donna x barbra

[zeca azevedo]

Ok, ok, ok

time for a new hot musical topic! Who won the prize for best vocal performance on NO MORE TEARS, Donna Summer or Barbra Streisand?

Well, I prefer Donna's performance. Barbra oversings on this song. Just my opinion.

Let's see your opinions about this topic.

Peace,

zeca azevedo, I'm not an opera fan, you know

P.S.: BOWIE x FREDDIE MERCURY on Under Pressure? BOWIE, of course!

[markydefad]

Zeca,

You spelled BARBRA correctly!!!! :grin:

I'm kvelling (that's Yiddish--for "loving it"--I guess) I'm a Jew by osmosis. Get my drift???

[Nano]

Donna is just INSUPERABLE in anything she makes.
Barbra always oversings a little... but she's Lou Reed compared to our Whitneys and Mariahs of today.
Marky, you can see I compared a Queen with another Queen
BTW, saw Bowie singing "Under pressure" live in the Earthling tour and it was magnificent. Of course, there was a black singer doing the Freddie part.

[markydefad]

Poor Babs!!!!

You guys are so MEAN to the DIVA!!!! :lol:

The fact that this duet ever took place was pretty amazing at the time. When I first heard that they were recording a duet...I scoffed and said it ain't never gonna happen...(Sorta like Carrie did in last Sunday's "Sex & The City" regarding homo Nathan Lane marrying a LADY socialite!!!)

BUT--Quelle Surprise--IT DID HAPPEN!!!!!

I ran out to buy it as soon as it was released. Although the 12" is too long (11:40)--I think BOTH DIVAS acquited themselves admirably.. Donna gets first billing...BUT Streisand's photo is on the left under Donna's name. Paul Jabara cowrote the tune with another queen Bruce Roberts and Jabara is credited with actually making the record happen. Co-producing credits are shared between Barbra's Gary Klein and Donna's Giorgio Moroder. The 12" was released on Donna's label--Casablanca--BUT the song then appeared on Barbra's "Wet" LP and Donna's " On The Radio: Greatest Hits Vol 1 & 2".

So it was a sorta 50/50 propositon.

A landmark pairing of DIVAS...one for the ages, IMHO. :grin:

[SandraDee]

Here in the UK, the 12" was released on Columbia/CBS & the 7" was released on Casablanca. I think the 7" was more concise & to the point in this case.

[DanceMan]

On 2002-09-11 01:58, markydefad wrote:
Poor Babs!!!!

You guys are so MEAN to the DIVA!!!! :lol:

The fact that this duet ever took place was pretty amazing at the time. When I first heard that they were recording a duet...I scoffed and said it ain't never gonna happen...(Sorta like Carrie did in last Sunday's "Sex & The City" regarding homo Nathan Lane marrying a LADY socialite!!!)

BUT--Quelle Surprise--IT DID HAPPEN!!!!!

I ran out to buy it as soon as it was released. Although the 12" is too long (11:40)--I think BOTH DIVAS acquited themselves admirably.. Donna gets first billing...BUT Streisand's photo is on the left under Donna's name. Paul Jabara cowrote the tune with another queen Bruce Roberts and Jabara is credited with actually making the record happen. Co-producing credits are shared between Barbra's Gary Klein and Donna's Giorgio Moroder. The 12" was released on Donna's label--Casablanca--BUT the song then appeared on Barbra's "Wet" LP and Donna's " On The Radio: Greatest Hits Vol 1 & 2".

So it was a sorta 50/50 propositon.

A landmark pairing of DIVAS...one for the ages, IMHO. :grin:

This was quite the moment in disco history for me, and I never thought either, Marky, that this would take place....

