Diana Ross - Last Time I Saw Him

Last Time I Saw Him, a classic Diana Ross album overlooked in the digital era, finally makes its CD debut. Recorded and released in 1973, Last Time I Saw Him, with its track written Michael Masser and Pam Sawyer, was the follow-up to Dianna's No.1 Touch Me In The Morning. Masser, the Four Seasons' Bob Gaudio and Motown's own Ron Miller and Tom Baird contributed to the LP; one of Baird's tracks, "Turn Around, written by Harry Belafonte, was a holdover from a previously unreleased album. Album Description

THE BONUS TRACKS MAKE THIS A MUST HAVE

I was always a huge fan of the work from Diana Ross's early career but must admit I never owned or heard the album LAST TIME I SAW HIM though I do know many of the songs. The first disc here which contains 2 versions of the album expertly remastered is ok. It is from the period where she was in her prime so it is a worthwhile collection but it does not equal her other releases during that period. There are some total standouts like SLEEPIN where she gives one of her best emotive interpretations ever. I also love NO ONE'S GONNA BE A FOOL FOREVER and I HEARD A LOVE SONG but YOU and BEHIND CLOSED DOORS are definitely subpar Diana Ross. I would have given this cd 3 1/2 to 4 stars were it not for the bonus tracks.

The second disc which contains 10 previously unreleased tracks are all gems and pure magic, digitally remastered to perfection. Her voice soars and melts over these masterpieces. Her versions of WHERE DID WE GO WRONG and SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU are amazing. And she makes the Carpenters song LET ME BE THE ONE totally her own. She had previously sung CLOSE TO YOU to not very good results. All 10 of these bonus tracks are amazing and make a perfect 5+ star cd in themselves so the package of LAST TIME I SAW HIM plus them make this an unquestionable must have.

One forgets the amazing career Diana Ross has had and this amazing 2 cd set shows why. August 16, 2008

THE BOSS LAYS AN EGG BIG TIME!

First, I am a huge Ross fan but am well aware of her spotty recording career. Motown and Miss Ross apparently had no idea what they were doing when they pushed her into a watered-down country soul pop LP. There is only one good song here, the Bob Gaudio produced Stone Liberty and another passable attempt at a single, Sleepin', a wierd song about homelessness that has Miss Ross saying "Don't touch me" assumedly to the homeless guy in the song. Gene Page, a gifted arranger, doesn't help the session by laying on the strings heavily and Diana herself gets one producer credit on the Charlie Rich hit Behind Closed Doors, which is downright limp. Strange that she seems to be looking for a Vegas/Nashville audience when she has just come out of Lady Sings The Blues and can do whatever she wants. Maybe this was recorded earlier and released after the movie was such a sensation. Whatever the case, this album sucks. July 22, 2008

Hard to find and memorable!!

I have been searching for a collection like this for years. The song "Where did we go wrong" I did not think I would ever find again.
Thank You, Tim Wallace
February 8, 2008

Ross Is Fabulous In This Absolute Gem

Hip-O Records has been issuing Limited Edition CDs from the vast catalog of Motown Records and it does not get any better than this 2-CD reissue of an overlooked early 1970s gem by Diana Ross.

Released in December 1973, the album failed to light up the charts after the initial single - the title track - failed to crack the top ten and the follow-up - Sleepin' - was even less successful.

But the lack of commercial appeal does not diminish the solid interpretation of the lyrics by Ross and the fantastic arrangements which propels the music on the emotionally-charged 10 tracks.

The CDs include the original album and the Japanese Quad edition, along with 10 bonus tracks, including an unedited version of the Last Time I Saw Him. The booklet has a wealth of information on the original LP and CDs.

As with the Hip-O Records catalog, Last Time I Saw Him provides the listener with the historical nature of the original LP, while meticulously tapping into rare or unreleased material from the sessions. The reissue is arguably the most underrated and unappreciated LP ever recorded by Ross. December 20, 2007

Ms Ross The Boss!!!

You have to be tone deaf and stupid not to hear what a wonderful job Diane Ross does on every single track here. What a star. I wish she was only 20 so we could hear her sing for another 60 + years. Diana you worked harder than ANYONE and deserve fame more than anyone. You stood tall while so many used you, and while life shot arrows at you. You are one fine lady. The biggest star of my life and many I am sure. "Remember!" XXXX DFS. October 20, 2007

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