New Donna Summer album coming soon...

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Originally Posted by Boogie Child

Then, left to her own devices, "Mistaken Identity" was the follow-up and her most maligned effort (even by fans who would rave if she sang the phone book).

Ummm... That would be me. And I had no problem with that LP. But that's not why I stuck my head into the room...

I'll save judgement on the "Crayons" LP, for after I've had a couple months to digest the contents.

Unfortunately, "within the relm of our increasingly imperfect memories", those of us who were around for the start of Donna's success tend to forget that, within the genre of Disco, her LPs were completely different from each other. And, not until after "Once Upon A Time", were the changes immediately accepted.

For example: When "4 Seasons" came out, the general community was like "Where's the follow-up to Try Me, Could It Be Magic, or Come With Me?" Likewise with "I Remember Yesterday" and no trace of another "Spring Affair", or "Summer Fever". I remember DJ's (myself included) having a very hard time readily programming anything off of "I Remember Yesterday". Like it or not, that's how it was. (Keep in mind that "I Feel Love" was the throw-away track, b-side of the LP's first 7" single, the balled, "Can't We Just Sit Down", and an accidental hit. The LP would never have gone as far, without it.) "Once Upon A Time" was a gigantic leap forward, as well. But without side 4's "Rumour Has It / I Love You", The other 3 sides, simply would not have done as well as they did. Not until "Bad Girls" (on the heels of "Last Dance" & "MacArthur's Park Suite"...remember, no complete LP for over a year, in 1978) did she have an out-of-the-box smash hit.

Yes... The Oasis / Casablanca recordings were all "Disco", but that was the "sound" of the times. And, within the sound of the times, Giorgio, Pete & Donna managed to constantly update their approach. ("The Wanderer" was exactly what it was supposed to be... an 80's record! Had there been any remix versions, the LP would have gone much further. But there weren't. So it didn't. I remember trying to program that LP. It was impossible! But that didn't make it a "bad" LP.) So, why should anyone demand Donna record a "Disco" LP today? We didn't ask her to be repetitive then. We didn't want her to. Why should we, now? It's 2008. Not 1978. I love the music of my generation as much, if not more than, anyone. But I'd never deny one of my contemporaries (especially, one that is held in such high esteem, as people say they do, on this site) the chance to stay relevant.

Now... Let me tidy-up a couple things I've read, that are just plain wrong...

My Hot Tracks work on the SAW LP got me introduced to Donna's SouthEast US promotions director. Who then, introduced me to Donna and Bruce. Then, I did production and promotion work for Bruce's Purple Heart Recording label, from 1990 thru 1992. What I have to say comes directly from them.

The decision not to go with SAW for a 2nd LP was NOT Donna's. It was Atlantic Records' decision to go with "Mistaken Identity". Everyone at PWL assumed there'd be a follow-up. Atlantic was not a Dance music label. It was a Rock label. They decided to have Donna do a record geared to the US market. Obviously a mistake. It wasn't a Dance LP. But that didn't make it a "bad" LP.

The weakest LP, or rather, the one with the least direction, was "Cats Without Claws". The Geffen years produced (for the most part) forgettable recordings, due to David Geffen. Not Donna. (For reasons that belong in another thread.) And that's why her career dipped. Sorry guys... It wasn't because Gays stopped buying her records. It was because everyone stopped buying her records. (Though, how quickly people forget / ignore the Quincy Jones LP and "Hard for The Money". 80's releases that could hardly be considered unsuccessful.)

Donna was never "Born Again". (I despise that reference with a passion!) You have to lose Faith to regain it. She's always had the same spiritual faith and beliefs. From the 60's, right up to today. She's a Christian. Not an Evangelical, nor a Fundamentalist. No matter how much it makes for good press to insinuate she is.

The "Adam & Steve" comment never happened! I even got up the nerve to ask Bruce about it and he said to me..."Of course she didn't say it. Do you really think that, even if she DID feel that way, that Donna would commit career-suicide like that?" Even Paul Jabara publicly came to her defense, in print! But that fact was conveniently pushed aside. Again... It just makes for better press to continue the rumour.

And... Back to the "Crayons" LP... I'm heartbroken that she's not coming to South Florida with the show. Her last tour started in Spring of 2007, in Fort Lauderdale. And she ended it, at the same theater, in February of 2008. I've missed only 1 Donna concert within a 50-mile radius of my location, since 1976! (I was at Roseland, NYC for the "First Lady Of Love" show for the "Try Me..." LP. And at the little supper-club in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, when she tested out "Last Dance",for the first time, on an audience in 1977. Every Donna concert holds a unique memory. Like Miami Beach, in '97, when my friends grabbed my feet, just in time to keep me from falling completely over the balcony, during the encore of "Last Dance".) And I'm surprised at the locations for the "Crayons" premier tour. Although, she doesn't need to promote it, here. It'll sell cause it's "Donna"!

