Post by DrTemptation "Doc T" on Jul 8, 2004 1:01:20 GMT -5
AFTER WEEKS OF SERIOUS LISTENING HERE'S THE FACT:
The Temptations are a great singing group. They have been singing for more than forty years. The New CD Legacy is just average. The personnel changes are really catching up with Otis and taking its toll on the group. The New CD is lacking in a real lead singer. The Temptations trademark has always been strong leads, but the group over the years have lost great voices. David, Dennis, Eddie, Paul, Ali and Theo come to mind. But you just can't keep changing people and keep the Temptation quality. There is a bright spot though, his name is Joe Herndon and he is the best bass singer since Melvin Franklin. Joe is the ingredient that makes the CD a B- and not a C. GC Cameron is a good vocalist but there is still something missing. I feel the best Temptation CD in recent years has been "For Lovers Only" and "Phoenix Rising." The Temptations were kind of weak on the Motown 45 Special, but most reviews of their concerts have been good.
Legacy is a CD that makes you think of the past. Meaning in 1968 when David Ruffin was fired from the group, they hired Dennis Edwards. The Temptations earned Motowns first Grammy award for "Cloud Nine." In 1971 after the departure of Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams they hit again with "Papa was a Rolling Stone." Two new members Damon Harris and Richard Street the group kept forging ahead and gave us the Classic "A Song for You" (I feel Dennis Edwards peaked with the Temptations along with the Album "Wings of Love") I remember later when Dennis left for the second time they hired Ali Ollie Woodson and then came "Treat her like a Lady" and "Lady Soul." Ali, Theo, Melvin, Otis and Funkateer Ray Davis did an excellent job on "For Lovers Only." The came Phoenix Rising which was an excellent CD. Theo Peoples was the last great voice that sang with the group.
Today we have a group of average singers except Joe Herndon. Legacy is a (B-) there are some good songs but most are just average.
1. STILL TEMPTING...good-the vocals were nice on that one
2. 'ROUND HERE...Very Good - this particular cut reminds me of the Norman Whitfield years.
3. STAY TOGETHER...Great-This is the best song on the whole CD. Joe Booms on this one. I like GC's vocals were the best on the whole CD. ;D
4. SOMETHING SPECIAL...This song is average, but it could be great with a Strong Lead singer...This song needs Dennis or Ali...Theo Peoples could do the job too. The harmony is just average.
5. 50/50 LOVE...This song really stinks and it was the first single to be released. Bad lyrics. GC and Terry were not good at all on this song.
6. LOVE TO THE MUSIC...This is a Kool song, mellow with Ron....Ron needs to do more Vocals especially with this line-up
7. YOU ARE NECESSARY IN MY LIFE (WEDDING SONG)...This song make me mad....IT STARTS OFF BEAUTIFUL, BUT the tempts dropped the ball badly because there was no strong lead singer. This could have really been a great song. Joe Herndon would have blown it away. The Brother has a great Voice.
8. MR. FIX IT...pretty good, better with a lead singer
9. ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE...not good
10. BABY IT'S ME...this one is very good, Ali, Dennis Theo would have blown it away.
11. WHY CAN'T WE BE LOVING FRIENDS...Ali wrote this tune and he should have sung it.
12. NEVER LET YOU DOWN...another weak one
This Doctor always defends the Temptations, but on this one even with the addition of GC Cameron and Joe Herndon the group in my opinion did not take a step forward. The Temptations did not even take a step at all. The current lineup has four average singers and a fabulous bass singer. Ron is the best of the avergae four. I say give the Mike to the bass, Joe is the Man. It's great though that after all these years the group is still recording. They seem to record every three years. The Temptations are still touring and singing the Oldies, but the Tempts couldn't even sell five seats if the had to depend on the material on "Legacy"
"Legacy" is OK. Legacy is a (B-). If I was down to my last $20 dollar bill and the choice was "Legacy" or dinner at Red Lobster.....Red Lobster would win.
