SOUNDBITE: "Blue"
By Skye Mayring
June 4, 2006 9:00 p.m.
Diana Ross
“Blue”
MOTOWN RECORDS
Most mothers soothe their newborns to sleep with nursery rhymes
or seemingly innate lullaby standards. In 1971, just months after
leaving The Supremes, Diana Ross lulled her month-old Rhonda to
dreamland by singing light-hearted versions of songs about domestic
violence, depression and betrayal popularized by Billie
Holiday.
“Blue,” the ultra-jazzy companion piece to the
“Lady Sings the Blues” soundtrack, slept for three
decades. Now finally available, Ross’ sweet, airy rendition
of classics supplies a far more appropriate background for dinner
parties than Holiday’s versions, lacking the vocal and
compositional variance evident in the original versions.
Although pleasing to the ear, Ross waters down the Gershwin
classic “I Loves Ya Porgy,” which Holiday crafted into
a sensuous desperation. The song’s bouncy frivolity is mostly
attributed to the pianist’s forceful pounding on major chords
and Ross’ short attempt at scatting. To her credit, Ross held
Holiday in such high regard that this album does not attempt to
simply regurgitate hits, but twists them into cheerful jazz
lullabies.
One highlight is “Let’s Do It,” an infectious,
humorous sing-along which begins with a whimsical xylophone
arrangement and an ambiguous proposition for sex, but manifests
into an invitation for true love. Ross’ superb pacing only
complements the Cole Porter classic.
Finishing off the album in the big band style,
“T’Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do”
changes its tempo halfway through, creating the kind of style
variation that should have also appeared elsewhere on the
album.
Despite its flaws, mothers would do well to follow Ross’
example, and “Blue” is a pleasant lullaby.
““ Skye Mayring
