Post by FastNFancy on Aug 11, 2003 22:18:58 GMT -5
Temptations Review hits mark
By DAVID MALACHOWSKI, Special to the Times Union
First published: Friday, June 6, 2003
review
ALBANY -- It was a rainy night in Albany -- not Georgia -- as The Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards kicked off this summer's Alive at 5 series in a festive manner.
Ex-Contours member Edwards was picked to replace David Ruffin in 1968 and was on board and responsible for a handful of hits, as well as Motown's first Grammy award.
At the boat launch, the emcee called out "show time," and he wasn't exaggerating. Edwards, along with David Sea, Mike Patillo, Bernard Gibson and Chris Arnold stepped up to the microphones with an amazing, heavenly harmony blend. Then they stepped away from the mike stands, and showed off their smooth showmanship and choreography.
What Ruffin had in sophistication and nuance, Edwards has in fiery, deep in the gut delivery and gritty, streetwise soul. But it wasn't just Edwards' show; he passed it over to the others often. Patillo's mighty baritone powered "Rainy Night In Georgia" while Sea's expressive tenor just nailed "I Wish It Would Rain" a sure show highlight.
They did some older Temps fare; "Get Ready," "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" "Just My Imagination," and though everyone has heard them done a million times, this was the way they're supposed to be done.
In an unexpected but inspired move, Edwards pulled out somewhat of a wild card with a funky reading of "God Bless America," which just soared as it brought down the house.
Though most of the songs were decades old, it was Edwards' conviction, and gift-from-God voice, that took away the oldies band vibe, and replaced it with more of a timeless historical one.
Towards the end of the show, Edwards asked the audience to join them and copy their slick "Temptations walk."
But he most have underestimated his power, because nearly everyone was already doing it.
Boogie woogie woman and former Capital Region resident Dona Oxford opened the show with what could have been a great set. Her huge voice and aggressive stance promised to be the perfect warm-up for Edwards and the Temps, and while what little was heard made it obvious she was an extremely proficient pianist, a sound problems with the piano plagued the show, which never was able to live up to it's potential.
Piano repairman willing, she will be headlining the Glens Falls Blues Festival on Saturday.
THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW FEATURING DENNIS EDWARDS and Dona Oxford Band
When: 5 p.m. Thursday
Where: City boat launch, Albany
Length: Oxford: 60 minutes, Temps: 80 minutesMusical highlights: "I Wish it Would Rain," "Rainy Night In Georgia," a funky "God Bless America" and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
The crowd: Packed and crazy. Old and young dragging coolers and holding umbrellas.
By DAVID MALACHOWSKI, Special to the Times Union
First published: Friday, June 6, 2003
review
ALBANY -- It was a rainy night in Albany -- not Georgia -- as The Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards kicked off this summer's Alive at 5 series in a festive manner.
Ex-Contours member Edwards was picked to replace David Ruffin in 1968 and was on board and responsible for a handful of hits, as well as Motown's first Grammy award.
At the boat launch, the emcee called out "show time," and he wasn't exaggerating. Edwards, along with David Sea, Mike Patillo, Bernard Gibson and Chris Arnold stepped up to the microphones with an amazing, heavenly harmony blend. Then they stepped away from the mike stands, and showed off their smooth showmanship and choreography.
What Ruffin had in sophistication and nuance, Edwards has in fiery, deep in the gut delivery and gritty, streetwise soul. But it wasn't just Edwards' show; he passed it over to the others often. Patillo's mighty baritone powered "Rainy Night In Georgia" while Sea's expressive tenor just nailed "I Wish It Would Rain" a sure show highlight.
They did some older Temps fare; "Get Ready," "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" "Just My Imagination," and though everyone has heard them done a million times, this was the way they're supposed to be done.
In an unexpected but inspired move, Edwards pulled out somewhat of a wild card with a funky reading of "God Bless America," which just soared as it brought down the house.
Though most of the songs were decades old, it was Edwards' conviction, and gift-from-God voice, that took away the oldies band vibe, and replaced it with more of a timeless historical one.
Towards the end of the show, Edwards asked the audience to join them and copy their slick "Temptations walk."
But he most have underestimated his power, because nearly everyone was already doing it.
Boogie woogie woman and former Capital Region resident Dona Oxford opened the show with what could have been a great set. Her huge voice and aggressive stance promised to be the perfect warm-up for Edwards and the Temps, and while what little was heard made it obvious she was an extremely proficient pianist, a sound problems with the piano plagued the show, which never was able to live up to it's potential.
Piano repairman willing, she will be headlining the Glens Falls Blues Festival on Saturday.
THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW FEATURING DENNIS EDWARDS and Dona Oxford Band
When: 5 p.m. Thursday
Where: City boat launch, Albany
Length: Oxford: 60 minutes, Temps: 80 minutesMusical highlights: "I Wish it Would Rain," "Rainy Night In Georgia," a funky "God Bless America" and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone."
The crowd: Packed and crazy. Old and young dragging coolers and holding umbrellas.
