Tempts/Tops @M.E.N Arena Manchester

[livesey00]

Well after an awful train journey from my home town of Wigan (30 miles north of manchester) I arrived at Victoria station which is underneath the M.E.N at 5.10 2 hours 20 mins before the concert started passed a bit of time and met up with a couple of friends and before I knew it we were taking our seats about 12th row back unfortunately but still clear views until we got the drunk brigade all 15 of them sit straight down in front of us... I swear they spent more time getting up going to the bar than sat down throughout the concert... Oh well nothing was going to spoil this...
It got 7.20 the band came on and started up after 30 seconds of instrumentals the tempts came on straight away at exactly 7.30 the M.C introduced them as four time grammy winners THE TEMPTATIONS they came on and when't straight into THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO Ron sounded a little hoarse but he improved later on.
Still no sign of Joe although I could tell he was back stage and was singing his heart out and sounded exactly like Melvin it really is spooky... After that I think it was straight into WISH IT WOULD RAIN. AINT TO PROUD TO BEG G.C ruled the concert tonight he was so confident and his voice was absolutely perfect he had a mix of David Ruffin and Dennis... After that BALL OF CONFUSION Ron & Otis looked at each other when Joe's voice pipped in and just smiled... JUST MY IMAGINATION PAPPA WAS A ROLLING STONE Ron made a little mistake when he was about to introduce the band he realised it wasn't time yet he said "Its time we gave a big thanks to the guys who keep the rhythm going" then the opening bars of GET READY and "Oh my bad its time we got ready Manchester" After that into STAY the guys were really going for everything Terry & Otis were in fine form in-fact all the guys were...
Then TREAT HER LIKE A LADY G.C After this Ron introduced TERRY 'CHAMPAGNE' WEKKS, OTIS WILLIAMS, G.C CAMERON And Otis mentione the reason for Harry Berry not performing and there being only 4 temptations was that the doctor had told Harry he needed to take it easy otherwise something serious may happen he then brought joe on and he sounded fantastic a lot like Melvin... tore this one up good style and after that Otis commented on how because of the large repitoire from all era's of the temptations its hard to fit it all into one show he said they'd still be singing till christmas if they sang everything everyone wanted them too. G.C sang memories and then into I'LL BE IN TROUBLE Ron sounded so much like Eddie on this then into THE GIRLS ALL'RIGHT WITH ME (Otis said how this was written by the late great Eddie Kendricks and we all still miss him to which a massive cheer came up) Then ALL I NEED, ITS GROWING, BEAUTY'S ONLY SKIN DEEP DON'T LOOK BACK (G.C broke off like Paul did when he performed this did his own unique dance and sounded absolutely fantastic... After that the opening bars and "MANCHESTER ENGLAND THE TEMPTATIONS SING FOR YOU MY GIRL" This gained the biggest cheer of the night and the 3,500 capacity crowd were all singing in unision G.C was fantastic performing this a lot better than Richard & Ali he really sounded great enough for Otis to shout in the middle of MY GIRL "DAMN ITS DAVID RUFFIN" ;D
And as soon as it had started it was over "I KNOW IM LOOSING YOU" was absolutely perfect I couldn't fault the guys at all Joe came on and sang on stage took a bow and danced off-stage while singing with the guys... A quick 15 min interval and THE FOUR TOPS were on... a good set from the guys but unfortunately they were missing that little something THEO sounded great DUKE sounded great RONNIE sounded great OBBIE sounded great but that little something wasn't there the badn was overpowering the guys voices also... They were good but the tempts were it for me tonight just a shame they were on first and only managed to fit in an hour 15 mins...
Well my first live concert with the tempts and I wasn't dissaopinted... What Iam dissapointed about is that I can't goto anymore of the concerts this year while there in the UK hopefully they'll be back over next year when the new album is released... Here's hoping!!!! All in all a great night I just want to see them again...
I ope to od they're in L.A in March when im over DJing or close to L.A so I can see them again.

[janebse]

Wonderful review, Livesey00. When I heard GC, I didn't think of David or Dennis. I just thought GC was as good as either one and was singing in his own voice.

I've mentioned this ever since I saw the Tops with the Tempts a year ago. Theo just doesn't fit in as a Top. And Obie goes a little wild making the end result rather scatter brained. Someone in the UK said the Tops were not nearly as good as the Tempts and were like a cabaret act. Since I'm not sure what a cabaret act in the UK is like, I don't know exactly what they mean.

