Who Did It Better? Last Time I Saw Him

Who Did It Better?

Last Time I Saw Him

Today's edition of Who Did It Better? features one of my favorite type of songs. Maybe it had something to do with the bicentennial right around the corner, or a yearning for a more nostalgic time, but story songs were everywhere; AM Radio couldn't get enough of them. Today, we take a look at an often overlooked selection in that genre, recorded by two established artists who were anything but.

 
Last Time I Saw Him was written by Michael Masser and lyricist Pam Sawyer - two names that keep on popping up as part of these posts because they wrote a lot of hits.

Someone who benefited? Miss Diana Ross.

Ross' solo career was off and running. Between Masser/Sawyer and Ashford & Simpson, there was no stopping her. Thanks to Masser, she'd just enjoyed a #1 with the dreamy Touch Me In The Morning. To demonstrate Ross' breadth as a talent, Motown wanted something very different for her next single.

The early 70's pop landscape was dotted with story songs: Tanya Tucker and Helen Reddy had Delta Dawn, Cher had Gypsies, Tramps, And Thieves and Dark Lady, Melissa Manchester had Ruby And The Dancer, Tony Orlando and Dawn had Tie A Yellow Ribbon, Vicki Lawrence had The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia... and Diana Ross would have Last Time I Saw Him - telling the tale of a young woman who gives her life savings to a man who takes a Greyhound bus out of town to prepare a new life for the two of them.

Produced by Masser and arranged by Michael Omartian and Gene Page, the track appeared on the album of the same name, 1973's Last Time I Saw Him. Released as the first single on December 6, 1973, Ross scored her seventh Top 40 hit at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1974. It also reached #16 on the R&B chart and was #1 on the Easy Listening chart for three weeks - in fact, it was named the #1 Easy Listening hit for the year 1974. In addition it was #8 in Canada, #18 in Australia and New Zealand, and #35 in the UK.

Country singer Dottie West, hot off her #2 hit, Country Sunshine, knew an opportunity when she heard it. She recorded a version of the song for her 1974 RCA album, House Of Love and released it as single in February of that same year - at the exact time Ross's version was peaking on the charts. Her version managed to snag the #8 slot on Billboard's Country charts. These back-to-back Top 10 hits would be West's last for the label, beginning a dry spell for the singer, resulting in RCA dropping her in 1976. But no fear; she'd rally, signing with United Artists and enjoying four huge country hits with duet partner Kenny Rogers (two of which hit #1) and a solo #1 with 1980's rather appropriate A Lesson In Leavin'. Take that, RCA!

And that's the whole story.

Now? On to the competition!

The Song: Last Time I Saw Him

The Competitors: Ross vs. West

Last Time I Saw Him - Diana Ross

Last Time I Saw Him - Dottie West

Diana Ross

Oh, how I love me a good story song. Most are so oh-woe is me, but so much fun. This one? Does not disappoint. 

There's something about this era of AM Radio that I find absolutely charming; its campy stuff, almost cringe-worthy. They frequently incorporated bits of country music, blue grass, and Dixieland jazz - and this one does not disappoint. 

Big old bass pluck for an intro. Risky, for AM Radio, but right for the time. They were going for that slot right next to Jim Stafford's Spiders And Snakes. 

Ross is working her kewpie doll voice on this right from the get go. It's that constant smile in her sound; as you listen you can picture it - mega-brilliant, brighter than the sun. I only wish I had a tenth of her undying enthusiasm. Add to that her natural, sensual sigh and you have a sound that sells records. 

A tampered trap set is set into motion, along with some tasty southern-fried guitar licks. And then the horn section... blatting away on the bottom. Yeah, you know exactly where this is headed. 

And those sweet '70's strings kick off the chorus. With a banjo. 

Well, no half measures here. In for a pound. 

Sadly, those strings are pitched so hot that they compete with Ross' sharp delivery. And, quite frankly... there's a lot going on in that arrangement. Maybe too much?

