[REMOVE ADS]




Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 50 of 111
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    827
    Rep Power
    110

    You were the one

    Since I've learn, that she closed her 78/79 shows with that song, I can't get it out of my mind.
    De we know who are the background singers?


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    8,635
    Rep Power
    525
    The Jones Girls back her on this. One of my absolute favorite Diana tunes. Dumb move not releasing it as a single. Perhaps the dumbest move regarding potentially unreleased singles.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    954
    Rep Power
    94
    I agree, it really is a great tune. I would have loved to have heard DR sing this one live.
    Last edited by SatansBlues; 02-19-2020 at 11:55 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    agreed this is a great track and a totally wasted opportunity from motown.

    When did Greg Wright leave motown? totally guessing here but maybe that was the reason for not releasing?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    927
    Rep Power
    187
    With the exception of Together, I loved the entire LP....I didn't even mind Reach Out I'll Be There being a repeat.....and I did buy the 12" of What You Gave Me.....thought Never Say, To Love Again and Sorry Doesn't Always were great ballards, and loved the 3 new dance cuts

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    Quote Originally Posted by gman View Post
    With the exception of Together, I loved the entire LP....I didn't even mind Reach Out I'll Be There being a repeat.....and I did buy the 12" of What You Gave Me.....thought Never Say, To Love Again and Sorry Doesn't Always were great ballards, and loved the 3 new dance cuts
    i think the individual songs are good ones but it's just a totally random project. completely haphazard. And while i kinda like the cover image, the back cover was useless. same with Last Time I Saw Him and DRATS GH3. as if there aren't 10,000 images just waiting to be used

    by 1978 disco was EVERYWHERE and motown was still sort of oblivious to the fad. also Donna Summer had had marvelous success with strong, thematic disco albums. the idea of a thoughtful and intended set of songs to be included as an album was no longer a foreign concept, as it was in 60s.

    and while i know she was busy at the time filming Wiz, they could have easily found enough material in the vaults to have compiled a better package

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    927
    Rep Power
    187
    Lovin' Livin' & Givin' is my personal DR dance masterpiece...but only the version on this LP....every edit is a butcher job.

    Love the way the bass just trips over everything at points, the flute warms it up, the layered synths, and DR's vocal is strong and somewhat coy and playful at the same time....and the ad-libbed scat!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by sup_fan View Post
    i think the individual songs are good ones but it's just a totally random project. completely haphazard. And while i kinda like the cover image, the back cover was useless. same with Last Time I Saw Him and DRATS GH3. as if there aren't 10,000 images just waiting to be used

    by 1978 disco was EVERYWHERE and motown was still sort of oblivious to the fad. also Donna Summer had had marvelous success with strong, thematic disco albums. the idea of a thoughtful and intended set of songs to be included as an album was no longer a foreign concept, as it was in 60s.

    and while i know she was busy at the time filming Wiz, they could have easily found enough material in the vaults to have compiled a better package
    I seem to recall the working title for the album was originally called Feeling Fine. It was meant to be a dance orientated album, but some behind the scenes drama which i am not wllling to discuss here led to the project being abandoned, and only a handful of tracks survived the fall out. Some of the canned tracks appeared on the deluxe Diana double cd many years later. The album was cobbled together rather quickly.
    The album was destined to flop because Diana refused to promote it which led to Motown to all but disown it. Diana has never been in favour of an expanded edition being released. She refuses to even discuss it's existence.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    954
    Rep Power
    94
    Quote Originally Posted by sup_fan View Post
    i think the individual songs are good ones but it's just a totally random project. completely haphazard. And while i kinda like the cover image, the back cover was useless. same with Last Time I Saw Him and DRATS GH3. as if there aren't 10,000 images just waiting to be used

    by 1978 disco was EVERYWHERE and motown was still sort of oblivious to the fad. also Donna Summer had had marvelous success with strong, thematic disco albums. the idea of a thoughtful and intended set of songs to be included as an album was no longer a foreign concept, as it was in 60s.

