THE TEMPTATIONS: In a mellow mood

THE TEMPTATIONS
The Temptations foi um dos mais importantes grupos vocais negros da era "Motown". Neste álbum, com produção esmerada de Barry Gordy, visando a expandir o seu público, cantam um repertório bem diferente do habitual, incluindo algumas canções do repertório de Frank Sinatra, com arranjos luxuosos de Oliver Nelson, Don Costa e H.B.Barnun.
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ALBUM REVIEW
The Temptations in a Mellow Mood is a 1967 album by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label. Comprised primarily of pop standards such as "Ol' Man River" and "For Once in My Life", and similar songs written by Holland-Dozier-Holland and other Motown staff songwriters, the Mellow Mood album was part of Motown chief Berry Gordy's crossover plans for the group. Gordy wanted the Temptations, already the most popular male group among black audiences, to attract a large white fanbase and be able to secure playdates at supper clubs like the Copacabana, where the group had first performed in the summer of 1967.The Temptations themselves, and Paul Williams in particular, where worried about appearing as sell-outs to their black fans and the radio DJs who had made them popular in the first place. However, both pop and soul fans responded to the Mellow Mood album, and the Temptations reached Gordy's desired goal of crossing over to white audiences. "Ol' Man River" was already present in the Temptations' performance repertoire as bass Melvin Franklin's solo spot, and "For Once in My Life" soon became a solo showcase for Paul Williams, who performed a particularly acclaimed version of the song for the TCB television special in late 1968.
(Source: wikipedia)
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MINHA OPINIÃO: este álbum é diferente do padrão habitual dos Temptations, não só pelo repertório como pelos arranjos. A vocalização de de "Hello young lovers" tem até uns acordes com sabor meio "jazzy". Não sei se Barry Gordy conseguiu o que pretendia mas, certamente, produziu um dos melhores álbuns do grupo.
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THE TEMPTATIONS: In a mellow mood

THE TEMPTATIONS:
* David Ruffin
* Eddie Kendricks
* Paul Williams
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams

ARRANGEMENTS:
* H. B. Barnum
* Oliver Nelson
* Don Costa

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
Side one
1. "Hello Young Lovers" (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II) f
2. "A Taste of Honey" (Ric Marlow, Bobby Scott) b
3. "For Once in My Life" (Ron Miller, Orlando Murden) c, e
4. "Somewhere" (Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim) a
5. "Ol' Man River" (Hammerstein, Jerome Kern) d, f
6. "I'm Ready for Love" (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland) a

Side two
1. "Try to Remember" (Dozier, E. Holland, Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt) b
2. "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" (Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley) c
3. "What Now My Love?" (Gilbert Bécaud, Pierre Delanoë, Carl Sigman) a, d
4. "That's Life" (Dean Kay, Kelly Gordon) c
5. "With These Hands" (Benny Davis, Abner Silver) b
6. "The Impossible Dream" (Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh) a

(*) Superscripts denote main lead singers for each track:
(a) David Ruffin
(b) Eddie Kendricks
(c) Paul Williams
(d) Melvin Franklin
(e) Otis Williams
(f) Temptations ensemble.

THE TEMPTATIONS: The Christmas Collection

ALBUM REVIEW:
I love everything the Temptations have ever done. This was a "must" for my collection. The songs are timeless, done in the mellow and harmonious Temptations style. This is a good variety of classic Christmas songs sung as if they were written especially for this group to perform. All Temptations fans will enjoy this collection!
By N. Cox (Dallas, TX USA)
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THE TEMPTATIONS: The Christmas Collection

Tracks/Faixas:
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
SILVER BELLS
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
WHITE CHRISTMAS
LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
THIS CHRISTMAS
GIVE LOVE ON CHRISTMAS DAY
CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY
SILENT NIGHT
O HOLY NIGHT

THE SUPREMES & THE TEMPTATIONS: Diana Ross & The Supremes Join the Temptations

THE SUPREMES & THE TEMPTATIONS
As Supremes são velhas conhecidas do blog e dispensam apresentação. The Temptations, também de Detroit, como elas, se constituem num dos mais famosos e importantes conjuntos vocais negros de
todos os tempos. Os dois grupos começaram suas respectivas carreiras em Detroit, nos anos 60. Eram amigos
e continuaram assim, mesmo depois do sucesso. Gravaram juntos vários albuns e dividiram programas de
TV e shows de grande audiência.
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THE TEMPTATIONS
The Temptations are an American vocal group that achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to
record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade
career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music. Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins, the Temptations have always featured at least five African American male vocalists/dancers. The group, known for its recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and onstage suits, has been said to
be as influential to soul as The Beatles are to pop and rock. Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by 1982, The Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history and were the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s. As of 2007, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Records with the one living original member, founder Otis Williams, still in its lineup. The original group included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: The Distants, which featured second tenor/baritone Otis Williams, first tenor Elbridge "Al" Bryant and bass Melvin Franklin; and first tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks and second tenor/baritone Paul Williams (no relation to Otis) from The Primes. Among the most
notable future Temptations were lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both of whom became successful Motown solo artists after leaving the group), Richard Street (another former Distant), Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, and G.C. Cameron. Like its sister female group, the Supremes, the Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years.
(Source: Wikipedia, edited by CB)
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SUPREMES AND TEMPTATIONS
On 1959 Diana Ross And The Supremes and The Temptations each began singing together on street corners around the ghetto areas for blacks in Detroit. The Temptations called themselves The Primes and The Supremes were their "sister" group, The Primettes. Later the two super groups were reunited for a series of spectacular television specials and a host of both studio and live albums together. This is one
of these albuns where Diana Ross & The Supremes join The Temptations: a huge seller and was greeted with a warm and positive welcome from their fans.
(CB)
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MINHA OPINIÃO - a reunião de dois dos mais (talvez os mais) importantes grupos negros da história dos conjuntos vocais norte-americanos só poderia resultar num álbum sensacional. Uma curiosidade: todas as faixas são "covers" de sucessos de outros grupos. Nenhuma das músicas do repertório foi lançada por eles. A marca registrada, como não poderia deixar de ser é MOTOWN. UM LUXO!
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THE SUPREMES & THE TEMPTATIONS: Diana Ross & The Supremes Join the Temptations

THE SUPREMES:
Dianna Ross
Florence Ballard
Mary Wilson

THE TEMPTATIONS
Original Members
Otis Williams
Terry Weeks
Joe Herndon
Ron Tyson
Bruce Williamson

(*)Former members
Elbridge "Al" Bryant
Melvin Franklin
Eddie Kendricks
Paul Williams
David Ruffin
Dennis Edwards
Ricky Owens
Damon Harris
Glenn Leonard
Louis Price
Ali-Ollie Woodson
Theo Peoples
Ray Davis
Harry McGilberry
Barrington "Bo" Henderson
Richard Street
G.C. Cameron

TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. Try It Baby
2. I Second That Emotion
3. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
4. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
5. This Guy's In Love With You
6. Funky Broadway
7. I'll Try Something New
8. Place In The Sun
9. Sweet Inspiration
10. Then
11. To Dream The Impossible Dream
12. Stubborn Kind Of Fellow
13. I'll Be Doggone
14. Weight
15. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
16. Uptight (Everything's Alright)
17. Sing A Simple Song
18. My Guy My Girl
19. For Better Or Worse
20. Can't Take My Eyes Off You
21. Why (Must We Fall In Love)