The Temptations - I Want A Love I Can See (live)

[MistaStayPuff]

Paul was the best ever. May he rest in peace. I love his soulful hurt feeling in his music. We miss you Paul.

[MsTrueTy]

That ad lib is definately Elbridge bryant. Eddie did a lead song called paradise during the time Al was there check it out once you hear it, you'll know that its not eddie

[sanchez1992]

I find it hard to believe that any of you had actually heard Eddie sing in his tenor voice if you believe that he is the one singing on this song. This does't sound like Eddie. If you listen to this and DREAM COME TRUE, or MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE you will hear VAST differences in eddies normal voice. If you listen to Al singing in ISN'T SHE PRETTY you can hear that his voice then and IN THIS SONG sound EXACTLY ALIKE.

[hogan85]

Its clearly Eddie Kendricks sharing lead wit paul and ad libbing. Al Bryant has an operatic tenor along wit sounding like eddie!

[Renaissanceman1000]

Throughout his career, whenever Eddie sang in his natural voice, many listeners, unfamiliar with the full range of his voice, had no idea it was Eddie, unless he used his falsetto. When he sang in a softer head tone, he could transition into his falsetto, smoothly, almost imperceivable.

[Renaissanceman1000]

Al can be heard in the background. He's singing the second tenor part. His natural voice sounds a lot like Eddie's natural tenor, and his falsetto sounds similar. This happens with voices of similar range. The Tempts had a nice homogenized blend, sounding alike at times. But Al was not a lead singer for the Tempts. You have to listen to the vocal stylings of the lead singers. Eddie's pace, phrasing, and vocal quality is unmistakable.

[Renaissanceman1000]

Let's consider a couple of things. Eddie Kendricks was a great, versatile singer. Upon occasion, he would sing in his lower natural tenor. He has admitted that he didn't care for his natural voice too much. He preferred his falsetto, though he didn't refer to himself as a falsetto singer. He just did what he had to do. Al was a great singer, as heard on background. However, Al was not a lead singer for the group. I'm sure if he were, Motown might have given him a solo contract option.

[Renaissanceman1000]

Listen to 'May I Have This Dance' from the 'Meet The Temptations' album, and you will hear Eddie singing in his natural tenor voice, before switching to his falsetto on the ending chorus. Ciao!!! Eddie voice was not as raspy when he sang in his lower natural tenor voice. His falsetto had some rasp at times, which was consistent. Overall, Eddie could blend both registers of his voice to the sweetest perfection. Check out some Mellow Mood cuts. Ciao!!!

[Renaissanceman1000]

Was this taken from the Motown Review album, before Ruffin joined? Is there a CD or some film footage?

[Renaissanceman1000]

By the way, where is this footage from, the Motown Review album, or is there some video footage. I recall seeing the album advertised years ago.

[Renaissanceman1000]

If you want to hear Eddie's natural voice, listen to his post Tempts singles 'If You Let Me', and 'This Used To Be The Home Of Johnny Mae', and all doubt will be dispelled. Ciao!

[Renaissanceman1000]

Al Bryant, as Otis stated in his book was a floating Tenor. He could really soar high on his notes. Listen to the high obbligato background note on slow down heart. He had a great falsetto. Listen to his background on 'Isn't She Pretty' while Eddie is doing lead. Though the Tempts movie portrayed Al singing lead on 'Come On', the lead was actually done by Richard Street back when they were still the distants. No mention had ever been made of Al doing the lead on any early singles. Ciao!!!

[Renaissanceman1000]

The high note is Eddie. Listen to the way he shapes his words. On the solo ad lib, listen to the voice. In his natural voice, Eddie always had a bit of a rasp in his voice. Compare this song to 'Isn't she pretty' from the 'Meet the Temptations' album. You will also hear an ad lib at the end of the song. It's clearly Eddie singing in his natural voice, and switching back and forth during the song. Remember in their early days, Paul, and Eddie took turns at lead. Al did background.

[43AHodge]

Go to Wikipedia and type in Elbridge Al Bryant and you'll learn that El co-lead this song when sang live!

[b3ngals1]

It's Al, & dnt b confuse about it, bcuz Eddie & Al sounded alike, but Al had was alittle raspy with his high tenor

[b3ngals1]

THIS IS ELBRIDGE BRYANT !!!!

