Customer Reviews

At His Best

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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David Ruffin was the gruff-voiced master of the early Temptations. His pencil-thin physique and black-rimmed glasses camouflaged a voice of pure soulful gold, and he drove the Tempts to higher and higher peaks with hits like "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You", all included in this collection.

The collection, however, merely scratches the surface of the later material Ruffin recorded after his glory days with the Temptations. True, "I Miss You (Pt. 1)" and "Walk Away From Love" are some of the best recordings he made during the period, but they were not the only songs worth hearing after Ruffin's salad days. Motown Records has left the bulk of Ruffin's material unreleased since the initial album issues, and for fans like myself who came along too late to buy up the vinyl albums when they were issued, it is a terrible shame. David Ruffin At His Best should have been a boxed set....or at least a completist 2-CD set. More's the pity....

David Ruffin is probably the finest R & B singer of all time. His soulful delivery gave the Temptations some of their biggest hits; although they continued to have success after his departure, his absence was always felt. Ruffin's solo efforts, although not as commercially successful, are nonetheless brilliant. This compilation features some of his best Temptations cuts, as well as a few of his best solo tracks. The only real fault with this album is that it could have easily been a double set. Hopefully, Motown will see fit to release a more comprehensive set from this masterful artist. Until then, this is an excellent sampler from the finest singer Motown ever produced.

I read your reviews of "David Ruffin at his Best." The CD is great showing the continuity of Ruffin from the Tempts to a remarkable, though not commercially successful, solo career. My favorite non-tempts tune from "DR at his Best" collection is "Just Let Me Hold you for a Night." It is presented with such authenticity you believe he will make everything alright. I am puzzled why Motown added "I Miss You," a re-recorded old Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes Tune. Ruffin doesn't take this song beyond where Teddy Pendergrass had already taken it. Some of Ruffin's best post tempts stuff is missing from this collection. One writer asked about "So Soon We Change. The song "So Soon We Change" was written by John Glover and James Dean from a Warner Bros. album by the same name. The album was released in 1979. I agree "So Soon We Change" is Ruffin at his best. There is another tune on the same album that was more commercially successful (and great) entitled "Break My Heart," written by David Garner. It's an excellent interpretation by Ruffin. Ruffin did a final album with Warner Bros. a year later entitled "Gentleman Ruffin." This LP has two great tunes by Ruffin, one duet with Laverna Mayson entitled "I Wanna be With You" and a solo entitled "All I Need." If any readers have been able to find the CDs, I hope they will send me a message. Ruffin's last album was with RCA (Victor) entitled Ruffin and Kendrick (1987). Kendrick joined him but Ruffin's voice dominates. He has two great tunes here: "One more for the Lonely Hearts Club" and "One Last Kiss." I am sure all Ruffin fans will enjoy these songs, if they're lucky enough to find them.

David Ruffin is a very soulful ladies man. His songs will let your mind "drift back in the day"and you can feel the love, the pain, and the hurt. This is what I feel every time I hear Just Let Me Hold You For One Night. I love all of his songs on the cd, but this track, plays 2-3 times every time I listen to the cd. I loved all the music that the temptin' Tempts did, but Ruff could do something with words that are beyond words. His voice is jewel that will never be forgotten.

IN SPEAKING OF DAVID RUFFIN, I TAKE NOTHING AWAY FROM THE TEMPTATIONS AS A WHOLE. IT IS ONLY MY PERSONAL BELIEF THAT DAVID WAS AND STILL IS THE UNFORGETABLE CORE AND FOUNDATION THAT ATTRACTED MY EAR TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSIC I HAD EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE . THAT OF THE TEMPTATIONS I LOVE YOU ALL

attention all david ruffin fans!!!!!! motown has released a double cd "the temptations one by one" featuring solo hits by: eddie kendricks paul williams david ruffin dennis edwards its the bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Ruffin is truly marvelous on this track.You can clearly hear how his voice made him what I would call the worlds GREATEST entertainer.I believe if Ruffin was here today he would certainly hold that title.So anyone who wants some GOOD earcandy dont hesitate to pick up one of Mr.Ruffin's CD'S,you wont be disappointed.

This is great stuff by David. However,there is still another song that I cannot find anywhere on the internet. I am not sure about the title of the song, but I know that some of the words are as follows," so soon we change, soon we'll be looking for a new love". If anyone knows the title of this song please email me at this address. wac3612a@msn.com. So far I have bought all the CDs by David Ruffin and this song is not on any of them.

This is a travesty to name this recording "at his best" The Material of the Late, Great, David Ruffin is much, much more diverse than this. I personally own every album he did with the Temptations as well as his solo albums, and this collection is vasty impovershed. Like one of the previous posters stated Mr.Ruffin deserves a box set...and soon!

The Temptations were at their best when David was leading them. His style and moves kept the ladies screaming for more. His drug abuse really hurt his career and was the cause of his death. All these young musicians need to look at this singers career and see that all the fame and fortune can come to a screaching halt at a drop of a dime.