The original "Disco Queen" Donna Summer is coming back in a big way this fall.She has a new book titled 'Ordinary Girl: The Journey' which is due on October 7.It's the complete story of her life and career.On September 20,she releases a hits compilation CD called 'The Journey: The Very Best Of Donna Summer'.Yeah,I know,big deal,right? There are already several Donna Summer compilations on the market.But,check this out...


This new compilation includes TWO NEW SONGS PRODUCED BY GIORGIO MORODER!!! Yes,Donna has reunited with her hitmaking producer of the 70s!!!


As if all that wasn't enough,there are two OTHER new Donna Summer songs that have "leaked out".One of them is called "Beautiful" and it is curently being played in clubs and can even be heard on a Boston radio station (Star 97.3).Another new song "I Got Your Love" was recently played on an episode of "Sex and The City".Could a new album be coming soon??
[This message was edited Mon Sep 1 13:27:32 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

sounds cool, I really liked that "Beautiful" song

Can't wait. They should put "Beautiful" on that hits CD though. Moroder again...I don't know. "Carry On" again?

This book has alot of surprises.Donna even reveals that Bobby Brown (Whitney's husband) is a distant relative of hers!! The book also comes with a bonus CD with songs from the musical "Ordinary Girl" that Donna's been working on for awhile.For more exclusive info,go to...


http://www.donna-tribute....promo2.htm


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[This message was edited Mon Aug 25 3:21:10 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

Donna's upcoming CD 'The Journey: The Very Best Of Donna Summer' will also be available as a limited edition 2-Cd set.This is the complete tracklist...


THE JOURNEY: THE VERY BEST OF DONNA SUMMER (limited edition 2-CD set)...

DISC 1---
"Love To Love You Baby" 3:22
"Could It Be Magic" 3:54
"I Feel Love" 3:46
"I Love You" 3:18
"Last Dance" 3:19
"MacArthur Park" 3:56
"Heaven Knows" 3:39
"Hot Stuff" 3:50
"Bad Girls" 3:57
"Dim All The Lights" 3:59
"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" with Barbra Streisand 4:49
"On The Radio" 4:05
"The Wanderer" 3:46
"Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)" 4:19
"State Of Independence" 4:25
"She Works Hard For The Money" 4:10
"This Time I Know It's For Real" 3:36
"I Will Go With You (Con Te Partiro)" 4:09
"That's The Way" 3:52 (NEW SONG PRODUCED BY GIORGIO MORODER)
"Dream-A-Lots Theme" 4:52 (NEW SONG PRODUCED BY GIORGIO MORODER)


DISC 2---(12 Inch Versions,this is not the complete tracklist)
"I Feel Love" 12"
"Hot Stuff" 12"
"She Works Hard For The Money" 12"
"This Time I Know It's For Real" 12"

yet ANOTHER greatest hits... gawd. just do a fucking album already.

perhaps the other 2 songs will be on disc 2?

AaronSuperior said:

That would be great,but somehow I doubt it.

AaronSuperior said:

I understand your frustration.There is SO MUCH unreleased Donna Summer music from the past few years.But she's apparently having a hard time getting it released.She signed with Sony in 1999 and began work on a new CD called 'Angel',which found her working with producers like Linda Perry,Nile Rodgers and others.But she was recently dropped by Sony,and the album may never get released.Here's a tentative tracklist...


Donna Summer 'Angel' CD (release date: never?)

"Angel"
"You're So Beautiful" (recently leaked)
"Rain On My Shoulders"
"Only Words"
"Work It"
"Tearin' Down The Berlin Wall"
"Til You Get It"
"I Got Your Love"
"Valley Of The Moon"
"Half The Battle"
"Not A Day"


In addition,since the mid-90s,she's been planning a Broadway musical called "Ordinary Girl".It's based on her own life and career.It was supposed to open several years ago,but it STILL has not materialized.Donna already completed the soundtrack and it remains in the vault.Here's the tentative tracklist...


Donna Summer 'Ordinary Girl' Soundtrack (release date: never?)