[bassistdc]

@b3ngals1 That's Paul on the main lead.

[TheReelsofJoy]

Nice!!!!!

[LIsMRMOTOWN]

This rare performance of The Temptations featuring Paul Williams and Elbridge Bryant (not Eddie) is from "The Motortown Revue Vol.2" recorded in 1963 in Detroit, now available on CD as part of the Motortown Revue set. Proof that it is not Eddie - just before they sing this, Eddie leads them on "Dream Come True.' Also, David Ruffin, who replaced Elbridge, -and not Eddie- does his part when they sing this on "The Temptations Live!"

[Renaissanceman1000]

@LIsMRMOTOWN 'Dream Come True' was Eddie's lead number. Singing it does not exclude him from sharing an ad lib on the following song. After all, there were only two lead singers for the tempts then. Although anyone could sing lead, Paul, and Eddie were the voices, at the time. Actually, Paul was "the" original lead singer, as their first album will attest.

[MsRgillespie]

The singing by Paul is great, but the music is outstanding, great musicians

[GarwinEugeneW]

You have to remember Eddie could sing falsetto to high tenor to mid tenor which by the way from what his close friends & relatives said was his original voice. Listen to Boogie Down and you will clearly notice that.

This is not Al Bryant.

[GarwinEugeneW]

Nah that's Eddie, you can tell by that trademark high yowl he does at 2:03.

[connie4087]

As I read both books about the Temptation I found out the was Al Bryant that singing. The used to sing this song whenever they had to do a live show way before David Ruffin joined them. If you listen to the song closely you will hear Eddie Kendricks focals in the background'

[Renaissanceman1000]

@connie4087 I read The Temptations by Otis Williams, but what was the other book you're referring to???

[connie4087]

@Renaissanceman1000 The book that I read was "Ain't to proud to Beg" by Mark Ribowsky. This book was published in 2010

[thegoodbrother12]

I thank it's Al....he sounds, actually, like another Detroit titan of the era, Hank Ballard of the Midnighters....but his attack sounds more stage-confident than Eddie's did, even as late as couple years later (ca 1966)

[thegoodbrother12]

@thegoodbrother12 I "THINK" it's Al...not "thank" lol

[LIsMRMOTOWN]

This is from the Motortown Revue Vol.2 and UNDISPUTEDLY features the rare voice of Elbridge "Al" Bryant trading vocals with Paul Williams at the end (a technique later employed by Michael & Jermaine). Eddie's voice is the lead on the preceding track "Dream Come True." As stated, David did Elbridge's part on the famous Temptations Live! LP, but this is a classic!

[nutothis1]

@LIsMRMOTOWN Is there any way that this could be purchased? Everything is so rushed these days, especially when it comes to giving tributes to the legends.  You may see a flash of old performances, but these guys and others like them deserve much better. When was this made? Berry Gordy really should release these classic performances.

[Renaissanceman1000]

@LIsMRMOTOWN Though Eddie did the ad lib part on this song, it was not uncommon for the Tempts to switch the leads around for live shows, in later years. They were not as established at this time. Once Ruffin came on board, it's easy to see why they let that phenomenal singer share the lead. By then Both he and Eddie had their share of hits.It was no big deal to give the ad lib to David. Listen closely to the Tempts Live album, and you'll hear Eddie do the same high wail, while David ad libs.

[Renaissanceman1000]

@LIsMRMOTOWN As the Tempts evolved, they were always switching voice parts around. In the early days Paul sang the second tenor part. However, his voice was often husky, and heavy. For some songs, in later years, it was better for Otis to do the second tenor, unless Paul was using his falsetto. Listen to the Mellow Mood album where they switched parts, as the songs necessitated. When David joined the group, he inherited Al's lead tenor harmony spot which is when he started using his falsetto.

[temptsfan2]

My guess is Kendrick. It does sound a good bit like his speaking voice. And, if the folk who insist that this was recorded in 1964 are correct, that seals it. Bryant was gone by then.

[jblackasia]

Too fast.

[blupass2003]

This is Al Bryant coming in on the ad-lib...and later on David Ruffin took over singing this part and you can hear that ad-lib on the 1966 album "Temptations Live"

[dienglee]

At 1:37, Al Bryant comes in. That is definitely him, and not Eddie. Remember, Al could really sing!

