Showing posts with label Diana Ross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diana Ross. Show all posts

Saturday 13 June 2020

Experience - Diana Ross

Released in 1985, 'Experience' was a single by Diana Ross that went by almost unnoticed, even if the song was written by the Bee Gees and remixed by François Kevorkian - big names. The track was not released as a single in the USA, but even where it was released, it didn't manage to get to the top 10. Ireland was the most generous, with its highest chart placing at no. 14, but in Australia and the UK  the single finished at number 64 and 47 respectively.

That's not to say it's a bad track: I actually quite enjoy this. It's the B-side that seems to be a throwaway track, although even that one appears, like the A-side, on the album 'Eaten Alive'.

My collection: 7" single no. 6297
Found: Plato, Leiden, June 30, 2020
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Experience' / 'Oh teacher'

Saturday 13 February 2016

You are everything - Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross

It's not a bad idea, sometimes, to let your biggest stars record a duet together. That's what must have gone through the executive minds at Motown Records in the early Seventies, when Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross got together to record 'You are everything'. This song was written by the Stylistics in 1971, but when this golden duo recorded their version, it became a massive hit around the world - although it was never released as a single in the USA, oddly enough.

It reached number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 13 in the Netherlands. You can still hear this song regularly on the radio.

My collection: 7" single no. 5818
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 16, 2016
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'You are everything' / 'Include me in your life'

Listen to the song

Saturday 14 February 2015

No one gets the prize - Diana Ross

Diana Ross is one of the true female superstars in the history of pop. She could be criticized for not writing her own material, but no one ever does. 'No one gets the prize' was the second single taken from her 1979 album 'The Boss', released as a single after the title track. Both were actually written by Ashford and Simpson (the duo that would become famous in the Eighties with their own hit single 'Solid').

'No one gets the prize' was almost a prophetic title: the single didn't become a hit. It only charted in the UK, where it peaked at number 59.

My collection: 7" single no. 5690
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 3, 2015
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'No one gets the prize' / 'Never say I don't love you'

Saturday 26 November 2011

Eaten alive - Diana Ross

It's a strange combination, the Bee Gees and Michael Jackson, but they both appear on this track, and it's a track by Diana Ross! Originally produced and written by Barry and Maurice Gibb, it was not until Michael Jackson heard the demo of it that he suggested the chorus could be improved. He worked with the Gibb brothers on the track and contributed his vocals to the chorus as well.

On this 12" single you can hear three versions of the track. In the instrumental version in particular you can hear the vocals by Jackson and the Gibb brothers very well.

My collection: 12" single no. 608
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 2,5 euro
Tracks: 'Eaten alive (extended remix)' / 'Eaten alive (edited remix)', 'Eaten alive (instrumental)'

Friday 25 November 2011

Your love is so good for me - Diana Ross

'Your love is so good for me' was released in 1978 as a single from Diana Ross's 1977 album 'Baby it's me'. The album was produced by Richard Perry and the single was written by Ken Peterson. The album also contained songs written by Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, but for some reason those were not selected for a single release.

This slightly repetitive song reached number 49 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This pressing comes from France, but unfortunately I have no information what the single did in the charts in that country.

My collection: 7" single no. 5227
Found: Record fair, utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Your love is so good for me' / 'Baby it's me'

Wednesday 23 November 2011

One more chance - Diana Ross

'To love again' is a 1981 compilation album by Diana Ross, produced by Michael Masser. Following the success of 1980's 'Diana', produced by Chic, the set was released in early 1981 and consisted of old and newly recorded love songs by the Motown diva. Two of the three new recordings were issued as singles.

The first of them, 'One more chance' was the only one of the two to reach the charts, although it wasn't a very big hit. It reached number 79 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 49 in the UK singles chart. 'To love again' was to be Ross' last album of new material for Motown (before her return in 1989) after signing a $20 million contract with RCA.

My collection: 7" single no. 5246
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,8 euro
Tracks: 'One more chance' / 'After you'

Sunday 20 November 2011

Upside down - Diana Ross

'Upside down' was written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers (of the band Chic) with Aretha Franklin in mind to record. When Franklin turned down the offer to record the album Motown passed the material and project to Ross. In a 2011 interview, Nile Rodgers said 'Diana Ross was the first big star we ever worked with and we took it very seriously.'

