By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:17 am:| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:17 am: |
THIS IS AN OPEN QUESTION TO EVERYONE. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BEST ALL TIME TEMPTATION LINE-UP IS? PUT SENTIMENT ASIDE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO FEEL THAT THE ORIGINAL FAB 5 COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER WITH A FEW PERSONEL CHANGES HERE AND THERE, THE TIME PERIOD MEANS VERY LITTLE, HARMONY AND NATURAL TALENT TRANSCENDS TIME, THINK HARD ABOUT EVERY PERSON WHO WAS EVER A TEMPTATION, WHAT IS YOUR FANTASY LINE-UP ?
| By Scratcher (65.133.219.186) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:19 am: |
The Classic Temptations not the original Temptations is my favorite lineup. The Classic Tempts were David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:31 am: |
I'D LIKE TO SEE, MELVIN FRANKLIN, OLLIE WOODSON, GLEN LEONARD, RICHARD STREET, AND PAUL WILLIAMS, SOUNDS STRANGE, BUT I THINK THE HARMONY AND MELODIC SWING THESE GUYS WOULD CREATE, WOULD BE FANTASTIC
| By Scratcher (65.133.219.186) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
Eddie Kendricks in the sixties was amazing, couldn't replace him with Leonard. David Ruffin was the star in that era, a consummate showmen, no way I would replaced him with Woodson. Richard Street could sing Otis' parts and add some of his own, so no big problem there. Saying that, I thought Leonard and Street were great together in the Temptations, remember "Aiming At Your Heart." And if I had to replace David with anybody it would be Dennis Edwards.
| By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:58 am: |
The ones who hit in '64! David was my favorite
singer.
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:12 pm: |
"CLASSIC TEMPTS" ALL THE WAY DELL (BY THE WAY...I'VE GOT ONE OF YOUR COMPUTERS)!!!...ANY OTHER COMBINATION COULD SING SOME SWEET..SWEET MUSIC...AND RANK UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF ALL TIME...BUT DAVID...EDDIE...PAUL...OTIS...AND MELVIN...WILL *NEVER* BE BEAT!!!...THEIR CHEMISTRY ON STAGE IS "ONE FOR THE AGES"!!!...STUBASS
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:21 pm: |
TO SCRATCHER: OK, DENNIS IS MR TEMPTATION, BUT HOW COULD YOU REPLACE DAVID WITH DENNIS, IF OLLIE IS THE CLOSEST THING TO DAVID VOCALLY, OLLIE HAS THAT SAME VOCAL ARROGANCE AND SWAGGER, WIDER VOCAL RANGE, AND SINGS BACKGROUND BETTER THAN BOTH OF THEM, ALSO SINCE HE'S A VOCALIST / SONGWRITER, MUCH MORE CREATIVE AND IT SHOWS IN HIS SINGING.
EDDIE KENDRICKS WAS GREAT, BUT NEVER HAD THE SKILLS LIKE GLEN, REMEMBER, PUT SENTIMENT ASIDE LISTEN VERY CLOSELY TO ALL OF GLEN'S WORK IN THE 80'S WITH THE TEMPTS,AS A LEAD OR IN THE BACKGROUND, LISTEN VERY, VERY CLOSELY, TYSON, HARRIS NOR KENDRICKS, COULD SWING IT LIKE HIM, DAMON HARRIS WAS VERY SIMILAR TO KENDRICKS, BUT NO CIGAR, TYSON, NOT BAD BUT CAN'T DO THE OLD MATERIAL THAT WELL, SOUNDS MUCH, MUCH BETTER DOING, THE NEWER NON CLASSIC MATERIAL, WHERE HE CAN'T BE COMPARED. RICHARD, MR. CROWD FAVORITE, JUST DON'T LET HIM SING LEAD ON MY GIRL LIVE AGAIN, HE DIDN'T SING IT ORIGINALLY, AND HE SHOULDN'T SING IT NOW, IT'S NOT CUTE, DENNIS DOESN'T EVEN SING IT THAT WELL, BUT TO HEAR OLLIE DO IT IS PURE ART.
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:22 pm: |
The Legendary Lineup From 1964 to 1968 -
David, Eddie, Paul, Otis & Melvin.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:23 pm: |
AH, AH, AH FELLAS, YOU DISAPOINT ME, YOU JUST CAN'T PUT ASIDE THE SENTIMENT CAN YOU ?
| By Scratcher (65.133.219.186) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:40 pm: |
Dell, you obviously didn't see the Temptations early on. I first saw them with Elbridge Bryant when they had "Check Yourself" out. Eddie, as previously stated, was spectacular then, he could do what Glen does and more. His falsetto was strong and he could sing extremely high like Leonard but with more something...that I can't put my finger on.
I like Dennis more than Woodson, which is why if I had to choose another over David it would be Dennis. Dennis was a powerhouse when he joined the Tempts, his boisterous lead made them better bets at the larger venues they were playing. Ruffin's impact waned the larger the venue became but he was spectacular in clubs. Not to diss Woodson because I like him a lot, but if I had to pick one it would be Dennis. I agree with you that Woodson and Ruffin was closer vocally and stylewise than Edwards and Ruffin but I still like Dennis.
The topic is a good one. I see what you're trying to do, to get people to pick a super Temptations group from all the different singers that have been Temptations. It's just that the Classic Temptations were so strong it's hard to replace any of them except Otis.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 12:52 pm: |
OK, OK, SO I LIKE TO PLAY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, SHOOT ME (just a joke) IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T LIKE CLASSIC TEMPT, I'M 47 YEARS OLD, I NEVER SAW LIVE THEM WITH PAUL. I ONCE HAD SOMEONE TELL BE THAT KENDRICK'S BEST YEARS WERE BEHIND HIM BY THE TIME THE GROUP SOLIDIFIED THEMSELVES, IS THIS TRUE, ALSO I MUST ADMIT THAT THE ARGUEMENT OF DENNIS BEING BETTER IN A LARGER VENUE IS INTERESTING, I GOT TO THINK ABOUT THAT ONE.
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 01:10 pm: |
BUT DELL: IT'S LIKE ANY SPORTS TEAM!!!...SOME TEAMS ARE LOADED WITH TALENT...MAN FOR MAN CAN STACK UP AGAINST ANYONE...BUT STILL...CAN'T PUT THE RIGHT CHEMISTRY TOGTHER TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP!!!...THE CLASSIC TEMPTS *HAD* THAT CHEMISTRY...AND REMEMBER..."THE WHOLE IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF IT'S PARTS"!!!...STUBASS
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 01:22 pm: |
Dell:
I'm 36 years old & remember seeing the Temptations on Ed Sullivan & American Bandstand when Dennis was entering his second year with the group while Eddie & Paul were still members. Dennis had a tough job stepping into the shoes David Ruffin left behind but he brought his own gifts to the group. If I had my choice between Dennis & Ali-Ollie, Dennis would win hands down.
I disagree that Eddie's best years were behind him by the time the group solidified themselves. If anything, his voice was at its mellowest and strongest. Go back & listen to any Tempts record cut between 1967 and 1971 - Eddie's singing was on the money from "You're My Everything" to "Cloud Nine", "Ball Of Confusion" to the entire Side One of "Sky's The Limit". Even his solo material from 1971 to 1977 proved his vocals were still strong.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 02:01 pm: |
STUBASS:
CHEMISTRY WAS SACRIFICED A LONG TIME AGO, WHEN ONE MEMBER OF THE GROUP BECAME, JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER.
BEING SOLE SURVIVING MEMBER MAY GIVE ONE THE RIGHT TO SAY WHO GETS EQUAL SHARE OF PROFITS AND SONG SELECTION, BUT AT WHOSE EXPENSE, IT SHOULD NOT BE US THE CD BUYING, CONCERT GOING PUBLIC
| By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 02:07 pm: |
Good Topic!!! I like the classic line up too but sentiments aside I think I would have to say
when Dennis came and then Ali Woodson...I have a special sentiment for Damon Harris though he was a good singer and I think he was the closest think to Eddie in my opinion and he really looked like a Temp if you know what I mean......
Stephanie
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 02:17 pm: |
TO STEPHANIE:
THANK YOU DARLING, FINALLY SOMEONE PUTING SENTIMENT ASIDE, I KNOW I'M BEING APAIN TODAY TO A FEW PEOPLE, BUT SOMETIMES A LIKE TO STIR IT UP, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN
| By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 02:37 pm: |
Legendary/ Classic whatever you name it, hands down it's the 1964 line-up thats the best with David doing most of the leads, Paul was cool too, but David had style, charisma, & a voice.
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 03:16 pm: |
Sentiment aside, I'd probably go with
Melvin
Paul
Ali Woodson
Richard
Glenn Leonard
If Paul or Ali run into trouble, Dennis is waiting in the wings.
As you can see, my fantasy Temptation line-up has no room for a judge, jury and executioner.
Stranger56
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 03:55 pm: |
IT AIN'T JUST SENTIMENT DELL AND ALL!!!...BILL LAIMBEER WAS CERTAINLY NOT THE BEST CENTER IN THE NBA WHEN THE PISTONS WON THOSE CHAMPIONSHIPS...MAHORN...NOT THE BEST POWER FORWARD...AND ISIAH...ALTHOUGH GREAT...ARGUEABLY NOT THE BEST POINT GUARD...BUT TOGETHER...THOSE GUYS WERE THE BEST *TEAM* DURING THEIR RUN!!!...SAME WITH THE "CLASSIC TEMPTS"...THEY WERE "SIMPLY THE BEST" OF *ALL TIME*...AND REWRITTING HISTORY WON'T CHANGE THAT!!!...RESPECTFULLY YOURS...STUBASS
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 04:10 pm: |
I respectfully disagree with you, Stu. I think what set the Classic Tempts apart from the rest was the writing that they had. The Classic group, for the most part, didn't write their own stuff. They had a guy named Smokey writing for them. I think if you put Dennis or Ali in the lead back then, with those songs, and I'm sure you wouldn't pine for another lead singer. The later Tempts did not have the same luxury, hence the "down time" at Atlantic. With the Ali-led Tempts, they started to do their own writing, and the results were better.
It's my opinion, and all of this is strictly opinion, right...I mean there is no right or wrong here....that David, as great as he was, would not have handled Papa Was a Rolling Stone as well as Dennis, and Dennis DID not handle the more modern sound of Treat Her Like A Lady very well, whereas I think Ali, could swing from all three Tempts sounds with ease.....from the early hits, through Dennis' Cloud Nine/Psychedelic Shack days, and of course through the modern stuff. I feel neither Dennis nor David would have been so comfortable with some of the Hip-Hop type things that the Tempts of the 90's and today have been performing. I think Ali had no problem with ANY of the musical phases of the group.
Again...it's all subjective and strictly opinion.
Jim
| By dvdmike (12.84.140.248) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 04:14 pm: |
I agree with Scratcher. That was the lineup that I saw at the Regal Theater in 1964 at age 9
| By SoniT (209.193.174.164) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 05:32 pm: |
Definitely the Classic Tempts - David, Eddie, Melvin, Otis, and Paul. However, I also liked Dennis Edwards.
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 05:51 pm: |
STRANGER56: THATS ALL O.K. MY FRIEND...AND I SUPPOSE YOU LIKE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM TOO!!!...BY THE WAY...THE DENNIS ERA TEMPTS HAD A GUY NAMED...LETS SEE...OH YEAH...NORMAN WHITFIELD WORKING WITH THEM!!!..."CLASSIC" ALL THE WAY...BUT FOR THE MOST PART...THEY WERE ALL GREAT INCARNATIONS!!!...STU P.S....I HAVE SEEN LIVE EVERY TEMPTATIONS SINCE THE "CLASSICS...AND TO ME...THEY'LL ALWAYS BE THE BEST!!!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 05:55 pm: |
TO Stranger56
IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT MY ORIGINAL COMMENT I TOTALLY AGREE, DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT, YOU GOT THE SAME VISION, PLEASE GET BACK......EXPLAIN
I'M CURIOUS.
| By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 06:35 pm: |
HEY GUYS!!!...I GUESS IF WE CAN'T SETTLE IT HERE...WE'LL HAVE TO GO TO RECORD SALES...LET THE PUBLIC DECIDE...ANY GUESSES WHICH TEMPTATIONS SOLD THE MOST RECORDS???...BY THE WAY...MY BROTHER WORKED WITH NORMAN WHITFIELD ON "SAIL AWAY"..."MISS BUSY BODY"...THAT ENTIRE PROJECT AS ARRANGER...AND EVEN THOUGH I'D TIP MY HAND TO FAMILY...AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB IN THAT ERA...THE ERA SOME OF YOU SPEAK OF...I'M STILL BACK WITH THE "CLASSICS"...BRO...I'M SURE YOU'LL UNDERSTAND...AND MY CHOICE IS NO REFLECTION ON THE TREMENDOUS TALENT YOU POSSESS!!!...STUBASS
| By Leoscasino (66.72.203.117) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 07:18 pm: |
Dell, You are SOOOOOOOOOOOO on the $$$$$$$$$$.
My sentiments exactly. (RE: Judge, jury and executioner).
At who's cost.........ours.
That is my big beef with Otis.
He, and no jury in the land is going to tell me
WHO is a Temptation.
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 07:23 pm: |
HEY ALL: BELIEVE ME...I AM *NO* OTIS APOLOGIST...BUT REMEMBER THAT OTIS WAS A PART OF EVERY TEMPTATION GROUP THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS...SO HIS PARTICIPATION SHOULD HAVE NO IMPACT ON THIS DISCUSSION!!!...WE ARE MEERLY TALKING ABOUT WHICH GROUP SANG AND PERFORMED THE BEST!!!...PLUS...IN THE EARLY DAYS...OTIS OBVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE THE OUTRIGHT AUTHORITY THAT HE DID AS MORE AND MORE MEMBERS LEFT...WERE REPLACED...OR PASSED AWAY!!!...STU
| By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 07:48 pm: |
DENNIS???...MR. TEMPTATION???...GREAT SINGER BUT THATS LIKE SAYING...LETS SEE...OK...LARRY BIRD...MR. CELTIC!!!...EVER HEAR OF A GUY NAMED *BILL RUSSELL*???...OR *DAVID RUFFIN*???...(COME ON MEL...WHERE ARE YOU WHEN I NEED YA)!!!...STUBASS
| By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:14 pm: |
It's all the same 'cats' that sang on, all these....
"All I Need, and "Get Ready", and "It's Growin", and "The Girl's Alright (With Me)", and "I Could Never Love Another", and "My Girl", and "The Way You Do The Things You Do", and "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)", and "You're My Everything", and "My Baby", and "Since I Lost My Baby", and... did I miss any?
These were the only "Tempts" that I truly 'recognize' as the one (true) "Temptations" lineup only....
| By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:24 pm: |
AND A WHOLE BUNCH MORE THAN THAT JIM!!!..."CLASSIC TEMPTS"...OFTEN IMITATED...NEVER DUPLICATED..."AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING"...(AND THESE OTHERS *CALL* THEMSELVES "TEMPTATIONS")!!!...STU
| By medusa9e (66.73.10.140) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:27 pm: |
Mr. D. Ruffin
Mr. O. Williams
Mr. P. Williams
Mr. E. Kendrick
Mr. M. Franklin
The 5 Men named above R, really R the Temptin' Temptations:
The Harmony
The Choreography
The Hairstyles
The Clothes they wore
The Cuff Links all the way to-
The Shoes they wore,
They Put Magic N The Music!
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 08:29 pm: |
SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE "ANGEL" MEDUSA9E!!!...I THINK WHAT YOU'RE REALLY SAYING HERE IS..."CLASSIC TEMPTS"...WE LOVE "THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO"!!!...STUBASS
| By Tyrone (192.128.167.68) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:03 pm: |
Call it whatever, but the classic lineup had it going on - David, Eddie, Paul (my fave overall), Melvin, Otis and Dennis. THE TEMPTIN' TEMPTATIONS.
| By medusa9e (66.73.10.140) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 10:20 pm: |
Hey KevGo,
U R only 36??? 4 real?????, no wonder I scared U away~~~~sorry, I didn't mean 2 rock your cradle.
..but I still like your name~~ (S m i l e)!
| By Stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:26 pm: |
Stu....the only reason I don't take record sales as proof is that you just can't compare sales in different times. Fact is, the 60's were more of a record buying time than, let's say, the 80's (when Woodson came into the group). There are no more 45s really, no more LP's really, and the public that bought records in the 80's weren't buying into an "oldies group" for the most part.
Perfect example of this would be....who do you think sold more records? The Four Tops of the 60's? Or the Four Tops of the 80's? Same guys....different time. In the 60's, the groups would knock out 2-3 LP's a year...now, if you get one every 2 years, you're lucky.
Anyway, whatever your reasons, the Classic 5 is a damn good choice. They were incredible, and yes, I've seen all the various incarnations (except with Eldridge)over the years. I just picked Woodson because of his versatility, and Leonard really because I could go either way between him and Eddie, and I figured Eddie would get most of the votes anyway. I really liked Leonard's work with the group, though. I would definitely take him over Tyson and Harris. Two things that didn't enter into my thinking process, though were the choreography and wardrobe. Again...different times. I strictly thought "vocals" in choosing, which is why Otis didn't make my cut. I thought he was virtually non-existent vocally, and I don't feel the harmonies would suffer without him.
But again....it's all good......all opinions, that's all.
Jim
| By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 11:30 pm: |
DITTO ON THAT JIM!!!...STU
| By DJ (130.156.140.2) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:30 am: |
Ali Ollie Woodson
Eddie Kendricks
Dennis Edwards
Richard Street
Melvin Franklin
This is an extremely difficult question. It would truly be impossible to pick just 5 members and without Otis it's not the Temptations, but just a Revue,however; Richard is more flexible than Otis so I have to pick this lineup. Although I think Theo Peoples would be next in line, because he is a truly gifted singer.
| By dJ (130.156.140.2) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:46 am: |
In terms of talent, I would rank the Tempts like this.
1)Ali Woodson
2)Dennis Edwards
3)David Ruffin
4)Theo Peoples
5)Eddie Kendricks
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 08:05 am: |
I'M WITH SCRATCHER,THE CLASSIC TEMPS WERE THE GREATEST FIVE MAN GROUP IN THE HISTORY OF SOUL MUSIC,BECAUSE OF ONE THING,FIVE LEAD SINGERS[AND YES OTIS DID SING LEAD ON OCCATION]THE ONLY OTHER GROUP THAT COMES CLOSE ARE THE FLAMINGOES WHOM THE TEMPS HAVE BEEN COMPARED TO.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 10:35 am: |
Stranger56:
MUST SAY AGAIN, YOUR THINKING IS EXACTLY LIKE MINE. I HAVE BEEN A TEMPTATION FAN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. I'VE NOT ONLY LISTENED TO THEM, I'VE STUDIED THEM, NOT ONLY APPLAUDED THEM, BUT AT TIMES BEEN CRITICAL OF THEM, BUT ALWAYS LOVED THEM. NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE "CLASSIC 5", WITHOUT THEM, THE HISTORY OF SINGING GROUPS WOULD HAVE TAKEN A TURN IN A DIRECTION I CARE NOT TO IMAGINE. THEIR COUNTLESS CONTRIBUTIONS TO R&B, WERE THE VERY THINGS THAT GAVE BIRTH TO THE CAREERS OF WOODSON, EDWARDS, TYSON, BARRINGTON, HARRIS, STREET, LEONARD, PRICE & COUNTLESS OTHER VOCALIST WHO SING WITH OTHER GROUPS. AS YOU SAID EVERYTHING IS JUST OPINION. THE CLASSIC 5 WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS AS I'M SURE YOU AGREE, BUT I'M ALSO SURE THAT NONE OF THEM WOULD BE HAPPY WITH THE DIRECTION THE GROUP HAS TAKEN IN RECENT YEARS, NO STABILITY, MATERIAL AT TIMES NOT WORTHY OF THEIR TALENTS, AND THE CONSTANT REVOLING DOOR OF MEMBERS. PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BLAME OTIS, BUT I'M SURE IF THE OTHER MEMBERS WERE ALIVE TODAY, THEY WOULDN'T BE VERY SURPRISED, REMEMBER THEY DEALT WITH OTIS TOO.
