Weekend Wax Bits

Donna Summer (1948-2012), disco's larger-than-life chanteuse who changed the genre's direction with recordings marked by soaring vocals, glamorous sexuality and a Euro-gospel delivery, died on May 17. She was 63.

Summer's recordings first began to take hold in clubs in 1976, when disco as a genre was still splintered and lacked a unified identity. Up until then, disco had been a hyperactive offshoot of black and white soul. But between Summer's cooing intensity and Giorgio Moroder's wedding-cake orchestral productions, disco's image and sound crystallized. From that point forward, disco would have a distinct, lush sound. [Pictured above, Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder]

Backed by elaborate string and horn arrangements, a sling-shot bass line, and a bouncing-ball beat, Summer took charge of songs but never overplayed her vocals, setting new standards that other disco divas found difficult to match. Her voice could be deceptive. Most people think of Summer as a brassy belter but, in fact, her delivery exhibited an unusual level of soul-chill and low-temperature sensuality, which managed to garner universal appeal. 

Though Summer's disco hits elevated her to stardom, they also made her something of a punchline for a music style that is still unfairly ridiculed. As a result, the music's perceived superficiality was unfairly hung around her neck, and for years she had to endure a stereotype that her own hits created. Summer's inability to gain a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame certainly has been a result of the judges' shortsighted ambivalence and a puzzling inability to take disco seriously.

Summer's finest album remains her first club sensation—Four Seasons of Love. The 1976 album predates her parade of familiar hits. Instead, the concept LP merely features four extended tracks (with a fifth that reprises the first) centering on a love affair over four seasons. This is Summer at her best and the way frequent club-goers remember her best during disco's Romanesque period—before Saturday Night Fever (1977) turned the genre into a rococo coming-of-age soundtrack for those with newly minted driver's permits. 

If you want to hear Summer at her best—before the "greatest hits" period—give a listen to Four Seasons of Love. You'll find it at iTunes and at Amazon here. And here's Summer in '77 singing (lip-synching) Spring Affair...

 

Jimmy Forrest radio. On Sunday, my boy "Symphony Sid" Gribetz climbs behind the mike to chatter and spin the studio platter during a five-hour special radio broadcast celebrating the career of tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest. Tune into New York's WKCR on your computer from anywhere in the world by going here. The show airs from 2 to 7 p.m. (EDT).

Lou Costello. Yes, I'm still on an Abbott and Costello kick. Here's Lou Costello on This Is Your Life in 1956...

 

Beach Boys. Ross Porter, CEO of JAZZ.FM91 in Toronto, sent along this one...

 

Satchmo at the Waldorf. Terry Teachout tells me that Shakespeare & Company’s production of his play, Satchmo at the Waldorf, starring John Douglas Thompson and directed by Gordon Edelstein, will transfer directly from Lenox, Mass., to Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Conn., opening the season there. Previews start on October 3 in New Haven. Opening night is October 10 and the show will run through November 4. Way to go, Terry! For more information and tickets, go here.

This Is Spinal Tap on jazz. Regal record promoter Dick LaPalm sent this one along...

 

Rare jazz books. One of my favorite virtual bookstores is Ted Hodgetts' Jazz First Books. He has a jaw-dropping collection of jazz books dating back decades. The covers alone will keep you spellbound.

Oddball album cover of the week. This early 12-inch compilation of singles for Plymouth by Hen Gates and His Gaters features genius art direction. "Gates," here, was a pseudonym for R&B saxophonist Freddie Mitchell. First, the front cover lists just four titles followed by "etc." while the back cover has no track listings at all. But perhaps the most visionary aspect of the cover's design is the use of instruments that would soon be left behind by electronic rock and roll.

Comments

[JukeboxAmericano]

Thanks for giving Donna Summer the credit she deserves, Marc. On her 1982 "Donna Summer" album, produced by Quincy Jones, she actually crossed paths with jazz, performing Billy Strayhorn's classic "Lush Life". The sax player is the great Ernie Watts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xJBpVgj0cw

The album also features guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Roy Bittan, Michael Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Dave Grusin ... a real all-star affair.

[Rab Hines]

Thanks for your tribute to Donna Summer. I always thought that her talent transcended the simplistic "disco" label. It would have been interesting to see where she might have gone if she wasn't pigeonholed that way.

Always interesting, Marc - thank you.

[Klaus Van L.]

The unparalleled Donna Summer, queen of a formerly misunderstood genre that's today still fresher than rock has ever been. Thank God times have changed, and I really appreciate how you nailed it, Marc, especially here at a jazz blog.

Klaus

[Jose Reyes]

All her albums were great Marc but from all I read about Donna Summer and her unfortunate death, it seems the "A Love Trilogy" album is never mentioned. This the "BEST" Disco album EVER!!! The "Once Upon A Time" Album is right there behind in second. This is my opinion, of course but also the opinion of many, many others.

A Love Trilogy: http://www.amazon.com/A-Love-Trilogy-Donna-Summer/dp/B000001F9N/ref=sr_1_13?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1337545450&sr=1-13

Once Upon A Time: http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Time-Donna-Summer/dp/B000001FEE/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1337545598&sr=1-7