Ten Albums That Changed My Life - #1 - diana - Diana Ross

Yesterday, I was nominated on Facebook to post ten albums that changed my life over ten days.  There supposed to be posted without words, but you know me, lol.  In fact, I thought it would be a great idea to share them here, so then I can delve a little deeper. So here goes my first choice...

Back in 1980, I was a shy, chubby sixteen year old who loved rock and hated disco.  One day, I was at the mall, specifically Samm Goody, perusing albums and came across this one, simply named diana.  I took interest at first simply because I was a big KISS fan back in those days and Diana Ross had dated lead member Gene Simmons for a spell around that same time.  I didn't know too much about her (well I actually did know more than I thought), but I knew it was different to the type of music I normally listened to and so I thought, "what the heck!," and bought it.  Little did I know that it would be one monumental purchase!

During the time of this record's release, there were two huge singles which I'm pretty sure most of you know.  Upside Down and I'm Coming Out have since become two of the crowned jewels in Diana Ross' long anthology of classic tunes.  Both songs are vibrant and uplifting, and most of all, they made me want to dance!  I think that from the moment I put the needle to the record, my body started moving involuntarily to the beat and I was definitely hooked!

Now those who know me in real life know that I've got it when it comes to dancing, and this entire album was the spark that ignited that fire.  I soon learned the other gems on the album, like the dance anthem Tenderness, the groove-aliscious My Old Piano, the sultry, sexy Now (That Your Gone), and the defiant Give Up.  Oh, I spent hours listening and dancing to this one, and I even began to lose a little pudge, too!  

I still call Diana Ross my first diva, and she was.  She and this album were an introduction of sorts to what would become the rest of my life.  Within months I had almost her entire collection and this particular record I've owned on cassette and CD, in addition to that original vinyl.  Indeed, the songs on this album and many of Diana Ross' other songs are a special part of the Soundtrack of My Life.  In fact, I foresee a day of listening to Diana all day long tomorrow.  

In the meantime, here's a grainy video of her performing what would eventually become one of the gayest of gay national anthems, I'm Coming Out...

Song of the Day - Missing You - Diana Ross

Since you've been away

I've been down and lonely

Since you've been away

I've been thinking of you

Try to understand, the reason you left me

What were you going through...

Today's song fits in so many ways.  Right now, in our third week of quarantine, there are a lot of things and people I am missing...going out to dinner, my friends, my family, work, my students, etc., etc., etc., but today is also a very special day.  On this day, April 2nd, 1941, my father George Myers, was born.  It's almost 11 years since he's been gone and we are all still missing him.  Rest in peace dad.  I still miss you!

Pride Day Song of the Day - I'm Coming Out - Diana Ross

cbsnewyork

It's World Pride Day and the festivities are shortly to get underway in New York City.  Though I won't be attending this year's celebration, I am with my LGBT brethren in spirit, as always.  Be out, be proud...Peace!

Hump Day Song of the Day - Love Hangover - Diana Ross

I tell ya, it feels like oldies week here at John's Music World.  First it was KISS, then The Verve, Queen, and now Diana Ross.  I feel remiss that I didn't post a Diana song yesterday, for it was her 75th birthday.  Like KISS, Miss Ross was one of my earlier musical favorites and she will always have a special place in my musical heart.  Here she is performing one of her best hits of the disco era, the sultry, fun, dancey Love Hangover...

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Chain Reaction - Diana Ross

We conclude our week long tribute to Diana Ross with a tune I was hoping she was going to sing the other night, but didn't.  Back in 1985, Diana released her last great album, Eaten Alive.  The majority of the tracks on the album were produced by legendary disco group, the Bee Gees, with the exception of the title track, which was penned by Michael Jackson.  Though this song was the only big hit to come off the record, many of the tracks here are amongst my favorite Diana songs ever.  So click play below to relive a fond memory and then go out and have an awesome Friday...

Song of the Day - Missing You - Diana Ross

The year was 1984, and on April 1st Motown legend Marvin Gaye had been murdered by his own father during an altercation at his home in California.  Lionel Richie soon penned a song for Diana to sing in honor of her friend with whom she shared a long and storied friendship.  The song appeared on Ross' album Swept Away and was one of her many top ten hits, and a great one at that.  Check out the beautiful Missing You...

Song of the Day - Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) - Diana Ross

This piece from a 1979 Las Vegas show exemplifies just what I love, and what I've always loved, about Diana Ross.  I can't count how many times I've watched this show, and this scene is my absolute favorite.  When she closed the show with this, her signature song, the other night, this very portion of her Vegas show came into my head.  I know it's a little long, about 15 minutes, but I promise you it's worth it. I've been smiling for the past 15 minutes and you will too.  Check out Diana Ross performing Reach Out and Touch...

