I was at a Chic gig last week (which was fantastic), the band not only played Chic material but also tracks that Nile Rodgers produced for other artists.

They played two Diana Ross tracks from the "Diana" album, which I had long forgotten about. So when I came home I dug out the album which brought back sweet memories, and some hot and funky disco music!

My favorites are Tenderness and Upside Down, but actually most of the tracks are quite enjoyable. Definately worth checking out if you like that fat Chic disco sound!

http://www.youtube.com/wa...taLI74XFtU

that album is one of Diana's best favorite songs are "Upside Down","Friend To Friend","My Old Piano" and "Now That You're Gone".

"Friend to Friend" is one of my favorite Diana Ross tunes of all time. Classic album.

"My Old Piano" is an underrated gem.

Other than some 45s, this is the only full album from Diana Ross that I have because it has so many great songs on it. Great album.

SoulAlive said:

that album is one of Diana's best

Fixed.™

Not just my favorite Diana Ross album but one of my favorite albums of all time. Diana's behavior during the recording of the album gives new meaning to the term Diva. Just to give one example, Nile Rodgers recalled that Bernard Edwards told Ross that her singing was flat on one particular track. Ross got so angry that not only did she storm out of the studio which naturally brought the recording process to a halt, she also left New York City and the U.S., and didn't return for 30 days. She was said to have spent the time cooling her heels in the south of France. Now ladies and gentlemen, that is a diva with a captial "D".

UnderMySun said:

Not just my favorite Diana Ross album but one of my favorite albums of all time. Diana's behavior during the recording of the album gives new meaning to the term Diva. Just to give one example, Nile Rodgers recalled that Bernard Edwards told Ross that her singing was flat on one particular track. Ross got so angry that not only did she storm out of the studio which naturally brought the recording process to a halt, she also left New York City and the U.S., and didn't return for 30 days. She was said to have spent the time cooling her heels in the south of France. Now ladies and gentlemen, that is a diva with a captial "D".

More of a bitch if you ask me.

That was a classic album with the classic Chic sound! Loved it. It's the only Diana Ross cd I have (besides two all time hits cds) so I can't say if its her best work.

-

UnderMySun said:

Not just my favorite Diana Ross album but one of my favorite albums of all time. Diana's behavior during the recording of the album gives new meaning to the term Diva. Just to give one example, Nile Rodgers recalled that Bernard Edwards told Ross that her singing was flat on one particular track. Ross got so angry that not only did she storm out of the studio which naturally brought the recording process to a halt, she also left New York City and the U.S., and didn't return for 30 days. She was said to have spent the time cooling her heels in the south of France. Now ladies and gentlemen, that is a diva with a captial "D".

She also pissed them off when she took the finished album and had it remixed without their knowledge If you buy the Deluxe Edition,you get the regular version which was released,and the "Chic Mix" version that Diana didn't care for.

I definitely agree that this is her greatest achievement by far. I will also say that Diana marked one of the greatest reinventions in pop history. It took Ms. Ross to a whole new level. If The Boss ignited the fire, Diana was the mighty aftermath. So many masterful gems such as "Have Fun (Again)," "Friend To Friend," "My Old Piano," "Now That You're Gone," and "Give Up." Love the CHIC-produced version of this masterpiece as well.

She also pissed them off when she took the finished album and had it remixed without their knowledge If you buy the Deluxe Edition,you get the regular version which was released,and the "Chic Mix" version that Diana didn't care for.

I wonder if the real reason she remixed the album was that everyone that listened to it told her that it was terrible and that she would kill her career if she released it. The suits at Motown (including Berry Gordy) didn't know what to make of it and hated it, influential DJ Frankie Crocker didn't like it, and then-boyfriend Gene Simmons (yes the Gene Simmons from KISS) didn't like it either according to Rodgers. So maybe Ross decided to try and salvage something from the time spent recording by having the album remixed rather than simply leaving it in the vaults and record another album instead.

UnderMySun said:

She also pissed them off when she took the finished album and had it remixed without their knowledge If you buy the Deluxe Edition,you get the regular version which was released,and the "Chic Mix" version that Diana didn't care for.

I wonder if the real reason she remixed the album was that everyone that listened to it told her that it was terrible and that she would kill her career if she released it. The suits at Motown (including Berry Gordy) didn't know what to make of it and hated it, influential DJ Frankie Crocker didn't like it, and then-boyfriend Gene Simmons (yes the Gene Simmons from KISS) didn't like it either according to Rodgers. So maybe Ross decided to try and salvage something from the time spent recording by having the album remixed rather than simply leaving it in the vaults and record another album instead.

I have to admit,her vocals sound flat and lifeless on the "Chix Mix" version.When I first heard it,I was shocked that Niles and Bernard were gonna release it that way.She did the right thing by having it remixed a little....bringing her vocals to the forefront.It actually sounds like she re-recorded her vocals,singing it with more power and energy.

SoulAlive said:

UnderMySun said:

I wonder if the real reason she remixed the album was that everyone that listened to it told her that it was terrible and that she would kill her career if she released it. The suits at Motown (including Berry Gordy) didn't know what to make of it and hated it, influential DJ Frankie Crocker didn't like it, and then-boyfriend Gene Simmons (yes the Gene Simmons from KISS) didn't like it either according to Rodgers. So maybe Ross decided to try and salvage something from the time spent recording by having the album remixed rather than simply leaving it in the vaults and record another album instead.

I have to admit,her vocals sound flat and lifeless on the "Chix Mix" version.When I first heard it,I was shocked that Niles and Bernard were gonna release it that way.She did the right thing by having it remixed a little....bringing her vocals to the forefront.It actually sounds like she re-recorded her vocals,singing it with more power and energy.

I totally agree. It's fun to have both mixes on the deluxe edition- but I was surprised with how flat her vocals were on the Chic mixes too. It's like they were guide vocals. The music is still funky, but I think Motown did the right thing by having her go back and remix it.

SoulAlive said:

"My Old Piano" is an underrated gem.

looooove that song! part of the groove I think heavily inspired a red hot chilli peppers song a few years ago, can't recall the name

Di is not a dancer, that's for damn sure.

AlexdeParis said:

SoulAlive said:

that album is one of Diana's best

Fixed.™

GoldDolphin said:

UnderMySun said:

Not just my favorite Diana Ross album but one of my favorite albums of all time. Diana's behavior during the recording of the album gives new meaning to the term Diva. Just to give one example, Nile Rodgers recalled that Bernard Edwards told Ross that her singing was flat on one particular track. Ross got so angry that not only did she storm out of the studio which naturally brought the recording process to a halt, she also left New York City and the U.S., and didn't return for 30 days. She was said to have spent the time cooling her heels in the south of France. Now ladies and gentlemen, that is a diva with a captial "D".

There is not a single female singer, living or dead, that can out-diva Miss Ross!

I got the deluxe album and agree, I like her version better than the Chic originals. It could be because we're used to them.

But after I saw Diana live I realized she actually is a talented musician....... she knows what she's doing and uses her voice (even though it is not as powerful as others') very musically and knows what she is doing.

That said I love Chic too.

The CHIC mix of "Friend To Friend" is a certified headbuster.