Motown founder
Berry Gordy had the idea for this album, encouraging his stable of artists to turn toward new audiences for their music,[1] particularly higher class listeners.[2] The band recorded On Broadway with musician
Frank Wilson in Los Angeles, with the exception of their covers of "
Make Someone Happy" (recorded in 1964) and "
Nice 'n' Easy" (recorded in 1963).[3]
Reception
A brief review in Billboard suggests to retailers that this album will be a "sure-fire hit LP" with "smooth performances".[4] Editors at
AllMusic Guide scored this album 2.5 out of five stars, with critic Andrew Hamilton considering this album a failed experiment that
Motown should have stopped, but calling the cover of "
Make Someone Happy" "an endearing rendition".[5] While many reviewers consider this a failed experiment, a 1995 review of pop stars covering musical show tunes notes that this was an innovative release.[6]
Track listing
"Hello Broadway" (
Ronald Miller and William O'Malley) – 3:50
Although initial sales of this album were strong,[7]On Broadway was not as successful as previous Four Tops albums,[8] reaching 79 on the
Billboard 200 and fifteenth on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[9]
^Segretto, Mike (July 15, 2022). "The Four Tops: Four Tops Second Album". 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Minute: A Critical Trip Through the Rock LP Era, 1955–1999. Backbeat. p. 68.
ISBN9781493064601.
^McEwen, Joe; Miller, Jim (2001). "1: Motown". In Abbott, Kingsley (ed.). Calling Out Around the World: A Motown Reader. Helter Skelter. p. 17.
ISBN9781900924146.