NO-HOLDS-BARRED FOR THIS REUNION
DETROIT FREE PRESS
By W. KIM HERON Free Press Staff Writer
Date: Thursday, May 27, 1982 ; Page: 6D Edition: METRO FINAL ; Section: FTR
It's being billed as the "Temptations Reunion" but the exuberance of their
opening show before a home town audience Wednesday night at the Fisher Theater made one
think of a revival meeting at times. It was a no-holds-barred performance that had the
audience clapping along with old favorites before they were asked to; where the stars and
the audience exchanged waves like old friends. The reunion was called not because the
group ever broke up but because David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, the group's first two
and most distinctive vocalists, left in 1968 and 1971 respectively. The group has
continued and the newcomers, particularly Dennis Edwards, have been at least as powerful
as their predecessors. But many of the group's early hits were marked so clearly by the
voices of Ruffin and Kendricks that they could never be adequately reproduced. Besides,
Ruffin and Kendricks have recorded many fine tunes and the reunion was an opportunity to
perform these as part of the package. With seven people -- Edwards, Ruffin, Kendricks,
Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams from the original group and newcomers Richard Street and
Glenn Clark Leonard -- on stage at the same time at times, things did get a bit crowded
despite the chorography. Thankfully only five or six of them were on stage most of the
time. Early on, one set featured the hits of the early group, which included both
Kendricks and Ruffin. Tunes like "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and "You're My
Everything" brought signs of recognition from the audience and never seemed dated,
despite being more than 25 years old. The second set concentrated on the group of a few
years later when Kendricks and Edwards shared the spotlight on the tunes like "Cloud
Nine." Occasionally through the evening, the harmony seemed slightly off, but when it
counted the most -- such as an a cappella treatment of "Old Man River" -- the
group pulled through with ease. And the group's current configuration was marvelous,
holding filligreed harmonies behind Edwards on "Singing This Song for You." As
well as Ruffin and Kendricks performed with the group, they were at their best in their
solo sections. And Kendricks, as if the stage wasn't enough for him, ventured down into
the audience. Before he could reach the floor, women fans began to leave their seats and
streamed down the aisles to kiss him on cheeks. To prove that there's more to the
Temptations than nostalgia, they finished the show with a stomping rendition of their
current hit, "Standing on the Top," which is as much in the funk style of today
as their '60s work was in the big beat of the classic Motown style. Unfortunately, the
show began a half hour late and the opening number, comedian Alice Arthur, faced a less
than sympathic crowd, complete with cat-calls. But she won the audience over with comic
twists on the latest tactical manuevers in the battle of sexes, not to mention her
inspired celebrity imitations. Her James Brown routine is more than witty and who else
would suggest that he should have been cast in "Roots"? The show continues
through Sunday; at 8 tonight and 7:30 and 10:30 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. ** nc
e and never seemed dated, despite being
more than 25 years old. The second set concentrated on the group of a few years
Hendricks and Edwards shared the spotlight on the tunes like "Cloud Nine." Occasionally through the evening, the harmony seemed sl
*NEXT*ightly but when it counted the most -- such as an a cappella
treatment of "Old Man River" -- the group pulled through with