DIANA ROSS LIVE - STRANGE FRUIT - LADY BILLIE HOLIDAY TRIBUTE

[3FromTheOutside]

Now that's some seriously skilled singing! Bravo!!!

[MrPistolMason]

@3FromTheOutside I second that: BROVO!!!!

[4050322]

Amazing Performance!

[waynebrasler]

Diana proved from the get-go she could do Billie Holiday's music the greatest justice while not imitating her. I am sure Miss Holiday would be, and maybe has been, thrilled with the great tribute has paid her over the decades. I, a white boy in suburban St. Louis, became captivated by Holiday right after her death and even wrote a music column on her in my college paper. For gifts my parents gave me the new LPs coming out of Holiday's music. In Diana I later heard a kindred soul.

[MrJeffw223]

Diana sang the song her way and with all due respect to the great Billie Holiday,I prefer

Her version! You don't have to be addicted to

Drugs to have a soul.Diana nailed it!

[PurpleFlame3]

Ha! I bet Madonna couldn't do that without a backing tape that's been tweaked and autotuned and without having half-a-dozen dancers prancing around the stage while she appears in a state of undress. It is amazing to see somebody with talent who can actually sing!

[SnipNJ]

Diana Ross is one of the few artists that I have seen perform live that actually sounds like her recordings. She doesn't need the mixing and the gimmicks. Great performance. Great lady.

[SpazChat]

@SnipNJ , Diana is a consummate professional. No surprise there. She became a star at a time when people had to actually be able to sing. There was no AutoTune back then

[1Ephraimite]

Magnificent mourning of the withering heights of these now passed fruits that bear feet upon the walking seeds of tommorrows return, if not for repentance of the cause of such that was the trespass of fruitage in which the the trees bear their stains.

Can the seeds of these fruits grow to towering magesties? Sin is the disobedience of LAW, so will the righteous grow from iniquity to thrones of justice? Will Judah live the law? Will Ephraim find his throne? Showering YAH reclaim your seeds.

[lydee09]

She is so talented. I always knew she was a fantastic performer and she is so entertaining. She is a fabulous actress. But this video really shows without a doubt, without backup and loud music, that she is a wonderful vocalist. She sounds wonderful! I am embarrased that I did not realize it before now.

[BernadetteIsAwesome]

She is a great singer, but she doesn't have soul like Billie.

[MrPistolMason]

@BernadetteIsAwesome To me, "soul" is like "beauty" . . . it's your own interpretation of what a person considers "soul" and "beauty." But that's just me.

[wonderboyjoy]

@BernadetteIsAwesome well she didn't fuck her life over with drugs like billie. you gotta be aln alcoholic or drug abuser to have soul? if billie had not died in such a tragic state i wonder if we'd even know much about her. most of the rest of the world knew nothing about billie holiday until her death notices. diana ross reinterpreted this song magnificently.

[lumi015]

I really love this Aikan74 - thank you so much for posting - it brings a shiver through my spine and really emodies the spirit of the song and honours it it its own sepcial way.

Can you please include the Billie Holiday trbute segment that directly follows Diana Ross' rendition of Strange Fruit.

Thanks again!

[lsaturn01]

Fuck anybody who says Diana Ross can't sing. She doesn't have a gospel trained voice ala Aretha Franklin but she still can move me.

[whatigot2say]

@lsaturn01 well she did sing gospel in church growing up.. and she can go there when she wants too. her greatness is in NOT going there & choosing to go against the norms of her day and develop her own style.. that crap about her not being able to sing was a recent development because the fools making that charge didn't understand that great singers don't have to sing loud gospel i.e. whitney houston.

[masc6feet1man]

THE FIRST LADY OF MUSIC THE GREAT DIANA ROSS!

[pullformore]

Holly crap, you can literally hear a pin drop when she sings.... 

[bimhimbim]

Das ist ja witzig. Pop verkitscht alles.

[blkshepherd]

I will take dianas voice over billie any day any time..sorry but billies voice did nothing for me.

