Star Tribune photo by Kyndell Harkness
A few more thoughts about Diana Ross' performance Wednesday at the Orpheum:
* She really knows how to camp it up, like a true diva – whether she was hoisting up her dress by her boobs or licking her fingers and touching her thigh. And did I say no one does grand gestures like Diana does?
· * OK, I wish she'd played a little longer, maybe some more Supremes songs and "Reach Out and Touch" (as I stated in my review); she has been playing "Reach Out" at most of her other shows this year. But at least we didn't get filler and loved that she started on time (old-school divas don't keep their fans waiting) and was finished so everyone could be home by 10 p.m. · * Unlike Beyonce, Miss Ross managed to change outfits three times and keep concertgoers occupied with either her fine band vamping on a song or having her three backup singers perform. It was relatively seamless and painless. Valerie and Lisa were outstanding vocal soloists. I wish Miss Ross would have mentioned the surnames of her accompanists. She called the singers "my voices." · * Her four horn players could play but they sure couldn't dance (together) despite their choreographed steps. · * Going from Billie Holiday's slow "Don't Explain" to Frankie Lymon's peppy "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" was a jarring transition. · * In my review, I gushed about her four outfits. But I didn't have space to mention her stylish hand fans (color coordinated with each outfit, naturally). She needed the fans. She worked up a sweat under those lights in those gowns. · * The woman in the front row, center, had bigger hair than Miss Ross. Here is Diana Ross' set list from the Orpheum: I'm Coming Out/ More Today Than Yesterday (Spiral Staircase)/ My World Is Empty without You/ Baby Love/ Stop! In the Name of Love/ You Can't Hurry Love/ Touch Me in the Morning/ Love Child/ costume change to electric blue outfit: The Boss/ Upside Down/ Love Hangover/ Ease on Down the Road/ costume change to feathered coat and black gown The Look of Love (Dusty Springfield)/ Don't Explain (Billie Holiday) Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers)/ costume change to Dreamsicle orange outfit Theme from Mahogany/ Ain't No Mountain High Enough/ I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