Song of the Day - Forever Came Today - The Supremes

Though she didn't perform this particular song last night, Diana Ross did do a whole set of classic Supremes' tunes at her show in NYC.  I wasn't really surprised by it because it wasn't one of their biggest songs.  Still, I love the tune, and my pal Larry, who accompanied me to the concert last night, loves it!  In fact, he turned me on to this particular performance from the Ed Sullivan show circa 1968.  

Back in the day, there was a lot of controversy surrounding Forever Came Today.  Followers of Diana might recall it as being one of her first solo songs.  Mary Wilson, in her memoir Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme, claims she never sang on the tune and it was recorded after Florence Ballard had been fired from the group.  Not a pretty moment in Diana's history, for sure!

Regardless, the tune is classic and the performance even more-so.  Check it out...

Song of the Day - Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross

Before there was Beyoncé, there was Diana.  Diana Ross was and always will be my very first and very special diva.  I acquired my love of dance music from her, and she's been with me somehow all through my adult life, although she hasn't made anything new for quite some time.  Tonight, for the first time in I don't know how many years, I will be watching her perform in New York City.  I hadn't even known she was out there performing anymore, but when my friend Larry asked for someone to go with I was the first in line.  So I think what I'm gonna do here is celebrate Diana and her vast catalog of music throughout the rest of the week and we'll start with this, her very first solo single, the classic reworking of a classic.  Enjoy Ain't No Mountain High Enough...

A Black History Month Song of the Day - Touch Me In the Morning - Diana Ross

Touch me in the morning

Then just walk away

We don't have tomorrow

But we had yesterday

From the 60's we move into the 70's with one of my favorite singers, Ms. Diana Ross.  Back then many were appalled by her less than amicable departure from the Supremes, but nonetheless one of the original divas took the word by storm as a solo artist, racking up 27 Top 40 singles, 6 of which hit the top spot, including this one.  Touch Me In the Morning was Diana's second #1, following the smash Ain't No Mountain High Enough.  The song is beautifully written, and although I'm not sure many of us would be begging for the kind of heart rending separation she's looking for after such a beautiful romance.  The tune is a little on the sad side, but when she gets to that chorus...bam!

If I've got to be strong

Don't you know I need to have tonight till you're gone...

Flashback Friday Song of the Day - Upside Down - Diana Ross

The other night, after the Madonna concert, my friends and I got into a discussion about Diana Ross and Beyoncé.  Two of my buddies are younger, and aren't familiar with Diana, my very first, and probably the original, diva of the modern era.  There is no doubt that the two singers carry many similarities between them: both started their careers in very successful girl groups and both left said groups to go on to highly successful solo artists,  Both ladies were/are no doubt glamorous and both are divas.

That being said, of course Diana and Beyoncé come from entirely different eras, and so with progress that way it's been in music all around (charts, means of distribution, technology, etc.), it's kind of hard to make a true comparison, though it would be a good topic for a future post.  Having followed Diana for years, listening and dancing to her music, and seeing her perform several times, my personal opinion is that Lady Di has had the more successful career and to me is the true queen diva.  It is difficult to calculate, but from my quick research this morning, Diana's got so called Queen Bey beat by about 30 tunes (combined group and solo), give or take a couple.

Regardless, both ladies are legends of their own time, and I do enjoy the music of each.  Today is Flashback Friday, so I'm going to share the first Diana record I really got into.  Upside Down was the lead single off of Di's 1980 diana album and hit the top ten in no less than 15 countries around the world.  It came right towards the end of the disco era and the song singlehandedly influenced me to switch my musical tastes from rock music to dance music.  Oh, the memories...      

Song of the Day - I Like Love - Solitaire

I feel real good this evening

And I'd like to say I feel good for one reason

That we're all here together

Even though the weather's still miserable out there, today is still the first day of March and each day that we move forward is another reason to look forward to the impending arrival of spring.  So let's not fret at the freezing cold temps, but instead close our eyes and think of warmer times ahead.  And what accompanies a nice daydream better than an awesome feel good song?  Solitaire's 2004 neo-disco tune I Like Love (I Love Love) is just that...feel good.  I played this for my friends the other night and told them that I thought this was the best Diana Ross song she never sang.  They both said, nah, it sounds more like Bette Midler.  I disagree completely.  The voice sounds like Diana's, the music is disco-fied.  Diana!  What do you think?