Album Review - "diana" 1980

[soulster]

Do you prefer the Chic version on every cut, or which ones? I like a mix.

Good question!

Here's how I break it down:
Upside Down - both
Tenderness - Bob Clearmountain mix
Friend To Friend - Bob Clearmountain mix
I'm Coming Out - Russ Terrana mix
Have Fun [[Again) - Russ Terrana mix
My Old Piano - Russ Terrana mix
Now That's You're Gone - Bob Clearmountain mix
Give Up - Bob Clearmountain mix

So, for me it's an almost split with Chic having the edge. The songs where I prefer the Teranna version is where the vocals were all wrong, and the songs were just too damn long. In the case of "My Old Piano", her vocals were mixed way too loud in the Clearmountain mix, and too much emphasis was given to the instrumental interplay near the end.

I was going to say that the two versions of "Give Up" were negligible until I was reminded of the cool little breakdown near the end of the song, which made me give the edge to Chic.

[marv2]

It would have been interested to hear what Chic could have done with Michael Jackson.

[soulster]

It would have been interested to hear what Chic could have done with Michael Jackson.

Hmmmmmm...Naaaah!

[marv2]

Hmmmmmm...Naaaah!

hehehehehehehehe, why not??

[soulster]

hehehehehehehehe, why not??

I can't hear it.

[marv2]

Were there any music videos made for this album?

[Lulu]

Were there any music videos made for this album?

"My Old Piano":

[marv2]

"My Old Piano":

Thank you Lulu, although I never felt that this particular song was very strong.

[Lulu]

Thank you Lulu, although I never felt that this particular song was very strong.

I dig the instrumental...particularly on the original 'nard/Nile mix. I understand it was quite popular "abroad" but then again so was that Doobe song that I'm not even going to try to spell out!

[gary_james]

Upside Down with No lead vocal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3bRzWwuWG0

[soulster]

I think "My Old Piano" is one of the best songs on the album.

[smark21]

I like the music on My Old Piano but the lyrics aren't the best. But I've never been crazy about love songs in which the singer compares her love to a piece of equipment, whether it be an old piano or a driving wheel.

[stephanie]

I never cared for the Diana album the only song I liked on here was Upside Down. I thought the songs were childish and silly. Yes Im wrong it sold a lot but so did Ring My Bell! Old Piano is a good catchy tune but what made Im Coming Out so strong is that beginning it really shakes up your ears. Chic was more tailored to Sister Sledge if you ask me and of course their own songs with their own band. The cover helped the sales of that album as well it got a lot of attention. The Boss was a good album! I only like Diana Ross the best when her voice is being pushed by a Michael Masser or an Ashford and Simpson. I can listen to her Motown albums over and over and some of the RCA songs but this particular one its hard for me to get through.

[soulster]

I like the music on My Old Piano but the lyrics aren't the best. But I've never been crazy about love songs in which the singer compares her love to a piece of equipment, whether it be an old piano or a driving wheel.

But, the song really IS about her piano! It was there in the middle of her living room, so Nile and 'Nard wrote song about it.

[jillfoster]

I have to say I prefer the Terrana mixes from an instrumental standpoint. When it comes to the vocals, I like the Chic mixes best. That review was a hoot, I had never heard the story about her hitting the stewardess with a wig box with the dog still in it! These days you'd get sent to the federal pen for such behavior. That's why I don't fly.. you raise your voice at a snotty stewardess, she'll call the damn cops.

[marv2]

I have to say I prefer the Terrana mixes from an instrumental standpoint. When it comes to the vocals, I like the Chic mixes best. That review was a hoot, I had never heard the story about her hitting the stewardess with a wig box with the dog still in it! These days you'd get sent to the federal pen for such behavior. That's why I don't fly.. you raise your voice at a snotty stewardess, she'll call the damn cops.

Well she did attack that stewardess before 9/11 had occurred and Homeland Security, etc, etc. Motown still had to pay the stewardess and the airline not to press assault charges against Ross..........

[Crystaledwards]

Well she did attack that stewardess before 9/11 had occurred and Homeland Security, etc, etc. Motown still had to pay the stewardess and the airline not to press assault charges against Ross..........

How much did Motown have to pay the stewardess and the airline? Which airline was this and where and when did this attack take place?

CE

[marv2]

How much did Motown have to pay the stewardess and the airline? Which airline was this and where and when did this attack take place?

CE

I don't know how much they paid, but it was the now defunct Western Airlines. It happened at the ticket counter in Burbank, CA in September 1966.

