By Marv (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 10:48 pm:

Saturday, August 2, 2003 was "Motown Night" at the Westbury Music
Fair, Long Island, NY. This special concert presented the Contours,
Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Mary Wilson and the Temptations
Revue with Dennis Edwards. Each of the acts put on excellent shows
featuring many of their famous songs. I was especially impressed and
surprised at just how good the Contours were (it had been years since
I've seen them). The were very professional, funny at times with
their stage banter and sung and danced their hearts out. They had the audience in stitches with there brief skit prior to "First I Look At The Purse". The sang Just A Little Misunderstanding, an excellent rendition of "You've Lost That Lovin Feeling" and of course "Do You Love Me?"

What can I say about Martha Reeves other than that this woman is absolutely ageless as are her sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves. What a great evening to experience the legendary Ms.Martha Reeves and
The Vandellas (Lois Reeves and Delphine Reeves) at the Westbury Music
Fair. Martha and the ladies looked and sounded fabulous. Martha
looked gorgeous in a black mirrored evening gown supported by sisters
Lois and Delphine is "tight" short black glittery minis! LOL

They began with "Heat Wave" Martha with her trademark tamborine and
the Vandellas doing some really impressive dancing. Martha quipped
to the audience "Just how hot is your love life?" LOL.

Martha seems so natural on stage and the audience loved her. She
sang one of my personal favorites "My Baby Loves Me"; gave a bit of
Motown History in between songs such as "Come And Get These
Memories". She startled me when she reminded the audience that Lois
has been a Vandella since 1968! This is startling when you see Lois,
WOW! She looks like she is in her 20's. Martha's brother sat in on
the drums so this was the "Reeves family act".

The intro to "Dancing In The Streets" got some of the audience up and
dancing on the aisle landing at the top of the theater. I was
fortunate to get to speak with Martha and Lois after the show.
Martha told me she was not too computer literate, she signed her CD
for me. I was shocked that sister -woman went right into her purse
and pulled one out , opened it and signed it for me on the spot!
What a lady! LOL I Love her!!! We talked about Detroit and a
performance they will be doing there on August 15 that I hope to
attend.

If you get the chance to see Martha live, by all means do so, the
lady sang her butt off last night! I want them back in New York as
soon as possible.

Mary Wilson's show began after the intermission. I was lucky enough to
have an aisle seat in the 6th row. So as the band began the
overture, Robin Freeman slinked down the ramp toward the stage (I
called out to her and she turned and gave me a big smile), next came
Karen Newman(wearing a short black mini with a slit down the side).
They reminded me of bridesmaids (sexy bridesmaids) leading the way
for the fabulous Mary Wilson. What a site! Mary came slowly down
the ramp (stopping half way) in a fire red chiffon short dress and
red cape. This is the same style she wore on the PBS Special finale
except in red. Her face was flawless, her hair was tied up away
from her face and had reddish/purple highlights. Whoever said that
Mary needs to lose weight needs their eyes examined. She was in very
fine shape and quite svelte last night. Mary is a small woman. The
entire audience turned in her direction as she sang "Coming Out of
The Dark".

Once she was center stage the band launched into "Love Child" and
Mary and company did their customary work-out on this song. The
drummer almost pounded this song into submission with his extra loud
playing LOL. "My World Is Empty Without You" came next. Mary
through this one down with soul and ease. Some of audience jumped up
to dance to My World..... A full version of "You Can't Hurry Love"
with the original choreography followed. Mary noted that these
were some of the songs "Florence,Diane and myself" recorded in the
sixities.

I am always interested in what Mary will say next during her
concerts. This time she commented that she will be 60 years old in a
few months (much to the audience around me suprise, she looks so good
and at least 20 years younger). She mentioned that she currently has
7 grandchildren with one on the way. The audience applauded.

Mary then literally let her hair down and sang "Walk The Line",more
people began to dance up on the aisle landing.

The audience participation number was next and Mary commented "It
seems everyone wanted to be a Supreme at one point" I had to laugh
out loud knowing that could have been takened several different ways.


