Tom Jones always had a lot of soulful sensuality in his voice, for a child of Cymru...Florence Ballard manages to polish the rough yet appealing edges of the original to totally own her superb version
Flo Ballard and her producers put a JAZZ TWIST to this Tom Jones classic. Her vocals here are precise and clear - with that remarkable Ballard style. Tony Turner states that this track was done to showcase the many faucets of the Ballard sound. Sadly Flo Ballard was "BLACK LISTED" likely by Motown and therefore did not stand a chance.
is to make your ears feel happy,when your ears feel happy the rest of you feels good.it helps depression and its good to exercise.if it were not for the supremes i would of not have gone on and studied music.i tell my kids get a job you love.a job you would do for free.theres nothing worst then going to a job you hate every day.it causes bitterness and it hurts you.remember the ass holes i talked about? well with a job you love you can even deal with them better.so many genres so much to enjoy.
A voice for white people?what are you thinking? he wanted across over sound.why do you think he had the tempts record in a mellow mood? then the isley brothers lp with two white kids on the front to sell records.your business would not florish if you opened a business and only appeal to one race.you may stay open but you would not make as much money.music is so diverse,this is why we have many genres.the supremes help me open my mind and listen to alot of other artist.the soul purpose of music.
cont..but her life was cut short.we need to see and know this. it use to be here today gone tomorrow.now its here today gone today.we have got to enjoy every breath we take.as i have said we are burying our children and we should not be.they are suppose to bury us.luthers mother has buried all of hers.very strong woman.the supremes were great.florence had one hell of a voice.she will live always in her fans heart.the debate could go on forever.its a matter of taste. love you blondie always.
like its been said before its a matter of taste in music.my Grand kids say Grammys got out the 8 track when i play streisand,n.wilson,cleo laine,supremes.tops,tempts,sinatra,i listen to every thing.we could go back and forth all day.THE SUPREMES TOGETHER WERE THE SHIT NOT DIANA BY HERSELF NOt FLORENCE ,CINDY OR MARY.IT TOOK ALL THREE WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG AND THEY WERE YOUNG THEY MADE MISTAKES IN BUSINESS AS WELL AS LIFE.IF FLO HAD LIVED SHE COULD OF PULLED THINGS TOGETHER AND WENT ON. cont..
ON LINE ADMINISTRATOR the tracks were so good you could of sung on them.diana sang through her nose starting out.they had to get her to stop singing through her nose.each one had to be taught to stay in the key and get their harmony together.Iam a fan of Ross but like i tell my children and grand children i will not stand up for you if you are wrong.k weston and many others saw Diana for what she was an oppotunist of the worst kind.you do not smile in someones face then knife them in the back.
well your 83 year old grandmother can sing and i would like to hear her.Ever heard of alberta Hunter?she was an artist, quit music became a nurse.when she got 80 years old came back to singing and performing.Dont knock any one in their 80s you may be blessed to live to be in your 80s.young people are dying these days.we have more senior citizens then young idoits out here.its sad we are burying our kids.when i visit my aunts grave,the oldest person near here is 21 all are under that age PEACE1
when i studied years ago one of my instructors told us time and again you are a instrumental musican.you cannot be closed mineded to any music.say you are in the union.they call you because some star is coming to town and needs a flutist.you are going to not take the gig and pass up good money because you do not like country or jazz or what ever they sing? you cannot do that and pay rent. in music like many other things you can not be close minded unless its just bad like most of todays is.lol
Flo sounds wonderful here proving she could belt out a well know song with the best singers of that day. Likely she did this in one take - they say she was like that - always on point in the studio.
Dig that crazy percussion...Flo Ballard puts her unique imprint on a song that'd be perpetually identified with Tom Jones, and it shouldn't be taken against her....
Listen to the great Ms. Flo Ballard sing her heart out here, then go ahead and weep for all the great songs you missed that she could have recorded. Flo was used as a great performer, for the benefit of a great company, then corporately mistreated as a great person, by the same great company in the end. In Florence Ballard, Berry Gordy's Motown shows itself as brutal and uncaring. Hardly the great "family" that those still living like to claim Motown to have been be. Some family.
Flo Ballard certainly had a great voice - and Miss Ballard is working hard here to overcome a weak arrangement of a classic well known song.. Yet through all of the musical negatives heard here, Flo Ballard's voice is certainly not one of them. Ms Ballard successfully enfolded her sassy voice in a heavy handed bad arrangement and still made it work. Her pronunciation and delivery is flawless and powerful despite the short comings of her producer. Flo Ballard remains and icon.
Wilson and Ballard's voices probably never would have been as instantly-identifiable as Ross's, but that's little to no excuse for Motown to have so completely given up developing them once the Ross-led hits took off. As much as both of those women went under-utilized as singers, we too should mournfully wonder what we missed ...and don't know it. And this is to take no glory away from Ross, which she earned and deserved. It's just that the great aural banquet might have been even bigger...
i suree wish the same amount of people who viewed this on youtube. bought her album or viewed her songs.. :( ....it would have saved her life. :(.... kinda 2 late now to say that
flo takes me back with this song she should have added rain drops keep fallin on my head along with going out of my head she would have nailed that it
Music is like food, it's all a matter of personal taste. I love Flo's voice, others may not. That's cool, but to say she can't sing because one doesn't like her style is unfair. I suppose if she couldn't sing, Milton Jenkins would have passed her over for someone else in 1959. Seems that Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks loved her voice also.
I can't believe all these other stars got their songs from her and made it big, I didn't know she made this song first then Tom Jones took it. Luther took I think Im goin out of my head and so on and so forth. Wow! True queen.
There's so much said about Flo having the strongest voice in The Supremes and I've listened to as much as I can by her on disc on on UTube, but still I don't hear anything remotely commercial or appealing in her vocals or style. Its only my opinion so don't shoot me, but I cant find anything about Flo's voice that says that she was anything more than a backing singer. Would she HONESTLY have been the voice of success if she had been allowed to lead on ANY of their hits? I doubt it very much!
