where did 'everything is everything' fall in diana ross' career? if i am not mistaken it was just before her film debut.

but it, along with her debut solo album produced by ashford and simpson, are tops on my list. i am loving the remix of 'i'm still waiting' and the extended version of 'baby it's love'. they are both very special! and i like the inclusion of her unreleased versions of 'something' and 'what are you doing the rest of your life?'.

which leaves the remastering of the original album content. even in its original form 'i'm still waiting' is a wonderful ballad. wistful, touching, excellenly written and arranged for ross' uniquely youthful voice. and equally sweet is the title track. it's light, airy and buoyant. being in love should sound so good! and also high on the list is her cover of 'call me'. this arrangement is better than aretha franklin's version but (and it hurts a little to say it) the arrangement is the star. the strings are clear as a bell and the andantes are in top form on the backing vocals. those women were the graces of motown and no one should ever forget it!

now on to what maybe shouldn't have happened. like 'come together'. every time i mention this cover to someone british, i can hear their toenails retract. i think it's funny. lennon meets vegas. it's really funny! and the other version with the shrieking synthesizer is funnier than that! and the blatant crossover attempts with 'the long and winding road' and 'close to you' are shameless. maybe it's because they lack integrity. they don't show off what makes ross so unique.

but i don't care--i have it on vinyl and now i will have it on cd! it's a done deal.