Mary and the ladies from the audience sang Baby Love, Come See About
Me and Stop In The Name of Love"


Mary and her guitarist dueted to "Fields of Gold" and then "Someday
We'll Be Together was performed.

The encore saw Robin and Karen returning to the stage wearing red
sheer capes and Mary in a large white thing LOL. Robin soloed the
opening of "Last Dance" and Mary tore the place up with her powerful
singing of this song. Karen and Robin bounded back up the ramp with
each stopping to clasp my hand as they headed backstage. Mary
followed holding very long notes to Last Dance. As she reached me,
she gave me a very nice kiss ( of course I was in heaven and everyone
was looking at me for the next several minutes!!!).

This was a VERY abbreviated Mary Wilson performance (I'd say about 45
mins compared to her usual 90 mins- 2hour shows.)


Dennis Edwards and crew were very good but in no way should have
headlined last night. Dennis sounds the same as ever, but he hasn't
lost an ounce of weight since last year! His group surprised me by
singing "My Lady Soul" the song Ali-Ollie Woodson led as a Temptation
and "Stay" the Temptations 1998 hit. I wondered if he did this as a
way to take a jab at Ali-Ollie' "Emperors of Soul" group and Otis
Williams Temptations whom are still recording for Motown.

By rhythm and Blue Showcase (65.229.41.197) on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 01:29 am:

Just interested in why you thought The Temptations Revue should not have headlined the Motown show. They have an authentic legendary lead singer fronting the group and The Temptations is the most enduring Motown group?

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 02:45 am:

...I don't know, R&B Showcase, I kind of agree w/Marv on this one...and especially about him singing "Stay" and "Lady Soul" (two Tempts songs that I really like BTW)...songs that he had absolutely nothing to do with in terms of recording, anyway. He wasn't a Tempt when either song was recorded...but is capitalizing off their success...that's like Lionel Ritchie going around singing "NightShift" in all his concerts, like he was actually a Commodore when it was recorded...that would be a pretty pathetic move...but I guess all's fair...

I loved Dennis as a Tempt, always will, but I guess my only gripe is, if you don't want to be in the Temptations so bad (the real Temptations), and couldn't take it anymore, why do you need so much to capitalize off of THEIR success and things that THEY are doing, the group that you so much wanted NOT to be a part of??? In all honesty, I think I'd pay more money to see just Dennis Edwards in concert than Dennis Edwards and Temptations Revue. One of his biggest hits post-Temptations was one he did as a SOLO artist, not using a fake Temptations name ("Don't Look Any Further")...

Sorry if I got a little off the subject..great review BTW Marv...I'd love to have seen Martha & Co. as well as Mary & Co.

By marv (205.188.209.109) on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 11:05 pm:

Hello JOb and RnB Showcase. Don't get me wrong I like Dennis Edwards and he still got it. I just don't think he and the 4 non-descript guys he performed with should have been the headliners the other night. He was here last year with his Temptations Revue opening for Mary Wilson at Westbury.

My problem is he never sang any of his solo material or even mentioned it. The guys in his group are good,but they are NOT the Temptations. They don't even do the classic Temptations moves (they do a variation on the dance steps). This business about Dennis singing more recent Temptations songs that were record well after he was no longer with the group just caused me to wonder what he was thinking.

Ms. Martha and Ms. Mary sure stirred the crowd up. The Contours were my biggest surprise as they put on a first class act and can really sing.

They were all very good and made me feel very proud that they all came from Detroit!!!

By DJ (130.156.140.2) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 01:23 am:

Marv and Jo B

I take issue with both your comments!

