Diana Ross still reigns supreme
By Lauren Carter / Music Review: Diana Ross
and more Reviews
Sunday, May 16, 2010
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Diana Ross is the original diva, and last night at the Wang Theatre she had the big show, the big band and the big hair, but seemingly not the big ego. If anything, she didn’t give herself enough credit.
Ross’ publicity handlers tried to block reviews of the show - the opening night on her “More Today Than Yesterday” tour - dubbing it a “warm-up” date.
Sorry folks, but Diana Ross doesn’t need a warm-up.
Ross called the performance an “evening of memories,” and she delivered on that promise, rolling out the biggest hits from her solo career and her tenure with The Supremes along with a few covers, including the Spiral Starecase’s “More Today than Yesterday,” for which her tour is named.
Her chats with the crowd were brief and appropriate. She may fit the diva archetype, but she doesn’t have the annoying self-absorption requisite to so many divas. She didn’t drone on about the minutiae of her life, her body of work or how important she is. She didn’t need to; the songs spoke for themselves.
Other diva must-haves were firmly in place, however. The brightly lit stage was multi-tiered with curving staircases. Her performance included multiple wardrobe changes featuring one massive, glittery gown after another, each more fabulous than the last.
The not-quite-sold-out crowd responded to the spectacle like teenagers at a dance party. Middle-aged men stood and flailed their arms in the air, and women pumped their fists like supporters at a campaign rally.
To start the 90-plus minute show, Ross rose up out of the floor in a floor-length, fluorescent green jacket. Consider the warm-up completed.
Although her vocals were slightly drowned out by her 15-piece band - which included string and horn sections - during the rollicking opener “The Boss,” her tone was spot-on from the first note.
The volume issues didn’t last long and were corrected by the third song, “Reflections,” which touched off a lengthy barrage of hits from The Supremes era, including “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Come See About Me” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.”
Ross, now 66, has a body of work that boasts massive hits, multiple awards, multiplatinum sales and songs that helped to define major movements in music, from Motown to disco.
Fans enjoyed all facets of her career last night, from the sass of “I’m Coming Out,” “Upside Down” and the funky, dynamic “Mirror, Mirror” to the tender balladry of “Touch Me in the Morning” and “Endless Love.”
By the time her snippet of “Love Hangover” surfaced mid-set, Ross was loose and clearly having fun, her voice smooth and smoky.
A high-energy “Ease on Down the Road” gave way to a jazzy lounge segment, which included a saxophone-laced cover of “The Look of Love” and the sultry “Don’t Explain.”
Diana Ross was close friends with Michael Jackson and closed her show with a tribute to the late singer. Ross sang “Missing You’’ and his hit “You Are Not Alone.”
When Gloria Gaynor’s ultimate survivor anthem “I Will Survive,” rolled around, it seemed highly personal to Ross - as much about withstanding the test of time as moving past a breakup.
TOUR DATES FOR 2010 MORE COULD COME
May 15 - Boston, Mass. - Citi Performing Arts Center
May 16 - Mashantucket, Conn. - MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
May 18 - Red Bank, New Jersey - Count Basie Theatre
May 19 - New York City - Radio City
May 21 - Atlantic City, New Jersey - Caesars Atlantic City
May 25 - Bethesda, Maryland - Music Center at Strathmore
May 27 - Chicago, Ill. - Chicago Theatre
May 28 - Cleveland, Ohio - State Theatre
May 29 - Detroit, Mich. - Fox Theatre
May 31 - Toronto, Ontario - Roy Thomson Hall
June 2 - Knoxville, Tenn. - Tennessee Theatre
June 4 - Atlanta, Ga. - Chastain Park Ampitheatre
June 5 - Memphis, Tenn. - Live At The Garden
June 6 - St. Louis, Missouri - Fox Theatre
June 9 - Los Angeles - Nokia Theatre
June 11 - San Diego, Calif. - Humphrey’s
June 12 - Saratoga, Calif. - The Mountain Winery
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