The single was her first release in the Eighties and also her biggest solo hit of the decade, reaching number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 5229
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 19, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Upside down' / 'Friend to friend'

Friday 19 August 2011

Remember me - Diana Ross

The nice thing about music is that there's always something new to explore. In 50 years of pop music there's always a song you've never heard and an artist that needs further exploration. Although I own much of Diana Ross's Eighties output, her old work passed me by as I was too young to appreciate it back then.

When Kim Wilde recorded a cover of 'Remember me' on her forthcoming album 'Snapshots' I was curious to hear the original version, and so I ordered one of those charming original UK pressings of the single. I will not pass judgement on which version is the best and leave it for you to decide. 'Snapshots' is out next Friday!

My collection: 7" single no. 5192
Found: eBay, received August 13, 2011
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Remember me' / 'How about you'

Saturday 11 June 2011

Pieces of ice - Diana Ross

I saw Diana Ross on television recently and she still looked quite good. So it's a mystery to me why she didn't appear on the sleeve of this single. 'Pieces of ice' was the first single taken from her 1983 album 'Ross' - which, coincidentally, is not only her last name but also the name of her eldest son, who was born in 1987. And no, his name is not Ross Ross, but rather Ross Naess, after his father.

Despite the fact that the single reached number 31 in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, it was never included on subsequent 'greatest hits' compilations. In the UK, the singles less successful, peaking at number 46.

My collection: 7" single no. 5116
Found: Backtrack, Antwerpen, June 9, 2011
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Pieces of ice' / 'Still in love'

Saturday 22 January 2011

Dirty looks - Diana Ross

While it is certainly true that Diana Ross has had an impressive career with many classic songs, some people tend to forget she's released some drivel from time to time too. When I bought this single, I didn't actually know that 'Dirty looks' was quite substandard. The lyrics are vacuous and the tracks as a whole is very repetitive.

The album whence this single came from, 'Red hot rhythm & blues', was released in May 1987 and featured a cover photo by Herb Ritts. It may have been the saving grace of the album, as the tracks on the album consisted of cover versions of old R&B hits plus some random new tracks. One has to wonder if the fact that this album fulfilled Ross's contract with RCA records was the main reason for this hastily cobbled together batch of songs.

My collection: 7" single no. 4994
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 15, 2011
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Dirty looks' / 'So close'

Saturday 6 February 2010

Touch by touch - Diana Ross

Diana Ross released the album 'Swept away' in 1984. Four singles were drawn from the album: 'All of you' (a duet with Julio Iglesias), 'Swept away', 'Missing you' and 'Touch by touch'. The last one reached number 47 in the UK singles chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

I found two copies of this single in the shop: one with a boring, basically grey sleeve featuring only the title of the song and the Diana Ross logo from the album (made in Germany), and this one (made in Holland). Since the German single had a better looking label, I swapped the discs and got the best of both worlds... But serious collectors would probably gasp at this blasphemy.

My collection: 7" single no. 4554
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Touch by touch' / 'Fight for it'

Saturday 9 January 2010

Who - Diana Ross

'Who' is a track on Diana Ross's 1982 album 'Silk electric'. It was released as a single but, unlike other singles from the album, it didn't chart in any territory. Since I can't find any details about this single, I even start to wonder whether it was released worldwide. This copy was made in Holland and it may have been an exclusive release.

My collection: 7" single no. 4421
Found: Kringloop, Den Haag, January 9, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Who' / 'Anywhere you run to'

Sunday 3 January 2010

I'm coming out - Diana Ross

'I'm coming out' is a track on Diana Ross's 1980 album 'Diana', which was produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The lyric of the song focuses on coming into one's own self, that is, asserting oneself to reach self-actualization. These days, however, it has become some sort of gay anthem, as 'coming out' has taken on a different meaning in recent decades.

Released as a single, 'I'm coming out' peaked at number 13 in the UK singles chart and number 23 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4372
Found: Independent Outlet, Amsterdam, December 30, 2009
Cost: 1,25 euro
Tracks: 'I'm coming out' / 'Never say I don't love you'

Sunday 27 December 2009

Missing you - Diana Ross

I started today with a tribute to Marvin Gaye, so it's only fitting that I end today with one as well. Diana Ross recorded 'Missing you' in 1984, not long after Gaye's tragic death. Ross and Gaye had both been artists at Motown from the early Sixties to the early Eighties, and had also recorded a duets album together called 'Diana & Marvin' (1973).

