By Marvel (65.42.88.36) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 04:31 pm:

A while ago I heard what was called version II of "The Boy From Crosstown" by the Marvelettes but it featured a different lead singer. I have the Glady's lead version and I am familiar with Wanda's voice. Is the lead vocalist Catherine Anderson? I have not heard the Velvelettes version but this was not Cal's voice either. Anyone here know who she is?

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 05:09 pm:

IS THIS FROM THE LATE 60'S,IF SO IT COULD BE ANN BOGAN.

By Marvel (65.42.88.36) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 05:16 pm:

It did'nt sound like Ann Bogan. The voice was sharp, with a higher pitch than Ann's almost like Tammi Terrell or even Syretta.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 05:21 pm:

JUANITA COWART?

By RD (65.132.77.128) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 06:08 pm:

Just listened to that Marvelettes track and don't have a clue. It's a voice that I've never heard lead a Marvelette song before.

By Promises Kept (12.227.139.195) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 11:31 pm:

It's Gladys........this version is a very early demo, and the mix is slightly "speeded" up making her sound a bit different.

By John Lester (81.132.38.253) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 04:08 am:

There are at least two versions of The Boy From Crosstown assigned to the Marvelettes.

The more well known version can be heard on the Year By Year 1966 CD series (US) or the Essential Collection (UK). A second (currently unreleased) version has slightly different lyrics....often referred to as the "black shiny boots" version cos those words are included in the second verse. Gladys Horton sings lead on both versions.

The Velvelettes and Gladys Knight were not the only artists given that song..........there is the Supremes and also........Edwin Starr!

You can email me if you want me to listen to it..

By RD (63.188.33.33) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 08:14 am:

A bit different? She sounds a lot different, if it's Gladys. I listened to the alternate take and in no way did I think it was Gladys Horton singing. My original thought was that somebody at Motown goofed and assigned the Marvelettes to a song that was really sung by another group. It sounds more like the Supremes than the Marvelettes. By speeding up the mix they changed Ms. Horton from an alto to a soprano. Talk about taking liberties and too much "studio."

By John Lester (217.40.204.193) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 08:32 am:

RD

If you think it might be the Supremes ...do you think it is more Diana on lead or Jean?

Are there any notable differences in lyrics?

This is interesting...

By RD (63.188.33.33) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 09:12 am:

John, I don't think it's the Supremes. I said it sounds more like them than it does the Marvelettes. It couldn't be Jean because the track is mid-sixties with Mike Terry's sax breaking wind all over the place.

It's Wanda Young-Rogers, John. It just flashed in my head that the voice on that song sounds just like the voice on "Keep Off No Trespassing," which Wanda leads in her female-falsetto. The tracks sound as if they were recorded around the same time.

By Marvel (65.42.88.36) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 10:39 am:

I'm sorry, but to my ears this does'nt sound like Gladys or Wanda. Even the phrasing is totally different than Glady's or Wanda. The song "I Know Better" is Glady's in a higher pitch but this one is different. I thought since Catherine was the soprano in the background that maybe it was her or perhaps it's a demo track featuring an Andante or another of the female hopefuls at Motown. Who knows?

By RD (63.188.32.45) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 12:09 pm:

Hi Marvel, I just played "Keep Off No Trespassing," I hadn't in years and it sounds like Gladys singing. I give up on this one.

By Promises Kept (12.227.139.195) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 04:23 pm:

Well does this mystery "Boy from..." have the lyrics ".......black shiny boots........." in it? This will help us track it down, just as John Lester has pointed out..........

By John Lester aka The Boy from Crosstown (217.40.204.193) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 04:45 pm:

Keep Off No Trespassing was Gladys Horton.

What a fabulous track that was.....pure Motown

RD, please don't give up yet - you got my taste buds working now

By hunter gettin captured (209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 12:37 am:

Hey gang! I know this is a rather old thread, but...

Concerning "Keep Off, No Trespassing," it is actually BOTH Gladys and Wanda on that tune revising the trick employed on "Locking Up My Heart." Gladys does the lead on verses, and Wanda picks up the choruses. You'd never know it, except after years of living with this album and getting to know the ladies' styles, you figure out that both are sharing leads again.

On the mono version, Wanda does the singing over the intro, then Gladys picks it up on the "OOOOOOH, There's a sign..." part. Gladys carries on up to "So Girls..." and Wanda jumps in on "Keep Off" and sings all the choruses afterwards. On the stereo version, you'll notice the intro is slightly abbreviated and Gladys's voice is "cut" into the mix.

This song is another expample of just how versatile and vocally amazing the group was- easily the female equivalent of the Temptations. "Locking Up My Heart," "As Long As I Know He's Mine," "Too Many Fish In The Sea," are songs where Gladys and Wanda switch off on leads so seamlessly and effortlessly, only the most devoted fan knows that the girls have pulled a fast one on you!

Why the company didn't use the fact that the group had two leads escapes me. It has been said that Motown wanted to focus on one singer, possibly for image sake. But why didn't it hurt the Tempts, if that's the case. Oh well....just adding my 2.5 cents....