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 11:58 am: |
Dell, the truth is that, for the most part, Otis has tried to handle this all on his own, and hey...many other groups have broken up having gone through half of what the Tempts have gone through. I guess Otis felt that his options were, either have the revolving door, or close up shop. I give him credit, at least for keeping it together, even though his decisions don't make him the most popular Temptation.
But if it weren't for him, the question that started this thread couldn't have been asked, because he's given us all these people to choose from. LOL
Jeez...talk about looking for a bright spot, huh?
I just hope the material gets better, as you mentioned. I mean, after Dennis left (the first time)I never expected that we'd get great songs from them like "Treat Her Like A Lady", "Soul To Soul", "How Can You Say That It's Over?", and "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now". So who knows what's in store for us in the future? We'll see, I'm sure.
Jim
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:25 pm: |
STRANGER56:
WHO THE HELL ARE YOU ?, IT'S CREEPY IT'S ALMOST LIKE COMMUNICATING WITH MYSELF, WE LIKE THE SAME LINE-UP, SONGS, etc..... WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE G.C. CAMERON ANGLE, I CAN'T HEAR IT, IT DOESN'T SOUND WORKABLE, BUT THEN AGAIN THEY DID DEAL WITH LOUIS PRICE
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:36 pm: |
LOL...Dell, I'm just a 47 year old white boy from the South Bronx, who grew up listening to the Tops and Tempts, and the Stylistics, and all those great groups from the 60's and 70's, as well as those great solo artists like Stevie and Marvin, etc.
As for liking the same songs, hey, those are just great songs...no matter what lineup you prefer, I think those songs are just too good to ignore.
Let's see...G.C......I don't know yet, man...I'm not feeling him as a Temptation yet, but we have to give him a chance. He's a veteran, a pro, and I have to feel, if he thinks he can pull it off, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, based on his resume.
And by the way, I LIKED Louis Price. I especially liked his solo cd from 1990 on Motown. Some real quality music on that cd, for those who've never heard it.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Later!
Jim
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:48 pm: |
HEY STRANGER56,YOU HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD ABOUT THE MUSIC,IT'S ALLLLLLLLLLL GOOD,BE IT,THE CLASSIC,ORIGINAL,PSYCADELIC,80'S,90'S OR CURRENT AND BELIEVE ME I HAVE SONGS FROM ALLLLLLLLLLLL THE LINEUPS,TEMPTATIONS FOEVER!!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 12:53 pm: |
Stranger56:
LOUIS PRICE WAS GREAT, 1 PROBLEM COULDN'T REALLY SING BACKGROUND TOO WELL, FYI, 47 YEAR OLD BLACK GUY FROM E.N.Y BROOKLYN, WORKING FOR A DOWNTOWN LAW FIRM, SANG WITH A FEW GROUPS, IN SEMI RETIREMENT NOW HARD TO FIND GUYS WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT BLOWIN.......WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE GROUP THE FUTURES
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:09 pm: |
If I remember correctly, weren't they out of Philly? Gamble/Huff group? I think I remember them as being pretty smooth. if they're the same guys I'm thinking of. Think they did a nice cover of Mr. Bojangles...but again, I'm banking on my memory, which isn't always a good thing.
Dell, still live in ENY? Anywhere near TJHS?
Jim
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:21 pm: |
Stranger56:
MY MAN I PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR THE ORANGE WAVE UNDER THE LATE GREAT MOE FINKELSTEIN, YES THE FUTURE DID DO THE BOJANGLES SONG, ONE GUY IS NOW SINGING BASS FOR THE TEMPTS AND ANOTHER IS GONNA BE THE NEW LEAD SINGER FOR THE SPINNERS, MOVED TO BED-STUY 6 MONTHS AGO, BUT ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE STILL THERE, GREW UP ACROSS THE STREET FROM MILLER PARK, AAH THE MEMORIES, GO OUT TO ENY EVERY WEEK
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:55 pm: |
Dell & Stranger56:
Finally...more Big Apple representation on Soulful Detroit...HW,Common, the Chancellor & myself were starting to feel lonely out here! 
Look, I may be a sentimentalist but it didn't start that way. When I first heard the Tempts many, many moons ago (alright - 1970 & "Ball Of Confusion"!)until the ripe age of ten my favorite Tempts included Dennis, Eddie (later Damon), Otis, Paul (later Richard) & Melvin. That was until one day while walking home from school I discovered in a junk pile on a corner street THE TEMPTATIONS GREATEST HITS (stereo copy) - whoever threw this out should've been shot with a hollow-point. Anyway, I took it home, cleaned it off (mild soap & water - no alcohol)and BAM! my mind was blown! David on "My Girl" & "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", Paul on "Don't Look Back", Eddie - my man - on so many great tracks they need no intro (hell, we all know what they are, anyway). Bottom line - this classic lineup won my heart & ears forever.
As for those who passed through the group, these were my favorite members (outside of the classic line-up):
Ali-Ollie Woodson
Theo Peoples
Barrington
Louis Price (yes, I heard his 1990 solo album and it is a solid piece of work that was poorly promoted).
Dennis Edwards
There's my piece...
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 01:55 pm: |
Medusa9e:
No, you didn't scare me away. Thanks for the sentiment.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:09 pm: |
Dell, Moe may have been great, but he certainly isn't late. He's still with us, thank God...and living out in L.I., I believe.
Kev, gotta agree with you on Price's solo cd. Quality stuff...absolutely zero promotion.
I STILL pull it out and listen to it, now and again.
Which reminds me, have you heard Ali's solo cd?
Or Theo's?
Jim
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:20 pm: |
Stranger56:
WE'RE GOING IN CIRCLES MAN, AGAIN, WHO ARE YOU. DID YOU KNOW MOE, DID YOU PLAY FOOTBALL, WE MAY KNOW EACH OTHER, NEED MORE INFO.
KevGo:
YEAH, N.Y. IS DEFINITELY IN THE HOUSE.
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 02:24 pm: |
No, Dell, we don't know each other...I went to school in the Bronx. Reason I know about Moe is because I work at TJ now, for almost 10 years. I met Moe about 8 years ago in Long Island, but I don't know him.
And wasn't that The Friends of Distinction (Going in Circles)? LOL
Jim
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 03:00 pm: |
OK, HAVEN'T SEEN MOE IN 20 YEARS
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 03:42 pm: |
Through the years I have been fortunate to see all the combinations of this great group. To start off with there is no better bass singer than Melvin Franklin. Now Harry can get down to the bottom of the pool as witnessed on his great version of Mr. Bojangles but Mel is the MAn.
Now I like Richard Street, Every Time I Close My Eyes and songs of those types made him a great Temptation. He has great background skills as well but Paul Williams is the man who took the Temptations to another level giving them that third lead who could do damage to the songs other were afraid to sing likethe standards he made famous.
If there was no Eddie Kendricks, I have to go with Glenn leonard. That man could sing with the best of them. I'n On Fire, Is there Anybody Else, Aiming At your Heart. What made him a standout to me is the fact he sounded nothing like Eddie Kendricks yet when he sang the classics like Just My Imagination live......well you wasn't mad. Can't you See Sweet thing is another great song with Glenn in the lead. He sang the songs his way as opposed to Damon who I thought was too young to be in the group and suffered from sounding too much like Eddie and being unjustly villified for it.
If you think Dennis can'r sing, then you must not have listend to songs on the B-sides of their lps from back in the Day. Listen to Since I Lost You, Why'd She HAve To leave or I GFot To Find A Way to Get You Back and tell me he couldn't have fronted any group. He made it easier for those who followed because he brought his own stuff to the table and took them to another level. I like ALi and to me his is the last great lead the Temps have had but over Dennis....I think not. I like Special and Lady Soul but Dennis is the man for the super group to me.
And I am going to put Otis in the group because like it or not his harmony has been what keeps us remembering the classic five. And you can't ignore he has sung on every Temptation song ever made.
So I go: Melvin, Glenn, Paul, Dennis, Otis
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 03:57 pm: |
Aba21:
Thank you, not too much sentiment, just the way I like it
| By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:56 am: |
I guess I'll chime in here, The Classic Temptations were by far the greatest singing group in history. Eddie, David, Paul,Otis & Melvin had "Magic". Not only vocally, but their stage presence was unparelled. I first saw the Classic Tempts on a Motown Revue at The Regal Theatre in Chicago. Shorty Long was on the bill as were the Headliners the Miracles. Conversation on our block began and ended with who was the better group, Smokey or The Temptations, well every girl on the block loved Smokey, all the guys wanted to be Tempts. Well Smokey and The Miracles(along with Claudette) had the girls going crazy. But the Mighty Temptations brought the house down, Paul Williams was simply magnificent as was David and Eddie. This show was before the group released My Girl and they were dressed like they appeared on the cover of The Temptations sing Smokey. Processes, black suits,cuff links, patent leather shoes, everything they did implied that they were the classiest group to come down the pike. I have seen them many times and in all their different configurations, but The Classic Five laid the foundation for the definition of Temptin! Sure I love Dennis and Ali and all the other Tempts, but the classic Tempts in their prime could outsing and outdance any group out there. They established the gold standard and everyone else had to catch up. I am very grateful that we still have Temptations. What an institution ! I see that The Tempts will be appearing in Detroit soon. Thats not far from Chi-town, sounds like a road trip to me. Temptations Forever.
PS: no I'm not really feeling GC Cameron as a Tempt but we'll see !
Dennis Edwards was the perfect choice to replace David during the (Whitfield years)which no one and I mean no one thought he would pull it off.
Ali Woodson came aboard singing "Stop the World Right Here I wanna Get off" another Whitfield tune that was to signal the beginning of another Tempt era.
Barrington,Terry Weeks and Harry were great replacement Tempts, they were touched by the Magic. The only two Tempts that didn't have that special flavor were Ricky Owens and Louis Price, good singers but they just were'nt Temptin. (smile)
I won't say how old I am just for curiosity sake but when the Temptations made My Girl I was in the seventh grade. And finally I will probably start a string on two ther vocal groups who rank very high on my list of all time favorites and that the Dells & The Dramatics, who are Tempting in their own right. :-)
Kdubya
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:25 am: |
VERY INTERESTING COMMENTS ON THIS TOPIC, SEEMS LIKE I STARTED SOMETHING, BUT THERE IS ONE THING I COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHY WERE THE FOUR TOPS CONSIDERED THE AMBASSADORS OF MOTOWN AND NOT THE TEMPTS?, I'VE WONDERED ABOUT THAT FOR YEARS, TAKING NOTHING FROM THE TOPS, THEY WERE ANOTHER SUPER GROUP, I JUST ALWAYS THOUGHT THE TEMPTS HAD A LARGER FAN BASE.
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:46 am: |
"The Ambassadors of Motown?" Sounds like some title some writer came up with Dell. Were the Tops officially the Ambassadors of Motown? If so who annointed them and what was the criteria for being name such? How many votes did they beat the Supremes, the Tempts, Stevie, Marvin and Smokey by? Was the appointment for life?
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:02 am: |
HEY GANG,I LOVE THIS TEMPS DISCUSSION,LET ME INTERJECT SOMETHING HERE,WHILE MOST TEMPS FANS WOULD SAY THAT[DON'T LOOK BACK]IS PAUL'S BEST VOCAL[EVERYTHING HE SANG WAS GREAT}TAKE A LISTEN TO[JUST ANOTHER LONELY NIGHT]FROM THE TEMPTIN TEMPTATIONS,AND SEE IF THAT SONG DOESN'T RIVAL HIS GREATEST WORK!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:07 am: |
Scratcher:
IN THE 80's I SAW A CONCERT AT WESTBURY MUSIC FAIR, TEMPTS V. TOPS, AND AGAIN IN THE 90's BOTH SHOWS THEY WERE ANNOUNCED AS SUCH, A FEW OF MY FRIENDS HAVE SAID THEY ALSO HEARD THE SAME TITLE GIVEN THEM BEFORE AND OTHER SHOWS AND ON T.V., GO FIGURE
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
I personally never heard the title of Ambassadors of Motown being bestowed on the Tops, but they WERE considered the Grand Gentlemen of Motown. I'm sure this had to do with the fact that they had been around a bit longer than the other guys, and had started singing together in 1954, so, by the time they got to Motown, they were already seasoned performers. In fact, they needed to forget about a lot of that seasoning in order to do things the Motown way. It was virtually a "re-training" of sorts. And remember, the Tops had spent the last decade, before Motown, singing jazz tunes, standards, and Broadway songs, so it was quite a change for them to become "pop stars".
Also, if there really was a title of "Ambassadors", maybe it would have had something to do with their popularity overseas. It's been said that the reaction of the British fans to the Four Tops was akin to the U.S. reaction to the Beatles. Perhaps that's where that purely unofficial title would've initiated.
Jim
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:15 am: |
The Tempts and Tops concerts were great. Levi and Dennis would sing parts of each other groups' songs and everything.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:32 am: |
NOT SAYING I WANTED TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN, BUT COULD YOU IMAGINE LEVI STUBBS, BEING A TEMPT LEAD
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:41 am: |
Wouldn't wish that on Levi.
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:43 am: |
I can definitely feel Levi on "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:48 am: |
CAN'T PICTURE ANY TEMPT BUT DENNIS REALLY PULLING OFF A TOPS MEDLEY
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:48 am: |
TEMPTS VS TOPS WAS DURING A PERIOD WHERE NEITHER GROUP WAS PRODUCING BIG HIT RECORDS...AND IT WAS FELT THAT THE VERSUS CONCEPT WOULD DRAW FANS FROM BOTH CAMPS...DESPITE THE MONEY BEING SPLIT BY MORE PEOPLE!!!...I SAW THIS SHOW IN VEGAS SOMETIME DURING THE 80'S (THE LAST TIME I PERSONALLY SPOKE WITH MELVIN FRANKLIN AS I RECALL)...AND WHILE ENTERTAINING...ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE FAMILIAR WITH MOST OF ALL THEIR WORK...I FELT THAT THE SHOW DID LACK THE EBBS AND FLOWS THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE OCCURED WITH EITHER GROUP GOING IT ALONE...HOWEVER...FANS WERE TREATED TO MATERIAL FROM BOTH GROUPS...MAKING IT A GENERALLY ENJOYABLE EVENING!!!...STUBASS
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:50 am: |
Dell, you've forgotten about ex Tempt and now Top, Theo Peoples.
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:52 am: |
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT LEVI,BUT THERE IS A GUY THAT SINGS FIRST TENOR FOR THE SOFTONES WHO IN MY HUMBLE OPINION IS THE BEST FIRST TENOR SINCE EDDIE KENDRICKS AND I COULD SEE HIM IN THE TEMPS,HELP ME HERE SCRATCHER,YOU PROBOBLY KNOW THE GUY I'M SPEAKING OF.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:59 am: |
ANOTHER VERY GOOD FIRST TENOR, THAT I NEVER HEAR ANYONE SPEAK ABOUT, IN ANY CONVERSATION, IS SKIP MAHONEY, OF SKIP MAHONEY AND THE CASUALS
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
GOOD POINT DELL,SKIP IS GOOD TOO!
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:04 am: |
I saw the Tempts and Tops (TNT Revue) five different times over a period of years (the concerts went on for sometime) and every show was great. On a couple of shows the Tops clearly outdid the Tempts but on one show in particularly the Tempts brought it all and was outstanding. The only bad TNT concert I witnessed was one they did in a big football stadium after a pre-season football game; but most acts would have done a bad job there, the sound was terrible and they looked like midgets.
R&B: Marvin Brown. The Softones have a website in cyberspace somewhere.
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:09 am: |
You guys are leaving out some good first tenors from the Baltimore/D.C. area. Howabout Garnet Jones (Whatnauts); Mark Greene (original Moments); Terry Huff (Special Delivery); and the guy who replaced Terry Huff in Special Delivery;and we all know about Billy Griffin and Damon Harris.
| By Common (209.2.55.171) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:13 am: |
Hello everyone,
What about Ted Mills? Could he have filled Eddie's shoes as a Tempt? Just curious.
Peace!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:14 am: |
HOW ABOUT MISTER SMOOTH - RUSSELL TOMPKINS, JR. OF THE STYLISTICS AND WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE
"FLAMING" LEAD SINGER OF THE DYNAMIC SUPERIORS, WHO DID SHOE, SHOE, SHINE
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:16 am: |
COMMON:
I DON'T THINK SO, DIFFERENT TYPE OF TENOR, MILLS IS POWER AND TECHNIQUE, EDDIE IS MUCH SMOOTHER, RON BANKS OF THE DRAMATICS, HAS A GOOD CHANCE
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:19 am: |
Dynamic Superiors lead was the late Tony Washington; he wouldn't have worked with the Tempts for obvious reasons. But he's another first tenor/falsetto from the D.C./Baltimore area.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:26 am: |
DC / BALTIMORE - DIDN'T THE SOUL GENERATION COME FROM THERE, MADE "BODY & SOUL" & "MILLION DOLLARS" , ALSO KEVIN OWENS IS VERY, VERY GOOD, BACK UP FOR VANDROSS, CURRENTLY WITH RAY, GOODMAN & BROWN
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:27 am: |
THANKS SCRATCHER,THAT GUY IS GOOD,BUT SPEAKING OF GARNET JONES AND THE WHATNAUTS I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I HEARD[I'LL ERASE AWAY YOU PAIN]I'M RUNNIN AROUND TELLING EVERYBODY ABOUT THIS NEW MIRACLES SONG WHEN SOMEONE CORRECTED ME,BECAUSE AT THAT POINT IN TIME HE SOUNDED JUST LIKE SMOKEY.
| By Stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:32 am: |
Now that I think about it, the guy from Soul Generation was/is very good, but I don't know that I want to hear anyone but Eddie sing Please Return Your Love To Me.
Jim
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
Dell, I do believe the Soul Generation are from New Jersey. They're doing shows again you know. In fact, the Soul Patrol site has a concert they did online, it's about 40 minutes long. Check it out. They do the songs you mentioned.
Kevin is good, but some don't like his falsetto because of its high, piercing shrill; and I've heard it described in harsher tones. I think he's from the New York area.
All the singers people say sound like Smokey Robinson never did to me because except for Billy Griffin (who didn't sound like Smokey) they all sang in a falsetto voice. Smokey was a first tenor/male soprano. In a church choir the director placed men with voices like Smokey's with or next to the females.
| By Common (209.2.55.170) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
Hello Dell,
I never thought of Ted that way. Interesting. For some reason, he just struck me as having just a little Eddie in him. I guess I'll have to listen to my tenors a little more closely.
