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Post by TheCharlie on Jul 21, 2003 21:13:00 GMT -5
OUTSTANDING SHOW!!!
The Whispers did not perform, even though they were advertised. The order was The Temptations, The O'Jays, and The Four Tops.
The tempts wore their green suits with black shirts. The set list went like this:
The Way You Do the Things You Do
Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Ball of Confusion
I Wish it Would Rain
Just My Imagination
Papa was a Rolling Stone
Stay
---Group introduction
-Otis started talking about his memories about the Hitsville building and of the other members. Then he started talking about fans asking why they don't do some of the "less popular" classics. O then went on to say that the Tempts had something special in store for us. This led into an 8-song medley:
Memories
I'll Be in Trouble
It's Growing
Please Return Your Love to Me
Since I Lost My Baby
The Girl's Alright with Me
Don't Look Back
All I Need
The show closed with...
Beauty's Only Skin Deep
My Girl
(I Know) I'm Losing You
GC sang all of the leads with the exception of Ron's and "Memories" which was done by Terry. There was one flaw with the show... it appeared that GC forgot a line in I Wish it Would Rain. He started singing one of the lines, then abruptly stopped. He picked back up on the next line.
The O'Jays were awesome, but the Tops were lacking something. They are legends in their own right, but I feel that following both The Tempts and The O'Jays is a shoe that is too big to fill, for any group. The crowd was mostly dead for the Tops. This could have been because they were up dancing and singing for the other groups. The hilight of the Tops performance was Theo performing "Always and Forever." He had the crowd eating out of his hands. It was eerily similar to Paul's effect on the crowd when performing "For Once in My Life."
During the O'Jays performance, I met Al McKenzine (Tempts conductor) who was selling his new album. Al is a very personable guy... he talked with me for over 20 minutes. He told me that the Tempts and Tops rotate spots each night. I also asked him if he helped produce or orchestrate Bo's new album. He said no. Al is truly a professional person. He offered to autograph his album for me, but could not find a sharpie. He told me to email him at his website, remind him of the situation, and he would sign another insert and mail it to me. All was well though, because his friend that was selling the discs for him found one.
I know this is very long, so I will end with.. all in all, a SUPERB show! I'm ready to see another one.
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Post by Ivory Fair on Jul 21, 2003 22:37:45 GMT -5
There was one flaw with the show... it appeared that GC forgot a line in I Wish it Would Rain. He started singing one of the lines, then abruptly stopped. He picked back up on the next line.
Uh-ho, somebody call Damon. Another Tempts' screwed up the lyrics and is about to go into the "shortest-lived member Hall of Fame." (ha ha)
Thanks Charlie!
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Post by selfishreasons on Jul 22, 2003 1:17:20 GMT -5
i will definitely have to see them when they come to Radio City.
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Post by janebse on Jul 22, 2003 7:51:07 GMT -5
I don't think it is a matter of rotation placement. Someone describing an earlier show in which the Tops came before the Tempts also said the Tops were lacking something. They too mentioned the O'Jays as being very good. The Tempts were last in appearance and the crowd went wild. They described that legendary confidence and elegance of the Tempts.
At some time or other we have discussed the importance of a singer fitting in with a particular group. This has nothing to do with singing ability,or even ability to sing a particular type of song. I have mentioned this before, as have others, but Theo appears as a Tempt. Everything about him shrieks, "Tempt." It's not a matter of his singing ability.
I will add that he's been with the Tops for several years and this quality may only become apparent to audiences when the Tempts and Tops appear together.
Those who are familiar with Levi's style may be able to discuss how Theo's style compares to Levi's. It may simply be that audiences associate Levi's style with the more "rock-and-roll" singing of the Tops and Theo's style with the more "rhythm-and-blues of the Tempts. Without knowing why audiences may feel somewhat confused when they see the current Tops. Those who are more technically based in music may explain what happens here. Theo reminds me very much of Ali, and I can't think of Ali as a Top either.
And it's not only vocal. It's physical too. Theo's very elongated fluid movements are much more Tempt than the more staccato movements of the Tops.
This is just one aspect I have observed. Obviously on any one night a group can be "on" or "off."
Somewhere I read something which suggested the Whispers might not appear every time. It had something to do with where they were from and local appeal.
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Post by MikeNYC on Jul 22, 2003 13:52:01 GMT -5
They associate Levi's singing with "THE FOUR TOPS"! Weather you want to say R&B,or Rock& Roll. Levi Stubbs= The sound of The Four Tops! Theo is NOT that well known for being a Temptation! Despite his talent...truth be told......he is NOT widely known as a Temptation! And there is nobody more soulfull than Levi Stubbs! Not on this planet. Ali was not a Top,that's why he is not thought of as one. I understand that Theo should STILL be a Temptation,but he's not,and unfourtunately his contributions to the group are NOT that popular to the fans,especially Four Tops fans! My hope is that the Tops get a product out so fans can get to know THEO. Not for being a Temptation,because he is a Tempt no longer,for being what he is....A MEMBER OF THE FOUR TOPS !
