Diana Ross - Sings Songs From The Wiz (2015)

Of all the known treasures resting in the Motown vaults, one of the most tantalizing had always been Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz. Not a lot was known about the project, aside from the fact that Ross recorded it soon after she’d filmed her role as Dorothy for the 1978 movie musical The Wiz. Of course, the reason for recording the album was obvious; MCA Records released the film’s actual soundtrack, and Motown wanted to be ready with its own project to capitalize off of the anticipated success. After all, Diana Ross was still a Motown artist, and her previous two films (Lady Sings The Blues and Mahogany) had led to a #1 album and a #1 single, respectively; surely this — a full-fledged musical — would do the same. But when The Wiz finally opened in October 1978, it performed far below expectations, despite boasting a big budget and an all-star cast. Thus, the planned Motown Wiz LP was put on the shelf, and Miss Ross moved forward with another album (1979’s The Boss, restoring her to popular favor).

Though the movie was not a hit, and the accompanying soundtrack only did moderately well (it did gain a Grammy nomination for Ross and Michael Jackson, for their duet on the bouncy “Ease On Down The Road”), both have since become classics in their own right; the movie is far more favorably judged today, and still airs regularly on television, while the soundtrack remains in print and regained interest after the passing of Michael Jackson. There is no doubt that the soundtrack features Diana Ross at the absolute peak of her vocal abilities; her takes on “Home” and particularly “Be A Lion” are astounding, earning her tremendous respect from producer Quincy Jones (“Diana Ross is probably the hardest working performer I’ve ever worked with,” he wrote in the soundtrack’s liner notes). When her stellar Motown studio version of “Home” finally surfaced on the 2001 compilation The Motown Anthology, it led to much speculation about the rest of her recordings for Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz. Could the remainder of the album — featuring every character performed by Ross — be as good?

The answer is an unequivocal and enthusiastic yes. Finally released digitally in November 2015 (acknowledgment must go to Andrew Skurow, George Solomon, and Harry Weinger for making it happen), Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz showcases the singer at her creative best, having an absolute ball acting out various roles from the musical. Producer Lee Holdridge crafted smart arrangements for the 13 inclusions here, tightening the songs up just enough that they work individually, but never removing them too far from their movie-musical origins. Miss Ross (who produced the vocal sessions with Suzanne dePasse) uses these songs to demonstrate her impressive versatility; she croons, she squeaks, she hisses, she growls, and most impressively, she belts in a way many people are unaware that she’s capable of. This is dynamic, soulful singing, coming from an artist who is feeling the lyrics with a deep intensity. Although Diana Ross has enjoyed legendary success in her decades-long career, she remains vastly underrated as a vocalist; this is precisely the kind of work that proves how unique and powerful her voice is and always was.

Tracklist
01. The Feeling We Once Had
02. He's The Wizard
03. Soon As I Get Home
04. Trio Medley: You Can’t Win / Slide Some Oil / (I’m A) Mean Ole Lion
05. Ease On Down The Road
06. Be A Lion
07. So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard
08. Is This What Feeling Gets? (Dorothy’s Theme)
09. Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News
10. Wonder Wonder Why
11. A Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice)
12. Believe In Yourself
13. Home