[Walter9801]

@blkshepherd I felt that way when I first heard Billie too. Her voice is unique. But I suggest that you get some of her early recordings. And most of all pay attention to her timing. It is subtle but she consistantly sings melodies on the 2&4 rather than the 1&2. It makes it sound like she is late but she never is. She always ends the phrase on time. Also listen for the blue notes. That is what blues and jazz is all about. Without her there would be no Diana, Aretha, Ella, etc.

[Chutson353]

This is Diana Ross at her BEST - I'm blown away at the simplicity - She always said her strength was her ability to recognize and give beauty to melody and she does that here flawlessly.

[Walter9801]

@Chutson353 well said. i totally agree.

[dtolbiac]

Shame ! Ugly and vulgar !

Strange Fruit is quite a sacred song.

Do you know what it means and why it was written, created.and recorded before the Second War ?

Listen to Billie Holliday, or Nina Simone too, and shut up.

[puximball]

left me breatheless this was totally awesome!

[jeaniebthe1]

That is a very brave thing to do - even now.

[evonneaccristo]

BEAUTIFLY DONE....AWESOME

[purple73mb]

She can't do it like the true Blues beauty Billie Holiday herself! No one will ever hold a candle to Billie Holiday!

[BlogShag]

Why are stupid people on here comparing these two singers. that's just nutty. Their styles are nothing alike. Jeeeez, what is wrong with you people? -- Simpletons... :\ Type in the search box for that movie .."Idiocracy" I guarantee you, what you see in that movie clip won't be science fiction for long

[TheStormLive]

Black Women Are Not Bitches and she did not bleach her skin. She is one the greatest female singers of our time. Don't hate but love her greatness. It was an amazing performance. Please understand that slavery was a horrific, dehumanizing, and cruel institution. Thus, we (all human beings) should never forget how it had affected Black Americans. One love :)

[AIKAN74]

@TheStormLive amen!!!!!!

[impatientwithdesire]

@TheStormLive the pain that black americans have gone through

it is sad to see that so many bm have turned against the very women that cleaned their bodies, fought with them and had to watch them be lynched

all to defend the descendents of those who tossed them into trees like toys

its a sad day for all these blacks who fought and died and pained for black americans while many walk around today hating themselves and their history.

this is why we as blacks almost never progess

[ludel]

@impatientwithdesire SPEAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[islezeus]

@TheStormLive nice and heartfelt message... but this song was not about slavery

[AIKAN74]

@islezeus no its not about slavery.but its about one of the many and one of the most horrid practices to arise out of slavery!!!!!!

[SpazChat]

@AIKAN74 , Makes me wonder how people believe there is a God, when for so many years and even today some innocent people go through that kind of horrific suffering.

[kplife2001]

@SpazChat It does not make me wonder. It is hard to describe, but in times like those the faith of the people only grew stronger because it was really all that they had.

[PsychoxXxTeddyxXx13]

@islezeus it was about a black boy that she saw hanging on a tree while she was on tour.

[draginbonez]

@PsychoxXxTeddyxXx13 this song was accually a poem writtin by a teacher in like the 30's .

[babbfamilyidaho]

@PsychoxXxTeddyxXx13 Billie Holiday did not write strange fruit. A northern Jewish man, Abel Meeropol, who saw a photograph of a lynching in the south and wrote this poem, originally by the name of "Bitter Fruit". Billie Holiday agreed to sing the song. I might add she was very brave to perform this when she did and her influence and artistic abilities are what truly brought this song and these lyrics into the public sphere.

[MsMelisaMelisa]

@TheStormLive no chain of words could have written that better.

[shapeepster]

Diana has a lovely voice, no doubt. However, she doesn't (nor can she!) sing "Strange Fruit" with the same pathos that Billie did!

Another wonderful version of this song is by Nina Simone...she sings it as if she's seen so much horror in her life, that she is shell-shocked and yet, still angry. If you haven't given it a listen, you owe it to yourself to do so.