@OnlineAdministrator1 ABC were hoping to make a quick buck off of Florence because of her Supremes history. But, Florence was not allowed to mention she had anything to do with The Supremes. ABC lost interest, gave her bad material (although there are a few good songs) and didn't push her singles.
Florence and Mary was capable of singing lead but Berry wanted another sound and they got that with Diana. Plus sometimes it pays to sleep with the boss.
@endless441 They all three had talent, however Diana Ross's vocals rose above because she had a better sound that most fans found to be the most appealing. I never listened much to the group until recently and I find that Diana's vocalizations and tone is just a step higher in quality.
@RedRoosterRoad no way, the double yawn was 4 u, seems u just can't keep yourself away from my "boring un-original comments" but i'm glad they're bringing purpose to your dull un-original life.
Flo had a more soulful voice something that was probably groomed in a church. Diana or Diane had a voice for pop or cross over music. Motown was about making money so of course Diane became the lead. Thats the way the cookie crumbles. If you ask me I say Flo hands down and then Mary vocally but that is just my opinion others will feel differently. It is really nothing to be nasty about. I mean Flo picked the girls in the group for a reason, she must have thought they could sing.
@awarren92 we have and and come to the conclusion she sounded like a million other singers at the time. there is nothing distinctive about her voice. diana's voice on the other hand is immediately recognizable all over the world and cannot be duplicated. Perhaps tht's why billboard named her the most successful female singer of the 20th century... just a thought.
@whatigot2say yeah that's cool for YOU & whoever else. I'm not talking about distinctiveness or what billboard says. I'm talking about the power, skill, & range of Flo's voice. Yes, Diana's voice is distinctive and recognizable, but so is Taylor Swift's voice :-/
@awarren92 Diana's voice is much prettier and has better tonal quality than flos period. flo couldn't sing diana's songs her voice does not have the beauty and clarity of diana's.
@whatigot2say history has proved just what you are saying. how could berry promote florence when she was a sad sack on day and over the moon the next. even mary has said that florence had a haughtiness...look that word up.
@doolie50 Really? In my opinion it was Diana who was pretty akward looking (skinny with bug eyes). I think Motown did an excellent job training them to be classy, and fabulous, how to truly be "supreme", how to truly play the part so to speak. Diana definitely had star quality. I believe sometimes unless a background singer escapes the shadows, they don't really come into their own. Her talent probably could have been cultivated more (by herself or Motown).As far as looks I would have to go Mary
You cannot compare Diane's & Mary's voices to Flo ... there is NO comparison; Flo is clearly superior. However, there is a comparison to be made in the MARKETING of those voices. Gordy was infatuated with Diana and that is where all the focus was marketed. Let's be honest.
All That Glittered My Life With The SUupremes remains the best TRIBUTE to Florence Ballard and the best book written on what really happened in the Grand Supremes. Also his Deliver Us From Temptation is a sensation as well all about the Temptations and Motown and he was never sued and still is recieved on tour with Diana Ross and Mary Wilson as well as working with The Temptations
Dont kill me but years ago i thought that Rosie Perez bore an uncanny resemblance to Florence. She could act the role of Flo. Just loose the Newyorican accent. Oh this is one of the better songs on this album.
it isnt a crutch, it is reality. Only people who think it is a crutch is white people who live in lala land. Tell that to the family of Sean Bell or Amadou Diallo. And commenting on race isnt racist. By saying someone had a voice suited for white audiences isnt a negative thing
thats not what is holding people back,people should be able to call a spade a spade.Anytime a black person says something about race white folk get upset
She was too pretty and had a voice to match.... I wish she just had a little more time to really show America that she just wasn't a background singer
I dont care what you care about,all I'm saying is that because she sounded white,that made sure that the other Supreme members remained in the background. You're the one that said it was racist for one to say that she was singing to whites,but the fact remains she had a voice that was better suited for a white audience,and there is nothing wrong with that,thats just the way it was. No one said her voice didnt cut it, stating a fact isnt an insult
God are we ever going to get over this race thing. As a white person, I can say her color or for that matter their color didn't matter a damn to me. As far as saying "Diana sang as a white person"...your nuts! All anyone should care about is the SOUND AND GROOVE OF THE SONG PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you're nuts, but whatever. Diana had a pop voice, its the truth,there is nothing negative about that, people only get ticked off by the truth and it seems like you're ticked off
Ross di NOT sing or sound white. Blacks sing alla types of music. She was a pop singer. Dionne Warwick's hits also were very pop and sung in a very pretty and pop sounding soprano. Kathleen Battle is a grand opera singer, a colortura soprano. She is not singing white she is singing opera. Charlie Pride is a country singer, black. Hootie and the blowfish; WAKE UP!!! Ross sounded different. Not all blacks sing like Aretha or David Ruffin.
thats in Australia,totally different from America especially in the 60's where artists had to do crossover albums in order to get more whites to listen to them
Its not racist,Diana had a white sounding voice,she had a pop voice,so there's no way Berry was going to change that. Whites love black music and it has nothing to do with the Supremes, dont give them that much credit,white folk been loving black music since the doo-wop era and acts like The Tempts,The Tops,The Miracles,Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder,and other black acts are are just as responsible if not a little more so
Flo has her diehard fans out there who love her voice and style - and I am one of them. We needed more songs with her as solo or lead, but are fortunate to have the ones she did sing.
If you want to hear Flo saaang then listen to her version of Dionne Warwick's WALK ON BY or search The Supremes IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE NOW (the second verse is Flo on lead).
Another good one can be found on my channel - Flo singing SILENT NIGHT acapella. HEY BABY is another great lead she did as a Supreme
Right On Miss Fprence Ballard you certainley could sing and thanks for being apart of the most famous girl groups of all time. Long live The Name Supremes.
