from yesteryear.

Also, joining the Royal Philharmonic is Crouch End Festival Chorus conducted by David Temple for tracks “Three Times a Lady”, “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), “Touch Me In the Morning”, “What’s Going On” and both versions of “I Hear a Symphony”.

Songs such as “Dancing In the Street” captures your attention as brass and strings work with such chemistry and it continues with “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”.  And of course, songs like “My Girl” has that nice guitar playing but the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing in excellent tandem.

All songs on the album are well-done, well-performed and if anything, the addition of the chorus to many of the tracks on the album brings additional depth to each of those songs.  If anything, these performances make you want to watch them perform it live because the music is mesmerizing and enjoyable.

The CD comes in a tri-fold cardboard case with a foreword by Lamont Dozier, production credits and photos of the orchestra recording the music for the album.

Overall, “I Hear a Symphony: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform The Classic Hits of Motown” is for the most part an album that is fresh and musically different, especially for those who are used to hearing the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing Beethoven, Dvorak, Mozart, Handel and other many notable, classical greats.  But to hear them perform these classic Motown hits was definitely unexpected but at the same time, enjoyable, ambitious and quite pleasing.  And for the most part, showing the orchestra’s versatility.

If you are open to orchestral versions of these classic Motown hits, then most definitely give “I Hear a Symphony: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform The Classic Hits of Motown” a try!