Okay. Here it is. A link to hear snippets of each track on "Crayons". And, man, there is indeed a variety of musical colors to hear (smile). But that's our Donna. That chameleon voice! Not to be pigeon holed into one musical genre. I can't wait to hear them all in their full length and via great sound quality treble and bass. Gotta have great headphones for that (smile, once more).
Click on the Donna Summer banner. I personally think it's an okay mix. The original release that's currently on Itunes and Amazon.com is much better to me. I am expecting better when more remixes are released soon. Have a great day!
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The Dj Escape remix of "Stamp Your Feet" can also be heard on Dj Escape's myspace page. If it doesn't automatically play, you can press play on his player which is located below his contact information.
Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers out there. It's 8:32 a.m. where I am. Thank goodness I didn't stay up last night to hear more full track previews from Donna's amazing and versatile cd, Crayons. The online radio that did this last week did it again last night. Or should I say, this morning (smile). They played more tracks. So sorry I did not hear it, but here are a few comments from fans who actually stayed up for this long waited event:
"Well, at the risk of falling asleep, I'll continue watching a DVD episode of Melrose Place. However, given that it's the Season One DVD. . .I'll probably be knocked unconscious from boredom in the next five minutes."
"No -stay awake-I had to get up at 5.30 for this..."
"If anyone thought Donna signing to Burgundy meant half-assed, budget productions and a dated sound, Fame (The Game) will change that idea! She can't be any more up-to-date than that. The lyrics and vocals and music--LOVE IT!"
"Crayons is amazing! Let's see any other artist pull off something that different, frantic, and fun and get a result like that. Instantly infectious and great contrast in her vocal deliveries between the reggae-like delivery and the full-on diva shouts. LOVE THIS TRACK!"
"Fame sounds definitely to be a bonafide rock-tinged song..."
"It's Only Love is a (insert profanity ending in -ing) eargasm!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"I LOVE IT'S ONLY LOVE!!! Very I Feel Love in terms of mood--but with great verses instead of an endless chorus. And that sexy, soft breathing that has only recently been on display on When Love Cries and before that not since the 70's. . .She's doing it again! I think all the US fans will be tracking down this import version to get this. What a killer track. For me, this is the 2008 follow-up/successor to I Feel Love. I can see this becoming a classic on the danceflooor and being emulated in the future. The "take me down to the land of a thousand dances" bridge? Absolutely killer. She had to have had the best time in her career letting loose like this. Everything has just been audio perfection and THIS is unbelievably good. A perfect way to close an album."
(In regards to the song, It's Only Love) - "You know Moby is going to die when he hears this—a totally I Feel Love vibe."
"I'm glad Donna went in this direction instead. Nothing on Crayons has disappointed so far and what I've heard really has blown away the expectations I had in my head when she signed to this dinky little label that felt like it's slogan should be, "Where once hot singers come to record cover albums." This has all the signs of a Grammy-winning album and she's about to deliver what I think will be a career-defining CD."
"FAME THE GAME was really great with a surprising bridge, but you're also gonna love It's Only Love, this is every dj's wet dream..."
Here are more comments from the May 3rd airplay preview of Donna's Crayons cd. I didn't post any last week, so I'm going to add them to this bunch:
"The DJ just confirmed he's going to be playing Crayons tracks we haven't heard before. He played "Stamp Your Feet" first and then got an email from someone saying they loved it. To which he replied that he thinks it's one of the weaker songs from the album, and if you loved that, you're really going to love the other songs he's going to play"
"Ha, the DJ just said that listeners are saying Madonna's fallen well short of Donna Summer with her new album. And he said he agrees, he thinks M's album is ok but not the trend-setting stuff she's known for, and that Donna's been much more adventurous with Crayons (not to mention Donna's voice is infinitely superior, my comment, not his)"
"Like The Queen Is Back, she should perform it as the opener of her concert, quite autobiographical"
"'People are screaming that they want their Diva'--How great does The Queen Is Back sound in full? It brought a big grin to my face."
"The Queen is Back is the first track we haven't heard--and it was SO good. There are more coming. . .stay tuned in! (It's 2:22 here. Me thinks I'll be sleeping in very late tomorrow.)"
