Record #0324: Once Upon a Time / What’s the Matter With You Baby – MARVIN GAYE & MARY WELLS

Motown 1057 (original) USA, Apr. 14, 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – Clarence Paul, Dave Hamilton, William Stevenson; Side B – Paul, Stevenson
Musicians: Mary Wells (vocals), Marvin Gaye (vocals), Dave Hamilton (vibraharp on side A), The Funk Brothers (the rest of the instruments)
Recording sessions: Hitsville U.S.A., Detroit, MI, Side A – Produced by Clarence Paul, Apr. 17, 1963; Side B – Produced by William Stevenson, Feb. 16, 1963
Highest chart positions:  Side A – US #19, US R&B #3, UK #50; Side B – US #17, US R&B #2

These tracks were included in the album “Together” (MT613, US Album #42), which was released the day after this single came out.

Motown seemed not to be in a hurry to release this material, but the urgency came when Wells’ latest single, “My Guy” (released March 13.) started climbing the US charts (and reached the top on May 16.). The label wanted to build on the success.

Wells left Motown in early 1965 to join 20^th Century Fox Records.

List price:  Very Good+ is $7.50, Near Mint is $15