Do you realize that Dennis Edwards won Motown's First Grammy with Cloud Nine. The Temptations scored more hits with Dennis Edwards than David and Eddie combined. The Temptations went on to their Greatest Success during the Dennis Edwards era. As much as the legacy of the Temptations have capitalized off Dennis' voice, he has every right to sing any Temptations's songs he wants. Aren't they (The current Temptations) singing his material. "Ball of Confusion" "Memories" "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" etc. The Temptations Revue is a Tribute group to the Temptations fronted by a legendary voice. Their show spans the repritoire of the entire Temptations career. Like when you go see Beetlemania their performing Beetles material, because thier a tribute act. The only difference is an authentic Motown Legend Dennis Edwards. Dennis Edwards and Otis Williams are no longer working together, and Dennis has his own group. There's plenty of room for both. You still get to see Dennis perform, and in my oppinion his group captures the original flavor of the Temptations much more than Otis' lineup. All five members of The Temptations Revue can sing lead and they do an excellent job.

By drlorne (65.39.15.64) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 12:22 pm:

To bring the heat down a little. Thanks for a great revue of the revue. It was almost like being there. I have seen Mary Wilson and Martha Reeves in person and know they are great entertainers. It's hard to believe that Mary Wilson will be 60. That must mean I'm ....

By stephanie (64.63.221.130) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 06:31 pm:

Mary Wilson puts on a great show and I know someone who went there and he said he loved the Contours and like Marv was shocked that they did so well. I will say this Dennis and his guys perform better but Otis and his group look better!!! Dennis is more true to the Temps with the five mike thing and I hear they are getting a lot of bookings. I think it would be better if Dennis and Otis could get back together though its good PR and good marketing and more to the original sound. Mary Wilson hardly ever puts on a bad show and from what I hear the people who had never seen her before said that they like her as much as Miss Ross or even more they didnt know she was that much of a show woman. I have to tell you that Martha Reeves voice is great and she has gotten better than the last three years and her new CD sounds like the old Martha. She puts on a great stage show and you can see that Motown training at work. Her sister looks great too. You can see where the Motown charm school came in when you see these veterans perform.

I think Dennis Edwards does a good job but I would rather look at Otis's group and hear Dennis and his group. Nothing against Otis but I wish he could find another Ali Woodson that is when that group was hot!!
Stephanie

By Kenderella (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 08:27 pm:

DJ, you have expressed my sentiments exactly!
Peace

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - 03:18 am:

DJ and anyone else who took offense to my comment:

I cannot change the way I feel and therefore cannot apologize for stating my opinion. Why is it that every time I state my opinion, someone gets offended? If I feel this way about Dennis and his Revue I have a right to say so on this forum without someone getting offended and acting like I'm wrong for doing so (don't mean to go on, but this has happened to me on another thread.)

Again, I would not pay MY MONEY to Dennis and four other guys singing songs he and they had absolutely nothing to do with, if he want's to sing songs that were made when he was a Tempt, fine, but I don't agree with the newer ones, whether he is a Tempt legend or not. I wouldn't pay to see a "Beatles Revue" with Paul McCartney and 4 unknowns, either. It's just me, don't get offended by it.
I'll give you the same scenario, with the shoe on the other foot:
I happen to love Anita Baker's music, but there are those on this forum who feel differently and have stated so. I would never call them out and chastise them for stating their opinion...it's their opinion, and I must accept that. Different people see things differently, and again I'll say---IT'S WHAT MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND.

JoB

By rhythm and Blue Showcase (68.134.68.192) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 01:41 am:

I recently saw Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Revue in Concert in New York City. They were excellent. Each member upheld the Legacy of the Classic Five. Mike Petillo delivered a superb performance of Melvin Franklin's "I Truly, Truly Beleive," Chris Arnold paid tribute to Master Tenor Eddie Kendricks with "Can I", Bernard Gibson honored the Great Paul Williams with "Don't Look Back", and the dynamic Mr. David Sea performed "You'll Loose A Precious Love" and his version Of "I Wish It Would Rain" would make David Ruffin proud. All of these vocalists are well seasoned veterans. The Power Man Dennis Edwards was in excellent voice. The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards takes us through the decades capturing the essence of the original Temptations and even honors the current accomplishments of the ever evolving Temptations Legacy. A Truly Class Act.

