While I am impatiently awaiting the arrival (ooo see what I did there) of a re-released Abba's The Visitors (with unreleased tracks. *SCREAM*), there is a double disc edition of the 1976 self titled Diana Ross album to enjoy. And what a corker it is. Read on my chummy chums, read on...
Diana Ross (1976):
Despite being her second album to be called Diana Ross, this 1976 gem is completely worthy of a deluxe re-release complete with alternative versions of tracks, unreleased recordings and a lovely fold out cd package with gorgeous liner notes that read like a dream. I was minus 6 in 1976 (I wasn't really, I was 2) but I vividly remember this album being played for a long time during my formative years by my disco loving mother. If you haven't checked out the album, you are probably already aware of many of the songs within. It came hot on the heels of Diana's massive and lovely number one smash ballad Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To), a song later covered by Mariah Carey. It has a gorgeous orchestral accompaniment and a sweet, tempered vocal that lets the lyrical story unfold at a natural pace. It was rightly nominated for an Oscar, and though it didn't win, the satellite link performance of Diana Ross performing in a horse drawn carriage is delightfully unforgettable. There's more elegant balladry in the form of I Thought It Took A Little Time which further acts as a crystal clear showcase for the inimitable vocals of Ms Ross and was quite rightly a single. It's the anthemic disco classic Love Hangover that most people remember from this album - here in it's original 7m+ original version as well as the single edit which stormed the charts. It reminds a giddy reminder of the halcyon disco days and it's appeal certainly hasn't diminished over the years. It helped reinvent Diana as a disco diva and the tune still sparkles from start to finish. In addition to the singles, there are some other choice cuts on the original album, including the very charming Kiss Me Now & the Diana produced Ain't Nothing But A Maybe. It's no wonder it was a massive seller and continues to be a classic to this day.
The expanded addition includes a variety of single mixes (including the dance remix of fourth single One Love In My Lifetime) as well as some rare tracks (the promo only single of Coming Home) and unreleased magic. The most notable of these is a really endearing cover of Elton John's Harmony, although Le Li Lo is definitely a fun and spunky pop song. Mostly it serves to remind people that Diana Ross was the reigning diva of her day and while she may not bother the charts as much anymore, her influence and legacy continue to be felt today. Now go, buy. It's out on Monday!!
No comments:
Post a Comment