The Temptations: In a Mellow Mood

Those five guys, of Motown’s successful years, in the sixties is commonly called, the “Classic Five” although many know them simply, as the Temptations. While, I refer to them, as the “Fabulous Five” or the group that hadn’t been matched since. Especially, in terms, of having three primary lead vocalists with individual hits, while apart of a group format.

Oh, never met a group that makes me feel the way you do. You’re alright! Which is lyrics altered, from the Kendricks’ led “Get Ready” hit during his tenure, as a member. In, the days, of this “Dynamic Quartet” a variety, of executives at Motown’s decided to record their best soul group singing Broadway’s compositions on an album.

While it has been reported that certain members, of the “Fabulous Five” wasn’t too keen to this thought process, at the time. I’m sure they changed their attitudes once the project started because you couldn’t tell in their voices they wasn’t up for the challenge, of being produced, by Frank Wilson and Jeffrey Bowen.

In, talking about the Temptations “Mellow Mood” album and listening to the group interpretation you come away more impressed with each individual member take upon famous show tunes that was written , by legendary composers, of this genre.

David Ruffin, the preacher man , who’s one of the three main vocalist brings “What Now My Love” to life in his reading on the words, of the song? In singing Carl Sigman/Gilbert Becaud/Pierre Delanoe lost love song you begin to realized the reason his reputation is so closely linked to the Temptations decades later, by fans. With great assistance, from the greatest bass vocalist’s on record Melvin Franklin bringing up the rear you realized it reflects the same feelings, of emotions in his lead vocals on “I Could Never Love Another(After Loving You) his last hit with the Temptations. There really wasn’t a song this Missiissipian’s born man could bring to life.

Take, a good listen to him on “The Impossible Dream” which was written by Joe Darion/Mitch Leigh and watch his brillance and deep expression, of this melodic tune reflects a religious feel in his singing it. Ruffin seems to be able to help elevate that song into something better than the original recording. And along the way he was assisted, by his group mates that’s more known for their harmony too.

While many consider David Ruffin, the center piece , of the Fabulous Five unit. We could also nominate that title upon Eddie Kendricks, another primary vocalist of the Amazing Temptations. Who handle his assigned recording in magnificent vocalizing like the above singer? Who was his touring partner later in years? But, who would be surprised that he couldn’t? He contribute greatly to their reputation, as the best group of groups. On “With These Hands” written by Benny Davis/Abner Silver he lays out to his love interest all the things he would do but, this’s what made women adore the man nick name “Sweet Eddie”, by his female population.

Even on “Try To Remember” a Tom Jones(Not The British Singer)/Harvey Schmidt composition he brings this somber affection that convey all the emotion their words was expressing. It reminds you, of Barbara Steisand “The Way We Was” tune recorded a deade later.

With, the released of the Temps’ Lost and Found disc years ago fans realized that while Ruffin was elevated to the main lead position’s over this original singer to hold the third slot, as a main vocalist Paul Williams. He was truly more respected and reflected that the power that be demoted him to a secondary role when releasing the songs that became hits featuring David Ruffin. But, on “Mellow Mood” he delivers “For Once In My Life” as a deeply felt heart soak love song. Where Stevie Wonder recording was fast beat driven? Wilson and Bowden seems to bring a different reading to the lyrics, of Ron Miller/Orlando Murden composition that probably surprised them, at the time?

The only differences the fans of the “Fabulous Five” didn’t shock or surprise fans that understood the strength, of this group. They knew the talent this unit process and Paul Williams was one, of those great singer that could bring any song meaning to reality.

Frank Sinatra , might recorded “That’s Life” written by Dean Kay/Kelly Gordon, years before Williams’ placed his voice upon the words during the recording, of this album. It holds up greatly to this day to his and have that harmony people came to expect, from the Temptations. Even, “Who Can I Turn Too(When Nobody Needs Me) rivals Paul William brillant take on Miller/Murden song people closely linked too. You might say he probably impressed actor Anthony Newly and Leslie Briscusse that it could be soulfully expressed. Many times people fails to comprehend that Broadway’s tunes are apart of live expression.

Unless people listen to a variety of fields of music which we mainly don’t many times. People would never know that David English in my opinon was the greatest bass ever to record in any field of music. And this is saying a lot about Melvin Franklin who elevate this group format member position to a higher level than any other bass singer. So, when you hear him leading “the boys of Motown” on “Ol’ Man River”, with altered controversial lyrics you understand and recognized his talent. He takes tthis Oscar Hammerstein II/Jerome Kern tune to a hgher art of music. Even, if the men themselves never like this recording and I’m only guessing they obviously gotten richer recognition because of his many years singing the song, as a Temptation.

But, really beside lead vocalist. What other talent are the Temptations know for? Yes, harmony. And it’s expressive upon “Hello Young Lover” written by Oscar Hammerastein II/Richard Rodger, by the Fabulous Fove membership with jubilany joy. And, it’s continued on Ric Marlow/Robert Scott “A Taste of Honey” composition, by the Temptations.

If challenging their horizing was the idea behind this project than they succeeded more than fail. The Temptations, like many albums featuring their primary lead vocalist seems to split three songs among them to keep them within a group format with talented lead singers.

But, still the raspy singer called David Ruffin, seated first among the members, on the cover brings “Somewhere” written by Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim out, as something to match songs that required him to plead his love about a better time together. And, Ruffin never failed that challenge placed upon him. He personally stated in many songs he was simply during what the writers was trying to express.

Many people are aware that Eddie Holland/Lamint Dozier/Brian Holland barely worked closely to the Temptations, during their height years of the sixties. But, their Martha and the Vandellas “I’m Ready For Love” was surpassed in interpretation by the Temptations on the “Mellow Mood” recording. David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks,Melvin Franlklin,Paul Williams along with Otis Williams high lighted their lyrics into a different direction to want you to admit being in love.

Who said soul musicians can’t bring Broadway’s tunes to life wasn’t talking about the Temptations? But, you must also have great arrangers that understood the vocalists skills andtalents to pull off this success. And, assisting the Fabulous Five unit was H.B.Barnum/Oliver Nelson/Don Costa legends themselves among music fans and musicians alike.

These men took the masters of soul and made the “Sound Of Young America” greater.


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