The Doctor Temptation (The Temptations are still the greatest group)
The Temptations are a great singing group. They have been singing for more than forty years. The New CD Legacy is just average. The personnel changes are really catching up with Otis and taking its toll on the group. The New CD is lacking in a real lead singer. The Temptations trademark has always been strong leads, but the group over the years have lost great voices. David, Dennis, Eddie, Paul, Ali and Theo come to mind. But you just can't keep changing people and keep the Temptation quality. There is a bright spot though, his name is Joe Herndon and he is the best bass singer since Melvin Franklin. Joe is the ingredient that makes the CD a B- and not a C. GC Cameron is a good vocalist but there is still something missing. I feel the best Temptation CD in recent years has been "For Lovers Only" and "Phoenix Rising." The Temptations were kind of weak on the Motown 45 Special, but most reviews of their concerts have been good.
Legacy is a CD that makes you think of the past. Meaning in 1968 when David Ruffin was fired from the group, they hired Dennis Edwards. The Temptations earned Motowns first Grammy award for "Cloud Nine." In 1971 after the departure of Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams they hit again with "Papa was a Rolling Stone." Two new members Damon Harris and Richard Street the group kept forging ahead and gave us the Classic "A Song for You" (I feel Dennis Edwards peaked with the Temptations along with the Album "Wings of Love") I remember later when Dennis left for the second time they hired Ali Ollie Woodson and then came "Treat her like a Lady" and "Lady Soul." Ali, Theo, Melvin, Otis and Funkateer Ray Davis did an excellent job on "For Lovers Only." The came Phoenix Rising which was an excellent CD. Theo Peoples was the last great voice that sang with the group.
Today we have a group of average singers except Joe Herndon. Legacy is a (B-) there are some good songs but most are just average.
1. STILL TEMPTING...good-the vocals were nice on that one
2. 'ROUND HERE...Very Good - this particular cut reminds me of the Norman Whitfield years.
3. STAY TOGETHER...Great-This is the best song on the whole CD. Joe Booms on this one. I like GC's vocals were the best on the whole CD. ;D
4. SOMETHING SPECIAL...This song is average, but it could be great with a Strong Lead singer...This song needs Dennis or Ali...Theo Peoples could do the job too. The harmony is just average.
5. 50/50 LOVE...This song really stinks and it was the first single to be released. Bad lyrics. GC and Terry were not good at all on this song.
6. LOVE TO THE MUSIC...This is a Kool song, mellow with Ron....Ron needs to do more Vocals especially with this line-up
7. YOU ARE NECESSARY IN MY LIFE (WEDDING SONG)...This song make me mad....IT STARTS OFF BEAUTIFUL, BUT the tempts dropped the ball badly because there was no strong lead singer. This could have really been a great song. Joe Herndon would have blown it away. The Brother has a great Voice.
8. MR. FIX IT...pretty good, better with a lead singer
9. ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE...not good
10. BABY IT'S ME...this one is very good, Ali, Dennis Theo would have blown it away.
11. WHY CAN'T WE BE LOVING FRIENDS...Ali wrote this tune and he should have sung it.
12. NEVER LET YOU DOWN...another weak one
This Doctor always defends the Temptations, but on this one even with the addition of GC Cameron and Joe Herndon the group in my opinion did not take a step forward. The Temptations did not even take a step at all. The current lineup has four average singers and a fabulous bass singer. Ron is the best of the avergae four. I say give the Mike to the bass, Joe is the Man. It's great though that after all these years the group is still recording. They seem to record every three years. The Temptations are still touring and singing the Oldies, but the Tempts couldn't even sell five seats if the had to depend on the material on "Legacy"
"Legacy" is OK. Legacy is a (B-). If I was down to my last $20 dollar bill and the choice was "Legacy" or dinner at Red Lobster.....Red Lobster would win.
The Doctor Temptation (The Temptations are still the greatest group)