"(Insert profanity ending in -ing) hell! Be Myself Again-I,m nearly in tears-how brilliant is that-so moving-an all time favourite-it reminds me of Kate Bush,s "A coral room". She has taken my breath away."
"Be Myself Again! What a perfect voice. Beautiful, meaningful lyrics, really gutsy and throaty. Very emotional reading. Great!"
"Be Myself Again...Haunting, raw, stirring, dark and atmospheric. Wow..."
"Driving Down Brasil! THIS is why Burgundy was so wrong to think it was time for Donna to do a covers album. We've never heard her like this. What an artist. This is so catchy and sophisticated. The breaks, the ad libs, the delivery. The woman must have LOVED recording this album. She sounds free like she only did on--sorry folks--Mistaken Identity. She never sounded this liberated before. THIS is going to be an amazing CD!"
"God! I have to get up early next week to hear further tracks. Driving Down Brazil-how smokey is that voice-she really is in the zone."
"The critics are going to love this album. This is the Donna we always knew could be. Mature, classy pop-soul, like a female Stevie Wonder."
"Driving Down Brazil...Funky, sexy, fresh. Can I say this? (Insert profanity ending in -ing) LOve THis SONG!!!!!!"
"Mark my words, she will get a few grammies for this album. LOVEEEEEE Be Myself Again"
"This is going to be a really intelligent,mature album-none of the youngsters could make an album like this.When I think of all the people I wanted her to work with-Pet shop boys,moby etc-I,m glad now that she didnt-it wouldnt have sounded like this-this is really original."
"Be myself again is a terrific ballad, which such great lyrics and deep emotions that I can truly understand Burgundy when throwing away their first idea of a covers album. On another topic, the song as it is could perfectly bear a 4-on-the-floor treatment... if anyone is bold enough, LOL. And I think I can confirm that one of my favourite songs in the album will be 'Driving down Brazil'. Great melody, great arrangements, great voice... This album is going to be a hit, at least, between us fans."
"Don't think a lot of remixers would dare to remix "be myself again" WOW!!!!!!! i'm in love with donna's artistry again. That woman really is a songwriter."
"What struck me as the most surprising is the music itself. "Be Myself" has such a haunting soundscape—more than just piano. I didn't get on in time to hear "Queen." From what everyone says, it's a scorcher. Brazil is so rich with texture. It struck me as being SO fresh and actually, danceable. It will take multiple listenings just to take it all in. All in all, you just have to have a ton of new-found respect for Donna. This is a gutsy turn in a whole new phase of her artistry."
"The Queen Is Back was amazing. It has HIT all over it!"
"Its so great to hear Donna using all her different vocal stylings. I am glad that its not all dance and not a covers album. BRAND NEW SONGS!"
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In light of Donna's versatile cd relase of Crayons, here is a quote from Donna from back in 1979, I believe. A great quote that describes her:
"I don't have to be considered a rock & roll star to sing rock & roll. I don't have to be considered anything. I am a singer. And, yes, I am a rock & roll singer. I sang classical music in my life. I've have done jazz. Yes, I've done gospel music. I've done it all. But it's like categorizing a painter at some point. Just because he paints a chair doesn't make him just a still life painter."
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Okay. First, think of the Donna Summer you know and love. That is, if you're a fan and you know and love her (smile). Now, for those of you who are not a following fan like myself and others, think of the Donna Summer songs you'v heard. Let's see, Last Dance, She Works Hard For The Money, Bad Girls, Hot Stuff, Love To Love You Baby, etc. Now, go to the link below and discover why we love this female vocalist so dearly. Her artistry, versatility, and vocals are to be admired. Compare the songs of her past to what she will be releasing this Tuesday (May 20th) on Crayons. I love all of the tracks. At this link, you can hear ALL tracks completely. Certain cds, if not all, will have the bonus track, It's Only Love. It, however, is not at this link. I'm sure the quality will be much clear on the actual cd, but it's not bad via the link on VH1's The Leak. There's a "play all tracks" link to the right of the player below the photo section. Enjoy! It's okay if you become a fan. You're in great company (smile).
