Donna Summer [Geffen]

Performer: Donna Summer
Artist: Bruce Springsteen; Michael Jackson; James Ingram; Michael Sembello; Brenda Russell; Stevie Wonder; Dionne Warwick
Engineer: Bruce Swedien
Producer: Quincy Jones
Distributor: (Independently by Label)

Notes: Personnel includes: Donna Summer (vocals); Michael Sembello, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Lukather (guitar); Jerry Hey, Ernie Watts (horns); Steve Porcaro (synthesizers); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); James Ingram, Howard Hewitt, Christopher Cross, Michael Jackson, Peggy Lipton, Quincy Jones, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Lionel Richie, Brenda Russell, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder (background vocals). The follow-up to Donna Summer's first big Geffen album did reasonably well and proved to be the lull before the storm. "State of Independence" just missed being a hit, and "Woman In Me" cracked the pop and R&B Top 40, although it wasn't a smash. But the album mostly reaffirmed that Summer was back in stride and hadn't merely scored a fluke with her previous release. ~ Ron Wynn Funny how perspective changes things. Two albums were released in 1982, both produced by Quincy Jones and featuring largely the same session musicians. Both feature duets with rock superstars and rampant style shifting that veers from cool disco pulses to loud rock & roll guitars to show tune-like ballads. Both feature some of the most inspired singing of their creators' careers. But Michael Jackson's THRILLER became the biggest-selling album of all time and DONNA SUMMER was a relative commercial flop which got some pretty scathingly negative reviews. Funny thing is, the albums are so similar that it's hard to explain the discrepancy. While there's no "Billie Jean" here, Summer's vocals and Jones's tight arrangements work well together, and even the unexpected touches like the impressive duet with Bruce Springsteen on "Protection" sound just fine. There's no explaining actress Dyan Cannon's backing vocal credits, though.

Rolling Stone - 3 Stars

One of the most talented artists of the disco era, Donna Summer first found success by teaming with producer Giorgio Moroder and developing a highly sexualized, hooky dance sound highlighted by percolating electronics and moaning, sensual vocals. An incredible run of hit singles established Summer as a genuine 1970s icon (an image she has unfortunately found it difficult to shake), and she later expanded her sound to encompass straight R&B and pop.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.5