Here are some customer reviews of
Diana Ross
: I've had this album since I was a little boy
so I was not drawn to buy this for the original
material. It's the Bones Howe stuff that interested
me most. I Think "The Interim" is Ross' most
brilliant vocal performance ever. She does ok with
"Lines" and "Stoney End" but those were much better
suited for Marilyn McCoo and Ms. Streisand The
alternate tracks are merely filler here.I think 1971's
Surrender had the better batch of Ashford and Simpson songs though.
This album was Diana Ross's first solo project after leaving the Supremes in 1970. This album has some slow tracks on it such as "Dark side of the world", and a cute track called "Keep an Eye". This album also has what would become Diana's signature song "Reach out and touch somebody's hand". This album was not the monster smash that Motown would have hoped it would have been for Diana's first solo gig without the other two girls - actually, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong, and Jean Terrell, Diana's Supreme's replacement, beat Diana to the top of the charts in 1970 with their hit record "Stone Love", and "Up the latter to the roof", much to Berry Gordy's chagrin. Diana would actually have to release a few more albums before she got the really big hit record she needed to solidify her solo freedom, and she actually didn't do that until "Love Hangover" in 1975.
 I give this album five stars not necesarily for it's content, thought it is good; but rather I give the high rating because it gathered other worthwhile songs from outside the original album ("Stoney End", "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes", "Time And Love"). These songs I find to be some of my favorites from the album. Diana's once surprising versatility comes into play as well in tracks such as "Now That There's You" and the effervescent "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Overall, I enjoy the album very much, and I reccomend it to anyone who is willing to give Diana a chance outside of her "Supremes" work. This album was a great start for the singer.
Well I remember when this album appeared and the shock of it not being the Bones Howe production promised for so long but a collection produced by Ashford and Simpson, who had done the dismal "Some Things You Never Get Used To" for the Supremes. And a song list including typical Motown remakes. I took it home disappointed and frustrated. Then I put the L.P. on the turntable and by the time I hit the third track, a total reworking of "You're All I Need To Get By," I knew this album was one of the best to come out of Motown and a total triumph for Diana Ross and Ashford and Simpson. When "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" began to play I listened with my mouth literally open in amazement. This entire album was so mature, so sophisticated, so imaginative, so engaging I can't imagine a better solo debut Diana could have made. It's grand to finally have it all beautifully remastered and to have the four Bones Howe-produced recordings finally released. That would have been a superb album too, in a totally different genre, only proving how adaptable an artist Miss Ross has always been and how seriously she has taken her responsibilities as an artist. I always wondered why "Keep An Eye" was included as it's virtually identical to the version on the Supremes' "Love Child" album but at least its inclusion scratched the itch fans inevitably would have for a Diana Ross solo remake of any Supremes recording. Including Jean Terrell's overdub to Ross' "Time and Love" track on the Supremes' Touch album also decades later enables us to place these lead vocalists side by side and once more be amazed how totally different they are yet how totally effective each is as the Supremes' lady out front. Perhaps because she has always been so glamorous and so once-removed, Diana Ross has never gotten her just due as a serious artist who has selected her songs with the utmost care and given them loving care. Look past the beautiful face and the gorgeous gowns to see the intelligent, industrious and dedicated artist. What a wonderful album to have back again and what a wonderful new version to have.
I am a huge fan of Miss Ross and this album is my absolute favorite. It includes so many wonderful songs. Hits like "Ain't no mountain high enough" and "Reach out and touch" so many other songs like "Somethings on my mind" "Can't it wait until tomorrow" and "These things will keep me lovin you". This album is defenitaly a treat for a true Ross fan. I highly recommend this album. I am only 16 and I absolutly love this album so it is recommened for all ages. Miss Ross is a living legend and she still reigns supreme.
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