All hail the queen! Donna Summer has broken the curse. For far too long, record companies have lazily saddled established artists -- black female singers, in particular -- with "covers" projects. Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Patti Austin, Deniece Williams, Gladys Knight, Miki Howard, Patti LaBelle, and Vanessa Williams have all released albums comprised of well-known songs already emblazoned in the minds of listeners by other artists (or their younger selves, in the case of Warwick). While some efforts certainly succeed more than others, the trend bespeaks a lack of creativity from record labels. These artists are more than worthy of original material.
When Donna Summer was approached by Burgundy Records to record an album, she declined the inevitable "standards"-type project they suggested. Instead, Summer played a song for executives that she co-wrote with Lester Mendez and Wayne Hector, the haunting "Be Myself Again." Based on that one song, Burgundy decided that an entire album of Summer's compositions would be a more interesting and creative enterprise than yet another "American Songbook" album.
Crayons is particularly special since Donna Summer hasn't released an album of original material since 1991, the sorely under-promoted Mistaken Identity. Club singles, a concert album, a Christmas album, soundtrack themes, and scores of new compilations have kept Summer visible in the market since then but none have truly captured the excitement and mystery that a new album delivers. Crayons single-handedly obliterates that nearly 20-year gap - it's that good.
Not only does Crayons remind listeners about the thrill of discovering a brand new song, it's among the very best albums of Summer's four-decade career. Like Four Seasons of Love (1976), I Remember Yesterday (1977), Once Upon a Time (1977), Bad Girls (1979), and The Wanderer (1980), a theme encapsulates Crayons. The diversity of styles on the album is like a box of different colored crayons. From the spicy samba of "Drivin' Down Brazil" to the bayou twang of "Slide Over Backwards," the album emphasizes Summer's versatility as a singer and songwriter. Always one to take a creative risk, she successfully weaves together the disparate styles.
Crayons opens with the anthemic "Stamp Your Feet." The song highlights the various contours and textures of Donna Summer's voice while furnishing one of the more fierce grooves on the album. Even before Summer utters an actual word, her trademark timbre beckons. "Whoa-oah/Hey-yea-eah," she intones. Her voice is like a fine wine; its body grows more rich and full with time.
Summer enlisted songwriters Greg Kurstin (Pink, Lily Allen) and Danielle Brisebois (Natasha Bedingfield, New Radicals) for "Stamp Your Feet" and two stylistically adventurous outings, the title track and "Drivin' Down Brazil." The former features an infectious reggae-derived rhythm, which bounces underneath the refrain, "We're crayons melting in the sunshine." With a guest appearance by Ziggy Marley, "Crayons" is an exuberant celebration of different cultures, standing as a unique addition to Summer's repertoire. Long beloved in Brazil, Donna Summer returns the adoration with "Drivin' Down Brazil," a story about a sharp-dressed man who literally drives down to Brazil to see his girlfriend. The music of Antonio Carlos Jobim accompanies his journey in a low-ride Bonneville. "Drivin' Down Brazil" is carried by a sumptuous samba and adds yet another vivid hue to the kaleidoscope of colors on Crayons.
As the first artist to win the Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female Grammy in 1980 ("Hot Stuff"), rock music is never far from Summer's palette. A pair of tracks co-written and produced by Toby Gad (Fergie, Elisabeth Withers) are distinctly rock driven. "Science of Love" is a masterful production. It could even be a hit single if radio wasn't so monopolized by 20-somethings. Gad's meaty power chords and jagged rhythms amplify the lyrics while Summer's strident vocals signify friction as she fights the law of attraction. "Fame (The Game)" takes the rock edge even further. In a clipped, emotionless tone, Summer compellingly explores the superficial, frenetic, and vacuous nature of fame, updating themes David Bowie sang about in 1974 for the 21st century.
Fame nearly cost Summer her life in the 1970s, which she documented in her autobiography, Ordinary Girl (2003). Its overwhelming force swept Summer's identity underneath the "First Lady of Love" image created by Casablanca Records. On "Be Myself Again," Summer examines the chasm between the true self and the image that's projected when fame takes holds of a person. "Had I known what I lost/what I gained/what it cost/I'd still give what remains/to be myself again," she sings over a stark piano arrangement. It's a chilling sentiment that lingers long after the song ends.
