Post by MikeNYC on May 25, 2004 16:11:00 GMT -5
kalisa2 said:
Well here I am in this huge puddle of tears, having just listened to this song as a bonus track from the 2 CD Deluxe Edition of Standing in the Shadows of Motown. WOW. WOW. WOW.
Of course, this is my favorite Temptation song...if I had to make a short list, this is up there on top. (Tied with MG and IWIWR...but still number 1)
I don't know where to start. As presented on this CD, all we hear are James Jamerson's bassline and the vocals, pure and simple. And deadly. And gorgeous.
Here's an interesting note from the booklet about this song: [it is included] here because it points out how Jamerson influenced not just the rhythm section, but vocal arrangments as well. Its inclusion evolved from the indulging of a curiosity 10 years ago: to hear how Kendricks and Ruffin handled the lead vocal hand-off. Jamerson was punched in only to anchor the rhythm. The few people in the studio were stunned. Jamerson and the Tempts cut their parts more than two months apart, yet their interplay is breathtaking. In the decade since that moment, we've hungered for the right opportunity to present it to the world.
It's contrapuntal perfection of melodic lines and interwoven rhythms. Jamerson's tones are pristine; his bass sound has never been more bell-like. His warmth and fullness are perfect match to the simple, unadorned majesty of Eddie Kendrick's falesetto and David Ruffin's passionate rasp. The backgrounds seem to follow James's every move. The guitars, drums, keyboards and strings on the finished recording are almost an afterthought. The masterpiece is already in place.
David said it best when he said.."It's just automatic chemistry that does that" after giving a fine example on "Good Day NY" a day after the Hall Of Fame induction. Check the clip out in the theater section!