[BlogShag]

@shapeepster That's your opinion. Diana sings it with just enough drama and just enough sweet to make it listenable. Billy always went overboard in the drama department.

[shapeepster]

@BlogShag Of course that's my opinion! That's what these comments are all about! No one has a monopoly on giving them! I have mine and you have yours. And if I want to compare the songs/singers etc., that's my prerogative. The same is true of anyone else on here, including you! It doesn't make a person a simpleton, unless being a simpleton means having a right to express an opinion different from yours!

[SmoothCinnamonX]

@shapeepster Difference being, Diana Ross had a beautiful voice, and Nina Simone didn't. POINT BLANK. What makes you think Diana never felt pain? Just cuz she's pretty and had a pretty voice? Nina Simone was an amazing artist, but she always tried to cop and say she didn't get her due because she was not considered beautiful by Anglo-American hegemonic standards, yet the actual truth was her voice simply wasn't beautiful enough. If she looked like DR, she still wouldn't be be a star. Bad voice.

[LovelyTalia09]

She looks SO BEAUTIFUL i love the flowers

[LANORDA9]

Folks. Learn something about make up and lighting before implying that someone bleached their skin. Black skin has many undertones in addition to shades....UNDERTONES!....and such undertones will reflect lighting in many ways. I myself will look very dark one moment and in a photo or in the sun, I will look many times lighter. Also folks...Lighting has changed over the years. Certain stage lighting will literally wash out your skin if you aren't careful.

[tulaplexi]

@LANORDA9 THANK YOU. Amen.

[xstanadu]

Classic Performance ! Diana Ross ! Wow !

[rolandrog]

You could feel the pain and suffering in Billie's singing. She had a very painful and hard early life. And then she had a hard adult life. The adult life was entirely her doing, however. God Bless Billie.

[jadeluislarosa]

stupid people. Diana does not and did not bleach herself. Give me a break folks.

It's called makeup and the lighting

[TheMrMarilyn]

I am sure they were expecting her to come out and waffle on about her experiences playing Billie or whatever...but...she came out and sang into a microphone that wasn't primed for a vocal performance...and she NAILED it...note PERFECTLY!!!!No wonder she commands absolute awe from most every person that she meets in her life...and most definitely from the millions that have been in her audiences over the 6 DECADES that she's been performing for!!Lady Day would've LOVED this absolute tribute!!

[Maatization]

One thing about Diana is "she is a star's star". Other great stars past and present drop to there knees (figuratively) in awe of her (Beyonce for one). She was a global superstar as far back as 1965. So many stars hadn't even entered show business yet. What a career. What a legend.

[DaxShaw]

She sings acapella.not many would stand at a podium and sing.

[SneakyMrPanda]

I feel like Billie Holiday put more emotion in. Diane Ross almost seemed smiley while singing it

[BlogShag]

@SneakyMrPanda Don't compare the two singers. That's just nutty. Their styles couldn't be more different. It's like trying to compare a flute to a cello- dumb comparison.

[JUSTSANG71]

WOW! This is talent. That voice and tone is on point! She just sang one note and the crowd got dead quiet! She commanded this room with her voice. TAKE NOTICE! No dancers, band, or special lighting. Just the VOICE, which is our first and most important instrument.

[kuroko194u]

So far I enjoy her singing but I wish she would sing all three verses.

[Chutson353]

This is beautiful - I've finally gotten past the point of feeling like I have to take sides in the "Supremes feud" and can appreciate all "the girls" for who and what they are.

[trumusicgen]

I love Diana Ross's rendition of Billy Holiday song, so much better too.

I didn't like how Billy Holiday sang

[spn1007]

@trumusicgen If Diana's version gets you to listen to what has been called "The Most Important Song of the 20th Century" then great (though I wish here and in the movie she sang the entire song). BUt I hope some day you can learn to appreciate the original. Ross has a more beautiful voice, no question. But for sheer intensity and mastery of interpretation no one could beat Billie. Again, I'm not criticizing (enough of that on youtube already) just hope you'll give Billie a chance!