Donna Summer explores the inner life of a character named "Hattie Mae Blanche DuBois" on "Slide Over Backwards." Singing in a rough and raspy croak, Summer literally becomes the character. Steel guitar and harmonica set the story in New Orleans as "Hattie Mae" tells how she raised herself and lived on po' boys (Louisiana's version of a submarine sandwich). "Slide Over Backwards" might catch some listeners off guard at first but they'd be wise to give it a chance. It's a winsome and winning performance by Summer, chock full of intriguing sonic details.
Elsewhere on Crayons, Donna Summer serves up a dreamy, acoustic-based tune ("Sand on My Feet"), a throbbing, Latin-infused dance-floor jam ("I'm a Fire"), a poignant prayer for Darfur ("Bring Down the Reign"), and a pair of cuts co-written by Evan Bogart, the son of Casablanca Records founder (and Summer's mentor) Neil Bogart. Perhaps more than any other album in Donna Summer's career, Crayons exemplifies the breathtaking range of her songwriting and singing.
Donna Summer deserves a vociferous round of applause for staying true to her artistry on Crayons. Her first album of new material in 17 years honors her legacy while unveiling other facets of her creativity. Hopefully other artists will take Summer's lead and petition to record original material since audiences are hungry for fresh and innovative sounds. For now, listeners should immerse themselves in the Crayons experience and hear a queen at play in her kingdom.
Stamp Your Feet remixes are now available. I'm sure Amazon.com has them. Another site, perfectbeat.com, has them as well as the I'm A Fire mixes, which were it's top seller for weeks.
Found another quote from a fan site. I liked it, so here it is...
"Played the album for a friend today and she was amazed that a 60 year old woman could sound so good and contemporary. Also was amazed that she also co-wrote the songs. What 60 year old knows about this kind of music? She mentioned how she must really be a true artist including painting. Did I ever feel her in! She will be getting the album for herself and her kids."
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NEW YORK, May 17 (Reuters) - Donna Summer was dubbed "The Queen of Disco" after a series of hit singles in the 1970s: now the singer pokes fun at that title in a new song included in her first studio album in 17 years.
After raising three daughters, Grammy-winning Summer, who will turn 60 on New Year's Eve, returned to the studio to record "Crayons," which has a song titled "The Queen is Back."
"It's just kind of poking fun at the fact that this queen image has prevailed for so long," Summer, whose hits include "Hot Stuff" and "She Works Hard for the Money," said ahead of the album's release on Tuesday.
"It's having fun with it and saying I was out of the picture for a while but she's back," said Summer, who says on an Internet page she has sold more than 130 million albums.
Summer's career was crowned with five Grammy awards including best rock female vocal performance and best dance recording. She co-wrote all 12 songs on her new album.
"It's a box of crayons. Each crayon has a different stroke of color and each layer brings with it its own identity," she said. "Every song is designed to be a single."
But while Summer's album is hitting a market dominated by singers who "could be my daughters," she says she doesn't feel any competitive pressure.
"I don't compete with my own daughters, I encourage them," Summer said. "I don't think I need to restake my claim as such ... Whatever I get at this point in the game is all icing on the cake." (Editing by Alan Elsner)
It's a Donna Summer weekend on the online radio show at KTU.com, The Beat of New York City (103.5 fm). Listen and win Donna Summer tickets and a chance to go to the Donna Summer release party for the new cd, Crayons. The link can be found here:
Here's my own personal review of the new Donna Summer cd, "Crayons". If you've told yourself, "I'm not buying a Donna Summer cd. Disco is dead! I don't like disco!", then you might want to think again. This ain't no disco cd. Yes, it can be considered a dance cd, but not disco dancing (smile). If you've told yourself, "I only like Donna Summer when she's doing disco music then you should go to Itunes or Amazon and purchase the #1 club single, "I'm A Fire". That's the closest thing to disco that you're gonna get on "Crayons". You might also want to go to Circuitcity.com and purchase the exclusive "Crayons" cd with the bonus track "It's Only Love" on it. That is even closer to disco or dance if that's what you're expecting form the 2008 Donna Summer. I've added the link at the end of this post. "Crayons" is not your typical Donna Summer collection of songs if you're stuck in the 1970's. It's 2008, people!!! There's something for everybody in this box of crayons, so let's see which track might suit you. I've categorized them musically according to my own perespective:
