What an incredible album ¥¥ Someday" was originally to have been released as Ross' first solo single [[Ross is backed on the recording by session singers Maxine and Julia Waters, not the Supremes). Motown chief Berry Gordy appended the Supremes billing to the single so as to create more publicity for Ross' exit from the group. Source Wikipedia
this and Sunshine are IMO two of the weaker albums. you could probably add Reflections to that list too. they're just too much of a hodge podge. the DFM era albums were much more enjoyable as were most of the 70s albums.
now that's not to say i don't like the tunes. I think DRATS recorded some great material. I just think the packaging of the albums was too random. if you take all of the songs, you could look at the recording dates and the anticipated album release schedule and regroup songs into stronger concepts
From Cream, I think Someday, You Gave Me Love, Loving You Is Better, When It's to the Top, Till Johnny and Beginning of the End are the strongest tracks. there's a maturity in them and I think if you added in songs like The Look Of Love, Stormy and some others, you could have had a much stronger concept
I look at this album as just a hodgepodge of tracks that were lying around in the archives which needed to be released to financially help some of the writers and arrangers. Several of the productions; however, are very top notch: You Gave Me Love, Can't You See It's Me, Loving You is Better, and When It's to the Top. The other cuts, for the most part, don't appear to sonically and conceptually compliment each other.
The album cover, in my opinion, look like it was just thrown together. The gowns are indeed beautiful [[I remember them from the TCB show); however, the photography comes across as needing some more touching up and a filter to take away the 'hard' glossy look. The larger upfront image of Diana Ross is actually scary to me [[and I've always believed she is one of the most beautiful women in the world).
i love the group pic. but never liked diana's mini afro wig. i'd have preferred just a bit larger. not saying Angela Davis. lol. but her little one frankly always looked to me like she'd just taken her wig OFF and her natural hair was all matted down lolQuote:
Originally Posted by jobucats
and yes! the mega head was NOT a good creative decision. totally get it that they wanted to make it clear she was DIANA ROSS lol. but then at least retouch the eyeliner so it's not crooked lol
i also thought the back cover was cheap. a pic of DMC that was nearly 3 - 4 years old. and it's a grainy poor quality image
i agree that there really wasn't any sonic or conceptual cohesion. But there could have been at least some alignment. it was never going to be a concept - like What's Going On. but you could have at least a general musical direction that works together more. my redo of the album is:Quote:
Originally Posted by jobucats
Someday
you gave me love
stormy
young folks
you're gonna hear from me
loving you is better
when it's to the top
till johnny
those precious memories
beginning of the end
the look of love
i'll set you free*
*because i redid Reflections, LC and Sunshine too, some of the cuts like I'll set you free weren't used earlier and therefore would have been "available" in the vaults for my version of COTC
You think Stormy could have made it into the top 20? Tha nks.Quote:
Originally Posted by sup_fan
First of all I love the album and I was glad Motown gave us one final album with the ladies but there was one thing I thought odd; 'why would Motown even think of releasing Someday as Diana's solo record. That has never made any sense to me. The message was disturbing for a Diana Ross solo release. "The Young Folks" was starting to catch on and it was on a "B" side of the record so the girls were still hot.
First off this album is no where near hodge podge like who comes up with this stuff the album is star class you tell me any one of today has many great songs one on album not to many and second the cover says it all that was her singing on those songs with beautiful background singers who ever they where give credit where credit is due that cover is stellar
Sorry to disappoint you but this album is a hodgepodge of vaulted material. It’s not bad but to include material from DMF wasn’t a great idea. A few tweeks and it could have been a great album.Quote:
Originally Posted by after you
The lyric of Someday is the typical “please come back to me” love song and most likely would have done quite well as Diana’s solo debut. It is only because of the decision [[a brilliant decision) to release it as the Supremes’ final single with Diana that a different sentimentality has been associated with the song.Quote:
Originally Posted by captainjames
Even the Cream Of The Crop title suggests the album was a collection compiled from a crop [[vault) of song selection.Quote:
Originally Posted by blackguy69
The classic albums are:
Where Did Our Love Go
More Hits
Symphony
R and H
Sing HDH
Love Child
A Go Go
Right On
Blue
Lady
Diana Ross 70
Diana 80
Take Me Higher
Force
Cream of the Crop doesn’t even come close
To me it suggests that Cream of the Crop is the best picks of the material they had.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyB
i agree. and i think most of us have said we like the various tunes but that the overall combination was just too random.Quote:
Originally Posted by blackguy69
Some of the tracks like Blowing In The Wind were clearly only added due to the high-profile nature of the title. but there was no real logical reason to reach back 4 years and pull a DMF track when you had plenty of much more recent tracks of high quality that were available.
that's what makes this a more random collection
Not including the speciality albums like R and H, Funny Girl, and Sam Cooke, how many of the 60s Supremes albums were actually conceived as a pop album concept project? With the possible exception of I Hear a Symphony, I doubt any of them were. But it would be interesting to know. For sure Berry Gordy didn't order Diana into the studio and state she's to go to work on the new album "Cream of the Crop".
