Post by Jonel on Oct 16, 2003 21:58:18 GMT -5
PerformanceReview:
Temptations evoke memories, enchant audience at Reynolds
By BECKY HARRIS
Log Cabin Staff Writer
October 7, 2003
A sold-out audience swayed and sang along with the Temptations Friday night at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.
Only four of the five Temptations appeared, but there were no complaints. The group charmed the crowd with their voices and dazzled their fans with their dancing.
Once introduced by UCA President Lu Hardin and his wife, Mary, the "Detroit connection" kicked off the instrumental overture, throwing out snatches of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "My Girl," and "The Way You Do the Thing You Do."
And then they appeared, four guys in red lamŽ suits with black shirts with rhinestone buttons. Otis Williams, with the group since its beginning in the 1960s, smiled and stepped his way into the audience's hearts.
For about 90 minutes the Temptations sang and moved to the music as only they can. By the end of the set, the audience was moving, too, invited to sing along with such fun pieces as "Just My Imagination" and "Who Wants to be Like the Joneses?"
As if the audience needed an invitation to sing along.
One of the most moving songs was their interpretation of "Some Enchanted Evening," from "South Pacific" and their popular CD "For Lovers Only."
Among those especially enjoying "My Girl" were Patricia and Daryl Bassett of Little Rock. Mrs. Bassett is a new member of the UCA board of trustees, and Daryl Bassett is a member of the Public Service Commission.
"We've loved the Temptations for a long time," he said.
Newlyweds Patsy and Bob Brannan looked ready to dance along, too. Brannan told that the couple had their first date when both were students at then-ASTC.
"She didn't much like me then," Brannan said. Their romance was resparked about 40 years later, after both had lost their spouses.
"Our first date 17 months ago was to go jitterbugging. We are loving this," Brannan said.
The Temptations' rhythm section was backed up by horns and saxophones from the UCA Music Department, including trumpeter Zack Walls.
He complimented the Temptations' music director Alonzo McKenzie.
"He knows his stuff," Walls said.
Walls is in his seventh year as a music student at UCA, having earned a bachelor's degree in performance and a master's in conducting. He's now working on another undergraduate degree in music education.
"I was thrilled to play with the Temptations," Walls said. "I played third, so I had a pretty easy night. My teacher, Larry Jones, played lead trumpet, the high stuff, and I think he's tired. He worked pretty hard."
(Staff writer Becky Harris can be reached by e-mail at becky.harris@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236.)
Courtesy of The Log Cabin Democrat of Conway, Arkansas
Temptations evoke memories, enchant audience at Reynolds
By BECKY HARRIS
Log Cabin Staff Writer
October 7, 2003
A sold-out audience swayed and sang along with the Temptations Friday night at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.
Only four of the five Temptations appeared, but there were no complaints. The group charmed the crowd with their voices and dazzled their fans with their dancing.
Once introduced by UCA President Lu Hardin and his wife, Mary, the "Detroit connection" kicked off the instrumental overture, throwing out snatches of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "My Girl," and "The Way You Do the Thing You Do."
And then they appeared, four guys in red lamŽ suits with black shirts with rhinestone buttons. Otis Williams, with the group since its beginning in the 1960s, smiled and stepped his way into the audience's hearts.
For about 90 minutes the Temptations sang and moved to the music as only they can. By the end of the set, the audience was moving, too, invited to sing along with such fun pieces as "Just My Imagination" and "Who Wants to be Like the Joneses?"
As if the audience needed an invitation to sing along.
One of the most moving songs was their interpretation of "Some Enchanted Evening," from "South Pacific" and their popular CD "For Lovers Only."
Among those especially enjoying "My Girl" were Patricia and Daryl Bassett of Little Rock. Mrs. Bassett is a new member of the UCA board of trustees, and Daryl Bassett is a member of the Public Service Commission.
"We've loved the Temptations for a long time," he said.
Newlyweds Patsy and Bob Brannan looked ready to dance along, too. Brannan told that the couple had their first date when both were students at then-ASTC.
"She didn't much like me then," Brannan said. Their romance was resparked about 40 years later, after both had lost their spouses.
"Our first date 17 months ago was to go jitterbugging. We are loving this," Brannan said.
The Temptations' rhythm section was backed up by horns and saxophones from the UCA Music Department, including trumpeter Zack Walls.
He complimented the Temptations' music director Alonzo McKenzie.
"He knows his stuff," Walls said.
Walls is in his seventh year as a music student at UCA, having earned a bachelor's degree in performance and a master's in conducting. He's now working on another undergraduate degree in music education.
"I was thrilled to play with the Temptations," Walls said. "I played third, so I had a pretty easy night. My teacher, Larry Jones, played lead trumpet, the high stuff, and I think he's tired. He worked pretty hard."
(Staff writer Becky Harris can be reached by e-mail at becky.harris@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236.)
Courtesy of The Log Cabin Democrat of Conway, Arkansas