Peace!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:47 am: |
CHECK OUT RON BANKS, YOU'LL CLEARLY HEAR THE DIFFERENCE, MAYBE ONE OF THE BEST FINESE TENORS AROUND
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 05:09 pm: |
Dell now Ron Banks is very underated........Spaced Out Over YOu. That man can blow!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:10 am: |
Aba21:
PLEASE DON'T FORGET, CHARLES McCORMICK AND CHARLES LOVE OF BLOODSTONE, THOSE GUYS ARE UNBELIEVEABLE, THEY BLOW IN A DIFFERENT GALAXY ALTOGETHER
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
ALSO, HAS ANYONE HEARD "HEY THERE LONELY GIRL" BY A YOUNG MAN NAMED GERRY WOO, AWESOME VOICE
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:19 pm: |
Dell no question about Bloodstone. Let me go back to a point made a few posts ago concerning the feeling surrounding Mr. Otis Williams. I have always said that back in the day when they were on top the "superstars" in the group didn't care as much about what went on in the group because the money was rolling in. Things were great and everybody had some.
Then when the hits came few and far between, Otis did something that no one else wanted to do. If they did they didn't do it then. He took charge of what was left of the Temptations. Now Eddie and David were doing pretty well with their solo careers and it wasn't until their well ran dry that they began to question how much control of the TEMPTATIONs Otis actually had. By then the damage was done in regards to anyone else having a say in what went on with the group.
But back in the day Otis had no more say than any of the rest of them. He had no power over BErry Gordy and all those guys had the same access to him as Otis if not more. But you can't no show a perfomance the boss attends, not when it is critical to the success of the Motown Company and not expect the boss to be pissed off. The put a lot of effort into fronting the Supremes and the Temptations trying to make it better for the rest of them. David sealed his own fate that night no matter how many other shows he may have missed, that one he should have showed for. Berry buried his solo stuff and would not let him out of his contract. Did Otis have something to do with that? Now Eddie left on his own and he didn't take any steps to protect what he later said was his part of the group. Now whose fault is that?
Now I don't agree with all the decisions that he makes, but it is not my group. And like it was stated earlier, without him we don't have this thread. Sometimes it seems to me he is blamed just because he the last one standing! Otis is not a bad singer, certainly not on the caliber of the singers who started with him but he never said he was. And to this day he does exactly what he has always done, sing background.
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:33 pm: |
VERY WELL SPOKEN,I'VE NEVER SEEN A GROUP MEMBER WITH LESS OF AN EGO PROBLEM THAN OTIS,AND I DON'T THINK IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS SINGING VOICE WHICH IS VERY GOOD JUST NOT AS POWERFUL AS THE OTHERS,BUT I THINK THAT HE JUST WANTED THE GROUP TO STAY TOGETHER AND BE SUCCESSFUL AND THROUGH ALL THE CHANGES THE TEMPTATIONS ARE AN INSTITUTION AND OTIS DOSN'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE TO ANYONE FOR BEING THE LAST ONE STANDING!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:43 pm: |
Aba21
POINT WELL TAKEN, BUT WITH THE CURRENT STATE THE TEMPTS ARE IN, SOMEONE IS LIABLE, LET'S SEE...BERRY GORDY, NAH, BARRINGTON, NAH, DENNIS, AND SO ON AND SO ON..OTIS IS THERE, WAS THIS DONE PURPOSELY, I DON'T THINK SO, BUT I FEEL THAT AT THIS POINT HE SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO SEEING THAT THE TEMPTATIONS, RETURN TO A POSITION OF STABILITY AND VOCAL EXCELLENCE, AM I ASKING TO MUCH, GET THE BEST VOCALISTS POSSIBLE, DON'T HAGGLE OVER "PROBATION PERIODS" AND GET BACK TO TEMPTIN' US, R&B AND THE FANS NEED THEM BACK, OR DO WE JUST SIT BACK AND BE HAPPY LISTENING TO DRU HILL AND KC & JOJO, BK2 AND ALL THE OTHER "GREAT" GROUPS AROUND TODAY
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 12:56 pm: |
R&B..I can say that I know for sure that is what he wanted. I also know that sometimes those in charge have to make unpopular decisions It is what makes a great leader, the ability to do so when needed. There have been many issues that this great group has faced over the years and the easy thing to do would be close up shop. Why fault him for continuing to do the only thing he has done his entire life? I don't mean to make this an Otis testament but I read all over the problem with the Temptations is Otis Williams and I don't buy it for a second. Dell wanted to keep setiment out of this thread but it is hard for me cause I go back to the stick the 4 headed mike out in front of the curtain at the Howard Theatre in Washinton DC and I can say I have like seen and enjoyed everyman who put on the uniform except Ricky Owens. I'm glad he continues to keep the group alive and I don't expect to see magic when they walk out on stage. It is very rare that lightning strikes in the same place twice so I try to give each combination their due for what they bring to the table.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:05 pm: |
Aba21
YOUR RIGHT, BUT....."HE" IS STILL THERE AND HE OWES IT TO EVERY "CLASSIC TEMPT" including Dennis Edwards, who put in more time than David, TO KEEP A LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE ALIVE, WHETHER IT'S LIGHTNING BOLT STRIKING OR NOT, BUT THEN AGAIN HE DOES HAVE AN OPTION, QUIT, FIND FIVE GUYS AND MANAGE THEM TO KEEP THE NAME ALIVE, HE GET'S WHAT HE WANTS, MONEY, AND THE PUBLIC MAY GET WHAT THEY WANT, DECENT TEMPTS WHO STAY TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH FOR US TO REMEMBER THEIR NAMES
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:09 pm: |
Dell I think he is committed but you can't get the best if you don't pay the best rate. Now I don't know what the going rates are for lead singers but I would think that to get a good one you would have to pay. ALi indicated he was tired of singing the same songs, the classics and wanted to sing more of their own stuff. Trouble is for them to get booked they have to sing the classic stuff. There is a fine line to them being considered an oldies group which Otis would die rather than have happen but he also has to feed himself. It is obvious to me if not to others that they aren't making top dollar like we would expect which is why they have to perform almost two hundred nights a year. And while we may think that is good money it pales in comparison to what some of the current day stars command for a performance. So he is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to who is in the group. Not to mention what personal baggage some have brought to the group. I know I was a big fan of the Theo/ Ali combination and I thought that group would have great vocal possibities. The For Lovers Only cd is the best cd they have made in a long time. The harmonies were tight. Theo and ALi took command of their leads like Paul aand David to me. That's what I want to see.
| By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (151.204.38.119) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:12 pm: |
I always liked Otis's voice. "Don't Send Me Away" has a warm mellow feel to it. "Come to Me" which he shares with Damon Harris is another nice cut. Without Otis in the lineup it's not the Temptations.
Anyway do you think Philip Bailey would have made a good Temptation? Can you imagine him singing "Just My Imagination". Think about Earth, Wind and Fires "I'll write A Song For You"...
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:16 pm: |
Aba21
TO BE CONTINUED....WAS A BETTER QUALITY CD FOR THEM AND THEO WAS NO WHERE IN SIGHT, SO HE CAN CUT SOME CORNERS, AND STAY RESPECTABLE...AND YES THEY MUST SING THE CLASSICS, TO SING NEW STUFF AND DO CONCERTS THEY'LL HAVE TO OPEN UP TO A WHOLE NEW FAN BASE (YOUNGER) WHICH IS GONNA BE HARD BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE IF THEY GET THE RIGHT PRODUCERS
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:20 pm: |
PHILLIP BAILEY, NOT A GOOD FIT HE SANG WITH A BAND TO LONG, TEMPTS WOULD BE TO BORING FOR HIM AFTER SOME OF THE STUFF HE'S DONE WITH EWF, PLUS I DON'T THINK HE COULD GET WITH THAT TYPE OF HARMONIC STRUCTURE
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:20 pm: |
Dell...quick question. Would you rather him quit than put the group he has now out there?
| By Scratcher (65.132.77.210) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:25 pm: |
Philip Bailey was too short to be a Temptation.
| By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (151.204.38.119) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:25 pm: |
How about this line up:
James Ingram "Aint to Proud to Beg" "My Girl"
Philip Bailey "Get Ready" "Just my Imagination"
"I'm on Fire" "Silent Night"
Jeffrey Osbourne "Don't Look Back"
Luther Vandross "Fire Fly"
Larry Graham "I truly Beleive"
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:25 pm: |
Aba21
DAMN, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHOS IN THE GROUP RIGHT NOW, SEE WHAT I MEAN
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:29 pm: |
R&B SHOWCASE
YOU MUST BE KIDDING, I WON'T TOUCH THAT
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:32 pm: |
Dell you're too funny. But I agree with you on the To Be COntinued cd. That is another one I like a lot and got no real exposure.
And also about Phillip[ Bailey. Structure is the key to any great vocal group.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:38 pm: |
Aba21:
TRUE DAT.....KNOWING HARMONY IS NOT ENOUGH ONE MUST BE ABLE TO FIT IN ON MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS, IT TAKE A LOT OF DISIPLINE, A GOOD EAR, AND IF YOU HAVE THE CREATIVENESS AND VERY GOOD TIMING, YOU CAN BE A VOCAL MONSTER IN A GROUP......ALA, ALI WOODSON, DENNIS EDWARDS AND KING DAVID RUFFIN
| By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (151.204.38.119) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:48 pm: |
For my last choice: (All in Fun of course)
Gerald Levert "Aint to Proud to Beg"
El Debarge "Just My Imagination"
Johnny Gill "This is My Promise" "Stay"
Usher "I'm Here" "4 Days"
Mike McCarry (Boyz II Men) "I Truly Beleive"
| By BSMG (66.72.194.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 02:03 pm: |
Let's see, if the tables were turned....
The temps without Otis with ANY of the previous
lead singers, or todays temps???????
Would we even be having this debate if it was the former of the two? I don't think so.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 02:11 pm: |
BSMG:
YES DENNIS EDWARDS, WOULD DEFINITLY KEEP IT ALIVE, HE PROVES THAT EVERY DAY WITH HIS REVUE, HE EVEN WENT AS FAR AS GOING TO COURT.... TO FIGHT FOR HIS RIGHT TO USE THE TEMPTATION NAME. HE'S PROUD THAT HE WAS A TEMPTATION.....SO IN WHY HE NAMES HIS SHOW THE TEMPTATION REVUE......HE IS A STICKLER FOR SOUND AND PERFECTIONIST HE HAS SANG WITH THE SAME GUYS FOR YEAR, THEREIN LIES HIS LOVE FOR STABILITY, WHAT MORE CAN YOU SAY.
| By BSMG (66.72.194.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 02:26 pm: |
Dell, Agreement here. I've seen Dennis numerous times these past few years and he sounds wonderful. The magic was definately felt. I do know first hand his musical commitment. His lawyer during his fight with Otis was a friend of mine. Maybe that's why my distain for Otis runs deep. Telling Dennis and Ali that they cannot use the term "formerly of the temptations", in plain language just wasn't right. Fine he owns the name, but let those gentleman earn a living singing THEIR signature songs. As long as there are fans who can choose who they want to see, let it go and be a gentleman. Otis didn't want them in the group for whatever reason...personal, financial or whatever, so be it. But let them be.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 02:36 pm: |
HE WON'T DO THAT, HE'LL NEVER LET THEM BE IF THEY DON'T SING WITH HIM, SO HE CAN GET FULL SHARE AND THEY GET PROBATION, THEY WILL NOT USE THE TERM FORMERLY OF......, NOW FOR ANYONE WHO FEELS "OH IT'S NOT REALLY LIKE THAT" OK, TELL WHY THEN WOULD HE CALL DENNIS BACK TIME AND TIME AGAIN, REMEMBER, DENNIS HAS BEEN A GLUTON FOR PUNISHMENT, LOOK HOW MANY TIMES HE CAME BACK IN CRUNCH TIME
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 03:41 pm: |
Dell I hate to disagree with you on thispoint because we agree on most of it. But my statement of baggage applyies to all those who have come and gone. Do youthink Otis woke up and said I don't want Dennis in my group anymore. No way. Dennis quit one time and another he was replaced and it's not my place to state thereasons why. All I know is he was a favorite of Melvin who loved his voice. He called him back because Dennis is one of the voices of this legendary group and he should be called evertime there's a vacancy. Ali also. Ali bailed them out before on a trip overseas to japan he sang with them All these guys loved being Temptations but as YOU so aptly put it, a discipline is required to sing in a group and all these men who have sang in that spot at some point or time have had a problem with that! How true it is that no one is bigger than the group. Two Sides to Love is a great analogy of this group. It is not just Otis but all of them who have had a hand in its troubles and successes.
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 03:49 pm: |
Dell I don't know if you saw them on the show Whoopie used to have but I saw something there with those five guys sitting around the piano(Richard,Ron, Otis Melvin And ALi). They could sing. The harmonies were right and the voices as temptin' as any I've heard. I know Otis expects a certain quality within the group. I remember when I though it would be over for me if Melvin ever left. Little did I know that Ray Davis could sing as well as he could and that Harry who I knew form the Futures would come in and do a great job. They are now singing Old MAn River, a song I thought they would shelve when Melvin passed, but Harry has made it his own. They are still good, Dell but as you said they need some good writing and producing behind them
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 04:06 pm: |
OK, NO TEMPTATION HAS BEEN FINED WITHIN THE GROUP AS MUCH AS DENNIS THAT I KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT WOODSON CAN BE A PIECE OF WORK TOO, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE I SHOULD GIVE OTIS A BREAK, BUT I LOVE THAT GROUP SO MUCH, I'VE LEARNED ALOT VOCALLY FROM ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING OTIS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHO THE CURRENT MEMBERS ARE, IF TYSON LEAVES, WHO'S ON THE SHORT LIST ?
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 04:08 pm: |
Dell more NY/NJ in the house! Did you used to call the Sportsbox on WLIB radio?
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 04:20 pm: |
Aba21:
NEVER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN IN A FORUM, NEVER CALLED IN TO NOTHING.......HOW AM I DOING SO FAR IN THE FORUM
| By BSMG (66.72.194.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 04:25 pm: |
No one is saying that the current or past members aren't talented. It's also unfair to assume the members weren't as disciplined as Otis, just because he remains. He legally can remain. He can hire 5 girls and can call them "The Temptations" if he wanted to. You can't convince me that they all "left" on their own accord because they weren't as dedicated or as disciplined as O. They just wanted their fair share of the pie, which apparently they didn't get. I can't see Dennis ever going back. Wouldn't it be great if ALL the remaining former tempts got together. Oh well, just my imagination, running away ..............
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 04:29 pm: |
BSGM:
I'M NOT SO SURE DENNIS WON'T BE BACK,,,,,,I'VE HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE, HE LEAVES, THE REVUE WAITS, HE COMES BACK, THE REVUES STARTS AGAIN
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:16 pm: |
B...look here......I am in no way saying Otis was a chior boy. What ever he did did not become public, cause him to miss shows and rehearsals. One the other hand Dennis quit the first time not about money, got fired the second time not about money. I don't know exactly why he was replaced/quit the third time only speculation. Ali quit because he didn't want to sing the old songs all the time and other speculation. Eddie quit and Otis wasn't in charge then. Richard said he wasn't happy with the direction of the group which tells me nothing. We have to wait until he puts his book out to find out.
I like you would love to see Dennis Ali Glenn Richard and maybe Ray Davis get together and give Otis a real run for the money. I just don't give Otis all the credit for their success and all the blame for their troubles. My grandmother always said boy you will never never get your left foot in your right shoe.
| By stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:20 pm: |
From what I hear, guys, the name is owned, not just by Otis, but by Melvin's widow also.
I was told recently that Ali had been given permission by Melvin's widow to use the words "former lead singer of the Temptations" in his promotional material. Also, Ali's group is called Emperors of Soul, while Dennis' group is Dennis Edwards and the Temptation Review.
The word is, she overruled Otis on this and the guys can flaunt their past now, as it should be.
When you'd think that anyone would jump at the opportunity to front this legendary group, word is, both Ali AND Dennis have recently turned down Otis, when asked to return to the group. Hence Otis settling for G.C. Cameron.
And while we're on the Otis topic, I'm not so sure that Otis has been so committed to keeping the Temptations alive for any reason other than the fact that, without the Temptations, he's done. He's not the kind of singer that could easily find work elsewhere, like Theo did with the Tops, or go solo, like Dennis has, and like Ali has.
So maybe it's just been a case of self-preservation all along.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Stranger56
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:26 pm: |
Aba21
ONE PROBLEM, CAN DENNIS AND WOODSON CO-EXIST, WHO IS GONNA SING WHAT LEADS, WOODSON CAN DO MUST OF DENNIS'S LEADS BUT DENNIS DOING TREAT HER LIKE A LADY COULD BE MESSY
| By BSMG (66.72.194.100) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:28 pm: |
B, your grandmother is a wise woman.
S, just to add, before Melvin's wife intervened, Dennis lost his case in court. And "formerly of the temptations" must be in smaller print then their name.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 05:46 pm: |
AGAIN I ASK, WHO ARE THE CURRENT MEMBERS, DID TYSON LEAVE AND WHY, HE IS A GOOD WRITER YOU KNOW, CO-WROTE DOCTOR LOVE FOR FIRST CHOICE, & MUCH MORE. AND IF TYSON GOES, WHO'S IS AVAILABLE TO TAKE HIS PLACE, OR DOES OTIS GO WITH A VIRTUAL UNKNOWN
| By Aba21 (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:07 pm: |
I believe that Otis bought Melvin's widow out of her investment in the group and now Otis has the rights to the name. I am not exactly sure but someone will for sure straighten me out if I am wrong. Sure Ali and Dennis could co-exist. ALi could sing his own songs and Dennis sing his own. THere are certanly enough. Ali could sing My Girl because Dennis has refused to ever sing it again out of deference to his friend David. SO ALi could sing that and he does a fantastic job at it I might add.
Dell I know you asked this question three times and I'm sure you're joking but anyway as of Friday the names were Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Barrington Henderson, Otis Williams And Harry McGilberry.
| By Aba21 (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:14 pm: |
Dell I like you love this group so much I antcipate everything they make. I own everthing by them in some format but if you listen to any of their work from any era you will find some Temptations in it. We can't get the C5 back or the HOF 6 but what we have is not bad.
It bothers me that people will buy the EOS box set and not listen to disc 4 and 5. What the hell did you buy it for. You probably allready have the other stuff. Give the new stuff a try and learn to like it. You had to learn the words to My Girl at some point didn't you?
| By Tyrone (192.128.133.68) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 09:39 pm: |
I've been reading these posts about using the "formerly of" in advertisings, I just don't get it. Picture this-three concerts are coming to your town. On Friday,its Otis' Temptations, on Saturday, its Ali's group and on Sunday, its Dennis' Temptation Revue. Which group would get the crowd? If both Dennis and Ali uses the moniker "formerly of the Temptations", who would the crowd pay to see? All three groups have one known member that Joe Public recognizes. How much of a fan base does Ali have? Of the three, I believe he's the least known (to Joe Public). Probably the song he's known for is "Treat Her Like A Lady". I can understand Dennis having a group, he's known as the sixth Temptation and has been in the group longer than David and I think he's more popular than David. Like KevinGo stated, he didn't know David as a Tempt only the Dennis era of Tempts (the first go round) until he found that record album. Personally, I do not have a problem with the "formerly of" used if its for an original member of a group. I can understand why Otis fights to keep the name Temptations to himself, after all he is the founder of the group and the sole original member. Again, in my opinion and my opinion only, Dennis does not need to have Temptation advertised anywhere, everyone knows who he is. Another point, after Otis passes away, is it ok for any former member of the Temptations to use the name Temptations? I think not. Isn't that the fight that Mary Wilson and other veteran groups are taking to Congress, to stop fraudlent groups and ripoffs (not stating that Dennis or Ali are either of these). Last point, when I read that GC has joined the group, I too was like whaaaaat. How he will fit into the group I don't know. We all will have to see. I enjoyed his work with the Spinners and his solo stuff but watching him on the PBS special, in March as lead singer of the Spinners, all he did was yell/scream. I wasn't impressed but was glad he rejoined the group.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 09:26 am: |
Aba21:
OK, SO AS OF FRIDAY, WE HAVE THE GROUP STILL INTACT, SO I'LL TAKE THAT TO MEAN, G.C., IS NOT YET SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED. WHAT THE ODDS YOU THINK OF OTIS RETIRING(not that I'm ready to see that, regardless of what i personally feel)AND MANAGING A HAND PICKED CAST TO CARRY ON THE NAME, JUST PLANT THEM AND LET THEM GROW, I WOULD TO SEE THE DAY WHEN THE NAME "TEMPTATIONS" ARE NOT PART OF THE MUSIC SCENE.
