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Post by Emerald City on Apr 24, 2005 15:56:06 GMT -5
97) The Supremes
By Antonio "LA" Reid
For twenty years -- my whole career, really -- all I have been doing is trying to discover another Diana Ross. I obviously still have my work cut out for me. She was gorgeous and skinny -- and this was back in the Twiggy days, when skinny was new -- and she had that big, beautiful hair. And, of course, she was glamorous: I remember all those furs, diamonds and early bling-bling. Everything about her -- her mannerisms, her look, her aura -- exuded stardom.
The Supremes were the epitome of the Motown sound. People look at Ross and say she had great songs, she was a good-looking girl, behind her she had Berry Gordy -- who, in my book, is the greatest record man who ever lived -- she had all these things. Holland, Dozier and Holland were amazing writers, just pure melody men. As we all know now, the unsung heroes were the Motown house band, the Funk Brothers. They could take those great songs and give them a sound. "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," "Come See About Me," "Stop! In the Name of Love," "I Hear a Symphony" -- at the time, people thought those songs were disposable. And now we realize that they're true masterpieces. They're so alive. Everything about the songs was great, even the intros -- every one of them had a distinctive, memorable intro, which was a hook in and of itself. And, of course, there were two other wonderful singers in the Supremes, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard.
But at the end of the day, Diana Ross' voice would come on the air and give you chill bumps. It had such presence, terrific tone, and was so identifiable. She didn't sing like Aretha Franklin -- she wasn't a gospel singer -- but she was a stylist, and you always believed her. She was captivating, romantic. When she asked, "Where did our love go?" she sounded like she was begging.
To this day, I believe that her voice could work on contemporary radio. She set the road map for the success of Janet Jackson, Madonna -- anybody who could sing but wasn't a real crooner like Aretha or Patti LaBelle or Gladys Knight. I still ask artists in the studio to "sing this like Diana Ross would." So far, no one has.
(From RS 972, April 21, 2005)
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Post by Emerald City on Apr 24, 2005 15:58:29 GMT -5
For twenty years -- my whole career, really -- all I have been doing is trying to discover another Diana Ross.
I still ask artists in the studio to "sing this like Diana Ross would." So far, no one has.
I think LA has too much time on his hands ;D ;D
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Post by Diamond Girl on Apr 26, 2005 14:57:42 GMT -5
You have got to be kidding me...Diane's voice is nothing special; it's like a piercing whine; she wasn't glamour; it looked so fake to me-the so called glamour and that extra-everything, hair, make, padding, just to make her be able to be near Flo and even Mary. Her voice pales in comparison to both of theirs, especially Flo's.
She sure had Berry behind her alright, but not in the most helpful way. He had her living a pipe dream. Do you know how many producers passed on her in the mid and late 70s? Voice could still work on radio; whatever-there's only room for one Ashanti.
For LA Reid to write such a slanted article is sickening; he's supposed to know music. At least he realizes she was no true singer; BUT she sure was no stylist either, he must have been thinking Kim Weston.
Good grief, this is too MUCH and that artwork is the worst, were they trying to make the head actual size :whatever:
I tried to stay neutral, but LA reid can't reccommend any artist to me from this point on, wasn't this supposed to be an article about the Supremes-not Diana Ross and the Supremes; he didn't even mention Cindy Birdsong, when the head and ego became even more inflated :stop:
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Post by Emerald City on Apr 28, 2005 16:36:08 GMT -5
Thank you ((Jazzy))!! You must be psychic because I have always said that the only reason why the Ashanti's of this world are so hyped up is because Diane came before them and has already proved that you don't need talent or good looks to make it, just standard songs and extreme promotion And I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who noticed that of the four featured groups from Rolling Stone, Diane's image is the only one larger than her fellow groupmates As for LA Reid, IMO he's one of those 'professionals' who just goes with what they know Thank God for the core Motown fans who know the real deal
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Post by Motown Honey on Apr 28, 2005 20:11:48 GMT -5
((Jazzy)) ((Hits)):
There is not much more to say beyond the truth you shared. Diane was a woman blessed with the luck of a few leprechauns. How else can you explain the lack of talent and presence and becoming the lead; she'd better be thanking Berry still, she owes him everything. Although, he may not want to claim that now; "her solo career wasn't the success we'd hoped".
You can only use smoke and mirrors for a limited amount of time, Berry!
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