Customer Reviews

Live & More

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was the first Donna Summer album I acquired back in '78; The music, while a faint-bit dated, has aged quite well. For anyone who purchases the c.d. release will be greatly disappointed by the deletion of MacArthur Park Suite. It is ironic since MacArthur Park was Summer's FIRST #1 single to hit the U.S. pop chart and fans would buy the double album for that 18 minute track/suite(the "More" part of the album)! True, the lyrics which were once performed previously by Actor Richard Harris back in the 60's, are either cryptic or corny (or both)to some. Yet, Summer's cover version was tastefully done with colorful orchestra/symphonic intstruments and electric guitars; This sounded pretty good without having a tacky symphonic,synthesized disco-feel of the era. Also, her vocals were astounding. Donna can sing any corny lyrics and yet put a lot of passion and depth behind them (sing-the-phone-book theory). The only way to complete the Live and More c.d. is to purchase another Summer compilation entitled The Dance Collection which will contain the original full length MacArthur Park Suite as originally released on the double record album. Otherwise, the c.d release has a track from a 1977 movie-thriller called The Deep (Deep, Deep, Down Inside). I think Ms. Summer probably cringes as well when remembering doing this campy disco-tune for the soundtrack. The vocals sound as though they were coming out of a megaphone or old victrola.

The second deletion is the original photo cover as released on the album of Donna's famous headshot as she is holding the microphone with her head tilted back and eyes closed. Now, I realize why some music collectors miss the original album releases from back in the days of vinyl; The c.d. s are convenient, but the l.p.s had great artwork, photos and other cover details not re-issued on c.d.s !

As for the Live side, side one borrows heavily from her Once Upon A Time album tracks; The live tracks and vocals are actually better sounding and more dramatic since she drops her studio falsetto and has an actual live crowd applauding and cheering as each new track begins. The only slight drawback, as one previous reviewer stated, is that the speed or tempo is a little rushed for the first 6 tracks. I remember thinking that maybe the pitch on the turntable was incorrect.

Aside from the technical negatives, this is the definitive beginner's Donna Summer album for even young or new listener's. Remember, she was here before Maria or Whitney !

With the deletion of MacArthur Park Suite, a 17 minute masterpiece, this CD is not worth purchasing. If you can get a hold of the original vinyl 2lp set you'll know what I mean. Why would any record company remove the gem of this release? Just think - someone consciously made that decision.

RJM

OK OK, first things first, the CD of Live and More DOES NOT contain the MacArthur Park Suite, AND the cover shot is not the famous picture of Donna with the moon in the background.

HOWEVER, the full MacArthur Park Suite is featured on a number of other CD's (The Dance Collection, The Casablanca Records Story), and the famous cover shot is used on the newer compilation The Journey.

That said................................

Live and More as released just as Donna was coming off the spin of her mega hit Last Dance, and she was finally starting to be taken as they multi talented artist that she is. For whatever reason the music community still seemed to feel that Disco was a producers genre, and the singers were only puppets.

With Live and More, Donna showed the world she can deliver the goods. Her early hits are here (Try Me.., Love To Love You, I Feel Love and Spring Affair), a 5 songs run from her then new album Once Upon A Time is also featured. However it was her depature from Disco that really made this release shine.
The My Man Medley, combining, The Man I Love, I Got It Bad, and Some of These Days, showed her diversity, and remains a concert favorite to this day. Her cover of The Way We Were, showed how she could custom any song to her unique vocal range, and as you can tell from the crowds reaction she was well on her way to Pop Superstardom with Last Dance.

The crown of this excellent live set to me is Mimi's Song. To many Donna was the Queen of Disco, but to her her most important role was Mommy, and while you can easily get the impression from some stars that their children are almost window dressing, Donna made it clear where her priorities were, and gave us a great ballad in the process.

On this CD release the "& More" side is the Theme from the Movie The Deep, (Down Deep Inside), this track was produced by John Barry, and was one of the few Casablanca era works not produced by Giorgio or Pete.

Having owned the original vinyl album, this CD is missing the all important 18 minute studio recording of the "MacArthur Park Suite".

Even though there is a disclaimer in fine print on the inside jacket explaining why the "Suite" had to be removed and replaced with a numbing slow-tempo track, the record company was wrong in releasing this CD with the original jacket cover from the vinyl. Without opening the jewel box plastic wrapping, one would never know why the original live and studio recorded tracks were not faithfully reproduced.

However, in my opinion, this CD contains the greatest live disco recording ever: on a scale similar to Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive" 1976 album.