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 09:55 am: |
THE DAY THAT OTIS RETIRES,UNLESS HE PICKS DENNIS OR RICHARD TO FRONT THE GROUP,THE TEMPTATIONS THAT US OLDTIMERS KNOW AND LOVE WILL BE NO MORE.AND SADLY I DON'T SEE THOSE THREE EVER STANDING ON THE SAME STAGE AGAIN AS TEMPTATIONS[BUT I KEEP HOPING FOR A MIRACLE]!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:15 am: |
R&B:
NO WHAT I MEAN IS WOULD OTIS FIND 5 YOUNG, HUNGARY, UNKNOWNS, AND LET THEM CARRY ON THE NAME AND TRADITION. HE COULD MANAGE AND GUIDE THEM IN THE WAYS OF BEING A TEMPTATION, TEACH THEM THE HARMONIES, etc, etc., etc., SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL GROW TO KNOW THE LEGACY
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:19 am: |
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN DELL,AND IT MAKES PREFECT SENSE,I'M JUST BEING NASTALGIC.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:34 am: |
I HOPE IT'S SOMETHING THAT HE WOULD CONSIDER AT SOME POINT, EVEN HE MUST BE GETTING TIRED
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:45 am: |
HAVE YOU SEEN OTIS LATELY,HE LOOKS TO BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE,HERE'S WHAT I'M THINKING DELL AND I DON'T KNOW IF OTHER TEMPS FANS MAY FEEL THIS WAY,THE TEMPS HAVE BEEN AROUND 43YRS SO SEVEN MORE GIVES THEM 50,THAT'S A MILESTONE SO MAYBE AT THAT POINT OTIS STEPS DOWN.IT MAKES SENSE TO ME.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 10:53 am: |
R&B:
MAKES GOOD SENSE, I DON'T SEE HIM LETTING ANY PAST MEMBER CARRY IT ON, PLUS ALL OF THEM ARE KINDA LONG IN THE TOOTH ALSO. BUT 5 YOUNG GUYS IN THE MID-TO LATE 20's COULD WORK
| By Scratcher (65.132.76.74) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:07 am: |
"Long in the tooth" (LOL) I like that. I never understood how that phrase came about. Usually older people lose their teeth, they don't become longer.
| By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:20 am: |
Hmmm...try this one on for size:
Pay Otis $XXXXXXX and then combine the Standing On The Top concept (with all former Tempts involved + Dennis' Revue and Ali's EOS) with American Idol (H-D-H, Smokey, and Berry judging) and pick the best combination that way...and Otis has to eat it and pay all equally.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:22 am: |
Scratcher:
NEITHER DO I, I'M 47 YEARS OLD, HEARD IT ALL MY LIFE, THE FUNNY THING IS I DON'T KNOW WHY THE HELL I EVEN USED THE LINE.
| By Scratcher (65.132.76.74) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:24 am: |
Another one is "it's raining cats and dogs." My mother said I actually ran to the window to see the cats and dogs raining down when someone said it around me when I was about year and half.
| By JoeR (170.148.92.53) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:40 am: |
DELL:
I read early on in this post you were looking for some serious cats to sing with. I don't know if doo wop is to your liking (it wasn't my first choice but it's a gig) but if I hear of any group looking for a singer, I'd like to let you know about it. Even the CHANNELS go through a period where we use someone from another group to fill in for the CHANNELS.
BTW - I'm in the Bronx
JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 12:09 pm: |
JoeR:
I'VE TOOK A LOT OF FLAK FOR THIS OVER THE YEARS, EVEN FROM GUYS I'VE SANG WITH, BUT I CAN'T GET WITH DOO WOP, BARELY LIKE MOTOWN (ONLY THE TEMPTATIONS) ANYTHING R&B FROM 1970 - PRESENT IS MY BAG.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 12:29 pm: |
JoeR:
I ONCE MET A GUY NAMED LUTHER, WHO I BELIEVE SINGS WITH THE CHANNELS, MET HIM THRU A MUTUAL FRIEND, WENT TO HIS HOUSE ONCE OR TWICE SANG WITH HIM A FEW TIMES, HE KNEW I WASN'T FEELING THE DOO WOP
| By JoeR (170.148.92.53) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 01:30 pm: |
DELL:
Luther used to sing with the Channels. He sang 2nd tenor and I sang 1st. He was also a member of Jackie and the Starlites (of VALERIE fame). Did you meet him through John "Spider" Truesdale? John sings 1st tenor with the Dubs.
I feel you on doo wop. I had a group patterned after the Temptations called the FELLAS. We were a four-man group that did originals as well as covers by the Temptations, O'Jays, Billy Stewart, Marvin Gaye and Glenn Jones. Unlike the Channels, the Fellas took turn singing leads. That's the type of group I prefer singing with.
These "were" the FELLAS
http://groups.msn.com/DooWopCorner/prechannelswithjoerivera.msnw?Page=2
JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 01:51 pm: |
JoeR:
LUTHER WORKED FOR THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY, I MET HIM THRU ONE OF HIS CO-WORKERS, JAMES PERRY, WHO I'VE BEEN SING WITH SINCE 1976, I'M A TENOR ALSO, BUT THE FALSETTO IS FADEING, CAN'T SAY THAT I CARE, I LOVE MY NATURAL JUST FINE, FALSETTO IS NOT A VERY COMMERCIAL NOTE THESE DAYS ANYWAY, BUT WHENEVER I GET AROUND MY GUYS, THATS PRETTY MUCH WHERE I'M FORCED TO GO, SINCE THEY SING THE LOWER REGISTERS, I CAN HIT THE BARITONE TOO, BUT NATURAL 2nd, IS VERY COMFORTABLE FOR ME AND I KEEP THE 1st AND FALSETTO AS A PLUS, FOR BACKGROUND RIFFS AND PUSH LEADS, MAYBE WE CAN HOOK UP SOMETIME AND CHIRP A LITTLE BIT......I NEED THE WORK, BADLY, SINGING ALONE IS COOL BUT NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF SINGING WITH OTHER PEOPLE JUST TO KEEP MY EAR SHARP & BALANCED, PLUS MY TIMING IS A BIT OFF (I leave the harmony quite a bit and riff alot, but it's alright my guys know thats my style, they just hold their own and let me go take my walk as they call it and I always meet them back at the ranch when I'm supposed to, bad habit, but I've been doing it a long time, got it pretty much down to an art form)
| By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 09:44 am: |
Sadly... one of the least 'recognized' vocal talents of the 'Temptations' was that of Paul Williams, always there... but (seemingly always was) cast in the 'shadows' behind that of lead David Ruffin, and Eddie Kendricks.
Here now, is the *link* to the "official" PAUL WILLIAMS 'tribute' page:
http://members.aol.com/maaalumni/paul1.html
And listen here now, as PAUL WILLIAMS sing with the 'Temptations' on an earlier Motown LP cut titled, "Who You Gonna Run To."
http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/whoyougo.ra
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:05 am: |
HEY JIM,WE CAN NEVER GIVE ENOUGH CREDIT TO THE GREAT PAUL WILLIAMS{THE SOUL OF THE TEMPTATIONS}WHO YOU GONNA RUN TO IS FANTASTIC,BUT AGAIN I SAY TAKE A GOOD LISTEN TO..JUST ANOTHER LONELY NIGHT,IT'S PAUL AT HIS VERY BEST!
| By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:40 am: |
IT'S FUNNY R&B...BUT SHORTLY BEFORE HIS TRAGIC DEATH...I RAN INTO MY FRIEND PAUL...AND HAD LUNCH WITH HIM!!!...HE WAS TALKING ABOUT DOING A SOLO ALBUM...ALTHOUGH HE DIDN'T SEEM OVERLY OPTIMISTIC...AND I'M SURE THAT PERSONAL PROBLEMS WERE SOMEWHAT CLOUDING HIS THINKING (IN HINDSIGHT)...BUT IT SURE WOULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT PAUL WOULD HAVE COME UP WITH IN A SOLO EFFORT!!!...PERHAPS THAT PROJECT NOT QUITE WORKING OUT COULD HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE DECISIONS HE MADE...I JUST DON'T KNOW!!!...STUBASS
| By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:43 am: |
IT WAS SAID THAT EDDIE WAS TRYING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING ON HIM BUT IT WAS NEVER RELEASED.
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:06 pm: |
This was a posting by Harry Weinger on another board.
Any musician who ever played or sang with the Temps will tell you - Otis may be in the background but he is vital to their sound. He is the voice in the middle, the one everyone else keys to. You may not 'notice' O and his solo voice is not compelling like Ruffin, Edwards, Kendricks, Paul W. or even Theo, but if he's not there, it doesn't work.
| By Scratcher (65.132.77.56) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:17 pm: |
Oh please, nondescript second tenors like Otis Williams are a dime a dozen. Lead voices like Ruffin, Edwards, Kendricks, Peoples, Woodson and Williams are not. Yea, you need a second tenor but it's not like you have to go on a mi
| By Aba21 (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:10 pm: |
One of the reasons that Ali,Glenn, Dennis, Damon and Richard as well as Dennis want the use of the word Temptations in their title is because their greatest claim to fame came under the heading of the Temptations. Any of you who have been around them as long as I have know that in the beginning you went to see the Temptations. You didn't say to your girlfriend or boyfriend I'm going to See Eddie or David. That was the hook. You went to see the Temptations and anybody who says different is telling a lie because they did not promote any of their leads as the main guy. It was whoever happened to be on lead on the hit at the moment. I never saw one billboard that said David and the Temptations or Eddie or Paul or anybody else. It has always been and will always be the Temptations.
The guys I mentioned at the start have had opportunities to do it their way as solo artists. David and Eddie certainly had the most success with Dennis having 3 lps and Damon doing well for a minute with his group Impact which I like him better in than as a Temptation because his voice was much more mature. Ali now has a solo project out which is very good. But walk down the street and ask someone if they know who he is and it will be quite a while before you get someone without giving them a hint he was with the Temptations and then they couldn't name a song he sang. That's just how it is.
Go see the current line-up of Temptations and see what I mean. The people who go to those shows other than hard core fans don't know who is in the group and really never did. The know the music. They cannot make a living off just hard core fans.
But in the end it came back to as it has always come back to the fact that you and I as fans know these guys but joe America don't them from Jack. AND THEY know it too. That's why they want to bill themselves as former Temptations or whatever. I think they will always be great singers but their greatest claim to fame will always be the Temptations. It has been a blessing and now a curse.
| By Aba21 (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:27 pm: |
Dell as of tonight the group is still intact. I have a friend who saw them last night in Modesto, CA and Bo was still there and very good i might add!
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:53 pm: |
ABA21!!!...YOU MAKE SOME VALID POINTS!!!...ALL OF THESE GUYS HAVE AND HAD TALENT...BUT BEING A TEMPTATION IS THE PINNACLE FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!...AS FOR THE AUDIENCES OF TODAY...IT'S TRUE TO A LARGE EXTENT THAT THE PEOPLE GOING TO SEE THEIR SHOW...IN MOST CASES...KNOW THE SONGS BETTER THAN THE PERSONALITIES...IT WAS NEVER LIKE A JACKSON FIVE OR BACKSTREET BOYS TEEN IDOL THING!!!...BUT IT CAN MAKE AN OLD SCHOOL...FROM THE DAY...FAN...WINCE A BIT... AS SOME OF THE NEWER GUYS PERFORM THE CLASSIC'S MATERIAL...AND DON'T ALWAYS DO IT JUSTICE...NO MATTER HOW TALENTED THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE!!!...SO IN SOME WAYS...IT BECOMES A NO WIN SITUATION FOR THESE GUYS...OTHER THAN A PRETTY GOOD GIG...AND A LITTLE NOTORIETY!!!...STUBASS
| By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:06 am: |
I totally agree that Damon Harris was a great lead singer with Impact and that group should have been much bigger!!!! They had a dynamite sound.
Stephanie
| By Aba21 (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:21 am: |
STUBASS...that's right when they sing the classics and don't do them justice I'm pissed too. But I have come to understand over all these years that we witnessed a magical time. There has never been nor will ever be another
company like Motown. We were spoiled by the writing, the singing the choregraphy and style and class that these folks brought to us. I like the Contours, Jr. Walker, Shorty Long and anybody who sang out of that company.It didn't matter to me if they were the headliner or the opening act. With all that was going on, for the Temptations to do what they did is a feat impossible to match. And while at times I wish I could hear Eddie and David and PAul again I still have their recordings. But when I go to see them today I still enjoy the shows almost as much as I did back in the day. It still makes me feel good when they sing those songs. But I really want them to make a name for themselves with their own music. But we have to give it a chance. We have to like it first and then others will follow. I mean what do you say to those who say these aren't the Temptations? No they aren't your daddy's Temps but they are still pretty good!
Hey Steph....I loved Impact's music. One of my favorites was Taboo and also It Only HAppens in the MOvies!
| By Aba21 (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:28 am: |
Speaking of great first tenors form the Balt/DC area? Glenn Leonard is from Wash. Dc and sang briefly with the Unifics i believe. Court of Love and the Beginning of MY end. I don't know that he was on those two great songs but I believe he sang with them.
| By :oD (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:34 am: |
Bill Clinton is the 6th and "lost Temptation." He decided to stay in school and pursue a career in politics.
| By RD (63.188.33.8) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:57 am: |
As many records as the Temptations sold, the countless gigs, the fame and all, Otis Williams should be retired and telling stories to his grand and great grand kids.
Instead, he's still on the road doing a relentless touring grind that most 20 year olds couldn't handle. Why? The Temptations don't perform the occasional gig they work practically all the time and have since "The Way You Do The Things You Do," which came out in 1964.
If you think about it, it's really sad. No way does Otis want to do what he's doing now. He's like the boxer who can't quit because his expenses exceeds his income. So he gets back in the ring for more punishment.
Do I need to remind of the schedule the late Edwin Starr was on? he said he had to keep on going because 15 people depended on him, meaning his band members, manager, etc.
There are artists older than Otis performing but almost none who have worked as long, as consistent, and does the type of show that Otis has to put on with the Temptations.
How come you rarely hear about ex recording artists retiring and living comfortably off of royalties and investments?
I feel sorry for Otis. Being the only original Temptation left is like blooding in a gang, the only exit appears to be, blooding out.
| By :0D (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 01:09 am: |
Bill Clinton's extra talent was saxaphone, and that's how he rode to saftey. Otis didn't want to learn sax. He thought it was just a fad.
| By Clay (66.73.216.104) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 04:19 am: |
Paul Williams was really a great guy and I had the pleasure of recording what may have been his last recording. The song was called "I Need You More Now Than Ever" and his performance was so sensitive and deep within that I found myself a bit choked up at the end of the recording date. I had never heard an artist pour his heart out in a song like Paul did on that date. I'll always remember the sound of his voice and the sadness in his heart.....What an Artist
his was............Peace
| By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 05:17 am: |
I have to agree with the majority on this one...the classic lineup is my favorite, hands down (although if I could add a few "honorable mentions", I also greatly appreciate the vocals and musical contributions of Theo Peoples, Ali Woodson, Dennis Edwards, and Beau Henderson, but David will always be my favorite lead singer.
Great website by the way :o)
| By Aba21 (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 10:16 am: |
I believe Otis still works because he wants to. He received a settlement from Motown along with Melvin Franklin that he could have retired on a few years ago. But I will say that no matter how many shows they do, they don't make nearly the money they deserve. That's why they perform 200 shows a year. It's a job like many of us have. Yeah they make a few more dollars but without a benefit package and other things that go with a steady job, you have to keep working. First of all it is the classic songs that keep them working at all.
Now in the case of Paul, he was largely ignored when David joined the group. Sure David brought them hits they never had but Mr. Paul Williams took them where no black group had ever been before. When they put his voice to those standards and began to feature him more at the live shows, then the Temptations became legendary to everybody. There is no doubt in my mind that had not Paul delivered the goods they would not have been nearly as popular as they became. Paul Williams was the heart and Soul of the Temptations. No question about it!
| By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 11:38 am: |
Aba21, I wholeheartedly agree with you about Paul Williams. He was just phenomenal live and when healthy his voice was extremely powerful and totally unique. No one and I mean no one has ever sounded like Paul Williams. To me he was the heart of the Temptations. His performances captured the total essence of what it meant to be Temptin'. His efforts on Tempt cuts like "Who you gonna run too".."I couldn't Cry If I wanted Too" Baby, Baby I need You, Don't Look Back are considered classics, his renditions of the standards (live )"For Once In My Life" and "I Gotta be Me" and the extended version of Dont Look Back(recorded at the Roostertail) made the Temptations the Talk of The Town....any town. I can still remember the news report of his tragic passing,it was devastating. To this writer Paul Williams was the greatest Temptation. I Think "Clay" sad it best, when he sang you felt the pain and anguish from his heart.There will never be another.
Kdubya
| By Kas (216.215.128.52) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 11:57 am: |
Hello ALL!! It's been a while since I last posted over here, but my interest is always peaked anytime the conversation turns to Paul Williams who happens to be my absolute favorite Temptation!!
Clay your post about the recording "I Need You More Now Than Ever" really caught my attention. Was this one of Paul's solo recordings? I know of the two "Once You Had A Heart" & "Feel Like Givin' Up." Can you elaborate any on this particular recording?? When was it recorded?? What happened to the song?? Is it out there anywhere?? etc, etc. Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated!!
| By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:19 pm: |
HEY KAS: WELCOME BACK!!!...THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN GETTING OUT THE WORD ON THE "FUNK BROTHERS" L.A. APPEARANCE!!!...I FIGURED THAT ANY MENTION OF PAUL WOULD GET YOUR ATTENTION!!!...STU
| By Kas (216.215.128.52) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:55 pm: |
Hey Stu, my friend not a problem!! But guess what, we're coming to NY to celebrate Paul's 30th anniversary.
| By Aba21 (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:59 pm: |
I think Paul really got my attention when took O.C Smith's little song, Little Green Apples and did more with it than anyone could imagine. Oh sure I heard the I Want A Love I Can See and all that but when you listen to songs like Lonely, Lonely Man Am I, Running Away Sure Ain't Gonna Help You, you get a real sense of how Paul could take any song and make it his own. I mean think about it......Little Green Apples? I know it was a hit but who else would have wanted to cover it? If you have it....just listen to Paul. If I didn't know better I would have thought the song was his. There was a deepness to his singing that maybe few could match. I never tire of hearing him sing those songs.
| By Leoscasino (66.72.207.18) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 07:39 pm: |
Kas-any celebrant event about Paul would be of interest to me. Is this private or public?