"No Ordinary Love Song"
"My Life"
"If There Is Music There"
"My Dream Is For You"
"Bitter End"
"Arms And Legs"
"Be Rich"
"Gotta Have A Dress"
"This Forbidden Fruit"
"I found A Star"
"Begin Again"
"Chairman Of The Board"




Considering all this,it's an insult for them to be giving us another greatest hits compilation,with only TWO new songs.


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[This message was edited Mon Sep 1 15:03:15 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

I remember her cool duet with Musical Youth Unconditionnal Love in 1984 I think, it's not even on the compilation
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jn2 said:

That song is actually from 1983


But yeah,this compilation is missing many other singles,such as...

"Spring Affair" (1976)
"Try Me,I Know We Can Make It" (1976)
"Walk Away" (1979)
"Cold Love" (1980)
"The Woman In Me" (1982)
"Unconditional Love" with the Musical Youth (1983)
"There Goes My Baby" (1984)
"Dinner With Gershwin" (1987)


Most of those songs made the Top 40,so it's puzzling why they're never included on her hits compilations.

DavidEye said:

they may've hit the top 40, but they aren't the seminal hits of her career, like the others on the set. you know, Take Me With U and Mountains and Money Don't Matter 2nite hit the top 40 too, but they're left off Prince's Hits 1&2 in favor of more impacting and memorable songs like Adore and Head

"State Of Independence" I remember this one Shablamidi, shablamida I borrowed it in the library in the 80s - the album was produced by Quincy and there was even a Springsteen's song on it "Protection"
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jn2 said:

Yes,it's from the 1982 self-titled album,produced by Quincy Jones.That's my favorite Donna album from the 80s.There are so many superb songs on that album...


***"Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)"---probably the only Donna Summer song that can truly be called funk.The arrangement is fast and fierce,forcing Donna to hang on for dear life...lol...and the chorus/hook is addictive.

***"The Woman In Me"---this gentle ballad is Donna at her best.It's a beautiful song.

***"Protection"---this feisty rocker was written by Bruce Springsteen and he's all over it...playing guitar and even chanting during the fade.It's easily the most convincing rock song that Donna has ever done,and should have been a single.A little trivia for you: this song was originally recorded as a duet between Donna and Bruce,but in the end,it was determined that their voices didn't really blend.Some more trivia: Bruce originally offered Donna the song "Cover Me",but his manager convinced him to keep it for himself and a few years later,it became a huge hit for Bruce (it appears on 'Born In The USA').

***"(If It) Hurts Just A Little"---with it's moody synthesizers and jazzy horn lines,this song sounds the most like a Quincy Jones song.It sounds like an outtake from 'The Dude'.A catchy funk jam,in the style of "Razzamatazz",this is another impressive cut from a very underrated album.

***"Love Is Just A Breath Away"---this EuroDisco track sounds alot like a Giorgio Moroder production.Hypnotic and moody,it's a sheer masterpiece.Donna sings her heart out!

AaronSuperior said:

Yeah,I see what you're saying.But wouldn't it be nice to have a compilation that features the "lesser" hits for once? It could be called something like 'Donna Summer's Almost-Hits"...lol...featuring these forgotten singles...


"Try Me,I Know We Can Make It" (1976)
"Spring Affair" (1976)
"Winter Melody" (1976)
"Can't We Just Sit Down (And Talk It Over)" (1977)
"Rumour Has It" (1977)
"Theme From The Deep" (1977)
"Sunset People" (1979)
"Walk Away" (1979)
"Cold Love" (1980)
"Who Do You Think You're Fooling" (1980)
"The Woman In Me" (1982)
"Unconditional Love" (1983)
"Love Has A Mind Of It's Own" (1983)
"There Goes My Baby" (1984)
"Supernatural Love" (1984)
"Dinner With Gershwin"(1987)
"Only The Fool Survives"(1987)
"Love's About To Change My Heart" (1989)
"When Love Cries" (1991)
"Work That Magic" (1991)



All of those songs were released as singles (a few,such as "Theme From the Deep" and "Sunset People",released as singles in Europe).I'd be more excited about a compilation like that,since there are already a ton of compilations featuring the well-known hits.