    and while i know she was busy at the time filming Wiz, they could have easily found enough material in the vaults to have compiled a better package
    Is it just my imagine or faulty memory by prior to Love Hangover DR didn't really record many "dance" tracks. I can't think of any singles [[1970-76) being dance records. The only song that comes to mind is the song Don't Knock My Love with MG. Seems like it was a deliberate strategy to keep her away from uptempo/dance songs during this period.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    she definitely recorded upbeat and/or faster tempo songs prior to LH but none that would really be considered "disco." and most of her singles weren't really that high speed either.
    perhaps Surrender?

    but until the mid 70s, disco was much more underground. so that's not a total surprise. plus once she got into Lady and then Touch Me, she was doing lush ballads and all

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    827
    Rep Power
    110
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    I seem to recall the working title for the album was originally called Feeling Fine. It was meant to be a dance orientated album, but some behind the scenes drama which i am not wllling to discuss here led to the project being abandoned, and only a handful of tracks survived the fall out. Some of the canned tracks appeared on the deluxe Diana double cd many years later. The album was cobbled together rather quickly.
    The album was destined to flop because Diana refused to promote it which led to Motown to all but disown it. Diana has never been in favour of an expanded edition being released. She refuses to even discuss it's existence.
    According the Diana Project web site, it was planned like this


    “She isn’t sure — and in fact doesn’t care — which Motown will release first. ‘Whichever they need,’ she says. ‘Whatever the market looks like it’s ripe for.’ She is pleased at the prospect of having enough product around to free her to pay full attention to The Wiz” [[Rolling Stone August 11, 1977).

    Do you think she refused to promote it? she did as many songs from this "Ross" LP than she did for "Baby it's me" in her shows.


    That she isn't thrilled with this one is understandable since it's not a real new album, but an aborted disco album.
    I don't want to be disrespectful with Miss Ross, but if she doesn't like, Everything is everything, Last time I saw him, and Ross, I wonder why she produced her albums for RCA in the same vein. And they weren't as well executed.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    5,666
    Rep Power
    312
    Quote Originally Posted by gman View Post
    Lovin' Livin' & Givin' is my personal DR dance masterpiece...but only the version on this LP....every edit is a butcher job.

    Love the way the bass just trips over everything at points, the flute warms it up, the layered synths, and DR's vocal is strong and somewhat coy and playful at the same time....and the ad-libbed scat!
    Agreed - love LLG. Diana performed this at Radio City; I recall it seemed that she probably lip-synched this song as the general timbre of the sound of her voice was entirely different than all the other songs.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    827
    Rep Power
    110
    About LLG, where can I find the real original version, the one produced and arranger by Hal Davis without the "i feel love" inspiration

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by Albator View Post
    According the Diana Project web site, it was planned like this





    Do you think she refused to promote it? she did as many songs from this "Ross" LP than she did for "Baby it's me" in her shows.


    That she isn't thrilled with this one is understandable since it's not a real new album, but an aborted disco album.
    I don't want to be disrespectful with Miss Ross, but if she doesn't like, Everything is everything, Last time I saw him, and Ross, I wonder why she produced her albums for RCA in the same vein. And they weren't as well executed.
    She did refuse to promote it. Sadly.
    As regards the rca projects the main difference is she was being very well paid for those projects. Money was her main objective by this point.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by Albator View Post
    About LLG, where can I find the real original version, the one produced and arranger by Hal Davis without the "i feel love" inspiration
    Was it not featured on the soundtrack to Thank God it's Friday? That is where i first heard it.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    yes the version on TGIF was the original. the soundtrack was released in April 78 while Ross was released in Sept 78.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    827
    Rep Power
    110
    I don't like that song at all, but I prefer this version


  18. #18
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    i think Diana's lead vocal is a bit disengaged. on the remix on Ross 78, there's the coldness of the synth production so at least the cold vocal sort of makes sense there. but had she been a bit more energetic and engaged, this could have been a better song

    either way, i think it's better than What You Gave Me

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    678
    Rep Power
    204
    Quote Originally Posted by Albator View Post
    About LLG, where can I find the real original version, the one produced and arranger by Hal Davis without the "i feel love" inspiration
    I'm not sure if this is the one you mean, but this "original" version was released on the Diana Ross Motown Anthology [[2001).


