DIANA ROSS
Now Grove, Los Angeles
“Reach out and touch someone,” Miss Ross sang and that one song dramatizes her effect on audiences as a solo performer. She gets to them in a forceful, “Right On, Black is Beautiful” style.
Her debut program here July 30 is the same show with which she recently performed at the Frontier in Las Vegas. In her local appearance she demonstrates that she has emerged as a well rounded pop vocalist.
The strength and clarity of her voice is clearly heard, uncluttered or covered by the “ooh-aahs” of previous experiences. She holds notes nicely when that is required as on the closing of “Mame.”
Her act is loaded with material and there are eight costume changes and two male dancers to help with the action during off stage moments. Three girl vocalists [[called the Black Berries) add little shouting riffs and fills, with “Ain't No Mountain High Enough" a fast workout for all the voices.
Miss Ross' own very funny version of “Is That All There Is” [[combined with bobs and weaves) was a good contrast in her ability to be tight and then move into
“Somethin’s On My Mind,” a love song which she did with a lot of soul. In offering a medley of Supremes hits she rekindled memories, and when she did “Doin' What Comes Naturally,” it was a sexy, soulful experience. Her version of “My Man” was superbly tender and meaningful. The 30 piece George Rhodes orchestra, led by her director Marvin Laird, grooved right along.
ELIOT TIEGEL - Billboard 1970
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