MASHANTUCKET, Conn. - Fresh from a stint as a coach on "American Idol," Diana Ross continues to show would-be pop divas how to do it right.
Ross kicked off her North American tour Thursday night at Foxwoods Casino's intimate 1,463-seat Fox Theater. The sold-out show served as a warm up for last night's scheduled stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Ross kicked off her North American tour Thursday night at Foxwoods Casino's intimate 1,463-seat Fox Theater. The sold-out show served as a warm up for last night's scheduled stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
In a 75-minute set, Ross managed to pack in 18 fabulous songs and five dazzling costume changes.
She teasingly opened the show by singing "I'm Coming Out" off-stage before making a grand entrance in a form-flattering, red sequin gown. Her slightest shake or shimmy provided squeals from the audience.
She teasingly opened the show by singing "I'm Coming Out" off-stage before making a grand entrance in a form-flattering, red sequin gown. Her slightest shake or shimmy provided squeals from the audience.
Ross quickly followed with a faithful cover The Spiral Starecase's "More Than Yesterday," which is featured on her new album, "I Love You," a collection of classic love songs.
"We're going back to the good old days," Ross promised the audience before beginning a trio of No. 1 hits from her days with The Supremes: "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love" and "Stop! In the Name of Love."
Those early Motown classics were followed by two solid Ross solo hits, "Touch Me in the Morning" and "Love Hangover."
Ross' five-piece band and two backup singers continued to play "Love Hangover," while she exited the stage for a quick costume change. Returning in a yellow sequin gown with feathered cape that would have made other women resemble Big Bird, Ross launched into "The Boss" and "It's My House."
Ross and company shined on a calypso-tinged "Love Child," the well-received "Upside Down" and the jubilant "Ease on Down the Road" from the box office dud "The Wiz."
The musical high point of the night came in a pair of songs from the 1972 Billie Holiday film biography "Lady Sings the Blues," which earned Ross an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. "Fine & Mellow" and "Don't Explain" showcased Ross sans back-up singers and most of her band and revealed how well her 63-year-old voice has aged.
The full-band returned for a rousing "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," the stirring "Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" and Ross' first solo hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
Ross ended the night with the Gloria Gaynor disco-era hit "I Will Survive," which she recorded for her 1995 disc "Take Me Higher."