I so agree the most beautiful and the most real of the supremes...I listen to her music and this gal..all she needed was good production...she had the voice and yes this unusual beauty--always will be my favorite supreme! RIP FLO!
u right. she would've been a good market. If not music, what about modeling they were looking 4 women like her on their magazines. she was also light bright and damn near white if u look at her closely
I agree with browngal... Flo would've had a great future if Gordy wasn't trying to sell to white audiences. I'm not too pleased with this performance but Flo can sing on a lot of other songs. I know she could've sold a few Supreme's hits because she has a soul voice but I've heard her sing more pop.
id smash her so damn hard she will see stars. I know she got good pussy
and "Diana Ross is a ugly ass nigga son" scrawny rat faced bitch, Diana was huge cum bucket sperm receptacle period, i would not fuck her with another niggas dick, what a shitty ass skinny faggot ass bitch, thanks for making the devil even more successful
I think Flo actually sounded pretty good here but the arrangement wasn't right for her. I do think that Diana was the better singer in the long run ... but Flo had a great presence when they were all together ... she was just so Flo!!! ... and that's a good thing.
I think Diana developed into the better singer but I think Mary sings better than Diana now.
Anyway Floo was AWESOME in the beginning, she could blow! By ABC she could still saaanng but unfortunately ABC didn't show that off although they allow her to show off those pipers on her powerful cover of WALK ON BY and on the second single LOVE AIN'T LOVE and her cover of GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD
oh no Tom Jones sang it first, Flo covered it here in 1968.
She does a good job on it though - check out the stereo enhanced version I made (it's in the vid entitled The Supremes VS Florence Ballard - It's Not Unusual [Flo is actually on both recordings but singing backing as a Supreme])
Florence sounds GREAT!!! She had a much more mature voice than Diana! I wish there were more songs with her and Mary leading. They should have taken turns singing. Such a rich voice!
stompouthateorg FUCK U HOW DARE U SAY SOME SHIT LIKE THAT U CAN KISS MY ASS FLO CAN SING,CAN YOUR ASS SING I THINK NOT SO SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP
Flo's vocal style was that of the contrary whereas Aretha gets her props from her extremely well executed and skilled vocal arobatics, Flo was/is known for Etta James styled grittiness and power on songs such as Buttered Popcorn and her churchy side on It Makes No Difference Now, but also for her piercing, soaring soprano on People and then her sweetness on songs like Everything Wonderful and It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters).
I totally agree, which is why...OMG, she totally sounds like First Choice on this track, singing "Dr. Love"!!! It just HIT me!!
Were they in Philly, too?
If so, like I said before, that's DEFINITELY where she belonged! Gamble & Huff would have done really well for her. Also, Mary Wells' repertoire would have suited her well, too, but, weren't MW's songs mostly written by Smokey? Maybe, if she'd worked w/ Smokey on her own...eh, well...
So now you've heard what the non-enhanced one sounds like, can you tell the difference?
I think would have been good with some stuff similar to Etta James, where she could be a little more free like she was in her supreme days with AINT THAT GOOD NEWS. When I heard her sing that, it opened a new door of material lol
Miss James recorded for Chess, right? They would've also been good for Miss Ballard. Also, at around 1:30, she sort of sounds like a lower-registered Jean Terrell, to me, anyway. I like that. I like this version. It sounds sexiers to me, but, that's totally subjective. The more I hear her music, the more I realize that Miss Ballard was just in the wrong place @ the right time, & no one took the time to figure out where she'd be best suited, musically.
She actually does sound like Jean Terrel when she comes back in after the break. Jean Terrel had that messy style sometimes. And yes Etta was with Chess
Amen, she might start night shift and start haunting you.....
I really don't advise disrespecting the deceased. It's fine to have an opinion but calling her a bitch is highly inappropriate. Diana said when Flo was hardly cold that she did it all to herself, when Flo was the one who would stick up for Diana, when Flo was the one who still loved Diana through it all when Flo was the one going through the struggle, I think you are calling the wrong person a bitch
Florence had a sound similar to the Marvalettes. Too bad she didn't hold out for Diana to leave. By the late 60's they were looking for soul singers like Aretha.
Amen, she might start night shift and start haunting you.....
I really don't advise disrespecting the deceased. It's fine to have an opinion but calling her a bitch is highly inappropriate. Diana said when Flo was hardly cold that she did it all to herself, when Flo was the one who would stick up for Diana, when Flo was the one who still loved Diana through it all when Flo was the one going through the struggle, I think you are calling the wrong person a bitch
Flo was a good solo singer. Check out her leads as a supreme. She was as good as most out their at the time. She was no QUEEN OF SOUL but she definately could sing, and I too think it is sad that people go overboard, but there always will be fans that do. Anyway LOVE FLO ALL THE WAY RIP
flo was a talented and gifted singer, and with mary and diana they made the perfect combination. dianas voice was more suited to the stuff that the supremes were releasing, that doesnt mean flo was any less of a performer. she was an essential ingredient to the supremes success. she also would have had a brilliant solo career with the right material and proper promotion.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Good God, music historians need to listen to Flo sing before they make certain statements about who should have been the lead singer. Flo's voice tells the whole story and confirms Berry was RIGHT.
Where is the mute button ??? Flo, god rest her soul, was not a singer.
MUCH better than The Supremes version featuring Diana on lead. Yes Diana had a very unique voice that was very commercial at the time but to sing this you need a THICK,RICH voice something that Diane didn't naturally posess
This is the first I have hard of Tommy Chapman being shot.When did this happen?Of course it doesn't prove Berry Gordy had anything to do whith it,but it make you wonder.
Jonathan...you should post that interview where Flo says she hates Berry for ripping her off. Does she also say they put a gun to her head and made her sign away her royalties?
LMAO no she doesn't say that but I think they put a gun to Flo's husband because apparently he was going to talk to Mary Wilson about an autobiography Flo had written that he had sold to motown (I wonder why...?). But before Mary got to talk to him, he had been shot dead and no one knew who did it....
Anyway the interview is already up someone else posted it but I probably will post my one aanyway lol the more Flo the better
I think y'all are goin' a little overboard callin' this woman the real and unknown Queen of Soul. Come on people, I know she's a tragic figure because of how she died, but let's keep things in perspective.
the star is for a line thing and, you know what I mean I forgot the name lol. On there there are clips of her singing PEOPLE where she tears up all the versions especially the studio version that is just called 'People'.
