"My Girl: The Very Best of The Temptations"

[Jonel]

The Temptations' lineup on "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" fame (clockwise, from left): Otis Williams, Damon Harris, Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin and Richard Street.

"My Girl: The Very Best of The Temptations"
Temptations (Motown/UTV)

By Gary C.W. Chun
[e-mail]

My entry into African-American pop music was through the Temptations. I remember buying, back in 1970 when I was 14, the group's "Puzzle People" album to add a once-neglected piece to my largely rock album collection. It was a transitional time for the group, Motown Records and the black community. The '60s were moving toward a more nationalist, self-sufficient feel when this album came out.

Of all the acts in Berry Gordy's stable, the Temptations were, and still are, the group that will never be relegated to "oldies" status. This in spite of a rich back catalog of genre-defining songs, much of which is included in this excellent two-CD anthology.

Even though its title is taken from the song that captures Motown's early, successful efforts to enter the pop charts without alienating white listeners, this anthology tries to go beyond safe, marketable and beloved pop songs. That's thanks to compilation co-producer Harry Weinger, who gives brief song histories in conjunction with remembrances by the Tempts' sole original member, Otis Williams, in the accompanying booklet.

While sacrifices are made for the double-CD career overview, this anthology is a welcome (and cheaper) contrast to the more ambitious "Emperors of Soul" box set released back in 1995. So while "I Can't Get Next to You," just one of the brilliant Norman Whitfield-produced singles and the lead track on "Puzzle People," is an obvious shoo-in for the set, more socially relevant and powerful tracks from that album -- "Message from a Black Man" and "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down" -- aren't included.

But a successor to that latter song shows up in a dance remix of "The Jones'," along with a remix of "I'm Here" that originally appeared as a 2000 promotional single. Both songs show how the Tempts stay on top of trends.

On the front side of the anthology are two of the group's first recordings: "Dream Come True" and "I Want a Love I Can See," which preceded the run of hits Smokey Robinson wrote for them, such as "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "Get Ready."

The group hit its peak when Whitfield took over production duties, starting with "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and ending with the "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." In between are examples of Whitfield's studio masterworks like Motown's first funkified statement "(I Know) I'm Losing You," plus "You're My Everything" and "I Wish It Would Rain," and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)."

When Dennis Edwards replaced the difficult David Ruffin, his powerhouse voice added a tougher edge to the group's collection of pointed social commentaries: "Cloud Nine," "Runaway Child, Running Wild" and "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)."

But there was still room for the occasional sweet-voice soul song, as in producer Frank Wilson's work on "All I Need" and "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (performed with Diana Ross and the Supremes) and the monster ballad "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)."

After Whitfield's tenure, the Tempts tried to recapture the magic with songs that re-trod lyrical and melodic themes of "Papa ..." and "My Girl." Some inspired P-Funk got the group back into the groove with "Shakey Ground" (done with guitarist Eddie Hazel and the Parliament-Funkadelic rhythm section) and the Rick James collaboration "Standing on the Top."

The protest song "Power" (with a lean, great Paul Riser arrangement) and the overlooked 1984 single "Treat Her Like a Lady" round out their first go-round with Motown before leaving for what would be a disappointing tenure with Atlantic Records.

The tracks that represent theTemptations return to Motown, while not approaching the memorable early songs, show a successful attempt to fit their vocal sound into the current urban-R&B market. This time, a song like 1998's "Stay" works as an update to the basic sound and spirit of "My Girl," and the anthology ends with "Lady," a track from their most recent album, "Awesome."

That's a word that describes the heights the Temptations have reached during the its extensive career.

© 2002 Honolulu Star-Bulletin

[Ivory Fair]

Well hello there little Tempatations, peaking out behind the tree!

Of all the acts in Berry Gordy's stable, the Temptations were, and still are, the group that will never be relegated to "oldies" status.

Sigh, if only that were true.

[janebse]

But it is true, Ivory. Go to Motown web site. Temptations are pictured on both classic and current sites. And the only group to be pictured thus.

[MikeNYC]

How can they be "OLDIES" the things that they talked about in their songs are STILL going on today ! (Ain't Even Safe No More To Walk The Street At Night ! )

[janebse]

You know my cause. They are classics. TImeless.

But it is sad the things they sang about are still present.

[MikeNYC]

Girl,you better watch it,that's two thing we agree on,in one day ! ;D

[Ivory Fair]

Well, if they're not an OLDIES group, then why doesn't their new stuff get more airplay? pouting, crossing my arms and tapping my foot

[MikeNYC]

Well maybe because they don't like their new stuff !

[Aba21]

I wouldn't say that but we've been down this road a time or two before. It's the format of today's radio and where they relegate anygroup from that era.

[MikeNYC]

That's why I said it !

[SoulStirrer]

"I'm Losing You" was Motown's first funkified statement? Sez who?

[MikeNYC]

Somebody who don't know !

[SoulStirrer]

There are critics who like that phase of the Tempts the best, because of the "socially relevant" songs. Even if Ricky Owens was singing the songs and messing the words up, some critics would love those songs.

[earthangel]

I love Dennis on this picture!

And the number of psychedelic shacks have tripled! (though I don't think as many of them have the black lights or disco balls)

[CammieCam]

Richard looking really nice right there! If I wasn't such a loyal and faithful Paul lover...


This compliation is really good. I bought it specifically for I Want A Love I Can See, which is one of my favorites. I especially like the commentary that Otis makes in the book that comes with it. It gives you a little history to go along with each song; gives them more meaning, especially for me since I wasn't around at the time when these songs came out, so I can't use like a point in my life to reference them, you know??

It also reminded me that one of the first Tempts songs I had ever heard was Treat Her Like A Lady. I was 7 years old, and I loved that song, and had no idea who they were, and the history behind the group. Now I know.