[noniekishun]

Al was with them then( rite)

[MrKeithMJones]

this is Paul Williams in the beginning.

[stizzle861211]

well i am living proof i can reasure all that al wasnt there that is paul and eddie and david was there also

[Renaissanceman1000]

@stizzle861211 Exactly. You are right and I wasn't there, but I know that Al was not one of the lead singers. Eddie would sing in his natural lower tenor from time to time, depending on the song. Good job!!!

[sanchez1992]

@stizzle861211 You are a liar. David was not in the group when this was first recorded in 1962.

[WithLoveforPaul]

What a treat this is...

Thank You

[Yamcharotto]

The al-lib is sang by Elbridge Byrant because the falsetto is too gruff and not loving enough (no homo) to be Eddie

[mjjcng8958]

@Yamcharotto no homo? it is not home to say what you said.lol and you are right it is al bryant

[luvoriginaltemps]

@tuzwol I'm incline to agree with you. Listening to Dream Come True, I believe that must be Al. And in listening to alot of temptations music you blessed us with, I'm sure you would more so know. Thank you dalkey for this gem.

[sanchez1992]

@luvoriginaltemps I wish more people will do what you did and listen to the songs where Eddie sings tenor. It sounds nothing like this.

[LIsMRMOTOWN]

This performance features one of the rare instances in which ELDRIGE (Al)BRYANT can be heard leading a song, as it is he -not Eddie- that is heard trading leads with Paul at the end. This is also where MICHAEL and JERMAINE got their trademark bacl-and-forth leads.

[tomcat1234beale]

hi Paul great to hear this song again

like this one

take care

TC

[tempts5]

Hot Paul sounds so good I got one with them singing this live also this is different from mines more fast

[brandonbear1]

There is another live version of this song and it is even more fantastic. David is in the group at the time and he actually adds vocals on this song but it is Paul who does the stand out job (with some Melvin in there to boot).

[qwertymanor]

@brandonbear1 Temptations Live! Check it on iTunes.

[Yamcharotto]

@brandonbear1 David is not in the group at this point. That is Al doing the ad-libs.

[nutothis1]

Where did you find this classic!!!! Seriously!!....I would like to get this version. It must have been recorded in the early 60s. Do you know if that was Al Bryant singing with Paul?

[DOWOPER333]

Its was11:00 PM and I stumbled upon this . I went into a Temptations Frenzy. Thanks for posting another Live version of one of Their Gratest Jams. Needles to Say I was up for another hr. or more Listening to The Guys, all over u tube. "Temptations Forever" Really enjoying your posy dalkey130388. God Bless.

[MotownMaster]

this is from Motortown revue live Vol. 2 Motown 615 released in 1964

[drteeth05]

i bet they are dancing their ass off!!!

[b3ngals1]

dis iz Al, nobody else,they had to let him get a solo in sumtime.

[mschest]

That is Al Bryant you hear with Paul.

[sanchez1992]

Are their any videos of their performaces when Al was still part of the tempts?

[paul7703]

that's DEF Al. Anyone who thinks that is Eddie K. needs to get the cocks out of their ears.

[mschest]

It is good to hear what Al sounded like.  I had never heard him sing before. He was very talented.

[WarriorsAnonymous08]

hmm this is a tough one for sure if only we knew he date. Now i would say al. But i want it to eddie. ive never heard als voice before but lets be honest im sure we never heard eddies voice none falsseto. So....im gonna leave it up to some1 from that error- The Prodigy

[sanchez1992]

Listen to Isn't she Pretty. Eddie singing his falsetto, while Al sings tenor. AL is leading in Isn't she pretty, not Eddie.

Group: Ohhhh isn't she pretty, a pretty a pretty

Al: She's pretty now

Group: Ohhh isnt she a doll

AL: Yea she's a natural born doll now

[sanchez1992]

I think That is Al backing Paul. If you listen to Eddie in his natural tenor on songs like "may i have this dance" it is WAy different than this. If you listen to Al's lead on "Isnt she pretty" it sounds exactly like this.

[tuzwol]

@sanchez1992 ,Al got skills,it sounds like AL,this doesnt sound like the lead singer from May I have This Dance and My Pillow which were sung by Eddie, I believe this was AL

[djreelballer]

@sanchez1992 Al didn't lead on isn't she pretty. That's eddie k. This is eddie k.