I would be interested in attending.
| By imtk (198.81.26.231) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 08:59 pm: |
aba21,i love paul singing little green apples... have you noticed that there are no temps in the background at all? paul was great. one of my all time favorite temps.
| By Clay (66.73.178.58) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 01:28 am: |
Kas,
As for the status of "I need you more now than ever"
we'll have to ask Harry W. He would have the date it was recorded and whether it's schedule to be release on any of the millenium series. You mention another song that I happen to record on Paul"Once you had a heart" WOW!!!!!!! that brings back some great memories. That song has Paul's signature all over it.
In fact anything he sang had his personal ID on it and I loved every moment I spent with Paul in and out of the Studio.........peace
| By Kas (216.215.128.1) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 07:07 am: |
Clay - Wow, that must have really been a wonderful experience - thanks for the feedback. I would love for you to come over to our board and talk about your dealings with Paul. We would get a real kick out of it.
Leoscasino - I sent you an e-mail!!
| By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 08:18 am: |
David,Paul,Dennis,Eddie,and Melvin!!----what was
Elbridge like-was he good?
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 10:24 am: |
BEEN AWAY A FEW DAYS, GLAD TO BE BACK. HOW WERE THE TEMPTATIONS ACCEPTED OVERSEASAS, FAR AS FAN BASE AND RECORD SALES. DID THEY HAVE THE SAME POPULARITY AS SAY "THE FOUR TOPS"
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:42 am: |
I don't have the numbers Dell but I have an import lp from Japan(Gettin' Ready)and they still perform there as well as England and Germany. They have always done very well on the charts overseas.
The Four Tops covered many of the songs made famous over there like If I WEre A Capenter, Walk Away Renee, Light My Fire and the like which made them extremely popular overseas.
| By DJ (130.156.140.2) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 02:13 am: |
Another Great Lineup:
Dennis Edwards
Glen Leonard
Otis Williams
Richard Street
Melvin Franklin
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:10 am: |
The Classic Five because I agree it was a magical combination, and mystical magic is rarely, if ever, created by five All-Stars.
While I think Ali has a beautiful voice, as revealed in FOR LOVERS ONLY, I personally do not like the pyrotechnics he enjoys employing. Theo also does it, Dennis does it, Bo does it and sometimes Terry does it. For me it is merely a display of vocal techniques and has nothing to do with the material of the song. They really do not need a composer.
Listening to Smokey Robinson sing, he always makes me believe he really experienced the emotion he sings about, that it must have been a personal experience song for him. "Believe me, believe me."
The Classic Five did that too. They made me believe each song was a personal experience for them. Whether it was Paul Williams who set that standard, or whether all five agreed, it was the meaning of the song, not the display of their vocal abilities that was the IMPORTANT thing. And it didn't matter which one, and I do mean all five, was the lead singer, it was the message of the song that was important. And that is what makes me listen to them over and over again.
A high squeal could be made by brakes or a synthesizer but only the human being can convey true heartache, true warmth, and true love.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 11:09 am: |
THANKS DJ,AFTER THE CLASSIC LINEUP THIS IS MY FAVORITE GROUP OF TEMPS FROM THE EARLY 80'S!
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 01:45 pm: |
I'd have to agree there that the Dennis, Melvin Otis Glenn Richard group was the secong best combination. An lp that got very little play was.....Do The Tempations on which I they wrote and co-produced 6 of the eight tracks was a very good lp. Let me Count The Ways, I'm On Fire, Put Your Trust In Me, Who Are You and Is There Anybody Else have an ols school temps flavor to them. Glenn showed he had the goods on that lp.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 06:36 pm: |
Aba21:
YES I AGREE, THE LINE-UP YOU NAMED WAS VERY, GOOD. BUT THE HARMONY ON TO BE CONTINUED WAS JUST SLIGHTLY BETTER, I KNOW BOTH CD'S QUITE WELL, ON DO THE TEMPTATIONS, IT WAS GLENN WHO MADE THAT ALBUM SPECIAL, HIS TENOR WAS MASTERFUL, CLEAN, DICTION WAS PERFECT, AND HIS RIFFS WERE DONE EFFORTLESS, TO BE CONTINUED..... IT WAS ALL ALI WOODSON, HE BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN THAT PARTICULAR LINE-UP, RON TYSON NEVER SOUNDED BETTER ON ANY CD HE MADE WITH THEM. WOODSON BECAUSE OF HIS STYLE, GIVES THE BACKGROUND MORE ROOM THE HARMONY IS MUCH MORE SPACIOUS AND YOU REALLY HEAR EACH MEMBER CLEARLY WITHIN THE HARMONY, EVEN OTIS, WHO ALSO DID A SUPERB JOB ON THE CD, THE ONE PERSON, WHO THE TEMPTS MAY MISS ALOT RIGHT NOW IS RICHARD, WHO EVEN THOUGH IS NO PAUL WILLIAMS, BROUGHT AN ENERGY AND SPECIAL SOMETHING TO THE MODERN DAY TEMPTS.
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 12:21 pm: |
MOST OF THEIR 80'S WORK WAS UNDERRATED,THE LP..POWER AS GOOD AS ANYTHING THEY'VE EVER DONE..SOME OF THE GREAT SONGS TO COME FROM THE 80'S TEMPS..THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS,ONE OF GLENN'S BEST LEADS,EVIL WOMAN,LUCKY ME,LITTLE THINGS,WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG HIT,A FINE MESS,JUST TO NAME A FEW!
| By JoeR (170.148.10.41) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 02:28 pm: |
R&B:
LUCKY ME and LITTLE THINGS were done by current Temp, Ron Tyson.
I gotta agree though, the POWER LP was good; a lot of self written material on that LP. I believe Benjamin Wright had a hand in that LP as a co writer too.
My favorite cuts are SHADOW OF YOUR LOVE and CAN'T YOU SEE (SWEET THING). Glenn's voice really soars on that cut.
JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels
| By H.R.RuffnStuff. (217.14.178.41) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 02:54 pm: |
My fave Tempts line up would be:
David Ruffin.
D.Ruffin.
Davie Ruffin.
Eddie Kendricks.
Grrrrrr.Ruffin.
and stu on bass.
A Ruffn'Ready Fan.
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 03:12 pm: |
Dell & R&B,
I have all three of those lps in my truck and Dell you are right about To Be Continued. I may not heve given it the time it deserved first time around. But it has gotten plenty of play here lately. I'm a little partial to Glenn because I know him and I thought he was a fantastic fit as a Temp. The Power lp is something else gain. That lp was the one they did when they returned to Motown and Dennis was on on that lp. Struck By Lightning, How Can I Resist Your Love and Shadow of Your Love are serious. Some folks I know call that period the Lean Years but not to me. The singing on those lps was as good as any I heard.
Aba21
| By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 03:41 pm: |
MR. RUFFIN STUFF: I'LL BE THERE!!!...I DO KNOW ALL OF THOSE BASS LINES...AND I CAN PLAY EITHER THE BASS LINE...OR THE LEAD GUITAR LINE (ON BASS) TO "MY GIRL"...JUST ASK BMILLER!!!...STU(GETTIN READY)BASS
| By Zazz (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 04:12 pm: |
Classic 5 with David in the lead all the way. On that classic Ed Sullivan clip of them doing My Girl and I'm Losing You, David was the only one really singing with a mic. The background was pre-recorded and when you see later Sullivan performances with Dennis or even Eddie in the lead, the music was all pre-recorded. David was the only Tempt who actually sang live on Ed Sullivan. Someone check it out--just watching the old tape you can tell what was pre-recorded but some people don't know the backgrounds were even when the lead singer was singing.
| By Common (209.2.55.171) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 04:31 pm: |
Zazz: I didn't even know that! I thought all the Tempts were singing live on those Ed Sullivan clips. Interesting!
Peace!
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 04:42 pm: |
Zazz:
Are you sure of this? When I watch the same clips, it sounds to me that the vocals were done live (CBS Television did use boom mics for vocal groups).
Sullivan did use instrumental tracks supplied from the record labels (Johnny Rivers' performance of "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" on Sullivan is an example) and that was true with the later Motown releases ("Ball of Confusion", "The Love You Save", "Someday We'll Be Together"). But vocally, it was all the way live.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 06:42 pm: |
Aba21 & JoeR:
THE POWER CD WAS GREAT, ONE SMALL THING, THE VOCALS WERE A LITTLE INCONSISTENT, EVEN THOUGH THE INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS WERE OUTSTANDING. DENNIS HAS BEEN KNOWN AT TIMES TO BUMP TENORS WITH NOTES THIS HAPPENS A BIT ON THE POWER CD. I HEARD DENNIS SAY IN AN INTERVIEW ONCE THAT SHADOW OF YOUR LOVE, WAS A SONG THEY NEVER REALLY GOT TOGETHER, AND WAS RECORDED SHORTLY AFTER THE SONG WAS PRESENTED TO THEM, AGAIN ON THAT SONG, DENNIS WAS OUTSTANDING, BUT NO OTHER TENOR THE TEMPTS HAD COULD HAVE PULLED OFF THE RIFFS GLEN DID. TO BE CONTINUED.......THEY HAD IT ALL TOGETHER, WOODSON NEVER LISTENS TO HIS BACKGROUND WHEN HE DOES A LEAD, HIS VOCAL MENTALITY IS MAKING ABOUT EVERYTHING AROUND HIM SOUND BETTER, THE BACKGROUNDS THAT BACKED HIM NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT BEING "BUMPED" HE LEAVES PLENTY OF ROOM FOR A BACKGROUND TO WORK IN, THINGS ARE A LITTLE MORE CRAMPED WITH DENNIS, WHICH IS WHY RON TYSON'S WORK IS AS NOT AS OUTSTANDING LIKE WHEN TYSON, SINGS WITH WOODSON. THE SAME IS TRUE WITH OTIS YOU NEVER REALLY HEAR HIM WELL WITH DENNIS, BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS TO OPEN UP WHEN WOODSON SINGS, LISTEN TO "POWER" THEN "DO THE TEMPTATIONS" AND FINALLY "TO BE CONTINUED..." THE DIFFERENCE IS THERE, THE ONLY REASON THAT GLENN IS NOT EFFECTED BY DENNIS, IS BECAUSE HE IS A NOT JUST A FALSETTO HE'S A "1st TENOR NATURAL" WHEREAS TYSON IS A 2nd NATURAL & 1st TENOR FALSETTO.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 06:43 pm: |
JoeR
IS LUTHER STILL WITH THE CHANNELS ?
| By B-town (207.8.188.200) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 09:07 am: |
Lots of interesting comments. What does it mean to bump tenors? Also I don't beleive the best lineup is only the originals.Yes they are the blue print, but the other lineups were also great.
The Classic Five, Dennis Edwards era and the Ali Woodson lineup were all equal as far as I am concerned. Yes I am a Ruffin fan but had it not been for the personnel changes the Tempts would not be what they are today. I can't imagine the Temptations with out a Dennis Edwards. "A Song For You" is brilliant. "I'm On Fire" is just as good as anything Eddie recorded. "Love Woke Me up this Morning" is one of the most gorgeous Temptations records, every bit as good as "Just My Imagination". "Heavenly" and "Firefly" are beautiful recordings.
Richard Street is a great on stage personality. Very entertaining. Also adding echo and tricks to the voice on stage adds to the fun and it's just keeping up with technology. It does not take away from the fact that these guys can flat out sing!
"Giving You the Best that I got" featuring Ali and Theo on the box set is awesome. My favorite Lineups would have to be
1)Dennis, Damon or Glenn, Richard,Otis, Melvin
2)Ali, Ron,Theo,Otis, Melvin
3)David Eddie Otis Paul Melvin
Ali-Ollie Woodson, Dennis Edwards,and David Ruffin are outstanding vocalists and their on stage persona's is what made the Temptations great.
| By JoeR (170.148.92.23) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 11:33 am: |
DELL:
I'll take a listen to those LP's once again. I've grown accustomed to Ron's sweet tenor that I forgot about Glenn's NATURAL tenor. He could surely blow that tenor.
BTW - Luther "left" the Channels in 1999, just after the PBS Special was filmed in May.
JoeR - http://mypages.netopia.com/channels
| By Aba21 (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 11:30 pm: |
Good stuff Dell....I will do the listen you request and get back to you. Although in live performances I heard some of what you say with Dennis & Ron. On Just My Imagination at the beginning Ron seemed to be searching for the best way to sing the song for him because I have heard him sing it at different levels at different times. During that process Dennis singing Paul's part would sing around Ron seemingly to take the pressure off Ron. I never saw him do that with Glenn because Glenn could sing the hell out of Just my Imagination.And include Ever Ready Love as a song I liken to Please Return Your Love. I was listening to ALi on My Kind OF Woman and Error of our Ways today and one thing I noticed about the Theo/Ali combo was that Theo could push ALi. It was a combo that I think would have been very good had they stayed together. Theo sang Whitney's I'll Always Love You when he first joined the Temps and it would bring the house down everytime and I would watch ALI go to work on Hoops of Fire right after and I could see he too was moved by Theo's singing. The person who commented that there have been other good combination since the Classic 5 and the Hall of Fame 6 is correct. Why have they been around this long if the others couldn't sing. I think Richard added a great vocal to the background as I like to call him a professional singer which he was.
Aba21
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 08:30 am: |
Aba21:
I AGREE, NEVER SAW THEO LIVE BUT JUST PURCHASED THE CD "THEO" YESTERDAY, PRETTY GOOD GOT TO SPENT TIME THIS WEEKEND AND REALLY GET INTO IT. CAN'T IMAGINE WOODSON BEING PUSHED, HE DOES A GREAT JOB OF PUSHING HIS SELF. DON'T KNOW TO MUCH HISTORY ON TERRY WEEKS, CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME, ALSO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE WEEKS, BARRINTON, WOODSON COMBO, COULD IT WORK ? PROS & CONS, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD HAVE ENOUGH VERSATILITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR HARMONY WITH THAT LINE-UP, OTIS WOULD PROBALLY HAVE TO REPLACE EITHER WEEKS TO MAKE IT WORK.
| By WaltBaby (205.188.209.109) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 02:20 pm: |
Harry W., I hope you're listening. There seems to be a consensus here that Power was/is a high water mark album which has never been on cd. Welll, what are you waiting for???
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 02:40 pm: |
CAN ANYONE TELL ME, WHY CERTAIN TEMPTS ALBUMS ARE NOT ON CD, NAMELY POWER, DO THE TEMPTATIONS AND TOUCH ME, THERE IS A MARKET FOR THEM
| By fayette (152.163.252.68) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 04:48 pm: |
i've got the power album,just nothing to
play it on. can anybody tell me if otis
has ever sang lead and if so that was the
name of the song.
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 05:34 pm: |
oTIS HAS SUNG LEAD ON A FEW SONGS BUT HIS BEST WAS TO ME, DON'T SEND ME AWAY. ALSO CHECK OUT I AIN'T GOT NOTHING, I SEE MY CHILD AND DARLING STAND BY ME.
DELL WITH THE COMBO YOU SPEAK OF IF OTIS HAS TO SING DIFFERENT PARTS TO MAKE IT WORK THEN WE'LL SEE IF WHAT THEY SAID WHEN THEY USED TO INTRODUCE HIM AS FIRST TENOR, SECOND TENOR, BARITONE AND OCCASIONAL LEAD SINGER IS TRUE. THERE ARE MANY WHO SAY IT WAS JUST HYPE AND OTIS CAN'T SING ALL THOSE PARTS. MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THEY INTRODUCE HIM THAT WAY IF HE DIDN'T. THIS GOES BACK TO THE TEMPS LIVE LP SO IT IS NOT A NEW THING.
Aba21
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 05:49 pm: |
IT'S TRUE BECAUSE HE DOES "HIT" THOSE NOTES, HE DOES NOT "SING" ALL THOSE NOTES. SINGING BACKGROUND REQUIRES AT TIMES THAT YOU MAY HIT A 1st TENOR NOTE AT TIMES FOR A FEW SECONDS IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT BECAUSE YOU HIT A HIGH PITCH OOH OR AAH THAT YOU CAN SING AND ENTIRE LEAD THAT WAY.. AND SO ON WHEN YOU HIT A BASS OR BARITONE NOTE OCCASIONALLY, USALLY GUYS WHO SING THE MIDDLE REGISTERS OF A GROUP HAS THE ABILITY TO GO UP OR DOWN A FEW NOTES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, BUT I REPEAT, BECAUSE YOU CAN HIT A NOTE/KEY DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN SING IN THAT NOTE/KEY
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 01:19 pm: |
ABA21,OTIS CAN HIT THE HIGHS,BUT THE SONGS THAT HE LEADS ON DON'T CALL FOR THOSE NOTES,BUT THERE IS ONE SONG WHERE HE GETS OFF ON A COUPLE OF HIGH ONE..READ BETWEEN THE LINES,FROM THE LP..HEAR TO TEMP YOU,AND NOT A BAD SONG EITHER!
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 11:53 am: |
R&B, I agree, Read Between the Lines, Otis does get off. He has a tendancy to sing medium to slow songs but he was right on on that tune.
Thanks Dell for that explanation. That makes perfect sense and it was so logical that why you don't realize it. I always thought it was was to give Otis some props because he never sang lead like the others saying he could sing all those parts.
Aba21
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 12:35 pm: |
Folks:
As a reissue producer and a colleague of Harry Weinger's (his office is across the street from mine) I can testify as to why these albums are not available on CD.
In order for reissue producers like Harry W., Leo Sacks (Sony Music), Tom Cartwright (EMI Right Stuff) and Rob Santos (BMG/Buddha) to get titles to market, they have to first assure the powers that be in marketing, promotion, distribution & sales that these titles can sell X number of copies and make X amount of money. These folks look at how many these recordings sold originally. For example, all the Jackson 5 albums were reissued as two-for-ones with bonus tracks because these albums (except for maybe DANCING MACHINE and MOVING VIOLATION)each sold at least one million copies per title. No problem. However, if these same folks see that the Temptations' "Surface Thrills" only sold barely two-hundred thousand copies (we know it probably sold more but let's use this as a for instance), these folks may be hesitant to see this out on CD fearing that it won't generate decent numbers.
Is the process unfair? You bet it is - all of Bob Dylan's catalog is available even the early stuff that didn't sell well. But this is what we in reissue-land deal with. That's why folks like Harry go bonkers over reissues every day (imagine what other titles Harry & company are told to reissue like the umpteenth version of a Temptations anthology - go figure).
The best thing for folks to do - and I've said it before - write directly to the record labels and tell 'em what you folks want to see reissued. Believe me - these execs read letters from the public and heed accordingly when more letters come in from you folks to see these records reissued.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 01:08 pm: |
KevGo:
IS THAT WHY ABROAD THEY HAVE CD'S FOR SALE THAT ARE NOT HERE IN THE U.S., JUST PURCHASED A CD BY THE TEMPTATIONS THAT WAS RELEASED IN THE UK, AND I LOVE IT. IT COVERS EVERYONE WHO EVER SANG LEAD FOR THE TEMPTS EXCEPT LOUIS PRICE, THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY CD'S ABROAD THAT ARE NOT HERE IN THE U.S.
