Diana Ross Review From Friday, May 2
REVIEW Ross glamorous, powerful at Four Winds
Posted: Monday, May 5, 2014 5:48 am
By HOWARD DUKES South Bend Tribune
NEW BUFFALO — I have one piece of advice for those whose opinion of Diana Ross is informed by fictionalized “histories” of the Supreme, such as “Dreamgirls.”
Go see her perform live.
You can get hints by playing music from her stint as the lead singer of Diana Ross and the Supremes or from such solo hits as “Love Hangover,” “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out.”
But as the fans at Friday’s show at Four Winds Casino’s Silver Creek Event Center learned, to truly appreciate Ross, you have to hear her live.
Ross performed each of those three songs along with numerous hits from her Supremes days and a few from the Great American Songbook on Friday.
Records can hide vocal flaws. It was striking how few holes could be found in the voice of a woman who turned 70 a little more than two months ago.
The always glamorous Ross gave a spirited performance that lasted a little more than an hour. Ross was backed by a 10-piece band and three vocalists who absolutely nailed the well-timed harmonies and call-and-response that was the essence of Motown sound.Ross had the audience members on their feet or dancing in their seat on the Supremes’ many up-tempo numbers, such as “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.”
However, four of the highlights came on the slower numbers where the strength and range of her voice were on full display.
Two of those were actually renditions of the Songbook entries “The Look of Love” and “Don’t Explain,” a song made famous by Billie Holiday; Ross earned an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Holiday in the film “Lady Sings the Blues.”
Ross engaged in a musical conversation with the saxophone player on “The Look of Love,” while her vocals on “Don’t Explain” carried every ounce of vulnerability contained in its lyrics.
However, “Touch Me In the Morning” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” two Ross originals, were the show stoppers, and the singer earned extended applause on both.
Ross had plenty of fun showing the audience that she still has plenty of sass and sex appeal during her performances of “Love Hangover” and “Upside Down.”
Her vocal delivery on the former possessed the same playful sexiness that is heard on the 1976 disco hit, while “Upside Down” proved that Ross had no problem handling funkier fare.
The evening served as a reminder of the leading role that Ross has played in music for more than 50 years. It also served as a reminder that Ross set the template as a style and pop culture icon that is still followed by entertainers such as Beyonce.
That penchant for style came across in the costume changes for which Ross is famous. The singer made five costume changes on Friday, and each change showcased the class that Ross learned at the University of Motown.
The show started with Ross wearing a ruby-red sequined gown.
She made her exit while the band and backing vocalists entertained the audience with extended solos and vocal performances.
Ross then returned wearing a full length feathered wrap over a black gown that was shear at the neckline and sides.
She then changed into a midnight blue gown, and closed the show with a white wrap that covered a dazzling white and gold sequined gown.
The audience in attendance at Friday’s concert saw a true professional who knows how give the audience what they want, and has done so on a consistent basis for more than 50 years.
