The only surprise in Diana Ross forging a solo career outside the Supremes is how long she waited to do it. Her 1970 debut shrewdly capitalized on her former band's spectacular string of successes at the same time that it carved out a niche for Ross as one of modern pop's most formidable divas. That not inconsiderable task of reinvention fell to the songwriting/production team of Ashford & Simpson, who constructed a musical framework that traded freely on the sheer dynamics and dramatic potential of Ross's voice on tracks like "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" and the massive No. 1 hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Loose, light, and occasionally neo-spiritual, it's an album that's almost daringly free of Motown history and clichés, right down to its cover imagery. This digitally remastered edition features a wealth of bonus tracks that include four from the album's first (aborted) sessions with producer Bones Howe--including Laura Nyro's "Stoney End," a hit for Streisand shortly thereafter--that give an intriguing glimpse of the somewhat jazzier and even more pop-oriented album that might have been. Also included are alternate mixes of "Ain't No Mountain" and "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You," an alternate vocal take of "Now There's You" that underscores the subtleties of Ross's technique, and a showy, unreleased live version of the album's "Something on My Mind" from one of the diva's first 1970 solo performances. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com
 |  | If you like Diana Ross, yes. If not..... |  |
She defininitely has her niche, and it's a big one with lots of devoted fans. Then there are those who don't very much care for the plastic faked emotion which is omnipresent in all of her music. If you like drama queens, you'll like this.
January 30, 2007Diana Ross' first solo attempt in 1970 "Diana Ross" (later re-released as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough") was, and is still today a success. In my opinion, it is one of her greater albums. Besides her two greatest hits "Reach Out & Touch Somebody's Hand" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", there are a great many engaging and loveable tracks. My personal favorite is her rendition of The Velvelettes' 1965 minor hit "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You". She also re-recorded a track that she had done on the "Love Child" album in 1968, entitled "Keep An Eye". Interestingly enough, both versions were recorded by Diana Ross & The Andantes. But either way, it is still a great song. Another one of my favorites from this album is "Now That There's You". Here she pulls out all the stops and shouts her testification to her man. My final favorite is "Time & Love" which interestingly enough was recorded by the "New Supremes" in 1971 for their album "Touch". Even more interestingly, they both used the exact same pre-recorded music track. The only difference is, Jean sang lead on the Supremes' version which was released, and Diana Ross sang the lead on her version which was not released until now. Either way, this is definitely a personal best for Miss Ross, and I urge you to buy it. After all, with the way merchandise goes, it might not be here the next time you decide to give it a try.
June 23, 2006In 1970, there weren't many stars bigger than Diana Ross. I remember how excited I was to get her debut solo album, and the crown jewel for me was the long (6:17) version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". (Believe me, if you have heard only the shorter version played on most radio stations, then you ain't heard nothin'!) Recently I got rid of my turntable, and, to make a long story short, I bought this CD to replace my old LP. I was also attracted by the fact that the CD is digitally remastered. So, was it worth it? God, yes. The sound is definitely improved. "Reach Out And Touch" enfolds me with welcoming warmth, and "Ain't No Mountain" is positively celestial. The other 9 tracks of the first 11 complete what was on the original LP. These tracks show that the talented people involved in putting together this album gave their star a slick, classy environment in which to express her new solo self. Then there are 8 bonus tracks, recorded at the same time but not included on the original LP. Not too much new is revealed in 12 thru 15, which are alternate versions of 4 of the original 11, except that "Something On My Mind" is live, and "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You" does vary enough from the original to be enjoyably different. The next 2 tracks, "Time & Love" and "Stoney End", were written and recorded by the legendary Laura Nyro, and were also recorded by Barbra Streisand. "Stoney End" was a big hit for Barbra, but Diana's version is closer to Laura's - lighter and less dramatic. I doubt that these songs would have been a good course for Diana to emphasize in her career (which, apparently, she knew), but, again, it is enjoyable to hear her singing these tunes very different from what we are used to hearing from her. The last 2 tracks, "The Interim" and "Love's Lines, Angles & Rhymes", are more abstract, and somber in mood, and they are quite beautiful. The latter became a hit for The Fifth Dimension. So, to sum it all up, I think any fan of Diana's would like the improved sound and varying styles found on this CD, a document of what she was contemplating to present to the world as a solo artist.
April 2, 2006 | | Diana's 1st solo album...including the full version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"!!! | |
What a wonderful CD this is. It contains some great classics, including the full version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in its complete 6:16 length. Some other great songs are "Can't It Wait Until Tomorrow", which I learned was originally the flip side to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" on the 45 release, "Dark Side of the World", and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" (in stereo). I am so glad to actually have an album of hers with the full version of ANMHE on it, as I got so tired of hearing the short version of it. For those of you who are tired of hearing the short version of "Ain't No Mountain..." and prefer the long 6:16 version better, LOOK NO FURTHER! Your days of searching are over; this is the title of hers to get! Review update as of April 9, 2007: It's hard to believe that this title is no longer available to get. I don't know what the Motown manufacturers were thinking when they discontinued this title, but they need to get it back. Fans of Miss Ross don't want to have to put up with listening to the shortened version of Ain't No Mountain High Enough again! Motown manufacturers, get this title brought back ASAP!!!
November 20, 2005| | | Diana's Ground-breaking Debut | |
Diana Ross' early solo albums were really something. Delving into her back catalogue is fun as it's so vast!
This calibre of this album is very high indeed. It's an eclectic blend of warm soul and bluesy gospel tinged numbers. Ashford & Simpson were the prefect production team for Diana, as they quickly capitalized on her dramatic vocal capabilities. They also stretched her out of the middle range that was synonymous with her work with the Supremes. The results were outstanding, as Diana's was voice sounds amazing here.
The album opens with Diana's very first solo single and her heartfelt anthem, "Reach Out And Touch" which is, of course, an evergreen classic. Ashford & Simpson didn't want this released as the first single; instead, they wanted the fabulous, spine tingling "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to be the first single, but Berry Gordy wasn't convinced. As we all know, this was her first US Billboard pop chart #1 hit (#6 on the UK pop charts) and it's here in all its glory. You can tell that Diana had the potential to become a fine actress - just listen to the drama and tension in her voice as the song builds up into the dazzling crescendo.
Other highlights include the lovely ballads "Now That There's You" and "You're All I Need To Get By" plus the gusty performance of "I Wouldn't Change The Man He Is". The soulful groove of "Something On My Mind" was an instant favourite. This re-mastered album with bonus tracks features a superb live version of this song. Perceiving that the world had its eyes on her solo debut, Diana declared in that soft and rather charming American drawl:
"Good evening everybody, and welcome to the 'let's see if Diana Ross can do it by herself show!'"
The diva pulled it off in spectacular style.
September 9, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