I've loved Donna as an Artist, and an Entertainer. Not, simply, as a "Disco" singer. And yeah...if she sang the phonebook, I'd be clamoring for a promo copy! After all, I have her singing "Happy Birthday" on my answering machine. And she sounded pretty damn good doing it, too.

[Mr.Ree]

Originally Posted by Disco Kicks

Brooklyn Sudano.




Brooklyn Sudano.


Amanda Sudano.

Some pictures of her daughters cant find a picture of Mimi I am afraid.

strooooooooooooooooong family resemblance!

[EricHG23]

Great post! It's great how you mention that each Donna Summer album took some by surprise when it came out during the late 70s heydays. Every so often I have an argument with someone who thinks that Donna's 70s records owed very little to her and more to Moroder, Bellote and their team (including Bob Esty's huge role with Once Upon a Time and Faltemeyer's with Bad Girls). I'm a HUGE fan of Moroder's work especially between 75-85 (less so Belotte's solo work but that's another discussion) and his productions for everyone during that time. But I think it's no exageration that with Donna working with him--helping writing, performing, whatever, she formed a sort of X factor where their work was all at its best. You don't see the progression you see between Love Trilogy and I Remember Yesterday with Roberta Kelly's first two albums (which were modelled on the early Donna Summer disco album format), to pick but one example. For a variety of reasons the albums that leaped a huge step forward each time were the ones for Donna.

Also Moroder DID do 2 or 3 dance/club remixes of Wanderer tracks--they're notoriously among fans in Donna's pretty large "vault"--but Geffen wanted to try to cut all ties with that side and refused to release them. I hope if this new album si even the minor success I think it will be we start to see some more of these rarities (including the stuff she recorded with Metro in 2000 for the never realized Sony album).

Stephen said: " So, why should anyone demand Donna record a "Disco" LP today? We didn't ask her to be repetitive then. We didn't want her to. Why should we, now? It's 2008. Not 1978. I love the music of my generation as much, if not more than, anyone. But I'd never deny one of my contemporaries (especially, one that is held in such high esteem, as people say they do, on this site) the chance to stay relevant. "

SPOT on. You said, better than I've been able to, exactly what I wanted to.

"The decision not to go with SAW for a 2nd LP was NOT Donna's. It was Atlantic Records' decision to go with "Mistaken Identity". Everyone at PWL assumed there'd be a follow-up. Atlantic was not a Dance music label. It was a Rock label. They decided to have Donna do a record geared to the US market. Obviously a mistake. It wasn't a Dance LP. But that didn't make it a "bad" LP."

Interesting, and this fits with what else I've heard. On a PWL radio either Mike Stock or Pete Waterman mentioned that Happenign All Over Again was written for Donna (a Lonnie Gordon print interview corobarates this, she also claims If I Have to Stand Alone, the followup which sounds very Donna was as well) which is a shame as it woulda been ideal for Donna and taken her in a slightly more clubby direction than APAT. Donna herself returned to PWL in the mid 90s to record some of her demos for her unproduced musical Ordinary Girl, including My Life, with the people at PWL at the time, post SAW, like Gary Miller (who then went on to Metro--all these places are so inbred *grin* ). Apparantly she was shocked that Stock and Aitken were no longer there and knew nothing about them trying to get a hold of her before... So that makes sense.

I actually like Cats Without Claws much more than her other Omartian album, She Works Hard. She Works Hard has the title track, and the great final ballad I Do Believe and Tokyo is ok but the rest is too overt for me. He's a Rebel, Woman, etc all actually feellike they're preaching. Elsewhere her relgiious songs have been much more subtle (even the great track from Cats, I'm Free), but I find much of She Works Hard embarassing and unpleasant to listen to.

The album many dislike or even just forget about that i have a soft spot for is All Systems Go, the one done with Harold Faltemeyer. There's some oddness surrounding that album too though... At the time it was said that Donna was returning to Moroder (this was around the time Moroder has been quoted as sayin git was frustrating because Donna woudl turn down every song he wrote due to subject matter, etc) but that Moroder was too busy so it went to Faltemeyer. I don't buy that--Moroder was huge with his film work, etc, at the time, but too busy for his star? no way. Either way it's a nice low key album--I liek all of Faltemeyer's work and Fascination is one of her best forgotten ballads (Faltemeyer's synth work on it is breathtaking). A part of me wishes she woulda done a real club stormer on it though like Faltemeyer did the year before for EG Daily with Love in the Shadows but then again subject matter anyway that wasn't Donna's thing at the time.

