"Mother Dear" is a great track. It was initially scheduled as a single, but cancelled and replaced with "Nothing But Heartaches" (if I remember correctly), which went to #11. It was supposed to have been part of the breakup/makeup "storyline" formed by Where Did Our Love Go - Baby Love - Come See About Me - Stop! In The Name Of Love - Back In My Arms Again. Both "Nothing But Heartaches" and this track deal with similar themes, but seemed to be a regression in the plot after "Back In My Arms Again". Anyhow, the flow of this track is amazing. The percolating arrangements seem to buoy the vocals and everything builds into crescendos at various points. The background vocals are impeccable and the inclusion of a horn (at least that's what I think it is lol) that underscores certain vocal elements is perfect - in fact, it almost acts as another vocal in itself. On The Supremes Box (2000), a "Version 2" of "Mother Dear" with completely different arrangements is included and, quite frankly, is terrible. Just gives you more appreciation for the number of times Motown rehearsed and/or cut a track to get everything just right.
[Edited 12/22/05 16:56pm]

Good pick. I've always fancied this song as well.