Didn't someone say we were supposed to see Volume 12 (Last) of Motown Singles in April? Of course someone else said there would be a 12 A & B, like volume 11. Does anyone have an update? I'd just like to wrap up this series before the CD companies all collapse. Thanks to all.

---

Added by Linda:

  

Vol 12A: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006XC9AUA/?tag=imwan-20
Vol 12B: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F4386VS/?tag=imwan-20

All Hip-O Select promised is that the series would conclude in 2009, to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Motown. I would guess we'll see Vol.12A within the next 90 days.

Guess that the recession has slowed the pace of reissues down at Hip-O Select (and they've come to a standstill at Rhino Handmade). However, things are starting to pick up with the upcoming releases from The Marvelettes, Joe Cocker & Carl Calrton so they should get around to the Motown Singles 1972 Box Sets soon.

I think Hip-O Select have done just fine in the pace department...much better, and better selections, than Rhino of late. I'm just glad I got my Rupert Holmes set before they went bye bye! Same for the Eddie Kendricks sets, which are on their way to gone.

Any twitters, inside info, press leaks, Deep Throat or CIA papers out there regarding Volume 12 of the Complete Motown Singles?

Seems Hip-O Select is being pretty quiet on this set right now. Only 3 months left of the 50th anniversary year, right?

This whole series has dragged on forever! IIRC, this was supposed to be another split set like #11 was. If they release them separately, what are they odds that they'll get two releases out pre-Christmas?

What I find strange is that Hip-O Select is releasing discs like crazy, but still no TCMS Vol. 12. Couldn't Barry White, Oscar Peterson, and Billie Holiday have waited?

That's what happened two years ago - vol 8 came out in October and Vol 9 came out in mid-December.

Of course it's mid-October now and there's been no mention of a first volume, let alone a second one. I hope we at least get a first volume soon!

Looks very unlikely now that we're going to see Vol. 12 this year. I hope Hip-O aren't going to do a dirty on us and not complete the collection. I was meant to finish this year if I remember correctly.

It's possible that there are artist permission issues. We are starting to get into the era where the artists had more control. While there were a handful of tracks omitted from previous volumes, none were actual Motown Studios productions(they were mostly British & Dutch recordings licensed to Motown). But, if any true Motown productions were going to have to be omitted from Vols. 12A & 12B, then maybe it's better that they didn't release Vols. 12A & 12B.

Which artists might they be? We've already had singles from all the big names and the Commodores weren't on Motown yet. Maybe Stevie Wonder's renewed contract with them is causing some problems as his music from 72 onward is of a different legal status?

YOO HOO! Hey...HIP-O SELECT?! What the hell is going on? Where is Volume 12?

Bill Dahl, one of the main contributors to the liner notes of this series, has implied that volume(s) 12(a&b) are finished. Check out the last question & answer in this interview from Nov. http://joelfrancis.com/2009/11/13/talking-motown-with-bill-dahl/

The interviewer says "now that the project is over..." and Bill answers him without any correction or mention that he is still working on it. This confirms my suspicion that the box(es) might be completely finished, but something has held them up. That something I think is MJ death and possible related copyright issues.

This is good news. Assuming this interview occurred shortly after completion of Volume 12's notes, it really could simply still be in the final printing and production process. Hopefully we'll see it soon.

The latest tweet from Hip-O Select: "Been so busy lately preparing for our next wave of releases...look out for the hints coming soon! Will just say,your requests have been heard"

That second sentence could mean anything, but I hope to hell it means that TCMS v12A is on its way.

Still no word on their site. Anyone here have an inside connection at Hip-O, or know someone who does? A simple "we're working on it" would be good enough for me.

I've been requesting some disco-oriented stuff...so who knows what they mean?

there is a copyright problem with vol 12.i got an email from someone at hipo.why they should have probs now after 11 volumes and not right at the kick off with vol1 is anyone's guess.whether its one (doubtful) or a whole load of tracks.he didnt say.there are some tracks missing from previous volumes,some rare earth (label not group) tracks,these were because they only had permission to release in the states,off the top of my head i think one was by english group the pretty things,another was young gifted and black by bob and marcia another one off us release only .i was also told these problems would be sorted,but this was the end of 2009! i've just emailed the guy to see where they're at with vol12a/b.if i get any gen i'll post it here.

There are a lot of us waiting for these last two releases, so we'll certainly want to hear what they have to say, if anything.

The Rare Earth omissions don't really bother me as they were just licensing deals anyway. But if we're talking about a Vol. 12 w/out Stevie Wonder or Michael Jackson then I would rather see them delay it until those issues can be solved. It would be nice to know who to blame and be angry with, though it's probably either a blind man or dead guy so I will feel kind of guilty swearing at them.

i'm pretty sure micheal jacksons (and the five) output was copyrighted (not sure on that word!) by motown thru' its company,jobette etc,songs written by the corporation etc.in 72 anyway.as for stevie w.was it the album music of my mind or talking book,1973 that his copyright control took over?