She was beautiful inside and out, even with the many scars she had inside and out from being raped and betrayed by someone she trusted then being being betrayed again in 1967 when she was kicked out of The Supremes. But she still went after a solo career she failed, went into severe depression but somehow after losing her house and drinking heavily and losing her husband she made a comeback just before she died. WE LOVE YOU FLO RIP. Thanks for the vid
Those "Up Up and Away" horns at the beginning and end are wierd. Flo had a much bigger voice than this indicates: listen to her on "Ain't That Good News."
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To my favorite SUPREME....RIP Florence Ballard Chapman 6/30/43 - 2/22/76. Your memory still lives on........
07mrsrod 3 weeks ago
Tom Jones always had a lot of soulful sensuality in his voice, for a child of Cymru...Florence Ballard manages to polish the rough yet appealing edges of the original to totally own her superb version
iwasanangryyoungman 1 month ago 2
Flo Ballard and her producers put a JAZZ TWIST to this Tom Jones classic. Her vocals here are precise and clear - with that remarkable Ballard style. Tony Turner states that this track was done to showcase the many faucets of the Ballard sound. Sadly Flo Ballard was "BLACK LISTED" likely by Motown and therefore did not stand a chance.
ramona2400 1 month ago 2
no mary dated tom jones
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
is to make your ears feel happy,when your ears feel happy the rest of you feels good.it helps depression and its good to exercise.if it were not for the supremes i would of not have gone on and studied music.i tell my kids get a job you love.a job you would do for free.theres nothing worst then going to a job you hate every day.it causes bitterness and it hurts you.remember the ass holes i talked about? well with a job you love you can even deal with them better.so many genres so much to enjoy.
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
A voice for white people?what are you thinking? he wanted across over sound.why do you think he had the tempts record in a mellow mood? then the isley brothers lp with two white kids on the front to sell records.your business would not florish if you opened a business and only appeal to one race.you may stay open but you would not make as much money.music is so diverse,this is why we have many genres.the supremes help me open my mind and listen to alot of other artist.the soul purpose of music.
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
cont..but her life was cut short.we need to see and know this. it use to be here today gone tomorrow.now its here today gone today.we have got to enjoy every breath we take.as i have said we are burying our children and we should not be.they are suppose to bury us.luthers mother has buried all of hers.very strong woman.the supremes were great.florence had one hell of a voice.she will live always in her fans heart.the debate could go on forever.its a matter of taste. love you blondie always.
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
like its been said before its a matter of taste in music.my Grand kids say Grammys got out the 8 track when i play streisand,n.wilson,cleo laine,supremes.tops,tempts,sinatra,i listen to every thing.we could go back and forth all day.THE SUPREMES TOGETHER WERE THE SHIT NOT DIANA BY HERSELF NOt FLORENCE ,CINDY OR MARY.IT TOOK ALL THREE WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG AND THEY WERE YOUNG THEY MADE MISTAKES IN BUSINESS AS WELL AS LIFE.IF FLO HAD LIVED SHE COULD OF PULLED THINGS TOGETHER AND WENT ON. cont..
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
ON LINE ADMINISTRATOR the tracks were so good you could of sung on them.diana sang through her nose starting out.they had to get her to stop singing through her nose.each one had to be taught to stay in the key and get their harmony together.Iam a fan of Ross but like i tell my children and grand children i will not stand up for you if you are wrong.k weston and many others saw Diana for what she was an oppotunist of the worst kind.you do not smile in someones face then knife them in the back.
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
well your 83 year old grandmother can sing and i would like to hear her.Ever heard of alberta Hunter?she was an artist, quit music became a nurse.when she got 80 years old came back to singing and performing.Dont knock any one in their 80s you may be blessed to live to be in your 80s.young people are dying these days.we have more senior citizens then young idoits out here.its sad we are burying our kids.when i visit my aunts grave,the oldest person near here is 21 all are under that age PEACE1
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
when i studied years ago one of my instructors told us time and again you are a instrumental musican.you cannot be closed mineded to any music.say you are in the union.they call you because some star is coming to town and needs a flutist.you are going to not take the gig and pass up good money because you do not like country or jazz or what ever they sing? you cannot do that and pay rent. in music like many other things you can not be close minded unless its just bad like most of todays is.lol
pissedoff7771 2 months ago
wondrous singer
swampzoid 2 months ago
Love it!
MissAblue676792 2 months ago
Flo sounds wonderful here proving she could belt out a well know song with the best singers of that day. Likely she did this in one take - they say she was like that - always on point in the studio.
ramona2400 4 months ago 2
Dig that crazy percussion...Flo Ballard puts her unique imprint on a song that'd be perpetually identified with Tom Jones, and it shouldn't be taken against her....
iwasanangryyoungman 5 months ago
@jazzscherzo fuck you bastard go to hell you son of a bitch
T3Y56 6 months ago
berry gordy was stupid she should have been the lead singer fuck ross
T3Y56 7 months ago
Great version...never heard this before...thanks for posting!
KeithHarperSF 7 months ago
Listen to the great Ms. Flo Ballard sing her heart out here, then go ahead and weep for all the great songs you missed that she could have recorded. Flo was used as a great performer, for the benefit of a great company, then corporately mistreated as a great person, by the same great company in the end. In Florence Ballard, Berry Gordy's Motown shows itself as brutal and uncaring. Hardly the great "family" that those still living like to claim Motown to have been be. Some family.
ramona2400 8 months ago
Florence was a grreat vocalist. I had no idea that she was such a power vocalist. It's too babd that she was not spotlighted!!!