[smark21]

But, the song really IS about her piano! It was there in the middle of her living room, so Nile and 'Nard wrote song about it.

I didn't know that. I thought it was just symbolism. Interesting though. I wonder if the Hollands wrote Driving Wheel for MSS because the ladies loved the steering wheels of the cars they owned at the time?

[Crystaledwards]

I don't know how much they paid, but it was the now defunct Western Airlines. It happened at the ticket counter in Burbank, CA in September 1966.

I cannot find one single link to back up your claim. Perhaps Motown paid Google to wipe the incident from their search engine.

Kindly provide a link to this Western Airlines attack.

CE

[Crystaledwards]

I don't know how much they paid, but it was the now defunct Western Airlines. It happened at the ticket counter in Burbank, CA in September 1966.

Why would a stewardess be working the ticket counter? Wouldn't she be onboard welcoming people onto the plane?

CE

[marv2]

Why would a stewardess be working the ticket counter? Wouldn't she be onboard welcoming people onto the plane?

CE

I don't know. I was like maybe 6 years old back then. You might try contacting Diane or Joe Schaffner and asking them. They were there when Diane began beating the woman in the head with the box with the dog in it. Maybe the author of this album review should have just used the term "airline employee" or "airline ticket agent" . Maybe then it would have made it easier for you to understand what happened. I think most people reading this account would immediately grasp the situation, but I also recognize that there are people just a bit slower than others. That's nothing to be ashamed of, but it must make things a bit difficult for you in this fast paced World we live in.

[marv2]

I cannot find one single link to back up your claim. Perhaps Motown paid Google to wipe the incident from their search engine.

Kindly provide a link to this Western Airlines attack.

CE

It is not my claim. I was in grade school at Glenwood Elementary School at the time this happen. If you read the the beginning of the album review, you will see that it is the author that makes this claim. I don't believe he provided a link to back up his claim that Diana Ross used a dog and a hatbox to beat a woman working for Western Airlines in the head...........but I will! LOL!!!!

http://books.google.com/books?id=7no...hatbox&f=false

[marv2]

I didn't know that. I thought it was just symbolism. Interesting though. I wonder if the Hollands wrote Driving Wheel for MSS because the ladies loved the steering wheels of the cars they owned at the time?

Now that would be an interesting concept, but let's examine the lyrics to the Supremes' "You're My Driving Wheel":

"You're My Driving Wheel"


[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
Feels good, baby

[All:]
You take me farther

[Susaye:]
Ooh!

[All:]
Than I've been before

[Scherrie:]
Ride, ride, ride, ride

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
Feels so good , baby!

[All:]
Just one touch

[Mary/Susaye:]
Ow!/Ooh!

[All:]
Opens up my door

[Scherrie:]
You're the engine that keeps me running
You're the motor that keeps me coming:
To the road that keeps on winding
Coming to the love
I keep on finding
Every time you touch me

[All:]
Starts my motor running
I like the way you keep it humming
Keeps my motor running
I like the way you keep it humming,

[Mary:]
Hey!

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
You better believe it, baby

[All:]
You take me farther

[Susaye:]
Whoo!

[All/Susaye harmonizes:]
Than I've been before

[Scherrie:]
Than I've been before, yeah

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
My driving wheel, baby

[All:]
Just one touch--Ow!

[All/Susaye harmonizes:]
Opens up my door

[Scherrie:]
Opens up my door
Ain't a road in life
I can't travel
As long as I know you're there
Ain't no map I can't unravel
As long as I know you care
Every time you touch me

[All:]
Starts my motor running
I like the way you keep it humming
Keeps my motor running
I like the way you keep it humming, Oh!

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
I can't hear ya now

[All:]
You take me farther

[Scherrie:]
Uh huh

[All:]
Than I've been before

[Scherrie:]
Than I've been before-

[All:]
You're my driving wheel
Just one touch
Opens up my door

[Scherrie:]
Uh huh:
Uh huh, Uh huh, Uh huh huh,
Uh huh, Uh huh huh, Uh huh
Uh huh, huh, huh

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
Driving wheel, baby

[All:]
You take me farther

[Susaye:]
Ooh!

[All/Susaye harmonizes:]
Than I've been before

[Scherrie:]
Than I've been before

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
Drive me crazy, baby!

[All:]
Just one touch
Opens up my door

[Scherrie:]
Opens up my door, yeah

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
My driving wheel, baby

[All:]
You take me farther
Than I've been before

[Susaye:]
Yeah, yeah, ooh!

