Customer Reviews

Diana Ross Live: Stolen Moments - The Lady Sings... Jazz and Blues

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One incredible evening of music from one amazing performer.

This concert was truly a spectacular pay-per-view when it aired on December 4, 1992, from the Ritz Theatre (NYC), as Diana Ross performed jazz standards while backed by an all-star lineup.

With a number of the songs associated with Billie Holiday, Ross is essentially recreating live her incredible 1972 movie soundtrack, Lady Sings the Blues. The musicians - including bassist Ron Carter, trumpeter Jon Faddis and trumpeter Roy Hargrove - propel the songs to incredible heights.

Ross was named "Female Entertainer of the Century" in 1976 by Billboard magazine and this special concert demonstrates her wonderful talent of reaching out to each person in the audience to make it a memorable one.

As tempting as it is to save a few bucks and order a dirt-cheap used copy of this CD, best bury the thought. If you're a Diana Ross fan or simply an admirer of female jazz vocals, there are two infinitely superior alternatives: 1. pick up the recently issued "Blue," the "out-takes" from "Lady Sings the Blues," on which Diana, more so than was the case in the movie, shows her careful homework in capturing the phrasing of Lady Day; 2. get the DVD of this concert. This CD, on the other hand, seems echo-ey and distant, more the record of an event than the event itself. Whatever medium or edition you select, the use of Lady Day's "Fine and Mellow" as the "big" production number to open and close the show is just downright insensitive if not ignorant. (I guess it could be worse--"Strange Fruit" with a kick-line.) Given the emphasis on the darkness of the venue, "Oh What a Little Moonlight Can Do" would have been perfect, equating Diana (mythologically the Roman goddess of the moon) as the source of lunar luminescence. Or use "God Bless the Child" at a Blood, Sweat and Tears tempo. Only please, don't assume Billie's "Fine and Mellow ever sounded remotely like this. Pick up the mid-fifties telecast, "The Sound of Jazz," which has Billie doing the song in musical conversation with Lester Young.

I thought I was ordering the "Lady sings the blues" soundtrack and wound up getting this. I listened to it and really loved it. It is a very intimate performance Diana did at some point. Let me tell you if you are any kind of fan of Ms Ross' you will love this CD. Don't pass it up. There will probably never be another one like it.

EH! some of the reviews seemed to suggest that there was more to this CD than the "sings the blues" sound-track...NOPE! Have to say I wish Diana would return those moments she stole from me. Waste of time!

..It was surely 'A Treasured Moment'...Diana in front of small crowd (An intimate setting of course), and a very relaxed, but well put together band (including some top name jazz musicians) all put together by the one and only Gil Askey!

So, in short here's what you have...Free-flowing arrangements, a relaxed Diana Ross doing Blues, Jazz and Pop songs (A few from the "Lady Sings The Blues" soundtrack), an amazed crowd, and the recording tape that caught it all...What more could you ask for??? This is worth buying an expensive bottle wine (Or the better stronger stuff)...Sit back relax, enjoy and wish you were right there with what I call a Treasured Moment with Diana Ross!!!

this was one of the best books I've ever read. The movie only covers a small part of Lady Day. She lead an interesting life. the movie only touched a small portion of her drug addticted life. I read this book in the 1970's and still remember how it touched my life as an adult. this book I highly recommend. END