The Temptations: The Temptin' Temptations - 1965

 

This album, from 1965, was packed full of singles (not all big hits, though) from the time as The Temptations continued to display what a remarkable collection of voices were on offer. Norman Whitfield was strongly involved in the production but Smokey Robinson was too, and he wrote a lot of the songs. 

Since I Lost My Baby is a Smokey Robinson song expertly covered by David Ruffin’s deeper, more characterful and emotional tenor voice. The Girl’s Alright With Me has Eddie Kendricks on a most impressive lead while the ballad Just Another Lonely Night saw second tenor, the underrated Paul Williams, taking the lead, showing just what multiple talents the group possessed. The stereo sound on these tracks is superb, for 1965, backed by a lovely warm bass sound, something I always love. 

The poppy, breezy and lively ballad My Baby has Ruffin on a deeper lead, while the more soulful You’ve Got To Earn It and Everybody Needs Love featured Kendricks and, on the latter solid mid-sixties Motown number, Melvin Franklin as well. Kendricks is back at the lead on the irresistible Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) and next up is one of my favourite Motown songs of all time - the glorious Don’t Look Back, featuring a supremely soulful vocal from Williams. It was covered by Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger and, in fine style by Elvis Costello (on a live version). I simply love this song. 

The upbeat I Gotta Know Now has Kendricks on fine form, I think I prefer Kendricks of all of them, but it is a mighty close call. The infectious and soulful Born To Love features Ruffin and Kendricks duetting. I’ll Be Trouble is a very typical Smokey Robinson song led by Kendricks that has strong hints of The Way You Do The Things You Do at some points. 

You’re The One I Need is a lively Kendricks-Franklin collaboration to finish with that also features a great saxophone solo. The Four Tops were great, so were Martha & The Vandellas and of course The Supremes but, for me, it has always been The Temptations above all others. This album tells you why.

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