Aba21:
SINCE I STARTED THIS THREAD, I KNOW IT SEEMS TO MANY THAT I HAVE LITTLE OR NO RESPECT FOR OTIS, THAT IS FAR FROM THE TRUTH, IT'S JUST THAT COMPARED TO SOME OTHER PAST MEMBERS WELL.........YOU KNOW. ACTUALLY HE IS A VERY GOOD VOCALIST, WITH TONS OF EXPERIENCE, I'D EVEN LIKE TO SEE HIM START HIS OWN LABEL AND PRODUCE YOUNG TALENT, HE HAS ONE OF THE BEST EARS IN THE BUSINESS. ALSO, WE KNOW THAT DENNIS HAS A LIVE ALBUM WITH HIS TEMPT REVUE, WOODSON HAS A SOLO CD, DO YOU THINK THAT ANY OTHER PAST MEMBERS WILL THROW THEIR HAT IN THE RECORDING STUDIO, AND FINALLY DO YOU THINK IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS THAT SOMEONE WITH OR WITHOUT OTIS'S PARTICIPATION WILL PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE OF SURVIVING PAST MEMBERS TO GIVE US A TEMPTS ALBUM, FROM A MONEY STANDPOINT EVEN OTIS SHOULD SEE THAT THIS COULD BE A WINNER FOR THE GROUP AND HIS SELF PERSONALLY. IT COULD EITHER BE THE PERFECT SWAN SONG OR THE BEGINNING OF
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 02:05 pm: |
Dell:
You are right as rain about this topic - the availability of recordings on CD overseas that aren't here. Fortunately, in cities where there is a Tower or Virgin or HMV store, or a record store that specializes in imports, these CDs from the UK, France & Japan do have a home. Just remember to read the fine print as to where these folks licensed the recordings from (if it ain't from a major label, treat it like it's minor league and avoid it) and go for it.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 02:17 pm: |
Dell you give us much food for thought.But before I answer that let me say I don't believe for a second that you are not giving props to Otis. But when you have a foursome like David, Eddie Paul And Melvin, it leaves little room for much praise to go to anyone else. Where I give him props is recognizing his place and taking advantage of what he had to give. If he had complained about his not getting songs to lead he would have probably been gone. He is a professional background singer and one any group could and would be proud to have in his group.
But he knew a good thing when he saw it. And if I might say something here, as we used to say in sports. I know erverybody came to watch Dr. J. when I played but the only difference in his championship ring and mine is the name. When you came to see him you saw me. Somebody had to get him the ball to play with. It works the same with Otis and his grammys. The only difference is the name on the front of it. If you came to see David or any of the others you still saw him too.
Now I am not so sure Otis would want to see a reunion of surviving members of the group. I think for sure it would spell trouble for his group. However, otis has the machine around him and they have an advantage over anyone else using the moniker unless they come out with a super smash hit giving them the same kind or recognition as Otis group.
I was told Glenn's group performed in DC this weekend and they were very tight. Observers say the bass singer in his group sounds very close to Melvin. Now that I would have to see for myself. So there is another hat in the ring. Hmmmmmm........Glenn, Dennis, Ali, Richard and Ray Davis. I'd give that group a listen....how bout you?
Aba21
| By gdwms (67.97.33.140) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 03:35 pm: |
In my opinion,the last great Temptations song
was "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now".So the last
great lineup has to be,Dennis,Richard,Ron,Otis &
Melvin.Ron was fantastic on "Sail Away",what was
the lineup on that song?I understand both Dennis
and Ali were on "Back To Basics".
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 04:00 pm: |
Hey Gang:
This past week I had seen the Temptations movie in its entirety (the first time I've seen it since the original broadcast). After seeing this and listening to my Tempts albums from the 60s, 70s & 80s, here's my take on the whole Tempts thang.
1) When Melvin Franklin died, Otis' Tempts should have done one more album then fade into the sunset. To me, Melvin and Paul Williams were the glue that held the group together. Without Melvin, it's like corn flakes with no milk.
2) Although my heart will be with the Classic Temptations (which includes Dennis as well as David), I will put forth my ideal line-up:
Dennis, Glenn, Richard, Paul & Melvin
Glenn's high tenor on records like "Power" and "Surface Thrills" are as good as Eddie's classic vocals and Richard Street's voice has more personality than Otis'. The rest are self-explainatory.
3) Otis' Temptations may have the support of the current Motown/UMG regime but as far as Dennis' and Glen's group(s) the label isn't gonna do anything stupid to prevent these groups from touring as "The Temptations Review" for example because if anything it would help Motown/UMG sell more CDs.
There it is, gang. Just my two cents on the topic.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 05:01 pm: |
I dont see anything wrong with Dennis since he did have the lead voice on a lot of hits and that is what makes his group credible!!!! Otis is a founding member and that is the only thing that makes his group credible. But Im with you after Melvin died I felt that was it...
Stephanie
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 05:37 pm: |
TO THOSE WHO SAY THEY SHOULD HAVE FADED AWAY, HOW THE HELL CAN YOU SHAPE YOUR MOUTHS TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT (just a joke) THE TEMPTS ARE AN INSTITUTION, NOT JUST ANY OLD GROUP THAT CAME DOWN THE PIKE, NOT ONE HIT WONDERS, THEY PUT THE DREAM IN MANY OF YOUNG MENS HEARTS, BLUE MAGIC, STYLISTICS, DRAMATICS, etc, etc, etc. WITH OUT THEM R&B WOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY DIFFERENT, THE NAME "TEMPTATIONS" MUST LIVE ON FOREVER, REGARDLESS OF THE LINE-UP, WHICH BRINGS ME "AGAIN" TO MY ORIGINAL POINT.....REGARDLESS OF WHO IS THERE VOCAL EXCELLENCE IS A MUST, CONSISTENCY IN MEMBERS IS A MUST, THE BEST WRITERS AND PRODUCERS AVAILABLE ARE A MUST, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT OTIS HAS A "RESPONSIBLITY" TO FIGHT FOR, IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN A PAYCHECK, GET EVERYTHING TOGETHER, AND THE PAYDAYS WILL BE THERE, AND IT WON'T TAKE 200 SHOWS A YEAR TO GET THEM.
| By MGBS (66.72.207.174) on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:33 pm: |
"Consistency in members and Otis", now theres an oxymoron.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 10:48 am: |
HOW TRUE, HOW TRUE
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 01:03 pm: |
IN A PERFECT WORLD WE WOULD HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS BE TRUE. BUT WHAT WE HAVE IS WHAT WE SEE. THIS CURRENT TEMP LINE-UP HAS BEEN TOGETHER LONGER THAN THE CLASSIC FIVE. nO THEY DON'T HAVE THE MUSIC OF THE C5 BUT IF THEY STAY TOGETHER THEY WILL HAVE A POCKETFUL OF MUSIC THAT IS NOT TOO BAD. I LIKE AWESOME, EAR AND PHEONIX RISING.
kEV YOU MAKE A VALID POINT THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO THE GROUP DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DENNIS AND ALI OR RON AND GLENN SO ALL THESE GROUPS WON'T DO ANYTHING BUT MAKE MONEY FOR OTIS.
ABA21
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 01:28 pm: |
Aba21:
I COULD BE HALF DEAF, WITH THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR SINGING IN THE SAME ROOM, WITH THE TEMPTATIONS ON A TRANSISTOR RADIO, AND STILL TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EACH MEMBER OLD AND NEW
| By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 01:45 pm: |
All Temptations experts--please check out the
thread Answer This 7. Thanks, RR
| By rbattle (68.61.120.164) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 10:32 pm: |
I agree that the Temptations are an institution. I loved them in 64 and love them now. I have seen the current line up recently and they can sing and perform their butts off. Through the years whenever I have seen their performances they have always delivered a smashing performance. I give big props to Otis and Dennis for keeping the name and the songs alive. Thanks Dell! This is a most interesting forum.
| By Counterpoint (68.63.4.162) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:07 am: |
On the Motown website I notice that the Temptations are pictured on both the Classic Motown side and the Present Motown side.
Do the Temptations' CD's, records, compilations and new records sell more than any other Motown act whose heritage goes back to the early '60's?
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 11:42 am: |
HERE'S ANOTHER TWIST,WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE TEMPS AND ALL THE GREAT SONGS YOU COULD TAKE THE GREAT LEAD SINGERS..EDDIE,PAUL,DAVID,DENNIS AND EACH COULD HAVE HIS OWN ALBUM OR CD SET WITH JUST THE TEMPS SONGS THAT THEY SANG LEAD ON.I ONLY MENTION THESE FOUR BECAUSE HISTORICALLY THEY SANG ON MORE LEADS,I'M TALKING HITS,B SIDES AND ALBUMS.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 01:19 pm: |
R&B:
OK, BUT I WOULD HATE TO HEAR DENNIS DO ANY LEADS BY EITHER DAVID OR WOODSON, PAUL COULD DO ANYTHING BY RICHARD OR OTIS. GLENN COULD PULL OFF EDDIE, BUT EDDIE WOULD SUFFER TRYING TO DO GLEN, IMAGINE EDDIE DOING SILENT NIGHT, I DON'T THINK SO, DAVID COULD DO WOODSON, MAY HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH DENNIS'S MATERIAL, RICHARD CAN PAUL OFF PAUL IN THE BACKGROUND AND SOME OF HIS LEADS BUT THE INTENSITY ON THE LEADS WOULDN'T BE THE SAME, PAUL COULD DO RICHARD EASLILY, IMAGINE PAUL WILLIAMS, SINGING "HEAVENLY" MELVIN FRANKLIN, WHAT CAN YOU SAY...... ONLY MEMBER OF THE TEMPTS THAT I HAVE SENTIMENTEL ATTACHMENT TO, CAN NEVER BE REPLACED, JUST IMITATED.
| By Scratcher (65.132.79.5) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:50 pm: |
Dell, no way in hell could Paul Williams (who I love) do the lead that Richard Street does on "Isn't The Night Fantastic." Street is a much more versatile singer than Paul Williams was. Of all the Temptations' lead singers, Street has to be the most underrated.
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:15 pm: |
SCRATCHER:
THERES ALWAYS A FEW EXCEPTIONS, IS STREET UNDERRATED? MOST DEFINITLY YES, CAN PAUL DO "ALL" OF RICHARDS LEADS? NO , BUT IN THE BACKGROUND THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH EVEN, WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT RICHARD CAN SING A LITTLE HIGHER AND HELP HIS TENOR OUT, BUT THEN AGAIN, PAUL CAN SING LOWER AND HELP HIS BARITONES OUT,(pick em') AND YOUR RIGHT PAUL COULD NOT DO "ISN'T THE NIGHT FANTASTIC" BUT HE WOULD DO "HEAVENLY" ALOT BETTER. PAUL SINGS WITH ALOT MORE EMOTION, AND HAS THE ABILITY OVERALL TO MAKE YOU FEEL WHAT HE SINGING MORE.
| By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:34 pm: |
I love the original line-up but the addition of Dennis Edwards was astounding and gave them a bit more diversity of sound. I can still remember the shock at hearing him lead "I'm Losing You" on the TCB special with Diana Ross and The Supremes. When he hit that high note on the break of the song...well...it just doesn't get better than that. Sentimentality makes me favor the David Ruffin led Temptations but Dennis was "major."
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 05:08 pm: |
How about when Paul tore it up on TCB with "For Once In My Life" with the sweat pouring down his face all over his green tuxedo, singing his heart out. Heart-wrencing stuff.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 05:14 pm: |
KevGo, that was the single finest performance by a Temptation that I have ever witnessed and believe me when I tell you I have seen every incarnation of the Temptations Live except the latest one with (GC)....... Paul Williams was Da Man............
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 05:44 pm: |
JUST AS I SAID.
| By Counterpoint (68.63.4.162) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 05:59 pm: |
What's with GC now? Is he or he is not a Temptation? Is he just a backup?
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 06:37 pm: |
JUST AS I SAID, PAUL GIVES YOU THAT SOMETHING EXTRA, THAT INTANGIBLE, AS GOOD AS RICHARD IS, AND UNDERATED HE IS, HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT ONE LITTLE INGREDIENT THAT PAUL HAS....... SINCERITY, PAUL MADE YOU BELIEVE THAT HE BELIEVED.
| By Scratcher (65.132.77.19) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 08:28 pm: |
Dell, comparing Paul to Richard Street is like comparing an apple to an orange. Yes, Street replaced Paul; but not really. Paul's a baritone. Street's a tenor. It's like comparing Marvin Junior to Eugene Record.
How does Paul Williams stack up when compared to baritones like like Levi Stubbs, Marvin Junior, Teddy Pendergrass, Winnie "Blue" Lovett (Manhattans), Walter Williams (O'Jays), etc. I didn't name many because '60s and '70s soul music didn't have many baritone leads.
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 10:56 am: |
HEY DELL,YOU MENTION EDDIE DOING[SILENT NIGHT]NEWSFLASH PAL,HE DID THE FIRST VERSION BACK IN 69 AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL,THE VERSION WITH GLENN AND DENNIS IS THE SECOND EXTENDED VERSION.
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:07 pm: |
Scratcher:
"...comparing Paul(Williams) to Richard Street...is like comparing Marvin Junior to Eugene Record..."
Scary thought, though I agree wholeheartedly...
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:25 pm: |
I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE YOU SING LEAD YOU ARE MORE OF A TEMPTATION THAN OTIS WHO HAS BEEN THERE FROM THE START. WHY SHOULD HE QUIT? I LIKE YOU DELL CAN TELL YOU WHO IS SINGING ON ANY TEMPTATIONS SONG NEW OR OLD. IT IS ABOUT THE GROUP, HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT THE GROUP AS WELL AS IT SHOULD BE.
THE TEMPS HAD BIG HITS WITH DAVID AND EDDIE BUT THEY WERE NO BIGGER THAN OTHER BIG GROUPS UNTIL PAUL GOT ON TV AND SANG FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE. THEY TOOK ON ANOTHER AURA THEN. PEOPLE WHO HAD BEFORE ENVISIONED THEM AS A BLACK GROUP SAW THAT THEY COULD SING ANYTHING AND SING IT WELL. WHILE RICHARD IS A VERY GOOD BACK UP SINGER AND HIS VOCALS ON EVERY TIME I CLOSE MY EYES, ISN'T THE NIGHT FANTASTIC, FIREFLY AND HEAVENLY ARE GREAT LEADS THEY DON'T TOUCH THE SURFACE OF PAUL'S WORK. WHEN I WATCHED PAUL WILLIAMS SING I WAS ENTHRALLED WITH HIS SINCERITY AND PASSION. HELL HE WAS SINGING SONGS THAT AS A YOUNG BLACK MAN I WOULD NEVER HAVE LISTENED TO IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM. HE JUST TOOK FRANK'S SONG, THAT'S LIFE, AND MADE IT HIS. WERE YOU LISTENING TO WHO CAN I TURN TO BEFORE PAUL SANG IT? I DOUBT IT. I KNEW THE SONG BUT I WASN'T WALKING AROUND SINGING IT.
R&B, WHILE I LIKE EDDIE'S SILENT NIGHT ON CHRISTMAS CARD YOU MUST ADMIT GLENN TORE IT UP ON HIS TAKE. CHRISTMAS CARD HAS A COUPLE OF VERY GOOD SONGS ON IT BUT IT IS NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD AS THE SECOND LP. I AM HOWEVER CRAZY ABOUT DENNIS' VERSION OF LET IT SNOW.
Aba21
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:33 pm: |
Aba21:
EVERY TIME I GET IN A JAM, I CAN DEPEND ON YOU TO BAIL ME. VERY WELL WRITTEN, I AGREE ENTIRELY ABOUT SILENT NIGHT, WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE ASKED ABOUT SILENT NIGHT.......THEY'RE ONLY SPEAKING ABOUT GLEN'S VERSION
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 01:36 pm: |
Aba21:
BY THE WAY I'M JUST CURIOUS, WOULD YOUR INITIALS HAPPEN TO BE T.B. ?
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 04:04 pm: |
ABA-- "HELL HE WAS SINGING SONGS THAT AS A YOUNG BLACK MAN I WOULD NEVER HAVE LISTENED TO IF IT WASN'T FOR HIM."
And whites might never have listened to Rhythm and Blues if Berry Gordy had not decided that the Temptations were ready to be the BEST IN THE WORLD and had Paul and the Temptations make the cross-over in the album "In A Mellow Mood" and introduce themselves to the whites.
And now we are all a lot richer.
| By Common (209.2.55.169) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 04:14 pm: |
Say what??? Whites were listening to R&B before BG came along. Huh? That's broad statement to make. If you're saying he made black music palatable & expose black performers to mainstream audiences, then I can dig that. Plus consider the social climate of the sixties which also worked in BG's favor. Some R&B songs, especially songs by the Drifters, were written by white songwriters. There were & probably other black groups that could rival the Tempts but didn't have the promotion or the exposure.
Peace!
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 05:08 pm: |
Common,
Of course, you're right. I should have made my remarks much more specific. I was just referring to ABA's comment and reversed it. And I think you can go way back, way before the 60's, the 50's, the 40's, and on ad infinitum.
| By MGBS (66.72.192.176) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:08 pm: |
Aba,no one is saying Otis should quit. But keeping a lead singer would certainly show better leadership. Otis, in my opinion could care less about the fans compared to his "position" in the temps. And as far as the current temps being together longer than the classic temps, please. After Ali, how long did Theo stay? How long for Bo? What is Otis's favorite saying when he is being interviewed? "No ONE person is bigger than the Temps". He should follow his own words. Levi, he ain't.
| By Scratcher (65.132.77.98) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 09:41 pm: |
Kev, I just thought the comparison was unfair (Paul Williams/Richard Street). Nobody's voice was ever replaced in the Temptations except Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards and much later, Melvin Franklin's.
Dennis Edwards and Richard Street brought something totally different to the Temptations. When Dennis left they always got a similar boisterous tenor to replace him--Ali Woodson, Theo Peoples, Bo, and to a lesser extent Louis Price (who Jerry Butler's sounds really didn't fit). Since Paul left, the Tempts seem to have forsaken the baritone altogether.
Motown never had much chart success with Paul's leads. I think his biggest was "Don't Look Back," the B-Side of "My Baby." I bet the Street led "Heavenly" and "Hey Girl I Like Your Style" charted higher.
As for "For Once In My Life." It was the last song I wanted to hear them sing at a concert or on a record. I'm sorry but I hated when soul groups tried to show their worthiness to elders by coming out of character. I think it hurt them in the long run. I know what Motown was doing. They wanted their top acts to play the top nightspots; the same places Sinatra and others played. But they should have been more loyal to the fans who supported them by singing their recordings; or, at least stayed in the genre. The Rolling Stones never broke out a MOR tune doing a concert or on an album. At the time MOR was all over television (variety shows, etc.) It was my parents' music; not mine. And I didn't want to see artists not much older than I trying to appealed to them at my expense. It was selling out--big time.
Instead of singing "For Once In My Life," I would have preferred "Farewell My Love," "Who You Gonna Run To," "Slow Down Heart" or "Just Another Lonely Night."
While the Tempts were better at singing MOR tunes than most (Aretha ranks up there too) they didn't get to where they did by doing MOR tunes. And not taking anything away from Paul's performance of the song, but as a 16 year old, I couldn't have cared less.
| By Aba21 (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 10:39 pm: |
That's why I love this place. Such diverse and great comments from everyone! Please continue.
