|
|
Post by Temptress on May 23, 2004 21:17:29 GMT -5
Friday May 28 and Saturday 29 at 8pm
|
|
|
|
Post by janebse on May 24, 2004 8:46:35 GMT -5
I'll be there both nights.
|
|
|
|
Post by janebse on May 28, 2004 23:46:25 GMT -5
Just got back from the first concert.
It was FANTASTIC! Unbelievable! Everyone at my table (front row) said the same thing. And then just to make sure I asked some other people if it was "just my imagination" that it was fantastic. "No," they replied. "It was fantastic!"
I couldn't believe how many songs they sung, full versions too. "Don't Look Back," "Stay," "Memories," "Standing on the Top," "Ball of Confusion," "Beauty's Only Skin Deep," "Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue," "Girl's All Right with me," "Please Return you Love to Me," "it"s Growing," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and on and on. Although they stayed and sang and danced for a loooong time, the audience refused to leave. They just stood there and clapped and shouted.
They wore red suits. The TEMPTS came on smiling and the smiles never left their faces or the audience's face. Their energy was unbelivable. The dancing was amazing. Joe did a wonderful job dancing. And while Otis sat down for a few songs, he danced some and did a little dancing for others.
The lead went back and forth. Terry led some songs; G.C. led some songs, and Ron led some songs. And Joe made himself heard in many ways, much to the audience's delight. He came to the front a number of times and sang. He let his personality shine through. And everyone loved him.
Everyone was in excellent voice. G.C. sang "My Girl" beautifully, like the ballad it is, sweet and tender. He did not use David's gestures or try to be anyone else. He made it his song, and it was beautiful. I felt none of them were trying to be Theo, Ali, Dennis or David, just themselves, and it worked. At one moment as I was listening to all five voices, I thought, "They're not trying to copy any of the previous Temptations, but they sound just like the Classic Five, that beautiful harmonious sound."
The place was packed. I can hardly wait until tomorrow to see what tomorrow's concert will be like.
And unexpected surprise was the fact that a woman who used to work for the Classic Five sat at my table. She lives in Houston and said she talked to Glen Leonard the day before. She is retired and attends Temptations concerts. She was at the taping of Motown 45 in California. She told us anecdotes of the Classic Five. "In the beginning," she said, "they didn't play in large concert halls like this one. One time I remember it was a little bitty hall. The Tempts arrived in that scraggly station wagon they drove, came in the front door. Their hair was wrapped and they carried their clothes bags over their shoulders. They walked down the aisle and went backstage where they proceeded to put on their stage attire. They performed, changed back to street clothes, walked out the front door and got back in the scraggly old station wagon."
And now to the little finishing touches. When I arrived I went to the rest room and guess what music was playing/ Right. It was "My Girl." As we finally exited the theatre, the audience had to walk down a long corridor and past a bar where a singer/pianist had been playing and singing for several hours. When he saw us exiting, he started singing "My Girl" and the whole crowd began joining in, and the Casino reverberated with thousands of voices singing, "My Girl." And we all sounded pretty good.
Oh, by the way. The woman who had worked for the Classic Five made this comment several times. "I think Otis has done an excellent job with all of the replacements he has made."
|
|
|
|
Post by janebse on May 28, 2004 23:50:26 GMT -5
And, yes, the Temptations recognized her. And she'll be there tomorrow. She also recognized a friend of hers from California who had come in for the concert.
I didn't ask her what kind of retirement income she had to afford all these trips, but I was tempted to. She drove from Houston today. Now that isn't as far as my trip to San Antonio in one day last year, but she also made a trip to California for the Motown taping, and I didn't do that.
