Classic Motown Album Of The Week: Surrender

[Lulu]

Whether you are a Diana fan or not, there's no denying that this is a wonderful, cohesive effort and one of her best.

http://classic.motown.com/2014/10/13/album-week-diana-ross-surrender/

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Just as Motown knew how to package and market the solo Diana, Ashford & Simpson knew how to produce her and match her with the perfect songs. H-D-H aside, out of all of Diana's solo albums, her Ashford & Simpson productions remain my favorite, followed closely by her Michael Masser productions. Nick & Val were so artistically successful with Diana, I was always baffled as to why Berry didn't pair them up more often. [I'm still waiting [[no pun intended) to hear the remaining previously-unreleased Ashford & Simpson productions which were intended for the "Diana & Marvin" album project. If "Just Say, Just Say" is any indication, those unreleased tracks are undoubtedly dynamite [[or, I should say, I heard that they exist).]

[no_place_like_motown]

My favorite albums by Diana were the three that A&S produced. They really knew how to bring out the best in her and their productions were always top-notch. That being said you made me want to listen to "Surrender" [[which I never get tired of) in it's glorious extended version that appears on the expanded CD version of "Surrender."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL3O7RMiBwo

[no_place_like_motown]

How about "And If You See Him":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lim_xJxxZQY

[no_place_like_motown]

The previously unreleased "Baby I'll Come [[Right Away)" from "Surrender" [[expanded). Great song!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeVfUZWvKLM

[no_place_like_motown]

Here's Diana doing "Remember Me" live at Caesar's Palace, 1979:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMc_B7ey5l0

[no_place_like_motown]

The beautiful, mid-tempo "I'll Settle For You":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmFPE-XmSYg

[no_place_like_motown]

Love the moody "All The Befores"; Valerie does her thing on the last minute of the song on those keys! Almost reminds me of a classical tune...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbcS-mVWTkQ

[florence]

For me it's a mixed album with some great but some mediocre tracks.

Remember Me is my very favourite Diana single and I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel For You could surely have been a massive UK hit.

In the UK they actually re-titled the albun I'm Still Waiting to take advantage of the smash single of the same name.

[theboyfromxtown]

Love the moody "All The Befores"; Valerie does her thing on the last minute of the song on those keys! Almost reminds me of a classical tune...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbcS-mVWTkQ

My favourite track on the album. Midnight Johnny did a great remix of it some years ago..

[reese]

Just as Motown knew how to package and market the solo Diana, Ashford & Simpson knew how to produce her and match her with the perfect songs. H-D-H aside, out of all of Diana's solo albums, her Ashford & Simpson productions remain my favorite, followed closely by her Michael Masser productions. Nick & Val were so artistically successful with Diana, I was always baffled as to why Berry didn't pair them up more often. [I'm still waiting [[no pun intended) to hear the remaining previously-unreleased Ashford & Simpson productions which were intended for the "Diana & Marvin" album project. If "Just Say, Just Say" is any indication, those unreleased tracks are undoubtedly dynamite [[or, I should say, I heard that they exist).]

I don't think there's any more A&S material on Diana and Marvin, but I hope I'm wrong. I would assume that if there were, they would have been included on the DIANA AND MARVIN expanded cd that came out in 2001. It did include one previously unreleased A&S song, I'VE COME TO LOVE YOU SO MUCH.