Pre-Motown Gladys Knight & the Pips, repackaged and released to capitalize on their Motown success, this features the Pips dominating the mic on the last four tracks. Gladys sings the teary title track like an old pro, even though she wasn't even old enough to buy beer at the time. "A Love Like Mine," with its mock marching beat, displays the Pips' harmonies flowing above the rhythm and Gladys' tough vocal knifing through. On the slow "Darling," the Pips are in the foreground, and one shares the lead with Gladys. "Come See About Me" is not the Supremes song, but the message is the same; it's a slow floater, with Supremes-like backing vocals and the Pips nowhere to be found. "Queen of Tears" is a good beat ballad that Gladys, again, sings with a conviction that belies her age. The Pips take over the last four tunes. On "Linda," they sing the lead lines in three-part harmony over a bouncy, finger-snapping beat. "To Whom It May Concern" starts slowly, with the lead lines sung in unison and a mournful falsetto riding above to kick the blend up a notch. One of the Pips leads "Bless the One," with that wailing falsetto reappearing to provide backing flavor. "Walking in Circles" finds the Pips singing the lead lines in unison over a choppy beat. This doesn't compare to their later recordings, but it's good to hear the Pips front and center. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
© 2006 All Music Guide, LLC