All I can say is I met some very serious Temptation fans, fans with an income to support their Temptation habit.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeNYC on May 29, 2004 14:10:55 GMT -5
And, yes, the Temptations recognized her. And she'll be there tomorrow. She also recognized a friend of hers from California who had come in for the concert. I didn't ask her what kind of retirement income she had to afford all these trips, but I was tempted to. She drove from Houston today. Now that isn't as far as my trip to San Antonio in one day last year, but she also made a trip to California for the Motown taping, and I didn't do that. All I can say is I met some very serious Temptation fans, fans with an income to support their Temptation habit. Does "she" have a name? Who is she? Why didn't they sing any new songs? 50/50? Seems to me like they stuck with David,Eddie & Dennis' songs.Some things never change. Otis can't let the past go,can he? Looks like he & Dennis have something in common,just that Dennis does it better. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by janebse on May 30, 2004 6:21:51 GMT -5
The concert Saturday night was just as good. They wore the black suits with the white stripes. I was really impressed with the material of those suits. It did not show sweat and the presses stayed. Hey, the suits were pretty fantastic. I was surprised at how good they actually look on stage and during the performance. Now, if you think I should not be interested in what they wore, you don't know me. I go to PGA Golf Tournaments and assess the outfits all the golfers wear. Some are impeccable, others need a little help.
The place was packed, and the audience was with the Tempts all the way. I was surprised at how early the audience came to sit in their seats. They were also lining the halls waiting to buy any unpicked up tickets. Although I was there several hours before the concert, I did not go to the theater until an hour before it. And then I found it was fast filling up.
The woman from Houston did not sit at my table, but when she came in, she came over to the table and we continued our talk until my table was full and she had to return to hers. Her parting words were, "Are you going to Bay St. Louis in the fall? I'll be there." And I replied, "I'm planning too. I look forward to seeing you there." She told of seeing Otis, GC and Terry crossing the street in front of her as she drove up. They saw her in the car, and they all laughed and waved. She talked of all her experiences and her relations who work "in the business." She talked about Sam Cooke and the days when black entertainers could not stay in hotels in the South and most had to stay with friends or relatives. She'd go over to this friend's house, and there would be Sam eating dinner with the family. And he'd tease the girls and ask them if they had any of his records. And she loves all the Tempts, past and present.
Now my claim to fame is that I again rode in the elevator with Adrian Williams, just us two. If you remember, I mentioned riding in the elevator at the hotel with him a year ago in Chattanooga. And now again, at the hotel, I met him in the elevator. If this continues, people will start talking.
Even though the concerts may be identical in many ways, what I notice at each one will vary. And at the second one I was particularly impressed by the reverence and the enthusiasm of the audience for "MY GIRL." It may have been there the first concert, but this time my attention was riveted to the audience's response and their reverence was palpable. I am sure the Tempts felt it too because of their response, and we were all caught up in this oh, so tangible love and rhythmic response as our bodies subtly duplicated the Tempts' movements.
|
|
|
|
Post by janebse on May 30, 2004 13:40:00 GMT -5
Oops! I forgot one little thing that occurred both nights.
It always makes me think of Melvin. On "You're the one" where Melvin sings lead, he says, "Temptations sing," at one point. So whenever I hear a Tempt sing "Temptations sing," I think of Melvin.
ON one song, GC says, "Temptations sing" at one point later in the song and the Tempts begin singing but they are singing different words, not the normal words to the song. They have dance steps which go with the different words. I wish I could remember which song it was. And if I'd known it was going to happen, I would have had paper and pencil ready. They did it both nights, but I didn't write it down either night.
|
|
|
|
Post by livesey00 on May 31, 2004 9:40:05 GMT -5
Oops! I forgot one little thing that occurred both nights. It always makes me think of Melvin. On "You're the one" where Melvin sings lead, he says, "Temptations sing," at one point. So whenever I hear a Tempt sing "Temptations sing," I think of Melvin. ON one song, GC says, "Temptations sing" at one point later in the song and the Tempts begin singing but they are singing different words, not the normal words to the song. They have dance steps which go with the different words. I wish I could remember which song it was. And if I'd known it was going to happen, I would have had paper and pencil ready. They did it both nights, but I didn't write it down either night. I believe you're thinking off STAY |
|
|
|
Post by Temptress on May 31, 2004 21:54:38 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by janebse on May 31, 2004 22:18:23 GMT -5
Temptress,
How exciting. Where were you sitting? I was in the first row. As Ivory said, "Once you get used to the first row, you don't want to sit anywhere else."
However, I do know that musically it is better to sit in the balcony. At least, that's what all musicians tell me.
