Gettin Ready [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Temptations | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00000J2RX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,441 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > R&B > Classic R&B
  • #53 in Music > R&B > Motown

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer perfection, August 9, 2000

By 

The Fancy One "blackprincess" (Westchester County, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gettin Ready (Audio CD)

They don't make 'em like this anymore...and I guess that is the reason why I love it so! In 1980 when I was a teenager, I happened to come across the original vinyl of GETTIN' READY from 1966 in my mother's basement, with no cover and the old Gordy label on it - it had a purple background and the name "Gordy" written in yellow script on the top (yes, this was before they started using the arrow on that Motown subsidiary label). Needless to say, I snatched it up, cleaned the dust off of it and I have been in love with it EVER SINCE THEN!! I am so glad it is FINALLY on CD.

This CD is a must for any Temptations fan. Every song presented here is a gem. The Classic Five, as Eddie, Paul, David, Melvin and Otis will forever be known as, are at their apex here, with harmonics tight as ever. I love every song on this CD, especially "Little Miss Sweetness", "Lonely Lonely Man Am I", "Fading Away", "Who You Gonna Run To", "Say You", "I've Been Good To You" and of course, "Get Ready" and "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Also worth checking out is "Not Now, I'll Tell You Later" with the Supremes singing background. This song was originally recorded in 1963, but kept in the vault until Motown needed an extra song to complete the album. Since the Tempts were constantly on the road, there wasn't time to record another tune, so "Not Now" was placed on the album. GETTIN' READY also marked a turning point for the group. After the success of "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", the production of the group was turned over from Smokey Robinson to Norman Whitfield, who continued to produce hits with the group for an incredible eight years. With songs like these, no wonder the Tempts are still doing their thing almost 40 years later. You will love this CD, so don't hesitate...get it now.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Plastic Time Machine, May 18, 2002

By 

Charles M. Lee (harrisburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gettin Ready (Audio CD)

The year was 1966. It was a sweltering summer in Detroit where I grew up. We had grown accustomed to the smooth doo wop call and response style of the Temptations, then seemingly out of nowhere came Norman Whitfield teaming with Barrett Strong (of Money fame) to create the rough edged "Aint To Proud to Beg". It was the end of an era. It was the end of the Smokey Era (The Way You Do The Things You Do, The Girls Alright, My Girl, Since I Lost My Baby and Get Ready). This CD was the transition CD. The last big Smokey Robinson hit, "Get Ready" is included, and the first Whitfiel hit, "Aint To Proud To Beg" is here also. It is an interesting contrast in styles juxtaposed on the same offering. But what really makes this CD in my opinion are the so called "throw aways" that Motown used in those days to fill an LP. "Little Miss Sweetness" is one of David Ruffins best efforts as is his cover of "Say You". The latter was done by a local Motown group the Monitors which featured Richard Street who would later join the Temptations as Paul Williams replacement. He had actually sang with an earlier version of the group, "Otis Williams and the Distants". The mini-series notwithstanding it was Richard Street who sang the lead on "Come On" the Distants hit. One of Eddie Kindricks finest leads is on this CD, "Fading Away" which was originally the flip side of the 45 release of "Get Ready" which was actually a bigger hit in Detroit than "Get Ready". Also one of Paul Williams best performances is on this CD in "Who You Gonna Run Too". This is a great CD which captures the essence of the classic five, in both styles. A must have for the Temptations purist.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get This One, March 9, 2001

By 

Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Gettin Ready (Audio CD)

Gettin' Ready was the first album to feature Norman Whitfield as the band's producer/writer. Up to that point, Smokey Robinson had guided the band to great success. Under Mr. Whitfield, the band moved away from the doo wop, street corner vocals stylings to a more grittier sound. This is evidenced on the classic "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". While the song still has that great vocal interplay, the music is harder. "Get Ready" is a gem with its shuffling beat and "You're Not An Ordinary Girl" is also great. They do a fine job on "Too Bust Thinking About My Baby" which would later become a big hit for Marvin Gaye. Gettin' Ready started the trend towards more mature music for the band.