The song was written and produced by Lionel Richie, who wrote the song shortly after he had conversations about Gaye with Diana Ross. Released in late 1984, the song became one of Ross' last major hits in the USA, reaching number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK singles chart, 'Missing you' reached number 76.

My collection: 7" single no. 266
Found: Wouters, Den Haag, 1984
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Missing you' / 'Touch by touch (instrumental)'

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Chain reaction - Diana Ross

It was Puck who introduced me to the 12" single of 'Chain reaction' by Diana Ross. I wasn't particularly fond of the track, despite the involvement of the Bee Gees in the writing of the track and the backing vocals. When I heard the special dance mix of 'Chain reaction', however, I had to admit this was a pretty good remix.

The confusing thing is that remixes of 'Chain reaction' were also released later on, when the track was re-released as a single. These remixes are available on several cd's. But this original dance remix is quite rare. Finding the 12" single for myself was therefore a relief.

My collection: 12" single no. 312
Found: Record fair, 1994
Cost: 5 guilders
Tracks: 'Chain reaction (special dance remix)' / 'More and more', 'Chain reaction'

Thursday 26 November 2009

Endless love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie recorded 'Endless love' for the soundtrack of the movie 'Endless love' starring Brooke Shields. It was also released as a single in 1981. While the movie was a failure, the song became the second biggest-selling single of the year in the USA (second only to 'Physical' by Olivia Newton-John). The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

The song became the biggest-selling single of Ross' career, while it was one of several hits for Richie as the Eighties progressed. Ross recorded a solo version of the song for her first RCA Records album, 'Why do fools fall in love?'. The song was covered by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey in 1994. That version must have been meant for deaf people.

My collection: 7" single no. 4268
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Endless love' / 'Endless love (instrumental)'

Monday 23 November 2009

Ease on down the road - The Wiz Stars

'Ease on down the road' is one of the lesser known Michael Jackson hits. It was taken from the 1978 movie soundtrack 'The Wiz', based on the Wizard of Oz tale. The track was produced by Quincy Jones, with vocal performances by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. In the song, Dorothy (portrayed in the film by Ross) and the Scarecrow (played by Jackson) dance their way down the Yellow Brick Road, and give each other words of encouragement.

Released as a single, it reached number 41 in the Billboard Hot 100, while peaking at number 45 in the UK singles chart. It was a number 1 hit in Turkey, though.

My collection: 7" single no. 4221
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Ease on down the road' (Diana Ross & Michael Jackson) / 'Poppy girls' (Quincy Jones)

Monday 16 November 2009

My old piano - Diana Ross

Having had piano lessons between the age of 5 and 20, you would expect that I would have learned to play a mean bit of piano. But when I stopped playing for a year and then tried again, I realised I couldn't read any notes anymore and that the whole thing seemed to just have drifted away. I've never been any good at doing things alone: even in school, the only thing that kept my grades up were the group assignments.

However, I did always have a preference for keyboard-based music. And even a song like Diana Ross's 'My old piano', an ode to the instrument, caught my fancy. Produced by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of Chic fame, it gave Diana Ross a worldwide hit, peaking at number 2 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 963
Found: All that music, Leiden, August 10, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'My old piano' / 'Give up'

Wednesday 11 November 2009

Theme from Mahogany - Diana Ross

'Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to)' was written by Michael Masser and Gerald Goffin, and originally recorded in 1973 by Thelma Houston. Diana Ross recorded her version for the soundtrack of the 1975 Motown/Paramount movie Mahogany. Recorded with a full orchestral accompaniment, the track became one of the most recognizable elements of the movie.

The single was a number 1 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number 4 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4156
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from Mahogany (Do you know where you're going to)' / 'No one's gonna be a fool forever'

Monday 9 November 2009

A brand new day - The Wiz Stars

In 1978, the soundtrack album for the movie 'The Wiz' was released. Chiefly produced by Quincy Jones, the soundtrack features cast performances by the stars of the movie, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross, amongst others.

This quartet also starred on the first single taken from the soundtrack, 'A brand new day', which was released as a single in the summer of 1979. It reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40. The soundtrack marks Jones' first collaboration with Michael Jackson; he would go on to produce Jackson's hit solo albums 'Off the wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad'.

My collection: 7" single no. 4155
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, November 7, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'A brand new day' / 'Liberation ballet: a brand new day'

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