New Donna Summer album coming soon...

[Boogie Child]

Amazon has audio samples for the new CD.

[A2Mark57]

Here's a video of "Stamp Your Feet":

Stamp Your Feet - Donna Summer - Videos | Myplay: Powered by Sony BMG

If you let the player run after "Stamp" has finished, it goes into a 6-minute promo for the album. Donna talks about the songs, and we get nice clips of four or five of them.

I'm obviously a big fan of Ms. Summer, but I don't think it's because of bias that I love what I hear in this video. Her voice is wonderful, and the songs sound fresh and fun. I really cannot wait to hear the album!

[ALBATROS]

I was (and still am), a big fan of Mrs. Summer... But as new material concerns, I would be conservative cautious regarding new "dance " tracks.
Nowadays there is hardly ANY new dance release which hasn't fall into trap of beiing in vogue or "trendy" concerning "production" of such music. Almost all dance oriented music - House etc. has this typical formulaic sound with lots of
ad nauseam repeated loops and so on . Why they don't let some old boys do the job? Tom Moulton anyone ? I hope that the REAL disco sound will come back and not this housed versions of anything.

[markydefad]

I probably shouldn't say this, as I've only listened to two samples--but the "songs" are very generic...minimal melody---just modern songwriting by rote...her voice sounds fab....but why, oh, why no Moroder/Bellotte participation???---not even on one tune???? They made LEGENDARY MUSIC THAT TOTALLY STANDS THE TEST OF TIME...but the record powers that be couldn't see the value of reuniting that team. So sad.

[EricHG23]

Originally Posted by markydefad

I probably shouldn't say this, as I've only listened to two samples--but the "songs" are very generic...minimal melody---just modern songwriting by rote...her voice sounds fab....but why, oh, why no Moroder/Bellotte participation???---not even on one tune???? They made LEGENDARY MUSIC THAT TOTALLY STANDS THE TEST OF TIME...but the record powers that be couldn't see the value of reuniting that team. So sad.

Well Pete Belotte is in retirement and basically hiding. Even in the 70s he refused to give interviews, and his involvement in the Moroder/Donna ouevre after 1977w as more a courtesy credit and a lot of help with Donna on the lyrics--not in the actual sound (Last Dance and most of Once Upon a Time were more the work of Bob Esty who probably deserved a co producing credit and Harold Faltemeyer served that role for Bad Girls and On the Radio).

That said Moroder himself doesn't seem too interested in doing more than a few songs. His last few songs with Donna Summer haven't held up to his classics though--I have a lot of affection for their 1992 team up Carry On, more recently in 2003 they did the mid tempo charmign song that's the Way it Is and then a big dance song with a classic slow opening, I Will Live For Love which frankly isn't... very good. I listen to it cuz it's Moroder and Donna but it would never get any modern radio or club play and it sounds like Moroder just lost interest. You can bet he was asked at one point to work on this project.

I also think it's smart of Donna to do an album that's not all dance and shows off different genres. A week after her Cyndi Lauper has an album done all with the biggest dance producers and while I'm interested for it the samples sound pretty cliched and not somethign that would have any mainstream desire.

Donna Summer did co write ALL these songs just as she co wrote, or in the case of some (Dim All the Lights solo wrote) most of her later hits with Moroder. I say give it a chance--and realize that part of the rason Moroder isn't involved is because he didn't want to me. (Sebastican Arocha Morton who produced I'm a Fire--the original best version--is a massive Moroder fan). Moroder's mor einterested now in working on his car designs and doign the odd prestige song like his current submission for the Chinese Olympics. I'm as massive a fan of Moroder as I am of Donna--which is pretty massive, but I just don't think his quality and especially sense of experimentation is what it used to be--and why should it be.

[discokicks]

I'm with Marky's sentiments on Summer's new album all the way. I listened to all of the album soundclips and feel anyone else's voice could have been placed on these songs and it wouldn't sound too different. Obviously, the charm of Donna's vocal comes from the material that she sings and just like the generic album that she put out 18 years ago, it has no distinctive appeal. There seems to be way too much emphasis on what will sell rather than what sounds good.

That charm was there when she released I Will Go With You in '99...it's sad that she and especially those around her couldn't realize that this is the true Donna Summer sound. They can Photoshop her image, distort and overproduce the music but we're still left with the woman starting her 60s and that angers me. Instead of embracing maturity, they hide the wrinkles and wisdom in order to sell.

In regards to Cyndi Lauper's album, I have to fully disagree with EricH's assessment. Lauper has done it right...she hasn't catered to the mainstream and younger tastes. The album is full of very dance-oriented material, catering to gay club tastes because that's where her heart is and where her fan-base lies. Perhaps she won't get on the radio but I have the feeling that Lauper doesn't care.

Streisand did it best in the mid-80s when she decided to quit the battle of catering to the mainstream. She knew that it was senseless to make music for a group of people where she had no relevance anymore not to mention the inner disturbance of creating music that she didn't feel personally. The soul of any artist is usually found in the beginning stages of their music career. That's what drew the attention...talent, expression and enthusiasm.

In the next few years when the plight of making recorded music to make money comes to an end, the thing we'll be left with is the artist who still puts out music because they needed to express and share. It will only be the true music fan that will offer money for their efforts.

[EricHG23]

Regardless I don't think Moroder is up to the task anymore.

I do like the direction of the Cyndi album--but it does seem a bit desperate--the way other artists have gone for the "pink pound" , as they call it in England, like when Sheila Easton did that dance album. I also, formt he samples, think Cyndi's voice doesn't suit the music as well as I hoped... But I reserve judgement till I'v eheard it all.

