Florence Ballard (of The Supremes) - "Oh Holy Night" [A Motown Christmas: Vol. 2]

This video is for entertainment purposes only and was not intended to infringe any copyrights so please do not remove or block it.

Florence Ballard - founder and original member of Motown group The Supremes - sings "Oh Holy Night".
This song can be found on the Motown Christmas compilation album entitled "A Motown Christmas (Volume 2)"

I believe this was recorded sometime in 1965 or even 1966 as it has a different sound and mixing to the "Merry Christmas" album, including the Flo led "Silent Night".
If you have any info on when this was recorded, please feel to drop a comment =)

Cover art by me. Enjoy =D

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Florence
• Ballard
• Oh
• Holy
• Silent
• Night
• You
• Cant
• Hurry
• Love
• The
• Supremes
• Diana
• Ross
• Mary
• Wilson
• Motown
• Dreamgirls
• Am
• Telling
• One
• Only
• My
• Favourite
• Things
• Childrens
• Christmas
• Song
• Copa
• People
• Baby
• Yesterday
• It
• Doesnt
• Matter
• Hear
• Symphony
• Back
• In
• Arms
• Again
• Where
• Did
• Our
• Go
• Jackson
• Temptations
• Marvelettes
• Vandellas
• Wells
• Marvin
• Gaye
• Tammi
• Terrell
• Girl
• Missing

[ramona2400]

MeetThe Supremes thank you, what many fail to understand is the unreleased ABC material was not finished and likely under debate. As we listen to it keep that in mind. However - still with bad production and arrangements. Flo still fought the good fight. The songs show how versatile Ballard's voice was. In the end the cruelty of her firing from Motown and restrictions put on her by Gordy ruined her. I am sure he is shocked at the interest FLO still gets. Still the dog sleeps well.

[MeetTheSupremes]

@ramona2400 I have always thought the ABC production and musician ship was actually very, very good...but the arrangements - for the most part - weren't suitable for Flo's voice and range. Many of the songs are simply picthed too low for her to have really shown potential.

[ramona2400]

Damn an amazing strong and crystal clear voice - flawless delivery of an extremely difficult song - in an arrangement that suits Flo's voice and style. This shows that Motown knew what to do with that Ballard voice and how to showcase Flo and ABC did not. However, the history and horror of what Flo Ballard suffered at and after Motown is well known, What is not well known is displayed right here for all to hear. Magnificent and in all aspects. Bravo and R.I.P. Ms. Ballard !!!

[MeetTheSupremes]

@ramona2400 I could not agree more. What brilliantly-written commentary!

[pigmonkeyandsuzi]

This is a wonderful version of my favourite christmas carol

also how bad is Diana Ross' posture in the video? is she trying to look sexy or has she got something wrong with her?

[MeetTheSupremes]

@pigmonkeyandsuzi I think her weight contributed to her posture, you ever notice how tall, skinny people tend to hunch over? Though she wasn't especially tall I think her small figure encouraged her posture....it just looks especially bad next to Mary and Flo who look very statuesque and poised :)

Thanks for commenting.

- JLG | JonathanLGardner

[faye5515]

Amazing! I don't think anyone has ever or will top this version of "O Holy Night". It's a shame her voice wasn't exposed more when she was one of the Supremes. Diana was a good lead, but all of three of them should have rotated lead every now and then.

[EHDROCK]

Florence Ballard, how beautiful she sang this. R.I.P.

[HandsomeSoulbrother1]

What a very beautiful rendition, boggles my mind, that Barry did not see / recognize the upside that sistar flo possessed. Rest peacefully Sistar flo, EYE know that you are not dead, but you simply made yourself invisible.

[swampzoid]

gorgeous voice.

[Covellos1]

It's too bad (more) people didn't hear this while she was alive.

[Vincent50]

Listen to this voice. This was a voice that was naturally gifted, strong, and range. Florence had it but being beaten down by Berry for the sake of making Diana the star, well we know the outcome. Yes, Diana had the charisma and all for she worked hard to make it happen because she knew she didn't have the vocal fire Mary or Flo possessed but she was determined. ABC records didn't know what to do with Flo's voice but had ass whole Tommy searched deeper she would've gone elsewhere.

[proverbs1824]

@ramona2400 I couldn't agree more! Flo was a diamond left in the background, but she still shined. And, here she is, now center stage proving to the world that the Supremes were more than just Diane what's her name!

[jrmelmer]

very very sweet and pure

[fefebabes2]

She sang!!!!!!!!!!! the hell out of that song. The girl was so talented..so sad that its only now that people really take an interest in her. People r so curious about her now..if only theyd taken more interest later. I like DR but she was a real bitch.. I hear anyways.

[UNWakisha]

It's amazing how beautifully both Florence and Mary sang, as opposed to the kitty-cat sounding diana!