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Duplicate post. Things went a little weird when posting!.
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“Stranger In Paradise” - My Diana song of the month. I always listen to the DL album more in summer then at any other time of the year.
I personally have renamed the album ‘Shine’. It ties in with the glam sunglasses pose on the cover, as well as being a great song.. :cool:
Diana Ross 76 still a favorite
Rockin' 'Swept Away'
The forever came today remix milven posted ! Had an awful day with my illness this made me feel a little better
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am delighted you are finding comfort and enjoyment in this forum.
I have so many memories, some of which i had totally forgotten about until i re-read my journals. I will continue to share the one's i am legally allowed to share.
I do hope you are feeling better soon.
They went with the horrendous Doobe'doodn'doobe instead!
I don't really understand what happened with EMI in 1972 - they had shown the way with I'm Still Waiting and with no new material in the pipeline had more than enough great tracks from previous albums to have had at least 3 top 10 hits during the year - These Things, I Can't Give Back The Love, And If You See Him etc - maybe no-one could agree on which would be best.
I remember you saying that Did You Read The Morning Paper was considered for release - now I don't really get it at all.
This was an attempt to cash in on her immense popularity in the UK at the time and although there had been little time for Diana to have had many solo hits the track list on this using many album tracks is amazing.
Although it only peaked at #34 being in the chart at Christmas gave it good sales.
As a result of this album the 1976 Greatest Hits Album was titled Greatest Hits 2 in the UK.
Although it just missed out on #1 the sales were enormous getting up there towards Force.
I am not sure what EMI were thinking. The guy i knew from those days has sadly passed away so i can no longer ask questions.
However i did ask many questions when i was able to and he said they considered many songs for single release inc Didn't you know and These things will keep me loving you as well as the other songs mentioned previously.
I hope i am not treading on anyone's toes here, but the word is that EMI UK were singled out for particular praise by Berry Gordy or someone close to him for having the knack of hearing potential hits that had been overlooked by the US office. This did not just apply to Diana. It applied to the whole Motown roster. Certain employees at the US office felt the force of Mr Gordy's displeasure, and as such certain requests for single release by the UK office were refused. This caused something of a relationship rift which perhaps never fully healed.
I had absolutely no reason to disbelieve my late friend who had nothing to gain by telling me this, but it does go some way to explaining some of the baffling decisions made in the 70's.
I think i shall leave it at that for the moment.
Now that is really interesting.
One album that I listen to regularly is To Love Again.
Despite a couple of bummers in One More Chance [[my second least fav Diana single) and the just okay I Thought It Took a Little Time these were all class songs.
I think the problem with this album is that the fans were unhappy with the number of previously released tracks on it but taking them at face value they were beautiful ballads and Diana just floats seamlessly through them.
It's a joy to listen to.
I'm putting together another Christmas mix CD, and this one's Diana Ross contribution is Blame It On The Sun, so that's the Diana Ross song I've listened to most recently.
The title song of this mix CD is I Want A Love I Can See, featuring The Underdogs' version from the most recent Cellarful album.
The sequence for the Diana Ross segment is Lost Without You, by the Four Tops, The Rain Will Fall, by Barbra Streisand, Baby, The Rain Must Fall, by Glenn Yarbrough, Blame It On The Sun, by Diana Ross, To See The Sun Again, by Chuck Jackson and Deep Freeze by Brenda Holloway. Elsewhere in this set, Brenda is back, with Jimmy Ruffin, to sing Rebound, and Blinky shows up to perform Sweet Joy Of Life.
I never had a problem with the “To love again” album. Even at a young age, I realized that this was a Michael Masser greatest hit album with “new”/ unreleased songs. The cherry on the top were the gorgeous album photos. Overall I rate this album very high.
of course Thank You but that got me to listen to Diana sings the Wiz. i think Brand New Day could have been a single back that, great feel to it.
I’m playing Meet The Supremes mono minus the first two singles, Mono Breath Taking Guy, Mono My Heart Can’t Take it, single Run Run Run, Funny How Time.
