The Temptations - Live in Concert

The Temptations - Live in Concert

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Movie Reviews of The Temptations - Live in Concert

Movie Review: Comparison Bears Inherent Iniquity
Summary: 5 Stars

There have been a myriad reviews of this DVD that have animadverted the group's line-up of new faces; juxtaposition of the 1983 Tempts to the Classic Five line-up has been the catalyst of this string of censure. Let it be known, however, that comparison carries with it inherent iniquity, for if we constantly compare the past to the now, weening a hope that doing so will either induce a shift in the time-space continuum - and, thus, an assuasive revival of what we long for - or simply relieve our nostalgia in some other way, we will never progress. For if we were, speaking from America's point of view, to compare the United Kingdom of today to the Great Britain of the 1770s, we could simply adjudicate to abhor them again and return to war, rather than establish armistice and form an alliance; if we were to juxtapose the United States that antedates 1865 to the USA of today, though not completely perfect and now with less manifest conplicity, we might as well start another civil war! To paraphrase, we mustn't dislike simply because something is not conterminous with what antedated its successor(s) whom or it we may have loved more (of course, in the last two exemplars, it would be the other way around, but the point remains clear). We must focus on the whole of the now and not compare what is now to what was once; we must observe and decide objectively, not subjectively. The Classic Tempts' successors know whom they've succeeded and must live with that, trying to be on a par to their predecessors. We should enjoy the fact that the group is still trying to exist, even with the losses of its original members. In short, it is okay to censure this DVD if you truly didn't enjoy it, as long as your abhorrence wasn't engendered on the basis of a comparison of the "Classic" line-up to the "new" line-up.

I am speaking from a very unbiased view, for my favorite Temptations line-up - much like the rest of yours - has been and always will be the "Classic 5" line-up. For no one can ever replace Paul Williams' earthly baritone, Eddie Kendricks' sublime falsetto, David Ruffin's raspy, yet gospel voice, or - speaking about the Tempts postdating 1995 - Melvin Franklin's signature basso profundo. Their spirits and memory will ad infinitum live in the soul of the group and the hearts of their fans.

Never will I forget Paul's tear-jerking affectation of "For Once In My Life," Eddie's uplifting falsetto in "The Way You Do The Things You Do," his poignant falsetto in "Just My Imagination," and the rare display of his natural tenor in "My Pillow," David Ruffin's command of ballads in "Since I lost My Baby," "My Girl," and "I Wish It Would Rain," and Melvin's booming performance of "Ol' Man River." I love them all just as much as the rest of you, but we mustn't criticize their successors simply because they aren't the same people as their predecessors...

Summary of The Temptations - Live in Concert