Cajun Beauty
lanard09 8 months ago
Flo Ballard certainly had a great voice - and Miss Ballard is working hard here to overcome a weak arrangement of a classic well known song.. Yet through all of the musical negatives heard here, Flo Ballard's voice is certainly not one of them. Ms Ballard successfully enfolded her sassy voice in a heavy handed bad arrangement and still made it work. Her pronunciation and delivery is flawless and powerful despite the short comings of her producer. Flo Ballard remains and icon.
ramona2400 8 months ago
Wilson and Ballard's voices probably never would have been as instantly-identifiable as Ross's, but that's little to no excuse for Motown to have so completely given up developing them once the Ross-led hits took off. As much as both of those women went under-utilized as singers, we too should mournfully wonder what we missed ...and don't know it. And this is to take no glory away from Ross, which she earned and deserved. It's just that the great aural banquet might have been even bigger...
dvlaries 8 months ago
damn she is awesome!
norfolk03 9 months ago
i suree wish the same amount of people who viewed this on youtube. bought her album or viewed her songs.. :( ....it would have saved her life. :(.... kinda 2 late now to say that
jrst6 9 months ago
I'm sorry but,she had a horrible voice. I see why Gordy put her in the back ground. Sorry,she sucked!!
marktownsend100 9 months ago
She sounds like my 83 year old grandmother.
brajames1 9 months ago
flo takes me back with this song she should have added rain drops keep fallin on my head along with going out of my head she would have nailed that it
troyknox63 10 months ago
Music is like food, it's all a matter of personal taste. I love Flo's voice, others may not. That's cool, but to say she can't sing because one doesn't like her style is unfair. I suppose if she couldn't sing, Milton Jenkins would have passed her over for someone else in 1959. Seems that Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks loved her voice also.
terrybigteekemp 10 months ago 2
Flo sounds good. My favorite Supreme.
Fantagurlful 11 months ago
I can't believe all these other stars got their songs from her and made it big, I didn't know she made this song first then Tom Jones took it. Luther took I think Im goin out of my head and so on and so forth. Wow! True queen.
Unutilized72 1 year ago
Flo was THE SUPREME!
Diana, karma is a bitch...
Alaaniss 1 year ago
There's so much said about Flo having the strongest voice in The Supremes and I've listened to as much as I can by her on disc on on UTube, but still I don't hear anything remotely commercial or appealing in her vocals or style. Its only my opinion so don't shoot me, but I cant find anything about Flo's voice that says that she was anything more than a backing singer. Would she HONESTLY have been the voice of success if she had been allowed to lead on ANY of their hits? I doubt it very much!
OnlineAdministrator1 1 year ago
@OnlineAdministrator1 ABC were hoping to make a quick buck off of Florence because of her Supremes history. But, Florence was not allowed to mention she had anything to do with The Supremes. ABC lost interest, gave her bad material (although there are a few good songs) and didn't push her singles.
RedRoosterRoad 11 months ago
Florence and Mary was capable of singing lead but Berry wanted another sound and they got that with Diana. Plus sometimes it pays to sleep with the boss.
endless441 1 year ago
@endless441 They all three had talent, however Diana Ross's vocals rose above because she had a better sound that most fans found to be the most appealing. I never listened much to the group until recently and I find that Diana's vocalizations and tone is just a step higher in quality.
mkeulr 11 months ago
I love Diana also but why is there always some Diana stan on Flo's songs talking about how she wasn't as good as her. STFU please. For everyone.
KadeejiaDenise 1 year ago
VERY SMOOTH AND CLASSY
TheCounslor 1 year ago
Faith Evans looks so much like Florence
sexsavannah43 1 year ago
Florence was fantastic! This record, made after years of alcohol abuse ravaged her voice, remains a testament to her unlived potential. Peace
cyncopashn 1 year ago
ok Florence was by this and all accounts was "ordinary" this clip proves it. yawn....
whatigot2say 1 year ago
@whatigot2say
Go an yawn somewhere else. Maybe at one of Mary's concerts? (to harsh? possibly)
RedRoosterRoad 11 months ago
@RedRoosterRoad sorry bored to tears ... double yawn.
whatigot2say 11 months ago
@whatigot2say Was the double yawn for you? and how boring and un-original you are with your comments?
RedRoosterRoad 11 months ago
@RedRoosterRoad no way, the double yawn was 4 u, seems u just can't keep yourself away from my "boring un-original comments" but i'm glad they're bringing purpose to your dull un-original life.
whatigot2say 11 months ago
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@whatigot2say K. Well you believe what you want ;)
RedRoosterRoad 11 months ago
Many have said she was the best of the three. I don't think I could disagree. Her version of Going Out Of My Head proved it for me.
skipper8257 1 year ago
Flo had a more soulful voice something that was probably groomed in a church. Diana or Diane had a voice for pop or cross over music. Motown was about making money so of course Diane became the lead. Thats the way the cookie crumbles. If you ask me I say Flo hands down and then Mary vocally but that is just my opinion others will feel differently. It is really nothing to be nasty about. I mean Flo picked the girls in the group for a reason, she must have thought they could sing.
DREMISSALS 1 year ago
For those he keep denying Florence's superiority over Diana as a singer need to listen to more of her music
awarren92 1 year ago
@awarren92 we have and and come to the conclusion she sounded like a million other singers at the time. there is nothing distinctive about her voice. diana's voice on the other hand is immediately recognizable all over the world and cannot be duplicated. Perhaps tht's why billboard named her the most successful female singer of the 20th century... just a thought.
whatigot2say 1 year ago
@whatigot2say yeah that's cool for YOU & whoever else. I'm not talking about distinctiveness or what billboard says. I'm talking about the power, skill, & range of Flo's voice. Yes, Diana's voice is distinctive and recognizable, but so is Taylor Swift's voice :-/
Just a thought.
awarren92 1 year ago
@awarren92 Diana's voice is much prettier and has better tonal quality than flos period. flo couldn't sing diana's songs her voice does not have the beauty and clarity of diana's.
whatigot2say 1 year ago
@whatigot2say TO YOU! everything u say is vice versa for me.
awarren92 1 year ago
@awarren92 ok, everyone is different. perhaps i'm being too hard on flo's voice it certainly sounds fine here. I just prefer diana's voice.
whatigot2say 1 year ago
@whatigot2say yeah I understand. I do like Diana's voice too though
awarren92 1 year ago
@whatigot2say GET A LIFE
TheCounslor 1 year ago
@whatigot2say history has proved just what you are saying. how could berry promote florence when she was a sad sack on day and over the moon the next. even mary has said that florence had a haughtiness...look that word up.
wonderboyjoy 1 year ago
Poor Florence, she wasn't as easy on the eyes as Diana.
Diana had it all really, the line up was inevitable , she was always going to be the star.