I’ve been playing Swept Away, TMH, TMITM.
PS: I think Doobe was the natural choice to follow ISW. I’m still waiting had an amazing hook and chorus I think would’ve been irresistible if it had been played in the US or exposed on TV. There’s really nothing else radio friendly on the album, maybe ain’t no sad song had a slim chance. If you look at what was being played on the radio at the time, the music was much more dynamic, syrupy, unique and/or clever. I like everything is everything a lot, but I still say the only two tracks that sounded like they had a chance to make it as singles were the two released in the UK. I can’t imagine they’re releasing that album with no single for an entire year. But I wont start that rent for the 5 millionth time.
I don’t think anything on surrender would’ve hit in the United States. If you can’t get a hit off the title track, the other ones didn’t have a chance. I don’t know about in the UK because I’m surprised automatically sunshine hit there - they seem more flexible with their playlists.
Attachment 19193
#1 in the Netherlands!
Hi Blue, As you know I am an ave. Diana fan. I was reintroduced to her music on the mid 90's FBTP and TMH and thought the sales of these projects should have gone through the roof. The quality to me anyway was reminiscent of Remember Me Album as far as quality. You could tell she put much time and effort into these two projects. Did Motown spend enough money to adequately market these projects? Sometimes I just feel Motown was being cheap on promotion.
QUOTE=Bluebrock And if you see him was strongly considered for single release in the UK. Not sure why it wasn't issued.
Hi Blue, As you know I am an ave. Diana fan. I was reintroduced to her music on the mid 90's FBTP and TMH and thought the sales of these projects should have gone through the roof. The quality to me anyway was reminiscent of Remember Me Album as far as quality. You could tell she put much time and effort into these two projects. Did Motown spend enough money to adequately market these projects? Sometimes I just feel Motown was being cheap on promotion.
She did become very frustrated with Motown USA for the way in which they attempted to promote the 90's albums. There were some very harsh words exchanged i can tell you that much.
She was very proud of FBTP and TMH and felt she wasn't been supported by the American office. There was no expense spared on the making of those albums. She was delighted by the way in which they initially threw money at the making of the projects, but failed to promote them properly.
It was a different story at EMI UK where she lavished gifts on the employees as a thank you for their hard work and support. She once told me it was like living in a parallel universe. It was such a sad situation. She worked her butt off to promote those albums without the support of Motown USA.
Hey thks. Yes def they put in the $$$ the production and it showed. Reminds me of earlier days. It seemed that she just didn't run in the studio and quickly lay some tracks down. Motown did a lousy job with other performers as well. SMH. Catch up w you on FB in a few days.
#1 in Belgium as well. It’s definitely more melodic then “Ease On Down The Road”. Given it’s huge success in those two countries, you would have thought it might have been released in the USA and UK.
I never realised until now [[43 years later) that Luther Vandross sings the first line of the song.
“Drop The Mask” - one of my favourites from the ‘Every Day Is A New Day’ Sessions.
Diana sings like she had a point to make. Definitely should have featured on the USA and UK versions of the album.
No matter what sign you are
The Supremes and Diana Motown Anthologies from 2001 and Swept Away Expanded Edition.
It’s Alright With Me - from the “Farewell” album. It’s a song i wish she had sang at her ‘Stolen Moments’ concert from 92.
Rhonda sings a nice version, but prefer Diana’s .
This is a bit of a stretch, but Mabel King's movie version of "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News." [Well. it is Ross-related!] :p
Where did our live go album - stereo version
Brown Baby [[Reverend P Edit) - Cool remix of a great song.
Have Fun Again - Love the songs message. Could have gone huge as a single.
Heavy Weather - Gently lilting song with thought provoking lyrics. Should perhaps have been released as the fifth single in the UK.
I always wondered if it was Arne’ interest in ecology that prompted Diana to record it.
Listening to sing Supremes sing HDH.my fav
Confide In Me - I was never really crazy about this track when younger, but have since come to appreciate its timeless sophistication. The expanded “BIM” remains one of my faves. :cool:
Aretha's cover of "It's My Turn."