Tempts in the Background

[Cadeho]

I know I had started a thread about who you can hear in the background of Tempts songs, but I can't seem to find it at all using the searches and Google. So I'll start another one.

However, this time I have a specific question. Back in 1999 I swear I saw on someone's site a list of songs the Tempts sang back up on for Mary Wells. Are there any confirmed songs where they can be heard?

Are they on the studio verion of "Two Lovers?" Can anyone confirm if they sang with the Supremes on "You Lost the Sweetest Boy"? For some reason I think I can hear them on "Goodbye and Goodluck" and possibly on "Prove It." However on "Prove It, I hear two voices which may not be Tempts at all, but if one of them is, would it be Eddie? Could the other be Al? Anyone familar with that song? And finally "Everybody Needs Love" definitely has Otis and Eddie singing background.

Are there any songs that I should listen to that may or do have the Tempts in the background?

I know of Marvin's "Try It Baby," Hattie Littles' "You Got Me Worried," and Liz Lands' "Midnight Johnny" and " Keep Me."

[eyehearttempts]

I do believe that the Tempts are in the background of Mary Wells' "Two Lovers". According to Wikipedia, the Supremes and the Temptations are singing in the background in "You've Lost the Sweetest Boy". Don't know about the others......

[janebse]

The Tempts sang backup for Mary Wells (well, 4 Tempts did) when she sang "Two Lovers" at the Apollo. I do not know if they were on the record.

But on the DVD, GET READY, Otis mentions that they sang back-up, clapped hands, stamped feet or whatever might be needed. However, I think the only time they are identified as the Temptations is when they were at the Apollo with Mary Wells. I do not think they sang separately at the Apollo at that time. Perhaps they went to NY just to get a little stage appearance at the Apollo. I think the rule was that the name TEMPTATIONS was never publicly printed, announced,when they were singing back up. If you look at credits for all sorts of songs, you will often find the names "Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, Stevie Wonder, Paul Williams, etc. listed as backup singers. But even if all five Tempts are there, the name TEMPTATION is not used.

[Cadeho]

I've come across a couple other songs with possibly the Tempts in the background uncredited. One that I like is a Tommy Good song "Honey Lane" which if that is not Melvin and Eddie... they're really good impersonating them. The others are Kim Weston songs which I'll need my short list in hand to post.

[Beej]

cadeho said:

Are [The Tempts] on the studio verion of "Two Lovers?" Can anyone confirm if they sang with the Supremes on "You Lost the Sweetest Boy"? For some reason I think I can hear them on "Goodbye and Goodluck"...

The short answer is that some of the Tempts sang backup on the studio recordings you named.

Prior to joining Motown as an A&R man in 1962, Mickey Stevenson was in a group called The Mellodees with Carl Jones (tenor), Stan Bracely (bass) -- both former members of the Detroit-based group, The Teardrops -- and Joe Miles (baritone). Once there, Mickey brought his ex-group mates in as male backup singers for the label. Berry Gordy named the trio The Love-Tones.

Although they sang behind other artists (most notably Marvin Gaye), their primary duty was singing backup for Mary Wells both in the studio and on the road. They can be heard on big hits like "The One Who Really Loves You," "Operator" and "You Beat Me To The Punch."

In the spring of 1962, Carl Jones was killed in an altercation outside a nightclub. When Mary Wells went into the studio that summer to record "Two Lovers," Eddie Kendricks (singing in both his natural tenor and falsetto) took his place with the Love-Tones. Although I've never seen it mentioned anywhere, I wouldn't be surprised if that's also Eddie on "Old Love (Let's Try Again)." In 1963, Sonny Sanders (of the Satintones) took Jones' place on tour. The Love-Tones continued as a fixture at Motown -- often accompanied in the studio by the Andantes -- until Mary Wells left the label in 1964.

In the winter of 1962, Mary recorded "What Love Has Joined Together." It's hard to say who all is singing in the background with Eddie, but his unmistakable "OOOs" are clear as day. On 1963's "Goodbye And Good Luck," background vocals are attributed to "members of The Miracles & The Temptations." Quite frankly, the only member of the Tempts I hear is Eddie...though, it's possible Otis or Al is in there, too. That summer, Mary recorded "You Lost The Sweetest Boy." To be honest, Diana Ross' voice is so overpowering in the background that it's difficult to discern exactly which Tempts are singing with Mary and Flo, but I think Eddie and Otis are safe bets.

Hope that helps.

[maria]

beej said:

cadeho said:

Are [The Tempts] on the studio verion of "Two Lovers?" Can anyone confirm if they sang with the Supremes on "You Lost the Sweetest Boy"? For some reason I think I can hear them on "Goodbye and Goodluck"...

