A Sweet Temptation: Dennis Edwards’s 15 Best Performances
Dennis Edwards was one of the best R&B singers of his generation. When Edwards became the lead singer of the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin, his distinctive voice would be heard on such classics as “Cloud Nine,” “Psychedelic Shack” and of course “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Aside from his voice, Edwards’s larger than life persona, animated and commanding stage presence helped to keep the group contemporary and beloved. These are 15 of his greatest moments as a Temptation as well as a solo act.
1) “Cloud Nine,” Cloud Nine (1968)
After David Ruffin left the Temptations their producer Norman Whitfield gave them a new direction. Whitfield became enamored with the sounds from Sly and the Family Stone and the early strains of Parliament/Funkadelic and George Clinton. The group started to center on current, bleak events and their new lead singer Dennis Edwards became the voice and the heart of the sound. Although Edwards didn’t possess Ruffin’s trademark anguish, Edwards possessed a fast tongue, a vocal power and a sense of humor. “Cloud Nine” was released in 1968 and augured a new direction for the Temptations and for Motown as well.
2) “Ball of Confusion,” Greatest Hits II (1970)
While “Runaway Child Running Wild” and “Don’t Let The Joneses Get You Down” were close to parody, 1970’s “Ball of Confusion” brought the psychedelic sound and style to high art. Edwards’s increasing strength and confidence made Whitfield go even further with his production tricks. Although Edwards shared the vocals with his fellow Temptations, his lines won the day showing the skills of his limber tongue searing delivery and dedication to the lyrics. In a time of confusion, “Ball of Confusion” gave listeners a sense of peace and reflection in uncertain and troubled times. “Ball of Confusion” never appeared on a regular release album and made its debut as a single and as a new song on new song on the second volume of their Greatest Hits.
3) “Psychedelic Shack,” Psychedelic Shack (1969)
This song straddles the line between great social commentary and the more cartoonish aspects of the psychedelic era. “Psychedelic Shack” is another example of the group splitting the vocals but again Edwards is the anchor. The first lines he sings gives the song a sense of the urgency and credence. The “tie-dyed/love-in” lyrics and hammy production make this a bit dated, but the greatness of Dennis’s performance stands the test of time.
4) “I Can’t Get Next To You,” Puzzle People (1969)
By this point, if you missed the stirrings of David Ruffin’s pleading vocals as the lead of the Temptations, you would just “have to get over it.” Producer Norman Whitfield was coming even more into his own, was less reliant on the innovations of Sly Stone and Parliament/Funkadelic and had perfectly crafted a psychedelic funk update of his hard-driving mid ’60s style. Edwards was again the anchor and dedication gave the farcical and boastful lyrics a sense of gravity and gravitas. Edwards’s vamp on the song’s end was a testament to his sustained power and singular voice.
5) “Unite The World,” Sky’s The Limit (1971)
The hard to spell and pronounce “Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World)” was proof that all of the ’60s and ’70s Temptations songs couldn’t be hits. “Unite the World” is Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong’s semi-catchy paean to unity. From a sonic standpoint, it’s a gorgeous record, crunchy and propulsive and somehow staying on this side of cacophony. Although the song seemed to disappear without a trace, the group performed it on The Andy Williams Show. Although the group was standing strong, the times were changing. Fans were seeing Dennis with even more confidence and yet his friends and fellow Tempts, Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, would soon depart the group. Edwards seemed to love this lineup of the Temptations and “Unite The World” shows them having a strength and sense of purpose that some subsequent Tempts lineups couldn’t seem to muster.
6) “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” All Directions (1972)
“Papa Was a Rolling Stone” has an interesting history. Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong’s blistering attack on an absent father seemed to upset one person in particular: Dennis Edwards. Why? The song’s intro line, “It was the third of September” happened to be same date Edwards’s own father died. Not surprisingly, that reportedly made Edwards less than thrilled to sing the lyrics. A fan of Edwards can hear a tenseness in his delivery but it worked–especially with the bluesy, eerie arrangement and production. The original song clocked in at 6:54 (single) and the album mix was 12:02. Although Edwards’s reluctance to sing the song has taken on mythic proportions, an unreleased Tom Moulton mix version of from the “Papa” sessions featured more vocal interplay and displayed Edwards and the group having fun with the vocals and the song itself. Still, “Papa’s” biggest claim is its seriousness and finesse in discussing a difficult topic. Edwards’s steady vocals throughout helped the song make its mark.
7) “Ain’t No Justice,” 1990 (1973)
For most 1973’s Masterpiece, Norman Whitfield seemed to be mining for “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” like gold through inferior songs like “Plastic Man,” “Law of the Land” and the draining “Masterpiece.” Lighting didn’t strike twice, but the next album 1990 delivered an edgy and strong gem. The social commentary of “Ain’t No Justice” hearkened back to the soundscape and ethos of the work from Sky’s The Limit. “Ain’t No Justice” shows Edwards’s range and displayed his firepower as well as his more tender side. The last minute of “Justice” takes on an ominous calm as Edwards skillfully navigates the complex emotions of the subject at hand. By the end of the song, Edwards unleashes one of his best and effortless vocals that has so much emotional truth and displays a skill very few singers possess.