Of course, if it wasn't for the success of Barbra's "Main Event" earlier that summer, coupled by the fact that Donna was the biggest thing in music in 1979, Barbra would have laughed this potential "pairing" off.....After the recording session, folks at Columbia wouldn't utter a word, but all the disco queens who worked at Casablanca said that neither recorded at the same time in the studio - and then I heard that they did record together but they were SO acting the Divas that they were born to be....so I still am not exactly sure what really went down...but one thing for sure, is that Barbra said she would never perform the song in public with Donna....so something negative must have gone down!....Donna was more silent on the subject, but I think she probably was pretty bowled over that she got Barbra to duet with her in the first place and that she (Donna)received the better accolades (although, I loved them equally for what they brought to the song)....

Thanks Zeca for this Post....anything else from 1979 - how about Donna vs. Bruce on "Heaven Knows?" Duh?

"Under Pressure" - no comment on the pairing as I hated that song, no matter who sang it.

[zeca azevedo]

On 2002-09-10 15:21, markydefad wrote:
Zeca,

You spelled BARBRA correctly!!!! :grin:

I'm kvelling (that's Yiddish--for "loving it"--I guess) I'm a Jew by osmosis. Get my drift???

Hey Marky,

Yes, I'm getting your drift... LOL

What can I say? When the record was released, I remember that I ran to the store and bought the single, with that black and white pic of "babs" and Donna, shoulder to shoulder, remember that pic? I don't think that the divas posed together to the photo... Anyway, I heard the entire song first time on Donna comp ON THE RADIO (the best compilation of Donna's music ever assembled, in my humble opinion) and I tought that Donna's singin was right on the spot on the record. Barbra, always the Broadway star, never loses the chance to show all her impressive vocal range. I'm more into soulful singing than Broadway, so I prefer Donna's performance on this song. But I agree with you guys, it is a special moment in the history of Disco Music. And, of course, Barbra is a pop legend for sure.

Now about THE MAIN EVENT: I wonder why this song is almost forgotten among Disco fans. I never saw the song mentioned on any post before on this FORUM (correct me if I'm wrong). I can't remember other Disco songs by Mrs. Streisand, do you, guys? BTW, THE MAIN EVENT, the movie, is horrible (what about A STAR IS BORN? Ugh! And YENTL? Barbra as a guy? Come on! She will look better on the role of TOOTSIE (LOL). My favorite movies by the lady are her late 60's, early 70's movies).

My favorite pop diva is Diana Ross. Why? Because she is a MOTOWN diva! LOL!

If any of you guys have more info about Donna and Barbra duet, share with us, please.

Thanks fellas. Keep postin'.

zeca azevedo, in a duet with himself, the poor schizo guy

[markydefad]

I was thinking about this historic pairing this morning driving to work--Barbra & Donna, that is. Now previously, Barbra had only duetted with the legendary Judy Garland on TV--as far as I can remember (also, The Merm--Ethel, that is joined them for a little "There's No Business Like Show Business" on that HISTORIC TV show). So the Donna pairing was most unexpected. Now subsequently, there has been a Celine Dion pairing---BUT those are the only 3 duets that Barbra has sung with another female singer. That I can think of...off the top o' me head.

Now, I can't think of a single time that Miss Ross EVER sang with another female singer....am I crazy????

Hey the Divas want to maintain their special DIVADOM--NOT SHARE the spotlight with another BITCH!!!!! I was reminded of this last night cause BOTH Miss Ross & Bette Midler were good girlfriends with Cher during the 70's, HONEST!!!!--(supposedly Bette & Diana did not get along)--BUT only Bette appeared on Cher's variety show (with Elton John, no less). Miss Ross NEVER shared the spotlight with another female singer....that I can think of ...OK, prove me wrong!!!! :lol:

[zeca azevedo]

On 2002-09-11 12:29, markydefad wrote:
I was thinking about this historic pairing this morning driving to work--Barbra & Donna, that is. Now previously, Barbra had only duetted with the legendary Judy Garland on TV--as far as I can remember (also, The Merm--Ethel, that is joined them for a little "There's No Business Like Show Business" on that HISTORIC TV show). So the Donna pairing was most unexpected. Now subsequently, there has been a Celine Dion pairing---BUT those are the only 3 duets that Barbra has sung with another female singer. That I can think of...off the top o' me head.

