Playhouse Square's State Theatre to Host THANKSGIVING SOUL JAM

The most memorable hits from the decade of Motown, disco and dance join soul forces Sat., Nov. 26 at 7 pmin Playhouse Square's State Theatre for "Thanksgiving Soul Jam." Tickets are on sale as of 11 am Sat., Sept. 24 priced at $89, $75, $65 & $55 at playhousesquare.org . 216-241-6000 and the Ticket Office

Dennis Edwards & THE TEMPTATIONS REVIEW:

For more than 50 years, The Temptations' career has included smash hits and sold out performances worldwide. The history of The Temptations is the history of contemporary American pop. An essential component of the original Motown machine, that amazing engine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temps began their musical life in Detroit in the early Sixties and produced songs like "The Way You Do the things You Do" turned the guys into stars.

An avalanche of hits followed, many of which, like "My Girl," attained immortality. "It's Growing," "Since I Lost My Baby," "Get Ready," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Beauty Is only Skin Deep," "I Wish It Would Rain"-- the hits kept coming. When the '60s and '70s turned political, The Temps got serious. They changed their tone, dress and music. Temptations' hits, many featuring Dennis Edwards who had replaced David Ruffin, burned with intensity on "Runaway Child" "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone", and "Psychedelic Shack."

MANHATTANS

Since 1962, the now Grammy, gold and platinum award-winning group, The Manhattans, (originally from Jersey City), have sold over 12 million records throughout their career. With hits, such as "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and "There's No Me Without You", The Manhattans have established themselves as soul music icons. Their 1994 album Now includes the gospel classic "Touch The Hem of His Garment" and the original "Save The Best For Last".

DRAMATICS

The Dramatics have been one of the most prolific, consistently entertaining groups of the last four decades. Another of the great non-Motown Detroit groups formed in the late 60s, They hit on Stax/Volt Records with "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get," "Hey You! Get Off My Mountain" and a Latin-tinged cut lyrically based on a comic phrase popularized by Flip Wilson. It was an instant hit on both the pop and soul charts, and began a string of great cuts for the group. The follow-ups "In The Rain" and "Toast to the Fool" were even better, and have remained in active play on many stations for nearly 30 years.

ENCHANTMENT

Formed in the late '60s at Detroit's Pershing High School, Enchantment became one of the most enjoyable-but-underrated groups of the late '70s and early '80s, Enchantment was, for many years, just a local favorite, playing gigs in the Detroit area while hoping to ultimately score a record contract.

Their self-entitled debut album, Enchantment, contained two singles that charted well on the Billboard R&B chart - "Gloria" at #5 and "Sunshine" at #3. A second album, Once Upon A Dream far surpassed its predecessor by charting on the R&B album chart at #8 and Pop albums charts at #46. It featured the crossover ballad "It's You That I Need", which topped the R&B charts

Lenny Williams

Although Lenny Williams has had a long solo career, he is still best-known for his three years as the lead singer of Tower of Power, one of the top funk/soul bands of the '70s. But Williams was pursuing a solo career before joining Tower of Power, and he resumed his solo career after leaving that famous Oakland outfit in 1975.

Williams' three years with Tower of Power established him as a big name in soul and funk, and he became famous for his lead vocals on major hits like "What Is Hip?," "Don't Change Horses (In the Middle of a Stream)," "This Time It's Real" and the ballad "So Very Hard to Go." Williams next solo effort, Spark of Love became his first gold solo album and boasted the hit ballad "Cause I Love You."

To post a comment, you must register and login.