Concert Review (Tempts): Wolf Trap 7/24/02

[Jonel]

;D Hi FLS! Theo's performance had to be tops on the list for me. The man gave it his all and then some. i wish I had seen him perform with the Tempts when he had the shaved head look. Is that fine man still stashed away at the B&B or did y'all have mercy and let him get back on the road? If somebody started a "favorite leads" thread for Theo, "Always and Forever" would have to be on there....and the theme from "The Bodyguard". I also thought he tore up "MacArthur Park". "Night and Day" too...that's such a beautiful song and Theo can sing it so well.

[Ivory Fair]

LOL! Thanks tdallas, I can dream can't I!

[Ivory Fair]

Nah, we had to let him go.

Favorite Theo leads? Sounds like a great idea! I'll meet you there!!!.........

[fairladysoul]

Didn't know I had a choice......or I would have choosen the fancy post option.

[Puff-Baby]

Stick around mama and we will walk you through it. That's how I learned and I don't know everything yet. Kalisa is real good

[fairladysoul]

Hey Jonel...when Theo was with the Tempts, I thought he had the classic Tempt persona....I still think so. He is an awesome replacement for Levi, but he is a TEMPTATION.

[Puff-Baby]

What happens when Levi in what did he say he would return in 3 months???

What is the cute light skinned guys name with the pretty eyes?

[Jonel]

"The cute light skinned guys name with the pretty eyes?" is Ronnie McNeir. I love his version of "Ask the Lonely". He's quite experienced in the music business, according to this impressive bio: [ftp]http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Ronnie%20McNeir.html[/ftp]

As far as Levi joining the Tops in three months...I really hope it will happen. I guess if Levi comes back, Ronnie will be on standby and Theo will "replace" Ronnie.

[fairladysoul]

Jonel, I wonder if they really think Levi will return? Do you think Theo could go back to being back-up?

Good night you all....Puff, we'll have to hold school on the fancy stuff another time....THANKS!

[Puff-Baby]

I meant stick around in general. Don't be a straga. Much Love
ME

[Jonel]

Well, FLS, Once a Temptation, always a Temptation? and Temptations 4Ever.....yada, yada, yada......but those Tops songs have grabbed ahold of Theo or is it the other way around? They have some really incredible harmonies i.e. "The Four of Us" and "Tonight I'm going to Love You All Over" (They didn't do that one this time. It's probably a good thing 'cause I might have had to call the paramedics LOL). It took a long time until Theo was ever given too much lead responsibility. I remember being so thrilled when he had a little part in "Simple Game". And now look at him, he's singing "MacArthur Park"!....He appears to be so fun-loving and easy going on stage and I'm sure he respects and loves Levi. And while they are determined to keep the door open for Levi, I can't see him traveling and working on the road like he once did...maybe a few "guest" appearances, but I imagine that lifestyle can be so grueling. I don't know how Duke and Obie keep it up.

[Ivory Fair]

I noticed that Theo is getting a lot of positive attention (there were these two blonde chics sitting up front who wouldn't stop screaming at him the whole show, how RUDE! LOL!) and I wonder what Duke and Obie think of that.

I was determined to keep my eyes glued on Theo the whole night. I did all my dancing and silly-acting while the Tempts were on, and then when the Tops came on, I just kinda sat back and took in all the Theo-ness. Duke engaged in a lot of eye contact with the people up front and I wondered if he could see me STARING at Theo the whole time and did he care? Well, I doubt he even noticed, but I eventually began to feel guilty and would throw a glance at the rest of the guys ocassionaly.

I mean it's pretty bad when you're staring at Theo and HE'S NOT EVEN SINGING!!!!

Surely they must welcome any attention, but I wonder if they ever get jealous of this young buck that has joined them. FLS and I had our pictures taken with Theo and just as we took the shot, Obie, being the clown that he is, stuck his head in real quick. It is SO funny. But it makes you wonder.

[sukkafu]

i once rolled a chimp in some cookie dough and then i made... you guessed it.... chocolate chimp cookies!tee hee! ;D

WONDERFUL REVIEW- I AM TRULY JEALOUS- I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE IVE'S WIG BLOWIN IN THE BREEZE!
PUFF BABY, IS YOU TALL LIKE DBABY?

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE AMAZING IVE- CONSTANCE , EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

if you laydeez like theo so much either A) y'all ARE theo's peoples, or B) y'all should vote him in for a theocracy!

QUESTION- which ONE OF THE 4 TOPS DIED? IS LEVI NO LONGER SINGING LEAD? I CAN'T IMAGINE SOMEONE ELSE SINGING THOSE SONGS. I CAN'T REMEMBER THEO HAVING ANY KIND OF VOICE SIMILAR TO LEVI'S!

[Ivory Fair]

Sukka, unfortunately there wasn't much of a breeze for my wig to blow in. I almost fell asleep it was so hot and muggy.

Lawrence Payton died a few years ago, and for a bit there they were just billing themselves as "The Tops." But in, '99 I think, Theo stepped in to fill Lawrence' place and when Levi got sick, they moved Theo over the lead and brought in Ronnie McNeir.

You're right, Theo sounds nothing like Levi. But fortunately he sounds a WHOLE LOT like Theo.

[Jonel]

I have never heard anyone that sounds like Levi Stubbs. I feel the same way about David Ruffin. When I reach back in time to the 1960s their voices must have been branded on my brain because they both had such a distinct quality--even then-- that you immediately recognized the group and the song. Martha Reeves was a another and Diana Ross. Smokey Robinson. Their voices are so distinctive. That may have been all a part of Gordy's strategy because the lead singers' voices WERE so unique they were impossible to imitate. I was reading last night in Otis' updated autobiography about how shaken he was when he saw/heard Leon play David Ruffin and how close he was to the original man. Leon may be the nearest twin to Ruffin that there will ever be.