Post by tempfan on Apr 2, 2006 20:05:59 GMT -5
TEMPS AIN'T TOO PROUD TOO CHANGE
Younger singers help keep the Temptations fresh
Joshua Rotter
Stockton Record
In pop music, audiences and critics alike prefer groups that keep some semblance of their original lineup.
Otis Williams has his own take on that. The sole remaining charter member of the Temptations, he said the Motown group's personnel changes have been instrumental in keeping its music before the public.
"The guys now are very good, very talented and bring something to the table," Williams said. "It's a delicate balance to know where you're coming from while looking in the windshield of the car you're driving and attending to where you're going."
"We want to reflect where the Temptations came from, but you try to stay on the cutting edge of what's happening today," he added. "We're staying quite fresh."
What's happening for the Temptations today is a tour to support its latest album, "Reflections." The disc finds the group putting new spins on classic Motown tunes, including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby" and the Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye."
The Temptations currently feature Williams, Terry Weeks, G. C. Cameron, Ron Tyson and Joe Herndon.
Formed in Detroit, the Temptations were early stars of Motown Records, recording classic 1960s hits such as "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Get Ready" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." When the decade turned darker with the Vietnam War, the Temptations followed suit with such topical tunes as "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."
"It was the sign of the times in the '60s," Williams said. "It was right there before us, so why not do it? Plus, music can hit another kind of viewpoint that politics can't."
The band continued to show its versatility in the 1980s with the Williams-penned dance hit "Treat Her Like a Lady." The past few years have been particularly rewarding for the group, selling 1 million copies of "Phoenix Rising" (1998) and winning a Grammy for "Ear-Resistable" (2000).
With 45 years, 20 singers and countless musical styles under their belt, the Temptations' staying power is a testimony to their ability to adapt to changing times.
"(Motown) taught us about being in show business for the long haul," Williams said. "It's about how you view yourself.
"We listen to the radio, watch TV and know rap is alive and here to stay," he added. "But we don't get lost in music that we're not."
Younger singers help keep the Temptations fresh
Joshua Rotter
Stockton Record
In pop music, audiences and critics alike prefer groups that keep some semblance of their original lineup.
Otis Williams has his own take on that. The sole remaining charter member of the Temptations, he said the Motown group's personnel changes have been instrumental in keeping its music before the public.
"The guys now are very good, very talented and bring something to the table," Williams said. "It's a delicate balance to know where you're coming from while looking in the windshield of the car you're driving and attending to where you're going."
"We want to reflect where the Temptations came from, but you try to stay on the cutting edge of what's happening today," he added. "We're staying quite fresh."
What's happening for the Temptations today is a tour to support its latest album, "Reflections." The disc finds the group putting new spins on classic Motown tunes, including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby" and the Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye."
The Temptations currently feature Williams, Terry Weeks, G. C. Cameron, Ron Tyson and Joe Herndon.
Formed in Detroit, the Temptations were early stars of Motown Records, recording classic 1960s hits such as "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Get Ready" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." When the decade turned darker with the Vietnam War, the Temptations followed suit with such topical tunes as "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."
"It was the sign of the times in the '60s," Williams said. "It was right there before us, so why not do it? Plus, music can hit another kind of viewpoint that politics can't."
The band continued to show its versatility in the 1980s with the Williams-penned dance hit "Treat Her Like a Lady." The past few years have been particularly rewarding for the group, selling 1 million copies of "Phoenix Rising" (1998) and winning a Grammy for "Ear-Resistable" (2000).
With 45 years, 20 singers and countless musical styles under their belt, the Temptations' staying power is a testimony to their ability to adapt to changing times.
"(Motown) taught us about being in show business for the long haul," Williams said. "It's about how you view yourself.
"We listen to the radio, watch TV and know rap is alive and here to stay," he added. "But we don't get lost in music that we're not."