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Post by livesey00 on Jul 22, 2003 15:09:23 GMT -5
They associate Levi's singing with "THE FOUR TOPS"! Weather you want to say R&B,or Rock& Roll. Levi Stubbs= The sound of The Four Tops! Theo is NOT that well known for being a Temptation! Despite his talent...truth be told......he is NOT widely known as a Temptation! And there is nobody more soulfull than Levi Stubbs! Not on this planet. Ali was not a Top,that's why he is not thought of as one. I understand that Theo should STILL be a Temptation,but he's not,and unfourtunately his contributions to the group are NOT that popular to the fans,especially Four Tops fans! My hope is that the Tops get a product out so fans can get to know THEO. Not for being a Temptation,because he is a Tempt no longer,for being what he is....A MEMBER OF THE FOUR TOPS ! Totally, Totally agree with you Mike. Have the top's got a record deal at the moment??? I had a feeling they were just touring and didn't have a deal... |
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Post by selfishreasons on Jul 22, 2003 20:12:03 GMT -5
they don't need a record deal right now. thier touring will prove more valuable then having an album.
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Post by MikeNYC on Jul 23, 2003 16:23:10 GMT -5
they don't need a record deal right now. thier touring will prove more valuable then having an album. They don't need a record deal? Why? Because they need LEVI so they won't have to play a new song and not give the name of the artist. |
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Post by tdallasw on Jul 23, 2003 16:55:09 GMT -5
radio stations wouldn't play if even if Levi was singing... old skool acts don't get airplay - except Ron Isley.
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Post by MikeNYC on Jul 23, 2003 17:00:18 GMT -5
radio stations wouldn't play if even if Levi was singing... old skool acts don't get airplay - except Ron Isley. Says who? When they come out with quality music they will. They play Ronald Isley because he is a voice that they know over the years,an ORIGINAL ! Now if someone else was singing his songs,and everytime the fans of the Isley Bros. had to get used to a new voice every so often....they wouldn't play the Isleys,either! |
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Post by janebse on Jul 23, 2003 17:53:04 GMT -5
The Tops made a record with Motown a few years ago. It has never been released. Deborah Stubbs said she did not know why or what the plans were for it. Levi was with the group when the record was made. And, if I remember correctly, Norman Whitfield produced the record.
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Post by tdallasw on Jul 23, 2003 17:55:30 GMT -5
Mike - you live in NYC, not the real world. There are lots more stations... artists get lots more exposure... better airplay... concert venues that will book them, etc.
In BFE, ANYSTATE in the USA, old school acts like Gladys Knight, Aretha, Smokey, and many others may come out with a new CD with great music, but only the Adult/Contemporary stations will play their music. I don't care if it's the best invention since toilet paper! I would LOVE for them to get the backing they deserve, but it ain't happening. All they want to play is newer/younger R & B artists. If it weren't for R Kelly and Kelly Price, Ron Isley would have been in the same boat. The "Mr. Big" persona keeps him "current' with the younger crowd.
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Post by MikeNYC on Jul 23, 2003 18:02:45 GMT -5
Mike - you live in NYC, not the real world. There are lots more stations... artists get lots more exposure... better airplay... concert venues that will book them, etc. In BFE, ANYSTATE in the USA, old school acts like Gladys Knight, Aretha, Smokey, and many others may come out with a new CD with great music, but only the Adult/Contemporary stations will play their music. I don't care if it's the best invention since toilet paper! I would LOVE for them to get the backing they deserve, but it ain't happening. All they want to play is newer/younger R & B artists. If it weren't for R Kelly and Kelly Price, Ron Isley would have been in the same boat. The "Mr. Big" persona keeps him "current' with the younger crowd. You don't get more real than NYC ! Can't help that,sorry(If I can make it there...I'll make it ...anywhere...it's up to you,NEW YORK,NEW YORK....DA DA- DA DA DA,DA DA -DA DA DA !) ![]() temptsinfo.com/smilies/wtg.gif![]() |
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Post by selfishreasons on Jul 23, 2003 18:58:32 GMT -5
radio stations wouldn't play if even if Levi was singing... old skool acts don't get airplay - except Ron Isley. true. very true. |
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Post by MikeNYC on Jul 23, 2003 20:25:21 GMT -5
Very UNTRUE  |
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