Record Store Wednesdays: “The Best Of Diana Ross” (1972)

I’m in love with this 1972 German import LP I picked up at an FYE store in the Atlanta-area — the cover is gorgeous and the record itself in mint condition.  The Best Of Diana Ross was never released in the United States — there wouldn’t be a “best of” collection here until 1976.  This German collection features selections from her first three solo studio albums, Diana Ross, Everything Is Everything, and Surrender — and although it doesn’t represent a very big portion of her career, a few of her biggest hits are included:

1. Remember Me
2. Doobedood’ndoobe, Doobedood’ndoobe, Doobedood’ndoo
3. I Wouldn’t Change The Man He Is
4. Surrender
5. Where There Was Darkness
6. Everything Is Everything
7. Reach Out I’ll Be There
8. I’m Still Waiting
9. (They Long To Be) Close To You
10. Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
11. Didn’t You Know (You’d Have To Cry Sometime)
12. These Things Will Keep Me Loving You
13. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

This is a pretty solid lineup, thanks to the fact that these first three albums all contain raw, soulful performances from the singer; things would change with the release of her film/soundtrack Lady Sings The Blues (also in 1972), which would lead Miss Ross to a smoother, more sophisticated style of singing and take her in a more “pop” direction for the majority of the 1970s.  Even though the film would catapult Diana to the true level of superstardom, this early collection does seem warranted, as several of the songs were top 40 hits in both the US and internationally (the enormous success of “I’m Still Waiting” overseas is likely what sparked the idea of releasing a “best of” in the first place).

Of course, I’d argue there are a few stronger performances that could’ve been placed on this early compilation; if tasked with making my own version, here are the substitutions/additions (printed in bold) that I’d make:

1. Remember Me
2. Doobedood’ndoobe, Doobedood’ndoobe, Doobedood’ndoo
3. Something On My Mind
4. Surrender
5. Dark Side Of The World
6. I Love You (Call Me)
7. Reach Out I’ll Be There
8. I’m Still Waiting
9. (They Long To Be) Close To You
10. Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
11. I Can’t Give Back The Love I Feel For You
12. Keep An Eye
13. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
14. Baby It’s Love
15. All The Befores

Now it’s your turn — what would you include on an early (1970-71) Diana Ross “best of” collection?