The Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack

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At the time of posting this video up here on YouTube, I have 238 videos already on here. I predict that out of all of them, this is the one that's going to get the most hits, and I've been saving it till now. Basically, for everyone who ever loved Motown, this one just has it ALL. The right group, the right song, the right dresses, and the right performance. This song literally SCREAMS Motown, and justifies everything I ever tried to achieve with Motorcity Records. It all began for me while growing up. At fourteen years old, I discovered the joy of listening to The Velvelettes "Needle In A Haystack", not once, not twice, but probably twenty times a day. I knew every word, every nuance, of Cal Gill's amazingly plaintive vocal. The more obscure Motown groups fascinated me far more than the obvious ones. Which is why, when I started Motorcity, I sought out The Velvelettes and re-recorded my beloved favourite, this amazing classic, "Needle In A Haystack". And these Velvelettes were all four original girls. Not a substitution in sight. I continued to record them over the next few years, releasing their first ever album, something which, at the time, they had never achieved at Motown. There was also another wonderful song that I co-wrote with Ivy Jo Hunter, the legendary Motown songwriter, called "It Keeps Reminding Me (Of Happy memories)", a song which summed up everything I tried to achieve with my Motorcity Reunion Project. When this video was filmed, on a hot August night in 1990, all four original members, Cal, Bertha, Norma, and Millie, were all on top form. When I recorded them on this classic in 1987, I tried to change it and make it more high energy, but lost the magic of the original groove, so I quickly remixed it and tried to capture that magic that made the original so special. I think this performance is also special, and I'm proud to be able to give Motown fans all over the world such an exceptional video to enjoy.

Channel: Music
Uploaded: November 29, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Author: IanLevine

Length: 0:02:18
Rating: 4.85
Views: 30,755

Tags: Motown Motorcity Girl-Groups Detroit Northern-Soul Diva Disco Soul Female-Singers Tamla

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Video Comments:
jfroggett (Saturday 1st of November 2008 09:22:45 AM)
Oh....casino classics. Fantastic!
switlips2 (Thursday 16th of October 2008 06:28:25 PM)
this song is so true finding a good man is like finding a needle in a haystack.
maida1982a (Monday 8th of September 2008 05:49:00 AM)
I had never heard of this song or this group until last night when a band called Parallax Project covered it. (They were the openers for Magic Christian which features Cyril Jordan, Clem Burke and Eddie Munoz, so glad I went early.)Thanks for posting this super gem.
c130mover (Friday 29th of August 2008 11:00:41 AM)
u listen to a radio? wow
hebneh (Monday 25th of August 2008 02:32:26 AM)
This is SUCH a good song. I probably heard it when it was originally released, but it wasn't a big hit at the time. I re-encountered it in the "Girl Groups" video in the '80s, as sung by the Blossoms on "Shindig", and since then I have continued to love it.
blackbirdtwigg (Sunday 24th of August 2008 12:15:39 PM)
Superb,what class.Thanks for posting this Ian. P.s.whats happened to Sorens newsletters?ive emailed him but had no response !Cheers mate,Steve.
IanLevine (Sunday 24th of August 2008 03:19:32 PM)
Soren seems to be busy with his own stuff.
gorgon53 (Thursday 21st of August 2008 04:23:49 AM)
I've always been quite appalled how Darlene Love, a singer I adore, has always been so snooty about this lovely song. Shindig made her sing "bubblegum", etc. Witness these stunning and talented lovelies, who originated this hit for the ages. Maybe "bubblegum" in Darlene's books, but for me, beyond fine gal funk.
c130mover (Friday 1st of August 2008 12:54:21 PM)
its a classic and jivin to it is heaven lol
danndriff (Tuesday 8th of July 2008 06:41:09 AM)
VEYR COOL