Good version though from Florence.
doolie50 1 year ago
@doolie50 Really? In my opinion it was Diana who was pretty akward looking (skinny with bug eyes). I think Motown did an excellent job training them to be classy, and fabulous, how to truly be "supreme", how to truly play the part so to speak. Diana definitely had star quality. I believe sometimes unless a background singer escapes the shadows, they don't really come into their own. Her talent probably could have been cultivated more (by herself or Motown).As far as looks I would have to go Mary
DDDD1980 1 year ago
Her voice was no way better than Diana. Diana sang in tune Florence couldn't.
GayBlkWorld 1 year ago
@GayBlkWorld which Florence Ballard have you been listening to????
awarren92 1 year ago
You cannot compare Diane's & Mary's voices to Flo ... there is NO comparison; Flo is clearly superior. However, there is a comparison to be made in the MARKETING of those voices. Gordy was infatuated with Diana and that is where all the focus was marketed. Let's be honest.
FLBoy46 1 year ago
All That Glittered My Life With The SUupremes remains the best TRIBUTE to Florence Ballard and the best book written on what really happened in the Grand Supremes. Also his Deliver Us From Temptation is a sensation as well all about the Temptations and Motown and he was never sued and still is recieved on tour with Diana Ross and Mary Wilson as well as working with The Temptations
ramona2400 1 year ago
Damn that sound kinda fuck up.
sure flo could sing but not good enough.
Not good enough to be the lead singer
sammy7819 1 year ago 2
The best of the Supremes.
skipper8257 2 years ago
I think Faith Evans looks like her a little more
NKE272 2 years ago 2
@NKE272 yell i thought about that too she does resemble faith evans a little strange huh!!
strawberryiesable 1 year ago
Dont kill me but years ago i thought that Rosie Perez bore an uncanny resemblance to Florence. She could act the role of Flo. Just loose the Newyorican accent. Oh this is one of the better songs on this album.
526arh 2 years ago
You know what I noticed ? At 2:03 - 2:11 Florence looks like Faith Evans at that moment with that smile and all. Faith Evans can definely play her.
bigja2008 2 years ago 2
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TWTR4EVER 2 years ago
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TWTR4EVER 2 years ago
she has a jazz voice
sierria64 2 years ago
did Flo ever date Tom Jones?
CesarMill498 2 years ago
CesarMill498, No. Mary did.
paul51 2 years ago
No. It was Mary Wilson who dated Tom Jones. She gives major details of their love affair in her book, Dreamgirls: My Life as a Supreme.
MzSherice 2 years ago 2
it isnt a crutch, it is reality. Only people who think it is a crutch is white people who live in lala land. Tell that to the family of Sean Bell or Amadou Diallo. And commenting on race isnt racist. By saying someone had a voice suited for white audiences isnt a negative thing
tuzwol 2 years ago
thats not what is holding people back,people should be able to call a spade a spade.Anytime a black person says something about race white folk get upset
tuzwol 2 years ago
She was too pretty and had a voice to match.... I wish she just had a little more time to really show America that she just wasn't a background singer
naenae0728 2 years ago
I agree such a wonderful gift and talent, Flo' s voice sounds so powerful, but yet ever so gentle, sweet and beautiful
R.I.P. Flo' and God Please bless her Daughters with your LOVe and Favor!
guitarfredy4 2 years ago
Sing it Flo ! Sing it ! this is a taught joint right here. I wish Florence had a bigger chance during her solo career. So sad.
She looks so pretty at 0:52 and 2:00.
Now another Motown brotha up there with her. Yep Brotha Mike. I bet She's keeping Mike laughing talking about Berry and probably Diana lol.
R.I.P. Sista Flo your the bomb baby.
bigja2008 2 years ago
hee hee... i'd love to be a fly on the wall to hear the conversations between mike and florence... i'm sure there are laughs abound...
lumbia33 2 years ago
I dont care what you care about,all I'm saying is that because she sounded white,that made sure that the other Supreme members remained in the background. You're the one that said it was racist for one to say that she was singing to whites,but the fact remains she had a voice that was better suited for a white audience,and there is nothing wrong with that,thats just the way it was. No one said her voice didnt cut it, stating a fact isnt an insult
tuzwol 2 years ago
God are we ever going to get over this race thing. As a white person, I can say her color or for that matter their color didn't matter a damn to me. As far as saying "Diana sang as a white person"...your nuts! All anyone should care about is the SOUND AND GROOVE OF THE SONG PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
combatautumn 2 years ago
I think you're nuts, but whatever. Diana had a pop voice, its the truth,there is nothing negative about that, people only get ticked off by the truth and it seems like you're ticked off
tuzwol 2 years ago
Ross di NOT sing or sound white. Blacks sing alla types of music. She was a pop singer. Dionne Warwick's hits also were very pop and sung in a very pretty and pop sounding soprano. Kathleen Battle is a grand opera singer, a colortura soprano. She is not singing white she is singing opera. Charlie Pride is a country singer, black. Hootie and the blowfish; WAKE UP!!! Ross sounded different. Not all blacks sing like Aretha or David Ruffin.
missbirdsong 2 years ago 18
got ya and for the record I am awake,you have officially woken me up,and I just want to say, thank you.
tuzwol 2 years ago 2
Ha ha, your'e welcome!
missbirdsong 2 years ago
missbirdsong . . you are RIGHT ON THE MONEY baby!!
paul51 2 years ago 2
thats in Australia,totally different from America especially in the 60's where artists had to do crossover albums in order to get more whites to listen to them
tuzwol 2 years ago
Its not racist,Diana had a white sounding voice,she had a pop voice,so there's no way Berry was going to change that. Whites love black music and it has nothing to do with the Supremes, dont give them that much credit,white folk been loving black music since the doo-wop era and acts like The Tempts,The Tops,The Miracles,Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder,and other black acts are are just as responsible if not a little more so
tuzwol 2 years ago
Flo has her diehard fans out there who love her voice and style - and I am one of them. We needed more songs with her as solo or lead, but are fortunate to have the ones she did sing.
dtseattle 2 years ago
Great I luv it!!!!!!!!!
suedemiddleton 2 years ago
i dont think shes fabulous. Dianas voice is better.
cheekyfemme 2 years ago
This is one of Flo's WORST vocal performances.
