A Song For You (Remastered) The Temptations

• 1Happy People03:38
• 2Glasshouse03:55
• 3Shakey Ground04:04
• 4The Prophet04:28
• 5Happy People02:58
• 6A Song For You04:41
• 7Memories06:03
• 8I'm A Bachelor04:20
• 9Firefly04:02
• Total Runtime38:09

Info for A Song For You (Remastered)

Although 1975's „A Song For You“ was the last truly great Temptations album, it's a killer, and it should come as a revelation to anyone who thinks the band didn't do anything worthwhile after Dennis Edwards took over lead vocals following the departures of David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. Edwards's gruffer voice does take a bit of getting used to for those accustomed to Ruffin and Kendricks's smooth sounds, but he's a fiery, impassioned lead singer. His delivery of the Leon Russell-written title track shreds not only the better-known Carpenters version, but also the Donny Hathaway rendition that many feel is definitive. The other highlight is the scorching "Shakey Ground," a cataclysmic funk powerhouse co-written by Funkadelic guitar legend Eddie Hazel, who delivers some searing solos on the track. Longtime Temptations fans consider this one of the group's finest albums, up there with „Cloud Nine“ and „In A Mellow Mood“.

„By 1975, the Temptations were a much different group with both David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks out of the lineup. Dennis Edwards was now singing lead, and only Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams existed from the original group. The group was far more of a funk mind, and this set proves it. The big hit on here was "Happy People," with the Temps backed up by the Commodores, listed as "the Temptations Band" on the second part instrumental version. For ultra-funk, though, it's hard to beat "Glasshouse" and "Shakey Ground," which features guitar and bass work from P-Funk alumni Eddie Hazel and Billy Nelson. But they didn't leave their ballads entirely in the good old days, as the satin-drenched "Firefly," "Memories" and the title track clearly show. Produced by Jeffrey Bowen, this thing has "'70s'" stamped all over it. In the case of the Temps, that's good.“ (Cub Koda, AMG)

Dennis Edwards, vocals
Damon Harris, vocals
Richard Street, vocals
Melvin Franklin, vocals
Otis Williams, vocals
Donald Charles Baldwin, piano, clavinet, Moog, soprano saxophone
The Commodores, tape loop on "Happy People"
Eddie Hazel, guitar
Melvin "Wah-Wah" Ragin, guitar
Ollie Brown, drums
James Gadsen, drums
Zachary Frazier, drums
William "Billy Bass" Nelson, bass

Recorded 1974 at Motown Recording Studio, Hollywood, California
Engineered by Russ Terrana, Art Stewart, Fred Ross
Produced by Berry Gordy, Jeffrey Bowen

Digitally remastered

The Temptations
For more than forty years, The Temptations have prospered, propelling popular music with a series of smash hits, and sold-out performances throughout the world.

'The crowds are bigger, the sales are sizzling,' says one industry report. 'The outpouring of affection for this super group has never been greater.'

The history of the Temptations is the history of contemporary American pop. An essential component of the original Motown machine, that amazing engine invented by Berry Gordy, the Temps began their musical life in Detroit in the early sixties. It wasn't until 1964, however, that the Smokey Robinsin written-and-produced 'The Way You Do the Things You Do' turned the guys into stars.

An avalanche of hits followed, many of which - 'My Girl,' for instance-attained immortality. 'It's Growing,' 'Since I Lost My Baby,' 'Get Ready,' 'Too Proud to Beg,' 'Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,' 'I Wish It Would Rain'-the hits kept coming.

The classic lineup was Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin. Beyond the fabulous singing, the Temps became known for smooth stepping and flawless presentations. The Temptation Walk became a staple of American style, Flair, flash and class. Millions of fans saw their Temptations as cultural heroes.

When the sixties and seventies turned political, the Temps got serious. They changed their tone, dress and music. Producer Norman Whitfield led the way. His Temptations hits, many featuring Dennis Edwards who had replaced David Ruffin, burned with intensity. 'Runaway Child,' 'Cloud Nine,' 'I Can't Get Next to You,' 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone' and 'Psychedelic Shack' still smolder.

Other stellar singers-Richard Street, Ali-Ollie Woodson-joined, adding their luster to the group's growing fame.

No matter the change in personnel, the Temptations remained true to the Temptations tradition. They survived the whims of fashion, whether disco or techno, and stuck to their guns.

'Great singing,' says Otis Williams, 'will always prevail'

In the eighties, the Temps prevailed with smashes like 'Treat Her Like a Lady.'

Then in the nineties, another Temptation explosion:

It began with their appearance on Motown 25 in 1983; it continued with the NBC mini series that chronicled the group's history, a ratings triumph over two nights in prime time.

Then came a series of acclaimed records:

For Lovers Only, a collection of love standards, termed an instant classic by critics, remains among the most cherished of all Temptations recordings.

Phoenix Rising went through the roof, a platinum-plus mega-hit featuring 'Stay' the Narada Michael Walden-produced song that topped the charts.

Ear Resistible nailed a Grammy and a legion of new fans.

Awesome, released in 2001 is The Temptations at their freshest, strongest, and most appealing.

Reflections was released in 2005, nominated for a Grammy and brought to the world The Temptations versions of some of Motown's greatest songs

The current lineup consists of Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson.

'The more we change,' says veteran Ron Tyson, 'the more we stay true to ourselves. We're about singing straight-up soul. It's a style that will live on forever.'

'The Tempts have always been known for great lead singers', says Williams. 'Today we have three of the greatest leads in the proud history of the group.'

The soaring voice of Ron Tyson, perhaps the best high tenor in the business.

Terry Weeks, who grew up in Alabama and spent eight years in the Air Force before his makeshift audition for Otis on a Hollywood street corner, who's smooth textures and tones, express an extraordinary full range of feelings.

Newest member, Bruce Williamson started singing in a church choir at the ripe age of 5 years old and hasn't stop since. He has sung in everything from commercials to musical to the top showrooms in Las Vegas. Bruce was introduced to Otis by Ron Tyson.

'Our challenge,' says Williams, 'is to live in the present while respecting the past. Our past is filled with riches only a fool would discard. At the same time, we thrive on competition. As a Motowner, I grew up in the most competitive musical atmosphere imaginable. But we also understand that for a group with history, no matter how glorious that history might be, reinvention is the name of the game.'

'When I tell people we are God's group,' says Otis, a remarkable modest man, 'I don't mean it arrogantly. It's just that we have been tested time and time again and keep coming back. We have suffered the deaths of so many lengendary singers...Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin. Other's like Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Ali-Ollie Woodson and Theo Peoples have left, and yet our unity is tighter, our sound brighter and our popularity greater. Someone has watched over this group. Someone has protected our integrity. Someone has said...just go on singing and it'll get better.' Copyright ©2003 TheTemptations.com. All rights reserved.

This album contains no booklet.