I don't know anything about Harry's health but in the Awesome (I think) album he was thanking God and ten doctors for getting him well. My thought was, "Ten doctors! That's some serious illness.)

[Ivory Fair]

Thanks Livesey!!!!

[livesey00]

janebse said:

Wonderful review, Livesey00. When I heard GC, I didn't think of David or Dennis. I just thought GC was as good as either one and was singing in his own voice.

I've mentioned this ever since I saw the Tops with the Tempts a year ago. Theo just doesn't fit in as a Top. And Obie goes a little wild making the end result rather scatter brained. Someone in the UK said the Tops were not nearly as good as the Tempts and were like a cabaret act. Since I'm not sure what a cabaret act in the UK is like, I don't know exactly what they mean.

I don't know anything about Harry's health but in the Awesome (I think) album he was thanking God and ten doctors for getting him well. My thought was, "Ten doctors! That's some serious illness.)

A cabaret act is a lot like a tribute act who play little clubs and cruises sort of at least... I hope he gets well Harry so it sounds like he may have left by mutual consent who knows?? Theo looks and dances to much like a tempt... The tops were good but the tempts were awsome... Does anyone know wether they'll be playing L.A in the period MARCH 11TH - 18TH? hope so...

[Budrocket]

> THEO sounded great DUKE sounded great
> RONNIE sounded great OBBIE sounded great
> but that little something wasn't there

Wait...who the heck is "Ronnie"? Is Levi Stubbs no longer in the group???

[Budrocket]

HEEEEYYY...who added that goofy-ass icon to my message? I hate those things!

[janebse]

Laurence died a number of years ago; Levi Stubbs had a stroke a few years ago. He is slowly recovering but does not perform, except once in a while to come on the stage and sing a little.

[kalisa2]

Budrocket said:

HEEEEYYY...who added that goofy-ass icon to my message? I hate those things!

Bud...sometimes typing particular characters in a determined order will be read by the Proboards as representing one of the "smileys" or emoticons. Three question marks with no spaces, hand-typed, produce the same effect has clicking on the "scratching head" smiley. Hand typing a colon immediately followed by a parenthesis (shift+zero) will produce a smile like this ...etc.

[Budrocket]

I knew about Laurence, I hadn't heard about Levi. That's just terrible.

[Melody]

Shout outs to ((((((((((((((((((((((EVERYBODY)))))))))))))))))in this thread!!

Thanks (((Livesey))))!! For your review! I didn't read it thoughly yet, but I think that was a Nice touch for (((Joe))) to come out and perform at the end, so I'm assuming he can dance!!

Hey (((Budrocket)))! Thanks so much for the laugh!! LOL!! That's so funny!! You said who put that "goofy-*" icon in my post!! That's a Good one!!! I had to reply when I read that!! LOL!! Whhewww!!

HAVE A HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYBODY!! TTYAL!

[Markie B]

Yes, Levi has cancer. The "Ronnie" referred to in these posts is none other than great soul utility man Mr Ronnie McNeir. He's really good. I love Theo's voice but The Four Tops restricted themselves didn't they ? The thing is, Levi Stubbs was the lead throughout and you want to hear his voice. I saw them last year and was very disappointed when there was no Levi.

I prefer the Temps, anyway - and, hey, they get it right because all of them share lead. The Tops without Levi, though ? Don't bother going to see them- it's really sad and leaves you feeling a little cheated.

[janebse]

I too love the sharing of the lead. I am particularly fond of the way the Tempts switch leads in a single song. I hope the Tempts never forget that is one of the things they are famous for.

[Ivory Fair]

Today on the 40th anniversary of JFK's assasination, I think it's important for us to remember something his brother Bobby often quoted ......... "it's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

Now, I don't think he was really talking about aging Motown groups when he said that, but I think it appliles none the less.

As much as I would LIKE for Levi to come back, I think the chances of that happening are only slightly better than David Ruffin's chances of coming back. In other words, it ain't gonna happen' capn'. So anyone who goes EXPECTING to hear these legendary voices is bound to be dissapointed.

How to get around that? Accept the fact that these guys are gone, say a little prayer for their memory (or good health, whichever the case) and then get over it.

Go to these shows expecting to hear good singers and there's no way you'll be dissapointed (hush Hype!)
Theo can sing his natural hind-end off and anyone who misses an opportunity to see him perform is doing himself a disservice.

Plus, he's fine.

[Budrocket]

Wait a minute...Levi Stubbs had a stroke or has cancer? Which one? And please don't tell me it's both...

[Ivory Fair]

Bud, it's my understanding that it's both.