I dunno I think Donna's smaterial is very strong--I'm a Fire is her best dance song (the original version which has a killer retro "morning music" feel) in ages (perhaps since I Will go With You which was a massive flop sadly)

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by EricHG23

it does seem a bit desperate--the way other artists have gone for the "pink pound"

No surprise female artists do as it's well-known that the divas with the best longevity are the ones with the big gay followings. I presume that it's Donna's religious stance that prevents her from completely courting the pink pound (despite her huge gay fanbase)?

[A2Mark57]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

I presume that it's Donna's religious stance that prevents her from completely courting the pink pound (despite her huge gay fanbase)?

Donna was a headline performer at Gay Days in Orlando last June. I don't know what "completely courting the pink pound" entails, but I'd venture that giving a live and enthusiastic concert at one of the US' largest queer parties might be a part of it.

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by A2Mark57

I'd venture that giving a live and enthusiastic concert at one of the US' largest queer parties might be a part of it.

Good for her. Being enthusiastic at her age needs applauding.

[EricHG23]

I'm glad no one brought up "the rumour" with Donna and gays but it's true in the 80s at her most Born Again (and least appealing) she distanced herself froma lot of that. I see no signs of that anymore--she's really relaxed into herself, has done many gay charities and Gay Days, sings (albeit just bits) of Love to Love You again, at concerts says lines like "Most of you girls can relate to this and probably more than a few of you men too", one of her new songs on the CD The Queen is Back seems completely aimed at her gay audience ("I was your dear fairy godmother" is a line) as does in some ways the personal balladon it Be Myself Again which contains lyrics about getting lost while having to find her way but "you" sticking by her and now she can be herself again, etc.

The label itsels I think saw more of a chance for success if Donna did try different mainstream producers, etc, to work with and not just hot dance djs (many of which Donna has worked with already on one off songs anyway). And I think... Judging by all the early press, etc, they were right to.

BTW the international versions as well as the exclusive at Circuit City (which isn't here in Canada grrr) will have the bonus track It's Only Love which is another dance song.

[A2Mark57]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

Good for her. Being enthusiastic at her age needs applauding.

I'm afraid I don't understand the snarky comment. Please explain.

Are you implying that you can't get past the (ancient) gay media's "issue" about Donna and gays? Or are you just making a slam in very poor taste about people who are in their 50's?

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by A2Mark57

Are you implying that you can't get past the (ancient) gay media's "issue" about Donna and gays? Or are you just making a slam in very poor taste about people who are in their 50's?

I thought Donna was in her 60s. I wasn't being ageist seriously (if that's what you're implying), I was just trying to be humorous, sorry if I caused you offense. My partner is in his 50s so I've got absolutely nothing against people in this age group sweety, & I'm nearly there myself. Surely though, by calling the gay media 'ancient' you are being ageist too & possibly offensive (but not to me as I don't take offense easily). Please don't accuse me of things when your comments could also be seen as offensive & more than a little hypocritical.

[Cdnbob]

Well I've finally found a copy of "I'm A Fire" and had a listen to it and I have to say at first I thought, "oh ho hum" but as the song played on I began to like it more and more and by the end of song I was thinking it was very good. I like it. I really do. So based on this one song, I'm hoping the rest of the material is good too. Its good to see older established artist like Donna still recording and while she may not sell a million copies of the CD, I'm sure fans will buy it. The trouble with music nowadays is it caters far far too much on the under 30 market and whether its a carbon copy of what's already out there.

And while not related to Donna's new material someone earlier in this thread mentioned Barbra Streisand. Now this is someone who really needs to update their musical styles. Sadly Barbra's last several albums have been terrible - bland musak that still sounds like its stuck in that early 90's middle of the road blandness. Take for example her recent recollaboration with Barry Gibb. I picked up the album at a used CD store for about $8.99 and I have to say that this is one of her blandest albums of all time. I don't really think any of the material stands out and I'm sorry but Barry Gibb is still stuck in that 70's Bee Gees sound that is sooooo old. I realize Babs is rich beyond compare and doesn't need to record anymore, and I realize she's in her sixties now, but Babs honey, quit being so boring. He**, when my mother was in her 80's was more hip with music than Barbra is.

[A2Mark57]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

I thought Donna was in her 60s. I wasn't being ageist seriously (if that's what you're implying), I was just trying to be humorous, sorry if I caused you offense. My partner is in his 50s so I've got absolutely nothing against people in this age group sweety, & I'm nearly there myself. Surely though, by calling the gay media 'ancient' you are being ageist too & possibly offensive (but not to me as I don't take offense easily). Please don't accuse me of things when your comments could also be seen as offensive & more than a little hypocritical.

SandraDee, I apologize. I was defensive, I missed your humor, and I was rude to you. I am sincerely sorry for that.

I was suspicious that you were being ageist. I was in that mode, I suppose, partly because others on this thread have implied that Donna should stick to "age-appropriate" tunes... and partly because I've crossed the 5-0 line myself. [Donna was born on New Year's Eve 1958. So 50's/60's are both sort of correct.]

I wasn't accusing everyone in the gay media of being out of touch. What I referred to as being "ancient" were the rumors that Donna has rebuked her gay fans. That whole thing was over-blown. And that's why I pointed out earlier in this thread that Donna performed (enthusiastically) at Gay Days last summer.

Again, I'm sorry for jumping on you.

As Donna might say, Carry On.