Uploaded by dalkey130388 on May 25, 2008
A Tribute to David English aka Melvin Franklin, former bass of The Temptations.
Motown founder Berry Gordy had said:"You could travel all over the world, stop at any door and ask about Melvin Franklin. You couldn't find anyone to say anything bad about him. He was the type of person that when he walked into a room, if it was dark, it would light up, and if it was lit up, it would become brighter."
Melvin is probably the most fondly remembered of the temps. Kind, generous, big hearted are a few of the words used to describe him. Whilst other former members have had aspects of their lives criticised i.e. drink, drugs, egotism, underhand deals, yet no one from motown has a bad word to say about Melvin. He won the annual motown spirit award many times because people felt his whole attitude encapsulated what it was all about. He never stopped smiling when performing, he was the model profesional singer, clean cut, all rounded athlete and deeply religious. I chose this song as firstly it's a rare lead for Melvin. and secondly it makes my hair stand on end when he first starts to sing. His trademark voice, that powerful yet gentle rumble, has lead him to be called the greatest bass singer of all time. When he sadly passed away best and oldest friend Otis Williams said that Franklin "will be in my heart as long as I live. He will always be my partner, and in his name, the Temptations will continue on." Listen to this Alabamian weave his magic through the track, and I'll leave you with a quote I got from The Emperors of Soul box set (highly highly reccomended btw):
"It seems to me when they say, 'Ladies and gentlemen, the Temptations,' I transcend the me that I am now, I become something greater."
Melvin Franklin 1942 - 1995 a proud Temptation.
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I grew up in the 50's and 60' with this music and it doesn't get any better than this! I have a vynl copy of The Temptations In A Mellow Mood with this song on it...incredible!! Those were the days...
3 years ago 5
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All Comments (65)
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martin sang this on his show it was great(funny wise i mean)
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@Tunes342 Hes an idiot. This song is meant for a bass and who better to sing it than the greatest bass ever. This is the best rendition of the song that I have heard.
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beautiful song, beautiful voices
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@gunplay568 ,they did do a version from the Mellow Mood album, but this alternate version that they did here is from the Emperors of Soul boxset on disc 2
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@POPWEE13 ,how did they ruin this song?
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@joehancock01 ,only in the first verse and in the harmonies
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damn i wish i could talk like melvin even though i have a deep voice but damn its natural for him SMDH!! why lord o why? lol
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i would have liked levy stubbs doing this tune
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nice randition by the temtations
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The Mellow Mood album
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What a beautiful song! Melvins one of my Bass Heroes and without a doubt one of the best basses EVER!
Bass35744 3 years ago 10
Oh absolutley, and goodness seemed to shine off him, he always had a reputation of being a really good guy, he's missed musically and personally by many, Thanks Bas35744
dalkey130388 3 years ago
i were looking every were 4 this song were eddie kendricks features in it .... eddie kendricks is in this isnt he
joehancock01 3 years ago 2
No, only in the speaking part at the start I believe, sorry buddy!
dalkey130388 3 years ago
beautiful song
Bracos08 3 years ago 3
It surely is spot on with the vocal and instrumental arrangments
dalkey130388 3 years ago