Nothing quite exposed the crass side of Motown like comparing these two albums, both released in 1967.
The Temptations’ Live! album is one of the best live albums from a vocal group. Which is quite a thing to say considering how notoriously poor live recording was at clubs and concerts during the 1960s. Now the recording on this album still isn’t the best, but it is far better than you’d expect from the time.
Meanwhile, In A Mellow Mood is absolute garbage. One of the worst albums put out on Motown records. The situation is made worse by the fact the album was purely a play to attract supper club audiences. The Tempts were forced to record a bunch of standards with schmaltzy orchestral backing that stripped away their soul. These guys were pretty versatile, able to record R&B, doo wop, and pop vocals while still retaining a soulful essence. A spark.
Every group has a breaking point, though.
There is no spark to be found on In A Mellow Mood. The only song eliciting even mild excitement is “A Taste of Honey”. Probably because it leans more toward vocal jazz and is mercifully just two minutes long.
Live! on the other hand is drop dead exciting.
The band is fine form. The Temptations showcase their vocals are not the product of studio wizardry. The audience is out of control at times… in a good way. There are moments where they are carrying the show and are just as much a part of the performance as the band and Temptations.
And my God, the showstopping song is “Don’t Look Back”, which is taken from its 2:30 pop/R&B structure to a seven minute spiritual thanks to Paul Williams.
Naturally, both albums topped the R&B charts like every Temptations album did through the early 1970s. Live! also hit #10 pop and In A Mellow Mood undeservedly got a #13 showing there.
In the end, you probably are better served listening to the Temptations’ studio recordings than the Live! album, but that LP is good to trot out to hear just how great these guys were on stage.
ALBUM GRADES
In A Mellow Mood: F
Live!: B+