[.ca] Mahogany (W/Orig Art)

Restoring a fine piece of 'Mahogany':
Michael Masser who, two years prior to this set, was responsible for the classic "Touch Me In the Morning" delivered his first soundtrack and, given his proclivity for eccentrism and overblown grand-style balladry, was the perfect match for the soundtrack and its vision. "Mahogany", a bittersweet story that rejoices and basks in the excesses of fame and fashion that at the same time points to its tragic aspects in its lead character's isolation, is told elegantly through the device of projection in "Do You Know Where You're Going To?". It is as though Diana is asking Billie Dee the same question that Whitney-through another Michael Masser vehicle-would ask some 12 years later:" Didn't We Almost Have it All?". The trade-offs are bittersweet if one's success is in vain-as all success ultimately is; the struggles are ultimately self-serving and alienate those around Diana who watch Diana-both on screen and off-slog her way to the top. Autobiographically poignant, Diana transfers that sense of isolation that she feels onto Billie Dee, who feels the same way: "Do you know where you're going to/Do you like the things that life is showing you?/Where are you going to?" The soundtrack exudes Masser's flair for the romantic movie balladry and his take on Hollywood circa early 20th century: more of the string laden, lush cinematic balladry prevails throughout a la "Feeling Again" alternated with occassionally jazzy numbers such as "Cat Fight" Some of the material was a bellwhether for later Ross collaborations with Michael Masser, as all consummate Ross fan would concur. For instance, "After You", a Ron Miller composition, was its own lyrical muse after the soundtrack and became a song on the Diana Ross album that fetured the "Theme from Mahogany" as well as "Love Hangover". "My Hero is Gun", one of the instrumentals, became the overture for "An Evening With Diana Ross" which, incidentally, precedes her first vocal pieces on that television special entitled "Here I Am( I Wouldn't Change a Thing". Pre his fabulous "Don't Take It Personal" single, Jermaine Jackson also offers a vocal on "She's the Ideal Girl." In light of the fact that it has only one Diana Ross solo, ir reached a U.S peak of #19 on the album charts, an astounding feat if you consider the movie itself was a commercial dud. Berry Gordy, the movie's director,upon the theatrical release was indicted by Time Magazine for wasting one of America's national treasures. However Clive Davis, formerly president of Arista, indicted the Academy Awards for not nominating "Do You Know where You're Going to?", calling into question the integrity of the Oscar committee and its racial biases and hailing Diana and her delivery as triumphant. After all, it was all about the drama, baby.

I now have the compact disc format of this cd. I can live :):
For years I was wondering when Polygram/Motown was going to release this soundtrack in compact disc format so I could add it as a permanent fixture to my music collection. Even as a young boy just budding into adolescence when it was first released in 1975, I have always thoroughly enjoyed the music on this album. The easy listening instrumental tracks fast and slow are appropriate for any occasion. I love the melodic and highly emotional, instrumental charged highs and lows of "My Hero is A Gun" and of course Diana's warm velvety fluidity on the title track one never gets tired of. It's too bad that today her voice has deteriorated so much. Michael Masser certainly displays his expertise on this album. Just a few questions for Motown. What took you guys so long to re-release this? Are you guys on crack? Do you know that some cd's in similar genres like Diana Ross and the Supremes CD's are selling on auction for $40.00 a pop??

Guilty Pleasure...:
The soundtrack to the soap-opera/melodramatic yet satisfying film 'Mahogany'. 'Do You Know Where You're Going To" the love theme Diana Ross performs, is still one of the most wonderful Michael Masser tunes ever. It's a song that you can hum in the elevator, the shower or at the grocery store. The title theme won an Oscar Nomination back in 1975. Includes 'After You' (Instrumental version) which Diana Ross later performed on one of her albums. This album soundtrack as a whole is powerful, colourful, fun and larger than life.

Diana, What Were You Thinking?:
Diana Ross' excellent career has been inspired by wonderful music. Some of her works including Lady Sings The Blues, Diana (1980), The Boss, and Touch Me In The Morning were some of her successful works from 1972-1980. When Motown released this abum in 1975, it was coming to be an instrumental album, which only included one hit, Do You Know Were You're Going To. Originally, Ross wanted to record an R & B album, but when the movie was flimed, it seemed to fail until 1976, when she released her second self-titled album. This was one of her most colorful, creative, and expressive works ever. The most disappointing thing about this album are the instrumentals but the Diana Ross track is essential.

A beautiful piece of work...:
I haven't seen the movie, but I've heard many things about it both good and bad. Regardless of that though, like many of the Motown-released soundtracks of the time, this is a classic. The Michael Masser produced tracks (that begin the album with Diana Ross' vocal version of "Do You Know Where You're Going To") are the most stirring pieces full of captivating melodies and dramatic orchestration. A highlight of this album is "My Hero Is A Gun". It's a tense piece where orchestral effects come together with contemporary funk elements, a common combination in those days, but one that ranks as a classic. Towards the end of the album things continue to become more funk-oriented. Starting with "Erucu", an awesome contribution written and produced by Jermaine Jackson. The groove continues into the Gil Askey produced tracks ("Let's Go Back To Day One" and "She's The Ideal Girl") which all make for a nice change of pace. Gil Askey also contributes a little bit of mellow lite-jazz in "Tracy" and "Sweets..". Things end with the "Mahogany Suite" which is essentially a different, more spacious arrangement of the "Mahogany Theme" (Do You Know Where You're Going To) which effectively brings it to a sweeping dramatic finish. Overall, a classic soundtrack on it's own. Maybe someday I'll rent the movie!

• Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)
• Feeling Again
• You Don't Ever Have to Be Alone
• Can You Hear It in My Music
• Christian's Theme
• After You
• Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) \oInstrumental\c
• My Hero Is a Gun
• Cat Fight
• Erucu
• Let's Go Back to Day One
• Tracy
• She's the Ideal Girl
• Sweets (And Other Things)
• Mahogany Suite