The Temptations - No More Water In The Well

A tribute to Paul Williams (July 2, 1939 -- August 17, 1973) of The Temptations.
Time for another individual tribute to a Temptation. I've done one for the underappreciated Otis Williams, now it's time for my dedications to turn to Paul Williams aka 'The Soul of The Temptations' with "No More Water In The Well". Paul's talents can't really be summed up, powerful voice, great dancing, passion for lyrics - the list is endless. Paul had as good a voice - if not better - than fellow temp David Ruffin, I personally prefer not to choose between them. Paul, it could be argued, was the deciding factor in whether The Elgins/Temptations got signed by Berry Gordy with his earthy and soulful rendition of 'Oh Mother of Mine'. He was the designated choreographer for the group, his dance routines and creative hand gestures were what won the temps a lot of fans as they complimented the singing perfectly. Things would change
when David joined the group in 1964, despite the fact that Paul was always a star, and his show stopping numbers were equal to none (watch 'For Once In mY Life'). By the Spring of 1969, financial and emotional pressures were bearing down on Paul. A man who used to drink nothing
stronger than milk, would become dependent on alcohol, but the real problem would be his health. In 1971, Paul Williams would have no choice but to leave the group.
Even though Paul was no longer in the group, the guys saw each other regularly and in 1973, Eddie reached out to Paul, producing and co-writing a solo song for him titled "Feel Like Givin' Up". Any
consideration of releasing that song, with it's lyrics that were too literal to bear, came to a halt with the tragic suicide of Paul Williams. The song eventually would be released in 1995 as part of a Temptations' compilation. Paul Williams made an outstanding contribution to Motown and he will not be easily forgotten.
I reccomend these sites if you want to read more details about Paul Williams:
http://www.angelfire.com/stars/classictemptations/Paulearlyyears.html
http://www.angelfire.com/stars/classictemptations/Paulmemorial.html

Enjoy Paul Williams great voice with "No More Water In The Well".
Other great Paul lead songs you have to listen to (my personal
choices): "For Once In My Life", "Check Yourself", "Oh Mother Of Mine",
"I Want I Love I Can See" and "Dont Look Back".
thanks - dalkey130388

Category:

Music

Tags:

• r&b
• soul
• rare
• motown
• temptations
• paul
• williams
• tribute
• franklin
• kendricks
• ruffin
• no
• more
• water
• in
• the
• well

[josette47]

Jesus, now this is the high priest, respect...thanks for this nostalgia moment.

[dalkey130388]

Amen to that! Thank you for listening Josette!

[ibbysgurl]

This has such a nice groove to it. And Paul is fabulous!

[dalkey130388]

Yeah Paul is fabulous in everything! I found out the other day that if you take out an earphone or turn down the volume on the speaker which has the harmony on this song, all you can hear is Paul on his own without backing, almost acapella, and he sounds so clear and crisp - I reccomend it!

[dvlaries]

In any Motown biography you read, you'll find plenty of lament about Paul being gone too soon -and he was- but you'll not find a harsh word about him anywhere. Both everyone inside Motown family, and all the fans of their music speak of Paul with nothing but enduring affection. I'm 55 now and I've been listening (and buying) The Temptations since I was 10. Time has not laid a glove on them and it never will.

[cookiymonster411]

he was so fine!

[KangolQ]

I hear this song and can no longer fathom how David got lead on songs like "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" without a fight.

[jdpatterson100]

Jamerson is killing that bass,and theFunk Brothers are in thegroove pocket on this Joint!!!!!!

[jdpatterson100]

The original"Lead"singer of the tempts! Face the nation!!!!!! Paul ripped this song like only he could...PEACE.  StonieDogStl. ;-]

[MyPhilthethrill]

This sounds like this in stereo... which is AWESOME!

I only have the mono version from the Emperors of Soul box set.

[jpatterson740il]

There can be no substitute for the essence of soul which is epitomized by the Great Paul Williams on this track. The vocals are simply timeless and gut wrenching. Just as fresh as yesterday.

[wmall7]

Yes sir, these songs had feeling .

[wdjbaad]

Some songs never grow and No more water in the well is one of those. The album tempts with a lot of soul had many hits that were release and not released. This might not have been a hit but to true tempts fan it was a grammy award winner. A friend I had not seen in 30 plus years began to sing this song while we were singing some old temptations song. It blew me away because I did'nt think nobody else love this song.

[196465]

@cookiymonster411 And hot too!

[wmall7]

I have not heard this song by the temps in a long time. Paul was my man!!!! Thank you very much.

[sangmusically]

Paul could ve song anything to me.....