1. Stamp Your Feet - This is an upbeat stadium thumping song. At first, I didn't want to think Donna was singing, "Make a big a** sound", but it looks like that's what she might be singing. And I still say might because I'm still not 100% sure. Billboard magazine seems to think that's what she's saying. Oh well. It's not the end of my world. I dont' curse, so thus my reaction. If you liked Gwen Stefanie's "Holla Back Girl" then you might like this song and its beat. Reviewers seem to compare "Stamp Your Feet" to that song. It is a different song, but is comparable to "Holla Back Girl". This is a song for those who prefer positive and inspirational lyrics with an upbeat, feel good beat. (pop/dance)
2. Mr. Music - Upon first listen of this track, I was not liking it too much. That was because it sounds like a very simplistic song with lots of lyrics that a pre-teen girl or gay boy would find enjoyable. No substance to it. That's at first listen. Once I put this song on my ears and turned it up both on and off my ears, I began to fall in love with this track. I was bound to because, it's true, I love music!! This is a song about loving music and I do. No substance needed. On the Donna Summer EPK, Donna mentioned that she would see Ipod ads everywhere and she eventually wanted to write a song about how those ads made her feel. "Mr. Music" is the result of seeing so many Ipod advertisements. It's a simple song about a simple subject: loving music. If you love music, you will love letting everybody know it by blasting this track. Another feel good recording from Summer. Apple may do well to consider this track in their tv/radio Ipod advertisements. (pop/dance)
3. Crayons - This could have easily been a Rihanna song, but thank goodness it was not. Donna Summer proves she can contribute to today's sound and share a simple yet important message at the same time. You can find meaning even in a simple word like crayons. "We're crayons melting in the sunshine. I color your world and you color mine" That's what life's all about, isn't it? Loving one another, teaching one another, acknowledging our similarities and differences and still co-existing together like a box full of crayons that are the same yet different. This is one of my favorite tracks on the cd. Probably because it sounds like today's music more so than any other Donna Summer song released by her since the year 2000. And, yes, she's released some songs between the year 2000 and 2007 (smile). I also love Ziggy Marley's guest appearance and his color analogies with our humanity and our planet. The beat has a great pop feel to it and it had better be release as a single. Hehehe!!! (pop)
4. The Queen Is Back - Fans have already suggested that Donna should debut on stage with this song as her first song during a concert. Donna says she's poking fun at herself with this song since the title of Queen of Disco has lingered with her for this long. The vocals are awesome and strong. The beat is mid tempo and quite the sound that an r&b station would play. And that's saying a lot since Donna is more often categorized as a pop artist than an r&b artist. Hey, music should be judged by how it sounds and not by the color of the artist's skin. Agreed? I mean, just because an artist may be black, should they automatically be categorized in the r&b category? Probably not. I've gotten off of topic (smile). There are great background vocals on this track also. If you're a true Donna fan, you will appreciate the autobiographical lyrical content as well. This might be the shortest track on the cd, but during its playback, you might find yourself dancing in honor of the Queen and her ability to poke fun at herself. No doubt, this will be a hit in gay clubs and women will be referring to themeselves as queens while performing in front of their friends, family, loved ones, or their mirrors. As one of the lines of the song says, "Look in the mirror and you wanna be her", I'm sure many will be being her in one way or another. I definitely can hear this song pounding at all kinds of club. Gotta love the CNN type intro preluding the breaking news that the queen is back! (smile). (pop/r&b/dance)
5. Fame (The Game) - I've seen some sites replace this song with another one called "Run With It". Not sure where that song went or if it will be a bonus somewhere, but I don't think it was chosen to be on the cd. At any rate, "Fame (The Game)" is an awesome add to this collection. If you like rock music, this song rocks!! It can be a challenge to understand what some of the lyrics are since Summer's delivery is fast paced, but you can decipher if you have headphones on and you listen carefully and stop dancing (smile). For some, this reminds them of a David Bowie track. Was it called "Fame" also? Hmmm. Bowie has been known for hearing Donna's "I Feel Love" or was it "Hot Stuff" and saying, "This is the sound (or voice) of the future!". Ofcourse, this was back in the 70's. "Fame (The Game)" takes you on the journey of what it's like when fame has infiltrated your world. And Donna should know. I love the "blah, blah, blah" line. Summer's vocals are, again, strong. Some reviews have called them unrecognizeable. That's a good thing since Donna Summer likes to approach a song as an actress approaches her script. Remember 1980's song "The Wanderer"? I had no clue that was Donna. I thought it was a man. That's how good she is and she still is that good at 59 years old. Notice at the end of the song where the celebrity is considered to look fantastic. The paparazzi line is also a great add as well. Fame is indeed a game. I hope you play it all summer long. On your sound system that is. (pop/rock)
