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The Temptations

“It’s Your Thing” Performed By The Isley Brothers (1969)

February 25, 2010 · 0 comments

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There are  more 1969 Grammy Awards left  to discuss then there is month left in February  :-) .

I had a hard time deciding which award winning song to close the month out with, but finally decided on one of my favorite dance tunes of the Sixties -sung by one of my favorite tenors of all time — The Isley Brothers “It’s Your Thing”  which won the 1969 Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance By a Group or Duo.

The brothers had been around as a gospel quartet ever since the fifties.  The group was made up of brother Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley and Vernon Isley. When Vernon passed  after a bicycle accident in 1955,  Ronald became the new lead singer.

From the RCA label with their soulful sounds (“the classics “Shout” and “Twist & Shout”),  to their own label T-Neck, to Motown’s Tamla label, and finally back to T-neck the brothers had their hard-knocks on the road to  Grammy Gold.

Like many others in the Motown stable, The Isley Brothers were tired of the neglect they received at Motown while Gordy concentrated on making The Supremes, The Temptations and Diane Ross the superstars of the label.

They were released from their contract and almost immediately the brothers co-wrote “It’s Your Thing” and released it on their own T-Neck label.  The funky “IYT” topped the R&B charts at #1 and the Billboard Top 100 at #2 , then went on the win the first Grammy Award for any former Motown artist.

Everyone covered the song including many Motown artists.  I am especially partial to The Temptations’ psychedelic cover: the vocals harmonies are awesome! The J5 version is pretty great too IMHO. Check them out right now and let me know what you think.

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The Temptations 1960 cover version

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This is the original vocal from the J5 cover but it is a current extended Remix that I have been listening to a lot lately. Hope you enjoy it.

Trivia. This is the first song on which the then 17 yr old, baby brother,  Ernie Isley,  played bass on a song. Of course brother Ernie would go on to become an integral part of the third generation Isley Brothers renamed  Isley Brothers 3 +3 — one of the most successful self contained family funk units of the seventies.

The Isley Brothers first charted in 1959 with “Shout -- Part 1″ ( #47 billboard top 100)

The Isley Brothers next appearance on the music charts was in 1962 with  “Shout -- Part 1″ (#94 Billboard top 100)

Musically Yours,

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Filed under: Grammy Gold, Guy Groups, It's Your Thing, Motown, Motown Covers Pop, Pop/R&B, Pop/Soul, R&B/Motown, R&B/Soul, Ronald Isley/ O'Kelly Isley Jr/ Rudolph Isley, Sixties, T-Neck, The Isley Brothers, The Jackson Five, The Temptations

“The Christmas Song” Performed by the Temptations (1980)

December 14, 2009 · 0 comments

Temptations Give Love at Christmas

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A week ago today  I shared with you the first rendition of the Temptations performing “The Christmas Song” featuring one of the few leads by Otis Williams.

Well today I would like to share with you the second version the group released that appeared on their second holiday collection a decade later in 1980.

This LP is truly a classic.  Other songs are repeated from the first Holiday LP,  but the greatest of any holiday song that the Temptations EVER sang (IMHO)  is on this set — “Silent Night.”   Now I  loved Eddie Kendricks’  lead on the 1970 “Silent Night”,  but the 1980 version is a classic that will be listened to for ages to come!

But back to “The Christmas Song” version 2 –  If you have been following OSML then you are aware that the Temptations often made second versions of their songs and always bested themselves. True to course this version has better vocals, better production values and just is a much better listen than the first!

What do you think?

Musically yours,

SonDan Holiday Green #02A805

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Filed under: Eighties, Guy Groups, Holiday Music, Mel Torme & Robert Wells, Motown Covers Motown, Motown/Gordy, Pop/Soul, R&B/Holiday, R&B/Motown, The Christmas Song, The Temptations, The Temptations Cover The Temptations

“The Christmas Song” Performed By The Temptations (1970)

December 7, 2009 · 0 comments

Christmas Card 1970

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It is so good to be back at OSML. This will make my recuperation complete!

Of course December means Holiday oldies and since this has been the year of Motown 50 I am,  naturally, closing out the year with holiday tunes sung my Motown artists.

I decided to start out with the Mel  Torme & Robert Wells penned perennial favorite “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting).  What better way to invoke the holiday spirit that this timeless tune.

This version is from the Tempting Temptations’ first holiday collection from 1970 entitled “Christmas Card.”

I selected this song since it is one of the few leads Otis William has had during his tenure as a Temptation and thought you might enjoy hearing it.

Musically Yours,

SonDan Holiday Green #02A805

Updated 12.13.09 Initially I uploaded wrong song version so I changed text to match song. All is well now ;-)

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Filed under: Eighties, Guy Groups, Holiday Music, Mel Torme & Robert Wells, Motown/Gordy, Pop/Holiday, The Christmas Song, The Temptations

"I Ain't Got Nothing" Performed by The Temptations (1972)

June 29, 2009 · 2 comments

The Temptations - All Directions

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The Temptations – I Ain’t Got Nothing (1972)

This is the end of  Black Music Month and I sure hope President Obama comes through with the appropriate Proclamation for 2009.  I will be sorely disappointed of he doesn’t.

