Customer Reviews

Gettin Ready

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I've been waiting for this album to be released on CD for a very long time. I still have the original (GORDY) LP. This recording is a perfect example of the "ORIGINAL TEMPTATIONS" at their best. Listen to Paul Williams on "Lonely, Lonely Man Am I". He was simply GREAT!! Thank you, again and again for this release. Now if only Motown would release The Temptations "LIVE AT THE COPA". Come on Motown!!

Forget the TV biopic. Motown does not get any better than this. All three of this super-group's lead singers (David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams) alternate between tales of happiness, sorrow, heartache and loss. The group at its most soulful before it became overly Vegasesque. Give it a try.

I think I share the same feelings and reverance for this recording as reviewer Charles Lee. He offered up some interesting insights. I didn't know that "Say You" (my favorite) was a cover because the lead offered by David Ruffin is truly a signature performance. I was unfamiliar with a number of these cuts, so I was pleasantly surprised by the wealth of brilliant performances. Believe it or not, but my 12-yr old son rekindled my interest in the Temptations and it has been great to purchase their many fine recordings. As for this one, I think it is their best album from top to bottom. "Fading Away" is an amazing track and a Kendricks favorite. Meanwhile, Paul Williams delivers some of his best work. "Lonely, Lonely Man Am I" is great and especially nice are the two bonus tracks that features Paul's singing out front. The variety is appealing and as Mr. Lee mentions, you really can see the Temps moving in a new direction and growing as artists with the influence of Whitfield at the controls. If you like great harmonies, soulful, passionate singing, then you don't want to miss out on this collection. It really is timeless music to be enjoyed among friends or when you need a positive vibe to lift your spirits . . . Enjoy!

I totally agree with the reviews from a music fan from Ann Arbor, MI, and Charles Lee from Detroit. Born and raised a Detroiter in the '60s and '70s, now living in Ann Arbor, the Temptations was an absolute must for anyone who even wanted to pretend that they had a record collection. "Fading Away" was so frequently played on Detroit AM radio that "Get Ready" seemed like the B side -- the song was just that good. There was a reason so many girls loved Eddie, and that song was it. David's version of "Say You" easily rivaled the Distants' and the inclusion of both "Get Ready" and "Ain't too Proud to Beg" not only showed the Tempts' vocal versatility, but their ability to adapt to different producers' (Smokey and Norman Whitfield) demands and styles. The Tempts were "Gettin Ready" to change and grow, and they were gonna take us with them!

This is my favorite Temptations album. I remember this album when I was in high school. The recordings are just fantastic. I can't understand why the radio stations didn't play Say You, Fade Away, Little Miss Sweetness, and You're Not An Odinary Girl. These should been hits.

A TIME OF TRANSITION. CHANGE IS NECESSARY FOR GROWTH. NEW HEIGHTS TO REACH FOR, NEW CHORDS TO PLAY, NEW DIRECTION TO TAKE THE VOICES IN. TO SEE THEM GROW AND ATTAIN ANOTHER LEVEL OF VOCAL MATURITY WAS ON THE HORIZON. THE BEST PART OF THIS NEW DIRECTION WAS THAT NO 2 SHOWS WERE THE SAME. YOU HAD TO SEE THE 5 ORIGINAL STARS WORK THEIR MAGIC FROM YOUR SEAT TO ACTUALLY SEE WHAT A BLESSING TO EACH OTHER THEIR VOICES WERE. NO SHOW TODAY COMPARES TO THE ERA OF 1962 TO 1968./ I WAS THERE. I REMEMBER WHEN.

This is one of my favorite cd's because it features Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks at their best. On the song "Who you gonna to?", Paul was putting his heart into it and on my favorite song "Fading away", Eddie gives his finest performance while the other temptations are right behind him echoing the lyrics. I like that song so much I put my own dance steps to it.