I don’t know if all these singers and groups are “divas” but I found a lot to like listening to this 2-CD set. Most of these songs are from the Sixties and they sound wonderful! There are plenty of familiar songs here–“Chapel of Love,” “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” and “I Say a Little Prayer”–but there are also some surprises: “Fairytale” by The Pointer Sisters and “Gee Whiz” by Carla Thomas. How many of these songs do you remember? Are any of your favorite songs included on The Original Divas? GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
DISC ONE:
1. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”-The Shirelles
2. “Chapel of Love”-The Dixie cups
3. “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”-Aretha Franklin
4. “Soldier Boy”-The Shirelles
5. “A Lover’s Concerto”-The Toys
6. “Anyone Who Had a Heart”-Dionne Warwick
7. “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)”-Betty Everett
8. “Love Letters”-Kelly Laster
9. “Chains”-The Cookies
10. “Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)”-Carla Thomas
11. “I Say a Little Prayer”-Dionne Warwick
12. “Baby It’s You”-The Shirelles
DISC TWO:
1. “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”-Jennifer Holliday
2. “Stop! In the Name of Love”-The Supremes
3. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”-Diana Ross and The Supremes and The Temptations
4. “Heatwave”-Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
5. “Please Mr. Postman”-The Marvelettes
6. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”-Gladys Knight & the Pips
7. “Our Day Will Come”-Ruby and the Romantics
8. “Fairytale”-The Pointer Sisters
9. “My Guy”-Mary Wells
10. “Baby Love”-The Supremes
11. “Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand)”-The Shangri-Las
12. “Rescue Me”-Fontella Bass
13. “Dancing in the Streets”-Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
14. “Don’t Mess with Bill”-The Marvelettes
15. “If I Were Your Woman”-Gladys Knight & the Pips
16. “Come See About Me”-The Supremes
For once I actually like most of the music here. Only a couple I don’t like-Our Day Will Come and Love Letters. The only one I don’t know is the Jennifer Holliday.
Steve, I’ve played THE ORIGINAL DIVAS a couple of times since I found it for sale in a Salvation Army Thrift Store. It’s well worth the buck I spent to buy it.
It was from DREAMGIRLS, Steve, and Jennifer Hudson did it in the movie. I know all of them and like most of them.
Jeff, you’re right about DREAMGIRLS and Jennifer Holliday. It’s an odd choice given the vintage of the other songs.
I also know and like most of these songs—but the Jennifer Holiday, Pointer Sisters, and Gladys Knight songs seem to come from a different generation than all the other songs, which seem to be mostly from the early-to-mid 1960s. My favorites here are “A Lover’s Concerto,” “Anyone Who Had A Heart,” and “Rescue Me.”
Deb, like you I’m fond of Fontella Bass and her version of “Rescue Me.”
One year, the Fort Hamilton Army Base down the road from us had Fontella Bass doing a free Fourth of July concert of patriotic music. We were hoping she would slip in “Rescue Me,” but no.
Jeff, I always thought Fontella Bass could have been a bigger star with more hits. But somehow her career went Nowhere.
I can sing every one of them. But I will save you from that.
Patti, I listened to these songs when I was a kid and knew all the lyrics, too. When I hear these songs, they make me happy!
I recognized all but the one, and of them, probably “Heatwave” would be the first I’d listen to. The 45 records showed them as by Martha and the Vandellas, no Reeves on the label.
Rick, I never owned the 45 version of “Heatwave” but I’ve played it dozens of times on compilation CDs.
A few years back Martha Reeves ran for Detroit city council and on the ballot she was listed as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.
Steve, I would have voted for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas if I could!
I remember almost all of these songs – mostly because they’ve been covered by later artists, generally with less than satisfactory results. (a notable exception to that rule was Carol King’s version of her own “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”
Austin, I agree with you on the original versions of these songs. Too often covers lack the energy of the original songs.
I know all but two and like most of them! But I’m damned sick and tired of the appellation “diva” attached to every canary that ever chirped! Most of these ladies were talented, hard-working professionals who didn’t take on airs and think their shit didn’t stink, which real divas do! Notable exception: Diana Ross!