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John Aizlewood's rating
Diana, the diva supreme
By
John Aizlewood
10 May 2007
The past decade has not been especially kind to Diana Ross. A reluctant (on her part) divorce from Norwegian shipping magnate Arne Naess was followed by an arrest for drunken driving, a spell in rehab, some grisly contretemps over an intimate body search at Heathrow and the unmistakable feeling that a once glittering career has lost its sparkle.
Unsurprisingly, Wembley was far from sold-out last night. More surprising was just how full of life Ross was. She began with a tornado of hits and before 20 minutes had passed, she had charged through classics from the Sixties (that jaunty saga of heartbreak Baby Love); the Seventies (I'm Coming Out, the sound of several thousand closet doors opening) and the Eighties (a sabre-rattling Chain Reaction).
Gallery: See more pictures from the concert
And, inevitably, there were still dozens to come until, almost two hours later, she concluded a most heady evening with I Will Survive. "Do you know this song?" she asked an audience brimming with gay men. They did.
Typically, Ross made things difficult for herself, even after she had conquered the muddy sound to unfurl a voice in remarkably fine fettle. If the absence of screens and therefore absence of close-ups was understandable for a 63-year-old mother of five, the cheapness of the staging and lighting, plus the hotel lobby commitment of her seven-piece backing band were not. And if the saxophone solo in Stop! In The Name Of Love (delivered with trademark hand-dance) sounded note-perfect, it ought have done because it was on tape. Shoddy, very shoddy.
Marvellously, she was in diva mode. She shoe-horned herself into four outfits, mostly involving primary colours and feathersshe broke off You Can't Hurry Love to do some freelance stewarding ("they've asked me to keep the aisles clear") and she held hands with bouquet- bearers. Before embarking on a mercifully brief slice of gruesome schlock from her current album I Love You (her first visit to the American Top 40 in two decades), she demanded we "sit down and let me talk to you for a minute" so she could explain that she loved each and every one of us and shared her website address.
Such eccentricities merely enhanced the Ross experience. Upside Down was irresistible, Ain' t No Mountain High Enough was a clap of camp thunder and the haunting Do You Know Where You're Going To remains the song of Ross's life, in every sense.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (4)
Hey Miss "Mama" Diana Ross this is from a great big big big big big big big fan of yours every since I was a little girl. I am still that same person who still listens and buy your music. Keeping on what you know and best with your God gifted talent! I love you always. I would like to know if I could meet you one day? Please would you email me back when you have the time. I'm looking forward of hearing from you.
Love,
Sharon Walton
- Sharon Walton, Jackson, GA, 30/03/2009 23:32
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Diana Ross is a entertainment icon - but more than that she is a gifted artist whose sublte phrasing and timbre is outstanding!
The press tends to focus on the rumour and personal stuff - things which bring down the soul of the artist's work - look at Marvin Gaye, Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday.
When she performed in Sydney last year it was as if she was a nobody - almost no press and media attention - she came in and slipped out graciously - but quietly.
History will judge her well - in most of her recorded works and especially her live performances.
I wish her UK performances were filmed for DVD - for prosterity.
This lady deserves a little respect!
- John, Sydney, Australia, 14/05/2007 02:13
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My husband and I saw Diana at the NEC on Sunday and I can't stop thinking about it. Diana was totally amazing. She may have had her problems with drink and stuff but god that woman is beautiful. She has been out there for many years - I bet some of the so called tallent of today wont be. I just love her!
- Penny Nichols, Swindon, Wilts, 10/05/2007 16:32
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Diana Ross has always been a very easy target for criticism and lazy, negative press and I for one don't claim to be a critic nor do I have a habit of writing comments as these on any websites. However I was there last night, at Wembley, with friends and we had a brilliant time. Her voice was amazing, her performance outstanding and she took the audience in the palm of her hand within seconds of appearing on stage. The band were a little odd, but tight, but I did not even notice the absence of the live saxophone. What we did all experience was a true superstar with the vocal abilities and career success most of today's temporary so-called singers can only dream of. The only other comment I have is that Wembley looked pretty much full to me, so the comment about it being 'far from full' is unfair. And, for the record, despite my presence there last night, I am not a gay man!
- Colin, Maidstone, UK, 10/05/2007 13:31
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