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 02:02 am:

R&B showcase...that's cool, it sounded like a great concert...in defense of Dennis and crew, I will admit that I have never actually seen them in concert personally, and probably need to do so in order to really be able to comment on the matter...

By BankHouseDave (195.93.50.10) on Friday, August 08, 2003 - 04:26 am:

Never had the chance to see Mary perform, but we saw Martha with Freda Payne and the late, great Edwin Starr in Cheltenham, UK last year. She is a phenomenal performer who really intereacts with her audience and gives them top value. They played for around four hours all up and never flagged. The band was also up to the task and much better than the scratch group they used on the previous concert we saw back in the eighties.

Martha hasn't changed a bit in that time. She made some of the best records ever and can back them up live. You'd look hard for someone coming along right now that will ever get near her.

Thanks for the great review, Marv. Almost like being there. I can feel that kiss now.

By Tyrone (12.20.58.68) on Sunday, August 10, 2003 - 10:53 pm:

My few cents worth. What I think Marv and JoB are stating is that Dennis did not perform on either "Lady Soul" or "Stay", so why would he sing these songs? (To fool the public who knows no better). Otis performed on all those Tempts recordings, that's why he can perform them in concert. If Otis' Tempts performed "Don't Look Any Further", what would your reaction be?

It would be great if this that show would go on tour. Marv you did good. That's the type of concert I'm interesting in seeing - Motown Revue, including the Velvelettes, Marvelettes (with Gladys and/or Wanda), Originals ... Spinners, I'm sure y'all are getting my drifts.

"Aint no mountain high, aint no valley low, aint no river wide enough baby"

Tyrone

By Rhythm and Blues Showcase (68.134.68.125) on Monday, August 11, 2003 - 01:41 am:

The Temptations Revue is a tribute act and they salute the entire legacy of The Temptations, that's why they perform "Lady Soul" and "Stay".

Otis' Tempts can perform "Don't Look Any Further", "Just The Way You Are" or any other standard they wish to perform. I've seen them perform "Celebration' and "Billie Jean" before. It doesn't matter both groups are good!

By marv (205.188.209.109) on Monday, August 11, 2003 - 08:04 am:

Thanks Tyrone. I try to get feel of the concert down in words. Also I believe I am not being fully understood on the subject of Dennis Edwards. He did a great job as usual. It was just a question from about why sing two Temptations songs from the late 80's and 90's and totally ignore several more Tempts songs that he is known for and sing none of his solo recordings,especially "Don't Look Any Further which was a big hit. Where else could we hear this song performed live today?

By DJ (130.156.140.2) on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 02:17 am:

In Some shows Dennis Edwards sings "Don't Look Any Further", but basically his act is a salute to The Temptations thru the years. All of his vocalists are excellent and Dennis is entitled sing any thing he wants, especially when the other groups are doing his songs like "papa was A Rolling Stone" "Cloud Nine" etc. It's Dennis' voice that made those songs great! Like any other act a group bases their play list on the demand of the audiences that are paying money to see them. The hard core fans know their music, but it's not always those fans that attend the shows.

Other former members of The Temptations have tribute acts. Ali Woodson has The Emperors of Soul which focuses on his era with the group as well as and of course those legendary must sing hits (Get Ready) etc, even though he didn't sing on those songs his group still performs them. Richard Street's group Voysez salutes the Temptations and he also performs songs from other groups like Little Anthony and The Imperials, Sam Cooke etc. Damon Harris has the Second Movement with an interpretation of The Temptations Legacy from his era, and Glenn Leonard has a Temptations tribute show. I say the World is a big place, and their is plenty of room for all of these groups. I will agree that it's nice to hear the groups sing songs they were part of, but of course they must include the hits in their repritore because the public demands it. I never have a problem with the groups singing from era's they were not part of. Atleast we get to see our legends. And they all worked hard for the right to do so!

By DJ (130.156.140.2) on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 02:18 am:

Alright. . . I think this thread is dead. On to the Next Subject!!!