Dell in response to your ealier question the answer is yes!!!
Aba21
| By ARBRA (67.25.213.150) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
does anyone like the Dennis Edwards temptations Revue now, I mean the new group, my cousin is Bernard Gibson, he is a member.
| By sdl (63.72.98.2) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:42 am: |
aba21 said: "And I am going to put Otis in the group because like it or not his harmony has been what keeps us remembering the classic five. And you can't ignore he has sung on every Temptation song ever made."
The one exception would be "Little Green Apples" from one of the Psychedelic Soul lps (Puzzle People I think). Paul sings it solo on the lp: I hear no other Temps in the background! I always wondered why, but have never gotten an answer. Does anyone know the dealio?
But back to this fantabulous thread, I would have to vote for the Classic 5 being the best line up ever! This has been said before, but it was their look style, blend of voices, capitvating performaces, great songs, yes harmony, harmony, harmony - and last but not least HARMONY! They blended so well, that here it is almost 30 years later and not a single day goes by that I don't listen to the Classic 5 at home and/or at work and/or in my car!
The lessons they learned from the "Harmonizing Four" (my second favorite group of singers) were learned well and expanded upon greatly.
A close second would be the Psychedelic Tempts with Dennis replacing David up thru the "Sky's the Limit" Lp (Eddie's last with the group).
Classic 5 Forever!
| By Common (209.2.55.171) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:42 am: |
Hello everyone,
Scratcher: You know, you sound just like my friend who also saw the C5 back in the day as a teenager & bought their records. Their recollection of the Tempts doing MOR was the same as yours. That was last thing they wanted to hear was their favorite group doing that "old stuffy music" when they were hotter than hot. They continued to support them, though & now understands why the Tempts sang those songs. I've always wondered what the C5 thought at having to sing those MOR type show tunes.
Arbra: Dennis & the Revue are absolutely wonderful. Great showmanship & singing. I saw Dennis 2 summers ago & he turned the place out!
Peace!
| By kalisa2 (67.121.7.161) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:43 am: |
ARBRA: my little eyes perked up a the mention of Dennis and the Review . With a Hall of Fame Grammy totin' lead singer like Dennis, how can it go wrong? Much love to your cousin (((((Bernard)))), he's a honey and does a great job on "Don't Look Back" and "Imagination". I've seen them in Sacramento, Turlock, Paso Robles, Los Angeles, Nashville and NYC....do I like them? LOL....no, not much!
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
Well Ms. Kalisa I believe I saw them at the same show you did in NYC and I agree they were great. The high point for me being when David Sea leaped up on top of the speaker to sing You'll Lose A Precious Love, blowing the place up! Yes they are good!
We seem to continue to get stuck on the part where Otis should try to keep a lead singer. At what cost? Should this so called lead get what he wants at the exspense of the group? I think not.
And as far as the Mellow Mood lp was concerned, not everyone felt they sold out when they made that lp. Your mama's music wasn't getting played or shown on mainstream tv and if you didn't like it cause it was your moma's music, you were missing out on some great music. Many of those artists wanted to sing that type of music. Hell Marvin Gaye thought he was the next Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. They knew they were hot but as you can see now making that lp cost them no fans.
If the lp said The Temptations, I bought it. Even if the music was not what I thought it would be it was still the C5, the greatest male group of all time. It didn't matter what they sung, they sang it well. It quickly became one of my favorite lps. I can understand hard core R&B listeners thinking that they sold out but that's why we've been teaching you to step outside the box the last 30 years.
There is no question the c5 is the best. But that doesn't mean you couldn't listen to other combinations of the group and find some great singers. I'm very partial to the Glenn Richard Melvin Otis Dennis combo. Aiming At Your heart, The Life O A Cowboy, Let Me Count The Ways, Shadow of Your Love, Struck By Lightning Twice, Can't You See Sweet Thing, Evil Woman and Love on My Mind Tonight.
Have a Great Holiday! Aba21
| By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 12:53 pm: |
"IN A MELLOW MOOD"!!!...THIS WAS BERRY GORDYS ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE TEMPTATIONS TO A NEW LEVEL...INTO THE MAINSTREAM...AS THEY WERE BEING BOOKED INTO PLACES LIKE THE COPACABANA...TALK OF THE TOWN...ETC!!!...THAT L.P. DISPLAYED THE VERSATILITY OF THE GROUP ON THE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF THE DAY...AND I...FOR ONE...THINK THEY DID A GREAT JOB WITH THE MATERIAL!!!...STUBASS
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 01:26 pm: |
Aba21:
THANK YOU FOR CONFIRMING THAT, IT WAS SOMETHING YOU SAID THAT MADE ME INVESTIGATE, TOOK A LOT OF RESEARCH, CAME DOWN TO A GUESS. I'M REALLY GLAD I STARTED THIS THREAD, LOT OF INTERESTING COMMENTS. TO THOSE WHO FEEL, THE TEMPTS SHOULD STICK TO WHAT THEY DO BEST, AND NEVER SHOULD HAVE DONE SHOW TUNES, AND BEEN MORE FAITHFULL TO THEIR FANS, BULL, THEY ARE SINGERS, THEY SING, WOULD YOU RESPECT A CARPENTER WHO TOLD YOU "WELL I MAKE REALLY GOOD CHAIRS, SO NO I DON'T DO CABINETS" WELL THEN HE WOULDN'T BE A CARPENTER, JUST A DAMN CHAIRMAKER, SO IF THE TEMPTS ONLY DID R&B WHAT WOULD PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THEM AS "SINGERS" "VOCALIST" PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK UP THE DEFINITIONS OF THOSE TWO WORDS, THEN THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY BERRY & SHELLY, MADE THEM DO THE MATERIAL
| By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 01:39 pm: |
KevGo:
I agree with you about For Once In My Life and Paul Williams. I recently watched it again and it is incredible. He looks "high" but is pulling out the performance of his life. It is like watching someone walk a creative tight rope. The end is especially wonderful. Many a young singer should watch this performance.
| By Common (209.2.55.171) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 01:39 pm: |
Hello everyone,
Everyone has a choice to like whom they want to like. The same with the songs. Some people didn't care the Tempts psychedelic era either. It's what you like. As you get older, your musical tastes change. When you are younger, as in the case of my friend, that type of music is not something that appeals to you right away. It reminds you of your parents' music & when you're at that age, you don't want to be associate with anything that your parents did. Who knew all the dynamics behind them recording MOR at the time? Looking back now, it makes more sense as to why they sang those type of songs. I know my friend enjoys their MOR songs more now than when they were younger. But hey, some folks just don't. Doesn't make them any less of a Tempt fan. JMHO.
Peace!
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 02:59 pm: |
Again the Angel Man is correct!(smiling).
| By Kenderella (205.188.209.109) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 07:21 pm: |
Hello Everyone!
Common, I can really identify with your friend. As a teenager, I hated Mellow Mood album. The only reason I bought it was because The Temptations made it. I rarely listened to it, tho. I also thought it reminded me of something my parents would listen to. Anything they listened to, I wanted no part of. But, as I have matured, I could have no greater respect for that album. After the mini series, I dug that album out and played it darn near til the grooves wore down! I am so thankful they recorded that album because that album let me know just how talented they were to pull this one off. If anyone tried to stop me from playing this album today, I would probably try to rip them to shreds! Mellow Mood definitely proves how immensly talented these guys were.
| By LUKE (68.42.209.170) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:23 pm: |
Kenderella: Your words could not be spoken any better: "I am so thankful they recorded that album because that album let me know just how talented they were to pull this one off. If anyone tried to stop me from playing this album today, I would probably try to rip them to shreds! Mellow Mood definitely proves how immensly talented these guys were."
I have always loved Mellow Mood. The moment I heard it, proved to me that there could be noline up as great as they were. No other group could have done what they did. "MELLOW MOOD DEFINITELY PROVES HOW IMMENSLY TALENTED THESE GUYS WERE!!!!"
| By RD (63.188.33.153) on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 11:43 pm: |
Soul artists singing easy listening tunes straight isn't my cup of tea either. And yes, Aba21, I too feel it's selling out. Now you can direct some of your nasty, inappropriate retorts at me now.
| By RD (63.188.33.153) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 12:15 am: |
Did any of you easy listening lovers buy the Four Tops On Broadway?
I know a woman, at the time she was a teenager, who asked for the newest Four Top's album at a record shop and the clerk sold her the Four Tops On Broadway, which at the time, was their latest LP. This poor naive girl nearly cried when she got home and played the album. She thought she was buying tunes like "I Can't Help Myself" and "Baby I Need Your Loving." Purchasing an album was new to her, she normally just bought the ocassional single but she liked the Four Tops' songs she heard on the radio so much she decided to buy an album of their tunes. Til this day, she never brought another Four Tops album or went to any of their live performances.
Marvin Gaye had to restore the confidence of people after many first saw him in the mid sixties. He did a lot of easy listening tunes in his shows that most people hated and hadn't paid their money to hear.
Superstar rock bands sell out stadiums cause they give their fans what they want and not what they or their record company want them (the fans) to hear. They do 2 and 3 hour shows, sometimes longer, and perform a good segment of their recorded output. Superstar soul bands and groups never reached this level, except Michael Jackson, because they were too preoccupied trying to appeal to a demographic that wasn't their fan base. They acted like singing and recording soul music was just a stepping stone to something else. This is like gangster slapping the fans that put you where you're at in the face
Props to soul acts that never sold out: Parliarment, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Betty Lavette (I can't imagine her ever doing a song like "People"), Wilson Pickett, Stevie Wonder, The Impressions, Curtis Mayfield, etc.
| By Aba21 (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 12:30 am: |
Rd my comments weren't directed at you personally if you took them that way so be it. you have a right to your opinions and so do I. I didn't feel what I said was in appropriate and that's why I 'm not going to defend myself for something I said tounge in cheek. It's all right by me if you felt they sold out. You are not alone and neither am I in saying they didn't. You don't know me well enough to attack me so back off! it's not that kind of Party!
| By RD (63.188.33.153) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 12:45 am: |
Why did you keep referring to Scratcher's "mama?" Do you have to resort to that level to state a point or preference about music? His point is valid. Have you ever heard a blues artist sing a pop tune straight or record an album of easy listening tunes cause they're tired of playing bucket-of-blood night spots and outdoor mosquito and fly filled festivals? Do you think their blues fans would appreciate it if they did?
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 11:48 am: |
A few posts ago someone said, "Singers sing." And it's true, singers love to sing.
Paul Williams said what the Tempts did was more rock-and-roll than rhythm-and-blues. David Ruffin said there was gospel in their music. And of course, one of their albums was titled "A Lot of Soul."
I say the Temptations sound terrific whatever they sing.
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 02:03 pm: |
I THINK THAT FOR ANY SONGWRITER THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT[OTHER THAN THOSE ROYALTY CHECKS]IS TO HAVE OTHERS SING YOUR SONGS[AS LONG AS IT'S DONE TASTEFULLY]AND AS I'VE SAID AND WILL SAY AGAIN THE CLASSIC TEMPTATIONS WERE SO GOOD THAT THEY COULD'VE SANG[MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB]AND HAD A HIT!
| By Aba21 (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 03:03 pm: |
RD...I'm gonna try and take the time to explain to you what I meant since you seem to be policeman of the board's commentary. My reference to moma's music was in direct response to the statement that he didn't like his mama's music and I was only using "his term" to say there was nothing wrong with mama's music. I did not mean anything nasty by my comments. If you interpreted them that way, I guess it means I didn't make myself clear. Let me be clear on this. I don't know anyone on this board personally and would never make any remarks to offend anyone intentionally. I'm not even going to argue with you about it. I'm only here to talk about the music, not to attack or make nasty remarks to you or anyone else. That's not my style. If I have something nasty to say to anyone I usually try to say it to their face. In the future if you feel I said something you thought was out of line ask me what I meant first before you determine what kind of person I am. I would be happy to explain it. That's all I ask. Peace! Aba21!
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 03:22 pm: |
YOU TWO BEHAVE OR RALPH WILL MAKE YOU LISTEN TO[BOBBY GOLDBORO'S GREATEST HITS,VOL 3 THE LOST YEARS]
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 04:20 pm: |
R&B,
I've heard it said the Temptations could have sung the phone book, and it would have been a hit.
I heard them do a cover on one song that was a tremendous hit for its original singers. Their version was so different that at first I thought, "What?" But after listening to it a few times, I thought, "It's unique. They've gone in a completely different direction, and it's more intellectually challenging than the original version."
WOuld I find Bobby Goldboro's Greatest Hits, Vol 3 (The Lost Years) as mentally challenging?
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 04:32 pm: |
ACTUALLY BOBBY WASN'T BAD,BUT THE LOST YEARS MIGHT BE A BIT MUCH!
| By RD (63.188.33.205) on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 04:45 pm: |
ABA21, he said his "parents music." And there are others on here that consider themselves board policemen, not I, I just thought your retort was out of line. But I'm through with it.
| By Sherry Hill (63.164.145.198) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 01:51 am: |
We don't hear much from Richard Street any word on where he is performing at or how he's doing these days?
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 10:42 am: |
"TRUE" music lovers, and I mean those that not only dance and listen, but those that"UNDERSTAND" music, don't believe in "Their parents music", it will come down to one of two things, Good music or Bad music, "TRUE" mucic lovers, have an appreciation of musical genres, whether they personally like the music or not. The same is true with "TRUE" artist, they exercise their talent by reaching out to different styles in order to artisticly enrich themselves, and to broaden their fan base, there is nothing wrong with that, think of the many artist that are "NOT" capable of expanding themselves. It is a testimony to their greatness that the Tempts can reach out and do "Mellow Mood" and most recently "For Lovers Only". Aba21, has been extremely precise, honest and insightfull on this thread, and has no reason to explain his opinions, which is what we all have "Opinions", The temptations, by doing the wide range of material they did, lifted themselves to Music Legends, not just R&B legends, they didn't cheat their fans, they treated them, to music that maybe some of us would have Never taken the time to listen to. Their are those artist who will only do, what they do best, fine, but what the Tempts have shown us these past 40 years is that they do "BEST" whatever they do. The only fans that get sold out, are those that let their personal taste dictate what is good or bad, and we all know that personal taste has "nothing" to do with the quality of anything, except preference, and thats only important to the individual.
| By Scratcher (65.150.228.106) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 01:15 pm: |
Dell, the Temptations doing MOR tunes didn't do one iota to lifting their legend. Soul groups doing MOR tunes are indeed selling out. Their core audience don't want to hear this type of music. You can call it expanding your musical horizons or whatever you like but it's still selling out.
When Frank Sinatra was marketed on MTV some time ago he was SELLING OUT his CORE FANS. Music is indeed, for the most part, generational. Whether you accept that fact or not, doesn't make it untrue. Why do you think popular music is marketed to a specific age demographic?
Many jazz artists SOLD OUT in the '60s and '70s in an attempt to sell more records and become more mainstream. Some jazz artists never sold out and kept the genre pure.
Hardcore country music fans think some country artists have SOLD OUT and become more pop for record sales and fame.
Because I didn't appreciate the Temptations busting out with "For Once In My Life" after singing "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" doesn't mean I don't appreciate MOR music I just don't appreciate THEM doing a MOR song at a concert where I paid my money expecting to hear soul music.
Dell, you've admitted on this forum that you're not into Doo Wop. Why? Is it because Doo Wop was your "parents, older siblings or generation," music? If your music appreciation is so vast how come you can't get into all types of music? How come you really don't appreciate the Temptations prior to Dennis Edwards' entry into the group? Was the original and classic Tempts either below or above your musical comprehension?
You rate Glenn Leonard above Eddie Kendricks, which is absurd. Eddie Kendricks falsetto not only sold a ton of Temptations recordings but millions when he went solo. Leonard is my next favorite Temptations' falsetto but he doesn't have 20 percent of the charm and charisma that Kendricks possessed. Listen to Kendricks singing lead and background vocals when he was younger and you might change your opinion.
Maybe if you delve deeper into the Temptations and listen to Meet the Temptations and the Classic Tempts LP you'll have a different perspective of the "older" Tempts. Who obviously, if you don't feel they were parents music, you feel their appreciation is for ears older than yours.
And nobody said anything about the quailty of the Temptations singing MOR tunes. The quality was excellent. It was just something many didn't care to see them do. They didn't have to prove to me that they could sing easy listening music. If the the Tempts had never sang soul music and only MOR for the get-go Dell, do you really think they would have survived and been as popular?
One thing about going to see Sam & Dave, you didn't have to worry about them trying to prove themselves to past generations by destroying the mood of the concert by injecting something like "Make Someone Happy."
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 02:10 pm: |
Scratcher:
If the tempts didn't do MOR tunes, what else would have separated them from other groups, accomodating or showcasing to those outside of your core fan base is not selling out, if the most popular cookie in the world is chocolate chip, well I'd guess that Nabisco has betrayed the public by making vanilla wafers, if the most popular car color is red, how dare GM give us all those other colors. Music is geared toward the young, because they buy the music, quite frankly, today's youth is the most musically uneducated generation to come down the pike in 50 years. And yes I agreed about some jazz and country artist selling out, but the tempts didn't do that they didn't make MOR a signature for them they did it to give to "EVERYONE" something, how many of their albums were MOR, how many MOR songs did they do at concerts, "YOU" are not the only one sitting there, you have no idea what the guy sitting behind you is thinking or feeling, hell they give you all the songs you know and love at a concert and "You" don't appreciate that they do 1 or 2 MOR cuts, well excuse the hell out of me, when you pay for your seat and the countless others at a concert you can make that call, until then.........well you know the rest. if you want to hear what you want to hear because you "PAID" for it, go home make a cassette or burn a CD, listen to what you want in the order you want. Furthermore i don't like Doo-Wop, because as a vocalist and the way I blow, I don't do it very well,I personally find some of the backgrounds, repetitous, and a little confining for my liking, not cause it's "MY PARENTS MUSIC",I'm into a little more than just oohs & aahs. Did I say Glenn was rated above Eddie, again I give you a hearty "HELL NO" I said i liked the way that glenn swung his melodies and notes, I didn't even put glenn with the other C5, This Thread was started, so people could voice their "OPINIONS" on other line-ups besides the the original C5, the only thing absurb, is the notion that you can tell me what "I" meant. You got a question, ask for clarification, don't try to read my mind, you can barely read accuritly what I wrote. From my heart, Eddie is #1, but I would be very intrigued to have heard Glenn with them also, I never meant to compared the 2 guys, but since you took it there, tell me, how many songs by Glenn would you like to see Eddie try, "I'm on Fire" maybe ? I don't think so. And you keep coming up with hypotheical senarios to prove your point, "WHAT IF THE TEMPTS SANG MOR FROM THE GITGO, WOULD THEY HAVE SURVIVED", well guess what, they didn't, sing it from the gitgo. Here's one for ya, "IF THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE MOR TUNES, WOULD THE VAST MAJORITY (not just you) HAVE KNOWN, JUST HOW GOOD THEY ARE, WOULD THE LEGEND HAVE BEEN THE SAME ? WOULD YOU BE SITTING HERE TODAY SAYING TO PEOPLE, I DON'T THINK THEY COULD HAVE DONE MOR TUNES" The tempts, are a group for the people, young, old, white, black, Why can't they give every body a little something.........Sorry I forgot, because you pay and you don't appreciate it, Thank you for being the voice of the people.
| By Scratcher (65.150.228.106) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 02:34 pm: |
Dell, show me some stats on Collectors vying and bidding for Temptations' MOR cuts.
