Honest opinion needed

[Doug-Morgan]

Given their current makeups, do you think a 4 Tops/Temptations show is worth 65 bucks a ticket? Why, or why not.

[theboyfromxtown]

Oooo Doug. That is a bit on the steep side.

I am seeing the Impressions next week and that's costing half that price [[say). So being a maths person, 2 groups for double the price ticks my boxes.

[paladin]

Please let me know how you like the Impressions, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. As for the Tempts/Tops, thats about the going rate for their brand. I understand your concern but in most cases their performances replete with live bands, more like mini orchestras make the session enjoyable. I haven't seen this version of the Four Tops so I can't truthfully comment on them, but I have seen the Temptations and Impressions in their current line ups and they have been remarkably good. I have heard decent reviews of the Four Tops new lead singer.

[luke]

Where are the Impressions performing? Who is in the line-up? Thanks

[tamla617]

bearing in mind it isnt who's listed on the bill anyone can say this is the temps,4tops because they bought the name,you could say it isnt worth it.
but if they're good at imitating it will be entertaining.i've seen a few "motown" groups that no longer exist and one of them was absolutley brilliant,i cant tell you how close to the real thing he was[[jr walker)others not[[ms raglan[[?)supremes)temptations with richard street were 50/50 the good 50 being when richard was fully involved on lead,all on the same gig 2004 and as a whole show and quality, v good

[theboyfromxtown]

Where are the Impressions performing? Who is in the line-up? Thanks

Luke. I can answer the easy question but not the hard one?

They are performing at the nearby Barbican Centre

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=12057

[Doug-Morgan]

Tamla617.....
That's the basic question. Is it a "fraud" to advertise a group to be what it was, not what it is now? I'm not saying that the Tops or Tempts are fradulant, but I have a problem with the idea of premium pricing [[the local casino is charging the same price here as for most other "authentic" acts) for a name act that may or may not actually fulfill the name.

[francis t]

The line up for the Impressions is Fred Cash,Sam Gooden-part of the line up for 50 years and Reggie Torian with the group for 18 years or so.They appeared at a Weekender in Northampton in recent years and, despite apathy from many UK soul fans who ignored the event ,were absolutely superb.Anybody who attends the Barbican event on June 11th or the Manchester Bridgewater Hall on the 10th will be in for a treat.
It is a pity the current line up is not given as there is a suspicion by some the line up is not quite legit.It is also a shame the Barbican ads use only a Curtis line up pic.I know it is a Mayfield tribute, but the publicity is basically poorly handled.A shame really.
A picture of the current line up is featured in the current issue of In the Basement with a small piece by Impressions expert Peter Burns.
Hope this helps.
francis t

[theboyfromxtown]

Francis T

Thanks for that.

I wasn't quite sure of the date off-hand but I know it's soon.

[jobeterob]

I saw the Tempts in Vancouver a couple years ago; my youngest son came with me. The new, bigger guy was doing most of the leads; and one of them was away because of family issues.

The show was awesome, superb.

I'd say go and I would pay the $65..............unless you are one of the diehard fans that can't face what has happened to the groups, particularly the Tops. If you are going to be irritated by that, then I would say "pass".

[arrr&bee]

the only way i would pay that kind of money to see the temps is if-dennis,richard,glenn came back and that ain't happening in this life so no.

[candykamaine]

I see the temps, [[since Im not such a purist to that group and can tolorate any line-up of that group). But not the tops because I have a affinity towards the originals [[though theo impressed me a bit).

[captainjames]

Oh Heck YA !!!
If I can see an original Top and an original Temp for 65.00 I would definitely be there.

[marv2]

The line up for the Impressions is Fred Cash,Sam Gooden-part of the line up for 50 years and Reggie Torian with the group for 18 years or so.They appeared at a Weekender in Northampton in recent years and, despite apathy from many UK soul fans who ignored the event ,were absolutely superb.Anybody who attends the Barbican event on June 11th or the Manchester Bridgewater Hall on the 10th will be in for a treat.
It is a pity the current line up is not given as there is a suspicion by some the line up is not quite legit.It is also a shame the Barbican ads use only a Curtis line up pic.I know it is a Mayfield tribute, but the publicity is basically poorly handled.A shame really.
A picture of the current line up is featured in the current issue of In the Basement with a small piece by Impressions expert Peter Burns.
Hope this helps.
francis t

Francis thanks, but Reggie Torian has been with the Impressions more like 37 years! He joined them in early 1974.

[MIKEW-UK]

Here's a link with confirmation of line up as Reggie Torian with Sam and Fred .....I've also seen other confirmations of that line up, which is why I bought front row centre tickets! It's the real thing!!

http://prince.org/msg/8/360317

[MIKEW-UK]

How The Impressions’ current line-up [[Fred Cash; Sam Gooden; Reggie Torian) interact vocally onstage “Well, as you know, when Curtis was in the group, we all kinda flew the lead vocals back and forth, with Curtis as the MAIN lead. And we haven’t really varied too far from that pattern ever SINCE… So what you’ll find is that, in our shows Reggie will be doing 65/75% of the leads, with Sam and myself CONTRIBUTING to that. You know, because we didn’t wanna get away from what really made us in the first place, we’ve kinda always STUCK to that.”

Excerpt from Blues and Soul Magazine new interview...... mention of a new live album already set to go at end of this year

http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/678/the_impressions_the_history_boys/

[gordy_hunk]

I'd not pay £65 to watch these two groups. For me now, they are just groups who are just tribute bands. The Four Tops lead vocals have almost always been Levi Stubbs, so anyone else but Levi singing lead can only be a tribute; the Temptations are more difficult as there have been a significant number of people involved over the years.

As a tribute band, either of these are enjoyable to watch. But I'd not even consider paying half the price being asked - at best, I'd pay £15.

I have my memories of both groups, and these can't match up to the original singers.

[paladin]

Francis thanks, but Reggie Torian has been with the Impressions more like 37 years! He joined them in early 1974.

Yeah but he was like Ali Woodson & Dennis Edwards...he left, came back, left, came back......lol.......but I'm telling you he is as close to Curtis Mayfield as Damon Harris was to Eddie Kendricks, Sam and Fred sound even better.....they have a little skit in their show where they do "Superfly" amazing.......