DavidEye said:

The best collection of Donna's songs so far has to "The Donna Summer Anthology", which was released one year before the somewhat popular "Endless Summer" CD, which this new hits CD looks a lot like (they all kind of look alike). While "The Anthology" probably is the best overall collection (it does have "Unconditional Love"), it also misses the mark by excluding hits like "The Woman In Me" in place of the lower charting "State Of Independence". Both are from the same album called "Donna Summer" even though it is the least Donna Summer album she has ever made...she only co-wrote one good song "Love Is Just A Breath Away" (and the lousy "Livin' In AMerica"). But I guess Aaron has a point about SOL being one of her memorable songs.

"Love is on the Control(Finger on the Trigger)" has always reminded me of a First Cousin to Michael Jackson's "PYT".Looking forward to Her Book.Very Prolific&More Gifted than She Ever gets Credit For IMHO.

To date, I have not purchased any of Donna Summer's compilations, primarily because they all fail to include what may be my favorite song of hers: her rendition of Brenda Russell's "Dinner With Gershwin" (1987). I grabbed it on MP3, and I have some of her old stuff on vinyl - that will have to do for now...

VinnyM27 said:

The 2-CD Anthology,released in 1993,is indeed the best overview of her career.All of the main hits are included,and there are also a few songs from the then-unreleased 'I'm A Rainbow' album (which was recorded in 1981 but rejected by Geffen).Curiously,this set contains the song "All Systems Go" instead of the only real hit from that album,"Dinner With Gershwin".


The 1982 'Donna Summer' album was a pivotal album for Donna.It was her first album that wasn't produced by Giorgio and Pete,and it was also her first real R&B album.It was a turning point for her.I don't consider it the "least " album she ever made,even though her creative input was limited.

todd305 said:

"Dinner With Gershwin" is a wonderful song and I am pissed that it never appears on her compilations.It reached the Top 10 on the R&B charts in the fall of 1987.You can find it on her 1987 album 'All Systems Go' which is,unfortunately, out of print.That album is a little uneven,but the track "Fascination" is incredible.It's a slow,sexy,breezy number that even jazz stations should have played.


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[This message was edited Sat Sep 6 13:02:57 PDT 2003 by DavidEye]

todd305 said:

I found one (out of the many import hits CDs she has) but its going to cost you! Someone is selling it for a good price used.

http://www.amazon.com/exe...ce&s=music

Not a bad mix of disco era hits (and "Love's Unkind", which I don't think was a hit anywhere) along with eighites favorites. It has all the SAW hits becuase I think it was released right after that album, and "Breakaway" might have been released as a single off this collection and not the actual "Another Place and Time"

I'm also upset that this track, an amazing pop/dance/lite R&B song, has never made it onto any (or very few) hits collections. The reason that "All Systems Go" made it on the Antology is becuase Donna has always liked that song (I've heard).

DavidEye said:

I just think it is the least "Donna Summer" Donna Summer CD and never should have been named after her. Wouldn't that be irony? Not only the lack of input (she used to co-write everything, not much mention come up with concepts for the albums, covers, etc) but she admits that she really wasn't into the album at all becuase she was preagent and felt her voice was off (it wasn't, juding by most of the album). While she didn't write anything on "Lady Of the Night", you could tell she was at least into it and sang it with a passion. Thus the least Donna Summer of all her CDs but not the worst.

DavidEye said:

That song was buried somewhere in my subconscious. I don't remember how it sounds at all, but I remember hearing it a few times and loving it to no end back then. Wouldn't have even remembered it til you brought it up.

VinnyM27 said:

Yeah,I see what you're saying.Did you know that,at an early stage,the album was tentatively titled 'The Woman In Me'?

Supernova said:

Maybe this will refresh your memory?



