Brilliant album! Anyone like this one? I think it's one of Nick-O-Val's best production/songwriting efforts and one of the best R&B albums of its era. It took me a while to warm up to the title track (that may be because I first heard it on that strange Diana Extended album), but it's a highlight for me now. The chorus on I Ain't Been Licked just soars! Love that one. As a song title, it leaves itself open to a lot of interpretation. I'm hoping Nick didn't come up with that title.

My favorite track on that album, and a contender for my favorite solo Diana track of all-time, is Once in the Morning. It's saucy, sexy Diana. She was accused some in her late 70s career of trying to emulate Donna Summer, and with this song, there's little doubt that at least some of that wasn't purposeful. It could easily have been a Four Seasons of Love era track. It doesn't sound much like a Ashford & Simpson tune, let alone a Ross track. Her breathy vocals remind me more of Donna than they do Diana. Ultimately, it's a good thing, because the song is orgasmic. It's My House is another good one, and RuPaul ripped it for a track on his debut album.

Awful artwork. Diana designed that horrid outfit.

RipHer2Shreds said:

From the liner notes:

Diana wuz just puttin' up the clothes to dry while nude when suddenly a huge gust of wind blew the clothes off the line and onto her curveless figure

I do like this record. It's dated, but in a good way. It's My House still makes me crack up at times. I much prefer diana, though.

VoicesCarry said:

I prefer that album as well, but I do love this one. I know you better have that wicked re-release of diana.

RipHer2Shreds said:

You know it!

it would get topped by her next album.

I like sparkle ...so gay

lilgish said:

I know it is. But chut it! We're talking about The Boss.

I thought the title track was killer. "diana" is the only album I have from her (although it's the deluxe edition). I'll check this one out.

I don't have that album but I do have the songs "The Boss" and "It's My House" on a greatest hits collection and love the two songs. "The Boss" has always been one of my favorite songs by Diana Ross. When I bought the deluxe edition of "Diana", I discovered my all time favorite Diana Ross song, "What Your Gave Me".....funky as hell!

i have an old ashford and simpson laserdisc i still watch form time to time...and if you've ever seen nick ashford (aka the cowardly lion) work "the boss" ;ive, then you'll have no doubt that nick was born to be a drag queen with a really bad perm

I love Nick but you definately gave a great description of him.
[Edited 7/22/05 0:39am]

I bought it only for "It's My House"

U said u wanna moooove in with me?????


I was so surprised when she sung that song at the concert

I love Eddie Murphy's comedy album called "Comedian", when he talks about his father getting drunk and cussing them out.....

It's my house....and if you don't like it....get the fuck out! I don't give a fuck!

See that chair, motherfucker.....I put it there!

I love this album.Diana was wise to jump on the disco bandwagon.Her vocals sound great over these infectious grooves."No One Gets The Prize" and the title track are disco classics.

vainandy said:

That was some funny shit.

I love this album. Probably my 2nd favourite Diana album after 'Diana' itself (and that pushes all the right buttons).

It's My House

I wish Diana would hook up with the Pet Shop Boys (I think they could do a 'Dusty/Liza' on her). I love 'Take Me Higher' and her last album but Hi-NRG isn't really her thing.

onenitealone said:

Agreed. Good song, but not a direction I would like to see her go.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Glad you enjoy 'The Boss', anyway.

If you haven't got it already, the Diana & Marvin album is a great one, too.

'Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart'.

onenitealone said:

I do have that. I'll probably get shot for saying this, but I don't fully like it. I don't listen to it all that often.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Blasphemy! Saying that, I haven't listened to it in ages. I'll have to dig it out.

Diana's albums post-'Diana' - I hate to say - are all a bit patchy. A few good tracks, a slew of dodgy ones.
[Edited 7/22/05 9:17am]

I prefer Diana..

goat2004 said:

Yes, we all do. But this is still a good album, people!

Diana was always a diva, not a great talent or singer.

2freaky4church1 said:

Bullshit, Diana is all the above stop hatin.

Man, this album is killin'! Nile and Bernard were at they're peak when they did this. Totally smokin'! Love this album! One of my faves actually from Nile and Bernard. Those two cats were some of my heroes when I was a kid. Good thread, Rip!

MsLegs said:

what she is saying is that vocally, Diana was only slighty above average - but a lot of her populaity was just her image and well produced material, plus the backing of Berry Gordy and great marketing to boot!

blackguitaristz said:

Sorry, Rip. Jumped the gun. My eyes saw one thing, but my brain thought something else. I'm thinking of "Diana". But uh, this album is o.k.

blackguitaristz said:

@ how everyone keeps mentioning diana.