Post by tempfan on Jul 9, 2006 18:06:39 GMT -5
TEMPTATIONS REVIEW FEATURING DENNIS EDWARDS JULY 8TH CONCERT REVIEW
BY TEMPFAN
The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California brought out two over flow crowds of fans both old and new and Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review gave them all they wanted and more.
Even with the Temptature near 100 degrees and a 20 minute delay for the start of first show it was evident from start that both of the appreciative audiences were ready to groove to the Motown sound.
This was the first show that Ali Woodson wouldn't be performing at since joining the group and it was Bernard Gibson who was brought in to replace him. When the group came out they had a look that they had something to prove because of this especially Dennis who showed that on certain nights like this one that both vocally and personality wise he can take over a show like in his classic Temptations days making him the legend he is.
Coming out to multiple color suits Dennis (red) David and Bernard (purplish) Chris and Mike (Yellowish) with scarfs showing their respective colors on ends and shoes with rhinestones the group came out firing on all cylinders with "Standing on the Top" right away I noticed the groups more crisp movements than usual which was surprising with the tempature. Instead of slowing up which I expected with the heat they actually took it up a notch.
Then Dennis announced that he knew it was really hot but he was going to make it even hotter and here he showed why he's in the Hall of Fame going through a medley of some of his biggest Temps hits ("Psychedelic Shack", "Cloud Nine", "Can't Get Next To You" and "Ball of Confusion") with an energy and power in his voice than reminded this fan of his golden days. During this medley in addition to Dennis voice what stood out again was the groups steppin I don't know if Bernard being back for a night brought out extra energy or it was the big crowds but the movements were the tightest I've ever seen from the Review.
Following this set things were slowed up with Dennis playing around with lead guitarist Ric Archer asking him to play something nice for the ladies which he did riffing into "Rainy Night In Georgia" Mike's voice was strong tonight hitting the low notes which didn't come across on the Live DVD. It shows here that the mixer tonight knew what he was doing because everyone's voices sounded great.
The Review then called on its Motown fans for "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" which for some reason got a bigger than usual response at both shows and other temps classics "Girl Why Ya Wanna Make Me Blue" and "Way You Do The Things You Do".
David Sea then got the biggest ovation of the first show with a fabulous version of "Wish it could Rain" adding to the part where he does sounds offs with the crowd (which they really got into repeating) to something I personally hadn't seen before where he would sing lines from "It's Growing" and get the audience to chant "Growing" when it got to that part of the Song. Sea also seemed to want to prove tha even with Ali being brought in that he too can still bring it.
In addition to the group itself what made these shows really stand out were the two big crowds (each around 4,000) who really got behind the Review more than any crowds I've been in seeing them in the past. For the second show I was farther away and David and Dennis really blew. The first thing that came to my mind again was how the voices stood out and are a 100 times better than the DVD.
Dennis when doing the tributes also thanked the crowd who he remembered from his Temptations days (His last appearance at this fair was during his 80's stint with the Temps) which was a really nice touch. He was really, really, really into things this night and the love between him and the audience seemed really geniune and got to him making it very special for long time fans as myself.
The group then took the crowd to its feet ending the first show on a high note with "My Girl", "Just My Imagination" and "Stay" the latter two giving Bernard a deserved chance to take the lead on his short term return.
For the second show the group didn't let up and came out in the same attire still steppin and with Dennis still into with the audience. But as he's done in recent years especially since Ali's come on board he was content to let his fellow singers take over as the group replaced the Dennis era part of the show with the more traditional "Get Ready", "Ain't to Proud", "Lady Soul", "Papa Was a Rollin'" and "Don't Look Back" which Bernard gave a big ride and the crowd really dug giving him a bigger than usual ovation. (This was a nice touch to those like me who knew his situation I'm sure it must have been weird for him especially since they were selling photos with Ali on them.) Once again I can't emphasize how much of an impact the thousands attending had in these two shows the group really fed off of their energy.
Then near the end of the second show Dennis got the respect he deserved when during the intro's Chris Arnold did something not done during the first show. He interrupted Dennis and gave him a touching introduction allowing the audience to give him a long standing ovation. This is rare as most shows Dennis doesn't allow anybody to introduce him. Again another nice touch.
Even though they put on a great show in years past when I've attended These were overall the two best shows of the Review I have ever seen. In summing things up my only wish was that these concerts were the ones that had been filmed for the Live DVD. What a difference a big appreciative crowd and a real sound man can make to a show the mixing was very tight and the guys vocals all stood out.