  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    8,635
    Rep Power
    525
    Thanks Albator and Jaap!! The only version I knew was that electro disco version, which IMO is an almost horrible song. I have never heard the version[[s) you two posted. Sounds like an entirely different song. I'm not wowed by it, but I definitely like it better than the other version. It might even grow on me.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    335
    Rep Power
    0
    How many versions of LLG are there floating around?

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    wikipedia sort of outlines the versions

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_[[1978_album)

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    5,666
    Rep Power
    312
    YWTO is such a great song; holds up well, too, and certainly could have been a hit.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    335
    Rep Power
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by sup_fan View Post
    wikipedia sort of outlines the versions

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_[[1978_album)
    very helpful - thank you!

  25. #25
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    827
    Rep Power
    110
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    She did refuse to promote it. Sadly.
    As regards the rca projects the main difference is she was being very well paid for those projects. Money was her main objective by this point.
    After all, if at almost 40, with 20 years of stardom behind her and little money in her pocket, I understand she was in urge to capitalize on her recent hits. What I don't understand is the equation between lousy or average albums and money.
    It's not that logical, especially from a speculative perspective.
    For exemple, with her string of hits in 1983, she was able to sold out 2 shows at the Palais des Sports in Paris. [[Radio city music hall capacity).
    In 1985, she was far from sold out in Bercy [[12.000 seats)
    In 1989, she was booked for 2 shows at the Palais des Sports like in 83, but one was cancelled.
    Studying Billboard I noticed that she is constantly in the top Box office draw for concerts from 1981 to 85. Her best years were 1982/83. Than, after that period, It became rarer.
    So, if money was the aim, hits should be the target. In order to get hits, you need to make good music, or at least, commercial one.

  26. #26
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    954
    Rep Power
    94
    Quote Originally Posted by Albator View Post
    After all, if at almost 40, with 20 years of stardom behind her and little money in her pocket, I understand she was in urge to capitalize on her recent hits. What I don't understand is the equation between lousy or average albums and money.
    It's not that logical, especially from a speculative perspective.
    For exemple, with her string of hits in 1983, she was able to sold out 2 shows at the Palais des Sports in Paris. [[Radio city music hall capacity).
    In 1985, she was far from sold out in Bercy [[12.000 seats)
    In 1989, she was booked for 2 shows at the Palais des Sports like in 83, but one was cancelled.
    Studying Billboard I noticed that she is constantly in the top Box office draw for concerts from 1981 to 85. Her best years were 1982/83. Than, after that period, It became rarer.
    So, if money was the aim, hits should be the target. In order to get hits, you need to make good music, or at least, commercial one.
    It's all easier said than done. After all, how many hits have you sung on and how many concerts have you sold out? Every GREAT entertainer/singer has periods of ups and downs, and no artist stays in the Top 10 forever. Why can't we just celebrate DR for still being in the game for SEVEN decades?

  27. #27
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Posts
    827
    Rep Power
    110
    Quote Originally Posted by RanRan79 View Post
    The Jones Girls back her on this. One of my absolute favorite Diana tunes. Dumb move not releasing it as a single. Perhaps the dumbest move regarding potentially unreleased singles.
    The way Diana Ross' albums were promoted by Motown in the seventies is crazy. No singles, wrong singles...

    About the Jones Girls :

    Then one week when all three were together in Los Angeles, Diana Ross held tryouts for a background group. With the exception of their mother, Ross had been their only idol.
    "When we were 7, 8 and 9 years old, we were into the "Supremes at the Copa" album," says Brenda. "My mother made us top hats and canes and we imitated the group to death."
    "We were very nervous about the audition because she was there," recalls Shirley. "Brenda almost fainted."
    Yet, within a week, without Ross knowing the trio was also from Detroit or had been fans who had helped push her to the top, The Jones Girls became the nameless faces behind her road act.
    Tours of Europe, the United States and Japan followed. And Ross remained their idol.


