By stephanie (64.63.221.133) on Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 02:14 pm:

I finally got a mint copy of this album and played it . Its my first time hearing it and its great!!! I can see why the critics raved over this album, it deals with subject matter that was sensitive at the time and its a great concept album and I love the words. No offense to Smokey but its a shame these guys didnt get to sing more with him in the Miracles they really have some nice voices with and without Billy Griffin. I love the overture on this album. Love Machine fits right in and the flow of the album is perfect. Man Billy G and Pete Moore are good writers I think its a shame Pete doesnt get his props for helping Smokey to write some of the earlier songs.

The Miracles were ahead of their time with this album but I still cant get used to seeing them in these hats and suits like they are players..LOL
Its like looking at the Four Tops doing something like that. The Temps could get away with that but not the Miracles or the Tops. I remember when I saw the Miracles on TV with those large white hats and pants I could see Billy Griffin but Bobby Rogers and Ronnie looked funny to me.

This long version of Love Machine really rocks and I have heard this song in two commercials in the last year it really has stood the test of time.
Steohanie

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 02:23 pm:

HEY STEPH,YOU HIT IT RIGHT ON THE MONEY ABOUT{CITY OF ANGELS}GREAT ALBUM,I THINK THAT BOBBY,PETE AND RONNIE WERE ALLOWED TO STRECH OUT MORE VOCALLY AFTER SMOKEY LEFT,AND CHECK OUT THE ALBUM[RENISSANCE]ANOTHER GREAT ONE FROM OUR CLASSIC FRIENDS THE MIRACLES!

By dvdmike (12.84.116.9) on Saturday, March 29, 2003 - 03:39 pm:

My favorite song off the album is "Night Life".

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 04:50 pm:

Stephanie & company:
City of Angels is definitely a classic album because it was great music that carried a storyline throughout the album. A concept album for the dance floor. I remember seeing them perform "Love Machine" and "Do It Baby" on American Bandstand and they did sport the "players" look that you see on the album jacket!

According to Smokey's autobiography and interviews he had given over the years, he always encouraged his fellow Miracles to be more involved with writing and singing on their recordings (Claudette even sang lead on a few early productions which can be found on their four CD boxed set). Why they decided to only go so far during those years is anyone's guess.

Another Billy Griffin-led Miracles album to check out is their 1973 release "Renaissance" with the song "I Love You Secretly" - GORGEOUS ballad!

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Rich (162.33.234.191) on Monday, March 31, 2003 - 04:58 pm:

I've gotta pull that one back out. Night Life is great, thanks for the reminder DVDM, The moody closer "Smog" is my favorite, although the full version of Love Machine is a close second.