When people talk about replacement singers, withn the Temptations they mainly states that Dennis Edwards was the first one to take a member slot. When that honor belongs to David Ruffin, who essentially replaced Elbridge Bryant. What honor that Edwards’ holds is in the affect that he replaced the main hit vocalist of the Classic Five unit?
And , like David Ruffin there’s nothing Otis Williams can do to distant his group, from accepting the fact that Dennis Edwards voice leads many late sixties hits? While folks loves to state that Williams requested of Norman Whitfield’s to change the direction, of the Temptations sounds,by hearing a Sly Stone track. This revelation is probably mirror in myth like many stories surrounding Motown history. What we do know that the light skin member changed the make up, of the group? And ease greatly into the role, of a primary vocalist of the group.
People knows him for shouting when in reality if they listening to the late sixties albums. They will find out that the Temptations producer’s picked up on, what producers of the Contours was doing with Edwards, in terms of his singing songs? Say What? Yes, long before he expressively sung upon the “Song For You” albums years later, with the Temtations. Which surprised many for no unapparent reason besides the facts that they are not tried and true fans. Whitfield used Edwards voice on love material. Sure, his vocal intrpretation wasn’t in the class, of the man he replaced. Still, he proved he was capable of handling romantic materials. Which matched him , with Diana Ross and the Supremes on several albums around this time.
Of course, to many fans, he couldn’t bring the same affect to Ruffin’s known songs that contained soulful ooooh upon them expressing an emotional plea of love. Which to this day many still can’t matched, within Williams own Temptations group. The man with the nicely cut Afro became the face, of the late sixties Temps and had dance skills to blend in nicely with the choregraphy of the group. Which is a testimonial to Cholly Atkins masterful skills that he worked upon all the Motorcity groups, on Berry Gordy empire.
If, Ruffin became known for certain songs. With “My Girl” forever being linked to him although others songs follow closely by. The same must applies to Dennis Edwards, as a member. Where fans can matched a good section of songs to the lead singers of the Temptations. But, if one song forever be the one that instantly comes to mind on Dennis Edwards. It will be the player’s song “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” where his lead vocals brings the story to truth before his group mates offer their requests to mama to offer up the truth.
What the “Song For You” album did was cemented his status, as a Temptations? Where beside the title song of the album showcased his slow jam self to the public that he could complete greatly against others about love? Listen to “Memories” and you’ll be fabbergasted that you might not realize it’s Edwards doing lead vocals. If you had a message that needed a man’s man approach upon the lyrics stating your case then Edwards was the man for the Temptations to have it bought to reality. On, Shakey Ground, you to this day might find others tackle the roughier in edge song. But, none match Dennis Edwards and the Temptations in proof that cewrtain songs shouldn’t be tempted. Especially, if done by the Temptations.
Of course, there was some stumbles along the way that created discourse, within the Temptations. On, the “Wings Of Prayer” album produced by Jeffrey Bowen, we saw him get deep into Edwards voice to forget the group was bout members. Instead of one particular voice. Which brings you to the opinion that it might be incidental or in the opinion’s that Bowen was dating one, of the Pointers Sister. Which, we also is very aware that Dennis Edwards became linked to a sister of the group around the same time. So, the album seems like an attempt to push Edwards, as a solo artist.
After several dismissal, from the Temptations. And, a label attempt others places , they recruited Dennis Edwards and returned to Motown, and turned “Power” into a song that has the same feel of “Shakey Ground” but more powerful. Berry Gordy, co produced the song and the album contains the familar sound of Motown. Motown has always been known for their stables of vocally recognized singers uon its many label. If you can’t recognize Dennis Edwards terrific vocals, then you not familar, at all with the man.
Notice that, after lawsuits, with the last original member of the Temptations. That the court judges used wisdom to give Edwards his honor, as a Temptation’s to let him perform, as the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards. A group that many has stated runs rings around his former group in style and presentation. Least , he can boast that he had former members, of Williams Temptations perform, with his Reviews, in the person of Ali Woodson and G.C.Cameron for a moment of time.
Honors and respect goes out to Dennis Edwards and his Temptations Review.