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Post by AKA THE FUF on Oct 17, 2002 21:22:18 GMT -5
jane, I know what you mean, The Tops are way better with Levy in it. As sukka said he is the tops. I'm sure Theo did his best but although I like there music, the Tops were never one of my favorite groups to watch. And sukka, only three Temptations, WOW. Sometimes I think I show should be cancelled due to times like that.
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Post by Ivory Fair on Oct 17, 2002 23:18:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the review Jane! I hope you didn't get spoiled on those good seats, they can be addictive! I guess we're gonna have to just fill out a petition to get Theo back in the Tempts. But who would he replace? (Hush Kalisa and seafan  ) Sukka, have you ever seen Theo perform live? Don't y'all get me wrong, I like the man for more than just the physical thing. Now I don't know that I'd go as far as Jane and say that he out shown Duke and Obie, but still, that man can SING! |
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Post by sukkafu on Oct 18, 2002 15:40:54 GMT -5
ive, you know i would love to hear him sing. i unfortunately missed those summer shows at cal disney. i would like to see a tempts/tops show. i think it would be a gas! barbra streisand can sing, but she wouldn't make a good temptation!  just like a marvelette may not have been a good vandrell or supreme. |
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Post by Aba21 on Oct 18, 2002 21:29:37 GMT -5
Thank you Jane for that great eview. One thing tought when Levi and the boys are together they make no pretense of the fact that they are not dancers but they are great showmen none the less. Levi's voice is one for the ages and I'm sure he was missed. Now Theo is much younger than the others been trained by the Temps and wants to move when he's out there. i bet he was terriffic.
i love the shows the Temps do when they are being "challenged" by some other group. There is no doubt that they are number 1 but they always make sure they let you know it during those times. Great Stuff.
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Post by janebse on Oct 18, 2002 21:57:40 GMT -5
Yeah, just like a champion rising to the challenge. Don't you just love it! I certainly did!
Reminds me again of Sukkafu's quotation about Sinatra.
Someone on another board responded to my review of the concert with this statement:
"When style and elegance meet preparation, the end result is perfection."
Could there be a better description of the Temptations?
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Post by janebse on Oct 18, 2002 22:05:39 GMT -5
I am excited about seeing the Temptations on TV on December 8th on USA cable channel. Must mark my calendar.
Everyone says to me, "When is your next Temptations concert?" I didn't see how I could sqeeze them in before Christmas. And I've been trying to schedule a trip to some city to see Michael Jordan play. But now I can see the Temptations via TV. So maybe that will last until I can find a spring performance somewhere near me.
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Post by MikeNYC on Oct 18, 2002 22:48:54 GMT -5
That was a nice review Jane,I know what you mean about The Tempts making The Tops look like amatures. I saw some of The Four Tops show with Theo this past summer in Brooklyn with Dennis and The Review,Levi Stubbs is a SINGER, I mean HE SINGS! The Four Tops have a great chemistry ,they know each other ,vocally,they have been together for over forty years. It's not easy for someone to come in and fit in. I've seen the tempts & tops perform together twice since Motown 25. The first time was right after the Motown 25 show ,Dennis was still there,and the two groups "Battled it out" on stage. It was not a war,but a blend of two "Classic" groups,different aproach to their craft,but you get the same result great singing! They traded leads to some of their songs,Levi and Dennis two veterans singing up a storm.The tops performed their hits,then the tempts rejoined them onstage and did a few songs made popular by others and then the tempts had the stage to themselves. Now at that time, the tops had their whole group ,the original four,needless to say ,the tempts tore them up. Not disrespectfully, because the tops performed very ,very well. But tore em up nonetheless. I saw them together again after Ali joined and ,Levi ..... showed his vocal skills and broke my heart. The tempts were good ,very good,but the tops got em with their veteran showmanship. Their chemistry showed to put it midly. As good as Theo is, he gonna always hear,"Where's Levi "? Maybe the rest of the tops encouraged him to show HIS talents instead of trying to be like Levi. Ive never seen him perform with the tempts live in person,a couple of times on tv. I'm glad the tempts "paid em back" and tore em up for me. |
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Post by AKA THE FUF on Oct 19, 2002 0:21:20 GMT -5
Hey Mike, we were probably at the same show of T'N'T at The Marquise Theatre in Manhattan. Ali tried to hold his own but Levi is Levi. His song, I Believe In You And Me was too good. I enjoyed that show as well. Treat Her Like A Lady was out, Ron did My Love Is True, both groups were on the money. I just hope health wise Levi is good, he's been away from the group for so long. Several months ago they've been saying the same thing they are saying now about he will be back soon.
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Post by sukkafu on Oct 19, 2002 0:31:55 GMT -5
i was listening to the tops and supremes version of river deep mountain high in my car. it sounded good. i have the mach one system in the car from ford for my 99 sho. i was trippin on the tempts-swept away song from awesome. i was thinking to myself-i wonder why madonna didn't think of using that song for her just released romantic movie of the same title! it would've been perfect for the beach romance waves crashing scenes.  it is now more of a complete website since my fufdaddy is back on track! ;D |
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Post by janebse on Oct 19, 2002 8:07:46 GMT -5
What is wrong? I keep losing my reply message. And it doesn't matter which computer I am on.