This is also my last post for the month of June, here at OSML, with the theme being “Motown Guy Groups” in honor of Motown’s 50th Anniversary — which BTW, with the  year now half over, where is the anticipated Suzanne DePasse produced 50th Anniversary TV Special?

Well I have covered some of my favorite Male Motown vocal groups this month purposely leaving these talented gentlemen for last. Many of you younger  readers often consider The Temptations and the Tops the only Motown male vocal groups so I wanted to be sure that the visitors here knew that the Tempts and Tops were just the tip of the talented male Motown iceberg.

Another misconception regarding Motown, specifically The Temptations, was that Otis never sang lead. Well I am here to tell you that is so wrong. Not only did Otis Williams’ mellow tone help to blend the other four voices together in perfect harmony but he had some leads and they were quite good.

The song I am presenting here today, with Otis singing lead, comes from 1972’s “All Directions” LP.  The song  “I Ain’t Got Nothing” was composed by Evans King & Maurice King. The album “All Directions” is The Temptations’ first after Sweet Eddie Kendricks had left the group.  I can recall at that time saying that I would never buy another Temptations LP again.  But I was a very wrong teenager.

My Father had purchased this LP, played it and sang from it  non-stop, so I of course I eventually fell in love with it as the rest of the country obviously did: it charted #1 R&B and #2 Pop on the Album Charts.

Musically Yours,

sondanyr2

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Filed under: Evans King & Maurice King, Guy Groups, I Ain't Got Nothing", Motown/Gordy, Pop/R&B, R&B/Motown, The Temptations

"Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love" (1967 – 1971)

January 29, 2009 · 0 comments

edwin-starr-25-miles

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4747793_ptpri/Starr-%20%20Gonna%20Keep%20On%20Tryin%20Till%20I%20Win%20Your%20Love.mp3] Edwin Starr – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love) 1967

Released 2 months after the Temptations  “Cloud Nine”  LP (below), in April 1969, “25 Miles” was actually comprised in part of single sides, some going back as far as 1967.  Starrs’ gospel tinged version of “GKOTTIWYL” also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 7:1967 — so this appears to be the original release of the song. I am not sure though so if anyone has more details I would be beholding. :-)

jimmy-ruff-n-ready

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4748032_fuwfj/Jimmy%20Ruffin%20-%20Gonna%20Keep%20On%20Tryin%20Till%20I%20Win%20Your%20Love.mp3]   Jimmy Ruffin – Gotta Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love -1968

David Ruffin’s older brother Jimmy’s version of this song appears on the May 1969 album release “Ruff ‘N Ready”.  Ruffin’s version of “GKOTTIWYL” also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 8: 1968″

cloud-nine-1969

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4725233_resjd/Version%201%20-%20Gonna%20Keep%20On%20Tryin%27%20Till%20I%20Win%20Your%20Love.mp3] The Temptations – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love (1969)

This is one of my favorite Classic Temptation albums. It charted #1 R&B and #4 Pop in 1969.

After the David Ruffin dominated “I Wish It Would Rain” LP – - the “Cloud 9″ set, released February 1960,  was a breath of fresh air –  featuring all of the Temptations on leads. This particular song featured the “New Guy” Dennis Edwards on lead. I like Dennis immediately. He was a perfect fit for the group IMHO.

thats-the-way-love-is-19701

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4746684_fvrcr/Marvin%20Gaye%20-%20Gonna%20Keep%20On%20Trying.mp3] Marvin Gaye – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love) 1969

Norman Whitfield produced this Marvin Gaye outing, so of course he had Gaye cover this Temptations song of  his.  It appeared on the 1970 LP release entitled “That’s The Way Love Is” which included Gaye’s hit cover of this Isley Brothers’ original. The song also appears on “The Complete Motown Singles Vol 9: 1969″

skys-the-limit1971

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4725235_rnviu/Version%202%20%20-%20Gonna%20Keep%20On%20Tryin%C2%B4%20Till%20I%20Win%20Your%20Love.mp3] The Temptations – Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love (1971)

This completely re-worked psychedelic version appeared on Sweet Eddie Kendricks’ Temptations swan-song album  along with the classic “Just My Imagination.”  Eddie sings lead on this slowed down version that picks up on the psychedlica where Ruffin’s cover left off.

So which do you prefer?  Let’s talk about it after you vote.

Gonna Keep On Tryin’ Till I Win Your Love – Composed by Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong

Like the birds in the trees, my heart sings a rhapsody of love for you.
Girl, you won my heart the very first time I layed eyes on you.
I know your love belongs to someone else.
But girl, I got to have you for myself.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
Gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love, woo.
A fallen star that’s what you are, from the heavens above.
There’s no treasure on earth, that can match your worth.
You’re a picture of love.
I know to you I’m just a love sick guy.
But you’re wrong.
I love ya and I need you, by my side.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.

I can’t help but thinkin’ ’bout that guy.
He just got you by his side.
He’s got everything.
There’s is no end to of his happiness to be in his place.
I’ll be glad to give you anything.
I know your love belongs to him.
But girl, I can’t be satisfied jus’ being your friend.
So, I’m gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.
Gonna keep on trying, just keep on trying till I win your love.