If you want to hear Flo saaang then listen to her version of Dionne Warwick's WALK ON BY or search The Supremes IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE NOW (the second verse is Flo on lead).
Another good one can be found on my channel - Flo singing SILENT NIGHT acapella. HEY BABY is another great lead she did as a Supreme
MeetTheSupremes 2 years ago 2
Right On Miss Fprence Ballard you certainley could sing and thanks for being apart of the most famous girl groups of all time. Long live The Name Supremes.
redwalls76 3 years ago 2
i could never get tired of looking at Flo. she was sooo beautiful. she could've been a modeel in Ebony Fashion Fair or something.
browngal1709 3 years ago
I so agree the most beautiful and the most real of the supremes...I listen to her music and this gal..all she needed was good production...she had the voice and yes this unusual beauty--always will be my favorite supreme! RIP FLO!
shemstock 3 years ago
u right. she would've been a good market. If not music, what about modeling they were looking 4 women like her on their magazines. she was also light bright and damn near white if u look at her closely
browngal1709 3 years ago
I agree with browngal... Flo would've had a great future if Gordy wasn't trying to sell to white audiences. I'm not too pleased with this performance but Flo can sing on a lot of other songs. I know she could've sold a few Supreme's hits because she has a soul voice but I've heard her sing more pop.
Emoore80234 3 years ago
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was florence over weight when she died?
pandallama1234 3 years ago
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id smash her so damn hard she will see stars. I know she got good pussy
and "Diana Ross is a ugly ass nigga son" scrawny rat faced bitch, Diana was huge cum bucket sperm receptacle period, i would not fuck her with another niggas dick, what a shitty ass skinny faggot ass bitch, thanks for making the devil even more successful
huge10inchdick 3 years ago
Flo sure could sing. Her voice can go to any genre. Motown was nice in ushering soul music.
but sometimes selling to the white audiences was not a good idea as far as careers went.
browngal1709 3 years ago
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i bet you Dina's pussy is soppy and stinks like trout, loose ass pussy skinny bitch i neeeds some thick broad
huge10inchdick 3 years ago
Maybe the production values weren't the greatest on this number but I sure like Flo's voice. Mighty fine!
wilburbonzo 3 years ago 2
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Diana Ross is one Fugly ass Bitch, she can never get my dick hard, her Fans are Idiots, and that bitch is still ugly as hell, what a ugly ass bitch
huge10inchdick 3 years ago
I just listened to this with an objective ear.
I think Flo actually sounded pretty good here but the arrangement wasn't right for her. I do think that Diana was the better singer in the long run ... but Flo had a great presence when they were all together ... she was just so Flo!!! ... and that's a good thing.
BotMai 3 years ago 2
I think Diana developed into the better singer but I think Mary sings better than Diana now.
Anyway Floo was AWESOME in the beginning, she could blow! By ABC she could still saaanng but unfortunately ABC didn't show that off although they allow her to show off those pipers on her powerful cover of WALK ON BY and on the second single LOVE AIN'T LOVE and her cover of GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD
JonathanLGardnerTV 3 years ago
Okay.
I do love Flo as much as anyone else.
But no one sounded like Diana ... soft, sexy, sensual.
She carried the group to the top ... do you know what I'm saying?
BotMai 3 years ago
i did not know flo sung that song i knew the man that sings it while carlton dances on the fresh prince sings it but i was shocked when i heard this
sing flo
can someone tell me did she create this song(the 1st person to sing it)
jenard20 3 years ago
oh no Tom Jones sang it first, Flo covered it here in 1968.
She does a good job on it though - check out the stereo enhanced version I made (it's in the vid entitled The Supremes VS Florence Ballard - It's Not Unusual [Flo is actually on both recordings but singing backing as a Supreme])
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
Florence sounds GREAT!!! She had a much more mature voice than Diana! I wish there were more songs with her and Mary leading. They should have taken turns singing. Such a rich voice!
LADYDAEE 3 years ago 14
I would have loved to have seen Florence dancing to this or any song to see her truly happy in he work.
I feel so sorry for Flo for what happened and her part in a musical legacy must neverbe forgotten. R,I,P Sweetness
Bwana14 3 years ago 5
stompouthateorg FUCK U HOW DARE U SAY SOME SHIT LIKE THAT U CAN KISS MY ASS FLO CAN SING,CAN YOUR ASS SING I THINK NOT SO SIT DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP
simonsez0800 3 years ago 5
Blame Mary for the "Aretha comparison". Flo was a gifted singer. :)
timmy841212 4 years ago
Very true.
Flo's vocal style was that of the contrary whereas Aretha gets her props from her extremely well executed and skilled vocal arobatics, Flo was/is known for Etta James styled grittiness and power on songs such as Buttered Popcorn and her churchy side on It Makes No Difference Now, but also for her piercing, soaring soprano on People and then her sweetness on songs like Everything Wonderful and It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters).
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
I totally agree, which is why...OMG, she totally sounds like First Choice on this track, singing "Dr. Love"!!! It just HIT me!!
Were they in Philly, too?
If so, like I said before, that's DEFINITELY where she belonged! Gamble & Huff would have done really well for her. Also, Mary Wells' repertoire would have suited her well, too, but, weren't MW's songs mostly written by Smokey? Maybe, if she'd worked w/ Smokey on her own...eh, well...
StephanAOTTO1 3 years ago
So now you've heard what the non-enhanced one sounds like, can you tell the difference?
I think would have been good with some stuff similar to Etta James, where she could be a little more free like she was in her supreme days with AINT THAT GOOD NEWS. When I heard her sing that, it opened a new door of material lol
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
Miss James recorded for Chess, right? They would've also been good for Miss Ballard. Also, at around 1:30, she sort of sounds like a lower-registered Jean Terrell, to me, anyway. I like that. I like this version. It sounds sexiers to me, but, that's totally subjective. The more I hear her music, the more I realize that Miss Ballard was just in the wrong place @ the right time, & no one took the time to figure out where she'd be best suited, musically.
