By Karyl (65.33.211.201) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

Did you know that the Temptations LP, THE TEMPTATIONS SING SMOKEY was #1 on the Billboard charts for 18 weeks back in 1965?

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:40 pm:

The Classic Tempts, 18 straight weeks as #1.
I wonder what other R&B group has stayed at #1 that long or more, or close to it.

By Karyl (65.33.211.201) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:43 pm:

MJ's BAD was also 18 weeks at #1, Sis.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:48 pm:

Well MJ was BAD (in a musical way) back in the day.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.38) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

GUYS: THAT WAS THE FIRST TEMPTATIONS ALBUM THAT I ACTUALLY OWNED!!!...SMOKEY WAS MY NEIGHBOR AT THE TIME...AND HIS PICTURE ON THE ALBUM WAS WHAT INITIALLY SPARKED MY GREATER INTEREST...AND THE REST IS HISTORY...AT LEAST IN MY MIND!!!...STU

By Karyl (65.33.211.201) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 11:00 pm:

Well, Stu you have good taste then! For buying that LP and living next door to Smokey, (but not necessarily in that order) :-)

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 12:57 am:

Who knows any other R&B group who has a record like the Classics and MJ. What other R&B LP has been #1 for that length of time?

By STUBASS (152.163.204.179) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 01:06 am:

HEY KARYL: ACTUALLY...IT WAS JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM SMOKEY...AND AS A VIRTUAL ADOLOLECENT...IT WASN'T MY CHOICE...BUT JUST THE LUCK OF THE DRAW...I GUESS!!!...BUT WE DID HAVE SOME MEAN GAMES OF B-BALL IN SMOKEYS BACK YARD...WITH THE HOOP NAILED TO HIS GARAGE...LEFT OVER BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS...AND I TOOK SMOKEY TO THE RIM ON A COUPLE OF OCCASSIONS...BUT HIS NEPHEW...TYRONE BURSTON...FUTURE TEMPTATIONS ROAD MANAGER...WAS ABOUT 6-4...AND TOTALLY UNCOORDINATED...BUT A REAL NICE GUY...AND CLIFFORD...MY OLD BUDDY!!!...STU

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.50) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 05:36 am:

Stu,
I Bet Smokey tells everyone that he used to live next door to you.
I Cant get of this bloody computer whilst on leave from work for a week.
I Look like Herman Munster on a bender.(mind you some say Herman looks like me).
Mel (Munster raving loony.)

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 08:59 am:

Wow, of COURSE the Temptations greatest album by one of the greatest writers ever would be #1. And of COURSE Ms. Soul Deluxe would be the one to bring that point to light! :-)

By STUBASS (152.163.207.183) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:57 am:

MEL; YOU ARE "NUTS"...THANKS FOR THE SCANS!!!...I DID REPLY...BUT THEY CAME BACK!!!...THE VELGO STUFF WAS AWESOME TO ME!!!...I WAS ABLE TO READ TONY WILSONS NAME AS PRODUCER...BUT I'LL NEED TO GET OUT THE OLD MAGNIFYING GLASS TO READ THE REST OF THE WRITING ON THE RECORD...AS FOR GWEN 2...IF IT WAS CUT ANYTIME AROUND LIKE 1966...THEN IT WAS PROBABLY ME ON BASS!!!...A CHORD CHART AND BASS LINE DID POP INTO MY HEAD JUST THE OTHER DAY...AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A GWEN OWENS TRACK THAT I PLAYED...OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT I PLAYED ON...BUT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PULL IT BACK THROUGH THE COBWEBS...I SHOULD HAVE SUNG IT INTO A RECORDER OR SOMETHING!!!...THANKS AGAIN FOR THAT STUFF...AND PLEASE GET THAT E-MAIL BACK UP!!!...STU

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 11:01 am:

Not only was The Tempts Sing Smokey a great album but the cover was so cool & classy with the Tempts in their tuxes & Smokey on the right wearing red & black.

I love their version of "Who's Loving You" from the album as well.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 11:39 am:

ARE YOU SURPRISED,ALL OF THE TEMPS EARLY WORK WAS CLASSIC,FROM[MEET]TO [WISH IT WOULD RAIN}GREAT SONGS,GREAT SINGING,GREAT WRITING,GREAT GROUP!

By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 03:31 pm:

Hi Karyl,
Not only that the "Temptations Sing Smokey",
stayed No 1 for 18 weeks on the R&B Lp charts,
but " The Temptations Greatest Hits", stayed on
the R&B LP Charts for 118, from 1966 til 1969 !!!
Also "Temptin' Temptations", hit No 1 right
after Temptations Sing Smokey. Just about all
of their albums, hit No 1 thoughtout the sixties!