The short answer is that some of the Tempts sang backup on the studio recordings you named.

Prior to joining Motown as an A&R man in 1962, Mickey Stevenson was in a group called The Mellodees with Carl Jones (tenor), Stan Bracely (bass) -- both former members of the Detroit-based group, The Teardrops -- and Joe Miles (baritone). Once there, Mickey brought his ex-group mates in as male backup singers for the label. Berry Gordy named the trio The Love-Tones.

Although they sang behind other artists (most notably Marvin Gaye), their primary duty was singing backup for Mary Wells both in the studio and on the road. They can be heard on big hits like "The One Who Really Loves You," "Operator" and "You Beat Me To The Punch."

In the spring of 1962, Carl Jones was killed in an altercation outside a nightclub. When Mary Wells went into the studio that summer to record "Two Lovers," Eddie Kendricks (singing in both his natural tenor and falsetto) took his place with the Love-Tones. Although I've never seen it mentioned anywhere, I wouldn't be surprised if that's also Eddie on "Old Love (Let's Try Again)." In 1963, Sonny Sanders (of the Satintones) took Jones' place on tour. The Love-Tones continued as a fixture at Motown -- often accompanied in the studio by the Andantes -- until Mary Wells left the label in 1964.

In the winter of 1962, Mary recorded "What Love Has Joined Together." It's hard to say who all is singing in the background with Eddie, but his unmistakable "OOOs" are clear as day. On 1963's "Goodbye And Good Luck," background vocals are attributed to "members of The Miracles & The Temptations." Quite frankly, the only member of the Tempts I hear is Eddie...though, it's possible Otis or Al is in there, too. That summer, Mary recorded "You Lost The Sweetest Boy." To be honest, Diana Ross' voice is so overpowering in the background that it's difficult to discern exactly which Tempts are singing with Mary and Flo, but I think Eddie and Otis are safe bets.

Hope that helps.

Hey Beej, Can you down load some of that music that you guys are talking about so I can hear Sweet Eddie?

[Beej]

If by download you mean upload, certainly I could...but I won't.

I generally make it a habit to only upload rare music or video clips...stuff that isn't readily available for sale to the public. Mary Wells has numerous "Greatest Hits" albums currently on the market. I know for certain that her compilation in Motown's "The Ultimate Collection" series contains all the tracks I mentioned and more.

CLICK HERE to listen to samples of these songs or, better yet, purchase the CD. You won't be sorry.

Mary Wells was the Queen of Motown for a reason.

She seems to have been largely forgotten by Motown fans, though. Her biggest commercial hit was "My Guy," but there were so many other great (I'd say better) songs recorded before that which tend to get overlooked. Her original recording of "You Beat Me To The Punch" is still the definitive version...no disrespect to Paul Williams.

She had one of those unique voices that made you want to listen to whatever she had to say...one of those voices that just naturally blended well with other premier artists. Two tracks on that album -- "Once Upon A Time" and "What's The Matter With You Baby" -- are duets with Marvin Gaye.

If you love the sound of "classic" Motown, you'll definitely enjoy Mary's music.

[maria]

beej said:

If by download you mean upload, certainly I could...but I won't.

I generally make it a habit to only upload rare music or video clips...stuff that isn't readily available for sale to the public. Mary Wells has numerous "Greatest Hits" albums currently on the market. I know for certain that her compilation in Motown's "The Ultimate Collection" series contains all the tracks I mentioned and more.

CLICK HERE to listen to samples of these songs or, better yet, purchase the CD. You won't be sorry.

Mary Wells was the Queen of Motown for a reason.

She seems to have been largely forgotten by Motown fans, though. Her biggest commercial hit was "My Guy," but there were so many other great (I'd say better) songs recorded before that which tend to get overlooked. Her original recording of "You Beat Me To The Punch" is still the definitive version...no disrespect to Paul Williams.

She had one of those unique voices that made you want to listen to whatever she had to say...one of those voices that just naturally blended well with other premier artists. Two tracks on that album -- "Once Upon A Time" and "What's The Matter With You Baby" -- are duets with Marvin Gaye.

If you love the sound of "classic" Motown, you'll definitely enjoy Mary's music.

My bag! upload

[eyehearttempts]

Since Beej explained before that Eddie took the place of a Love-Tone on "Two Lovers", I wanna ask something.

OK, so in the chorus of "Two Lovers" you can here a voice softly singing along with Mary. The voice is kinda high-pitched. Could that possibly be Eddie?