Search - Temptations :: Back to Front

Modern-day Temptations cover soul classics

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 10/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With only Otis Williams dating back to the group's most famous hits, "The Temptations" is more a concept or a lineage than the actual aggregation that had chart success throughout the '60s and '70s. But while other historical bands have only tenuous connections to their ancestry (and careers that simply retread past glories), the Temptations are still quite vital and creative. Their first album for New Door covered hits that had been recorded by other Motown artists; this second effort winningly expands the group's reach to soul and pop hits from beyond Motown's studio.



Covers of Barry White ("Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up"), Sam and Dave ("Hold on I'm Comin'"), the Staple Singers ("Respect Yourself"), and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes ("Wake Up Everybody"), find the Tempts applying their multipart vocals to hits from Stax, Atlantic and Philadelphia International. There's terrific chemistry between the group's choreographed Motown musical roots and the songs of these other great soul houses. Pop hits from the Bee Gees ("How Deep is Your Love") and the Doobie Brothers ("Minute by Minute") are pleasant, but less resonant with the Temptations style.



This is a big improvement on the group's previous outing. The arrangements are sharp and funky, and by stretching themselves beyond Motown the Temptations find something fresh. It's ironic that a modern-day edition of the Temptations captures the groove of non-Motown tunes better than their home team's material; but then, may of these modern day Temptations weren't ever cloistered in Studio A with the Funk Brothers. This is a fun, energetic, soulful and funky set of covers that could well light up your party. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]"

Not the Temptations of Old

Barry Hoffman | Colorado Springs, CO USA | 11/04/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Sadly the last two Temptations albums of covers have been disappointing. On this album in particular the group hardly sounds like the Temptations. They could be any other soul/funk group. On their previous comeback albums featuring new material the group's distinctive sound remained intact. Even with changing line-ups the sound of the group remained. They had their Eddie Kendricks clone, their David Ruffin/Dennis Edwards soundalike, even a Melvin Franklin clone. Interestingly enough this strengthened the group rather than weakened it. They remained distinctive. Check out the unreleased track "Temptin' Temptations" Otis Williams's tribute to the original Temptations and it was like listening to the original group. The melody was distinctive and the song memorable. Since then they've released two albums of covers and that original sound has all but disappeared. What the Temps need to do is locate some decent songwriters (easier said than done in this era) and produce a true Temptations album. Unlike others who have covered classics the Temps can't claim any song on this album their own."

Rev.

Cora Crumble | USA | 08/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Temptations fan for most of my life, and after listening to this CD "Back To Front" nothing has changed. I wasn't sure if I wanted this CD or not, but being a Temp fan I bought it. Boy am I glad I did. First of all, Terry Weeks sound as though he has been a Temptation all his life. No matter what people say, Otis knows how to pick Temptations singers. Terry weeks is definitely a Temptation. Secondly,I love Terry's voice, not just his voice, but the way he blends flawless with the Temps sound. Terry's voice is awesome, and I could Lister to him sing all day.



Moving to Ron (Ty) my, what a great vocal he has. Ron's rendition of "Don't ask My Neighbors" made me feel as though I was back in the 70's. And when he sang "Let It Be Me" my eyes welled up with tears, and I couldn't stop smiling. I continues to smile through the whole song. I thing this one of Ron's greatest Leads: Alone with "Just MY Imagination". Hearing Ron sing in a deeper voice than usual is fantastic. Also his lead on "How Deep Is Your Love?, keep me replaying it over and over again. You rock Ron (Ty). Like Otis says, "Ron Tyson is one of the unheralded heroes of the genre". If you are a Temptations fan you will respect what Otis did with this CD. This is great music.



Enjoy "Back To Front" CD, I certainly am.



Rev."