I can't believe you're saying that the Temptations' status is determined by the fact they cut some MOR tunes and performed some live!
If the Temptations had never cut another album or made another record after the LP "Gettin' Ready" they would still be considered the greatest male soul vocal group ever.
Bo Diddley never sold out and never had any MOR cuts, yet he's in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. How did Bo achieve worldwide appreciation?
Do you really think teens in the '60s at a Tempts' concert wanted to hear them sing "For Once In My Life" over one of their soul tracks? I can see them doing tunes like that in Vegas or the Catskills where the crowd was older, but not on the chitlin' circuit.
Dell, if Eddie had sung "I'm On Fire," it wouldn't have been just an album track or single that didn't make it, it would have been a big hit for the Tempts. And if you knew anything about the early Tempts, or heard their recordings on Miracles, Melody and the early Gordy recordings you would know that Kendricks voice was just as strong and flexible if not more so.
I go back with the Tempts from DAY ONE. When did you jump on the bandwagon, the Cloud Nine album?
And, learn the meaning of the term "sell out."
| By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 04:53 pm: |
I just attended two Temptations concerts. Not only were they both sold-out, but there was a long line of people who had traveled from out of town and were waiting and hoping for cancellations.
People of all ages and all races were at the concert.
They truly are the world's best male vocal group.
| By V.H. (63.164.145.33) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 06:08 pm: |
I just heard that Richard Street is being interviewed tonite on the rhythmandbluesshowcase.com radio show website. I too saw the Temptations recently. The show was good. This was my first time seeing this lineup with the new guys. They were good but I still miss Richard Ali and Dennis. It's time for another Temptations reunion.
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 06:32 pm: |
This contoversy is too much so I'm not going there...personally I think the most beautiful song the Temps ever recorded was "The Shadow Of Your Love"...so how about everybody showing some love baby!?
The Tops started off by singing jazz tunes like the Mills Brothers.
Marvin Gaye always wanted to sing jazz like Jimmy Scott.
Ray Charles started off singing jazz like Nat King Cole.
One little footnote: During one of my many visits to the Brown residence in the 60s, I looked thru a stack of LPs "JB" had in his living room, this is what he had in his collection: Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, & so on... in JB's show at the time he did sing Bennett & Sinatra tunes(for whoever said James Brown wouldn't sing those style songs)he sang "For Once In My Life","I Want To Be Around", & "That's Life", he also had Marva Whitney sing "People".
| By RD (63.188.32.221) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 07:08 pm: |
I saw James Brown many times. Thankfully, not when he sang the songs that Soul Sister mentioned. I did once see him sing "Please, Please, Please" for over 45 minutes at the old Cleveland Arena. If he had came out of a Sinatra bag on that stage he would have been booed unmercifully. Marvin Gaye singing standards at clubs like Leo's Casino damn near killed him off as a viable live performer; Berry put a stop to that nonsense real quick.
The Four Tops are a modern harmony group who really wanted to emulate groups like the Mills and the Ames Brothers. The Temptations roots were in gospel, doo-wop and R&B. The Tops were also older than the Tempts. Nobody was rude to the Tempts when they slid into their MOR bag but if given a choice, most would have preferred they sang something from their many albums or one of their hits or B-Sides.
I remember the Dramatics getting static from Northern Soul reviewers and critics when they cut "Me and Mrs Jones" in what they called a campy style.
Most of the collectors that visit and post on this site are northern soul and old soul music freaks. MOR won't get a lot of love here.
As for not being musically advanced as some have said for not embracing MOR, does this mean that those who love the raw, unembellished blues of Muddy Waters, Robert Junior Lockwood and others are musically deprived? That these artists would be more accepted if they proved they could do MOR or more comtemporary R&B or soul? I'm sorry but I don't consider one genre of music as being better than another, it's all personal choice.
When I go see Robert Junior Lockwood I expect to hear Delta Blues--period. And that's what he gives you and have been doing so for more than 60 years. When I go see George Clinton I wanna hear Clinton's brand of funk. Anything else from him would be a disappointment.
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 07:37 pm: |
In 1967 the audiences applauded enthusiastically to JB diong those standards in his show, they sounded good in his gritty soulful style, I like any & all ballads that JB or Jackie Wilson did, they made them there own, It's all good!
As for Marvin Gaye he kicked butt doing ballads like on his Vulnerable CD, to me (outside of Distant Lover, & Whats Going On) his best work.
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 07:40 pm: |
Just one more thing, singing a variety of songs didn't mean selling out it just meant trying different flavors, ya dig? Afterall variety is the spice of life.
| By RD (63.188.32.221) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 08:09 pm: |
At the show at the old Arena I'm talking about Soul Sister, gunshots went off when Stevie Wonder was on stage and the O"Jays were waiting to come on. It seems Stevie overextended his stay to someone who saw the O'Jays waiting and wanted to see them perform. Stevie was scared stiff (had to be carried off stage) and the O'Jays refused to walk across the Arena floor to the stage. Peace was eventually restored and James Brown came out later and did his thing. He didn't dare sing a standard to this crowd.
Where was this show where James Brown sang all these standards (the Catskills) and at what point in his career? Entertainers often changed their shows to fit the audience and venue. They also experiment and obviously this one was scrapped rather quick cause I caught him every time he came to town and never saw it. Suffice to say neither James Brown nor Marvin Gaye will be remembered for doing standards.
As for Marvin Gaye, people wanted to hear him sing his hits, not "Days of Wine and Roses," amd he eventually quit force feeding his fans standards and became a huge soul artist. The Marvin Gaye show I saw in the mid-sixties and the ones I saw in the '70s and '80s were different as night and day. There was no buzz when Marvin came to town in the mid sixties but there was a big buzz when he came to town in the '70s.
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 08:36 pm: |
As we talked about befor RD, Cleveland can be a bit narrow minded. JB always did those songs at the Apollo in Harlem, even recorded them on his live album, the tough judging Apollo audience was open to it, perhaps more worldly minded(?)
I think Marvin's popularity rose after the Whats Going On Album and grew from there...but he had a beautiful ballad voice. Different strokes for different folks. Just stating the true facts tho'RD I admire your taste.
| By RD (63.188.32.221) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 09:12 pm: |
SS, I just hate watered down and bastardized music genres. If you're a bop jazzman don't try to impress me by doing a fusion album, cause I would rather hear that by a pure fusion artist.
At one time Marvin Gaye ran through his hits as if he hated them. Stuff like that cause some to say that soul artists were jive and put on jive shows. When Marvin stopped jiving and became the spaced out soul man he was his popularity soared.
I've always like recordings from labels like D-Town, Groovesville, Way Out, Stax and some others because they were pure sixties soul without the pretense.
Billy Stewart had two hits with standards but he made them over in his own style.
BTW, the Vibrations recorded an album of standards prior to the Temptations' Mellow Moods (some of the arrangements are almost identical) and many think that was the main reason Berry decided to do the same with the Tempts. You see, everybody thought the Vibrations were going to be huge, but it didn't happen.
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 09:55 pm: |
RD; I loved The Vibrations, Ricky Owen showed me what he was doing on a demo tape before Misty was released he & they put their own spin on it.
I can dig where your coming from RD, I used be the same way , guess I'm just getting old. Most big hit records I don't like. I prefer more soulful and obscure R&B. but appreciate all good love ballads. S.S.
| By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 11:58 am: |
Whew what a spirited discussion! Ol Tempts, new Tempts, Other tempts, Dennis Tempts...wow !
Lets see: Glenn & Dennis Silent Night, greatest version of the song I ever heard.
Let It Snow: Dennis Turns it out. One of my personal favorites.
Mellow Mood LP; I was not estatic at the time they made it, but grew to love it. I was very familiar with the songs. My mother loved the Ink Spots, Mills Bros and to some extent the Drifters. When she heard Paul Williams sing For Once In My Life, she was totally enraptured and has been a Temptation fan ever since. I can remember our entire family watching TCB and marvelling at the Talented Tempts and Supremes.
The Temptations show with George Kiby was also a winner and they had a very clever skit with the Ink Spots "If I didn't Care ". Less Popular was the On Broadway LP & TV show with The Supremes, but the Tempts take of Fiddler on The Roof was something else, Eddies vocals were stellar.
For Lover's Only; this is the best Temptation album in the last ten years. I always thought it was time for them to re-do the Mellow Mood Album and this one was vocally and musically superior to anything they had done . In fact I think this was the high water mark for them as far as being able to vocally recreate/recapture that Temptation Sound. I would have loved to see this group of Ali,Ray,Otis,Theo, & Ron continue to greater heights but who knows.
Dennis and the Tempt Review are better live than on record. They perfom very well but come off as a little stunted on their Live recording. I have seen them several times "Live" and they know how to bring a house down with the classic songs. Ok...ok. thats my Tempt Jones for the day.......
| By Common (209.2.55.168) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 12:20 pm: |
Hello everyone,
Kendaralla & Luke: I feel ya! It just showed how the Tempts could excel singing MOR songs as well as cuttin up when singing R&B.
Kdubya: I totally agree with you about the FLO CD. Excellent! Theo on "Night & Day" reminded me somewhat of Paul & Ali really showed his stuff. And of course, I love "In A Mellow Mood". I love to hear Eddie's voice soaring on "With These Hands" & David's effortlessness on "Somewhere". Whatever David, Paul, Eddie, Melvin & Otis sang, there was definitely some wonderful chemistry among them that only comes around once in a lifetime.
Peace!
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 03:40 pm: |
RD & Company:
James Brown recorded a "big-band-jazz" album with Oliver Nelson & Louis Bellson's Orchestra called "Soul On Top" (1970) that sounded like it was straight out of a Sinatra Rat Pack movie and it swung like a mutha...
The Jackson 5 recorded "Corner Of The Sky" from "Pippin" (the music was published by Jobete)and playing Las Vegas more than touring by the mid 1970s.
The Tempts performed "Yesterday/What Now My Love" and "Ol' Man River" at their now-legendary performance in the Roostertail's Upper Deck to screaming fans (and I do believe the live LP was the group's second #1 Pop album)...Sounded like the screaming girls loved hearing Melvin reciting the lyrics to "What Now My Love" in French...
These acts along with the Tops, Supremes & others did standards to reach a different audience - an higher-class audience with more money than a lot of us on the Forum combined. The bottom line - the "sell-out" music was NOT for you or the "die-hard" fans that want only the hits and for them to "keep it real". The music was to reach our parents or grandparents as well as those with money & stature who know the standards but not the groups. This would make it easier for the Tempts & others to play the Copacabana (which the Tempts did with extreme disdain), Coconut Grove, Waldorf-Astoria, etc so that their labels can sell more records.
Does that make them sell-outs? No - just reaching for different heights. Does that make it wrong? I don't think so.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
| By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 04:18 pm: |
Kev-Go; Well said my friend.
Kdubya; I agree with you on the "For Lover's Only" album. Aside from the Classic Temps this just may be the best album they ever made! For me personally it is! Not only do they get to showcase the most beautiful harmony, it is soulful, sexy, & romantic.
| By Counterpoint (68.63.4.162) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 10:45 am: |
The Temptations can sing anything, and sing it well.
I fail to understand why anyone would question a singer's right to sing any kind of music.
Some seem to think only black singers can sing soul music. And if the black singers sing MOR, they have sold their soul. Would these same people say that only whites could sing opera or only white musicians play classical music? Of course not, the idea is ridiculous.
I realize that there are some people who only want to sing one kind of music or play one kind of music, and that is their right. And I realize that if your training has only been along one line, you might have to retrain yourself, but that would be true in any job.
| By Chan (128.135.163.182) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 12:53 pm: |
To "add to" Counterpoints point - I do not see what the big deal is about the Temptations saying "Formerly of the Temptations". What would also be true in ANY JOB SITUATION is the fact that Richard Street, Damon Harris, Glen Leonard, Theo Peoples, Ali Woodson, Dennis Edwards are ALL FORMER TEMPTATIONS and THAT IS A PART OF THEIR RESUME. Just like we put jobs that we had before to give credence to our skills, so do these former members and I think that they all have paid enough dues to warrant the stature of "Formerly of the Temptations" on their resumes.
Peace and Blessings
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 01:05 pm: |
COUNTERPOINT:
VERY WELL PUT, IT HAD GOT TO POINT WHERE I GAVE UP...THANK YOU
| By B-town (207.8.188.200) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
Excellent interview with Richard Street on the RnB showcase website Monday night. I understand he now has his own group called Voysez. They not only sing Temptations songs but they do material from some of the greatest vocal groups throughout history.
| By Aba21 (208.191.121.196) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 05:04 pm: |
I have been to Temptations concerts since as long as I can remember. I own everything they ever put out for consumption and love it all.
RD you make a good point to me there's a time and place for everything. The venue you were at was not the place for MOR songs. But they adjust their playlist to every place they go.In Vegas And AC they add more show tunes, while in Valley Forge,PA or Newark NJ they cater to more of the soul songs they are known for. It just depends on where you see them.
When I saw them at the Howard theatre in DC or the Appollo in NY in the sixties you got a foot stompin' hand clappin serious soul show. At the same time in Vegas or the Copa in NY they gave you With THese HAnds, For Once In MY Life and others. It depends on where you want to go.
I agree with the fact that FOR LOVERS ONLY is their best piece of work which got no airplay at all. It got plenty in my house and anyone who heard it through me in my car or home were impressed whether they were black, white or otherwise.
Sometimes it's not your fault if you don't hear something. Times have changed. Radio is geared to a different audience and the Temptations and others like them have tremendous difficulty getting their music played. I know I have a hard time finding a station that will keep to the style of music I like. Even the cool jazz stations! Are they really playing jazz? Come on! Mostly is easy listening as far as I'm concerned
The C5 is the greatest male group of all time. It makes no sense to compare them to anyone else because they set the bar so high it would be useless. When you are that good where do you go? Mellow Mood was an lp that gave them a chance to see how good they really were.We knew they were good but did they really know? The lp reached number one in R&B sales and number 13 in pop sales. Somebody bought it! And some brothers and sister liked it too. Sell out or not!
Aba21
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 07:12 pm: |
I THINK THAT WHAT HAS GOTTEN LOST HERE IS THAT THE TEMPTS ARE PERFORMERS, ENTERTAINERS, AND THEY LIVE AND GET PAID TO DO SUCH. BY DOING MOR TUNES, SURE THERE WILL BE THOSE THAT SAY THEY SOLD OUT, THEY HAVE NO DEDICATION TO THEIR FAN BASE, BUT NONE OF THAT IS TRUE, THEY ARE HERE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR AND ENJOY, THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO DON'T LIKE R&B, BUT LOVE THE TEMPTATIONS. DID THEY HAVE TO DO MOR TUNES, NO, BUT THEY DID, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM, THEY GAVE US, LOVE SONGS, DANCE SONGS, GOD EVEN WITH THE NORMAN WHITFIELD YEARS, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR THAT PSYCHEDELIC SOUND, I LOVED IT, BUT I REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIDN'T, THEY GAVE EVERY INCH OF THEIR TALENTS TO THE PEOPLE, EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY SOLD OUT, THAT WAS THE PLAN, TO MAKE THEM THE GREATEST VOCAL GROUP IN THE WORLD, WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN THE CASE IF THEY JUST DID R&B ? PERHAPS WE WILL NEVER KNOW, BUT ONE THING IS SURE, THEY ARE KNOWN WORLDWIDE AND BY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO COME FROM VARIOUS CULTURAL BACKGROUDS. HOW MANY PEOPLE THRUOUT THE WORLD OR HERE IN THE USA REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE WHISPERS, BLUE MAGIC, DRAMATICS, etc....ALL GOOD GROUPS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO THEIR LOYAL FANS, BUT, WHO WOULD DO ANYTHING TO HAVE THE LOVE & ADMIRATION THAT THE TEMPTATIONS HAVE AMASSED, MANY GROUPS HAVE NEVER CROSSED THE RACIAL, ECONOMIC & CULTURAL LINES THE TEMPTS HAVE CROSSED. BOTTOM LINE, THEY ARE TRULY GREAT AND TEMPTIN' R&B......& MOR
| By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 07:26 pm: |
DELL: I... FOR ONE...HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OF THE OPINION THAT THE DEPARTURE OF DAVID RUFFIN (GREAT AS HE WAS)...AND THE ADDITION OF DENNIS EDWARDS AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME...PROBABLY EXTENDED THE SHELF LIFE OF THE TEMPTATIONS FOR SEVERAL YEARS!!!...WHILE MY FAVORITE TEMPTATIONS WAS THE "CLASSIC" GROUP...THE 60'S STUFF THEY WERE DOING WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY RUN IT'S COURSE...AS NEW MUSICAL SOUNDS WERE BEGINNING TO EMERGE!!!...THUS...BOTH DENNIS...AND NORMAN WHITFIELD...EXTENDED THE TEMPTATIONS POPULARITY...WHICH THEN EVENTUALLY RAN IT'S COURSE...AND SINCE THAT TIME...THE GROUP HAS NEVER ATTAINED THE POPULARITY THAT IT HAD DURING THOSE TWO INCARNATIONS!!!...JUST MY TAKE...STUBASS
| By URBAN GURU (67.35.44.130) on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 11:43 pm: |
I just got the 411 on this site,it is now bookmarked;the tone,passion and knowledge expressed is outstanding! Let's keep the thread going. The URBAN GURU
| By ABA21 (152.163.252.68) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 12:26 am: |
sTUBASS YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT IN YOUR ASSESMENT OF HOW IT PLAYED OUT. THAT'S WHY I CAN GO TO A SHOW AND NOT EXPECT TO HEAR THE CLASSIC 5. tHESE GUYS DO A GREAT JOB OF UPHOLDOING THE tEMPTATIONS STANDARDS. tHAT' ALL YOU CAN ASK!
ABA21
| By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 12:37 am: |
HEY ABA21: I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU!!!...AT LEAST *SOMEONE* IS DOING ALL OF THAT CLASSIC MATERIAL...AND SINCE WE CAN'T "TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME"...LETS NOT " LOSE WHAT WE GOT...TRYING TO GET BACK WHAT WE HAD!!!...STUBASS
| By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 11:38 am: |
HEY STU,WHEN YOU'RE RIGHT,YOU'RE RIGHT,YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE SHELF LIFE OF THE TEMPS AFTER DAVID IS CORRECT,I REMEMBER HOW MAD EVERYONE WAS WHEN DENNIS FIRST ARRIVED AND HOW I CRINGED UPON HEARING HIM ALTHOUGH I WAS FAMILIAR WITH HIS WORK WITH THE CONTOURS,IT'S FUNNY HOW 35 YEARS LATER I CAN'T THINK OF THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPS WITHOUT HIM!
| By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 12:09 pm: |
THIS IS NOT MY PERSONAL OPINION, BUT I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE EXPRESS THE OPINION THAT THE MUSIC CREATED BY WHITFIELD FOR THE TEMPTATIONS, CARRIED THE GROUP AND MANY SONGS COULD HAVE SOLD AS INSTRUMENTALS AND OR WITH ANOTHER GROUP DOING THE VOCALS. ALA PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE, GREAT MUSIC TRACK.
| By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 12:52 pm: |
HEY GANG...SINCE THIS THREAD IS GETTING MIGHTY LONG, LET'S CLOSE DOWN THIS ONE AND CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON THE TEMPTATIONS PART 2 THREAD.