Last Night: Diana Ross At Verizon Wireless Theater

By Chris Gray Wed., Mar. 2 2011 at 10:10 AM

Some of the set felt rushed, but it was the more forgettable parts like "9 to 5" carbon copy "Take Me Higher," and there was a lot of material to pack into 80 minutes. When Ross or the band needed to stretch out, they did, especially on the savory "Smooth Operator" tenor solo that prefaced "The Look of Love."

The important parts got their due, like all four or five rungs on the ladder of the intro of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." By the time she emerged clad like a spangly golden disco ball for finale "I Will Survive," Ross and her band were savoring the moment as much as the audience.

Then she came back out one more time, dressed in black, and asked the crowd if they had seen her talking about her kids on Oprah. We're guessing they did.

Ross apologized for her voice being gone - that's what she said, "gone" - and not only invited the backup singers down front to help her sing the tender title track to her 2007 album I Love You, but asked the sound man to turn up the band to compensate for her diminished vocals.

Now that's a diva.

Personal Bias: Glamazon Afro with the giant hoop earrings dancing all night in the balcony: Call me. Seriously, I missed "I Hear a Symphony," but that's about it.

Overheard In the Crowd: "I love her!" Also, "I love you!"

The Crowd: Motown meets Mix 96.5. Full, heavily female, dressed to the nines for a Tuesday. And one 36-year-old unshaven white dude (i.e. me).

Random Notebook Dump: Ross' last Top 10 hit was 1984's "Swept Away."

SET LIST

I'm Comin' Out
More Today Than Yesterday
My World Is Empty Without You
Where Did Our Love Go?
Baby Love
Stop! In the Name of Love
You Can't Hurry Love
Love Child
The Boss
Upside Down
Touch Me In the Morning
It's My House
Love Hangover
Take Me Higher
Ease On Down the Road
The Look of Love
Fine and Mellow
Don't Explain
Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To?)
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
I Will Survive

ENCORE

I Love You

Tags:

concert reviews, Diana Ross, Motown, Supremes, Verizon Wireless Theater

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Vmrdawg

P.S. Let me update myself, Billboard magazine just declared "Endless Love," as the biggest duet of all times. Ross recorded the theme song to The Land Before Time. "If We Hold On Together" it became an international hit reaching number-one in Japan.and lasting four years straight. Diana Ross music can not be measured like other artist. US vs the World. Diana Ross music cross all colored lines, crosses all international lines. When Diana Ross gets a number one in this country or that country it does not matter. Its a number one song for Diana Ross and her fans. So her last number one song is her most recent number one hit song.

Vmrdawg

Well! Ms Diana Ross last top ten in the USA/UK according to Billboard magazine is 'Not Over You Yet," hitting number 9 on the UK charts. Diana Ross last US hit was "Missing You," but Billboard has updated that in 2011. Diana Ross last top 10 is "Take Me Higher" and "I Will Survive." All of whom became number ones on the dance charts in 1995 and 1996. Diana Ross last top 40 album is her current album, " I Love You.'

Tod

My Diana Dreams all came true! A High Energy Non-Stop Performance... Wow! The connection with her audience is truly remarkable too - And then there are those Gorgeous Mackie Gowns... Red, Platinum, Cobalt, Gold, & my favorite - A huge pink silk ballgown for Mahogany! Diana is a legend & a superstar, yet she still seeks the adoration of her fans, & that's what keeps her so young & sexy too! Great Images Groovehouse!

HaywardM

Chain Reaction (song)Single by Diana Rossfrom the album Eaten AliveReleasedOctober 25, 1985 (US)February 13, 1986 (UK)Recorded1985LabelRCA Records, Capitol in the UKWriter(s)Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice GibbProducerAlbhy GalutenBarry GibbKarl Richardson"Chain Reaction" is a song by Diana Ross, written by the Bee Gees, who also provided the backing vocals for the single. The track was released on the album Eaten Alive in 1985 and as a single in 1986.The single became her first #1 single in the UK since I'm Still Waiting in 1971. The song also reached #1 in Australia and was the top selling single of the year (1986) in that country. In New-Zealand, it peaked at #3.

Kac

She was fantastic!!!! That's a BP in the photos snappin' some of those photos (and video...shh, don't tell!). She waved and smiled at me. Thanks, husband, for those great seats. Right in front, baby. And I love her too...since I was 7; a long time, but a lady never tells her age. :) Saw her in NYC last May, that was absolutely superb!!! See her before she retires folks. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Word!

Joenavarro818

She is the best, just love =her

Jaypay111

This is a DIVA at her BEST

Feldman

The only version of "My World Is Empty Without You" I know is by Lee Fields & The Expressions and the Diana Ross version was just as amazing as the Lee Fields version.

She looked and sounded great. What a show!