Customer Reviews

The Temptations - Live in Concert [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

This is far from the grandiose days of the original Tempts. This is NOT David Ruffin, Paul Williams, and Eddie Kendricks. But it is what was legally being called the Temptations in 1983. If you just have to have a Tempts concert video, then this is about as good as you will get. This is Dennis Edwards attempting to sing the classic Ruffin leads. Dennis is an incredible singer in his own right, but only David can do David as only Dennis can do Dennis. Ron Tyson is an incredible Tenor and he does a great job, but alas, as good as he is, he ain't Eddie. It is not that these guys aren't tremendous performers, it is just that we who have seen the original five, tend to pick things apart. This is a very good performance, but for me, I will stick to my few precious VHS clips of the original five.

Live performances, whether on video or audio, are usually so substandard that I end up being very disappointed with them. Such is NOT the case with this superb video. The lineup of Melvin Franklin (David English), Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Dennis Edwards and Richard Street is fantastic from beginning to end. Out of all the combinations of Temptations performers put together over the years this is one of the best. Otis and Melvin were with the group since before they were called the Temptations. Richard was also in the group before they became the Temptations and returned to replace a sick Paul Williams. Ron Tyson replaced Eddie Kendricks, which was sad but doesn't take away from Tyson's excellent vocals. And no, you don't need David Ruffin to enjoy some outstanding Temptations music. Dennis Edwards was with the group longer than anyone besides Otis and Melvin and probably contributed more than anyone who was ever in the group, having been the lead on more top Temptations songs than anyone else (by far). This video also features a short interview with the group. You can't go wrong with this one!

I've not seen the video, but come on people let's not settle for anything less than the best. I grew up in the heart of the sixities, every young boy wanted to be like the Temptations. 4 friends and myself even tried despite the fact we had no obvious talent. I've seen black and white clips occasionally of the originals Tempts. That's the only video I want to see or buy. If it's not David Ruffin (My Girl), Eddie Kendricks (You're My Everything), Paul Williams (For Once In My Life), Melvin Franklin (Old Man River), and Otis Williams, then it's not the Temptations as I remember them (clap/clap side step front to back). "Bring on the video of the originals", that's what us real Tempation fan want to see. Nobody sang or moved like those guys, anything else would be less than the best.

I knew from the beginning that this would not be the original Tempts because of the date (1983). Paul was dead and David and Eddie were no longer with the group, however with Melvin, Otis and Dennis still there, I expected it to sound more like the motown version. The new group is fine, but they should stick to singing songs that they sang together initially. Dennis tried to sing lead on songs that were done by David and fell way short. Those songs were not written with his type of voice in mind. Richard has a great voice, but it does not fit the lead in any of the original songs. Ron's voice is also nice, but not quite the tempo to sing lead on some of the songs that Eddie sang.I felt no nostalgia when I heard most of the songs because the sound was so different and the Motown sound of the Funk Brothers was missing. I had the pleasure of watching the Standing in the shadow of Motown tape, featuring the Funk Brothers Band and the right music most definitely makes the difference in the songs. Melvin's Old Man River is still GREAT . Richard's version of My Girl really left alot to be desired. Some songs should never be sung by anyone other than the original artist. If you just want to see the Tempts, remember this is 1983,not the 1960's. I had to watch this a couple of times to realize that it's not really bad, just different from what I expected. You get Older Tempts with a different sound and Slower Tempos. They still gave their all. It's up to you to decide if it's enough. If you've seen the show, you'll notice the audience back then seemed to really enjoy it.Well, That was over twenty years ago, so maybe it's my perspective that's off. I am not totally diappointed, but if I did'nt already own it, I wouldn't purchase it. By the way, this is my second review and my opinion did change slightly.

If you go to ebay, a compliation of the "Original" Temptations is available for sale on VHS from time to time. The compilation not only has footage of the Temptations' early days, but works straight through to the current line-up. A must have for REAL Temptation fans! Although I purchased it and love it to death, I ALSO enjoy this DVD to the utmost! I was fortunate enough to meet all of the original Temps back in the day when they first started and toured with the "Motown Revue"! Yes, those were the days! However, the music itself is classic! The lyrics and delivery are still great! Props to Otis for keeping the original Tempatation motto alive for those who have passed on .... TEMPTATIONS FOREVER! Yes, the faces have changed, but everyone has heard of The Temptaions thanks to Otis' endurance! A note to remember, when longing for the original Temps, David Ruffin was older and could no longer do those b-a-a-a-d splits! So, if he were still around, we may have had the sound but still not all of the fancy footwork that they were so well known for. They are an older group now, (like me), but hey, they're still steppin'!!!
Keep on keeping on Temps! TEMPTATIONS FOREVER !!!!

We were greatly disappointed in this video, as will be all serious fans of the original TEMPS. Who are these guys in this video? Only one of the original members of the group (Otis Williams) performs in this live concert at Harrah's in Atlantic City. Not in the video are Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, and Paul Williams . It is strange that all of the originals except Paul (already dead when this video was made) appear for about two minutes at the beginning to introduce the group, but the actual performers are different. I think the introduction was just some hastily arranged meeting (Ruffin won't even look at the camera nor speak). Don't waste your money on this one; you will surely be disappointed.

If it's not Ruffin or Edwards, Franklin, Kendricks, & Williams, it's NOT the Temptations, just five black guys who can harmonize and move a little. Not the same thing at all. My recommendation, rent before you buy to be sure.

Usually when one wants the Temptations, they want the classic group that started it all and this video doesn't quite measure up. Missing are the voices and legends Ruffin, Kendricks and Williams. This version, one of many lineups of the Temptations after the Great singers of My Girl and Get Ready were gone, are somewhat older and slower here and aren't doing the smooth footwork of the originals nor do they have the same vocal prowess. Melvin still has the great baritone but he was never a lead singer and Dennis does his later, 2nd generation Tempts hits, but no one in this lineup jells or grooves like the big 5. The magic is gone.

I haven't seen the video but I know it was made in 1983. The original hitmaking lineup was Kendricks, Ruffin, O.Williams, P. Williams, and Franklin. In 83, O. Williams and Franklin were still in the group. One of Kendricks' succesors, Ron Tyson was a member(still is and a great singer), is in the group. Richard Street(replaced Paul in 71) is in the group. Dennis Edwards replaced Ruffin in 67 and should still be in the group till 84. So this video should feature Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Richard Street, Dennis Edwards, and the ever great bassman Melvin Franklin. Trust me people I know this stuff. However, there have been groups touring as the Tempts at the time this video was made. But the truth is only two originals were in the group in 83. Richard Street though, was a member of Otis Williams and the Distants, the Temptations predecessor group. Though this video shouldn't include Ruffin, Kendricks or Paul Williams. Dennis Edwards, however, was with them in 68-77, 79-84 and 86-87. He is responsible for several grammy winning performances.

Upon viewing this concert for the first time, I was highly disappointed. I knew this was not the five original Tempts, but even with Otis, Melvin and Dennis still there,the sound was way off. One important missing factor is The Funk Brothers Motown sound which added so much to every song. Dennis and Richard could do nothing with the songs that David sang lead on. Dennis's voice sounded almost shot, but Richard has a great voice,it's just not the sound of the Tempts. These guys do give their all and if you just want to say you saw the Tempts live, buy it. If you want to hear the music like it originally sounded, get the CD with the Temptations live in concert or buy the movie "The Temptaions".