Review: Diana Ross Breezes Through the Songs and Costumes at Ravinia Festival

It was another magical night at Ravinia Festival for the greatest diva of our time, Ms. Diana Ross! Tonight marks the first time Ms. Ross graces Ravinia Festival and she brought her daughter Rhonda Ross with her as well. As people started filling the pavilion, Rhonda opened first with a set of her original music. Rhonda is the daughter of Diana and Motown founder Berry Gordy. Born in LA, but mostly growing up in New York, Rhonda is the oldest of the diva's five children. Rhonda's music was very acid Jazz. It was very different from her mom's music and I believe that's a good thing. Some kids of famous singers and musicians like to develop their own sound instead of sounding like their parents, and Rhonda proves just that. With her very tight band, she breezed through a set including a nice cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On." With Rhonda's light vocal tone, you can tell she has that same tone as Diana. There wasn't much of an audience when Rhonda was on. But when she was done, it wasn't long until the diva herself showed up to a packed house.

Ms. Ross came prancing out in the first of her 6 costume changes. Only playing for about an hour, she breezed through at least 20 of her greatest hits. The whole concert reminded me of a show you would pay to see in Las Vegas actually. And of course, what's a diva without having a diva moment on stage? At one point during the show, Diana was teasing her drummer about the heat. You can tell Ms. Ross loves her band and she showed it and seemed like she was having a lot of fun.

As I said before, Ms. Ross' set included about 20 hits. Here is her set list:

1. "I'm Coming Out"
2. "More Today Than Yesterday" (Spiral Staircase cover)
3. "My World is Empty Without You"
4. "Baby Love"
5. "Stop! In the Name of Love"
6. "Come See About Me"
7. "You Can't Hurry Love"
8. "Touch Me in the Morning"
9. "Love Child" with a latin feel
10. "The Boss"
11. "Upside Down"
12. "Love Hangover/Take Me Higher/Ease on Down the Road"
13. "It's My House"
14. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
15. "Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)/Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
16. "I Will Survive"

Overall, it was a concert to remember for a lifetime. Diana Ross looks her finest and she sounded perfect for 72 years old! I highly recommend you try to go see her in a city near you if you can. She truly does put on a show and she proved to the Ravinia audience when she sings "It's My House," because it truly is...

Photos by Ernie Florence

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