Post by Jonel on Nov 19, 2002 8:50:21 GMT -5
Not your imagination: Temptations still going -- Motown hitmakers seduce 21st century crowd in Peoria
PEORIA - Founding granddaddy Otis Williams best summarized the Temptations' performance Sunday night: "We're old, we're tired and we're hot, but we've been doing this for 41 years, just for you."
The group stopped in at the Civic Center as part of a benefit for the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity. Temps fans spent $35 for the show, and some shelled out $100 for an additional benefit dinner before the performance.
But it was worth every penny.
In an age of one-hit wonders and six-month musical dynasties, to see a legendary group that has been in the business - and set the standard for many acts that followed - longer than the ages of much of Sunday's audience is refreshing to see.
And to hear a group actually sing is just a plus.
With vocal ranges sweeping anywhere from a deep bass to near- falsetto, Williams handpicked some great musical talent to take the places of original members of his original group. The newest cast of the Motown quintet donned white, reflective suits to enhance the visual impact of the lighting system, and they mixed up their decades-old repertoire, juxtaposing such classics as "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "Just My Imagination" and "My Girl" with several selections from their 1995 album, "For Lovers Only."
The group still injected the same passion into their polished choreography, but Williams was showing his age onstage. While the rest of the new cast pulled off crisp movements, Williams sluggishly chugged along, looking every bit of the 61 years and whoknows-how- many pounds he's put on since the Temps first hit the stage in 1962.
But the crowd seemed to be more spellbound after every song. The moment "Get Ready" began to play, the entire audience rose from their tables to start grooving. Even the Civic Center caterers were swinging along in the back of the hall.
"That was some good music, all good music. Not like this hip-hop stuff," said Deborah Leas as she danced.
The group took time to honor founding member Paul Williams with a rendition of "Old Man River." Paul sang lead on a number of songs and was instrumental in engineering the band's choreography and in developing its style during the 1960s and '70s. But he was haunted by personal demons, which led to his separation from the group. He was found dead in his car next to Motown Records in 1973, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
About the only detraction came when Otis poignantly took time halfway through the performance to plug the group's CDs and other memorabilia, conveniently found at your local Barnes & Noble bookstore.
(Copyright 2002)
PEORIA - Founding granddaddy Otis Williams best summarized the Temptations' performance Sunday night: "We're old, we're tired and we're hot, but we've been doing this for 41 years, just for you."
The group stopped in at the Civic Center as part of a benefit for the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity. Temps fans spent $35 for the show, and some shelled out $100 for an additional benefit dinner before the performance.
But it was worth every penny.
In an age of one-hit wonders and six-month musical dynasties, to see a legendary group that has been in the business - and set the standard for many acts that followed - longer than the ages of much of Sunday's audience is refreshing to see.
And to hear a group actually sing is just a plus.
With vocal ranges sweeping anywhere from a deep bass to near- falsetto, Williams handpicked some great musical talent to take the places of original members of his original group. The newest cast of the Motown quintet donned white, reflective suits to enhance the visual impact of the lighting system, and they mixed up their decades-old repertoire, juxtaposing such classics as "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "Just My Imagination" and "My Girl" with several selections from their 1995 album, "For Lovers Only."
The group still injected the same passion into their polished choreography, but Williams was showing his age onstage. While the rest of the new cast pulled off crisp movements, Williams sluggishly chugged along, looking every bit of the 61 years and whoknows-how- many pounds he's put on since the Temps first hit the stage in 1962.
But the crowd seemed to be more spellbound after every song. The moment "Get Ready" began to play, the entire audience rose from their tables to start grooving. Even the Civic Center caterers were swinging along in the back of the hall.
"That was some good music, all good music. Not like this hip-hop stuff," said Deborah Leas as she danced.
The group took time to honor founding member Paul Williams with a rendition of "Old Man River." Paul sang lead on a number of songs and was instrumental in engineering the band's choreography and in developing its style during the 1960s and '70s. But he was haunted by personal demons, which led to his separation from the group. He was found dead in his car next to Motown Records in 1973, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
About the only detraction came when Otis poignantly took time halfway through the performance to plug the group's CDs and other memorabilia, conveniently found at your local Barnes & Noble bookstore.
(Copyright 2002)
;D 
At least there will be someone who can maintain the board.