45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
David and Eddie shine, November 3, 2002
This review is from: Dancin' in the Street (DVD)
I love this video. I have to be honest and admit that I only brought it to see David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick's performance...Martha Reeves and Mary Wells were okay, but as I said, they were not the reason for my purchasing this. And why was Curtis Womack there, just because he was Mary's hubby at the time? His appearance simply was not necessary. In contrast to everyone's dressy attire, Curtis came on stage looking like he was prepared to clean out the garage or something. Mary did well enough to handle the songs by herself. Martha's voice sounded a bit odd to me during her performance - kind of shrill - not the voice that I loved so much on "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave", "My Baby Loves Me" and "Jimmy Mack". She can still sing, granted - but her performance is one of the reasons why I always skip past it to get to Eddie and David.
On the other hand, David and Eddie, who were clearly the main attraction on this bill due to a resurgence in their careers during 1987, were HOT! They performed only a few of their solo hits (Eddie only sang "Keep On Truckin'" while David did "My Whole World Ended" and "Statue of a Fool" which is one of the better performances on the video), plus the hits they had with the Temptations ("Get Ready", "My Girl", "Just My Imagination", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" to name a few). Plus, you can see the warmth and camaraderie that existed between these two while they thrilled the audience. David's vocals...damn, what more can I say about him, except that he was one of the finest singers that Motown ever produced. Eddie, ever the fashion plate, was sharp and still maintained his boyish good looks. His dancing was impeccable, and he even sings in his too often unused natural tenor (which I think he should have done more during his career, because it was so gorgeous). You have to check out Eddie on "(I Know) I'm Losing You". Even though it's a David lead, Eddie steps up to the plate in the background and delivers a home run! His natural tenor will absolutely floor you! His falsetto, unfortunately, was not as strong as it used to be, but he still managed to recreate some of that old magic. Even though both he and David had long left the Temptations behind, it was evident that that they had only left the group physically...not spiritually. They simply do what they do - entertain you with class, grace and style - qualities that will probably never be seen in the music industry again.
The finale consists of Martha, Mary, Curtis, David and Eddie all coming on stage to sing "Dancing In The Street". This video is a must for Motown fans, and for fans of classic soul period. Add it to your collection.
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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ruffin Rules, February 22, 2001
This review is from: Dancin' in the Street (DVD)
This is a must have DVD for three reasons.
1.) You will never see anything like it again. Wells, Kendricks and Ruffin are gone forever. Sure, by this time Wells, Reeves and Kendricks have lost the voices of their youth, but none of the passion for their music.
2.) No label today can produce artists and music of this caliber. The songs are as timeless as the performers. Wells and Reeves are still beautiful and energetic. (Wells' duet with Curtis Womack was diminished by his much-too-casual attire.) Kendricks' moves were as smooth and as synchronized as during his days with the Temps.
3.) David Ruffin. Ruffin rules the moment he steps on the stage. If you've never seen Ruffin perform, DON'T MISS THIS DVD! Considering his untimely demise, to see him perform is a bittersweet event, His sensuality and playfulness with the audience are masterful. His soulful rendition of Statue of a Fool, My Girl, Since I Lost My Baby and impromptu stylings are captivating.
Buy this DVD and buy it now! Because when it gone, it's gone.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks, May 16, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Dancin' in the Street (DVD)
Bought the video to see David & Eddie....so the 5 stars are for them only. I wanted to see how they performed in this 21 city tour in the summer of '87 and compare their act with the Live at the Apollo with Hall & Oates(this video was released in '85). Some additional grey hairs, a few missed notes...but they don't detract from the duos' overall dynamic performance. Ruffin's rendition of his late 60's composition "Statue of a Fool" was all powerful. "Just My Imagination" showed this dynamic duo's special bond (in song & friendship).A favorite is an extended version of "My Girl" ...Wow!! best rendition of this song I've seen in video. I have some old black & white clips of the original Temptations (w/ David & Eddie)singing "My Girl" which I can compare them to. As far as I know,there is no available video of the original group singing an extended version of this song that is available in the market. The 10 songs they performed are keepers for the Ruffin/Kendricks fans....these 2 definitely defined The Temptations' sound. Peace.
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