Shortly after Diana Ross finished shooting her role as Dorothy in the 1978 film adaptation of “The Wiz,” she rushed to record versions of songs from the movie for “Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz,” an album featuring the Motown star voicing all the roles. Due early in 1979, the collection ended up shelved instead, until now.
With “Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz” finally seeing release this week, Speakeasy today premieres Ross’s solo version of “Ease on Down the Road.” The song appears four times in the movie, most notably as a duet between Dorothy and the Scarecrow, played by Michael Jackson.
Ross’ solo take doesn’t stray far from the movie version. It’s a disco-funk workout so vivid you can almost see the platform shoes stepping to the beat on a light-up dance floor. Ross handles Jackson’s part with ease, and while she didn’t quite summon his vocal power, she sings with precision and finesse without sacrificing feeling.
Released as a single in 1978, their duet reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and No. 17 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, while also receiving a Grammy nomination. The rest of “The Wiz” didn’t fare so well. The movie was savaged by critics and did poorly at the box office, which may have prompted Motown to pull “Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz.”
NBC is reviving “The Wiz” with a live primetime special airing Dec. 3 that will star Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Common and Uzo Aduba from “Orange Is the New Black.”
“Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz” is due Nov. 27 on Motown/Universal Music Enterprises. What do you think of “Ease on Down the Road?” Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Click here to listen to the song
SOURCE: WSJ
So is there a version that’s just mj?
It is believed there is! We will have to wait for it! 🙂