In one of the few solo spots from her [[along with Tony Orlando and Telma Hopkins) popular weekly variety show on CBS:
In one of the few solo spots from her [[along with Tony Orlando and Telma Hopkins) popular weekly variety show on CBS:
I prefer Thelma Houstons version. This performance just brings home how special and unique the Diana Ross voice really is.
Last edited by Ollie9; 03-03-2019 at 11:03 AM.
ironically Joyce and Telma sang back up for just about every motown artist. these ladies rocked but i do prefer the duet that they did to this solo version. they did this is concert when i saw them in 1976....wow am i old.
I agree. Sometimes you have to hear someone else sing it to appreciate the voice, phrasing and nuance of Diana Ross.
That’s why they released Diana’s and why she sings it in her shows; Mary wasn’t diligent and confident enough until she was 50 so she got no hits at all
I agree that Diana’s version shines brighter after listening to this merely passable performance.
What you don’t understand, And there’s no reason that you should not being a performer yourself, is that it’s more than likely Diana didn’t do anywhere near as many attempts at this song as Joyce did. Anyone getting a chance to sing A hit song solo on television is going to rehearsal and rehearsal and rehearsal and rehearsal and rehearsal and rehearsal and try different things and different techniques and different sounds and different phrasings until they get it just how they want to present it. This could have been her big chance and, she proved why she remained a bg singer - she has a fine voice, but it takes so much more. Unlike Mary, who as a bg singer brought a lot to the table but has been able to carve out a niche in the business because of her unique gift.
This is a nice enough version and Joyce is a very decent singer but it just makes Diana’s sound special - and Mahogany isn’t one of my favourite songs
You always hear that few people cover Diana’s songs because they don’t come off as well as the originals and this version doesn’t come close
This is a truth that has hit me so many times. Hers is not a spectacular, astonishing voice but Diana Ross is a uniquely and distinctly special singer. L.A. Reid famously said:
For twenty years - my whole career really-all I have ever been doing is try to discover another Diana Ross. I still ask artists in the studio to "sing this like Diana Ross would," So far, no one has.
Last edited by lucky2012; 03-03-2019 at 10:42 PM.
Your words echo my thoughts. Girl may be a background singer, and a good one, and remained as such. Even after hearing the song hundreds of times Joyce could not add any personality to her version. A forgettable 3 minutes of tv decades ago that just goes to show there's only one Diana Ross.
Joyce's version was a snooze fest. She, like most singers, do not have the talent to stand in the spotlight alone.
Joyce did fine. It’s a very boring song with insipid lyrics. It does show how charismatic Diana can be with even a turkey of a song.
Joyce is a great singer who has sung back up for everyone. this is not my fav song by her, and I prefer the duet version she did with Telma Hopkins. but I agree she did not make this her own.
however after 3 years on tv, she did plenty of other songs really well. this just isn't one of her best. but I don't know anyone who could sing this any better then Diana.
https://youtu.be/q_n9KfgjjbU
Here’s Thelma’s
Better than Joyce but not as good as Diana’s
Now this is a good, funny memory here:
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