Post by Tempfan on Dec 6, 2002 14:01:07 GMT -5
The Temptations Review in spotlight
By THOMAS BROWN, South Carolina T&D Staff Writer
Still making music. Still putting on fantastic shows. Still dazzling audiences with their moves and their sound wherever they appear. The Temptations Review, featuring Dennis Edwards, is still the ticket for great entertainment.
The Temptations Review will bring a touch of the glamour and nostalgia from Motown's glory years along with some new additions to the show.
Dennis Edwards, who joined the group in 1968 as replacement for David Ruffin, spearheaded the Temptations Review, which also includes David Sea, Mike Pattillo, Bernard Gibson and Chris Arnold.
"We have a great show," Edwards said. "I put this group together in the same frame work as the Temptations of old. Each one of them sounds like one of the originals. We still do some of the old steps, though we don't kick as high. And there's no jumping up and doing splits anymore, but the music is classic Temptations with a few surprises."
Edwards said members of the group still find a solid base of loyal fans everywhere they perform. He is reluctant to refer to them as groupies.
"I don't like that word for our fans," Edwards said. "They are fans that probably have liked the Temptations for 20 or 30 years. We have fans that bring their grandchildren to our shows now. They are the ones that were around making us think we were great back in the day. And we needed that then as we need it now. So, they are very special to me and the other fellows in the group. They make this all worthwhile for me. They deserve more than that groupie reference. They're better than that."
Edwards and the Temptations, like some other groups, have heard songs made famous by them sampled by young rap groups, used as background behind rap lyrics. He loves the fact young rappers appreciate his music, but he has some reservations about rap lyrics.
"I'm proud that they choose our music," he said. "But I wish they would remember that one of the things that made us successful and kept our music popular is the fact that we couldn't use profanity in our lyrics. Lyrics during that time had to be sweet and clean. But I feel honored when I hear some of our songs sampled by the young artists. Some even have my voice on the sampling. Rappers have a lot of good things to say with their music. But I hate those four-letter words."
It is astounding to Edwards that the popularity of the Temptations has spanned so many years and is now bridging generations. Thinking back on the group's beginnings, he muses about the obstacles and aids to their careers.
"When we were coming up and getting started, this wasn't a big industry," Edwards said. "As a matter of fact, more than likely, when you told somebody that you wanted to be a singer, they told to be realistic and find a job. Back in the day, when we were searching and trying to develop this industry, we were lucky enough to come in contact with Berry Gordy who had the same dream. So, along with talent, luck and guts, it was determination that kept us strong and going and moving toward the dream."
Audiences have Edwards' promise for a show which will rock the house and make it extremely difficult to remain seated.
"The easiest part of this whole thing for me is when the music starts and the lights come up and we come on stage," Edwards said. "The music does it for me, and we all enjoy that, and I think that's what audiences enjoy about our show. We love doing it. And because of the time of year, the audiences will get a special treat. We're going to do 'Silent Night,' one of my favorites. But there'll be a little humor, lots of good old-fashioned soul and some surprises. We like to hear the audiences say, 'Those guys really put on a great show.' And that's what we promise to do."
By THOMAS BROWN, South Carolina T&D Staff Writer
Still making music. Still putting on fantastic shows. Still dazzling audiences with their moves and their sound wherever they appear. The Temptations Review, featuring Dennis Edwards, is still the ticket for great entertainment.
The Temptations Review will bring a touch of the glamour and nostalgia from Motown's glory years along with some new additions to the show.
Dennis Edwards, who joined the group in 1968 as replacement for David Ruffin, spearheaded the Temptations Review, which also includes David Sea, Mike Pattillo, Bernard Gibson and Chris Arnold.
"We have a great show," Edwards said. "I put this group together in the same frame work as the Temptations of old. Each one of them sounds like one of the originals. We still do some of the old steps, though we don't kick as high. And there's no jumping up and doing splits anymore, but the music is classic Temptations with a few surprises."
Edwards said members of the group still find a solid base of loyal fans everywhere they perform. He is reluctant to refer to them as groupies.
"I don't like that word for our fans," Edwards said. "They are fans that probably have liked the Temptations for 20 or 30 years. We have fans that bring their grandchildren to our shows now. They are the ones that were around making us think we were great back in the day. And we needed that then as we need it now. So, they are very special to me and the other fellows in the group. They make this all worthwhile for me. They deserve more than that groupie reference. They're better than that."
Edwards and the Temptations, like some other groups, have heard songs made famous by them sampled by young rap groups, used as background behind rap lyrics. He loves the fact young rappers appreciate his music, but he has some reservations about rap lyrics.
"I'm proud that they choose our music," he said. "But I wish they would remember that one of the things that made us successful and kept our music popular is the fact that we couldn't use profanity in our lyrics. Lyrics during that time had to be sweet and clean. But I feel honored when I hear some of our songs sampled by the young artists. Some even have my voice on the sampling. Rappers have a lot of good things to say with their music. But I hate those four-letter words."
It is astounding to Edwards that the popularity of the Temptations has spanned so many years and is now bridging generations. Thinking back on the group's beginnings, he muses about the obstacles and aids to their careers.
"When we were coming up and getting started, this wasn't a big industry," Edwards said. "As a matter of fact, more than likely, when you told somebody that you wanted to be a singer, they told to be realistic and find a job. Back in the day, when we were searching and trying to develop this industry, we were lucky enough to come in contact with Berry Gordy who had the same dream. So, along with talent, luck and guts, it was determination that kept us strong and going and moving toward the dream."
Audiences have Edwards' promise for a show which will rock the house and make it extremely difficult to remain seated.
"The easiest part of this whole thing for me is when the music starts and the lights come up and we come on stage," Edwards said. "The music does it for me, and we all enjoy that, and I think that's what audiences enjoy about our show. We love doing it. And because of the time of year, the audiences will get a special treat. We're going to do 'Silent Night,' one of my favorites. But there'll be a little humor, lots of good old-fashioned soul and some surprises. We like to hear the audiences say, 'Those guys really put on a great show.' And that's what we promise to do."