I will stand up for afteryou on this. If s/he thinks Cream of the Crop is a classic Diana Ross/Supremes album, then that's fine. We all enjoy what we enjoy. Personally Cream of the Crop is a meh for me. Both Diana Ross and The Supremes did far better work with their subsequent albums "Diana Ross 1970" and "Right On". Both are excellent.
AS I think about it Right On was a hodge podge, though Frank Wilson certainly had a vision or concept based on the songs he contributed, but the other songs selected for the album really complement Wilson's tracks and as a result Right On proved to be a very solid album. No fillers recorded in one take with indifferent arrangements and performances on that one.
I think Symphony and A Go Go are two examples of studio albums being prepared with some sort of a "concept." Obviously Symphony was going for a more elevated, adult feel and bringing in more MOR content. and the originals also played nicely into this as they had more strings and symphonic backing tracksQuote:
Originally Posted by Spreadinglove21
A Go Go is just a dance album.
then you had seeds of ideas. maybe they just didn't carry it through though. and maybe us fans have simply spent too much time analyzing things and putting way more thought into it than any motown employee did lolol. I myself could be highly guilty of this
Reflections lp. i see this set as 'HDH/Motown tackle the California sounds'
You have the title track which was an early example of psychedelic soul which of course is taking influences from the San Fran scene. The next several tracks [[I'm gonna make, forever, i can't make it) seem to explore these sounds and concepts a bit more.
In and Out Of Love is classified as an example of "Sunshine Pop" which was an LA sound - the 5th Dimension, Mamas and the Papas, Beach boys. so this track plus UP UP and Away, What the world fit into this category.
Bah bah seems sort of psychedelia-y to me. and Ode To Billie has the folksy quality. So that's 9 out of 12.
And some of the unreleased songs from this time could have fit in too - Going All the Way, Am I Asking too much
And there was apparently the idea for the Love Child album to focus on serious and socially conscientious songs.
i believe Frank was Executive Producer for the overall album. or if not Exec, he produced the album even if he didn't produce all of the individual tracks. Frank did Ladder, Everybody, Baby Baby, Loving Country and But I Love You More. so that's nearly half of it. And if he was producer, then he could at least select the remaining 7 tracks that complimented his.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spreadinglove21
No Touch Me or Remember Me?Quote:
Originally Posted by jobeterob
I knew my list was less than complete!Quote:
Originally Posted by detmotownguy
I forgot Touch Me In The Morning and it should have made the list.
Of all the Ross albums, Surrender is the one I was least familiar with - although Surrender, Remember Me, and And If You See Him were top notch.
And I also wondered if I shouldn't have include the album, Touch, on the list.
I also consider Diana Ross 76 and The Boss as classic albums. Diana & Marvin is certainly a classic duets album.Quote:
Originally Posted by jobeterob
I have a good feeling this new album might also turnout to be a classic.
I've always liked the lp as well, but I have to agree [[at least somewhat) with the hodgepodge criticism. Usually using the adjective 'hodgepodge' doesn't so much denigrate the quality of the album, but rather the fact that the songs were recorded over a lengthy period of time, which shows up a bit in generally 'differing' sounds from song-to-song. BUT!!! I do like [[probably even love!) the album and I am with you entirely in loving the cover! Did then, do now. Always nice to see your threads and comments!Quote:
Originally Posted by after you
On one hand it's surprising that the lp only reached #33 on the charts, what's with the success of Someday and the hoopla surrounding the group's demise. On the other hand, only reaching #33, it's surprising that the lp lasted 20 weeks on the charts and went gold! Along with Someday I'm a particular fan of Can't You See, You Gave, Shadows, Loving You and When It's To The Top. It's my opinion that the covers are a tad 'blah' and slow the lp a bit.
Thank you PeaceNHarmony the others don’t hear or see the bigger picture the cream always rises to the top this album is a symbol of the sixties like it or not
As the lp bearing the iconic Someday We'll Be Together, which was a classic Supremes hit, the last Supremes #1 single, the last DRaTS lp AND the last #1 of the 1960's you are absolutely correct!Quote:
Originally Posted by after you
i think it's great that this is a fav of yours. would love to hear more about what makes the package so ideal for youQuote:
Originally Posted by after you
that's have the fun of this place - all of the different opinions. for instance, i like Girls from Ross 83. i wouldn't say it's a masterpiece but i find it very timely for 83 and fun. i include it now and then on playlists too
I always assumed “Girls” was just a phase you were going through. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by sup_fan
I have always really liked “Cream Of The Crop” and tend to think of it as Diana’s first solo album.
I love the charged emotion she generates in her sensitive performance of “Till Johnny”, while You Gave Me Love” had top ten written all over it. “Beginning Of The End” also had hit potential. I think the albums cover very much of it’s time.
