Rating: Summary: David and Eddie shine Review: I love this video. I have to be honest and admit that I only brought it to see David Ruffin and Eddie Kendrick's performance...Martha Reeves and Mary Wells were okay, but as I said, they were not the reason for my purchasing this. And why was Curtis Womack there, just because he was Mary's hubby at the time? Wasn't enough for him to be there, sorry. Mary did well enough to handle the songs by herself. Martha's voice sounded a bit odd to me during her performance, but it was clear and strong. On the other hand, David and Eddie, who were clearly the main attraction on this bill due to a resurgence in their careers during 1987, were HOT! They performed only a few of their solo hits (Eddie only sang "Keep On Truckin'" while David did "My Whole World Ended" and "Statue of a Fool" which is one of the better performances on the video), plus the hits they had with the Temptations ("Get Ready", "My Girl", "Just My Imagination", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" to name a few). Plus, you can see the warmth and camaraderie that existed between these two while they thrilled the audience. David's vocals...damn, what more can I say about him, except that he was one of the finest singers that ever lived. Eddie, ever the fashion plate, was sharp and still maintained his boyish good looks. His dancing was impeccable, and he even sings in his too often unused natural tenor (which I think he should have done more during his career, because it was so gorgeous). His falsetto, unfortunately, was not as strong as it used to be, but he still managed to recreate some of that old magic. Even though both he and David had long left the Temptations behind, it was evident that that they had only left the group physically...not spiritually. The finale consists of Martha, Mary, Curtis, David and Eddie all coming on stage to sing "Dancing In The Street". This video is a must for Motown fans, and for fans of classic soul period. Add it to your collection.
Rating: Summary: If I could only see and hear the Classic Five performing Review: I read all the previous reviews, and all were correct, even those that apparently contradicted each other. David's voice sounds the same, but surprisingly it was David I was most concerned about. Eddie's voice was weak, but Eddie outdanced all the others on the stage. His voice may have been weakened, but his love of music was strong, and his joy in music was there. Interestingly it was also obvious that Eddie cared about David. I have been busy analyzing each of the Tempts and have come to the conclusion that Eddie is the type of person who wants to care for those who are weak. But in connection with the show it was good to see that the renowned style and class of the Tempts were there in Eddie...Eddie had it all in his movements. David was, as always, a good performer, but his eyes did not glitter with enthusiasm. There seemed something rote about the performance. The videotape is good because it shows them at that particular stage of their lives. And that was what I wanted to see. I've had questions about them. I've often wondered if they ever said, "I should have stayed a Temptation." Their actions say it loud and strong. In fact, when one researches all the Tempts and what they did after they left, it is readily apparent that anyone who was ever a Tempt remains a Temptation Forever.
Rating: Summary: Oldies Review: I stopped reading reviews when someone finally told the truth. This show did ruin my memories of David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks. The entire show should have been taped at a Retirement Home so it wouldn't be so very disappointing. I am aware that voices change with age. It would have been nice if the performers had known it also. Martha's voice has been gone for quite awhile so, no surprise there. This DVD is a total waste of money.
Rating: Summary: Oldies Review: I stopped reading reviews when someone finally told the truth. This show did ruin my memories of David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks. The entire show should have been taped at a Retirement Home so it wouldn't be so very disappointing. I am aware that voices change with age. It would have been nice if the performers had known it also. Martha's voice has been gone for quite awhile so, no surprise there. This DVD is a total waste of money.
Rating: Summary: Great Last Look at former Motown Singers Review: I viewed the Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin parts of the DVD and that alone is worth the price. Eddie seems to really be into the show. Especially look at "I Know I'm Losing You" where Eddie is Running all over the place and even leaves his Falsetta to steal a few lead lines from David while David looks with Admiration. Good show from former Motown greats.
Rating: Summary: Motown revue is sad nostalgia, weak performance. Review: In 1987, several of Motown's greatest legends toured the nation in a nostalgic revue. Shortly thereafter, most of them died, including David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Mary Wells. This is a record of the concert and it's wildly uneven. Yes, there's a few magic moments, for example, Ruffin singing "My Girl," and Martha Reeves generates some electricity on "Jimmy Mack." But even more frequently, you can see that these artists are past their prime; occasionally, Ruffin, who easily had one of the greatest voices in pop history, sounds little better than any average voice. Sometimes corny, other times uplifting, but never when they try to be, which is too frequently.