"Dinner With Gershwin"
(written by Brenda Russell,produced by Richard Perry)


I want to have Dinner With Gershwin
I want to watch Rembrandt sketch
I want to talk theory with Curie
Ooh...impossible I guess

I want to talk moves with Picasso
On a rendezvous
I want to fly double with Earhart
I want to get next to you
Ooh...next to you


(chorus)
So close
Just as close as I can get
the rain of your worry
Can't effect
What I feel is what I feel
One touch
Of your greatness
is what I need
My circle of fantasy
would be complete


I want to sing hymns with Mahalia
when the day is through
I want to tell you about it
I want to get next to you
Ooh...next to you


(chorus)
So close
just as close as I can get
the rain of your worry
Can't effect
What I feel is what I feel
One touch
of your greatness
is what I need
my circle of fantasy
would be complete


(repeat chorus)

I want to have Dinner With Gershwin
I want to watch Rembrandt sketch,yeah
I want to talk theory with Curie
I want to get next to you,next to you

There is a new MAJOR rumor circulating among Donna Summer fans.I WANNA get excited about it,but I'm gonna remain cautious for now.In recent years,we've heard so many rumors,mis-information and disappointments (the cancelled "Angel" CD,Donna being dropped by Sony,etc).So,I'm gonna take this info with a grain of salt.Here it is,posted by another fan on a fansite...


"We have heard from an insider at Universal Records that Donna has been signed to new record deal that includes a FULL STUDIO ALBUM PRODUCED BY GIORGIO MORODER.This album will be released on the newly re-formed Casablanca Records label...just like in the old days! Can't wait to see the familiar Oasis/Casbah logo on a brand-new Donna/Giorgio album!!!

Reportedly,the album is ready and could be released later this year,depending on how well "The Journey:The Very Best Of Donna Summer" and the book "Ordinary Girl:The Journey" do.The book's scheduled release date is October 7 and the CD will be on sale on September 30.The album reportedly includes the song "I Got Your Love" that was used recently on an episode of "Sex and the City"...this is an AWESOME song that has fans salivating for more new Donna!!!

Another project that has been considered is a Deluxe Edition of 'Live and More'.According to our source,sales for the 'Bad Girls Deluxe' are encouraging and could very well lead to a remastered,deluxe edition of this Donna Summer classic."

DavidEye said:

I have to be honesst and say that I don't love this idea. In fact, I don't know how thrilled I am about her working with Girogio on the two new tracks. "Carry On" wasn't a bad track but I don't think it was up to standards of the stuff she did with Hex Hector and others a few years ago ("Love Is the Healer", etc). I guess we'll really have to hear what it sounds like. And never underestimate Pete Bellotte, who actually produced "Love To Love You, Baby", "A Love Trilogy" and "Lady Of The Night" on his own. He did some great rock stuff with Donna (he wrote "Hot Stuff" with Forsey and someone other than Moroder but I guess we'll have to hear those new tracks. I would prefer to hear "Angel". Sounds like a tragic waste. "Beautiful" is amazing!

Just another reminder for Supernova, the beat kind of (only kind of) reminds me of Pebbles "Mercedes Boy" (pretty sure this one came first).

The album they really ought to feed into the Deluxe Edition ringer is Once Upon a Time.

ephender said:

YES!

The only problem is that they had such a problem finding anything rare "Bad Girls" related so I think it will be impossible to find any rare stuff for "Once Upon A Time" beucase it was her 2nd (well, 2nd and 3rd, it was two LPs) album of 1977. In other words, they wouldn't be a chance of any demos from the Summer/Moroder/Bellotte team who were already infamous for not making demos! Plus it never really had any hit or memorable singles. "I Love You" is on my least favorite side of the album (I think most people would agree those songs were great but not has hot as the other stuff like "Now I Need You", "If You Got It, Flaunt It", "Faster and Faster To Nowhere",etc). "Rumour Has It" is a highlight though. Kind of funky and R&Bish for Donna. However, I heard that the electronic songs were released as a promo with slighly different keyboard and/or drum arrangement(s). Other than that, what would the 2nd disc be made of? I don't see it happening.

I could just talk for hours about Donna!