[ilive4mj88]

i love paul!!!!!!

[djreelballer]

Eddie's smooth falsetto didn't really develop til some time later, and he did use his natural tenor voice MOST of the time b4 that. Eddie sang on My Pillow and I believe that Al didn't have ANY lead recorded songs at all. This is eddie.

[mdwhitlock]

Thats definately Al, because he sang a song "Im Gonna Give her all the love I got" and the voice mirrors his. Eddie sang the song "Can I have this dance" and you can hear him pre-falsetto

[much2flyy]

yea and keep in mind that Al was a tenor/falsetto also i mean its a chance that its eddie but its a chance that is Al and their high notes sound alike cause Al and eddie were both tenors/falsettos

[suedemiddleton]

True, the ad-libs sounds like Eddie, I even compared it to another early song the Eddie sung in his natural Tenor.

But on wikipedia, on Elbridge's entry, it states that when They performed this song live, Elbridge would sing the co-lead with Paul.

[djreelballer]

Just listen to when he switches from tenor to falsetto at 2:16 .....proof.

[djreelballer]

this is Eddie Kendricks singing the ad lib. It's his natural tenor, which is also heard on My Pillow and other earlier tempts song.

[much2flyy]

yeaa its kinda hard 2 tell whos singin cause wen eddie uses his natural voice he sounds like Als regular tenor voice and at times they sounded alike but it seems like al is singin the regular parts like im alright and eddie is joining in on the high pitched parts in my opinion

[LetTheRainCome]

I feel like that's Al. I also feel that Al sang lead on My Pillow, because Eddie has that high part "Cause I Love you soooooo ohhh oh ohhhh" part which sounds much better sang then the lead. I understand that Eddie could do many things with his voice but these just dont sound like him. I feel he was better then that. Paul is my God though, I love that guy.

[alexdagreat814]

its little anthony from little anthony & the imperials

[tuzwol]

@LetTheRainCome ,That is Eddie singing in his natural voice on My Pillow. Me personally it shows another side of his vocal ability,but as for this song,its hard for me to decide

[Yamcharotto]

@LetTheRainCome Eddie sang lead on "My Pillow" because his speaking voice and natural tenor sound the same.

[KRYSTALLIGHT88]

I LOVE THIS VERSION ALSO.

[grifitti]

this is Paul on lead

[TheGreat90]

That doesn't sound like Eddie Kendricks at all.

[joseph210109]

HELLO what CD OR LP is this from ??

[loverofmusic4life]

the motown revue-1964

[stevenbogarat]

On Speed....Speedy Gonzalez....Cha Cha...x2...!!

[depthsofmyeyes]

Gotta remember that Eddie sang in his falsetto almost 100% of the time almost never using his natural tenor. I can believe that Eddie sang in his falsetto while Eldridge sang in tenor on this song.

[professormotown]

See people that remember seeing the Temptations way back know that Eddie sung in his natural tenor almost 100% of the time before the Tempts hit it big with "The Way You Do the Things You Do". You werent around in those days to see Eddie and the Tempts perform in lilttle clubs and sock hops, so of course you're going to say that he sung in his high voice almost 100% of the time because you werent there, you're more familiar with the famous tempts songs where eddie sung in his high voice.

[depthsofmyeyes]

This is Eldridge Bryant .. doesn't sound anything like Eddie. Eldridge recorded this song with them, it's not hard to believe he had this part in here. Eddie's voice is so much better.

[professormotown]

That is in fact Eddie. Listen to the opening medley (if you can) on the Tempts Live! album from 1967. When David Ruffin comes in on "I Want a Love I Can See", Paul is in the background with Eddie harmonizing and going back and forth sayin "I need your lovin everyday/bring it to me baby, any old way" and other ad-libs. And even if you heard Eddie's speaking voice, he sounds like that. Trust me, I know my Temptations, that's Eddie.

[ladyshadz86]

I totally agree 100% with professormotown, that its most definitely Eddie singing the ad-lib part. True,its not the falsetto that we are accustomed to hearing from Eddie but on the very few times he sings in a tenor voice on a few Tempts tracks there's no mistaking his voice.