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By Livonia Ken (136.1.1.101) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 03:52 pm:

Tempts Albums that were #1 R&B:

1965 Temptations Sing Smokey
1965 Temptin' Temptations
1966 Temptations Greatest Hits*
1966 Gettin' Ready
1967 Temptations Live!*
1967 With A Lot O' Soul*
1968 Diana Ross & The Supremes Join the Temptations*
1968 Temptations in a Mellow Mood
1968 Wish It Would Rain
1969 Cloud Nine*
1969 Puzzle People*
1969 TCB*
1970 Psychedelic Shack*
1972 All Directions*
1972 Solid Rock
1973 Masterpiece*
1975 Song For You

* - Also Top Ten Pop

Did I miss any? Anyone care to hazard a guess as to which of the above was the only Tempts LP to go #1 pop? Anyone care to hazard a guess as to the two Tempts albums to go top ten pop that did not chart R&B? All of this assuming my reference is correct.

Regards,
Ken

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 03:53 pm:

Yeah, any Temptations' cover that features Smokey is a nice cover!

I really dig those ballads from "Sing Smokey," particularly one of my favorite Ruffin leads, "You'll Lose A Precious Love." My favorite Eddie lead and one of the best Funk Brothers' ballad performances, "What Love Has Joined Together" is also featured on that album. That was an album that really set the Tempts apart from the rest.

By Reese (12.15.168.214) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 04:58 pm:

Ken, if I'm not mistaken, "TCB" by the Supremes and the Tempts is the only Tempts album to hit #1 on the pop albums chart.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

Reese:
THE TEMPTATIONS GREATEST HITS hit #1 on the Billboard Pop LP chart in 1966.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Allen (24.165.80.12) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 06:16 pm:

My favorite Temptations album has less to do with the music, and more with my self esteem. The year was also 1966. On the front cover of "Gettin Ready", I saw five people who looked simular to me who were actually doing something I wanted to do.

They were in their dressing room gettin sharp than a mofo. After which they were going to perform and make thousands of average people very happy. Not to mention, wet the panties of many of the ladies who were going to be swooning over them.

It may seem like a small thing to most people, but these five black men, whom just happen to do their thing in my home town, gave me inspiration that's hard to put into words. When I saw them sing "I'm Loosing You" during a Motown Review at the Fox, I nearly lost my mind.

I left there beaming and stayed that way for quite a long time. I saw hundreds of people doing their routines at the bus stops on the way home. We were all so proud. It was very uplifting. In them, I saw us as african americans being accepted as a part of america.

But it was the "Gettin Ready" LP cover that made a huge impression on me. Not a processed hair out of place. The shirts were crisp and bright. The suits were tailored and the ties were smart. None of that off the rack crap me and my friends wore from the neighborhood store. They meant business.

And they were gettin ready to kick some booty!
Them Brothers was SHARP!!!!

Allen

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 06:36 pm:

Allen:
The Tempts weren't just "Gettin' Ready" on that album cover, they were preparing for battle! (I pity whoever else had to follow them...)

You're so right about the wardrobe & the preparation. Otis, Melvin, David, Eddie & Paul were "Gettin' Ready" to put on a SHOW! That is what is so sadly missing from many of our younger acts (I know...here I go again...lemme stop..).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Livonia Ken (206.148.225.102) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 06:54 pm:

My reference has Greatest Hits topping off at #5 pop. Reese had the answer I was looking for, TCB. If I'm wrong, that's OK. Greatest Hits deserved to be #1 with a bullet.

How about the two albums that were top ten pop, but did not chart R&B? When you hear the answer, it actually makes a lot of sense.

Regards,
Ken

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

Allen and KevGo - I agree. Not only did the "Classics" prepare for battle, they literally kicked booty. And still are kicking it.

I purchased and love all of their LP's in the 60s'. And the "Getting Ready" LP, I couldn't stop looking at those fine guys. Fine as fine wine. I think I kissed that LP cover 100 times. I loved everyone of them, even Otis.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:12 pm:

(Of course I don't care for Otis now.)

By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:26 pm:

LOL @ "even Otis," Sis. :-) Yes, even HE was cool.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:26 pm:

C'mon Sis, tell us how you really feel about Otis nowadays!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

I couldn't do that KevGo because my brother, (11 years younger than I,) would stop speaking to me. Of course if he did stop speaking, it would be to his disadvantage, but I've spoiled him. :o)

By Allen (24.165.80.12) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 09:33 pm:

KevGo,

Let me say a few things about the artistry of today. Y'all haven't heard me rant on this topic yet.

What has my draws in a bunch is the way our government let the music Industry... (i.e. the five conglomerates that control the business) have a monopoly on distribution. They have no competition. The entire setup stinks of Anti Trust and nobody says anything about it. All of this perpetrates another of America's dirty little secrets allowed to continue.

They only give us artists whom we'll tire of within 3 years at best. They systematically discarded of anyone talented enough to stick around and see the royalty rates escalate in the artist's benefit. Why don't we hear new music from Chaka Khan and Al Jareau? (Al does have a new cd, but it's been far too long.) I keep hearing "The Kids The Kids" ... The kids don't know Jak Schitt.

Unless they can get them hot and out the door by the 4th year, they don't want to deal with them. The artists of today have no idea how to relate to an audience. They have poor social skills and more so entertainment skills. Thus they are relegated to running around the stage yelling "YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH!" and the infamous " SOMEBODY SCREEM!"