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
You're my driving wheel, baby

[All:]
Just one touch

[Scherrie:]
Just one touch

[All/Susaye harmonizes:]
Opens up my door

[Scherrie:]
Opens up my door, yeah

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
You keep me moving, baby

[All:]
You take me farther

[Scherrie:]
You take me farther

[All:]
Than I've been before

[Scherrie:]
Than I've been before

[All:]
You're my driving wheel

[Scherrie:]
You keep me groovin', baby

[Crystaledwards]

I don't know. I was like maybe 6 years old back then. You might try contacting Diane or Joe Schaffner and asking them. They were there when Diane began beating the woman in the head with the box with the dog in it. Maybe the author of this album review should have just used the term "airline employee" or "airline ticket agent" . Maybe then it would have made it easier for you to understand what happened. I think most people reading this account would immediately grasp the situation, but I also recognize that there are people just a bit slower than others. That's nothing to be ashamed of, but it must make things a bit difficult for you in this fast paced World we live in.

There’s nothing like watching a fool congratulate themselves on another successful attack on the person as if it was the decisive point in the argument.

CE

[Crystaledwards]

It is not my claim. I was in grade school at Glenwood Elementary School at the time this happen. If you read the the beginning of the album review, you will see that it is the author that makes this claim. I don't believe he provided a link to back up his claim that Diana Ross used a dog and a hatbox to beat a woman working for Western Airlines in the head...........but I will! LOL!!!!

http://books.google.com/books?id=7no...hatbox&f=false

Oh please do provide the link. I am especially interested in how much Motown had to pay the airline and the woman Diana allegedly abused.

CE

[marv2]

Oh please do provide the link. I am especially interested in how much Motown had to pay the airline and the woman Diana allegedly abused.

CE

This exactly what I meant by some people being a bit slow. Click on the line that begins with "http://..........................." above. That is what is commonly refered to as a "link". You don't have to thank me, it is my pleasure to assist in your education.

[marv2]

I never cared for the Diana album the only song I liked on here was Upside Down. I thought the songs were childish and silly. Yes Im wrong it sold a lot but so did Ring My Bell! Old Piano is a good catchy tune but what made Im Coming Out so strong is that beginning it really shakes up your ears. Chic was more tailored to Sister Sledge if you ask me and of course their own songs with their own band. The cover helped the sales of that album as well it got a lot of attention. The Boss was a good album! I only like Diana Ross the best when her voice is being pushed by a Michael Masser or an Ashford and Simpson. I can listen to her Motown albums over and over and some of the RCA songs but this particular one its hard for me to get through.

It [[the album) did have a "sing-along" type quality to it! LOL! I mean none of the lyrics could be considered complexed and the singing is pretty marginal. The instrumentation and the production are what makes it work on some level.

[supremester]

What I mean by slow is a person such as YOU, who uses anything negative about Miss Ross that he can - even if he shhoots himself in the foot doing it. St Mary, in Dreamgirl: My Lies As A Supreme tells, on page 183, a completely different version of the sto-ray INCLUDING that Joe Shaffner never went to LA at all. LOL Just sayin' SLOW people don't catch on when people will say ANYTHING to sell a book. Literally ANYTHING, I hissed. So if that link is true, as I assume you purport, then Mary's ain't. LOL!!! hehehehehehehehehe

xo

[Crystaledwards]

This exactly what I meant by some people being a bit slow. Click on the line that begins with "http://..........................." above. That is what is commonly refered to as a "link". You don't have to thank me, it is my pleasure to assist in your education.

But your link Marvin, doesn't discuss the legal settlement. There are three sides to every story. The author's side, your side, and the truth. Memories shared serve each one differently. In your case we simply cannot trust your word anymore. If someone uses lies and fallacies enough, their name becomes connected to them. It is now valid to dismiss you based on your history here, even if you have something relevant to say. Your repetitive habits involve misinterpreting perceptions or experiences. In reality, however, the situations are either not true at all or or greatly exaggerated.

You have changed, and not for the better, since our last encounter at the Sugar Bar in Manhattan. I actually found you charming that evening.



CE

[marv2]

But your link Marvin, doesn't discuss the legal settlement. There are three sides to every story. The author's side, your side, and the truth. Memories shared serve each one differently. In your case we simply cannot trust your word anymore. If someone uses lies and fallacies enough, their name becomes connected to them. It is now valid to dismiss you based on your history here, even if you have something relevant to say. Your repetitive habits involve misinterpreting perceptions or experiences. In reality, however, the situations are either not true at all or or greatly exaggerated.

You have changed, and not for the better, since our last encounter at the Sugar Bar in Manhattan. I actually found you charming that evening.



