Temptations In Japan Genres:Special Interest, Pop, R&B, Rock Our Motown In Japan trilogy continues with a 1973 Temptations concert that has never before been released on compact disc anywhere in the world. — For those keeping track of the ever-changing Temptations lineup, at this tim... more »e it consisted of Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. This lineup came together in 1971 after the departures of Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams and had a monster smash the following year with "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone."
This tour, they were out in support of the modestly-titled Masterpiece album, and while they played about half the songs on that record in the concert, they didn't forget to pack in the hits. Also included was a gorgeous cover of Ewan Maccoll's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," which they had recorded in the studio for the All Directions album in 1972.
Once again, we have included the original Japanese/"English" liner notes from the original LP release. As you might expect, the translations may be somewhat? inexact. Just ask "Melbourne" Franklin. But when you break open the shrinkwrap and pop it in the CD player, you will absolutely be transported to a great Temptations performance on a magical night far, far away.« less
Our Motown In Japan trilogy continues with a 1973 Temptations concert that has never before been released on compact disc anywhere in the world.
For those keeping track of the ever-changing Temptations lineup, at this time it consisted of Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. This lineup came together in 1971 after the departures of Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams and had a monster smash the following year with "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone."
This tour, they were out in support of the modestly-titled Masterpiece album, and while they played about half the songs on that record in the concert, they didn't forget to pack in the hits. Also included was a gorgeous cover of Ewan Maccoll's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," which they had recorded in the studio for the All Directions album in 1972.
Once again, we have included the original Japanese/"English" liner notes from the original LP release. As you might expect, the translations may be somewhat? inexact. Just ask "Melbourne" Franklin. But when you break open the shrinkwrap and pop it in the CD player, you will absolutely be transported to a great Temptations performance on a magical night far, far away.
CD Reviews
" A Great Live CD "
M. Mwamba | Baltimore, Maryland United States | 10/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great CD. Now you can access Damon Harris' voice and compare it to Eddie Kendricks, as well as, to Glen Leonard and Ron Tyson. His voice is crystal clear and he sounds just like Eddie. Damon was and still is the best replacement the Tempts ever had for Eddie. This is not a knock on the other first tenors who came after Damon, it's just a fact-period. As with some live albums/CDs you can't always hear the backgroung vocals that well, but most of the time they come shining thru, beautifully. When you hear Damon doing some of the songs that were originally recorded by Eddie, you'll see why I say he sounds so much like Eddie. Dennis and Richard are stellar as always. This is as good a live CD by the Temptations as they've ever recorded. It's definetly worth five stars."
Leave no stone unturned........!!!
William Blackshear | West Orange, NJ USA | 03/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The search to obtain, when supply of this cd grows slim, need continue, and for a Tempatations fan, until it is firmly secured in the home music collection. It took long enough (over 30 years for this album to be availible in the U.S.), but here, we now have it. The Temptations "Live In Japan" album is considered the "rarest" Temptations" album ever released! The majority of Temptations fans never knew it existed, but it did! The album was recorded in Japan in 1973. Motown owned the rights to the recording. The album was released in Japan and Europe at that time, was never released in the U.S., until now, on cd. For Temptations record collectors, obtaining the original Japanese album signaled acquistion of a crowned gem in their Temptations record collection! Mint copies carried a +$100.00 price tag for many years. This cd clearly exposes the superior sound quality Japanese technology made availble at that time, crystal clear technology. With a little imagination, surround sound music system, closed eyes --- "are we in the audience"? Damon Harris takes "Love Woke Me Up This Morning" to legendary live recording status! Took the writer years to obtain the lp, not so with the cd, the day it was released! Excellent album, limited production? Several copies availible at time of this review. Buy time was yesterday, run no risk. For today, It's buy time!"
JUICE DRINKER
Alex R. Hollie | jacksonville fl. | 09/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I ALMOST FORGOT HOW GOOD DAMON HARRIS COULD SING. HIS SWEET FALSETTA VOICE REALLY BLENDED WELL WITH THE OTHER GUY'S DURING HIS TENURE WITH THE MIGHTY TEMPS IN THAT ERA AFTER EDDIE KENDRICKS LEFT. I NEVER REALLY KNEW WHY HE LEFT, BUT DURING HIS TIME HIS VOICE WAS SWEET. PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE, AND "HEY GIRL" SOUNDS REAL NICE, WITH DAMON LEADING IN THE HARMONY. YOU'LL BE SURPRISE HOW GOOD THE LIVE SOUND IS ON THIS RECORDING, AND CORNELIUS GRANT, THE TEMPS MUSIC DIRECTOR HAS THE BAND FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS. GET THIS CD, AND SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE MIGHTY TEMPS FROM THE 70'S. WELL LET ME RUN ON AND SEE WHAT THE END'S GONNA BE, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, OLD SCHOOL. PEACE OUT."
A MUST HAVE!
Curlean Bryant | Everett, WA | 03/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Balance between this Edition of the Temps and the informed, yet, polite interaction of the Japanese audience is Excellent! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure their stateside shows were great (Funky Music on "All Directions" allude), but we're known to loose our minds at a concert! Hearing every nuiance of Damon's voice; Richard's note substaining authority; Melvin MCing from way down low; Dennis sending us into the future with "A Song for You" (still perplexing as it didn't show up until two albums later); that familiar pleasant bit of Otis in every mix! The choice of songs is exquisite! The ones showcased and the perfectly worked shortened ones (Masterpiece etc) unbelievable! They knew we'd hear everything, so they gave everything! If I had some issues, it would be with the dialogue! They could've practice a bit more "polite" japanese phrases! I picked up a couple during my time over there. Using the zodiac as a base for introductions didn't seem to fit. Melvin using Damon's real name and attempting to clean it up didn't quite work! These were mostly Japanese and once brooched it required a full explanation! This wasn't provided. Don't know why It wasn't released, just more of the "Motown Magic" we've gotten used to in hindsight! Enough Said!"
Excellent! .
Victoria J. Brown | 04/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD was in excellent condition and The Temptations sound as wonderful as ever. A most have for your Temptations collection."
