The Temptations - Ultimate Collection (21 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

One of the great Motown groups

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not quite the ultimate Temptations collection, but it comes close. You could never fit all their great songs on one CD anyway, but the compilers were clearly determined to include some of their later recordings - the last three tracks on this CD. Angel doll, though recorded in 1967, was not one of their big hits - indeed, it was not even released at the time. The inclusion of these four tracks at the expense of real classics, including Beauty is only skin deep, devalues the title somewhat.Despite the omissions, this is the best single-CD collection of Temptations music currently available and contains many familiar songs. It begins with The way you do the things you do. A big hit in America, it did not chart in Britain. I first came across the song via an excellent cover by Rita Coolidge, but the original version is impressive. Other classic sons here include My girl, Get ready, Ain't too proud to beg, I wish it would rain, Cloud nine, I can't get next to you, Ball of confusion, Just my imagination and Papa was a rolling stone.Anybody seriously interested in sixties music in general and Motown in particular will enjoy the Temptations. Unless you want to go for a double-CD or a boxed set, this is the CD to choose."

Very misleading title for a mediocre compilation

Paul Tognetti | Cranston, RI USA | 10/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes! In this day of slick marketing and advertising gimmicks you can pretty much call any product anything you want to and make just about any claim you care to. Unfortunately such is the case with "The Ultimate Collection". For any true Temptations fan will tell you that this disc is certainly not reflective of its title and simply does not cut the mustard. Issued in 1997, "Ultimate Collection" is merely another in a string of largely inadequate offerings that purport to be the definitive Temptations Greatest Hits.

"Ultimate Collection" is not a terrible disc. It does offer tunes from all of the many phases of the Temptations dynamic career. The remastering job is just fine and I would rate the 12 page booklet acceptable but nothing more. The problem here is that there are 8 or 9 pretty important titles missing including 1966's "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need" and the highly successful 1968 collaboration with Diana Ross and the Supremes "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me". Some of these tunes should have been included on "Ultimate Collection" in place of filler like "Don't Look Back" and "Error Of Our Ways". For casual fans, "Ultimate Collection" might be an acceptable choice. But collectors and hard core Temptations fans should demand better. Hopefully, Universal will release a 2 disc set in the near future similar to the Four Tops "50th Anniversary" set. Such an offering is long overdue. In the meantime, I'll make due with what I already have."

It makes you cry...for the wrong reasons

zooropaflygirl | USA | 03/18/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"For a serious Temptations fan (exempli gratia, ego) this is a pretty lousy and insufficient compilation. The pattern of lineups in this group can best compared to Lynard Skynard-there are so many flamin' line ups that it gets to the point where it's not the same group anymore; it's just the Temptations by name only. David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, all of them gone. If you ask me, the real Temptations died the early 1970s. In place of indispensable gems of their golden years (id est, the REAL Temptations) such as "Slow Down Heart", "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", "Just Let Me Know", etc. this "ultimate collection" includes mediocre, (relatively terrible) latter cuts such as "Error of Our Ways". If you endeavor the enchanted staggering, and soul-moving work buy their studio albums prior to 1976 like "Meet The Temptations" and "Temptations Sing Smokey"; the earlier the better. They are more rare, but they are worth the purchase. Also, almost any other Temptations hits compilation is way better. I give this one an extra star for the beautiful closing track, the acapella of "My Girl". It makes me cry and reminds me:RIP TEMPTATIONS 1961-1976"

CLASSIC MOTOWN

ianphillips@uk.dreamcast.com | BOLTON, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND | 09/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Temptations were Motowns most succesful male act of the sixties. Their extraordinary stage act fascinated audiences in the sixties. They made countless classics through the sixties and early seventies and most of these turn up on this wonderful compilation which showcases their very best recordings. Fine classics featured on the album include THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO (written by Smokey Robinson), GET READY, AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG and a track that initially really sot the ball rolling; MY GIRL. They also made countless great recordings with the equally magnificent, Diana Ross and the Supremes with their most succesful collaboration being on I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME which also is on the album. Other notable tracks are CLOUD NINE, BALL OF CONFUSION, JUST MY IMAGINATION and the unforgetable PAPPA WAS A ROLLIN' STONE. Its a shame their momentum started to wear off after that particular release in 1972 but never the less their run of hits remain enjoyable and soulful."

Awesome mix of Ruffin to Now!!

ianphillips@uk.dreamcast.com | 02/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you want to pick one CD to add to your collection for the Temps., this is the one to have!! Goes from early mega-hits to the last Melvin Franklin song. Just a wonderful experience listening to David and Eddie, Paul, Melvin and Otis singing the original Smokey songs and Dennis fronting the Funky era to Ollie Ali with more recent songs. LOVE IT!!!!!!! Temptations Forever!"

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