Big kudos also to Dennis Edwards who I can honestly say on this night brought his A game. For anybody who thinks he lost it I wish you could have been there.
BY TEMPFAN
The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California brought out two over flow crowds of fans both old and new and Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review gave them all they wanted and more.
Even with the Temptature near 100 degrees and a 20 minute delay for the start of first show it was evident from start that both of the appreciative audiences were ready to groove to the Motown sound.
This was the first show that Ali Woodson wouldn't be performing at since joining the group and it was Bernard Gibson who was brought in to replace him. When the group came out they had a look that they had something to prove because of this especially Dennis who showed that on certain nights like this one that both vocally and personality wise he can take over a show like in his classic Temptations days making him the legend he is.
Coming out to multiple color suits Dennis (red) David and Bernard (purplish) Chris and Mike (Yellowish) with scarfs showing their respective colors on ends and shoes with rhinestones the group came out firing on all cylinders with "Standing on the Top" right away I noticed the groups more crisp movements than usual which was surprising with the tempature. Instead of slowing up which I expected with the heat they actually took it up a notch.
Then Dennis announced that he knew it was really hot but he was going to make it even hotter and here he showed why he's in the Hall of Fame going through a medley of some of his biggest Temps hits ("Psychedelic Shack", "Cloud Nine", "Can't Get Next To You" and "Ball of Confusion") with an energy and power in his voice than reminded this fan of his golden days. During this medley in addition to Dennis voice what stood out again was the groups steppin I don't know if Bernard being back for a night brought out extra energy or it was the big crowds but the movements were the tightest I've ever seen from the Review.
Following this set things were slowed up with Dennis playing around with lead guitarist Ric Archer asking him to play something nice for the ladies which he did riffing into "Rainy Night In Georgia" Mike's voice was strong tonight hitting the low notes which didn't come across on the Live DVD. It shows here that the mixer tonight knew what he was doing because everyone's voices sounded great.
The Review then called on its Motown fans for "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" which for some reason got a bigger than usual response at both shows and other temps classics "Girl Why Ya Wanna Make Me Blue" and "Way You Do The Things You Do".
David Sea then got the biggest ovation of the first show with a fabulous version of "Wish it could Rain" adding to the part where he does sounds offs with the crowd (which they really got into repeating) to something I personally hadn't seen before where he would sing lines from "It's Growing" and get the audience to chant "Growing" when it got to that part of the Song. Sea also seemed to want to prove tha even with Ali being brought in that he too can still bring it.
In addition to the group itself what made these shows really stand out were the two big crowds (each around 4,000) who really got behind the Review more than any crowds I've been in seeing them in the past. For the second show I was farther away and David and Dennis really blew. The first thing that came to my mind again was how the voices stood out and are a 100 times better than the DVD.
Dennis when doing the tributes also thanked the crowd who he remembered from his Temptations days (His last appearance at this fair was during his 80's stint with the Temps) which was a really nice touch. He was really, really, really into things this night and the love between him and the audience seemed really geniune and got to him making it very special for long time fans as myself.
The group then took the crowd to its feet ending the first show on a high note with "My Girl", "Just My Imagination" and "Stay" the latter two giving Bernard a deserved chance to take the lead on his short term return.
For the second show the group didn't let up and came out in the same attire still steppin and with Dennis still into with the audience. But as he's done in recent years especially since Ali's come on board he was content to let his fellow singers take over as the group replaced the Dennis era part of the show with the more traditional "Get Ready", "Ain't to Proud", "Lady Soul", "Papa Was a Rollin'" and "Don't Look Back" which Bernard gave a big ride and the crowd really dug giving him a bigger than usual ovation. (This was a nice touch to those like me who knew his situation I'm sure it must have been weird for him especially since they were selling photos with Ali on them.) Once again I can't emphasize how much of an impact the thousands attending had in these two shows the group really fed off of their energy.
Then near the end of the second show Dennis got the respect he deserved when during the intro's Chris Arnold did something not done during the first show. He interrupted Dennis and gave him a touching introduction allowing the audience to give him a long standing ovation. This is rare as most shows Dennis doesn't allow anybody to introduce him. Again another nice touch.
Even though they put on a great show in years past when I've attended These were overall the two best shows of the Review I have ever seen. In summing things up my only wish was that these concerts were the ones that had been filmed for the Live DVD. What a difference a big appreciative crowd and a real sound man can make to a show the mixing was very tight and the guys vocals all stood out.
Big kudos also to Dennis Edwards who I can honestly say on this night brought his A game. For anybody who thinks he lost it I wish you could have been there.