Smokey'd done well w/ her.
StephanAOTTO1 3 years ago 2
She actually does sound like Jean Terrel when she comes back in after the break. Jean Terrel had that messy style sometimes. And yes Etta was with Chess
JonathanLGardner 3 years ago
Amen, she might start night shift and start haunting you.....
I really don't advise disrespecting the deceased. It's fine to have an opinion but calling her a bitch is highly inappropriate. Diana said when Flo was hardly cold that she did it all to herself, when Flo was the one who would stick up for Diana, when Flo was the one who still loved Diana through it all when Flo was the one going through the struggle, I think you are calling the wrong person a bitch
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
Florence had a sound similar to the Marvalettes. Too bad she didn't hold out for Diana to leave. By the late 60's they were looking for soul singers like Aretha.
19171969 4 years ago 3
now there is no need to be calling her out her name like that. especially when she's not her to defend herself
dynamite8503 4 years ago 3
Amen, she might start night shift and start haunting you.....
I really don't advise disrespecting the deceased. It's fine to have an opinion but calling her a bitch is highly inappropriate. Diana said when Flo was hardly cold that she did it all to herself, when Flo was the one who would stick up for Diana, when Flo was the one who still loved Diana through it all when Flo was the one going through the struggle, I think you are calling the wrong person a bitch
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago 2
Flo was a good solo singer. Check out her leads as a supreme. She was as good as most out their at the time. She was no QUEEN OF SOUL but she definately could sing, and I too think it is sad that people go overboard, but there always will be fans that do. Anyway LOVE FLO ALL THE WAY RIP
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
flo was a talented and gifted singer, and with mary and diana they made the perfect combination. dianas voice was more suited to the stuff that the supremes were releasing, that doesnt mean flo was any less of a performer. she was an essential ingredient to the supremes success. she also would have had a brilliant solo career with the right material and proper promotion.
BAREBACKER 4 years ago 4
All the florence haters are brainwashed!!! Its no use of even wasting you time on them because the proof is in the pudding...
Jaydon79 4 years ago 10
yea they better recognize cuz flo's fans dont play that shit!
dynamite8503 3 years ago 5
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Good God, music historians need to listen to Flo sing before they make certain statements about who should have been the lead singer. Flo's voice tells the whole story and confirms Berry was RIGHT.
Where is the mute button ??? Flo, god rest her soul, was not a singer.
oceanbound222 4 years ago
MUCH better than The Supremes version featuring Diana on lead. Yes Diana had a very unique voice that was very commercial at the time but to sing this you need a THICK,RICH voice something that Diane didn't naturally posess
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago 2
Florence's voice is was much richer than Diana's. It's such a sin that she was cheated out of what was due her and then she died broke.
000amp 4 years ago 5
She was so beautiful!
mhomer4 4 years ago 6
yea she was!!
lilmissy691 4 years ago
This is the first I have hard of Tommy Chapman being shot.When did this happen?Of course it doesn't prove Berry Gordy had anything to do whith it,but it make you wonder.
GGE47 4 years ago
Tony Turner a "gofer" for the Supremes tells that in his book, "All that glittered."
quietbillionaire 4 years ago
Jonathan...you should post that interview where Flo says she hates Berry for ripping her off. Does she also say they put a gun to her head and made her sign away her royalties?
motownbaby 4 years ago
LMAO no she doesn't say that but I think they put a gun to Flo's husband because apparently he was going to talk to Mary Wilson about an autobiography Flo had written that he had sold to motown (I wonder why...?). But before Mary got to talk to him, he had been shot dead and no one knew who did it....
Anyway the interview is already up someone else posted it but I probably will post my one aanyway lol the more Flo the better
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
Yes Flo did one in 1975 at the begining of her comeback that I have but someone's posted it already
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
I ADORE simply ADORE Flo, so versatile so creative the way she sings this. I love this version of the song.
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago 3
yes I have an interview of Flo in 1975 actually saying that she hates berry gordy for ripping her off and lying to her
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
have you seen the one with mary telling it...
it has part A and B
lilmissy691 4 years ago
Don't you just LOVE Florence!
What a wonderful woman.
Taking songs and blessing them with her unique tone and flair her own style and expertise.
I love this woman RIP Flo
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
I have Ain't That Good News I'm gonna post it like tonight so keep checking people and yes FLO IS THE REAL & UNKNOWN QUEEN OF SOUL AND SHE KNEW IT!
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
Simply Supreme...I love Miss Flo so much! What a wonderful talent!
screenwrter 4 years ago
LOVE IT, love it!
Thanx Missy!
bronxbarbiedolla 4 years ago
welcome
lilmissy691 4 years ago
flo you are truely the real & unknown Queen of Soul
tratjones 4 years ago
I think y'all are goin' a little overboard callin' this woman the real and unknown Queen of Soul. Come on people, I know she's a tragic figure because of how she died, but let's keep things in perspective.
reggie20032 4 years ago
She is not the QUEEN of soul, but she was a gifted singer, lets just leave it at that
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago 3
Listen to flo at
freewebs*com*florenceballard-rare
the star is for a line thing and, you know what I mean I forgot the name lol. On there there are clips of her singing PEOPLE where she tears up all the versions especially the studio version that is just called 'People'.
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
She was beautiful inside and out, even with the many scars she had inside and out from being raped and betrayed by someone she trusted then being being betrayed again in 1967 when she was kicked out of The Supremes. But she still went after a solo career she failed, went into severe depression but somehow after losing her house and drinking heavily and losing her husband she made a comeback just before she died. WE LOVE YOU FLO RIP. Thanks for the vid
JonathanLGardner 4 years ago
i thinks she beutiful
joehancock01 2 years ago
her husband kinda looks like paul williams with facial hair
dynamite8503 4 years ago
PAUL IS MY UNCLE
Singer4alllyfe 4 years ago
COOL!
dynamite8503 4 years ago
paul who? paul williams lol
joehancock01 2 years ago
Those "Up Up and Away" horns at the beginning and end are wierd. Flo had a much bigger voice than this indicates: listen to her on "Ain't That Good News."
Branner 4 years ago