CE

Well I am sure you appreciate that I was the only person trying to help you find information about this incident of Diana Ross beating an innocent person in the head with box that had a innocent dog inside. Hey, I know, maybe that guy named Randy Taraborelli could help you find more on it?

I have never been to the Sugar Bar. I know Nick & Val were the owners, but I have never been there. I use to like going to the Shark Bar near the Beacon Theater. Anyway, I think Ralph asked you just a few days ago to drop this idea you have of meeting me, you haven't. Take care now.

[Lulu]

But your link Marvin, doesn't discuss the legal settlement. There are three sides to every story. The author's side, your side, and the truth. Memories shared serve each one differently. In your case we simply cannot trust your word anymore. If someone uses lies and fallacies enough, their name becomes connected to them. It is now valid to dismiss you based on your history here, even if you have something relevant to say. Your repetitive habits involve misinterpreting perceptions or experiences. In reality, however, the situations are either not true at all or or greatly exaggerated.

You have changed, and not for the better, since our last encounter at the Sugar Bar in Manhattan. I actually found you charming that evening.



CE

Does anyone know if there was some "incident" between Miss Ross and Miss Taraborrelli which may explain the differences between her first book Diana [[1985) and Call Her Miss Ross and Diana Ross: A Biography? The first is a nice photographic/career focused chronicle and the later two books read like Peyton Place or Valley of the Dolls! Sure, they're entertaining and "soapy" but they read like novels which makes me wonder if Taraborrelli had some axe to grind and wanted some sort of retribution by writing such a "sensational" set of books that read nothing like well-researched biographies.

[supremester]

There may have been an incident at the Western ticket counter, but all 3 versions I've read vary greatly. JRT has a tendency to somehow include dialog in quotes as if he were there - when he wasn't and had no way of knowing the verbage. Makes for a better read, however. Ficticious, but a better read.

[jillfoster]

But your link Marvin, doesn't discuss the legal settlement. There are three sides to every story. The author's side, your side, and the truth. Memories shared serve each one differently. In your case we simply cannot trust your word anymore. If someone uses lies and fallacies enough, their name becomes connected to them. It is now valid to dismiss you based on your history here, even if you have something relevant to say. Your repetitive habits involve misinterpreting perceptions or experiences. In reality, however, the situations are either not true at all or or greatly exaggerated.

You have changed, and not for the better, since our last encounter at the Sugar Bar in Manhattan. I actually found you charming that evening.



CE

You have the link, dear. Taraborelli's story was from an INTERVIEW with Joe Shaffner. So Joe Shaffner is the source. Don't call Marv untrustworthy for simply repeating words that came out of Joe Shaffner's mouth.

[Crystaledwards]

Well I am sure you appreciate that I was the only person trying to help you find information about this incident of Diana Ross beating an innocent person in the head with box that had a innocent dog inside. Hey, I know, maybe that guy named Randy Taraborelli could help you find more on it?

I have never been to the Sugar Bar. I know Nick & Val were the owners, but I have never been there. I use to like going to the Shark Bar near the Beacon Theater. Anyway, I think Ralph asked you just a few days ago to drop this idea you have of meeting me, you haven't. Take care now.

Oh but you have been to the Sugar Bar dear heart, where you and I had a very pleasant encounter and I can prove it. Are you still using the same AOL e-mail address you gave me that night. I will happily send you a few photos to help you remember our little tête-à-tête at the Sugar Bar and the brief, but pleasant meeting we had at BB Kings over a decade ago I also forget things and people. Some days I can't find my house keys, my car, or my beloved cat.

I am still very much looking forward to your link detailing the financial settlement between Motown and Western Airlines, and their employee that Diana Ross allegedly abused.

CE

[Crystaledwards]

You have the link, dear. Taraborelli's story was from an INTERVIEW with Joe Shaffner. So Joe Shaffner is the source. Don't call Marv untrustworthy for simply repeating words that came out of Joe Shaffner's mouth.

Oh I have the link to the Taraborrelli story. It's the link detailing the financial settlement between Motown and Western Airlines, and the employee Diana Ross allegedly abused, that I am waiting for.

CE

[supremester]

But Mary says Joe Shaffner stayed in Vegas and Don Foster was the person with Miss Ross. Mary also stated all three Supremes went to LA that day for work. Who's telling the truth?

You have the link, dear. Taraborelli's story was from an INTERVIEW with Joe Shaffner. So Joe Shaffner is the source. Don't call Marv untrustworthy for simply repeating words that came out of Joe Shaffner's mouth.