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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic Album Made Even Better., March 3, 2004
Some would argue that Diana Ross' 1980 "diana" is really a Chic album with Ross singing lead vocals. Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of the influential 1970s group serve as producers, and the result is a non-stop party filled with groovilicious tunes that are just as stellar as anything by Chic. "diana" was a huge commercial hit upon release, and for a good reason: the album is excellent and may be the best of Diana's post-Supremes career. Who could forget the hit singles "Upside Down" and the uplifting "I'm Coming Out?" If any female singer kicked off the 1980s with a bang, it's definitely Ms. Ross, thanks to this classic of an album. "diana" has been remastered and is part of Universal's "Deluxe Edition" series. The first disc has not one but two versions of the album. One is the "diana" as released, and another is the "Chic Mix." I definitely prefer the latter version as it is more relaxed, free-flowing, and is somewhat less polished than the "diana" that was released in stores. I'm glad that we finally have the chance to hear this classic "as nature intended." In addition, a bonus disc of extended mixes and other jams is what makes this CD a must-own for Dianaphiles and casual listeners. We get, among others, a full-length 10 minute version of the classic "Love Hangover," a standout mix of the excellent "No One Gets the Prize/The Boss" and other previously unreleased tracks like "Fire Don't Burn," and "You Build Me Up to Tear Me Down." Sure, there's a single disc version of "diana" available, and like the deluxe edition, it's digitally remastered. But you're only selling yourself short by getting that version. The deluxe edition is a can't fail purchase; it's an example of what happens when you take a classic album and make it even better.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Expensive, but an absolute must have for Chic and Diana fans, February 18, 2004
Although the 1980 release of "diana" was remastered in 1999 and sounded like a million bucks, I was unaware of the whole production controversy as I always thought that said release had been produced by Chic producers Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. Through the extensive liner notes and reviews by other Amazon.com reviewers I now understand that the producers' work was handed to a seasoned Motown veteran named Russ Terrana who cut down on the Chic touches and made it more mainstream (whatever that is). Having said that, a side to side comparison is almost a draw as there are merits to both; notwithstanding, I my clear preference goes to the original Chic-produced songs as it does not push Diana back into the mix a some suggest, but rather it has her sounding more relaxed and free-flowing than ever. The Chic touch does not make it a "Chic" release, fronted by Diana Ross, as it's a collaboration just like any other. No one ever says that "The Boss" release is as an "Ashford & Simpson" release fronted by Diana Ross, but their influence is in the mix.Competing versions aside, the back to back releases of "The Boss" and "diana" are in my opinion on top of the list for Diana's best solo work. A case can be made for either but "diana" wins on its strong singles, newly released original versions, and non-singles that get more infectous every time that you hear them. I've become absolutely hooked "Have Fun (Again)," as the arragements/choruses are addictive. Also, the really cool sounds integrated into "Friend To Friend" have brought that song an underlying funkiness to its already great version. And there is a tropical touch added to "My Old Piano" that sends the song to a place that it never reached. This 2003 remastered 2 CD collection is broken down as follows: Disc 1 includes the retouched/released song set and it is followed by the original/previously unreleased song set. So whatever your preference it's a win/win. Disc 2, titled "Dance" is a hodgepodge of remixes, unreleased songs, extended versions, and a even a Supremes medley that for the most part are not "essential" BUT is a must if, like me, you love the song "Love Hangover", as the extended alternative 10 minute mix is the best version that I've ever heard of that song. Remixes are a hit/miss (generally miss) as they are either an extended version that does not have any value added or re-workings, which generally push the singer to the back with whatever sound is club-worthy at any given moment. Some of these songs never end. This second CD is also a must have for me as it has an amazing version that seamlessly combines "No One Gets The Price/The Boss" into something that is greater than the sum of its already great parts. There a couple of songs that I had not heard off which also registered quite nicely. Like most things, all is not perfect even in this release. The aforementioned Supremes medley is truly awful and there are about 5 others in the 2nd CD that are filler. Although this release easily earns its 5 stars simply for its 1st CD as it's rather brave for a record company to risk alienating those hard-core fans who probably bought the: original LP, first-released CD, the 1999 remastered CD, and now have this to consider. If enough people wind up championing the original Chic versions, there may be an uprising of sorts. But then what do I know. One huge issue that I have with the "Deluxe Edition Releases" is their high price. In almost no case do two CDs warrant such a high listing price (up to $29.99 in most stores) and it seems like this pricing will be a trend as many releases are getting the "Deluxe Edition" treatment. The worst example is one of my favorites, which is "Grease", as the "Deluxe Edition" is the only remastered version to be released since the original analogue and although it sounds better than ever, the second CD has several "sing-a-long versions" that are simply due to lacking material, also retailing for up to $29.99. Notwithstanding pricing issues, "diana" is one THE great releases and listening to the Chic original versions, I can't believe that I had not before put this release among my all-time favorites. Well that has been remedied!
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unraveled: Why Diana didn't sound so CHIC in 1980, August 21, 2003
I've bought this set not because I'm such a great admirer of La Ross (I like a song or two and love her The Boss-lp), but much more for my undying appreciation of the classic 70's productions by Edwards & Rogers from CHIC. By the time they cut this album in 1979, it was widely known that once you got involved with the CHIC duo you got them all the way: as songwriters,arrangers and producers. Every album they recorded in the late 70's were as much albums by themselves as by the vocalist they were actually recording with. Not that it mattered, for the final results were overall stunning, polishing their trademark style to perfection. I still remember, upon hearing the original vinyl album in 1980, how less CHIC it actually sounded. the songs were fine, but the production sounded very flat ,if not uninspired to me. Later we learned that the released album-mix wasn't done by Edwards & Rodgers, but redone by in-house Motown engineer Russ Terrana. With the release of this Deluxe edition, we finally get to hear the album as it was originally intended. And what a brilliant experience this is; anyone with ears can hear how much effort Edwards & Rogers put in the arrangements alas not audible in the originally released version . As we learn from the extensive liner notes, Nile Rodgers was devastated on hearing the final mix released by Motown. We only can feel sympathy for his feelings; a great artistic achievement destroyed. But as history proved the album sold like hot cakes anyway. So let's just be greatfull that we finally get access to this trove from the Motown vaults. And as the icing on the cake we get a second disc with much more classic dance-stuff; the disconet-version of 'Love Hangover', the discofied Supremes medley, 12 inch versions of 'The Boss','What you gave me' and much, much more. In case you haven't noticed; for all you old-school disco lovers; this one's essential !!!
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