BLUE - DIANA ROSS
Ross silenced many doubters with her portrayal of jazz icon Billie Holiday in 1972’s “Lady Sings the Blues.” In it, she ventured beyond the safe confines of smooth R&B/pop, drawing on emotionally nuanced vocals that displayed an unknown affinity for jazz singing. This collection of jazz and pop standards was recorded after the film wrapped in late 1971. But when Motown opted to refocus on Ross’ pop solo career, the set vanished into the vault. Here’s hoping it doesn’t get lost amid the plethora of cover albums because this album is one of the tastier testaments to timeless music. Ross intuits Holiday’s relaxed interpretive approach but makes it her own on such songs as “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes” and alternate versions of several “Lady” soundtrack cuts including “You’ve Changed.” Stick around for the bonus tracks, most notably “Easy Living.” Billboard
