Post by tempfan on Mar 10, 2006 19:58:00 GMT -5
THE TEMPTATIONS REFLECTIONS
Reviewer: David Fallo, thecelebritycafe.com
Reviewer's Rating: 6.5 out of 10
I've said it before. When artists cover great songs, they can either destroy what was great about the song, or they can pay homage. So what happens when once great artists try to stay faithful and respectful to the songs but just don't have the ability any longer?
The Temptations in their umpteenth incarnation deliver Reflections, a CD of covers of some of the greatest R&B songs to ever be created, but they're not up to the task. This once great supergroup of R&B forefathers is no longer capable of delivering with the same volume and sweat pouring soul, the lush, thick soulful Motown sound they were once credited with helping establish. What exists now is the legacy of The Temptations, but you can't sell new product on legacy.
Tracks like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I Hear A Symphony", made immortal by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and The Supremes respectively, sound so vocally fragile and lack the verve of the originals that I needed to go back and listen to those originals to "cleanse my palette" as it were. It doesn't help either that the instrumental production sounds like a cheap synth demonstration bass line, thereby cutting off any of the potential of the vocals at the knees.
I grew up listening to The Temptations. Motown was as much a part of my childhood as baseball and chocolate, and it pains me now to write that these guys, while I'm certain are musically well intentioned and obviously in love with making music, need to hang it up. At some point Babe Ruth had to hang up his glove even though he was once the greatest at that time to play the game, and musicians are just like great athletes in that way. They have their rookie year, a prime, and then get their numbers retired and go to the Hall of Fame.
The Temptations have their place in the Hall of Fame and will forever be remembered for their contributions to R&B, but as far as being able to recommend this latest effort, it pains me to say that I can't. However, if you want to hear great Temptation Motown album, but anything of theirs from 1964 through the late 70's. No one was better than these guys in their time.