Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye: Diana & Marvin - 1973

 

It would seem that this apparently harmonious collaboration between two of Motown's biggest stars in the early seventies was beset with problems. 

The album of duets between Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross had been mooted once 1970 but Gaye was having problems getting over the death of a previous singing partner in Tammi Terrell. He also felt that singing duets was not a good thing, as both Mary Wells and Kim Weston suffered career contract breakdowns after recording with him. So, he was loth to join up with Ross. He also blotted his copybook by smoking marijuana in the studio (as was his wont) as the then pregnant Ross showed up. Arguments and tension ensued. Then there was the problem of the billing - whose name would be mentioned first. Ross got the nod. 

It was surprising, therefore, that the album turned out to be a very successful and polished sounding affair. Some of the material was recorded with the artists in separate studios but you would never have known. The album has a high quality sound throughout - nice and warm with a fine seventies stereo separation and a deep bass sound. 

The big hit You Are Everything is very well-known and the two singers combine superbly, as they also do on the lively, semi-funky Love Twins, declaring their love for each other (they weren't a couple). Don't Knock My Love has the pair going funky, impressively. Apparently Ross hated the song and didn't want to record it. It is one of the best cuts on the album for me and she would be singing many tracks like this in three years time and beyond. She no doubt was happier, though, in 1973, with You're A Special Part Of Me, which is a typical Ross big ballad, with Gaye's vocals sounding a bit superficial. He takes the lead, however, on the syrupy ballad Pledging My Love. 

Just Say, Just Say is a nice, uplifting, soulful Ashford & Simpson song and Thom Bell and Linda Creed's Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart was an appealing big hit. I'm Falling In Love With You is pretty unremarkable, but My Mistake (Was To Love You) was a fine, Gaye-led very Motown, upbeat and soulful number. It is another of the best songs on the album. 

Include Me In Your Life is another slow-paced, gentle ballad typical of the album. It was certainly an album with none of the social comment that Gaye was heavily involved in on his material at the time (even Ross got in on the act with Brown Baby). This was full-on, unthreatening romance all the way. The last word maybe should go to Gaye, who said "it's hard for me to deal with prima donnas..".


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