That ain't entertainment! The singers aren't able to hold a note for longer than a nano second without attempting some ridicules riff that means absolutely nothing within the context of the song. Singing in tune, is a none issue.

When I was learning to play in Detroit, I played in smokey bars (illegally)... with gentlemen old enough to be my grandfather. They schooled me on so many things. Like learning not to play too much. Timing and dynamics. Respecting the audience. And the most important, communicating the essence of the song. Getting the idea across.

The artist' today think they're more important than the material. Hence they are a flash in the pan and their material has a total shelf life of 3 months.
Dog food last longer.

OK, I�M done.

Allen

By Karyl (207.69.100.84) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 11:07 pm:

Mike, you're right about the Tempts Greatest Hits! They hold so many records (no pun intended) when it comes to LPs. They have the most consecutive #1 albums and longest album chart careers (at least up until 1998). I

Stu, thanks for sharing that story about Smokey! I love hearing about Motown Memories!

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 09:18 am:

I BELIEVE THAT OUT OF ALL THE CLASSIC ALBUM DONE BY THE TEMPS THIER BEST IS GETTIN READY,BUT MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS TEMPTIN TEMPTATIONS WITH IT'S WHITE ON WHITE COVER AND MINICLASSICS{BORN TO LOVE YOU,JUST ANOTHER LONELY NIGHT,YOU'RE THE ONE I NEED}.TRIVIA NOTE,IT IS ALSO THE LAST ALBUM WITH PAUL AND EDDIE WEARING PROCESSES.

By rhythmqueen (199.180.18.5) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 09:58 am:

Allen, I'm in total agreement with you on this one. Most of the top 40 music these days SUCKS!!! I like the groups that have been around awhile or some of the really talented "relative unknowns". I've heard some of the "new up and comings" that have top 40 singles--one in particular, whose name I won't mention (but she did sing I'm like a bird)--perform LIVE when she should've just stayed home. She couldn't stay in key, much less find it. I'm sure she'll be around for another 5 years (strong hint of sarcasm)....

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 11:30 am:

Allen & Rhythmqueen:
As a former radio programmer & record store manager, you best believe I've heard more than my share of "the good, the bad & the all-too-ugly" of popular music.

You hit the nail on the head, Allen, about young artists woodshedding and learning from the mentors/elders about how to perform music. Because some of today's music encourages this attitude of "F--- the old school! We are the new!" there is none of that professional knowhow being instilled in many of today's "performers".
A shame indeed - especially since folks such as Tom-Tom Washington & Sonny Sanders in Chicago, Gamble & Huff in Philadelphia and Arif Mardin (who is turning cartwheels over the success of his artist Norah Jones) are still making music AND are willing to pass on their wisdom, knowledge & know-how of the music biz.

Is there hope? I hope so. There are many young people I speak to here in NYC who are so turned off by the baggy-jeaned-sunglass-wearing-"yo baby yo baby yo"-talking "artist". For example, I overheard a conversation between two twenty-year olds who were listening to a Delfonics song at the diner across the street from my office. The young man said, "I wish (the industry) would make more music like this. I can't stand the (garbage) they're putting out now." I almost gave this kid a hug.

Looks like I will have to get my label going and put out my artist's first single to help save people from the bull----. Details forthcoming.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By LeVan45789 (67.119.194.187) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 12:39 pm:

The Temptations Sing Smokey is my all time favorite album by them. Eddie singing (You Can) Depend On Me still gives me chills! I have the remastered CD it sounds awesome.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 02:18 pm:

Allen, Kev

And the RIAA wonder why CD sales are dropping ?
- do any of them have ears or do they just see
balance sheets ?

I had a similar rant about a year ago - nothing
much has changed except the ludicrous deals the
majors get themselves involved in get bigger
- eighty million for Robbie Williams !

What chance has the US ever got of seeing, say,
a Monitors compilation when the "bean counters"
can only think in terms of at least a million
sales.

Oh well.. lots of luck with your label, Kev.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 04:07 pm:

Davie:
The RIAA, to me, represent the big interests of the industry. They know what sells & why, yet at the same time instead of telling the big labels the TRUTH as to why their stuff isn't selling (mediocre bull---- & high prices), they would rather fight the Napsters of the world (hey guys, we visited this smoke & mirrors act years ago with the home-taping "issue").

Your point about Robbie Williams is valid, although I do admit the guy sells a lot of CDs which his label is exporting to the USA (and retailing his CDS at a whopping $19.98 per disc!)and make a ton of money that way. I'm not saying he's worth 80 million (hell, I wouldn't even pay him 8 mil!) but he does sells CDs.

I think though with the recent firings of certain executives we'll hopefully revert back to when labels signed acts to single & EP deals to see how they fare to the public before granting them the album deal. This (and cutting back on high-priced middle management and repetitive corporate titles) may help matters and hopefully place a demand on quality music & artists.

BTW, Thanks for the kudos...

Kevin Goins - KevGo