Browsing around a large second-hand store in Glasgow a few months back, my eye was caught by a 12″ single dating back to 1980.
Despite very much being a post-punk addict, I was still fond of disco music in various guises, not having a care about what any of my gig-going mates from the school thought. I didn’t buy all that much at the time – there was no need to, as many of the great songs were chart hits and never off the radio.
One of the biggest successes of the year had been Diana, the eleventh studio album released by Diana Ross, and one which had seen her forge a partnership with Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards who had taken Chic to great heights in the previous couple of years.
History shows that Diana was the biggest selling solo album in her career, reckoned to have shifted a million copies in the USA alone and that its three singles, Upside Down, My Old Piano, and I’m Coming Out were hits, with the first of them only kept off the top spot by Abba and The Winner Takes It All which had provided the Swedish superstars with their eighth#1 in six years.
I never bought a copy of Diana, or indeed any of the singles. But for just £1, I was more than happy to shell out for what the sleeve promised was ‘A Long Playing 12″ Disco Single’.
It turns out to have been a misleading sleeve, as the track was identical in length to the album cut. It also turned out not to be in the very best of condition, and as it was likely doing a bit of damage to the stylus, it was whipped back off the turntable after about 30 seconds. You’ll need to make do with a digital version:-
mp3: Diana Ross – My Old Piano
The b-side wasn’t another track from the album, which is hardly a surprise as there were just eight songs on it. Instead, a golden oldie, was offered up:-
mp3: Diana Ross – Where Did We Go Wrong
A tear-jerker of a (boring) ballad that had been included on the 1978 album, Ross. Again, it’s the digital version on offer.
Having likely taken many of you out of your comfort zones today, I better get some indie-schmindie lined up for tomorrow.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
Always good to hear that from the penalty queen of peoples’’ hearts.
Re: the previous comment – all the good work that Dian Ross did with the Supremes and all I can think about is the penalty miss in the opening ceremony of World Cup ’94 – Mike
Scammed by Diana Ross. Tell that to Florence Ballard.
I liked a bit of disco too (extended single ruse aside). My Old Piano was not included. I know all three of the a-side songs mentioned (but not the b-side link) due to, as JC, says radio play and tv show appearances. They all feel like songs there for the sole purpose of re-inventing a fading career. Something I think was achieved better for D. Ross with the Bee Gees and Chain Reaction.
My two ‘disco’ songs in order of preference.
Amii Stewart – Knock On Wood
It knocked my socks off! This was THE song that I had to skate to at Crossmyloof ice skating rink. It was a bloody trek to get to and expensive (for me) but on the few occasions I was able to go I was elevated to somewhere else – body and mind gone as the sound bounced and echoed around the rink. Just for a little while I was (in my dream state) as graceful as John Curry. I think this was my first DJ request – not a request to play it – they always did but that they play it again. I should still have my copy? Thing about the record… although very much seen as part of ‘disco’ I wouldn’t describe it as a disco record. I’m also very fond of the version to be found on Bowie’s David Live.
Donna Summer – I Feel Love
I owned the 15 minute long version which I stupidly sold in the mid-80s. I really loved this! Again, it just elevated me. I was aware of the original single version but my knowledge of Moroder, came mostly from Midnight Express, which had his signature sound but wasn’t disco. I Feel Love and other songs I was aware of as ‘oldies’ although I have little excuse for buying She Works Hard For The Money.
This ‘new’ version of I Feel Love… it was trance, possibly not the musical genre.
Disco, on the whole, leaves me cold. However, there are some beautiful pieces of disco music out there. My Old Piano, I’d argue, isn’t one of them (but the memories it holds for some could prove otherwise).
Flimflamfan
Not really First thing said is how I always like hearing that song Comment re that shocking peno is made in that context; it’s in the same sentence.
Not really First thing said is how I always like hearing that song Comment re that shocking peno is made in that context; it’s in the same sentence.
I have to admit I’m a big Diana Ross fan.
I’ve saw twice in concert.
SC
No particular interest in Diana Ross but it’s great to hear Bernie Edwards play anything.
Interesting read – thanks. As much as I am at heart an indie-schmindie fan, I do have very diverse tastes in music, as anyone who reads my WordPress WeekInSound blog will see. (I know, it’s a a shameless plug.) When I did a piece on The Supremes ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ last month, it was playlisted alongside tracks by The KLF, Roy Orbison, Orange Juice, Bruce Springsteen and Lauryn Hill. It’s a broad church…
Always like it when you deviate from indie schmindie
The bosses at Motown thought it was a great idea to send Diana to New York and record with Nile Rodgers, to ride on the then current Chic-wave. When she came back they didn’t like what they heard, it was too much “Chic with Diana singing” so they had the whole record remixed in Detroit before release. A handful years ago the original recordings were released (on disco-pink vinyl) for Record Store Day.
I have both records, you can make what ever you want out of that fact…