6. Sand On My Feet - In general, I'm not a ballad fan. Don't get me wrong, though, I do like some ballads. My music library, however, consists of mostly dance and pop and rock songs. Nevertheless, I do own some ballads and "Sand On My Feet" is a very good love song. Any female artist today could be heard singing it, but it is yet another track that showcases Donna's vocal approach to a song. Her character? A girl in love. I see her as being away from her lover and writing him or her a love letter sharing her feelings. A first love? Maybe. Just now recognizing that she's in love? Possibly. Whatever the case, Summer delivers a great pop ballad that anyone could relate to. Especially those who love to have sand on their feet and love to think of their sweetheart when the sand goes between their toes because it feels good to them. (pop/easy)
7. Drivin' Down Brazil - Another great color from Donna's cd box. For those who love another kind of dancing besides club dancing, "Drivin' Down Brazil" offers a salsa infuenced beat with a very catchy chorus. I found myself singing this song and "Fame (The Game) yesterday while I was out shopping. That means it's catchy (smile). Isn't it amazing how people can have an experience and then write a song about it? Listen to Summer's vocal delivery here. You can tell she gets into whatever song scene she's in and tries to win that Oscar. LOL. No matter what road you're driving down, put your window down, let the wind blow in your hair (if you have any), and blast this track. (pop/latin)
8. I'm A Fire - It would seem that this cd version has some added vocals that otherwise were not available on the previous released versions, but it's pretty much the same. The solitaire club mix seems to be the most popular remix, but this original roca sound version delivers great as well. It is the most upbeat track (bpm) on "Crayons" (with the exception of the bonus track) and, as always, the vocals are awesome. When I think of hearing Donna's voice on the radio among todays artists, I think "fresh" and "incomparable". Donna wanted to write a song about her inner passion and not losing it. Whether it's passion for sex or music or other passions she may have, you can hear her playfulness on "I'm A Fire". All kinds of influences going on on this track both musically and vocally. Love the Craig C remix which features Donna throwing in some great spanish lyrics. She speaks more than english, you know (smile). You'll have to buy that version elsewhere. (pop/latin/dance/world)
9. Slide Over Backwards - The audio previews for this track left me wondering what this song is about. After hearing the whole song, my take is that its'a about learning from others. In this case, Donna's character named Hattie Mae Blanche Dubois. I have no idea what that's about or if Hattie is an acutal person Donna was inspired by. There's even an image of a woman whose face you can't see inside the cd jacket who is supposedly this character. Maybe it's Donna manifesting her vocal characters onto her cd art. Whatever the case may be, "Slide Over Backwards" offers listeners a chance to get a blues, New Orleans sound out of the Queen of Disco who is not limited to a disco box. If you've read some of the reviews of "Crayons", you will find that some of the critics love Donna when she's doing disco/dance, but if she's not doing that, they don't like it so much. I guess Simon Cowell would love her in that case (smile). Am I the only one who gets bored with a singer doing the same thing over and over? "Slive Over" is Donna Summer at her creative best. Great message, great song. "Slide over backwards, let me ride". Translation (from my view): Tell me about what you've been through that might teach me in my life as I experience my own life experiences. Who couldn't learn from that? Eating po boys? Who hasn't? Okay, some of us haven't. This song is for those who love music of all kinds and the creative juices that an artist might squeeze out in their work. If "Crayons" were a strictly ballad cd or even an all blues effort, I think critics would love it. However, some people in the music business have always had an issue with not being able to define an artist. If you do all r&b, all pop, all dance, or all rock, it's okay and they know where to put you. If you do all genres and don't limit yourself to just one, some music people in the business don't like it so much. It's probably more about them and their inability to place the aritst in one genre than it is about the singer and their music. "Crayons" offers many genres from one artist. If one track is released then place it in the appropriate genre format on radio and award categories. It's that simple. If you like blues and character driven lyrics, "Slide Over Backwards" is your track. Nowadays, you can just by the one track you like (smile). "Slide Over Backwards" seems to make some listeners think of Tina Turner and/or Macy Gray. Tina, I get. Macy, I don't get. (blues)
