This is an extension of the post on Edwin Starr’s War and the fact that Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote this song for The Temptations after War was deemed  too controversial for them. Ball Of Confusion appeared on The Temptations Greatest Hits Vol.2 in 1970 and betwen 1970 and 2007 there have been some highs and lows in the various interpretations of the song. Judge for yourself, but here’s a short overview.

We start with the great Temptations original version of the song but The Temptations Live version from the eighties (?) is something to behold – gold suits, dancing and a vocal group of extraordinary talent. There’s some videos but these are mainly audio versions with images put together by fans. The Undisputed Truth, The Neville Brothers and Edwin Starr seem to have the song down best and the 16 minute Widespread Panic version certainly has some pazazz. Duran Duran’s version from 1995 comes from the Thank You album that according to Wikipedia,Q magazine in England called it “the single worst album in the history of recorded sound”. Anthrax ‘s version misses the funk badly but Tesla’s is ok. Love & Rockets Alternative version hits the mark but surprisingly Tina’s gets lost in the synths. Make up your own mind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_of_Confusion_(That%27s_What_the_World_Is_Today)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temptations

Ball Of Confusion – The Temptations – Live – 1987?

Ball Of Confusion – The Undisputed Truth – from the first album – 1971

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth_(The_Undisputed_Truth_album)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Undisputed_Truth

Ball Of Confusion – Edwin Starr – Involved – 1971

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Starr

http://www.allmusic.com/album/involved-mw0000857821

Ball Of Confusion – B.E.F feat.Tina Turner – Music Of Quality & Distinction Vol. 1 – 1982

http://www.allmusic.com/album/music-of-quality-and-distinction-vol-1-mw0000955843

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Electric_Foundation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Turner

Ball Of Confusion – Love & Rockets From the album Express – 1986 – Reissues and remasters of Seventh Dream Of Teenage Heaven – 1985

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Express_(album)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_and_Rockets_(band)

Ball of Confusion – Anthrax – Return of the Killer A’s – 1999

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_of_the_Killer_A%27s

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(American_band)

Ball of Confusion – The Neville Brothers – Walkin’ In The Shadow Of Life – 2004

http://www.allmusic.com/album/walkin-in-the-shadow-of-life-mw0000140004

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Brothers

Ball Of Confusion – Widespread Panic – Jackassolantern (Live) – 2004

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackassolantern

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widespread_Panic

Ball Of Confusion – Duran Duran – Thank You – 2005

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thank_You_(Duran_Duran_album)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duran_Duran

Ball Of Confusion – Tesla – Real To Reel -2007

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_to_Reel_(Tesla_album)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_band