Originally Posted by
Albator
Diana Ross Cashbox 84-08-18
UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE, L.A. --
Diana Ross is a legend, and for good reason. She proved that on the evening of August 6 when she opened her Los Angeles engagememt at the Universal Ampitheatre and left her audience still screaming like babies after three encores.
To describe Diana Ross’ stage persona for this reviewer is to gush with superlatives. She is, in short, magical up there, the original “dream girl,” with all the magnetism and poise the term implies.
With Ross an audience is given total confidence ~ confidence in her talent, confidence in her control of the performance, and confidence that here is a lady who cares about whether or not the audience is getting what they paid for.
This is no idle speculation - she practically said as much during the Monday show, and then went on to prove it.
Ross made her entrance to the tune of “Endless Love,” wearing a billowing white gown, heading straight for the apron and immediate rapport with the audience. In no time, one could rest assured that this
is a lady who has been performing world class shows for years, and knows exactly how to deliver. The enthusiasm is there, and the smile that says you're in for something special, and if its not special, she’s going to do everything in her 20 odd years of experience to make it that way.
Ending “Endless Love,” the billowy dress came off, revealing every of
the lady’s uncharacteristically athletic-looking body, poured into opalescent sequined peddle pushers and high-spiked heels. From there it was drum beat bumps and some well chosen Mae West camp, a flying rendition of “Touch Me In The Morning,” and then into the audience for a rousing “Reach Out And Touch,” in honor of the Olympics.
“Motown Sound” hits were covered, on which Ross’ band shone with tight, to the second deliveries of such tunes as “Baby Love,” and Stop [[In the Name Of Love),” with the horn section offering a brief example of the Temptation Walk as Ross suantered and preened, the very embodiment of Motown.
But the magic of the evening didn't reach its peak until Ross, draped in a spectacular high shouldered gown of truly indescribable metallic brilliance, took her place by the piano to sing her Billie Holiday standards from the film Lady Sings the Blues. It was then that the subtle genius of this incomparable artist was felt, as each nuance of modulation, each phrase, became a jazz vocal experience not often heard from a performer of Ross’ commercial appeal. Let’s face it, profound talent and dazzling looks are an unusual combination.
The surprise of the evening was when international croon sensation Julio Iglesias jumped up on stage to join Ross in their Columbia Records duet single, “All Of You,” both humorously reading from a shared lyric sheet.
Tunes from the new RCA LP “Swept Away” were covered, including the single of the same name which had most of the audience dancing in their seats, along with the “Theme to Mahogany.” Also included was a riveting “Ain't No Mountain High Enough.” “...Life holds one guarantee,” so the song goes, “You'll always have me”, a line that was
with real or imagined emphasis. Ross is a performer we can depend on.
