Customer Reviews

Legacy

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first album since the departure of lead singer Barrington "Bo" Henderson and bass man Harry McGillberry. The group replaced them with Joe Herndon, who sounds very much like Melvin Franklin and new lead G.C. Cameron. I've been playing this one constantly since I picked it up last week. I'm not tired of it yet. I don't know what song I like the most because they are all good. If you're a fan of the Temps or just like some good straight up soul music, you HAVE GOT to get this one!

Unfortunately, this terrific new album by the Tempts hasn't gotten nearly the kind of hype it deserves. Former Spinners lead G.C. Cameron (singing like a combination of Dennis Edwards and Ali "Ollie" Woodson with a bit of David Ruffinesque falsetto) and Bass Joe Herndon (channeling the spirit of Melvin Franklin) are excellent additions to the legendary group.

"Legacy" follows the pace set by the last few albums of having the classic Temptations sound brought engagingly up-to-date. Fans will love the smooth first single "Something Special." "Love to the Music" is an excellent "groove" track along the lines of R. Kelly's "Step In the Name of Love" and "Happy People." "'Round Here" is reminiscent of those funky Dennis Edwards-led Tempts hits of the early 70's. "Stay Together," "Fifty Fifty Love," "Never Let You Down" and "Baby It's Me" are all winners that will be played often. Some may find "You Are Necessary In My Life" and "Why Can't We Be Lovin' Friends" a bit too corny, but these tracks don't really interrupt the flow of this fine cd. The new Tempts along with Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson and as always Otis Williams have put together a worthy effort.

The original crew is gone and can never be replaced. A lot of talent has come and gone. The music industry has changed. But there is still such a thing as "the sound of the Temptations". That sound requires good music with a contemporary/classic edge, harmony, soul, sass & class. While not impossible to copy -nobody is even trying to imitate it these days. Which is what makes this album so remarkable. The current day Temptations channel the original artists very well - and the sound of the Temptations is here in all of its glory.

I just cannot stop playing this album. And it's been a while since I've felt that way about any new music. I am astounded that this album has not been promoted more by Motown, that it does not get airplay, and that these guys are not on the late night television circuit giving it exposure.

The first two cuts (Still Tempting & `Round Here) should be in regular rotation on the radio. Round Here is a modern classic right out of the box. "Mr. Fix It" is a classic mellow soul.

If you like the Temptations - this is the best album in years.

I was not very kind to The Temps' last studio release "Awesome", thinking it to be rather boring, filled with trite offerings from a legendary group trying too hard to appeal to the hip-hop generation.

Well, I can say that "Legacy" is a return to form with the quintet reflected on their history, yet forging ahead with a sound that is contemporary without being compromising. With surviving original member Otis Williams serving as one of the executive producers, as well as the backbone to the group, "Legacy" is a worthy addition to the group's catalogue.

Highlights include the beautiful "You Are Necessary in My Life (The Wedding Song) with its a cappella intro, "Stay Together," "Something Special," "All the Wrong People," and "Why Can't We Be Lovin' Friends" featuring Danesha Simon.

A group that has been around for over four decades definitely has a "legacy" and this one lives up to it.

Paul, Melvin, David, and Eddie may be gone but The Temptations live forever!

The Tempting Temptations really laid it down on this CD, reinventing themselves for old and new fans, yet again. Stellar project with dynamite vocals and smooth harmony. Extreme adult feel to this cd and in today's hip hop, young gunz overladen heavy handed radio play, they are a breath of fresh air!

This time around you got Motown veterans G.C. Cameron and Joe Herndon and they hit all the right notes! I still play the heck out of their "Phoenix Rising" CD and this gets as much play, it is far better than the two projects that fell between this one and PR! This CD has some killer moments and is essential listening for real R&B fans! It is simply Delicious and Devalicious!

The autobiographical tune "Still Tempting" which deals with the original Temps is simply fantastic..and it even sounds like Norman Whitfield of so many famed Motown songs i.e., Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, I Wanna Get Next You, Wishin' On A Star, etc., had a hand in bringing about this CD (but I found out after some research it just wasn't so). Just goes to show, they sound so great, I was fooled into thinking that I was listening to the Temps of old, or darn close to it!

You will be amazed when you listen to this CD and you'll wonder how so many people actually slept on the project. Don't be one of them...experience the bliss of the reinvented Temps!

Forty years later, and the music is still amazing. That's what makes The Temptations incredible: out of all the twists and turns of the style of music during all this time, the Temptations have never faded away. This CD's harmonies are incredibly accurate. Though contemporary in style, the Temps keep their soulful integrity in this album. Yes, they're definitely still tempting.

This is a very strong CD. More than just appreciate it, you will like it. My favorites are 50/50 Love and 'Necessary. My 5-year old sings "You are so necessary." over an over. It is daring, tuneful, confident.
I listened to the Tempts 1975 album "A Song For You" yesterday and there are many parallels - most notably the use of the chorus. Multi-part harmonies are always satisfying and this album, like that one, uses all the voices so well. Definitely get both!

yes... i do agree with all the other reviewers. this has to be one of the better line-ups in a while. they came back really smooth with this one, harmony and production wise. i thought they were falling off and just breezin' by with the last 2 projects, but this definitely makes up. one of the songs i was playing, my wife asks "is that johnny gill singin?" i laughed and said "nah,,, thats the new temptations album" her eyes got big(SMILE!!!) we are big fans and always will be. thanx for many years of good music and style!

terry and g.c. were very good and the bass voice of joe is in the tradition of the temptations again otis williams was following the excellence.

THE TEMPTATIONS ARE BACK FULL AND EFFECT. THE NEW ADDITIONS TO THE GROUP PUT THE OLD FILL BACK. THIS IS A CD FOR ALL AGES, MY CHILDREN REALLY ENJOY IT. AGES 17, 16 & 11. A MUST HAVE CD.