My Greatest 100 (or so) Albums...

The Temptations Anthology (Motown, 1974), now I don't generally support putting greatest hits collections on top albums lists, but in the case of certain Motown stars, and some others who's regular album were composed of a couple of hits and filler, I will gladly recommend the collections like this one which features the best of the Tempting Temptations from `64 through `73. The Temptations basically consisted of 5 lead singers: Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams. If I ever do a list of favorite singers Kendricks, Ruffin, Paul Willians and Ruffin's first replacement, Dennis Edwards will all be on the list! That's how much vocal talent they had over the years.

In their early years, The Temps basically sang music written and produced by the Great Smokey Robinson, this was their "My Girl," "It's Growing," and "Get Ready" period and leads were generally sung by Eddie Kendricks, though Ruffin and occasionally Paul Williams got them, too. All that's on here.

And the Tempts greater Norman Whitfield (writer producer) phase is also comprehensively represented with everything from "I Wish it Would Rain" to "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and all the classics in between. Whitfield took them from romantic baladeers to funky social comentators, often in the space of two songs. By this time Ruffin was taking most of the leads, and Paul Williams who was just as great, was more or less crowded out. He was replaced initially by Richard Street. Ruffin left and was replaced by Dennis Edwards, who you know from his leads on every non Kendricks song from "Cloud Nine" through "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." You know his voice. You dig it. You gotta hear it.

Anyway, it's all here, and if you want to know why I'm such a fan of Paul Williams, check out his leads on "Walk and Don't Look Back" and "The Impossible Dream" he's also the deeper lead on "Just My Imagination." Enjoy!