Customer Reviews

Anthology

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the one definitive collection. The Tempts were as good as it got back in the day.

All their early hits were here. Early on is one of my favorite pairings: "My Girl" for the good days ('sunshine on a cloudy day, when its cold outside I've got the month of May') to its lyrical opposite for the bad days, "Since I Lost My Baby" ('sun is shining and plenty of light, a new day has dawned both sunny and bright, but after I've been crying all night, the sun is cold, and the new day seems old').

Some of the best love songs of the '60's are here: "I Wish it Would Rain", "You're My Everything" and "I Could Never Love Another". They made us happy, and they made us want to cry. Also are their great party songs that made you want to get up, like the funky "Cloud Nine" and "Psychedelic Shack" and "Runaway Child".

Testimony to their greatness is that irreplacables like Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin were some how replaceable, and the Temptations kept on rolling out the hits.

This is perhaps the best collection Amazon has for sale.

I ordered this beautiful album about two weeks ago. and if I say this is one of their BEST one yet, please believe me! Once you hear it, you'll want to play it every day! I listen to it in my car and at home. Everytime, I leave my house, I grab two things: My purse and the Temptation CD. ANTHOLOGY. I can even identfy EACH singer's voice, in every song that is sang. There are beautiful songs on this particular album that I have never heard over the radio. Melvin Franklin's voice on "Old Man River", makes chills come all over me. The man was tough! David, Eddie, Paul, Melvin and Otis are the artists who grace this CD. If you buy it, you won't be disappointed. I can assure you! I'm a HUGE fan of the Temptations.

Did someone over at Motown have a brainfart or something. Why are these Motown tracks being "remastered" in MONO? The entire first disc of this 2 disc set is in mono. I have the old Compact Command Performances CD which includes 8 of these tracks and on that CD they're all STEREO. What's the deal?

Can't fault the music. One of the greatest acts to come out of Motown, or anywhere else for that matter.

The undeniably legendary vocal group the Temptations have been providing us with great music for over 40 years, creating some of the most infectious, catchy pure ear candy music ever recorded on audio. This collection illustrates that this group was and still is one of the greatest ensembles to EVER come out of the Motown music scene in the '60s. If you're a casual fan, and just want a nice helping of their work, then this is all you need right here. Man, the title says it all, the ULTIMATE collection. That means better than all the others, and the most essential pieces of work.

The best songs on this album, as well as the best the group ever recorded, are taken from the group's most well-known and classic period between 1964 and 1973, but all are absolutely stellar recordings and their sweet, sweet harmonizing will hook any first-time listener from the opening 'The Way You Do the Things You Do' to the closing on the 2nd disc 'Lady Soul' this is a truly great musical experience. A great introduction to those who may not be as familiar with all the great music of this group and a must have for die hard Motown fans. My personal favorites are 'My Girl', 'Since I Lost My Baby', 'It's You that I Need', 'I Wish it Would Rain', 'Cloud Nine', 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me', 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)', and 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone'. Ah, what the hell, every song is equally great, so jus' buy it. When you wanna feel good an' jus' snap your fingers to some good vibin', smooth, always-make-you-smile pop oldies, then this is like everything you need right here.

The music (with the exception of the last few cuts) is, of course great, but why is the first disc in mono? I've heard the stereo mixes and they actually sound a bit better, sounding a bit less cluttered. Stereo recording has been around since the the mid twenties. RCA experimented with a dual recording technique using two cutters at the same time and Hollywood has been recording in stereo at least since the fourties. I can certainly understand using the mono master if the stereo sounds thin and one can actually hear more instruments in the mono. I'm aware that engineers spent more time and care on the mono mixes in a lot of of pop material durring the early sixties, but these Tempts traks don't sound bad at all in stereo. Why mono? Please excuse my tirade but if anyone can tell me why this is, please let me know. At the least the record companies could indicate this on the cover.

I need to share how listening to positive music and positive words can affect a person's life. As a youngster I did not understand the poetry in the Temptation's music. I now understand and love their music. The praise they give women makes me feel wonderful. Last week was my first time hearing "The Best of the Temptations" and haven't missed listening a day since. Much of my outlook have changed for positive and I feel the difference. I've gotten two different kinds of promotions this week (work and volunteer org), my love life looks much more promising and I spent $11. on auto repairs and saved over $500. The Temptations music affirms why we give Praise.

Truly amazing. I've been searching for the right Temptations CD for months. One with the right mix of classic tunes. All I can say is this - I won't ever have to buy another Temps CD!! All the hits - perfectly remastered! Buy this one. I GUARANTEE you'll feel as I do.

This has to be one of the BEST CD set that the Temptations (original singers) has EVER recorded! Everytime I get into my car, I grab this CD set and take it with me. I LOVE the songs! Just listening to the blend of wonderful voices sooth every nerve in my body when I'm feeling tensed. I would recommend this CD set to everyone who love the Temptations. I can assure you, you're going to love it! You'll thank me for sure! Try it! Yours Truly, FAYE

I realize that posting a review of anything less than five stars seems not only sacrilege, but will also subject me to "not helpful" ratings - anyone wandering upon this title will be predisposed to wanting to like it, but .... wow, Glenn Johnson's review here hit this nail on the head!!! Reviewing the track listing is a joy, but listening to the mono mixes, knowing that pristine stereo mixes of these Funk Brothers tracks exist, is so frustrating as to detract from this heavenly music. Hey, I love listening to Ruffin and Kendricks and the Funk Brothers, but can't give this one a higher rating due to the ridiculous mono treatment of the early material. Some material should be heard in mono (see Phil Spector's glorious 60s productions where the stereo separation robs the sound of its overall power), but each instrument and vocal here is much better experienced for the tracks that overlap on Compact Command Performances or #1's in their true stereo versions.

The Temptations are my favorite band of all time. Their music is just fantastic. Even though I am only 17 but I love their music. I wish I was born when they were performing classics like "My Girl" "Since I lost my Baby" and the timeless ballad "My Imagination. Too bad this CD is out of print. This is definitly one of the best greatest hits collection amazon has on sale.