One thing I love about what I've heard of Crayons--like the pretty sexual Fire is that Donna has returned to singing about some of these themse--with class of course (just like she's recently started singing more of her suggestive songs live including short bits of Love to Love You--further signs of her becoming more comfortable and loosening up). The lyrics of It's Only Love as well (I still can't get over the boneheaded decision to include this only as a bonus on certain editions... I can already see it being a huge club smash).

I hate to mention Donna's faith but there ARE some early 80s interviews, one is on youtube where she does talk about born again and seems to consider herself it. Regardless she did get more into faith around 1980 and suddenly the thanks to God became the most prominent thank yous in the liner notes. I have no problem with that--her 80s shows liek the televised Hot Summer concert do feel kinda restrained and, odd... I think for her mental health immersing herslef more in church again did wonders for her but i'm glad since the 80s she seems to have relaxed in herself more and to be truly comfortable.

About the AIDS thing--I'm 28 so don't even remember the controversy and when I first was told it by an older gay man who, when I got into Donna hardcore as a teenager decided to lecture me on why "we" shouldnt' support her, I was shocked. I agree with all you have to say--now I always just point people who mention it, in this direction: The FINAL word on "the rumor" (I've heard the easy to find demo Donna did of Paul's song We're Gonna Win which is gorgeous and apparantly wasn't recorded at her LABEL's insistance, not Donna's)

I will say what really upsets me is, while Donna may have had different views on gays, or whatever for a time, we have NEVER had anything negative said or shown in print, on tv, or anything concrete. On the other hand there are people BELOVED by gays who have SAID in print homophobic stuff and it's NEVER mentioned anymore (one example, Shirley Bassey went to the premier of Sunday Bloody Sunday in the early 70s and was so "disgusted" by the gay kiss she told reporters she had to leave the theatre and run to the bathroom and couldn't return. Gloria Gaynor and some other disco queens come to mind as well). I'm NOT saying we should fault or punish or not support these women--I think it's a complex issue, and people change and say stupid things, I'm just saying it drives me crazy how this still haunts Donna but seems ignored for others.

One positive I do have for the whole Crayons project is PureTone now manage her (as they do many Burgundy artists). Donna's family means so much to her but in the past, post Casablanca, I believe many mistakes in her career (including her not working with PWL in 1991) were due to the people she has managing her. Now she finally seems to have people aggressively working to get her record known, book her new places, etc, and it's wonderful as a fan to see the faith they show in her.

Stephen I don't post on here much and didn't realize how connecte dyou've been with Donna's music from spinning it for ages, and seeing her, meeting her, working with her. It's great to be able to read your thoughts (and here I thought you were just a hot picture :P ) and I'd love to hear more of your memories of her live shows. I always wish I had been born before 1980--long before--so I coulda seen some of her 70s shows, but I'm very excited to see her for the first time this Aug. It's too bad she's not coming to S Florida this time around but I think it's pretty great she's coming to many areas she hasn't for AGES--and selling VERY well (the Hollywood Bowl shows ARE being filmed for DVD as well). I hope it doesn't sound like I'm trying to correct or argue any of your information--Donna, Moroder, etc have been obssessions and loves of mine for a long time but you obviously lived through all this in a way I never coulda or did so feel free to argue anything I said :)

[Boogie Child]

Miami Herald - Friday, May 16th

DONNA SUMMER
Crayons
Burgundy/Sony
* ½
Donna Summer hasn't released a studio album in 17 years, and to find her last truly exceptional full album you would have to reach all the way back to 1980's The Wanderer.
Since then, her old disco hits have been compiled and re-compiled on countless best-ofs, with the occasional new song or two added as incentives. But those stray tracks -- Love is the Healer, I will go with You (Con te partiro) and Melody of Love -- were of such high quality the prospect of a new Summer disc tantalized fans.
Beware of high hopes, though. Crayons (in stores Tuesday) is a crushing disappointment. Summer's understandably leery of doing disco again for fear of coasting on old glories and not exhibiting growth. But at 59, she also sounds desperate for a hit by using the producers behind younger acts Rihanna, Pink, Sean Kingston and Ciara. She does so at the expense of her own superior style.
She's rendered generic, buried in cheap-sounding, machine-driven beats on plasticized, forgettable dance/urban pop tracks like the single, Stamp Your Feet, the title track (a duet with Ziggy Marley) and the formulaic Brazilian pastiche, Drivin' Down Brazil.
The minor highlights include the electronic I'm a Fire, which has already given Summer the distinction of having a Billboard No. 1 Club Play hit in every decade since the '70s. Fame (The Game), a cautionary yet trite tale on surviving show business, aims for some of Hot Stuff's rock bite but, like the rest of Crayons, falls short.
Pod Picks:Fame (The Game), I'm a Fire.

