Post by Weak4Weeks on Jan 15, 2006 10:48:44 GMT -5
This review is used with permission from the author, Surface Thrills. Hope you all enjoy as much as I did!
I had a great time at The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations concert tonight at the Atlantic City Hilton. Here’s a rundown of the show:
The opening act for the show was The Marvelettes. They sang 5 of their greatest hits and closed their set with a medley of 60s & Motown hits. Their act has definitely been polished to a spit shine for the casino showroom crowd. All in all, their short set provided a nice change of pace from a stand-up comedian.
Next, The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations took the stage. The group consists of Harry Berry as well Freddie Black, Darnell Carter & Kareem Ali from Glenn’s group as well as a new member who I believe was named Ron Pryor. Ron entered the stage first singing “Try To Remember”, and was followed on stage by the rest of the group. Though they handled the song well, it made for a strange opening. It was just too slow, and it seemed to catch the audience off guard. The group looked good however, in black pants, white jackets with black strips, and black and white shoes.
Things improved with full-length versions of “Get Ready”, “Ain’t To Proud To Beg”, “The Way You Do The Things You Do” and “I Wish It Would Rain”. These songs immediately brought the crowd back to life. The group’s harmonies here, and throughout the show, were spot on. Another highlight was Freddie Scott’s lead vocal on “Beg” and “Rain”.
Then came “Old Man River”. This too was a highlight. First let me say Harry looked and sounded fantastic. He really seemed to be enjoying himself throughout the show. However, on “River” he was in all business, and at times it seemed as if he was channeling Blue. Harry sung this perfectly. Next up was an extended version of “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”, during which the group also introduced them selves. It was here that Harry asked “Is Philly in the house?” to this essentially hometown crowd.
The group then gave a moving tribute to all the members of the C5 who are no longer with us. More impressively, they gave it up to Otis as well. They sited O’s ability to keep The Temptations afloat for so many years despite all the personnel changes. Despite what you may feel about O, or whether you agree with what they gave him credit for, you have to admit that gesture itself was very classy indeed.
Bo then joined the group onstage for a great version “Stay”. He wore a black suit with white pin stripes to keep up the color scheme. After “Stay”, Bo left the stage and the group performed 2 more numbers, “Just My Imagination” and “My Girl”. I was able to maneuver from my 5th row seat up to the stage just as Bo was returning to sing “I Can’t Get Next To You” and “I’m Losing You” with the group. This was the highpoint of the show. It was great to watch Freddie and Bo push one another. It kind of reminded me of the times I saw Ali and Theo in concert together. Bo and Freddie went at each other line for line, and had the audience on its feet.
As a finale, Bo and the guys sang “Everything Is Gonna Be Alright”, which many of you might remember from the Talk Of The Town LP. This time Kareem, Freddie and Bo worked the audience into frenzy. Then, as a bonus, Kareem called out The Marvelettes for added fireworks! Actually, these girls are quite talented, and they’re probably technically better singers than the original group. With this, the show was over, and I was able to shake hands with Kareem, Bo and Harry as they left the stage.
My complaints are actually few. First the show’s pacing was off. “Try To Remember” fell flat as an opening number. Secondly, the guys’ stage patter was both weak and at times painfully strained. Minute yes, but it’s these little things that make a most professional act seem not quite ready for prime time. Lastly, it’s clear they are still working on getting all the choreography pat. Every once in a while someone missed a step or his hand wasn’t where it was supposed to be. At times, it just wasn’t a precision performance like those we’ve come to expect from the name Temptations.
So all in all, a good show, but the few weak spots kept it from being a true Temptations experience. However, these are all issues time and a little work can easily overcome. Assuming they stay together and have a chance to gel, they could easily become an act to recon with.
I had a great time at The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations concert tonight at the Atlantic City Hilton. Here’s a rundown of the show:
The opening act for the show was The Marvelettes. They sang 5 of their greatest hits and closed their set with a medley of 60s & Motown hits. Their act has definitely been polished to a spit shine for the casino showroom crowd. All in all, their short set provided a nice change of pace from a stand-up comedian.
Next, The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations took the stage. The group consists of Harry Berry as well Freddie Black, Darnell Carter & Kareem Ali from Glenn’s group as well as a new member who I believe was named Ron Pryor. Ron entered the stage first singing “Try To Remember”, and was followed on stage by the rest of the group. Though they handled the song well, it made for a strange opening. It was just too slow, and it seemed to catch the audience off guard. The group looked good however, in black pants, white jackets with black strips, and black and white shoes.
Things improved with full-length versions of “Get Ready”, “Ain’t To Proud To Beg”, “The Way You Do The Things You Do” and “I Wish It Would Rain”. These songs immediately brought the crowd back to life. The group’s harmonies here, and throughout the show, were spot on. Another highlight was Freddie Scott’s lead vocal on “Beg” and “Rain”.
Then came “Old Man River”. This too was a highlight. First let me say Harry looked and sounded fantastic. He really seemed to be enjoying himself throughout the show. However, on “River” he was in all business, and at times it seemed as if he was channeling Blue. Harry sung this perfectly. Next up was an extended version of “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”, during which the group also introduced them selves. It was here that Harry asked “Is Philly in the house?” to this essentially hometown crowd.
The group then gave a moving tribute to all the members of the C5 who are no longer with us. More impressively, they gave it up to Otis as well. They sited O’s ability to keep The Temptations afloat for so many years despite all the personnel changes. Despite what you may feel about O, or whether you agree with what they gave him credit for, you have to admit that gesture itself was very classy indeed.
Bo then joined the group onstage for a great version “Stay”. He wore a black suit with white pin stripes to keep up the color scheme. After “Stay”, Bo left the stage and the group performed 2 more numbers, “Just My Imagination” and “My Girl”. I was able to maneuver from my 5th row seat up to the stage just as Bo was returning to sing “I Can’t Get Next To You” and “I’m Losing You” with the group. This was the highpoint of the show. It was great to watch Freddie and Bo push one another. It kind of reminded me of the times I saw Ali and Theo in concert together. Bo and Freddie went at each other line for line, and had the audience on its feet.
As a finale, Bo and the guys sang “Everything Is Gonna Be Alright”, which many of you might remember from the Talk Of The Town LP. This time Kareem, Freddie and Bo worked the audience into frenzy. Then, as a bonus, Kareem called out The Marvelettes for added fireworks! Actually, these girls are quite talented, and they’re probably technically better singers than the original group. With this, the show was over, and I was able to shake hands with Kareem, Bo and Harry as they left the stage.
My complaints are actually few. First the show’s pacing was off. “Try To Remember” fell flat as an opening number. Secondly, the guys’ stage patter was both weak and at times painfully strained. Minute yes, but it’s these little things that make a most professional act seem not quite ready for prime time. Lastly, it’s clear they are still working on getting all the choreography pat. Every once in a while someone missed a step or his hand wasn’t where it was supposed to be. At times, it just wasn’t a precision performance like those we’ve come to expect from the name Temptations.
So all in all, a good show, but the few weak spots kept it from being a true Temptations experience. However, these are all issues time and a little work can easily overcome. Assuming they stay together and have a chance to gel, they could easily become an act to recon with.