Customer Reviews

Temptations Sing Smokey

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

this album is the best of the tempts albums and that's because all david, eddie and Paul all sing lead on the songs. Paul was the hidden talent of this group and he rarely got his due, but singing lead on several of these songs one can hear his greatness. I have taped these songs next to the original by the miracles and play them back to back. a great cd

Smokey Robinson is a brilliant songwriter and his songs provided many Motown artists with their biggest hits. He gave The Temptations their first big hit "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and their first number one with the ubiquitous "My Girl". Both songs are built around simple riffs and the band's peerless vocals elevate them to their lofty heights. They do a great takes on "You've Really Got A Hold On Me", "Who's Lovin' You" and "You Beat Me To The Punch" and on lesser known songs like "What Love Has Joined Together", "You'll Lose A Precious Love" and "What's So Good About Good Bye".

it doesn't really get much Better than having Smokey Robinson in His Prime Writting these Classics&Having The Temps Record.The Temps Sound Better than Ever on these Tracks.Together with Smokey they were Unstoppable.very Essential Material here.Classic Motown.

Sing Smokey is an excellent album. Every song on it is great. My favorite is Paul Williams leading "You Beat Me To The Punch". Thier version is just as good as Mary Wells. However, you can still hear the doo-wop in this album which makes it good. "Baby, Baby I Need You" "You'll Lose A Precious Love" & "What Love Has Joined Together" had gotten a lot of airplay back in the day in which they were all "b" sides of singles. "My Girl" of course went to #1. David, Paul & Eddie lead songs on this album and all delivered superb vocals. In my opinion, the first 4 albums were the best. I promise you, you will not be disappointed in this album. Smokey Robinson's pen and production skill showed that he was the man back in the day.

With "Temptin Temptations" and "With A Lot of Soul", the very best of the greatest singing group of our time! The five voices blend and compliment each other in a way seldom heard since. The Tempts hadn't yet reached the dizzying heights of stardom they would a few short years later. Their vocalizing on "Sing Smokey" is part of the sound that created the legend! From Melvin's bellowing "Don't Destroy a Precious Love" to Eddie's caressingly sweet "You Can Depend on Me", soulful harmonies without compare. Paul and David show the way with strong leads. David's "Who's Lovin You" remains my favorite version, Michael's and En Vogue's notwithstanding. GREAT GREAT GREAT album

This was their second release and it seems Motown wasn't too sure of its pull so they tacked 'The Way You Do The Things You Do' from their first album 'Meet The Temptations' for some insurance.
Well, they needn't.
This is probably The Tempts most consistant recording and it belongs to Eddie since he sings lead on the majority of songs.
I always tell folk who think David Ruffin 'made' the group to listen to their ALBUMS and they'll get a vastly different perspective from just listening to compilations.
Anyway the fellas are in full bloom here, with 'What Love Has Joined Together' being just one example.
There's a warning about knowing who's heart to mess with ('You'll Lose A Precious Love') and the a-ha! of not letting the one you love play you too close ( 'You Beat Me To The Punch ').
All the songs are written and/or co-wrote by William ( "Smokey")
Robinson one of the best poets/songwriters of all-time IMO.
Not only are the songs and performances superb ( my ex claims Eddie sounds like he has a cold on 'What's So Good About Goodbye' ), but the recording is also on point.
Who is that warbling in the near background during Eddie's solo on 'Baby, Baby I Need You'?
Yes indeed their Doo Wop roots are in full effect here ( '(You Can) Depend On Me'), but so are their sanctified gospel ('Way Over There') and blues ( Who's Loving You') legacies also.
They manage to fuse these ( along with R n' B) into a unique yet recognizable form and style that can may be described as The Temptation Walk ( the name of a dance and tribute record from the early '60's, y'all remember?).
Pay attention to how the Tempts both compliment and challenge Paul's lead on 'You Beat Me To The Punch'.
If I had to pick ONE Tempts release this would be it and its certainly a "Desert Island Pick" IMHO
What else can be said about a joint where 'My Girl' is NOT the best song?
The only negative is:
the cover photo
(them with their processes with Paul on lead)
isn't available as a wall poster!!

This inspired idea coupled the best of Smokey Robinson's writing with the finest vocal harmony group of the time. The end result... a stunningly effective record that, like all standout albums, flows effortlessly from start to finish. Best of all, it contains some wonderful hidden gems... if you've never heard "Baby, Baby I Need You", "What Love Has Joined Together", "You'll Lose A Precious Love" or "You Beat Me To The Punch" you're in for a treat.

Thirty five years on and it still sounds as fresh as it did when it was one of THE records to own. Superb tunes, clever lyrics, tight harmonies and beautiful vocal arrangements. The Temptations', possibly Motown's, finest hour!