I have a question about singing. It probably should be a new thread, but maybe there isn't enough information to make it a thread.
In comparing Theo and Ali to the Classic Five plus Dennis:
The Classic Five and Dennis seem to sing a song simply for its meaning. When they are recording or seriously performing (not hamming it up), they don't use what I call vocal acrobatics but concentrate on the meaning of the song. I can't remember ever seeing Eddie use any vocal acrobatics at all. But the song is felt.
In thinking of Theo and Ali as lead singers, they seem more concerned with their singing abilities than with the song's meaning.
I began thinking seriously about this when I read the USA TODAY's article on present day singers who they felt were more concerned with showing off their vocal prowess than with the song's meaning.
I just wondered what other people felt about this. I realize that a lot of people really like the vocal demonstrations. I've heard countless people talking about this Kelly of the American Idol show and what she can do with her voice. But for some reason that aspect of singing never really interests me. It's like watching those golfers who specialize in trick shots. They are never the golfers who are the top professionals.
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Post by kalisa2 on Oct 19, 2002 8:45:33 GMT -5
jane...re: vocal acrobatics (my name for it too  ), I couldn't agree more. I wouldn't necessarily put Ali into that category (of vocal acrobats)...I love it when he screams on key, and it usually adds to the feeling of the song. The Classic Tempts + Dennis (and Ali, IMO) were masters of finesse, using their voices to make us feel the stories they told without being distracting. But one that comes to mind immediately is Richard singing "Wish it would rain" at the Harrah's video...where he holds that " EEEEEEEEEEEases the pain" forever...seems like he isn't really feelin' the pain but showing off how long he can hold the high note. I didn't like it there. Later in the song during the break he does it again, and that doesn't bother me...its a live show and he's showing off and it doesn't really relate to the song nor hinder the storytelling. Oh, that reminds me of a question for you...Do the Temptations do "I Wish it Would Rain" in their show? If so, who does the lead? I hadn't seen it mentioned in recent concert reviews. I don't care at all for many of the latter day singers who are more into demonstrating their vocal agility than in telling a story artfully. Some of the "quavery voice" calisthenics drive me up a wall. They need to buy a clue from Aaron Neville, the master. |
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Post by AKA THE FUF on Oct 19, 2002 17:00:46 GMT -5
Thanks sukka, I'm Here, Back To Basics, I feel AWESOME again. Kalisa2, The Temptations do I Wish It Would Rain in there show and Bo sang it. They had the light affect on and the sound of thunder around them. When I saw them earlier this year, Bo sang My Girl, when I saw them last year Terry sang it.
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Post by janebse on Oct 19, 2002 17:57:48 GMT -5
New dance step.
I found my notes with the songs listed. Well, some of the songs. I listed the first 12 and then gave up and just enjoyed it. #3 said "Bo new dance"
They have new dance steps. I did not list the song they were doing just that Bo was the lead singer. Oviously I found the new double beat step very exciting. My overall feeling about the program was one of excitement and enthusiasm over the electricity generated by their dancing. They must have announced these were new dance steps, else why would I write it down. I'd just assume I had never seen that particular song or steps performed.
Some saw the new dance step at the Greek Theatre. One person said, "They did the step during introductions...Otis was the last to be introduced as usual...I watched him..he never varied his beat or rhythm while waiting...as the other guys were introduced they fell in step and back into the line up..it was amazing."
Indeed it was amazing!
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Post by Aba21 on Oct 19, 2002 21:19:11 GMT -5
Janebse you are right on the money with your post about vocal exercising. I don't care much for it either. Boyz II Men used to drive me crazy with all that(as my grandmother would say) hoo rah rah in the song. One, sing the song so I can understand the words. Every word and every note is not going to end the song or close the show so when you start ALL THAT WHINING I'm very much turned off. I had the pleasure of seeing Theo perfom with the temps on many occasions and was always impressed with his vocal talents. He sang Whitney Houston's I Will Always love you and brought the house down more than once. I don't think Levi sings a better song than I Believe in you and Me, unless you go way back to Sad Souvenirs and Where Did She go? Don't get me started. The best singer of all time is Nat King Cole without a doubt. I was trying to figure out why and it hit me like a ton of bricks. you can listen to any song he ever sang and not once will you hear an adlib yet when he sings a song like Stardust, it will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. And you can hear and understand everyword he sings. That's what I want from a singer, I want him/her to sing the song not sound like an instrument. They all ready have those playing behind them.
I was listening to some recent things by Boyz II Men and they have gotten away from all that oooooooooooohing and eeeeeeeehing and they sound good. I think they are the best singing young group to come down the pike in a long time. I hope they don't get discouraged by not having gold and platinum every time out and continue to find their kind material to sing because those voices could stay around for a long time.
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Post by MikeNYC on Oct 20, 2002 3:09:24 GMT -5
I hope BoyzII Men improve their live sound.They didn't impress me.Usually the vocal exercising to hide the fact they can't sing.
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), I couldn't agree more. I wouldn't necessarily put Ali into that category (of vocal acrobats)...I love it when he screams on key, and it usually adds to the feeling of the song. The Classic Tempts + Dennis (and Ali, IMO) were masters of finesse, using their voices to make us feel the stories they told without being distracting.