Now, I can't think of a single time that Miss Ross EVER sang with another female singer....am I crazy????

Hey the Divas want to maintain their special DIVADOM--NOT SHARE the spotlight with another BITCH!!!!! I was reminded of this last night cause BOTH Miss Ross & Bette Midler were good girlfriends with Cher during the 70's, HONEST!!!!--(supposedly Bette & Diana did not get along)--BUT only Bette appeared on Cher's variety show (with Elton John, no less). Miss Ross NEVER shared the spotlight with another female singer....that I can think of ...OK, prove me wrong!!!! :lol:

Hey Marky,

do you remember the VH-1 Divas Special that honored Diana? She sang BABY LOVE with a relutant MARIAH CAREY. It was a strange moment. At one point at the show, Mariah said something like: "I was watching Miss Ross today and I began to think that I'm still learning to be a diva!"

And what about the day Miss Ross take the mic from the hands of Patti LaBelle? And when Miss Ross take the mic from the hands of Mary Wilson?

The lady is a tramp or what?

Peace,

zeca azevedo

[markydefad]

Hmmm...well Zeca, I was just in the restroom and the VH1 Special flashed in my head--BUT, I only remember Miss Ross singing solo--BUT I guess that she did do a little thing with Mariah.

When did she sing with Patti LaBelle???? Miss LaBelle would blow her off the stage, I'm afraid.

The Mary Wilson thing doesn't count. She's a "back-up" singer. She's supposed to stand at least 2 feet behind Miss Ross!!!! LOL!!!

[sirius]

Dear Friends!
I remember the stories and rumours about
"No More Tears"...
Although Donna has a stronger voice than
Barbra, she didn´t hold the breath that
long than her...
The Photograph of the single or 12" is real
because Barbra is about 1,5 inches bigger
than Donna...therefore Donna is listed first.
But Barbra is smaller than Donna and she
was standing for this classical photo on
telephone-books.
I think, the photo was made by Francesco
Scavullo.
Donna and Barbra were real enemies, but
later they became friends after recording
the record. Also Paul Jabara was responsi-
ble for "The Main Event".
Certainly my fave is Donna, but Barbra was
lot of Disco at that time...
"No More Tears" is a big DiscoHit at DISCO-
HEAVEN and it is maybe one of the most
hysterical duets I´ve ever heard...I love it!
Cosmic Love & Kisses From SIRIUS & DARKTUNES

[zeca azevedo]

On 2002-09-11 13:13, markydefad wrote:
Hmmm...well Zeca, I was just in the restroom and the VH1 Special flashed in my head--BUT, I only remember Miss Ross singing solo--BUT I guess that she did do a little thing with Mariah.

When did she sing with Patti LaBelle???? Miss LaBelle would blow her off the stage, I'm afraid.

The Mary Wilson thing doesn't count. She's a "back-up" singer. She's supposed to stand at least 2 feet behind Miss Ross!!!! LOL!!!

Hey Marky,

the episode with Mary Wilson happened when they're recording the TV program about the 25th anniversary of MOTOWN Records. At the end of the program, when all MOTOWN stars were singing REACH OUT AND TOUCH, Diana's mic failed and she immediately took the mic from the hands of Mary Wilson. It's a well known fact. You can see at the end of the program Mary Wilson with her hands empty, without a mic.

Patti LaBelle's episode happened in a special event, full of music stars. I think it was a SOUL TRAIN event or something like that,I'm not sure. Diana was singing lead vocals on a live rendition of I WANNA KNOW WHAT LOVE IS (yes, the FOREIGNER song) joined by an all star cast. Mrs. LaBelle began to outsing Diana - she did blow dirty Diana off the stage with her big, amazing voice. What Miss Ross did? She simply took away the mic from Patti's hands! Can you believe that? Fantastic, isn't it?

