Diana Ross - "Keep An Eye"

[PeaceNHarmony]

Side 2, cut 3 from the solo debut. Kinda an odd choice, being that Diana had recorded the song earlier on the Love Child lp, but another great version as well and it fits nicely on the Diana Ross lp. Who likes which better?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82ZM3iE1G5A

[reese]

I've said it before but I'll say it again: I prefer the version Diana recorded while she was with the Supremes. On her solo version, she sounds rather bored to me. Maybe if A&S had made some significant changes it would have warranted another recording.

[jobucats]

Production wise, I prefer the version with the Supremes because it has a tighter feel to it...more upfront. The solo version seems to have too much reverb for my liking. Great A&S song, however!

[lucky2012]

This was the one track I leave out of my debut album playlist. It had already been perfectly done on Love Child. I really can't figure out why it was revisited.

[Ollie9]

It’s a hard one trying to decide which version is the better. The DR&S recording to me sounds more soulful while the solo version has a slightly stronger, more mature vocal.
For me it’s the solo...... but only just.

[sophisticated_soul]

Both versions are done very well, but I do give the edge to Diana's solo version.

[PeaceNHarmony]

I've said it before but I'll say it again: I prefer the version Diana recorded while she was with the Supremes. On her solo version, she sounds rather bored to me. Maybe if A&S had made some significant changes it would have warranted another recording.Interesting thought, Reese - Diana just may well have been bored re-recording a song, even as good a one as KAE.

[jim aka jtigre99]

Both versions are good, the one from Love Child seems to be sung with vocals that touch a bit more. Just a very good song- a precursor to songs like Smiling faces Sometimes and backstabbers in lyric if not sound.

[reese]

Interesting thought, Reese - Diana just may well have been bored re-recording a song, even as good a one as KAE.

There is a quote somewhere from A&S that said that when they originally presented the idea of recording AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH to Diana, she didn't want to as she had already recorded it before [[with the Tempts). When they assured her that it was a completely different interpretation, she got on board. She might have felt the same about KEEP AN EYE. It's almost like they had run out of material and needed something else.

[Circa 1824]

Hands down, The Love Child LP version is the best.

[lucky2012]

This was the one track I leave out of my debut album playlist. It had already been perfectly done on Love Child. I really can't figure out why it was revisited.
To reply to myself: I think possibly A&S may have wanted to emphasize Diana Ross, solo star, sophisticated and mature in contrast and comparison to a younger Supreme, counseling and warning her girlfriends about treachery. [[Although I realize the group DRATS was no longer the girl group Supremes).

[TomatoTom123]

Love both versions. :D

[PeaceNHarmony]

There is a quote somewhere from A&S that said that when they originally presented the idea of recording AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH to Diana, she didn't want to as she had already recorded it before [[with the Tempts). When they assured her that it was a completely different interpretation, she got on board. She might have felt the same about KEEP AN EYE. It's almost like they had run out of material and needed something else.It does, Reese, doesn't it? And that may be true as it seems Gordy was banking on the Bones Howe sessions that turned out less-than-hit-single-worthy and that could have cost A&S time in creating new material for Diana.

[lucky2012]

It's almost like they had run out of material and needed something else.


It does, Reese, doesn't it? And that may be true as it seems Gordy was banking on the Bones Howe sessions that turned out less-than-hit-single-worthy and that could have cost A&S time in creating new material for Diana.

I think you both got it right!

[reese]

I think you both got it right!

I don't think there was a lot of leftover material from the Ashford and Simpson session other than the song BABY I'LL COME which ended up on the SURRENDER expanded edition. And even on that one, they pulled out some songs from their Scepter days.

[vgalindo]

I prefer the solo version better.