Post by Jonel on Jun 10, 2003 21:34:01 GMT -5
Tempts offer decent tribute to nostalgia
06/09/03
MARY COLURSO
News staff writer
The Temptations, circa 2003, seem more like a Temptations tribute act.
Only one of the founding members, Otis Williams, remains in the famed R&B group, and with all respect to Williams, he never was one of the guys with the highest profiles.
That honor belonged to singers such as the late Eddie Kendricks, an Ensley native; David Ruffin, who died in 1991 at age 50; and Dennis Edwards of Birmingham, who joined, left and rejoined The Tempts at least three times.
But Williams is the one who has kept the group alive and on the concert circuit, 42 years after its formation. That's a worthy goal, and an admirable one.
Today's audiences simply shouldn't expect to see a Tempts lineup that rivals the superlative membership of the 1960s and '70s, or even the reunion tour of the '80s. Once this hurdle is passed, listeners can sit back and enjoy decent recreations of The Temptations greatest hits, performed by five men who work hard enough to soak their costumes with sweat.
Shiny blue-gray suits became darkest navy Saturday when The Temptations performed at Birmingham's Caldwell Park with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The 8 p.m. concert was one of four pops shows called Compass Bank Sounds for Summer: The Highland Avenue Series.
As is typical when a guest star is on the bill, the symphony played for about 45 minutes, followed by intermission and a second set featuring the symphony and headliner. The Temptations brought a five-member band that joined the orchestra for their show, as well as their own music director.
The symphony half was led by associate conductor Christopher Confessore, who guided the orchestra through selections with a "Starry, Starry Night" theme. These pieces were fun and familiar, as befits a casual, outdoor setting, and included "Stardust," "Stars Fell on Alabama" and a "Star Trek" medley.
Sound didn't carry well, however, during most of the symphony's set; the music was difficult to hear clearly even halfway back in the park. That technical deficiency improved as the show progressed, but the overall lack of oomph did a disservice to the orchestra.
When The Temptations came on around 9 p.m., the sound still needed a boost, and eventually received it. Even when the audience had to strain to listen, compensation came from watching the group's nostalgic dance moves, which were nearly as important as the vocal solos and smooth harmonies.
Soon enough, the crowd was grooving the dated verb is appropriate to "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Get Ready," "Treat Her Like a Lady," Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "My Girl" and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)."
The Tempts catalog of radio singles is too vast to cover in 75 minutes, of course, but this pleasant oldies show succeeded in hitting the high spots.
Courtesy of The Birmingham News
www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/entertainment/1055150363199172.xml
06/09/03
MARY COLURSO
News staff writer
The Temptations, circa 2003, seem more like a Temptations tribute act.
Only one of the founding members, Otis Williams, remains in the famed R&B group, and with all respect to Williams, he never was one of the guys with the highest profiles.
That honor belonged to singers such as the late Eddie Kendricks, an Ensley native; David Ruffin, who died in 1991 at age 50; and Dennis Edwards of Birmingham, who joined, left and rejoined The Tempts at least three times.
But Williams is the one who has kept the group alive and on the concert circuit, 42 years after its formation. That's a worthy goal, and an admirable one.
Today's audiences simply shouldn't expect to see a Tempts lineup that rivals the superlative membership of the 1960s and '70s, or even the reunion tour of the '80s. Once this hurdle is passed, listeners can sit back and enjoy decent recreations of The Temptations greatest hits, performed by five men who work hard enough to soak their costumes with sweat.
Shiny blue-gray suits became darkest navy Saturday when The Temptations performed at Birmingham's Caldwell Park with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The 8 p.m. concert was one of four pops shows called Compass Bank Sounds for Summer: The Highland Avenue Series.
As is typical when a guest star is on the bill, the symphony played for about 45 minutes, followed by intermission and a second set featuring the symphony and headliner. The Temptations brought a five-member band that joined the orchestra for their show, as well as their own music director.
The symphony half was led by associate conductor Christopher Confessore, who guided the orchestra through selections with a "Starry, Starry Night" theme. These pieces were fun and familiar, as befits a casual, outdoor setting, and included "Stardust," "Stars Fell on Alabama" and a "Star Trek" medley.
Sound didn't carry well, however, during most of the symphony's set; the music was difficult to hear clearly even halfway back in the park. That technical deficiency improved as the show progressed, but the overall lack of oomph did a disservice to the orchestra.
When The Temptations came on around 9 p.m., the sound still needed a boost, and eventually received it. Even when the audience had to strain to listen, compensation came from watching the group's nostalgic dance moves, which were nearly as important as the vocal solos and smooth harmonies.
Soon enough, the crowd was grooving the dated verb is appropriate to "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Get Ready," "Treat Her Like a Lady," Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "My Girl" and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)."
The Tempts catalog of radio singles is too vast to cover in 75 minutes, of course, but this pleasant oldies show succeeded in hitting the high spots.
Courtesy of The Birmingham News
www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/entertainment/1055150363199172.xml
