Saturday 25 June 2022

You took a pedestal and put me on it

Look out Glastonbury - Miss Ross is on her way!

Yes, the living legend that is Diana Ernestine Earle Ross will be occupying the much-vaunted "Legends" slot on the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm, only three years after she was first announced [thanks to the dreaded 'Rona]! Ahead of tomorrow's appearance, however, the great lady has been touring the country as part of her "Thank You" tour, not least two nights at the capacious O2 Arena (formerly the Millenium Dome) this week...

From the review by Mark Beaumont in the Evening Standard:

...As her brass fanfare reached crescendo and broke into I’m Coming Out, she flung off her voluminous shawl of curly tangerine frills with such a flourish that her microphone had to be rescued from the front row. One way or another, this Motown legend’s vocals would be a knockout...

...With the first of three gown changes – various sequinned spectacles and one lime green Scarlett O’Hara – she launched into Chain Reaction, Upside Down and Take Me Higher, freshening her throat with a spray she dubbed “Entertainer’s Secret” and encouraging camp dance-offs in the aisles. Though some of the livelier tunes smacked a little of karaoke, Ross’s voice felt reborn on piano-led ballads such as If We Hold on Together and Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To), and positively powerful by the time of her showstopping take on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, backed with visuals of Ross in her glory days. Whenever she struggled, as on I’m Still Waiting, the crowd carried the melodies, swept along on a communal will to share such classic songs, and the moment, with this still-gleaming star...

...Six decades in, she continues to relish her music, and remains ravishing in performance. Glastonbury, where she plays the legend’s slot this weekend, should break out its dancing galoshes.

Gawd bless 'er - let's hope [much like our own legend and Patron Saint Dame Shirley Bassey, who appeared in the same slot way back in 2007] she packed some suitably jewel-encrusted wellies!

Glastonbury Festival 2022

8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I cannot imagine having the energy to do a 22-date international arena at the age of 78! People of that age are usually doing Yoga for Seniors or making jam... Jx

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  2. Sixty years? I kept doing the math, trying to deny it, but 60 it is. Gasp

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    1. From Wikipedia: "The Supremes made their first appearance on the US Hot 100 in August, 1962 with Your Heart Belongs to Me."

      Exactly one year before I was born... Jx

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  3. When I think of Diana Ross, I think of her wearing that red mermaid dress. I guess this video stuck in my mind when I was but a young gay?
    (I also love the Priscilla QotD/Dynasty number towards the end)

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    1. It's the video that inspired a whole generation of drag queen routines! Jx

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  4. I love Chain Reaction.
    Meanwhile, I thoroughly enjoyed The Pet Shop Boys last night - Mr Tennant can still hold a tune, thank goodness.
    Sx

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    1. I still haven't seen any of the footage. However, I adore the Pet Shop Boys (bien sûr) - and loved their performance at Radio 2 Live in 2019! I reckon they've still got it... Jx

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