Customer Reviews

Diana Ross: Going Back

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Before going any further I have to say that this is not a Supremes book and it was not intended to be. Going Back is a photographic journey of Diana Ross and her style. The images in the book are photographs that Diana Ross has the rights to (not Motown) and this is one of the reasons why the Supremes aren't featured and most of the picutres are post 80's. In addition, for fans that want Supreme images, wait for Mary Wilson's coffee table book...I am sure that those will contain Supreme images galore. Now on to the book.....

This remarkable book shows how versatile Diana Ross is in front of the camera. Beautiful photographs from the Josephine Baker sessions, Vouge and numerous other sessions. For the person who loves photography and especially fashion, this is a must have. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Diana Ross, the entertainer or the fashion icon.

Once again, in their zeal to demonize Diana Ross, critics of this book have missed the point. If one READS the foreword and text, this book is NOT a career retrospective, per se. It is an exploration of Diana Ross as a FASHION ICON. This is why the book is separated by FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERS, and not done in a chronological manner.

Also, the majority of photos were culled from Ross' own personal collection and her Image Equity firm, which controls any photographic image of her post-1981. The early Supremes photos are, by and large, from the Motown archives--and since Diana Ross is no longer with that label, one could reasonably expect that she would not be looking for any favors from them.

In any event, the images presented here make a fair case for the argument that Diana Ross, had she not become a superstar entertainer, could very well have become a fashion model. Her lithe frame, expressive eyes and distinctively different "look" make her the ideal photographic subject. As legendary costumier Bob Mackie puts it in his charming foreword: "I always wondered where goddesses came from. I guess it must be Detroit."

Diana Ross is such a visual performer that a book of photographs spanning her career is a very natural collection for her to put together. With the exception of Cher, I've never seen a performer who can look so beautiful and so different seemingly at will. Each photo gives the photographer credit and it reads like a who's who with most of the great photo journalist's taking their turn at capturing a unique quality of Diana's timeless beauty. I never get tired of looking through this beautifully done coffee table pictorical memoir. As the title suggests, this book is all about Diana Ross and is scattered with antidote's and notes from Diana herself. If you're not a Diana Ross devotee then this book probably isn't going to do a thing for you and in that case you'd be better off sticking with her music.

Of all the divas, Diana's life is the one that fits into pictures best. The visual mechanics that make up Diana, the subject, are at once individual and cummulative. From the mouth, to the neck, to the arms, to the eyes (wow- those eyes), Diana's feaures are custom made. However, the embodiment of those creations is equally stunning. Takes your breath away and stops the heart. Between Diana's voice, eyes, mouth, style, drive, color and moves, she is extradordinary indeed.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, this colection of photos tells the complete story of why Diana Ross wil always reign supreme amongst her legion of fans. Capturing her career from the 70's through the turn of the century, Diana gives us a coffee-table book of well-known poses and treats us to never-before-seen shots from photo shoots of some of the greatest fashion photographers of our time. This book details Miss Ross's remarkable, ever-evolving beauty and sense of style, and the underlying confidence that has served her well as a role model to her family, generations of women, and aspiring entertainers.

Goin Back is a 'must have' for every die hard Ross fan, perhaps especially now at a time when we do well to be reminded why it was we were so enraptured by her essence in the first place.

Indeed, this was to be a photo book chronicling her 40 years as a musical star. What the reader gets is a plethora of photos from the early seventies to the mid nineties. Seems Ross forgot about the successful sixties, as well as the latter part of her stalled career (as well as the 'plumper', older Ross we have seen of late) picking and choosing to create her own revised history. For laughs (I hope!) she throws in such gems as: "All the while that I move forward, I make way for reflection", "My parents gave me the right name", and "My self said, it is time to cease playing it safe, create new realities, dare adventures, be boss." It's too bad she listened to herslef.

How befitting that a music and fashion icon such as the Supreme One have her own coffee table book. That is exactly what it is.

This photo journal though somewhat limited in its scope of her career is interesting to view and lucious in its photography. If you are a fan then its a must have. If you like fine quality coffee table books you should consider it. If you are looking for a photo journal of La Ross' career then you will be disappointed.

I made a very grateful and ardent fan of Diana Ross very pleased with a gift of my copy. It was worth the money. I replaced it soon after. It is worth the investment to see the Lady in so many poses and genres that differ from the typical way in which we often see her.

Worth the money (If your'e a fan).

Let me just say that I have been anticipating this book ever since word leaked out about its existence. For Diana Ross fans, this is the ultimate tour book. Wonderful photos (many never before seen) show the versatility that has placed Diana among the top icons of our time. The book does lose a few points because there are very few photos from before 1976, which totally ignores the Supremes years, an almost unforgiveable sin. There are also no onstage photos (except for Central Park) or shots of Diana with other celebrities. Not to mention very few family photos. A title such as GOING BACK would lead one to expect photos from Diana' entire life and career. However, this is not the case with this book. For the die-hards, it probably won't matter.

I was very dissapointed with this book, because I thought it was going to be a "picture book" of her life and 40plus year career. NOT! Just pictures of HERSELF in the 70's, 80's and 90's. WHERE ARE HER CHILDHOOD PICTURES? FAMILY PHOTOS? THE SUPREMES? Noooothing! I am interested in her incredible life, her sibblings, the early years of the Primettes before they became the incomparable Supremes. Nooooothing! NEVER BEFORE SEEN PICTURES. Again....Nooooothing! Thank God I didn't pay for this book. I got it for Christmas years ago, and it's somewhere in my house collecting dust.

This is an excellent book featuring the first boss, Ms. Diana Ross. Photos are excellent and the commentary outstanding. I highly reccomend this purchase.