    "When she had time we would talk," says Shirley Jones.
    "She told us how she would watch other acts on the Motown Revue, like the Contours," adds Brenda Jones. "She would take a little bit of this and that and come up with her own thing.
    "She also said she wanted to help us."
    One night in Philadelphia The Jones Girls were teetering high on scaffolding behind Ross, providing the smooth dowahs and oohs for the star. In the midst of her routine, Ross shouted, "Hey Kenny Gamble, look at the talent I've got up here." With that impetuous shout to the most successful rhythm and blues producer of the last 10 years, Ross removed the cloak of namelessness that buries background singers, and paved the way for their break.


    A year after that impromptu audition for Gamble, The Jones Girls were signed to a four-year contract for Philadelphia International. Their first single, "You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else," is No. 5 on Billboard's produced by the best of Gamble's talent, rests for the second week at No. 9 on Billboard's R&B album charts.

  28. #28
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    4,957
    Rep Power
    378
    Quote Originally Posted by Albator View Post
    After all, if at almost 40, with 20 years of stardom behind her and little money in her pocket, I understand she was in urge to capitalize on her recent hits. What I don't understand is the equation between lousy or average albums and money.
    It's not that logical, especially from a speculative perspective.
    For exemple, with her string of hits in 1983, she was able to sold out 2 shows at the Palais des Sports in Paris. [[Radio city music hall capacity).
    In 1985, she was far from sold out in Bercy [[12.000 seats)
    In 1989, she was booked for 2 shows at the Palais des Sports like in 83, but one was cancelled.
    Studying Billboard I noticed that she is constantly in the top Box office draw for concerts from 1981 to 85. Her best years were 1982/83. Than, after that period, It became rarer.
    So, if money was the aim, hits should be the target. In order to get hits, you need to make good music, or at least, commercial one.
    You would most certainly think so. Diana had said time and time again that she craved career independence.When she signed to rca and that moment finally arrived, making quality albums appeared not really that important after all.
    Some would say that when you have children this is bound to happen.....Hmmm.

  29. #29
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    165
    Hypothetical of course - maybe Im listening to a different song than y'all but while You Were The One is a pleasant album track I really don't get a hook or see it as setting the charts alight.

  30. #30
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    3,096
    Rep Power
    238
    It seems every artist has their mania period and then things settle down.
    From most artists interviews I've seen ...many seem to be happier after the mania goes away. It can be difficult for many for obvious reasons.
    I remember this album coming out...no fan fair...nothing..just got released.
    Living giving loving was going to be a single and then it wasn't.once again Motown was confused like with baby it's me.
    I am assuming BG and Motown were not seeing eye to eye with Diana but that is simply my opinion.
    Overall not a bad album but to me Together sticks out like a sore thumb.out of place.a new better mix of Reach Out should have been saved for the hits album. Why not use the dance tracks that were recorded.
    I am assuming Diana had no say so and perhaps she was angry about the changes of direction for this album.
    Seems odd but non the less some gems are here on this collection.
    Hopefully there are more Greg wright tracks

  31. #31
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    4,957
    Rep Power
    378
    Quote Originally Posted by florence View Post
    Hypothetical of course - maybe Im listening to a different song than y'all but while You Were The One is a pleasant album track I really don't get a hook or see it as setting the charts alight.
    Check Florence. A pleasant album track but not a chartbuster.The lyrics being a tad to banal. "The handsome prince rides in and he sweep me off my feet". That's cheesy even for 78. To my ears the only potential hit on the album was the delicate "Never Say I Don't Love You".