[AIKAN74]

i guess you really have to be into jazz...............maybe even billie before drugs took her voice.kinda like whitney now................but ella fitzgerald said that billie was the queen!

[ivetastedblood]

@trumusicgen Billie's was very emotional - she also sang it at a much earlier period where those lynching were REALITY's and not a here and there occurrence like it is today. Billies was authentic and true to the lyrics and message.

[DavidAngelMedina]

@trumusicgen I'm not really into JAZZ. Billie sang with such RAW emotion. This lacks that , said emotion. Sure, it's nice but not the same.

[blkshepherd]

@DavidAngelMedina Diana actually made this song listenable..I did not like billiies version at ALL...her peers Ella and Sarah voices were much more purer...Billie's did not move me at ALL...

[GeniusGod]

@trumusicgen you gotta love the roughness in her voice, thats the dramatic point i guess

[trumusicgen]

OMG this is such a performance, her voice is flawless, thanks for putting this on here, I am going to do my rendition soon.

[BlakeBarbieDoll]

I love Diana Ross's renditions of Billy Holiday.

[maitri49]

You couldn't hear a pin drop while she sang, and this was a professional audience. That's respect!

[SuperEric39]

Why hate on something so beautiful keep your negative energy to yourself. Diana was magnificent and her portrayal of Billie Holiday was epic, she should have won the Oscar she was nominated for.

[bokiluis]

A classic diva performance reminding America of something it too often forgets, Diana Ross is one of our most powerful natural resources. From her stint as part of America's Sweethearts, the #1 American Group of the 60s, The Supremes to her critics-be-damned homage to another fine American natural resource, Billie Holiday. All on the turf of the music industry.....an environment that has not always respected her vast talents. Strange fruit becomes exotic and beautiful fruit!

[1957thunderbird312]

lol anyone notice that she forgot like a total verse?

[bokiluis]

Only someone petty as yourself.......

[1957thunderbird312]

well no,i just believe if your going to perform a song do it correctly and completely..so dont call me petty,jerk wad

[AIKAN74]

perhaps if you would look at the performance...it wasn't meant to be obviously a full interpretation, just an introduction. however she did do a full one with the band of god bless the child.

[bokiluis]

You dumb prick. It was an impromtu performance not a concert. Oh, I forgot assholes like you probably have never attended one. You just haunt websites to substitute for your empty live. Go play with yourself since no one else is going to.

[missbirdsong]

It is clear that she omitted a verse for brevity. She sang the song as an intro to the induction.

[konumers]

"peerless as it rates to tone" I don't remember who posted that here, but that is exactly what Luther always said about DIANA ROSS...

[yurherenow]

yes and then in the 90's the narrative became "diana ross cannot sing" "diana ross has a weak voice", etc. "diana ross had a nasal quality to her singing" thankfully that narrative didn't stick for very long, performances like this show what she was vocally.

[MrSoulsista2009]

that was great !

[AIKAN74]

we are not comparing her to lady day or the high priestess...........please just enjoy her and not the negative stuff..........

[ivetastedblood]

@AIKAN74 true that

[moviestarblonde]

Beautiful and haunting..Diana is one classy lady.

[dumbthings1970]

Diana Ross rocks.....I wish she would release a new cd of pop/r&b material.

[omesthehomes530]

even a great soul singer like diana ross cant hit the notes like Billie, a true tribute

[Ralph640]

True Talent, all the young singers today don't ever sing live!!

[MahoganyArchives]

Truly a classic lady and song. How easy it is to judge someone from your computer and not the stage? She did a fabulous impromtu performance in front of a live audience. Love her or hate her Miss Ross has true talent. Now lets hear your version!!!!

[Marusya270882]

The great perfomance, thank you!

[MichaelJackson799]

OMG,, she's like 56 here!

[missbirdsong]

Proof positive that Ross is a good singer. She is peerless as it relates to tone. I love her voice; always have.