[professormotown]

Well, you dont know Eddie from the old days. You're probably a very young person. I knew Ed, he lived down the streeet from me on Hanover. He spoke just like this and in their early days, he sung in his normal voice most times

[djellee]

No way that was Eldridge Bryant doing that. His tenor was hi and you can hear him on Dream Come True with Eddie. On that same album live.....

[professormotown]

I was at the live album concert too. It was in late 1966 at the Roostertail here in Detroit.

I dont know about this concert, I think this was at the Fox here in Detroit, I'm not sure

[loverofmusic4life]

you are right

[golf3700]

the voice is Al Bryant with Paul on lead. Al never had any other solos and was replaced by David Ruffin when he left the group. I was at this concert as well as the concert that recorded the live album.

[Ajaciana02]

david is in there he's playing beratone

[buddyruff727]

After reading Chefdeora's comment, I still don't know who it is blowing wit Paul. I love this version 2. ALL of the TEMPTATION then and Dennis EDWARDS( cause he wasn't a THEN) were simply GREAT...

[buddyruff727]

Thanks 4 posting dalkey130388, and in what year did they record the studio version? This live version is on point! I don't think thats Eddie backing Paul. Now he may be harmonizing in all, but I don't think thats him solo backing. It don't sound like Eddie on this one 2 me either. Next time I c Otis ima ask 'em lol. I'm curious 2 know who it is myself now.I believe blupass2003...Bryant did make MUSIC "with" n "as" a TEMPTATION.

[blupass2003]

I'm sorry but you're wrong....it was Elbridge Bryant!...adlibbing on that live version.That's why they had David does it on the album "Temptations Live" in 1966.Also "My Pillow' was Bryant's only lead, before David took his place.

[djreelballer]

Nope. It was Eddie Kendricks that did My Pillow, in his natural tenor. Just believe me man. Check out 2:16 , 2:17, and 2:18 of this video, you'll see how Eddie goes from natural tenor to his VERY WELL KNOWN falsetto and does it again later in the song. Give me a break man, Bryant didn't have ANY leads with them.

[taetoy]

I agree with djreelballer, It is all kendricks.

[djreelballer]

So much people misinformed lol.

That's ALL Eddie Kendricks in his natural tenor doing the adlib, and you can hear that because at the end of it, he goes to his signature falsetto. Bryant did not lead on ANY song with them, or any released song. It's all Eddie and Paul.

[jjc0929]

i dont know but that does not sound like eddie, his natural tenor is lower (i truly truly believe)

and there is a song in which bryant had a couple of leads, i cant remember the name tho....

[jmlpaulin]

yeah because he's done a bunch of songs on his solo albums in a lower register. not to mention when he's talking on the song "i'm gonna make you love me" his voice is pretty deep.

[SupaStarry]

That's Otis talking on "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"

[ZGarcia4]

al sang lead on (may I have this dance) on meet the temptations

[professormotown]

that was eddie kendricks on may i have this dance. i dont know who told you that was al

[djellee]

Really well if you go to later concerts David Ruffin did those parts later on with Paul, so if Eddie was doing those parts why did they have David(who replaced Eldridge) do those parts live?

[djellee]

And when you hear Eddie do a wooo part he couldn't double up his voice to come in during the woo. It's continual....

[much2flyy]

actually youre wrong cause if yu look up the temps in their early years it said that eddie paul and elbridge would sing some solos when they were live on stage

[djreelballer]

He never did any RECORD leads....concerts are ALWAYS different than record. There is NO recorded song that features Al on lead whatsoever. Singing on stage is not the same thing as singing lead....understand that.

[much2flyy]

true that but al can b heard clearly on a few of their songs like isnt she pretty where he sings alone on the chorus and all...but yea he should have had like a few lead songs in my opinion cause his voice aint bad at all

[joeluis98]

You know whats funny is that in the Temptations movie, they have Al singing lead in the song, I Wanna Love You, however, Richard was the lead singer in that song.

[djellee]

It was Eldrige Bryant doing the part and when David joins the group he would sing Eldrige's part in concert like later on the Temptations Live Album.

[blupass2003]

That's Elbidge Bryant on My Pillow and backing Paul o this recording

[djreelballer]

No that's Eddie Kendricks on My Pillow, in his natural tenor. and its Eddie here too.

