Customer Reviews

Chronicles (Long)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This review is based on the quality of the re-issue, not the material.

Based on the 2 previous reviews, I thought these CD's were remastered. THEY ARE NOT. The only thing new is the cover photo. I already have the individul CD's in this collection and the CD's in this set are exactly the same. All they did is re-package them. These CD's were mastered in 1990 and 1991. The sound is OK for that time, but they are in need of a real remaster. There are no new liner notes. The CD album inserts are exactly like the ones from the indiviual CD's. The sound is at a low level, the bass lacking and highs are tinny.

At least the full album version of Love to Love you baby is available on the Ultimate Collection CD and it IS remastered. Hopefully, they will eventually remaster these albums for the fans. So far, Bad Girs (Deluxe Edition) is Donna's only full album to be recently remastered.

`Chronicles' comprises Donna Summer's first three US albums remastered and boxed together in a long plastic case; `Love to love you baby', `A love trilogy' and `Four seasons of love' (see my individual reviews for these), and decently priced too.

Unlike `Bad girls' which was remastered (and released as `Bad girls deluxe edition) in 2003, this does not come with any extra tracks, remixes, liner notes or additional photos (except the lovely photo of Donna singing on the box). What you get are the original releases in stunning clarity. Listening to the songs on my iPod, I'm hearing details I didn't know was there 30 years ago.

For any Summer completist, it is a real treat to have the long version of `Try me' as well as the full version of `Could it be magic', `Wasted' `Come with me', `Summer fever', `Pandora's box', and every other track in stunning clarity. Also, for those buying these CDs for the first time, I would reccommend this.

Ok, 4 down (actually 5, Christmas Spirit has been remastered as `20th Century masters - The Christmas collection'), now I'm waiting for `I remember yesterday', `Once upon a time', `Live and more' (with ALL the photos, liner notes AND `McArthur Park Suite'), etc etc remastered.

I have been waiting for remastered versions of Donna Summer's classic albums...and here are three more (Bad Girls is already out!). Sound is amazing...to hear the full version of "Try me...." "Could it be magic", and All of Four Season of Love remastered really puts it all back in focus...THESE ARE GREAT ALBUMS!!!

Packaged like a box set, this compilation from Mercury contains
Love to Love You Baby, A Love Trilogy, and Four Seasons of Love -
the three albums Donna Summer released during 1975 and 1976.

The packaging is as cheap as it gets.
The plastic rungs are flimsy and can't hold the discs,
so the discs will slip out every time the set is handled.
The individual booklets for each album are included,
so you could put the discs in separate jewel cases,
but you'd be missing the tray cards for the spines & back covers.

Donna Summer's first three International albums are included in this box set. From her period as CASABLANCA records "First Lady Of Love"...

the groundbreaking 'Love To Love You Baby' with it's now legendary first side of moans groans and fake orgasms over a throbbing disco beat but if anyone who thought Summer couldnt sing when this album was released should listen to what was the vinyls side two: (Full of Emptiness, Pandora's Box and Whispering Waves were already back then a minor example of Summer's range).

A LOVE TRILOGY album with its hit single Could it be Magic and the absolutely awesome Try Me I know We can Make It Suite - which still to this day is absolutely awesome for dancing and chilling.

The FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE album with its seamless blending of the four seasons Spring Affair, Summer Fever, Autumn Changes and Winter Melody.

For me the pleasure is listening to these classic albums today which have hardly dated at all and acknowledging the musical genius of the SUMMER/MORODER/BELLOTTE team. A force to be reckoned with.

If you dont already have these three albums on CD then this boxed set is the perfect start. Would have earned an extra star if it had been remastered and included new liner notes.

I agree with one previous review posted by a Donna fan when he said that he was disappointed with this boxed set since it was not remastered. I give this set a 3 out of 5 because this set merely put together Donna's first 3 monumental US albums. It has a very beautiful Donna on the cover though. However, the sound quality of "A Love Triogy" was not improved and it pales in comparison to "Love to Love" and "Four Seasons." The only reason I wanted to own this set was because I hoped "A Love Trilogy" would be remastered for better sound quality since this was the Donna album which started it all for me. But when I listened to this set, the sound was not comparable to the other Donna CD I purchased ("Ultimate Collection" which had superior sound quality). I already have two (2) CD copies of "A Love Trilogy" in my collection but, sadly, both have poor sound quality and then this "Love Trilogy" CD in this set still has the same poor sound quality. May I request for a remastered version of "A Love Trilogy" and "Live and More"? Calling Casablanca...:-)

Well, I'll be short and sweet. This music has been in my collection from album format to 8 track to cassette and CD. NOW remastered CDs. There isn't a note or a breath that I didn't know. I THOUGHT! The clarity of these discs is AMAZING. It is stunning to sit and listen to this very very familiar music that dates back very nearly 30 years and hear new layers of sound, electronic effects, instruments, etc.

Anyone that is familiar and thinks that they don't NEED this addition to their collection is wrong. Anyone that is curious as to what the buzz is all about won't be disappointed.

Madonna Schmadonna - Moby Schmoby...THIS is the true birth and genesis of electronica!