Rating: Summary: EDDIE AND DAVID SAVED THE NIGHT Review: QUICK AND TO THE POINT, THE VIDEO "DANCIN IN THE STREETS" FEATURING MARY WELLS AND OTHERS WAS SAVED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF DAVID RUFFIN AND EDDIE KENDRICKS. JUST TO SEE THE FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE DISPLAYED ON STAGE MADE THE PURCHASE WORTH WHILE. DAVID VOICE IS TOP NOTCHED AND EVEN THOUGH EDDIE VOICE WASN'T AS TIGHT AS IT USED TO BE HIS ENTHUSIASM AND SHOWMANSHIP BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES AND SMILES AND MADE UP FOR ANYTHING HIS VOICE LACKED. ALSO THE PERFORMANCE IS NOT A SHORT SET BUT MEMORIES OF MANY OF THEIR HITS. IF YOU ARE A TEMPTATIONS FAN YOU'LL GET YOUR MONEY OUT OF THIS ONE BUT DON'T BANK ON THE REST OF THE SHOW TO MAKE YOU GLAD YOU MADE THIS PURCHASE.
Rating: Summary: Oldies Review: QUICK AND TO THE POINT, THE VIDEO "DANCIN IN THE STREETS" FEATURING MARY WELLS AND OTHERS WAS SAVED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF DAVID RUFFIN AND EDDIE KENDRICKS. JUST TO SEE THE FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE DISPLAYED ON STAGE MADE THE PURCHASE WORTH WHILE. DAVID VOICE IS TOP NOTCHED AND EVEN THOUGH EDDIE VOICE WASN'T AS TIGHT AS IT USED TO BE HIS ENTHUSIASM AND SHOWMANSHIP BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES AND SMILES AND MADE UP FOR ANYTHING HIS VOICE LACKED. ALSO THE PERFORMANCE IS NOT A SHORT SET BUT MEMORIES OF MANY OF THEIR HITS. IF YOU ARE A TEMPTATIONS FAN YOU'LL GET YOUR MONEY OUT OF THIS ONE BUT DON'T BANK ON THE REST OF THE SHOW TO MAKE YOU GLAD YOU MADE THIS PURCHASE.
Rating: Summary: EDDIE AND DAVID SAVED THE NIGHT Review: QUICK AND TO THE POINT, THE VIDEO "DANCIN IN THE STREETS" FEATURING MARY WELLS AND OTHERS WAS SAVED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF DAVID RUFFIN AND EDDIE KENDRICKS. JUST TO SEE THE FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE DISPLAYED ON STAGE MADE THE PURCHASE WORTH WHILE. DAVID VOICE IS TOP NOTCHED AND EVEN THOUGH EDDIE VOICE WASN'T AS TIGHT AS IT USED TO BE HIS ENTHUSIASM AND SHOWMANSHIP BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES AND SMILES AND MADE UP FOR ANYTHING HIS VOICE LACKED. ALSO THE PERFORMANCE IS NOT A SHORT SET BUT MEMORIES OF MANY OF THEIR HITS. IF YOU ARE A TEMPTATIONS FAN YOU'LL GET YOUR MONEY OUT OF THIS ONE BUT DON'T BANK ON THE REST OF THE SHOW TO MAKE YOU GLAD YOU MADE THIS PURCHASE.
Rating: Summary: Dancin' is the Best! Review: Run, don't walk to order this DVD! The combination of artists, songs performed and historic importance of this concert make this a must-have and/or must-gift to people into the Motown sound, in my opinion the greatest music label in history. Mary Wells singing "My Guy" is one of the best, along with Martha Reeves, "Jimmy Mack", as soulful a performance as you will ever see! I counted the songs on this DVD - - there are 27, an amazing amount of songs for a DVD! With all the songs and performances, this DVD is a great value and a great addition to anyone's DVD collection - - check it out!
|