The release of Ms. Ross new Cd's are making perfectly good sense to me. As we know, Diana Ross has not been a strong seller is the U.S. lately, a steady seller maybe...but not a strong one. With that in mind, be aware that the release of a 'definitive' CD, will certainly keep her name on a lot of buyer's lips (though certainly not in their collection) until her new CD comes out this fall. If successful, who knows, maybe a label in the U.S. will pick it up for distribution. Remember, Cher, went this route with 'Believe,' which was a big international hit before it ever hit the U.S. 'Blue' was a wake up call to those in the industry, and hopefully a lot of music business eyes are on the remake album to see how it does in the overseas department. 'Blue,' to me, was an unexpected success and is considered icing on a cake that hasn't even been baked.And although the new album is an album of remakes, I have a feeling it will marketed and sold to the same audience who bought 'Blue.' And don't think twice about slamming the album before you heard it because as we all know, Diana is the Queen of Remakes! Her version of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' closely rivals Marvin & Tammi's classic single, which is a pretty hard thing to do. Her interpretation of 'Reach Out I'll Be There' is startling when compared to the original Four Tops version, and has since, become one of my favorite songs by her. And of course, I get blown away AND amazed when I hear her sing 'I Will Survive' and 'Carry On' - two classic disco songs that has since challenged the originals for immortality on my dance card. There are more covers by her than original recordings and each one has been sensitively and effectively done. I get goosebumps by her version of 'Amazing Grace,' 'Family,' 'Blame It On The Sun,' 'Come In From the Rain,' and the entire soundtrack of 'Lady Sings the Blues.' Ms. Ross has the ability to interpret these and many more songs and put her signature on them. That's her prerogative and her gift. She's not a writer; she's a songstress and it's her ability to interpret songs that makes her one of the world's most treasured singer. Whether it'll be, 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' from the Academy Awards, 'You've Got A Friend,' from Mohammad Ali's 50th birthday celebration, or 'I Wanna Know What Love Is' from the Motown at the Apollo special (or whatever show it was), she knows how to work it!
So FANS, before you become one of THOSE people who try to condemn a movie they haven't seen, queer bash because of ignorance or gossip badly about people you never met - give everyone a break and save your reviews and opinion on the album UNTIL you actually hear it. Stop your hattin', give her a chance and wait until the album comes out. I have a feeling she's gonna surprise us with her versions.
FrednSF