[mikehavoc51]

Also there is another Live performance of this same song. From the The Temptations LIVE Cd posted on here somewhere and a live Performance Of "Dont Look Back" (My Favorite Song)

[mikehavoc51]

Im thinkin its both eddie and Al, But Al Doin more of the "alright" and eddie adding "Yea's" in and out. But either way like dalkey130388. It still a great listen! I just wanna see the dance steps these boys were doing. I know It was tight!

[buddyruff727]

I'm feelin u on this 1 Mike, cause it aint like Eddie wasn't a TEMPTATION at this time. Me personally don't hear David up in there no where...so it's got 2 b Elbridge n Eddie doing it. Now who's singing what I can't tell you. Thanks again

[mikehavoc51]

yea I know i read it somewhere that it was Al doing the adlib, and later when David joined the group He would do Al's part. I think Otis even said that himself. No disrespect to Eddie...All I know who ever it was it was still GOOD!

[buddyruff727]

I love it man, ALL the TEMPTATION leads were GREAT...but 4 me Paul sang lead on 2 of the GREATEST songs the TEMPTATION as a group EVER put out...and we know they had a lot of 'em. I love both versions of this song...thanks

I gotta get that Live Cd of the TEMPTATION!

[mikehavoc51]

Let me guess the two you're talking about are

"Don't Look Back" and

"I want A love I Can See"

and another favorite of mine is

"How Can I Forget You" Its a short one but Paul really put the "soul" on it!!

[much2flyy]

actually he did sing lead in some live concerts you can look it up and it will tell you that eddie al and paul did leads live

[bigcaddydevill96]

That's Paul lead right and Smokey Robinson to?

[tedkay]

Hey ! check out Motown's very first male artist Marv Johnson, a song called Happy days! written by Berry gordy! you can hear the Eddie Kendricks flavor with this guy, pre Eddie! Berry heard Kendricks at that audition closed his eyes when eddie sang his part, and he already knew what he was going to do as far as Eddie singing style, The song, may i have this dance has the Marv Johnson sound, berry wrote for Eddie and the tempts! he could have been a tempt with that voice!

[joehancock01]

i wanna love i can see. so i knew who fancied me . lol

[cincyfanone]

well i think its elbridge bryant, because that doesnt sound like eddie

[tedkay]

I think that's eddie's voice ! never heard him sing this low, it's his natural, wow!! love this posting ,never heard this!!

[tinaloveseddie]

Eddie is an amazing singer..either as a falsetto or his natural tenor....he is pure musical talent! But how awesome is Paul......love him!

[josh027020]

If you think that's low, look up My Pillow by the Temptations, Eddie not going falsetto

[joehancock01]

WWERE DID U GET LIVE VERSION FROM ?

[dalkey130388]

It's on Motortown revue 40th anniversary cd buddy!

[SupaStarry]

so there's no video? cuz i wud kill to see this lol

[dalkey130388]

Not as far as I'm aware SupaStarry, sorry! I wish there was, however this time last year there seemed to be new temptations footage posted at least weekly, but that doesn't seem to happen quite so often now unfortunatley.

[SupaStarry]

k. thanks :)

[tuzwol]

I believe David Ruffin had joined the group at this point,Al was no longer in the group.He was fired after a Christmas party.This live song was from December 31,1963

[ChefDeora]

Hi. I googled the date you gave, (thank you) and found out where the performance was. Would you know if there is any way to purchase a video of that performance legally? I so want to see this! In my imagination It almost sounds like Paul got pulled to the side of the stage, and was asked to keep the song going, as if the following act was not yet ready. Meanwhile Eddie and the band improvised, then Paul and Eddie finished up the song vocals together. I would love to see the choreography.

[ChefDeora]

OMG this is fantastic! I can just imagine the Tempts performing this in a place much like the Fox theatre, (from the movie) with the crowd dancing and being thrilled with the music. Wish I were there. So fun to hear Paul and Eddie hanging in there with this sexy upbeat fast tempo version.

[dalkey130388]

I love your comment, because that's exactly what I thought when I first heard it. I always loved the slower studio version, but this blew me away!

[djreelballer]

Yeah man that's definitly Eddie Kendricks doin the solo ad lib peice, cuz at the end of it you hear him go back to his signature falsetto.

[dalkey130388]

Fair comment mate