Diana Ross delivers a boomer’s delight at The Mann
Diana Ross #dianaross #manncenter #philadelphia #livemusic #concert
A photo posted by M.J. Fine (@zhooklet) on
For a little over an hour last night at The Mann, Diana Ross, the lead singer of The Supremes – one of Motown’s most celebrated groups – delivered a non-stop, high energy, whirlwind dose of her hits and some classic R&B covers. At 71, she’s still got a fantastic voice. With five costume changes, she looked absolutely dazzling in her glittery and feathery gowns, cooling herself off with color coordinated fans.
The 12-piece band, including three back up singers, played the songs impeccably, with band members stepping out over the course of the night to solo. While there was a hint of Las Vegas glam to the evening, she held the audience from song to song, bringing up a couple lucky members of the audience for some hugs. Ross doesn’t dance much; her voice and the songs remain the heart of the diva’s lasting legacy.
From the opening signature guitar riffs and horn blasts of “I’m Coming Out,” written and produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, from her 1980 album Diana, Ross grabbed the hearts and voices of the mostly boomer audience, there to sing and dance in their seats throughout most of the evening. It was a glorious evening of nostalgia and finely tuned entertainment that never fell a second short on delivering on the great memories of the past.
A photo posted by Dan J Kroll (@danjkroll) on
Setlist
I’m Coming Out
More Today Than Yesterday (Spiral Staircase)
My World Is Empty Without You (The Supremes)
Come See About Me (The Supremes)
Baby Love (The Supremes)
Stop! In the Name of Love (Supremes)
You Can’t Hurry Love (The Supremes)
Love Child (The Supremes)
The Boss
It’s My House
Upside Down
Love Hangover / Take Me Higher / Ease on Down the Road
The Look Of Love
Don’t Explain (Billie Holiday cover)
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers)
Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell)
I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
Encore: I Will Survive (Reprise)