June 7, 2010 - If anyone wondered, "Why is Diana Ross touring now?" she candidly answered that question for everyone, stating, "I'm touring this year in the memory of the recent loss of a dear friend: Mr. Michael Jackson." With a fifteen-piece 'soul orchestra' and 3 background vocalists in tow, Diana Ross made an elevated entrance to the stage at the Fox Theatre last evening, for a concert that took the audience to a higher level of thinking about Black music.
Ms. Ross brought the history of Motown's music to the audience with a photo and video montage projected at the rear of her set as she sang, in her still unique and soulful voice, the hits of her days with The Supremes and beyond. Images of everyone from Martha and the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, a sleeping - very young - Michael and Marlon Jackson on a tour bus, Marvin Gaye and many more, filled the screen and the hearts of audience members as they responded with cheers for each one. The projection show also presented pics and clips of gorgeous and sexy Diana that spanned her years, her hair styles (bee hive to big hair) and her avant garde fashion that made her an embodiment of Black beauty as well as Black art.
The sound production was among the best that the Fox has rendered, as could be expected for an icon like Ms. Ross. Lady sang "The blues," "Theme from Mahogany," "Love Hangover," "Endless Love," "Touch Me In the Morning," "A'int No Mountain High Enough" and all of the classic favorites over some of the tightest instrumental arrangements and performances in the soul music game.
Called back for two (2) encores, Diana Ross, in a most classy and beautiful way, delivered to her (very diverse audience) a two (2) hour show that begs to be titled the "Supreme Diva" Show. She's been referenced as an inspiration by countless female artists from Mariah Carey to Celine Dion, Adele, Mary J. Blige, Amy Winehouse and far too many to name, and her 2010 tour makes the reason crystal clear.
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