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Filed under: Barrett Stong & Norman Whitfield, Edwin Starr, Gonna Keep On Tryin' Till I Win Your Love, Jimmy Ruffin, Marvin Gaye, Motown Covers Motown, Motown/Gordy, Motown/Soul, Motown/Tamla, R&B/Motown, R&B/Psychedelic Soul, Sixties, The Temptations, The Temptations Cover The Temptations

"It's Summer" Performed by The Temptations (1970 & 1972)

January 26, 2009 · 0 comments

psychedelic-shack-1970

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4725234_shhlz/Version%201%20-%20It%5C%27s%20Summer.mp3] The CLASSIC Temptations – It’s Summer (1970)

Bass singer Melvin Franklin takes lead on “It’s Summer” while the awesomely harmonious Temptations provide a glorious background on this cut from the 1970  “Psychedelic Shack” album. The was their first of the new decade and their 15th in their career.  Another class set,  every song on this LP was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong,  and of course Whitfield produced all sessions.

I recall that this single was the B-side to “Ball of Confusion” and I played it over and over again on my portable record player — just listening to this song as it it were being sung only for me. I also recall that I was getting on my Grandmother’s nerves playing it over and over again. ;-)   But Mel’s voice was just mesmerizing. Don’t you think?

solid-rock-1972

[audio http://boxstr.com/files/4725236_glly9/Version%202%20-%20It%5C%27s%20Summer.mp3] The 4 MAN Temptations – It’s Summer (1972)

Now imagine 2 years later when I find out that the same song with Melvin’s lead has been replaced.  I  resented this fact — plus the fact that my dear sweet Eddie Kendricks was not a part of this album. Eddie was now gone because of his desire to continue to sing love ballads and not the psychedelic soul Whitfiled was intent on making.  But my Dad played this Album so much that he finally wore me down and it is now a favorite.

This album is also notable in that it contains the last Temptation’s song that Paul Williams ever sang on, “It’s Summer,” and it is  the only song on the album with his voice.  Paul was now  gone from the group due to sickle cell and alcoholism and I just felt betrayed that my classic five were no more. I really took it hard.

This time around Norman Whitfield not only had another artist re-do his song but had the same artist repeat it themselves with another one of his elaborate musical orchestrations.  Wonder how Melvin felt about them turning his solo  masterpiece upside down? And which one do you prefer my friends?

Trivia: With Eddie now gone this song was recorded with only 4 Temptations instead of 5!

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Filed under: Barrett Stong & Norman Whitfield, It's Summer, Motown Covers Motown, Motown/Gordy, R&B/Psychedelic Soul, Seventies, The Temptations, The Temptations Cover The Temptations

"Camouflage" – Performed by The Temptations (1962 & 1967)

January 22, 2009 · 5 comments

The Original Temptations

The Original Temptations

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The Temptations – Camouflage (Recorded February 1962)

The Classic Temptations

The Classic Temptations

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The Temptations – Camouflage (Recorded March 1967)

This month’s posting theme here at OSML has been “Motown Covers Motown.” I am still keeping within this theme, but have made it even more specific for the rest of this month,  posting on The Temptations covering The Temptations. Yes you read it right.  The Tempts have re-recorded songs they made in one incarnation and redone them with a slightly different group line up during their Motown tenure.

you-got-to-earn-it

This first example is one that you may not be familiar with since BOTH of these songs languished in the “Vault” of unreleased material until the release of the “Motown Lost and Found Series” in 1999.  These two songs come from the marvelous 1999 CD release entitled “Lost and Found:You’ve Got to Earn It (1962-1968)” which contains 19 previously unreleased Temptations studio tracks and one live track. If you don’t own this set and are a classic Temptations fan you must get a copy. When I first played it I felt like I had gone back in time and was listening to a new Temptations LP in the sixties.  IMHO all of these studio cuts could have been hits!

Of course I hate to sound like a broken record on this issue but I just don’t understand the “Motown Vault’s” existence: this music should ALL be released to the public. A few years back we fans had to get together a petition to get Eddie Kendrick’s Motown/Tamla  solo music re-released on CD and our efforts paid off — plus we received some bonus “Vault” material that was simple superb! (A sincere thank you to Mr. Harry Weinger – Mr. Weinger you are a Prince!)  But I digress (Can you tell how much I love Eddie K.? )  ;-)

In addition to the Temptations’ Lost and Found set there were also CDs released on Smokey Robinson & The Miracles; The Four Tops;  Martha & The Vandellas in the series.  But more often than not after release these gems go out of print so I always grab vault releases as soon after they come out as I can afford to buy them –  and I recommend you do the same.

This song “Camouflage” was written by Berry Gordy.  In fact both versions were produced by Berry Gordy. But alas they remained unheard by the public for forty years!? Wonder why? What do you think? Let’s discuss it after you vote.

Musically yours,
sondanyr2

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Filed under: Berry Gordy Jr., Camouflage, Motown Covers Motown, Motown/Gordy, Pop/R&B, Sixties, The Temptations, The Temptations Cover The Temptations

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