-- HOWARD COHEN

[Cdnbob]

Just thought I'd mention I was watching MUCH Music - Canada's music video station - briefly this morning and in their on-screen scrolling news album was mention that Donna Summer was releasing a new album this month.

[EricHG23]

That's the first bad review I've read out of about a half dozen so far (some which I admit I thought sounded a bit too positive) but I guess it's good to see the flipside.

[RobbaDobba]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ree

strooooooooooooooooong family resemblance!

Are you sure that top pic is Brooklyn? Doesn't look like the second one underneath it to me.

In fact, it looks remarkably like Beyonce...

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by RobbaDobba

Are you sure that top pic is Brooklyn? Doesn't look like the second one underneath it to me.

In fact, it looks remarkably like Beyonce...

my thoughts exactly....I was gonna say something everytime I saw that...but just never did.

That's Beyonce, guys!!!!!!

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by markydefad

my thoughts exactly....I was gonna say something everytime I saw that...but just never did.

That's Beyonce, guys!!!!!!

Miss Bootylicious herself~!!!
No Doubt

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Originally Posted by Boogie Child

Miami Herald - Friday, May 16th

DONNA SUMMER
Crayons
Burgundy/Sony
* ½
Donna Summer hasn't released a studio album in 17 years, and to find her last truly exceptional full album you would have to reach all the way back to 1980's The Wanderer.

With an opening line like that, you know to ignore the rest.

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN L FREEMAN

With an opening line like that, you know to ignore the rest.

lol Stephen..
I know that's right~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[neonlights]

I have to say, I can't wait for this album! I'm glad she's working with new producers and original material. Having heard some of it, even though she does seem to be pushing it a little bit sometimes (Mr. Music), I'd take this over "Donna Summer does the American Songbook" any day. Who says you can't release a strong pop album at (nearly) 60? A refreshing change from the recent trend of veteran artists releasing cover albums, IMO.

For the record: so far, I think the two tracks produced by Sebastian Arocha Morton ("I'm A Fire," "It's Only Love") seem to bring out the best in her.. It's feels like the bridge between the sounds/aesthetics of today and the classic Donna of "I Feel Love" and "Love To Love You..".. By that, I mean that it brings out that understated sexiness in her voice that really hasn't been captured since her Moroder/Bellotte days. Can't wait to see her in Vancouver this summer! (hey Eric! :) )

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Staying in the Present... I'd like to wish all the best, to those of you who'll be seeing Donna, for the first time. Last year's Tour was her best and grandest show, in about 25 years. And the tour's final performance, (the night after my 49th birthday) was a night of sheer joy! From the brilliant Overture's opening chords of MacArthur's Park, through the "My Man" medley (reprised from the "Live & More" Tour), and the always spectacular Grand Finale of "Last Dance",

And there I was, with my Husband of 8 years, back at the front of the stage-right balcony (This time, with both feet, firmly on the ground!), dancing with my love, as Donna seemed to serenaded us with "Last Dance". Being the jaded, old Disco Dinosaur that I am, she can still make me feel like I'm 17, all over again. Always leaving me with tears of joy in my eyes and wanting more.

I know the upcoming Concerts will concentrate on the new material. But go in with an open mind. And let the phenomenon that is Donna Summer, truly entertain you.

[Boogie Child]

Personaly, I thought that the "Endless Summer" tour was the best and her love letter to the fans. I will never forget the "Spring Affair/Summer Fever" medley in the Marilyn Dress. Memory may serve me wrong, but I think that she sang the "My Man Medley" that night. All of it was a dream come true.

[EricHG23]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN L FREEMAN

With an opening line like that, you know to ignore the rest.

The main prob with the review is he approaches it with the biase that it should be an album made up of "I Will Go With You" type songs which it isn't and never tried to be. I'm all for honesty and obviously nto every critic is gonna like it but it seems an unfair basis for a review of a new record.

neon agreed on Morton's productions he's a big Moroder fan (Are you going to the Friday or Saturday show in Van? PM me ;) )

Stephen thanks for the well wishes on the show! (I heard last year she also did a Once Upon a Time/I Love You medley which would be heaven to me being my fave of her albums) I'm truly excited. I suspect she'll only do 3-4 songs from Crayons actually although I wouldn't mind more--I knwo DOnna's excited to sing more new material. I hope the new songs replace some of the covers (and by covers I don't mean Mac Park) she's been adding to her concerts lately and not some of the old classics though.