[missbirdsong]

I have seen her up close recently, she is not bleaching her skin. She wears a alighter stage makeup. She has also had several sin peels (to get rid of raised moles and surface scars) That tends to lighten the skin of Blacks. She is a medium brown skinned Black woman. Don't judge by older B&W photos, they son't show true skin tone. I have read that she airbrushes and lightens her photos to appear lighter than she is.

[TheGoddessNetworks]

This song still makes me shiver when I hear it. Diana is a true Classic TALENT!

[yokeelee]

I'm 29 and have always loved her voice...my Mom use to play her Supreme stuff and Diana's Disco era stuff too...Miss Ross is The Boss !

[LoveTheSupremes]

She hasn't always been light skinned, silly. Check out her interview on the Arsenio Hall show.. You're obviously a young fan of hers. Most of it may be lighting and make up. I don't know

[SmoothCinnamonX]

@LoveTheSupremes When she appeared on Arsenio she was fresh from vacationing with Arne on Taino (his island near Tahiti). She had a TAN going on there. Black people do darken in the sun. Duhh!

[1420miked]

diana has always been light, and stage lighting effects it too, you're being silly.

[zoecuzz633]

to do that alone...there and so perfect......just amazing thank you for you tube.. i had heard the scuttlebut about this performance but had never seen it... an artist in the old school sense

[paul51]

Youngsters please take note: this is TALENT baby!

[BeyoncesHusband21]

I'm 18 and I LOVE Diana Ross! She's very talented :)

[broke2471]

Certain makeup against certain lights can change the color of one's skin tone. If anyone has seen Miss Ross without makeup knows that she is not light as Michael Jackson..and women do get puffy because they retain water, not only at her age, but younger women too. Diana sounded beautiful acapella and when Jazz is sung, it normally sounds off key, because of the different crescendo's. ..and that's all Jazz, no matter who is singing it. Listen to Billie Holiday and other artist, you'll see.

[wdrayr]

No better away to pay tribute to the inductee, Billie Holliday.

[jvgreen703]

she sounds much better singing jazzz or .perhaps the sound people can fix there stuff cuz there were times now, that miss ross has been off key.......but sitll love her though....

[andydiana]

i agree, i LOVE Miss Ross, but i think she suits the jazz numbers the best!

[OldMotownFan]

I agree too. When she sings jazz, she's in a league all by herself. I wish she had gone the Sade route back in the '80s.

[LoveTheSupremes]

That stuff (jazz, ballads) is actually easier to sing. Rock and Roll is a bitch to sing!

[rossnumberone2]

Who said that Diana cannot sing anymore? They must be deaf!

[Tobyl999]

Um yeah... NOoooo!!!! She still looks the same as she did way back when maybe just a bit puffy, not even. Stage lights always make you look lighter too. I think you're exagerateing a bit don't you think ???

[xdianarossx]

your amazing Diana Ross. So much talent and beauty.

[migrain45]

The voice ,, The body,,Diana Ross,, U got 2 love her.....she is one of a kind!!

[sparkleterry]

damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[collegeri]

i've searched for this on and off for a couple of years. glad to finally find it. she certainly got the job done that night. flawless.

[durffey123]

There is no question as to how talented Diana Ross is past, present and future! Just lovely!!

[whitney2whoopi]

She has no music to back her up, but still sounds amazing. Diana's hair and makeup looks really nice.

[LoveTheSupremes]

Yeah, how many singers half her age today can sing a capella sound good? Can you imagine Britney Spears up there trying to pull this off?? What a joke that would be.

[dongilelem]

chills!

[doany65]

Anyone who's ever questioned this woman's raw talent only needs to watch this clip. To sing acapella spontaneously in front of a room full of music legends while standing at a podium, with dead-on pitch and perfect Billie-esque phrasing, is truly amazing. Diana at her absolute best.

[StephanAOTTO1]

It's eery the way she can STILL channel that sound AT WILL.

[chakataka]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!