The Miracles tried to be the
Isleys on this one and failed miserably, quickening their exile to has-been-dom. On the album cover, five
Miracles are shown:
Pete Moore,
Ron White,
Bobby Rogers,
Billy Griffin, and his brother
Donald;
Donald is shown holding a guitar, leading some to expect a few
Ernie Isley-influenced solos -- not! The original
Miracles are dressed in outfits that are far too young for them, number one; this is not their style, number two, and it's a total turn-off to their loyal legion of fans, number three. The clothes are an issue because arguably, with -- and even more so without --
Smokey Robinson, the Miracles were the sharpest dressers among R&B vocal groups; their clothes were unique, stylish, tailored, colorful, and dashing. The only song on
Love Crazy to receive any airplay was the James Bond-inspired "Spy for Brotherhood" -- an odd choice, but then CBS's "single pickers" didn't have much to choose from on this turkey; at least "Spy" had a grooveable beat. They can't blame this on anybody, since they wrote and produced everything; it illustrates the importance of a good producer. Some groups can produce themselves and some can't. ~ Andrew Hamilton