If this CD was a true reproduction of the vinyl, I would have rated it 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this disc because it contains songs not available elsewhere. I really liked the first side of the second disc of the original vinyl album, which begins at track 10 here. As to the rushed pace a previous reviewer noted, I think that what you are hearing is Donna's dislike of performing these songs at that time. I remember going to see her in concert in the summer of 1979 and she was on stage all of 40 minutes or so. Each song was stripped down to about 2 and a half minutes (as on this recording). The tempos were increased and verses were omitted. I remember being happy that I went to the concert anyway but disappointed that it was so brief.

As others have pointed out, this cd edition omits the long version of "MacArthur Park" (available elsewhere on cd) and instead includes "Theme From the Deep", which I don't believe is available elsewhere. While I ordinarily don't like such alterations, it is nice to have both songs available on cd, and any Donna fan will probably have another disc with the full length "MacArthur Park" anyway.

It's been such a long time ago (I think about 1979 or so) that I bought this first Donna Summer album. Only two songs (MacArthur Park and Last Dance) had been in my head for months, not knowing who the superb singer was. Even not knowing that both songs were from the same singer!! (wasn't I silly??). But ok. I was young and innocent :-)) I had some singles from other artists and I saw this album (in vinyl) at a local soul record store. I discovered those two songs that I loved so much! And I saw the cover (wonderful pictures of Francesco Scavullo) Donna Summer and I was hooked. I saved four weeks pocketmoney and finally at home I was infected by 'Summer fever'. Not only I heard superb live recordings of an amazing singer, the orchestra was lavish and huge, the crowd excited and the rythm irrisistable. It was the kick off for me to buy more Donna Summer, to buy ALL Donna Summer. So you can imagine what an impact this album had on me. It's a historic and dance masterpiece. Even more classic and historic because it's live! Not many artists in the disco era had the same impact live as in the studio! Donna Summer rules here! With fierce power and speed she sings through a lot of her disco classics and some fine ballads. Even bluesy tunes. Highlights are Faster and Faster, Spring Affair, I Love You, My Man Medley, Try Me, I Know We Can Make It, Love To Love You Baby (have you ever heard another artist so convincingly erotic?) and I Feel Love. It demonstrates again that Donna was not only a gifted singer, but also one with range! Missing on de cd version of this album is the full length MacArthur Park Suite (including songs Heaven Knows, One of a Kind), replaced by the long version of Down Deep Inside. And of course the whole coverdesign and art, but that's common for compact discs :-) For me this was the entrance too the whole range of Donna Summer recordings. Do you need more impact and persuation? I do not think so :-)

The opening piano chords of `Once upon a time' and the crowd's rapturous welcome open up this masterpiece `Live and more', arguably one of the best live albums ever.

The energy captured on this album is infectious, and the quality of the recording very good, much like a studio recording. It put paid to critics who claimed Donna Summer was a producer's creation and a studio-only singer who could not reproduce her music convincingly live.

Boy, were they wrong! This was Summer's first #1 album in the US (certified double platinum), and (from the original vinyl LP) her first US #1 single in `McArthur Park' (certified gold for sales of a million, and a Grammy nomination for best pop song) and a #4 hit in `Heaven knows' (gold disc for sales of a million).

The concert featured lots of songs from her classic `Once upon a time' album; `Once upon a time', `Fairy tale high', `Faster and faster', `Rumour has it', and `I love you'.

Also featured were songs from `I remember yesterday'; `I remember yesterday', `Love's unkind' and a very energetic performance of `I feel love' during which the band is introduced, after which it takes a sort of gospel chant of `Feel it'.

`Spring affair', `Try me', and `Love to love you baby' were also performed, as was her recent smash the dramatic `Last dance' which was a #3 gold certified million seller, Grammy winner (best R&B female) and Oscar winner. This song would become her signature tune in years to come.

There was a segment dedicated to jazz standards, `My man medley' comprising `The man I love', `I got it bad and that aint good', and `Some of these days', showing how easily and well she could adapt to different styles.

There were a few ballads; Barbra Streisand's `The way we were', and the new songs she co-penned; the retro sounding jazz tinged `Only one man', and the tender yet emotional and powerful `Mimi's song' written for her daughter Mimi who was on stage for her mother to sing it to her. It was an attempt to explain to Mimi why mommy wasn't always there, with lyrics like `I made a spectacle of myself/and it seems that the whole world needs me', and we sure did need her!

This CD replaces the fantastic `McArthur Park suite' with the extended version of her UK top 5 hit `Down deep inside' which was the theme from the movie `The Deep'. Penned by Summer and John Barry, this was a mid tempo atmospheric sounding number interspersed with moans, piano, and sweeping strings.