8) “Memories,” A Song For You (1975)
By late 1974, the Temptations wanted to get back to singing love songs. They had split with their longtime producer Norman Whitfield and were doing sessions with various producers including Steve Cropper, Stevie Wonder and Jeffrey Bowen. Bowen had worked with the group during the In A Mellow Mood days and had made a name for himself working with The Chairmen of The Board. In short, the Temptations and Jeffrey Bowen both needed one another for this precarious next step. And like the many trials of the past six years, the Temptations again relied on Edwards–who had become the voice and face of the group. “Memories” is the kind of atmospheric and poignant song that proved that while Dennis could spark like a powder keg he could also sing tender and sweet ballads. The Temptations and Dennis were in no short supply of ballads as songs like “A Song For You” and “Soulmate” (a song from A Song For You sessions that was finally released in 1986.) “Memories” caught most of the magic as Edwards spun one of his most spellbinding performances.
9) “Keep Holding On,” House Party (1975)
“You’ve got to celebrate/Everyday you live…” At this point it was almost getting too easy. Edwards was a singer of many virtues (for better or worse) was the skill to enliven potentially dull tracks. The up to the minute”Keep Holding On” was from the Holland Brothers, who returned to Motown for a bit in the mid ’70s. The style is a long way from the old Motown sound and is more in line with polished though gaudy funk that seemed permeate a lot of West coast R&B sessions circa 1974 to 1976. Although “Keep Holding On'” isn’t a great song, Edwards strength lifted this to the top of the R&B charts where it reached an unbelievable #3.
10) “Power,” Power (1980)
He’s backkkk…..Dennis Edwards left the Temptations in 1976 and returned in 1980. When he rejoined the group, Motown put a lot of effort in regards to appearances and promotion. It seems that even when Edwards and the Temptations weren’t even on Motown, they didn’t leave Berry Gordy’s mind. While the group was at Atlantic, Gordy and Angelo Bond wrote a sharp, polemic song that he saved for the group in case the Temptations ever returned to the label. It was a good decision. Even better? Dennis was back to sing on it. The song was reminiscent of the Whitfield/Strong barn-burners and Edwards was at his growling/squalling best. “Power” was all but a rallying cry for some lovers of the Temptations and it propelled them back to the charts. In performances of the era, Dennis seemed to be especially happy to be back with the guys and the feeling seemed mutual. “Power” took them anywhere from The Midnight Special, The John Davidson Show and The Toni Tennile Show.
11) “I’m Coming Home,” Power (1980)
The Temptations recorded quite a few songs upon their return to Motown including songs from the 1980 movie Loving Couples. “I’m Coming Home” is clear album filler but the song is so charming that it also proved Edwards’s worth in an effortless fashion. “Home” caught some of the great dancey, disco-ey groove that touched “Power” and it has the beat that lovers of old-style R&B and disco might find contagious. This song is simply the kind of song the Temptations struggled with during Edwards’s absence and but with him they tackled it with ease.
12) “Silent Night,” Give Love At Christmas (1980)
Motown kept the circa 1980 Temptations very busy. Their return coincided with their 20th anniversary and the label wanted Temptations product on the shelves, even a Christmas album. In 1980 Motown/Gordy released Give Love At Christmas and it included the Temptations version of “Silent Night.” The song again was a strong group effort with Edwards supporting tenor Glenn Leonard’s delicate lead. In 1987 when Edwards returned to the group, he got the chance to sing “Silent Night” with the guys in the TV special Motown Christmas. Dennis was so “Dennis” during the performance fellow Temptation Otis Williams couldn’t help but look at him and smile.
13) “Miss Busy Body,” Back To Basics (1984)
The ’80s got interesting for the Temptations. In fact, things got so wacky that the Temptations ended up be being produced by Norman Whitfield again after 10 years. “Miss Busy Body” is a swaggering, electro-funky, non-politically correct gem. Although this seemed positively ossified on the R&B charts alongside Kashif, O’ Bryan and even the Whispers, “Miss Busy Body” was Edwards’s wheelhouse, breathing fire, carrying on and true Temptations fans loved it.
14) “Don’t Look Any Further,” Don’t Look Any Further (1984)
After a few so-so albums, Edwards left the Temptations. Don’t Look Any Further was Edwards’s first released solo effort despite recording an unreleased solo album for Motown in 1977. “Don’t Look Any Further” was an evocative, kinetic mid-tempo romantic track, a duet with Siedah Garrett, This was Edwards’s time to shine and shine he did and he effortlessly turned in a career performance. Due to the production, “Don’t Look Any Further” zoomed up the charts and became a timeless classic. And of course, there’s the video… The video had kitsch appeal from the outset with it’s cheap effects and Edwards hammy presence. Despite the pop culture heights this hit, perhaps the most interesting thing is how Edwards didn’t miss the Temptations and was fully formed solo act. “Don’t Look Any Further” hit the Billboard Black Singles Chart at #2.
15) “Do You Wanna Go With Me,” Together Again (1987)
“Woo woo!” For a good part of the ’80s, the Temptations and Dennis Edwards went down divergent paths. From 84-86, the lead singer of the Temptations was Ali-Ollie Woodson and he revitalized the group with songs like “Treat Her Like A Lady” and “Lady Soul.” At the same time, Edwards was sliding down the charts as his second solo LP, Coolin’ Out got a chilly repetition on the charts. By 1987, Woodson was out and Dennis Edwards returned. For the most part, Dennis got back to business and acclimated himself to the late ’80s, smooth R&B sound the group had been doing on albums like Truly For You and To Be Continued. “Do You Wanna Go With Me” has all of the tech-heavy accouterments of ’80s R&B and Dennis was up to the challenge. This song is a classic, swooning ballad with Edwards offering a hard-edged, pure R&B vocal. The sound was good news to Temptations fans and they were indeed glad the guys were “together again” if only for a few years.