  32. #32
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    165
    Quote Originally Posted by Ollie9 View Post
    Check Florence. A pleasant album track but not a chartbuster.The lyrics being a tad to banal. "The handsome prince rides in and he sweep me off my feet". That's cheesy even for 78. To my ears the only potential hit on the album was the delicate "Never Say I Don't Love You".
    Entirely agree - always felt Never Say should have been give a chance as a single in the Uk.

    Certainly in 1976 it would have done well although it's hard to know just what would have hit big for Diana in 1978.

    I thought Lovin' Livin' and Givin' would have been at least a moderate hit.

    To Love Again just wasn't strong enough.

    The tragedy is that Never Say was tucked away on the B-side of No One Gets The Prize when it was released as a single in the UK in 1979.

    If only some enterprizing DJ on Radio1 had noticed it and flipped the single over!!

  33. #33
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    678
    Rep Power
    204
    Quote Originally Posted by florence View Post
    The tragedy is that Never Say was tucked away on the B-side of No One Gets The Prize when it was released as a single in the UK in 1979.
    If only some enterprizing DJ on Radio1 had noticed it and flipped the single over!!
    In the Netherlands, "Never Say I Don't Love You" was twice a B-side, for both "No One Gets the Prize" and "I'm Coming Out."

  34. #34
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    Quote Originally Posted by Ollie9 View Post
    Check Florence. A pleasant album track but not a chartbuster.The lyrics being a tad to banal. "The handsome prince rides in and he sweep me off my feet". That's cheesy even for 78. To my ears the only potential hit on the album was the delicate "Never Say I Don't Love You".

    Is it an all time dance classic like Love Hangover, I Will Survive, You Should Be Dancing, Share Your Groove Thing, I Feel Love - absolutely not.

    is it a better dance song than Fire Won't Burn, Sweet Summertime Living, You Build me up [[although that one isn't too bad), or the other canned dance tracks she recorded? i think most definitely

    Is it better than What You Gave Me which got the single release from Ross 78? yes

    is it better than Lovin Livin Giving? maybe, maybe not

    was it at least a bit more contemporary than much of the Baby It's Me tracks? i think so


    i realize that last comment will probably spark some heated debate! lolol

    I do love the BIM album and recognize it's high quality. But i also feel that for an album release in fall of 77 it was rather out of step with what popular music was doing at the time. it's just too innocuous and MOR to handle the explosion of disco that was happening. 2 months later Saturday Night Fever soundtrack was released and could BIM look any more out of place? that soundtrack was SO hot and the sound so contemporary. this album should either occurred a year or two earlier or later

  35. #35
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by florence View Post
    Entirely agree - always felt Never Say should have been give a chance as a single in the Uk.

    Certainly in 1976 it would have done well although it's hard to know just what would have hit big for Diana in 1978.

    I thought Lovin' Livin' and Givin' would have been at least a moderate hit.

    To Love Again just wasn't strong enough.

    The tragedy is that Never Say was tucked away on the B-side of No One Gets The Prize when it was released as a single in the UK in 1979.

    If only some enterprizing DJ on Radio1 had noticed it and flipped the single over!!
    Had Tony Blackburn still been at radio 1 that may well have happened! It's one of my very favorite Ross ballads, but i never thought of it as a hit single at the time, but 40+ years later i think you may well have been right, but i still maintain that You were the one was the obvious first single.
    I know that Diana disowned the album and has probably never given it a thought for over 40 years. She really is the last person you could count on to give an opinion on such a low key album which Motown cobbled together at very short notice and then refused to promote it when Diana had no interest in it.

  36. #36
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    954
    Rep Power
    94
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    Had Tony Blackburn still been at radio 1 that may well have happened! It's one of my very favorite Ross ballads, but i never thought of it as a hit single at the time, but 40+ years later i think you may well have been right, but i still maintain that You were the one was the obvious first single.
    I know that Diana disowned the album and has probably never given it a thought for over 40 years. She really is the last person you could count on to give an opinion on such a low key album which Motown cobbled together at very short notice and then refused to promote it when Diana had no interest in it.
    Can you provide any insight into why Diana R did not care for this album and what the disagreement was with Motown at the time?

