Temptations Sing Smokey [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Temptations | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00000DBY4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,170 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #48 in Music > R&B > Classic R&B
  • #74 in Music > R&B > Motown

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

The Temptations Sing Smokey leans heavily on a great soul-music tradition: the practice of Motown artists' covering each other's hits as album tracks. Not that the Temptations' versions of Smokey Robinson-penned Miracles and Mary Wells singles qualify as filler. Hardly, as Eddie Kendricks's falsetto makes a convincing stand-in for Robinson's on remakes of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "What's So Good About Good Bye." Many of these tracks also underscore the strong doo-wop roots at the core of the Temptations' style, none more so than "Baby, Baby I Need You," which barely bothers to update its '50s influences for mid-'60s ears. This minor gem comes complete with three hit singles in "My Girl," "The Way You Do the Things You Do," and "It's Growing." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine tribute album, April 5, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Temptations Sing Smokey (Audio CD)

The Temptations Sing Smokey is an excellent tribute to Smokey Robinson by The Temptations. The sound quality is magnificent; and the artwork is thoughtful and very nicely done.

"The Way You Do The Things You Do" is a charming love ballad that The Temptations deliver with a lot of style and grace. They sing this beautifully and they never miss a beat or a note. The percussion adds a lot to the musical arrangement, too. "Baby, Baby, I Need You" slows down the tempo a bit for this lovely slow dance mood music song that is perfect for dancing with your sweetheart late at night in your living room. "Baby, Baby, I Need You" sounds fresh and new when The Temptations perform it; it's a terrific number.

"My Girl" is a tune I'm very familiar with; The Temptations perform this with panache and they sound as smooth as silk. The brass works well and the percussion enhances the natural beauty of this number. The Temptations sing this well and they handle the subtle tempo changes like the pros that they were! "What Love Has Joined Together" really shines when The Temptations deliver this so well; I like the sound of their vocals and the drums work wonders for "What Love Has Joined Together," too.

"It's Growing" is another love ballad that sparkles in the capable hands of The Temptations; they sing and play this with all their hearts and souls. I'm very impressed. There's also The Temptations doing a smash-up job on "What's So Good About Goodbye." This torch song gets the full royal treatment from this group and this makes for a very memorable number. I predict that you'll enjoy "What's So Good About Goodbye" very much.

"You Beat Me To The Punch" is easily a major highlight of this album; they sing this great and the percussion with the drums helps the musical arrangement along very well. "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" rocks gently and The Temptations perform this so well you would think that their rendition was THE definitive rendition of this classic love song. The album ends nicely with The Temptations doing "(You Can) Depend On Me." This final ballad has a doo wop flavor to it that helps it work very well; and "(You Can) Depend On Me" makes a nice ending to this fine CD.

Fans of The Temptations and even Smokey Robinson will want this for their collections. I also recommend this for fans of that wonderful Motown sound of the `60s.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawless, March 17, 2004

By 

D.V. Lindner "D.V. Lindner" (King George, VA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Temptations Sing Smokey (Audio CD)

Well, I've got this album on CD, two stereo vinyl pressings and, most cherished, an original mono vinyl pressing, so I guess I'm qualified for an opinion here. Originally Gordy 912, and released March 22, 1965, it handily went to No. 1 on the R&B album chart. Further, with the exception the group's first, 1970 Christmas LP ("Temptations Christmas Card"), none of the group's albums made between 1965 and 1975 charted lower than number six and, in fact, out of those total 27, seventeen of them went to No. 1. Pretty impressive.

The centerpiece of this one is, of course, "My Girl." In the entire catalog of Motown songs, by any writer, is there a more evergreen performance than this? I doubt it; not as long as young men find themselves truly and deeply in love for the first time, and realize that David Ruffin's words are articulating what their very hearts are telling them. One or two generations more, and we shouldn't be surprised if Temptations shoppers are directed to the 'classical' section.

Providing a fittingly sumptuous setting for this diamond are two more strong hits, "The Way You Do The Things You Do" & "It's Growing" as well as the trio of "Baby Baby I Need You," "...Joined Together" & "...Precious Love" which were ultimately some of their strongest b-sides. Side 2 of the original LP, with the exception of Mary Wells' "You Beat Me to the Punch," is comprised of songs already well-associated with Smokey and the Miracles first and they suit a Temptations delivery every bit as well. "Who's Lovin' You," in particular, is another of Robinson's most durable numbers, recorded also by the Supremes, Brenda Holloway, and revived in 1969 as the b-side of the Jackson 5's first Motown single.

Even the cover is perfect - the classic quintet of group members and Smokey too, lean, muscular and in full bloom and command of their respective musical powers. I think it impossible for music tastes to change so drastically that listeners, for decades to come, will not immediately recognize the majesty of this album.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated classic, August 2, 2002

By 

Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Temptations Sing Smokey (Audio CD)

I heard this at a house party some years ago and recently sent off for it. This is really good stuff. Of course some tunes the Tempts made famous (I won't include "My Girl" as it's overplayed on "oldies" stations) are here, especially the beautiful "It's Growing." But you haven't lived until you hear Paul Williams' heartbreaking lead on "You Beat Me to the Punch" turning this tune from teen pop to a masterpiece. I have only two more words to say about this one-GET IT!