The only weak song for me is “Blowing In The Wind”.
haha - i just find it to be mindless fun. an entertaining fluff piece on the albumQuote:
Originally Posted by Ollie9
I think Blowing, Hey Jude, Shadows of Society and Young Folks are all pretty weak. So that is a third of the album. the rest i think is quite enjoyable.
An incredible album of incredible songs if Mary and Cindy where on background them you would think they are very valuable albums of great importance it is clear to all the antics
Ross 76 per Wiki: "It reached #5 in the USA [[4 R&B) and sold over 700,000 copies." I remember my grandmother couldn't find this album in Detroit because it sold out so fast. Everyone was talking abt Love Hangover as it was a distinct song and definitely sounded good on the radio. Odd it didn't go to number one. Is it true that Diana didn't want to record the song?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ollie9
I also love this album. And the quote “Cream of the Crop”. Stands for the very best. And I have always loved the cover.Quote:
Originally Posted by after you
Producer Hal Davis has said that Diana was none to keen on recording a disco song at that point in time. I believe that is why he tried to set the right tone by recording at night and setting up flashing lights in the recording studio.Quote:
Originally Posted by detmotownguy
Diana apparently indulged in alcoholic beverage to loosen herself up. Such alcoholic intoxication may have led to the giggles that can be heard on the actual recording.
Sounds like it was a fun session lol.
Doesn't matter who sang background on the songs collected for Cream of the Crop. It's still a hodge podge.
Given the quality of Someday, the ideal final DRATS album could have been helmed by Johnny Bristol. Bring Diana in the studio to record songs in a similar vein. She could have been backed by Mary and Cindy, Andantes, Blackberries, or any combination of them. Would have been nice to end the era with a cohesive Champagne soul type effort. But I'm sure between their touring schedule and plans to launch Diana solo and The Supremes with a new lead vocalist, there probably wasn't time to put together a proper album project. So off to the vaults to throw in songs that would sound contemporary on an album for late 69.
Album was thrown together. Title was good for another project, not this one. Should have been titled after Someday We'll Be Together. Cover sucked. The inclusion of "Wind" was a horrible decision. It's just not a very good cover of the song, and on top of that it's a Flo era song. Motown dropped the ball with this one. At least they rebounded with Right On and Diana Ross 1970.
ah-bah-bah-bah-bah-bah Bah-bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah-bah. bla bla bla bla
Someday was rather a fluke, in terms of Sup discography. Everyone had anticipated No Matter What Sign being a hit and then Diana's departure announced shortly thereafter. the track for Someday was recorded in mid June. But the track for the MJC May His Love Shine Forever was recorded earlier in June!! Looks like Someday wsa finished by 8/12. On 8/9 Frank Wilson was adding the strings to But I Love You More.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spreadinglove21
I don't know the EXACT last recording session. according to what i've pulled together, on 6/3 Diana and some bg vocals were recorded for Sing A Simple Song for Together with the Temps. May of 69 was mostly duet recordings.
But there was so much work happening starting in June with Jean. All motown needed was a quick final hit for DRATS. there was obviously boatloads of material in the vault so why waste session time and money on creating a "final" album. Someday was released on 10/14 and was an instant hit. Cream was released on 11/3.
I consider “Cream Of The Crop” a much stringer album overall then the rather diluted “Let The Sunshine In” “You Gave Me Love” was extremely radio friendly for 69 and certainly strong enough to go top ten. “Loving You Is Better Then Ever” and “Beginning Of The End” are also superior recordings with commercial potential.
It’s really rather a shame that “Cream” happened to be the groups final album.
Your timeline seems right on the money and your interpretation in the second-last sentence makes perfect sense. All the 'woulda-coulda-shoulda' in the world makes for sometimes interesting [[and frequently antagonistic) banter but never matches the simple truth! It seems to me that though Diana's departure was planned it was somewhat of a soft planning [[probably due to BG's desire to see DRATS to go out with a big hit) so when he got one with SWBT an album made sense and, ergo, COTC. Which many of us love!Quote:
Originally Posted by sup_fan
There's no excuse for that random assortment of tracks for the final album. They did that with Let the Sunshine In. This was the last album of Diana Ross with the Supremes. None of the ladies had to be brought back in to record another note. All Motown had to do was go into the vault for quality material, material that has since been released that is good to great in quality.
Crop is put together as if there was a point when some care and thought was going into the album [["You Gave Me Love", "Loving You Is Better Than Ever", etc), someone got distracted and focused on other things going on, and then at the last minute went "Oh shit, we need to finish the final DRATS album" and started grabbing random tracks to throw on it [["Shadows", "Wind", etc), without any regard for quality. The last album should have been a big success, commercially and critically.
Revisiting the cover photo, the problem is the solo Diana image. Unnecessary. Remove that giant image and leave the one of the three of them and the cover is just fine.
i wonder if they felt they needed more cover tunes and so dug up Blowing. also that was a rather "socially conscientious" tune so maybe they hoped it would add some maturity to the album? as opposed to covers like Uptight or It's Not Unusual?