  37. #37
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    954
    Rep Power
    94
    Quote Originally Posted by sup_fan View Post
    Is it an all time dance classic like Love Hangover, I Will Survive, You Should Be Dancing, Share Your Groove Thing, I Feel Love - absolutely not.

    is it a better dance song than Fire Won't Burn, Sweet Summertime Living, You Build me up [[although that one isn't too bad), or the other canned dance tracks she recorded? i think most definitely

    Is it better than What You Gave Me which got the single release from Ross 78? yes

    is it better than Lovin Livin Giving? maybe, maybe not

    was it at least a bit more contemporary than much of the Baby It's Me tracks? i think so


    i realize that last comment will probably spark some heated debate! lolol

    I do love the BIM album and recognize it's high quality. But i also feel that for an album release in fall of 77 it was rather out of step with what popular music was doing at the time. it's just too innocuous and MOR to handle the explosion of disco that was happening. 2 months later Saturday Night Fever soundtrack was released and could BIM look any more out of place? that soundtrack was SO hot and the sound so contemporary. this album should either occurred a year or two earlier or later
    I agree with you 1000% on BIM. The album is "fine" but you're right, it was so out of step for the time. To me it just highlights the fact that Motown was just so resistant to "disco", yet when you look back at most of the "hits songs" the company had from the mid to late 70s they were upbeat dance records. It just seems that DR and Motown did not want to release disco records at this period of time.

  38. #38
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by SatansBlues View Post
    Can you provide any insight into why Diana R did not care for this album and what the disagreement was with Motown at the time?
    This was around the time her working relationship with Gordy was reaching boiling point. The details are sketchy and i don't know too much about it because i wasn't there but i was reliably informed the original idea was to have Holland/Holland produce some of side 1 which was to be the disco side; and side 2 which was to be the ballad side, but when Gordy allegedly had a bust up with the brothers and they walked out it he then decided to use previously recorded and in some cases previously released tracks. The album was already overdue and was rushed out. Diana vowed to leave Motown, and Gordy had little or no involvement in her final Motown albums. There is much more to it than that of course, but that should give you a basic idea of what a toxic atmosphere these big ego's where working in. Something had to give, and of course it did.

  39. #39
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Posts
    954
    Rep Power
    94
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    This was around the time her working relationship with Gordy was reaching boiling point. The details are sketchy and i don't know too much about it because i wasn't there but i was reliably informed the original idea was to have Holland/Holland produce some of side 1 which was to be the disco side; and side 2 which was to be the ballad side, but when Gordy allegedly had a bust up with the brothers and they walked out it he then decided to use previously recorded and in some cases previously released tracks. The album was already overdue and was rushed out. Diana vowed to leave Motown, and Gordy had little or no involvement in her final Motown albums. There is much more to it than that of course, but that should give you a basic idea of what a toxic atmosphere these big ego's where working in. Something had to give, and of course it did.
    Thanks for the interesting insight. Was this before or after the filming of the Wiz? And before or after the Wiz album that went unreleased? And could you imagine being a fly on the wall during those conversations between BG and DR?!!!

  40. #40
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    Quote Originally Posted by SatansBlues View Post
    I agree with you 1000% on BIM. The album is "fine" but you're right, it was so out of step for the time. To me it just highlights the fact that Motown was just so resistant to "disco", yet when you look back at most of the "hits songs" the company had from the mid to late 70s they were upbeat dance records. It just seems that DR and Motown did not want to release disco records at this period of time.
    In a few of the various books published over the years, i've heard some people say that motown just was oblivious to the whole disco trend. Being located in LA removed them even more so from the hot spots out east - Philly, NYC, Miami, Chicago. The latin, black and gay clubs in those cities were the ones heavily responsible for the rise in disco.

