People complain that too many Donna Summer hits compilations have already been released, but "Gold" offers the most comprehensive anthology of an artist who peaked - commercially, at least - a long time ago. Some of the real bonuses of this release include uniformly excellent sound and full production credits for all the tracks, as well as full or previously unavailable versions: the 4:57 edit of "Love To Love You Baby" is the best of the edits; similarly, the 6:28 promo single version of "MacArthur Park"; "I Feel Love" is finally included in an anthology in its superb full length album version; the fantastic 6:47 12" single version of "Hot Stuff" (not included even on the recent Deluxe release of "Bad Girls"); the definitive 5:49 full version of "State Of Independence" (for many her best-ever recording). Her later releases are rightly included as single or edited versions, and whatever you think of them, it's good to hear so many brought together; the Tony Moran edit of "You're So Beautiful" (first available on 2003's compilation "The Journey") ends the album on a high. A real attempt has been made with "Gold" to provide the best-possible summary of Summer's career, and for my money this is a great anthology for both fan and newcomer alike.

Let me preface this by saying one thing. If you have 1993's "The Donna Summer Anthology", hold on to that, but if you don't, run, don't walk, to the store to get this.

Donna Summer has been showered countless hits collections in her career. However, Gold is only the second to even attempt at covering a broader range of her career than the disco period and the biggest of the 80's pop and 90's dance hits.

The two discs work perfectly. Disc one exclusively covers the Casablanca disco phase where Donna was on top of the world. Disc two starts right at 1980, where Donna had signed to Geffen and was going through a change, both spiritually and musically. I am one who loves both periods.

In the late 1970's, Donna was a disco superstar, the one artist who was able to give The Bee Gees a run for their money in America. From early sexual works such as Love To Love You Baby and Four Seasons Of Love to edgy electronic classics such as Once Upon A Time and Bad Girls, Donna and Giorgio Moroder carved out a special niche in pop music for them. She was sexy and had a wonderful voice, he was a studio whiz. The music was fantastic and turned Donna into a true icon.

After the disco backlash hit, Donna was one of the few artists to survive with a career after radio blacklisted the genre by successfully reinventing her image. After marrying Brooklyn Dreams meber Bruce Sudano, Donna turned to religion and chose to better herself. Granted, it was a turn that alienated some of her gay fanbase because it's hard for some people to think of "Christian" without homophobia, but I have no doubt that Donna is innocent of the claims laid against her.

The 1980's were a time of experimenting for Donna, from a Pat Benatar style rock album (The Wanderer) to a soulful Quincy Jones production (Donna Summer) to straight-ahead pop albums (She Works Hard For The Money), Donna showed true diversity, from doing everything from hard rock to gospel on an album, she started losing fans. It was to such an extent that David Geffen shelved Donna's 1981 "I'm A Rainbow" for 15 years, because the album was a total potpourri of genres. Needless to say, the music was still phenomenal despite what sales tell you. More recently, she has enjoyed the occasional one-off dance hit from newly recorded cuts that make it onto soundtracks, live albums and greatest hits packages.

This collection is a fine representation of Donna's long and fruitful career, and as she is finally working on a new album (let's hope this time it's for real), this is only the beginning of another period of memorable moments.

this might sound insane, but collectors will understand. Just about everything else you already have, but the 7" remixes of When love Cries and Love's About to Change my Heart BOTH include added vocal parts that were not on the original album recordings, and this is the only place you can get these 2 versions on CD!!! That makes this an absolute MUST HAVE.

Hip-O's "Gold" compilation is an excellent retrospective of Donna Summer's career. Summer is an amazing vocalist, probably one of the most underrated for the sheer talent and expressiveness she brought to her material. "She Works Hard for the Money" is on a short list for my all-time favorite tracks with its pulsing beat & Summer's relentless vocal and blazing electric lead on the track, "Never sell out, she never will, not for a dollar bill, she works hard." "State of Independence" is also another incredible track written by Vangelis & Jon Anderson and has a "Yes" feel that Summer embodies delightfully with the gorgeous chorus and the percolating keyboards. Donna drills the Drifters' classic "There Goes My Baby" with a pulsing rhythm track and her amazing vocals. The first disc contains all the amazing gold records that blared "On the Radio" that made us know whether Donna was one of the "Bad Girls" or simply "Hot Stuff," her music has an incredible energy and joy that still reads well 30 years after her first release. If I had anything to add, her "Christmas Spirit" is my all-time favorite holiday album so I'd have loved to hear the title track tucked inside this collection. Hip-O has done an excellent job with the remastering of the tracks, keeping the mix's bright sound. Enjoy!

Donna Summer Gold is an outstanding two CD set that gives her fans a terrific collection of her hits and other great songs! Donna's voice is in excellent form throughout this album; and the sound quality couldn't be better. The artwork is also very good. This two CD set is a must-have for Donna's fans.

"Love To Love You Baby" is one of Donna's biggest hits; she throws herself into this song and makes it hers and hers alone! The musical arrangement never drowns out Donna; it enhances the song instead. "Could It Be Magic" has Donna handling complicated tempo and key changes seemingly effortlessly--but, of course, we know it really wasn't that easy. Donna's talents more than carry her through great disco ballads like "Could It Be Magic." "Love's Unkind" has a rock beat that's mixed with a disco beat; this is great music for dancing and I predict you'll enjoy "Love's Unkind" very much. "I Feel Love" reminds me of the disco days when the clubs were full of people dancing their cares away--those were great times!

"MacArthur Park" gets a fine treatment as Donna sings this with grace and style. When the tempo changes drastically Donna never misses a beat; and this impresses me. The song may start slow and sweet; but it sure turns strong and hot! "Bad Girls" is both a great song and the title of one of Donna's albums from 1979 or 1980; and listen for Donna to outdo even herself on "Dim All The Lights." "Dim All The Lights" is great disco and it still makes good dancing music today! The first CD also has a spectacular duet between Donna and Barbra Streisand; "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" is sure to please you.

The second CD continues the hits. "The Wanderer" has a great beat that is absolutely infectious; and I really like her huge hit entitled "She Works Hard For The Money." "She Works Hard For The Money" has some rather sad lyrics but it still works well as a strong song about survival. "Supernatural Love" has a great beat and Donna sings this with all her heart and soul--what a belter she is! "Dinner With Gershwin" is a tune that didn't quite make it all the way but I remember this song well. "Dinner With Gershwin" is actually one of Donna's better songs. "This Time I Know It's For Real" has a relentlessly upbeat flavor as Donna sings this beautifully; and the dance beat makes you want to jump up and dance wherever you are!

"Melody Of Love (Wanna Be Loved)" has a magnificent piano arrangement that, along with the brass, makes this number very special as Donna Summer sings this flawlessly. Donna's excellent diction makes her singing all the better, too. "I Will Go With You (Con Te Partiro)" comes from classic opera but the arrangement is so brilliantly put together that it actually works as a dance song! The second CD ends strong with Donna Summer performing "You're So Beautiful." This tune showcases Donna's ability to sing with a more modern dance type of music that we hear in many clubs today.

If you ever had doubt about Donna Summer's ability to sing, this will lay your fears to rest. This two CD set is fantastic and it demonstrates just how strong Donna Summer's talents really are. I strongly recommend this two CD set for Donna Summer fans; and fans of disco and modern dance music will like this, too.