Thankfully, everything returns to the starting point and we get to listen to Ms. Ross' tale of woe. This is a strong track, and she does mighty well with it. Motown knew no fear when it came to taking their artists and plugging them into well-established musical genres not normally associated with the label. 

That banjo sure takes up some space during that next verse.

My one issue with the song? I think the lyrics fall apart more the further we get into the tale. By the 1:41 mark, I'm like... huh? What? Because it loses all its cadence, it loses its charm. 

Still, that chorus is a lot of fun. 

Again, the strings are a bit overwhelming in that chorus - different this time, but still competing. 

Big fart of a key change. And a bit unnecessary. It's not like the drama is heating up. And the backing vocals are as bad as the strings. It hits me as a little shrill. A little show-bizzy spoken word and we're in la-la lanad. 

I'm disappointed that they didn't break the whole thing down and just allow that Dixieland jazz band to rule the day. I would have had more fun listening to Ross, if they had. Namely, because I think Ross's voice and a clarinet would sound amazing wrapped around each other. 

No arguing, she's in fine form... but that arrangement is hella stacked with sound. That she is able to ride on top of all that? A testament to her talent.

Dottie West

I get it; this stuff is not everybody's cup of tea. But it is a part of musical history - in all its cheesy glory. 

That's a pretty intro. Very relaxed. Twangy, but sweet.

West's voice sounds very lived-in. And again, this is a much more relaxed tempo and sound, so it suits her. The banjo gets busy right away and I find the mix a bit flattened... there's no space, no air. 

I do like the way she leans into the syncopation of the piece. Very sly. 

And that chorus! I love those backing vocals. It sounds so big. And that fiddle weaving in and out is placed perfectly in the mix. Such a nice balance. And then West looms up and reclaims the song at the end of the chorus. Spot on. 

This works amazingly well as a country song.

I think she handles the lyrics better on the second verse than Ross. I also think I like the banjo a lot better in this version. It's very homey. I was raised on country music, so that could be why I feel that way. 

I also like the way they handle the key change. Yes, those backing vocals are getting a bit Up, Up With People - and this is starting to bring to mind Coca Cola commercials from the era, but... it feels so much more natural and organic. 

I can only imagine the sing-along this produced in concert. 

West sounds like she's having a ball. 

The Verdict

So, in Diana Ross' truly breathtaking catalog of songs, this one is a minor blip. Sort of an experiment. Not quite her thing. Not quite Motown's thing, either... and it shows. I'm not saying her version isn't a delight. I am saying - it doesn't feel natural. The fact that the arrangement is stacked to the ceiling with musical ideas only underscores just how insecure the label was in terms of these musical waters. Ross swims it with ease and grace - she always does, no matter what she's handed, she makes a silk purse out of it and a matching pair of heels!  

But this belongs to Dottie... and, no, this not the way I thought this would go, but upon listening, I can't deny this for her. She sounds at home. She sounds natural and a part of the mix. She's as home with the song as the whole thing feels homey. I could quibble with the mix - there is no air, but it's a minor complaint. 

If I approach it from a pure joy point of view, I'm going to listen to Dottie's version. Yes, that smile in Ross's voice never diminishes for a moment - but my ears have to wrestle with that over-the-top, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink arrangement to hear her. With Dottie's version?

It's just country sunshine!

--- ---

And that's enough of me.

Now, I know you diehard Ross fans are going to have issues with my conclusions. I understand. As you know, that diva holds a special place in my heart. But I truly have to judge this on musical merit, and sometimes that goes against my long held musical beliefs. 

Okay, your turn. You know what to do: leave your choice and thoughts in the comments section. You know I love to hear a differing opinion.

And that's all for now.

Until next time...

Thanks for reading... and listening!

Last Time I Saw Him - Dottie West

Last Time I Saw Him - Diana Ross