    Also motown was clearly out of touch with the advances in black music. kinda ironic considering their groundbreaking ways in the mid 60s. but as r&b music evolved, motown struggled to 1) maintain it's lead and 2) remain unique

    lots of other labels came out with quality product and diluted the r&b and dance music scene. and much of that music was far more innovative, exciting and popular than what motown was doing

  41. #41
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    3,096
    Rep Power
    238
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    This was around the time her working relationship with Gordy was reaching boiling point. The details are sketchy and i don't know too much about it because i wasn't there but i was reliably informed the original idea was to have Holland/Holland produce some of side 1 which was to be the disco side; and side 2 which was to be the ballad side, but when Gordy allegedly had a bust up with the brothers and they walked out it he then decided to use previously recorded and in some cases previously released tracks. The album was already overdue and was rushed out. Diana vowed to leave Motown, and Gordy had little or no involvement in her final Motown albums. There is much more to it than that of course, but that should give you a basic idea of what a toxic atmosphere these big ego's where working in. Something had to give, and of course it did.
    I can't wait for the expanded edition ...if we ever get it......George and Andy....

    Wasn't there a hdh single around 1980.....we can never light the flame.....???

  42. #42
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    3,096
    Rep Power
    238
    Never say and you were the one were the best two tracks

  43. #43
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    9,279
    Rep Power
    519
    Quote Originally Posted by daviddh View Post
    I can't wait for the expanded edition ...if we ever get it......George and Andy....

    Wasn't there a hdh single around 1980.....we can never light the flame.....???
    1982. It came out between WORK THAT BODY and MUSCLES.

  44. #44
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    4,000
    Rep Power
    262
    You were the One was a diamond among some other jewels. I would be curious of other songs with the Jones Girls in the background.

  45. #45
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    4,957
    Rep Power
    378
    Quote Originally Posted by sup_fan View Post
    Is it an all time dance classic like Love Hangover, I Will Survive, You Should Be Dancing, Share Your Groove Thing, I Feel Love - absolutely not.

    is it a better dance song than Fire Won't Burn, Sweet Summertime Living, You Build me up [[although that one isn't too bad), or the other canned dance tracks she recorded? i think most definitely

    Is it better than What You Gave Me which got the single release from Ross 78? yes

    is it better than Lovin Livin Giving? maybe, maybe not

    was it at least a bit more contemporary than much of the Baby It's Me tracks? i think so


    i realize that last comment will probably spark some heated debate! lolol

    I do love the BIM album and recognize it's high quality. But i also feel that for an album release in fall of 77 it was rather out of step with what popular music was doing at the time. it's just too innocuous and MOR to handle the explosion of disco that was happening. 2 months later Saturday Night Fever soundtrack was released and could BIM look any more out of place? that soundtrack was SO hot and the sound so contemporary. this album should either occurred a year or two earlier or later
    I the case of BIM, i'm actually glad that motown/diana did go out of their way to try and follow any musical trends. They were content in producing a slick, timeless and classy album that sounds as good today as it did then. Disco be damned lol.

  46. #46
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    6,060
    Rep Power
    185
    Quote Originally Posted by Ollie9 View Post
    I the case of BIM, i'm actually glad that motown/diana did go out of their way to try and follow any musical trends. They were content in producing a slick, timeless and classy album that sounds as good today as it did then. Disco be damned lol.
    I agree.I recall Barbra Streisand telling me last year how she had to fight like hell to get her Broadway album released back in the 80's. She was advised not to record the album because that type of music was not in vogue. She said the situation became so heated that she threatened to quit Columbia and move over to Arista where Clive Davis was waiting to pounce and give her a lifetime deal. He was fully behind the proposed project unlike the executives at Columbia who wanted a reunion with Barry Gibb. They eventually relented and of course it became one of her biggest sellers and started a whole new trend for revisiting classics from yesteryear. My point here is that following current trends is not always the right thing to do. Baby it's me was a work of art that could have bucked current trends had it been promoted properly and had Diana made a few high profile tv appearances to promote it. Sadly it soured the relationship between Diana and Gordy which took an even bigger turn for the worse over the illfated Ross78 fiasco.

