Motown: The Classic Years collects two discs' worth of highlights from the label's heyday in the '60s and '70s, including 23 number one hits. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Tears of a Clown," the Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," the Supremes' "Where Did Our Love Go?," Edwin Starr's "War," and Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" are among the Motown standards included on this collection, along with songs from Gladys Knight & the Pips, Stevie Wonder, Jr. Walker & the All-Stars, Mary Wells, the Four Tops, and the Spinners. The Classic Years' double-disc size allows it to collect more hits than a single-disc compilation would, yet it's more easily manageable than a multi-disc box set would be for casual fans. Overall, this collection doesn't offer anything rare or unique for Motown diehards, but for listeners who just want a solid collection of some of pop music's finest moments, it's just the ticket. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide