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Post by All5Voices on Jun 22, 2011 17:58:36 GMT -5
It's been far too long since the Temptations had a multiple hit album/CD. They've produced a few Grammy nominations in the past decade and a half. But inconsistancies and frequent lineup changes have also produced drawbacks, as they've even had a member (Ricky Owens) whose tenur was so short that he didn't get to record with them, and a few albums have had a member change or two while recording said album/CD.
The days of classic performances on stage are probably gone. I even hear some people say "But those aren't the real Temptations, right?", and i sadly respond with "They're the 'Official' Temptations." I still contend that because they're the only group of singers who can legally call themselves The Temptations, record and release an album as the Temptations, give live performances as Temptations and give interviews as Temptations, they are the real Temptations. But didn't Otis say "Temptations Forever"? Does that mean once a Temptation, always a Temptation? My love for the 'Official' Temptations is wearing thin.
Terry doesn't have the pipes that he had on the 1st three sets he recorded with them. The voice isn't there anymore. He's been horse during every show I've attended (7). The voice I heard on 'My Love', 'If I Give You My Heart', 'Your Love', 'I'm Here', and 'Four Days' has me wishing I could hear that again.
Tyson has simply lost it. I know it's not supposed to be a karaoke singing group. But when is the last time he sang 'The Way You Do The Things You Do' correctly? On more recent recordings, he struggles to get the higher registered 1st tenor notes.
Otis has to be there for them to be the 'official' Temptations. Kind of like Michael Bivins of New Edition.
Joe is a very good bass. As we all know, no one can touch Blue. But Joe is a refreshing contrast from Harry McGilberry, who was a true bass. But below the quality of Joe and Ray Davis, as his bass didn't fill the room like Joe's and Ray's could. I won't even mention the guy who sang in his stead on the 'Still Here' set. He's of lower quality than even Harry.
Bruce is always trying too hard to sound like a classic Temptation. It just doesn't work. Who would've ever predicted that we'd see 2 fat bald guys as members of the Temptations. One of them, the lead singer, running up stage right and down stage left looking like a little chocolate Ralph Cramden from 'The Honeymooners'.
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Post by sybasketball on Jun 22, 2011 20:20:04 GMT -5
glenn,theo and dennis or paul jr.
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Post by sixfingers on Jun 23, 2011 12:04:44 GMT -5
No record company is breaking thru any walls to get to Dennis,Theo,Glenn and certainly not Paul Jr. to record any music, hoping to score any hits..if so it would've of happened by now,why do you think there's so many ex-temps that went out and got 4 backup singers,but always attatched the name Temptations i.e Ali+EMPERORS OF SOUL,DENNIS +TEMPTATIONS REVIEW,GLEN+TEMPTATIONS EXPERIENCE and on,and on and on...Otis has the market cornered with his Temps in terms of recording,marketing,gate receipts and brand.. regardless who's in the group..If it wasn't for him giving these guys a chance to be in the Temptations we'd all be saying Theo who?,Dennis who?Terry who?,Bruce who? etc..etc...sure things didn't work out well for some of them but they got a chance to be seen and heard just like David Ruffin...People seems to forget that David was A struggling solo artist trying to make a name for himself before an opening became avaliable in the group,thats when his name went global ...as well as paul,eddie,mel and otis..It was the Temptation Organization that gave name recognition to everybody that has been in this group and thats why you'll never see a marquee that says "Otis Williams and the Temptations"!!! just" The Temptaions"...
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Post by sixfingers on Jun 23, 2011 13:12:54 GMT -5
If Bruce looks like a "Big chocolate Ralph Camden",then what does Dennis looks like??the last time I saw him he was a bit on the" heavy side"and seemed to be having a hard time breathing and speaking,and that concerns me...being a fan of all the Temps (past and present) I don't wanna see them bow out because of a devastating health issues.. now I saw Otis back in April ,and he has shed a lot of weight,maybe at his Docters request,but he looks and moves very well for a 70 yr. old...Life can be a little rough on the road,for as much as they travel,eating at Denny's, all hours of the night and Cold-Cut sandwiches on the bus..Not very healthy!!!But they do it for us,the fans..So lets keep them in our prayers....GOOD HEALTH!!!
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Post by All5Voices on Jun 23, 2011 17:19:15 GMT -5
Dennis isn't as young as Bruce. He's about 20 years his senior. But I wouldn't want Dennis back anyway. I'd rather have David Sea. Bruce is the 1st Temptation who was brought into the lineup not having the Temptation look. At least it took Otis nearly 30 years to become close to a Butterball. I say bring Theo back. GC probably can't handle the road and rehearsal schedule that they have, the older he gets.
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Post by sixfingers on Jun 23, 2011 18:45:43 GMT -5
There is no one in the Review,including Dennis,that I'd like to see in the Temptations..1st of all,I don't know if they could keep up!!!have you seen their routines??? Now I'd gladly welcome Louis Price back!!!
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Post by musicman on Jun 23, 2011 19:56:44 GMT -5
Theo should be singing in Bruce's place no doubt!
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Post by soultempting on Jun 23, 2011 23:50:32 GMT -5
Louis Price would bring back some of that old swagger that was the temps watchword. He sang like we all wish we could. We use to stand in awe of the fellas, and marvel at their talents. I say bring back Louis, Glen, and Theo, keep Big O, and Joe, and see what happens. I know it'll never happen, but what do you all think?
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Post by sixfingers on Jun 24, 2011 9:59:48 GMT -5
That would be a strong line-up Soultempting,but it's hard for me to dismiss Ron...his tenure with the group is only second to Otis,plus he still can hit those high notes with little effort...In concerts,Ron works the crowd like no other!!!!
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Post by sybasketball on Jun 24, 2011 19:11:57 GMT -5
theo ,bo ,otis ,joe ,and id take ron or glenn if we are dreaming and dont say it they dont sound alike bo and theo ones a baritone the other is a tenor who sings baritone
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Post by All5Voices on Jun 24, 2011 22:54:12 GMT -5
That would be a strong line-up Soultempting,but it's hard for me to dismiss Ron...his tenure with the group is only second to Otis,plus he still can hit those high notes with little effort...In concerts,Ron works the crowd like no other!!!! No. Incorrect. Tyson struggles with the 1st tenor mainstay leads that they do in concert every time. He even struggles in the studio, where one can re-take a full line or punch in a phrase during recording. It's much easier to sound great on a recording than live. I'm not dissing Tyson. But he's at least a decade and a half removed from hitting those high notes with little effort. 1st tenor is much more difficult for a man in his 60s to remain effective than a 60 year old barritone or 2nd tenor. Look how bad Eddie Kendricks was sounding in the 80s. I'd rather have Damon Harris as my 1st tenor if you wanna go with effortless delivery. He sounded more natural as a 1st than Tyson and Glenn. With everyone in their prime, I'd take Damon. Listen to 'Love Woke Me Up'. |
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Post by soultempting on Jun 24, 2011 23:14:11 GMT -5
Sixfingers-I get what you're saying about Tyson. It's been a few years since I have last seen them, but Ron was always very good in working the crowd and sounding pretty good. His latest effort on "Still Here" left me thinking that he had lost a bit of range and clarity in his delivery. I listened to "Legacy" today, and am more convinced that today's Tyson is struggling a little . Now All5Voices, I thought that Damon had a very clear voice;especially in concert; but I never heard the soul and fire from him that Eddie or Glen brought. Listen to Eddie on "Try to Remember". or Glen on "I'm on Fire"
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Post by All5Voices on Jun 24, 2011 23:19:12 GMT -5
theo ,bo ,otis ,joe ,and id take ron or glenn if we are dreaming and dont say it they dont sound alike bo and theo ones a baritone the other is a tenor who sings baritone What??? Are you talking about only people who are still alive? Cuz if not, in no particular order, I'd take David or Dennis or Ali-Ollie in their prime over anyone else in theirs. Yes, Bo and Theo did have similar tones when one replaced the other. It's just that Bo doesn't do barritone as naturally as Theo does. |
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Post by sixfingers on Jun 25, 2011 10:36:24 GMT -5
I like the fact that RON doesn't try to sound like Eddie,and thats what make his 1st tenor different in concert and in the studio, and yes the years has made him alter his tenor but he's still effective in the group sound...just listen to" Old MAN RIVER" on Joe Herndon's website and see how sweet he sounds!!! If you fella wanna hear a sweet tenor,listen to Claude Jeter of the Swan Silvertones (it's on Youtube) and see where Eddie got his influnce from!!!
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Post by All5Voices on Jun 25, 2011 14:04:05 GMT -5
He's a much different 1st tenor because he can also sing somewhere between barritone and tenor. Yes, he does usually sound very good during 4 and 5 part harmony. But I'm talking about when he sings lead. I'm not talking about Otis singing lead on 'Darling Stand By Me' or 'Don't Send Me Away' off key and stuggling cuz they don't do those numbers and I wouldn't care to hear them anyway. I'm talking about Ron Tyson, who has to lead on 'Get Ready' and '...The Things You Do'. No, he doesn't have to sound like Eddie. But he does have maintain a certain quality of sound that gives the audience the inclination that it's close enough to the original. The key arrangement for the song shouldn't have to be transposed a couple of steps down because the lead vocalist can't seem to reach it anymore.
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