I am eagerly anticipating your review.
|
|
|
|
Post by Temptress on Jun 1, 2004 22:51:04 GMT -5
When I arrived at the Grand Theater it was crowded. People were in line at the box office buying tickets. I was so excited to see were I was going to be sitting since I was on the main floor. My sister and I fought our way through the crowd and down to the main floor to our seats. Second row left hand side of the stage. This place could hold up to 1800 people it wasn't sold out but I didn't see any empty seats. As I waited for the Temptations to come out . I got to know the people whom I shared a table with. There was Viki and Jamie who mentioned they had saw the Coasters. I also met and got to know two ladies one from California and New Orleans. We talked about the Tempts until it was time. The band came out and started perfectly playing "Papa was a rolling Stone". When the announer introduced The Legendary TEMPATIONS my heart dropped. Everyone stood. They ran out on stage wearing Black and white suits. They looked rested and classy and ready. I saw the look on G.C.'s face it simply said I am a Temptation and I love it. They got started they sung: Papa was a rolling stone, Cloud Nine, TWYDTTYD, Aint too proud to beg, Please return your love, I'll be in trouble, I wish it would rain, Standing on the top, Im losing you, Its growing, stay, treat her like a lady, Get ready, Memories, Ball of confusion, beauty is only skin deep, Just my imagination, and maybe a few others. They made jokes Otis introduced Ron. He said Ron had been with him for 20 or 25 years and he was 50 when he joined. Otis called Joe ---Harry  . Ron said he heard Otis sing TWYDTTYD on his way to school when he was a little boy. Otis said he really enjoyed the Mississippi crowd and wanted to fly us everywhere they went, we could have anything we wanted, and charge it to Ron's Platuim Card..............Ron said " O you know that is a gas card." G.C. offered us some Boones Farm instead of the Cristal they had in the back. As for as performances G.C. was AWESOME. FLAWESS. He has some Powerful vocals. " My Girl" was so orginal and sweet it gave me chills. G.C. is a crowd pleaser. Terry  was GREAT. His voice reminds my of Dennis Edwards (who I think has a wonderful voice). But he reminds me of Paul. Terry seemed like he wanted to break out his performances were moving and soulful. Terry is a great performer. He needs to sing more leds. Ron's HEAVENLY voice. Ron did his thing. He seems to have a great sense of humor to match his vocals. During " Just My Imagination" he asked us to sing. We tried he said oh thats the part of the song nobody know the words to. Joe held it DOWN. There seems to be NO bottom to his voice. Joe  is good. All the dancing he did he didn't look tired at all. Joe is the man  . There were times during the show I noticed Otis looking down at G.C. with a look on his face like " Man we are hot tonight". Otis sat on maybe five songs. He moved good though. There was some girl in the front row doing all the dance moves with the group and twice as hard  . She stood up most of the concert blocking the view of those behind her. Otis finally shook her hand. I think she had a pretty good grip because He asked if she had been pumping iron. Near the end of the show Otis gave her a towel.  I wanted that towel. LOL. Finally it was time for the Tempting Temptations to go. I went to the front of the stage. They were signing autographs and shaking hands . Then Otis came my way and  Just kidding. I walked away having a great face shot of Otis and I shook his hand and Ron's hand. TEMPTAIONS FOREVER :shocked |
|
|
|
Post by kalisa2 on Jun 1, 2004 23:21:13 GMT -5
GREAT review, Temptress...you really made me feel it!!  Everything you said is exactly how I felt when I saw them in March...WHEW!!  |
|
|
|
Post by Temptress on Jun 1, 2004 23:29:25 GMT -5
I am looking forward to seeing the Tempts and Tops in July ;D. They are going to be back in Biloxi on September 25. one word................Going!
|
|
|
|
Post by Cadeho on Jun 1, 2004 23:57:31 GMT -5
All I can say is I met some very serious Temptation fans, fans with an income to support their Temptation habit. I guess we can say they fall to Temptation(s) eh? |
|
|
|
Post by janebse on Jun 2, 2004 8:24:46 GMT -5
Temptress,
Where are they going to be in Biloxi in September?
I know they are going to be in Bay St. Louis, MS, in September at the Casino Magic, about 20 or so miles further west, but their tour schedule says they are coming back to Biloxi until January.
|
|
. She stood up most of the concert blocking the view of those behind her. Otis finally shook her hand. I think she had a pretty good grip because He asked if she had been pumping iron. Near the end of the show Otis gave her a towel. 
