Customer Reviews

Back to Front

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3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With only Otis Williams dating back to the group's most famous hits, "The Temptations" is more a concept or a lineage than the actual aggregation that had chart success throughout the '60s and '70s. But while other historical bands have only tenuous connections to their ancestry (and careers that simply retread past glories), the Temptations are still quite vital and creative. Their first album for New Door covered hits that had been recorded by other Motown artists; this second effort winningly expands the group's reach to soul and pop hits from beyond Motown's studio.

Covers of Barry White ("Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up"), Sam and Dave ("Hold on I'm Comin'"), the Staple Singers ("Respect Yourself"), and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ("Wake Up Everybody"), find the Tempts applying their multipart vocals to hits from Stax, Atlantic and Philadelphia International. There's terrific chemistry between the group's choreographed Motown musical roots and the songs of these other great soul houses. Pop hits from the Bee Gees ("How Deep is Your Love") and the Doobie Brothers ("Minute by Minute") are pleasant, but less resonant with the Temptations style.

This is a big improvement on the group's previous outing. The arrangements are sharp and funky, and by stretching themselves beyond Motown the Temptations find something fresh. It's ironic that a modern-day edition of the Temptations captures the groove of non-Motown tunes better than their home team's material; but then, may of these modern day Temptations weren't ever cloistered in Studio A with the Funk Brothers. This is a fun, energetic, soulful and funky set of covers that could well light up your party. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

I have been a Temptations fan for most of my life, and after listening to this CD "Back To Front" nothing has changed. I wasn't sure if I wanted this CD or not, but being a Temp fan I bought it. Boy am I glad I did. First of all, Terry Weeks sound as though he has been a Temptation all his life. No matter what people say, Otis knows how to pick Temptations singers. Terry weeks is definitely a Temptation. Secondly,I love Terry's voice, not just his voice, but the way he blends flawless with the Temps sound. Terry's voice is awesome, and I could Lister to him sing all day.

Moving to Ron (Ty) my, what a great vocal he has. Ron's rendition of "Don't ask My Neighbors" made me feel as though I was back in the 70's. And when he sang "Let It Be Me" my eyes welled up with tears, and I couldn't stop smiling. I continues to smile through the whole song. I thing this one of Ron's greatest Leads: Alone with "Just MY Imagination". Hearing Ron sing in a deeper voice than usual is fantastic. Also his lead on "How Deep Is Your Love?, keep me replaying it over and over again. You rock Ron (Ty). Like Otis says, "Ron Tyson is one of the unheralded heroes of the genre". If you are a Temptations fan you will respect what Otis did with this CD. This is great music.

Enjoy "Back To Front" CD, I certainly am.

Rev.

Sadly the last two Temptations albums of covers have been disappointing. On this album in particular the group hardly sounds like the Temptations. They could be any other soul/funk group. On their previous comeback albums featuring new material the group's distinctive sound remained intact. Even with changing line-ups the sound of the group remained. They had their Eddie Kendricks clone, their David Ruffin/Dennis Edwards soundalike, even a Melvin Franklin clone. Interestingly enough this strengthened the group rather than weakened it. They remained distinctive. Check out the unreleased track "Temptin' Temptations" Otis Williams's tribute to the original Temptations and it was like listening to the original group. The melody was distinctive and the song memorable. Since then they've released two albums of covers and that original sound has all but disappeared. What the Temps need to do is locate some decent songwriters (easier said than done in this era) and produce a true Temptations album. Unlike others who have covered classics the Temps can't claim any song on this album their own.

After 40 plus years in the business ,The Tempts can do WHATEVER they wanna do. I've been a fan since their beginning,and If they wanna remake other artists songs and sound just as good if not better than the original artist, all I can do is shake their hands. I think Bruce kills 'Barry White and Wilson Pickett' songs.Hes got that TEMPTS lead voice. I also like their rendition on 'Don't ask my neigbor' Ron Tyson does a fabulous job on The Emotions hit. The only one I'll pass on is the Bee Gees selection. (Was never a fan of theirs.) TEMPTS, I SALUTE YOU!!!!

Otis Williams, the last surviving original member of the Temptations and the one who has always been the heart and soul of this iconic group brings the Temptations back to the front with fresh approaches to classic R&B that also serves to bring some great "old" music back to the front!

I always say that when you cover anyone's classic music -- especially if you record it -- you better "bring it!" The Temptations do that by adding "Temptations Style" to great songs that old-schoolers will remember and new schoolers can appreciate. The opening cut that covers and enhances Barry White's "Never Gonna Give You Up" is priceless!

A few songs are too close to the original arrangements without enough freshness added ("Hold On" and "Don't Ask My Neighbors" come to mind) and one or two lead voices over sing with a too much "sqwall" at times, but overall this album will not disappoint -- especially for dyed-in-the wool fans of the Temps and of classic R&B.

This is a fun CD by the Temps. I love it. There is only one original member left,Otis Williams. I think he has done a good job of finding new members when he has to. You cannot expect them to sound like the originals. With that said lets get to the cd itself Back to Front. Its very good. When I first herd Never Gonna Give Ya Up I thought it was Barry White singing. If you read the liner notes they use REAL INSTRUMENTS. I cant remember the last time I herd real instruments. Just sit back dont think about the past This is still the TEMPTATIONS and just groove to their new CD and mello out.

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Track Listings:
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1. Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up 4:26
2. Hold On, I'm Comin' 3:03
3. Wake Up Everybody 5:46
4. Minute By Minute 4:42
5. I'm In Love 3:18
6. Don't Ask My Neighbors 4:37
7. Love Ballad 4:41
8. Let It Be Me 4:56
9. How Deep Is Your Love 4:28
10. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again 4:25
11. Respect Yourself 4:41
12. *Bonus Track* If You Love Somebody Set Them Free

The whole CD was great, every song was good, even thought the song I was looking for was not on CD. I still enjoyed it.

The Temptations have long become an institution. I am an unabashed Tempt's fan. I think with all the changes in personnel they have started to drift away from the sound that made them so famous and endeared by many. This cd has some good moments on it but it doesn't compare with some of the cd's of the late eighties and early nineties ( I won't even mention the seventies or earlier). I think that as the true Tempt's fan listens to this he (or she) will long for the days gone by when whomever sang lead totally captured the song and painted a vocal picture and made you feel the mood of the song.

Although this was not a typical Temptations CD, I thought it was a very good selection of songs. The guys did an outstanding job on all the remakes, one thing I did notice, this CD was made without a bass singer. As usually Otis knows how to pick some of the best voices. Wishing you continue success.

Bev