| The David Nathan Pages |
| EDDIE KENDRICKS: HOLDIN' ON February 1973, Phone interview conducted by David Nathan (in London) Eddie Kendricks had enjoyed critical acclaim with his groundbreaking 1972 "People, Hold On" album. The former Temptation had to experience a commercial mainstream breakthrough following his split from the group and was working on a new album with hopes it would provide just that... (c) 2007, David Nathan/SCI Enterprises. All rights reserved |
SURELY one of the most impressive albums to come out of Motown during last year was “People – Hold On”, only the second album
from Mr. Eddie Kendricks since his split from The Temptations some three years ago.
It came as something of a surprise to many – because although Eddie undoubtedly has the talent (and he shouldn’t be underestimated),
there had been such a marked silence from him record-wise, that his fans had begun to wonder if he’d relegated to the lower echelons
of the Motown hierarchy, rather like fellow ex-Temp David Ruffin (who, incidentally has a brand new album out in the States on which
Eddie lends a helping hand on no less a song that “I Miss You”). However, his second album in many ways dispelled these fears; it’s
been a steady seller in the States and just released in this country, it looks set to established Eddie’s name quite firmly here.
It’s certainly nothing like the standard Motown album - and in many ways, the excitement that the album generates puts it alongside
some of the funkiest things the company’s ever put out and it indicates that, given the opportunity. Eddie could be well up there with his
fellow Motowners such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye in the vanguard of the current ‘progressive’ soul movement.
Speaking from home in Detroit, Eddie explained that there was very much a concept behind the album; one of love and of people
coming together. He says he feels that the album captures the producers’ concept of him but he thinks there may have been some
misunderstanding about the ideas behind it. It was not, Eddie says, on album dealing specifically with black love and he feels that
possibly the sleeve (which has been changed for this country – the back cover will give you some idea, of what the gentleman is talking
about) may have given across this idea.
“Generally, I was not entirely satisfied with the album – I feel more could have been achieved. Having learnt to sing with a group, the
album did however, allow me to express all the different facets of my voice. Some of the songs, like “Eddie’s Love”, were written
specially for me and the album was certainly a big step ahead from “All By Myself”, my first solo album”, said Eddie....
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| EDDIE KENDRICKS 1973 Interview (EK-73-2007) Conducted by David Nathan, (c) 2007, David Nathan/SCI Enterprises |
