Temptations Still Get Your Toes Tapping

Tue., Aug. 16, 1994

Don Adair Correspondent

The Temptations Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Festival at Sandpoint

Steve Martin used to do a comedy routine he called “Happy Feet.”

Without warning, his feet would break into spasms of physical joy. They were beyond his control.

There were lots of Happy Feet at the Temptations concert Saturday at Sandpoint. Their owners couldn’t do anything about it: The Tempts would slide into a cool groove on, say, “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” or “Get Ready” and even though they knew they shouldn’t, the Happy Feet people were forced to stand up and shake it just a little.

The song that really did it was a rousing version of the Isley Brothers’ “Shout!”

Man, there were Happy Feet all over the place.

Since these were responsible, mature folks, they’d ultimately sink sheepishly back into their seats - but the evening was a constant struggle for anyone blessed with Happy Feet and the irresistible urge to dance when a great soul band finds the groove.

The Tempts were a man short Saturday - founder and bass singer Melvin Franklin has been sick - but the Emperors of Soul carried on the way they always have, with astounding harmonies, some of the best songs on the planet and moves mortals should never try.

Actually, six brave civilians were recruited to sing and dance along during a wonderful, crowdparticipation version of “My Girl.” Try as they might, the six succeeded at proving exactly how hard it is to be a Temptation.

It would be easy for an act that’s been around for three decades and relies on oldies to take the low road by replacing the old guys with the cheapest available talent, but the Tempts are a class act, and the young guys - Ron Tyson and Ali-Ollie Woodson - were outstanding, sharing most of the high lead vocals in the great old Temptations tradition.

Woodson is a great soul shrieker and, during the “My Girl” bit, proved a genial host.

The Tempts outdid themselves in the wardrobe division, with colorcoordinated suits in hues appropriate to a Mad Hatter Easter Party. And with the coolest moves on Earth, the Temptations still define hip.

And they still know how to shortcircuit the entire nervous system and get right to those Happy Feet.

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