Temptations

September 1, 1988
With Romanowski, coauthor of Vanna Speaks , Williams, founder of the Temptations, a blues group that sang its way to the top of the charts in the 1960s, tells a vivid story of good times and bad: Motown's super group has been plagued by violent quarrels, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide. The Temptations have often been on the verge of falling apart, but Williams, according to the authors, has always been able to pull them together again, even to pick up the pieces of their troubled relationship with Motown founder Berry Gordy. Among other tidbits, the book provides illuminating insights into the famous ``Motown U,'' where singers were instructed in charm and deportment as well as musical skills. The group is still going strong, though membership has changed over the years, and Williams writes as a man who is proud of having kept it alive for so long. Photos not seen by PW.

JD Jackson does a bang-up job as principal narrator of this updated version of Otis Williams's 1988 memoir. Of course, Williams is the original and founding member of Motown Records' Temptations. While Williams narrates only the introductory section, the overall production is still well served. Jackson's soulful baritone is a pleasure and perfectly suits. An NBC television miniseries and the recent Broadway musical tracing the influence and evolution of the group clearly encouraged this audiobook's revisit. Fans, enthusiasts, and others will be transfixed by this behind-the-scenes look at one of Berry Gordy's iconic acts. W.A.G. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine