Post by Jonel on Jun 24, 2003 14:46:32 GMT -5
Temptations' harmony, choreography wins over auditorium of frustrated fans
BY WILLIAM KERNS
A-J ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Monday, June 16, 2003
The Temptations, who were billed to perform with no opening acts at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Municipal Auditorium, arrived on stage at 8:25 p.m. — and the formally attired vocalists' arrival even had to be preceded by an angry audience clapping and whistling more than once.
Three local and area vocalists were introduced and performed from 7:25 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., followed by an announcement of a 15-minute intermission that stretched to 40.
Such decisions disrespected die-hard fans that arrived as early as 6:30 p.m., paying as much as $45 for the privilege, and no doubt played a role in the number of people who wound up leaving the show before it was over.
So give credit to The Temptations, braced by founding member Otis Williams, for transforming frustration into admiration and quickly winning the hearts of fans with a high volume, entertaining 70-minute show.
Arriving with their own drummer, lead guitarist, bass guitarist and a music director perhaps surprised by the high quality of brass musicians hired, The Temptations opened and closed with familiar hits.
With Ron Tyson singing lead, "The Way You Do the Things You Do" introduced a now familiar combination of harmonies and stage choreography that left the crowd cheering.
Even the manner in which the singers traded lead vocals was slickly choreographed.
A Motown legend, The Temptations — with Williams joined by the younger Tyson, Harry McGilberry Jr., Terry Weeks and Barrington Henderson — performed tunes from more recent CDs, but knew the audience had waited to hear the hits.
So "Ball of Confusion," "I Wish It Would Rain," "Just My Imagination," "Since I Lost My Baby" and many more were resurrected as production numbers.
The vocals were great even when the volume was too loud.
The tempo slowed considerably after the first 30 minutes, with songs separated by long introductions and more chatter. But the group skillfully worked the crowd throughout, even managing to extend "My Girl" by giving audience members a chance to shine on stage.
Local opening acts included ChristiAna Perez, jazz songstress Hayley Burton and Wayland Baptist University student Amber Wiley.
wkerns@lubbockonline.com t766-8712
BY WILLIAM KERNS
A-J ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Monday, June 16, 2003
The Temptations, who were billed to perform with no opening acts at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Municipal Auditorium, arrived on stage at 8:25 p.m. — and the formally attired vocalists' arrival even had to be preceded by an angry audience clapping and whistling more than once.
Three local and area vocalists were introduced and performed from 7:25 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., followed by an announcement of a 15-minute intermission that stretched to 40.
Such decisions disrespected die-hard fans that arrived as early as 6:30 p.m., paying as much as $45 for the privilege, and no doubt played a role in the number of people who wound up leaving the show before it was over.
So give credit to The Temptations, braced by founding member Otis Williams, for transforming frustration into admiration and quickly winning the hearts of fans with a high volume, entertaining 70-minute show.
Arriving with their own drummer, lead guitarist, bass guitarist and a music director perhaps surprised by the high quality of brass musicians hired, The Temptations opened and closed with familiar hits.
With Ron Tyson singing lead, "The Way You Do the Things You Do" introduced a now familiar combination of harmonies and stage choreography that left the crowd cheering.
Even the manner in which the singers traded lead vocals was slickly choreographed.
A Motown legend, The Temptations — with Williams joined by the younger Tyson, Harry McGilberry Jr., Terry Weeks and Barrington Henderson — performed tunes from more recent CDs, but knew the audience had waited to hear the hits.
So "Ball of Confusion," "I Wish It Would Rain," "Just My Imagination," "Since I Lost My Baby" and many more were resurrected as production numbers.
The vocals were great even when the volume was too loud.
The tempo slowed considerably after the first 30 minutes, with songs separated by long introductions and more chatter. But the group skillfully worked the crowd throughout, even managing to extend "My Girl" by giving audience members a chance to shine on stage.
Local opening acts included ChristiAna Perez, jazz songstress Hayley Burton and Wayland Baptist University student Amber Wiley.
wkerns@lubbockonline.com t766-8712