  47. #47
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    I agree.I recall Barbra Streisand telling me last year how she had to fight like hell to get her Broadway album released back in the 80's. She was advised not to record the album because that type of music was not in vogue. She said the situation became so heated that she threatened to quit Columbia and move over to Arista where Clive Davis was waiting to pounce and give her a lifetime deal. He was fully behind the proposed project unlike the executives at Columbia who wanted a reunion with Barry Gibb. They eventually relented and of course it became one of her biggest sellers and started a whole new trend for revisiting classics from yesteryear. My point here is that following current trends is not always the right thing to do. Baby it's me was a work of art that could have bucked current trends had it been promoted properly and had Diana made a few high profile tv appearances to promote it. Sadly it soured the relationship between Diana and Gordy which took an even bigger turn for the worse over the illfated Ross78 fiasco.
    i was wondering if BIM was sort of the genesis for problems between D and Motown. 1976 was a very strong year for her with LH, Diana Ross 1976 and her US Greatest Hits package. plus she ended 75 with the wonderful theme from Mahogany

    but we also know what a nightmare the making of the movie mahogany was and how it really started to tear apart D and B's relationship

    Had they not fumbled BIM and actually made an effort with Ross 78, perhaps she would have stayed with motown and perhaps had a VERY different course in the 80s

  48. #48
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    5,666
    Rep Power
    312
    Quote Originally Posted by Bluebrock View Post
    I agree.I recall Barbra Streisand telling me last year how she had to fight like hell to get her Broadway album released back in the 80's. She was advised not to record the album because that type of music was not in vogue. She said the situation became so heated that she threatened to quit Columbia and move over to Arista where Clive Davis was waiting to pounce and give her a lifetime deal. He was fully behind the proposed project unlike the executives at Columbia who wanted a reunion with Barry Gibb. They eventually relented and of course it became one of her biggest sellers and started a whole new trend for revisiting classics from yesteryear. My point here is that following current trends is not always the right thing to do. Baby it's me was a work of art that could have bucked current trends had it been promoted properly and had Diana made a few high profile tv appearances to promote it. Sadly it soured the relationship between Diana and Gordy which took an even bigger turn for the worse over the illfated Ross78 fiasco.
    And Barbra's The Broadway Album turned out to be a major step-up with multi platinum sales; her instincts were sure correct on that one!

  49. #49
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    i don't know that you can exactly compare the Broadway album release with BIM.

    Broadway was Barbra's early home. this was a genre she had long excelled in and the public also closely associated her with. So to have her release something like that as a tribute concept is very much in her wheelhouse. obviously the execs were dumb and should have also realized this.

    BIM wasn't a concept or tribute album. it was intended as a pop album and therefore should have been more inline with trends vs a concept album or a tribute package. all in all i think BIM is a stunning collection but just released too late. by the time it was on the market, the genre it was attempting to play in had already advanced considerably and so the music, while very well crafted, wasn't in touch with what the public was then wanting. IMO it was a year too late.

    in hindsight we can see the album for the classic it is. similar to The Boss. i'm sure many fans and pop music stuffed The Boss away during the early and mid 80s as it was "DISCO" which was taboo of sorts. but now we can listen to it and appreciate it for what it was and still is.

  50. #50
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    8,756
    Rep Power
    391
    also didn't Diana record a tribute album while at RCA? was it Harold Allen? can't remember which classic american composer it was.

    and she attempted to do a tribute with RHR&B.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

[REMOVE ADS]

Ralph Terrana
MODERATOR

Welcome to Soulful Detroit! Kindly Consider Turning Off Your Ad BlockingX
Soulful Detroit is a free service that relies on revenue from ad display [regrettably] and donations. We notice that you are using an ad-blocking program that prevents us from earning revenue during your visit.
Ads are REMOVED for Members who donate to Soulful Detroit. [You must be logged in for ads to disappear]
DONATE HERE »
And have Ads removed.