If anyone here knows these episodes envolving Miss Ross, Patti and Mary, please send more info to us.

Peace,

zeca azevedo, taking the mic from YOUR hands now, LOL

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: zeca azevedo on 2002-09-11 13:57 ]</font>

[DanceMan]

Well.....I am sick and tired of hearing all this dirt about two of my favorite divas.....but how about a little more?

Diana was supposed to sing a duet with Kathi "I wanna be a big solo star" Sledge on that boring mega-billion DIANA album and supposedly there are some studio tracks in a vault somewhere....but Diana thought that Ms. Sledge was gaining too much vocal ground on her, ala Patti LaBelle, and stormed out or merely cancelled the whole thing...(I prefer to think that she stormed out, don't you)..my friend, Paul, from Alpha Distributors (who distributed all of the Motown output) in Manhattan was best friends with Mary Wilson, so you know that they would say anything to dis Ms. D......that was my only source for that story....Nile Rodgers rejects it as only a "fantastic idea" which never got off the ground (apparently)....

Speaking of Motown meets Barbra Streisand.....
B. S. tried disco on her Lazy Afternoon album in '76 with the Four Tops chestnut, "Shake Me, Wake Me." I was not in the biz at the time so I never had the promo-only 12" of it, but if it is available somewhere.....PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WANT FOR IT.....

I saw everything on Diana and taped most of it...she did rip the mic from most anyone who got in her way and Mary was trying to purposely upstage her on the Motown Special so she grabbed her mic to shut her up...they despise each other and all this talk about a reunion a few years ago and I am going "YEAH RIGHT!"...and you see where that went....they couldn't pay them enough to set foot on the stage together and, without the originals, nobody cared about her pairing with the 1977 Supremes, minus Mary...

I never heard the story about the telephone books which Donna stood on...that is a hoot....

I still cannot believe they posed together!

And, of course, I own the Judy, Barbra, Ethel 1963 video....what kind of man would I be if I didn't....oh yeah, a non-gay one!

[markydefad]

I'm pretty sure that Donna is taller than Barbra--so I am not so sure how true the phone book story is. (Everyone who's seen Barbra face to face comments on how little she is in person; Donna seems a bigger gal--BUT I could be wrong!!!! I also heard they never sang together in the studio--that they recorded their parts separately. I always thought the cover photo was two separate photos merged together. But I wasn't there--so I don't know for sure.

Yeah, I do remember Diana yanking the mike out of Mary's hand on the Motown Anniversary show. Supposedly she shoved Mary out of the way, too. That's my girl!!! Go, Lady Di!!!!--the poster Diva for bad behavior!!!! Maybe that's why I love her so!!! :lol:

[keefelc]

On 2002-09-11 18:34, markydefad wrote:
I also heard they never sang together in the studio--that they recorded their parts separately.

Yeah, I do remember Diana yanking the mike out of Mary's hand on the Motown Anniversary show. Supposedly she shoved Mary out of the way, too.

I remember reading an article awhile back about Donna and Babs in the studio recording the song together. Donna was suppose to have had a hard time keeping up with Barbra. At one point, while trying to match a note, Donna was reported to have fallen off her chair. Was this story true? I don't have a clue.

As for Diana versus Mary, I remember watching this special with my roommates. Suddenly we screamed in unison to each other in disbelief, "Did that bitch just push Mary??!" That was followed with howls of laughter!

Now for Bette on Cher's solo show. Bette apparently had a falling out with Cher after the show was broadcast because Bette's solo was cut out. Those old enough may remember Bette's comment on the Grammy Awards, "She didn't give me a solo, but she gave me a dress" (Bette had on one of the Bob Mackie gowns that she wore on the show).

Speaking of Bette, anybody know anything about the rumour of a concert tour in early 2003??? It's said she'll tour to publicize the television broadcast of "Hello Dolly". Oh, I hope that's true!