10. Science Of Love - This is pop/rock made easy. Great track and the vocals are the bomb. I'm probably always going to say that about Donna Summer. Blondie described Donna's voice as a powerhouse. Enough said. This track is radio ready in every way. Any song on the cd could be. The question is would radio play it? I've only heard online radio play Donna's latest singles. That just leaves a big question mark in my head about one of music's greatest vocal talents and radios treatment of her.(pop/rock)
11. Be Myself Again - Here is the second of three ballads on "Crayons". Of them all, this is my favorite. "Be Myself Again" seems to be Donna singing to her fans and those in the music business. As I've said before, it's an emotional song. Very little instruments and a lot of voice and feeling. One fan posted being brought to tears. When you've followed the career of someone like Donna Summer, I can understand tears being brought to your eyes by her personal, heartfelt lyrics. I believe this track to be the anthem of many celebrities out in the world today who play the fame game, but who have not been able to say how they feel. Absolutely outstanding track. If you don't like Donna Summer doing ballads, you might be won over with this one. (easy/pop)
12. Bring Down The Reign - This is a prayer in song for Darfur, Sudan. The more I hear it, the more I like it. Despite it's intent, it is the track I like least on the cd. That doesn't mean I don't like it. It just falls to #13 on my best to worst list of "Crayons" tracks. Donna's cds usually have some kind of song of this nature on them. It's part of her, I think. If you know anything about Darfur, this song may touch you more so than it does others. It's a great addition to the cd and shows another side of Donna's heart. Her character on this track: a fellow human who cares for others. What has she done? I don't know. That's between her and God. (spiritual/world)
13. It's Only Love (Circuit City Bonus Track) - This is the track some think should have been on all cd relases of "Crayons". It's pure Donna Summer. Well, the Donna Summer some of you are used to hearing. It, like "I'm A Fire", is, I believe, over 7 minutes long. So, you can get lost in your love for music and Donna Summer for about 3 more extra minutes than radio might allow you to (smile). The question would be why it was not an absolute additon to "Crayons"? My guess would be that Donna is known for songs like "It's Only Love". She wanted to move forward a bit. She likes to do that. You can personally put her in a disco box, but she ain't gonna stay there just to make you happy! Okay!!!!!!? (smile) (dance)
It's almost Monday, May 20th. Make sure you go buy your "Crayons" this week. If not the whole box, atleast one of the musical crayolas. If I had to suggest which ones to buy separately from the box, I would suggest the following since, for me, they stand out most:
- Stamp Your Feet - Crayons - The Queen Is Back - Drivin' Down Brazil - I'm A Fire - Slide Over Backwards - Science Of Love - Be Myself Aain - Fame (The Game) - It's Only Love (if available) - Bring Down The Reign
That's pretty much the entire cd, so you can go ahead and get the entire cd or mp3 release on Itunes or Amazon.com. Donna Summer is a living legend. If you don't own an entire Donna cd collection of songs, this would be the time to start and then slide over backwards and get her previously released cds/mp3 releases. If you want suggestions on which tracks or collections to buy to suit your tastes, feel free to let me know. I would be happy to inform you (smile). God bless.
"Crayons" the cd is dedicated to Donna Summer fans, per the cd liner notes. And we have been waiting for years, have we not? (smile) Thank you, Donna. Some have given up on you. Others have not. God bless you.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: leecappella,
Here's an exciting tribute piece on Donna Summer from popmatters.com. Over 20 artists, songwriters, and produces explain why they love to love Donna Summer. One of them, Hex Hector, describes being more star struck with Donna Summer than with Madonna. You also get a little feedback about some of her previous cd releases. There are 3 pages. Summer fever is upon us (smile):