`McArthur Park Suite' comprised the psychedelic disco hit `McArthur Park', arguably one of Summer's best and widest ranging vocal performances, featuring darting horns and great electric guitar, the funky horn laden `One of a kind' with great electric guitar and hand claps, and the bouncy `Heaven knows' (a duet with Joe Esposito of Brooklyn Dreams), the latter two co penned by Summer. Presently, McArthur Park Suite' is available on `The dance collection' and `Bad Girls Deluxe edition'.

The original album sleeve photos were stunning, taken by the legendary Francesco Scavullo and perfectly captured the energy, fire, colours and beauty of Summer's music. Unfortunately, only two were reproduced here, and not even the original cover shot was used.

This CD should be re-mastered and re-released, probably as a deluxe set a-la `Bad girls' with ALL the original album photos and liner notes included. A DVD of the concert wouldn't be out of place too, would it?

"Why don't you follow me on my magical, mystical journey through time and love!" So says the Diva, as she segues from "Once Upon A Time, Fairy Tale High" and into "Spring Affair" (then proceeds to sing all her early hits up to that time)on this great live CD. Summer lives up to her proclamation above and beyond belief. This is Donna's first "live recording," and is no less than remarkable. She proves beyond any reasonable doubt that she "can sing!" And boy does she! Just listen to her sing "I Love You." All her hits "Love to Love You, Try Me.., I Feel Love" etc. etc. live and on stage are seamless and ageless (even today.) Her voice has got the power, range and subtlety (with that great dramatic quality) when needed. She not only tackles her disco hits but also conquers some "standards" (My Man Medley: The Man I Love, I Got It Bad & Some Of These Days) and they are performed impeccably. Most noticeable is her torching rendition of "The Way We Were," this is a vocal triumph for Summer and she makes the song her own!! Then, the touching "Mimi's Song" which is a lovely, bittersweet homage to her daughter, whom she hardly saw due to Summer's superstardom at the time. All in all, this is a MUST have for any Summer fan. The live recordings end appropriately enough with "Last Dance", Summer's classic tour de force, and this live version can proudly stand side by side with the studio version, and has slight lyrical changes ("ain't I even worth a dime a dance, how about just half a chance?" - you bet your sweet bippy you are!!) that make it the crowd pleaser it is, as well as making it the perfect ending to this extraordinary "magical, mystical night!!" Enjoy!!

The 1970s disco era yielded numerous one hit wonders - people who belted out tunes to the monotonous disco beat. However, the queen of disco, Donna Summer, was one of few to survive beyond the genre thanks to her own vocal versatility and artistic need to demonstrate her range. At the height of the disco era, her live record, LIVE AND MORE, demonstrated that she was ready to shake off the disco machine and mature into a pop artist. The live tracks on this record were taken from a Hollywood Bowl concert. Here, her usually pristine Mordoer/Bellotte productions are given generous and lush arrangements with a full orchestra backing her. By the time she's singing, "I Feel Love", the entire song has become less of that robotic Kraftwerk-like track to an eerie mantra of disco's coldest love song. The "more" side of the LIVE AND MORE record is the McArthur Park Suite - an extended dance track that takes the Richard Harris hit into a mega-vocal exercise that would give Celine Dion stomach cramps. LIVE AND MORE is a fascinating record, showing Summer at the height of her Vegas camp on the live tracks, and at the prime of the disco format. It would be the springboard to her move to BAD GIRLS, her best record. END

I hear what everyone is saying about the deletion of the incredible & sublime 17-minute "MacArthur's Park" from the recording as it is now available, but this is not the first entirely inexplicably fool-hardy thing big labels have done to major classics-- including not even releasing so many classics at ALL! So what they did RIGHT was to put this most highly touted performance onto CD so that there is just a BIT of the magic of Donna Summer and a musical photograph of a more angelically nurturant time.

We would not have described it that way back then, of course, as there was quite a bit of debauchery and high living that is captured in the sound & mood of the audience, if not in the musical material. But there is a sweetness and a 'giving' in that voice and that good natured, soulful, and sensual delivery that only the Queen could deliver. And up until she sang 'Last Dance' and announced to the world that this was it, she really was the Queen of Dance. If you want to know what that means, THIS IS the cd.

What Summer accomplished after this period had many bright moments, and she was a real fighter, and persevered. But this was about the time before this pretty lady had to put on the boxing gloves and become part of the establishment, as always happens. She was just pure........disco ball light.... sparkling & swirling around. And when "Love to Love You" finally comes on, you are delivered home...until 'I Feel Love' emerges and you are delivered to heaven.

Now THAT'S what I call 'LIVE.....and MORE'! Bring it on Donna Summer. If you don't add this to the collection, not only of your musical library but of your life, you are missing out on what it was all about.