Customer Reviews

My Girl: The Best of

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...this with the new Psychedelic Soul collection should cover anyone's Temptation's taste....

However, I wish they would have put "Soul to Soul" on it instead of that remix of "Some Enchanted Evening" and somehow could have squeezed in the "1990" Whitfield penned "Zoom"...

But, I can't complain. It's got the hard to find Temps/Supremes version of "Im Gonna Make You Love Me", you can hear how "Masterpiece" and "Poppa Was A Rollin'Stone" are *really* s'pozed to sound like because of the recent remastering (there's a rest in the instrumental of "Poppa", right before Dennis starts that is extremely stunning, made more noticable in the remastering. I know I sound paradoxical, but you'll experience it when you buy this..) and you get insight into many of the tunes by survivor Otis Williams. (It's too bad they couldn't have solicited some of Dennis Edwards' insights, also.) You get tidbits like how Rose Royce was used in recording "Let Your Hair Down" instead of the Motown Bullpen's Funk Brothers and when and where, say, the personnel began to change. All in the liner notes.

Plus you get the Alton "Wookie" Stewart "Jones" remix. Now, tell me, where else are you gonna find that?

I'm only a casual fan of Motown music but the Temptations are by far my favorite Motown group. I got this CD to replace my 1985 Command Performances 17 Greatest Hits CD and this collection does not disappoint.

The highlights for me are the cleaner, stronger bass sound on my favorite Temp song - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone." The remastered sound on this alone is worth the price of this CD. Also, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" has never sounded better. All the early songs are in stereo (or semi-stereo) which is great. I also appreciate the liner notes about each song by the remaining original member, Otis Williams.

I have only a few complaints. First, Disk 1 is only 58 minutes and could have used a few more of their early songs. One I wish was on it is "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" (it's on the Command Performances CD). Not my favorite but a good song that should be on this collection. Disk 2 is a healthy 75 minutes - but I am not as excited about the songs recorded after 1973, so the last few songs on this CD seem like filler.

My second complaint is that for someone like me that did not follow this group closely, it would have been nice if the liner notes would have indicated who the lead singer was on each song but they do not.

Third, for most of the songs, the remastered sound is superior to the Command Performances CD. But on some songs, like the fabulous "I Could Never Love Another", the remastered violins (or should I say strings)seem to dominate too much. The Command Performance version of this song has a better blend. I'm not too crazy about the strings that were on most of these old Motown songs anyway. It would be interesting to hear them with the strings removed.

But these are minor complaints and all in all this is a great collection by an incredible group.

I love this compilation, especially since it has one of my favorite early Temptations songs, I Want A Love I Can See. This is the perfect CD to have if you don't have the 60+ dollars for the Emperors of Soul CD set.

I absolutely love this CD!!! I bought my copy about 3 weeks ago and that is all I've been listening to lately at work and in my car wherever I go..
I am a very devoted Temptations fan and I recommend this Cd because you get the best of both worlds, the "Classic 5" and the newer Temptations together in one package...
What memories and what a great sound this has.. I also enjoy the photos inside...
My favorite song on the CD is "Some Enchanted Evening", the Temptations really now how to melt a heart and purify a soul..
So if you are a fan like myself, I strongly suggest you purchase this CD and even if you are not and just enjoy their sound, it's well worth it, the guys truly out did themselves!!!
Keep it going guys, the the tradition continue!!!!

The Temptations were one of Motown's hottest and most versatile acts. Their stage acts were phenomenal with their carefully planned choreography, whilst in the studio, their diverse range of harmonies made for an electric and dynamic combination. David Ruffin had an explosive voice that complimented any recording he worked on during his reign with the groups in the 1960's. They first hit the jackpot with the sparse and infectious production of the Smokey Robinson produced, The Way You Do The Things You Do where their harmonies each blended neatly into the state-of-the-art soul production but it was the classic My Girl that catapulted them into blockbuster success. After this became a huge seller on both sides of the Atlantic, everyone knew who The Temptations were. The splitting of lead vocal duties between David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks marked an interesting transistion in their work with instant dance-floor fillers like the jamming Get Ready and funky, Ain't Too Proud To Beg showcasing Eddie Kendricks smot, sensuous vocal abilities, combined with rocketing volume of David Ruffin's more forceful delivery. They also steered into more romantic, pop orientated material with sensual, lush ballads such as I Wish It Would Rain, Since I Lost My Baby, You're My Everything. They enjoyed an electric and fruitful collobartion with Motown's biggest female act, Diana Ross And The Supremes in the late 60's with the magnificent, I'm Gonna Make You Love Me being their most commercially successful. The fantastic Cloud Nine featured Dennis Edwards as lead singer and was the groups first major chart hit after the departure of David Ruffin. An element of social conciousness was injected into the lyrics and featured a startling and compelling psychedelic guirtar riffage for the arrangement. Ball Of Confuson was another of The Temptations most exciting hits of the early 70's offering further social commentary and profound political statements in the lyrics. However after the fabulous Papa Was A Rolling Stone, their commercial success began fading and their work lacked the fire and finesse of their earlier recordings. However all of the tracks on here are unique, offering their full diverse range of work. A superb compilation thats well compiled and highlights their legendary success.

If you want only one Temptations cd in your collection, than this is the on to get. This two disc set has it all. Every major hit the band had, remastered with fantastic sound, accompanied by a fantastic booklet with commentary on each song by original member Otis Williams. "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "I Can't Get Next To You", "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)", "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and every other classic hit is on here. This is by far the one to get.

this is a must have for any temptations fan. all of the greatest hits are here, as well as some great rarities. the songs are all remastered and sound very fresh. everything from the earliest temptations singles that didn't chart up until the present day singles are all included in this collection. whether you prefer the early ballads with david ruffin at the helm or the more serious subjects with dennis edwards at the helm, you get it all. the sound quality is simply the best you can get. every song puts you right in the crowd! so do yourself a favor and pick up a copy! it's well worth it!

I loved the CD, it took me back to the days of the original recordings, however the sound was not as good as the original.

I just absolutely adore the Temptations. And when I came across this album, I was elated to find many of their great hits all in 2 CDs. I love how this album takes you from decade to decade through the transformations in music: from 1962's bluesy "Dream Come True," to love ballads, to funk with insightful political lyrics, to the modern day Temp's metro mix "I'm Here." I've been listening to these CDs everyday for quite some time, and I'm nowhere near being sick of these great songs! And the movie on the Temptations is great, too. It's probably the best bio-pic out there. Nope, I can't see myself getting tired or sick of the Temps; they're simply amazing!

You can put it any way you want but the bottom line is, man can these guys sang(sic)!! And sing they do. If u want all of the best (which with the Temps is just about everything!) then buy this cd set. I promise, you will NOT be disappointed!!