Donna Summer Album: “Mistaken Identity”

'Mistaken identity' was Donna Summer's second urban album (the previous being the 1982 Quincy Jones produced 'Donna Summer') and was an attempt at incorporating current trends in black music. Unfortunately, it was given a wide berth by fans especially as they had excitedly embraced her return to Eurodisco two years previously with the Stock Aitken Waterman produced smash hit 'Another place and time' album.

This, however, wasn't a reflection of the music, which was good and well sung (produced by the late Keith Diamond), just that people wanted Donna singing dance/disco only.

Opening track 'Get ethnic' kicks things off with screaming rock guitars, African talking drums, and a powerful vocal performance from Summer.

'Body talk' had a driving new jack swing beat, great sax all over, and playful, teasing vocals from Summer.

The catchy 'Work that magic', and the kooky but fun 'What is it you want' (the latter with razor sharp synths and drum machines working overtime, and a killer accapella outro) were the two lone dance tracks on the CD.

Lead off single 'When love cries' found Summer cooing seductively in a 'Love to love you baby' style falsetto to a sparse bassline, Soul II Soul beats, and even had a little rap bridge. This was the lone single to crack the Billboard Hot 100. In a similar vein is the ethereal, new age sound of 'Cry of a waking heart' which features a dazzling keyboard solo. One of the standouts on this CD.

'Fred Astare' is classic Summer; slow ballad intro leading to a funky upbeat dance song with bouncy synths and lyrics about wanting to be Ginger Rogers to your Fred Astare.

Title track 'Mistaken identity' is a synth/drum machine driven funk/dance number inspired, Summer says, by the Rodney King incident. The lyrics tell the tale of some blonde blue eyed lady falsely accused, hence the blonde mane and cropped upper half of Donna's face on the CD cover, but there's no mistaking those famous features. Similar to this is 'Say a little prayer'.

Then there are the ballads; The acoustic 'Heaven's just a whisper away' (with passionate vocals from Summer), her thank you to her fans in 'Friends unknown', and the Gulf war inspired 'Let there be peace' featuring an awesome backing choir and fiery vocals from Summer.

An underrated gem in Summer's brilliant repertoire which I'd urge anyone to discover.

Every time I return to this CD over the years I'm impressed by how strong a collection it is. "Get Ethnic" and "Body Talk" get the proceedings off to a rocky start. The former is almost camp, but it grows on you. From there, the album really takes off. Good songs, crisp production, and her lovely voice. These are some of the best songs of her career. I rank this album alongside "Another Place and Time."

On this album, Donna Summer teamed up with Keith Diamond. Donna returned to her style of aggressive dance music that made her late 70's albums popular in 1991. Highlights on this album are "Work That Magic", "Be My Fred Astaire", and "What Is It You Want?". The albums also includes the beauitful acostic ballad "Heaven Is Just a Whisper Away" and the pop anthem "Let There Be Peace".

While charts were dominated by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Prince & Michael Jackson, in 1991, Donna Summer quietly released this amazing album that was ahead of its time. While dance music fans were looking for some Last Dance/MacArthur Park type songs from her, there were three overlooked gems on this album that feature second to none, truly amazing vocals:

1. Heaven's Just a Whisper Away

2. Friends Unknown

3. Let There Be Peace

When you listen to Friends Unknown, you will feel Donna's true appreciation of "you the fans"...her hommage to her unknown friends around the world. She was a classy lady who appreciated her fans. Her vocal crescendos give goosebumps!! This album is a must for die-hard fans.

In 1991, Donna Summer released her ninteenth album entitled, MISTAKEN IDENTITY. Donna Summer seemed to have gone in a new direction, not only in her musical sound and musical style, but also in her fashion style: seems she decided that she has "Blonde Ambition". If you don't know what I mean by that, just look at the album's front cover. That's all I have to say. But this album is simply amazing. I was kind of expecting this album to not sound as good as her first eighteen albums, but I was wrong. This album is incredible.

GET ETHNIC

This is simply an amazing song. I love its funky sound. This is a song I could listen to over and over again...and I have.

BODY TALK

An okay song. I was not too pleased with this one.

WORK THAT MAGIC

Great song.

WHEN LOVE CRIES

The first single from the album. Good song.

HEAVEN'S JUST A WHISPER AWAY

A very relaxing ballad.

CRY OF A WAKING HEART

Great song.

FRIENDS UNKNOWN

The second & final single from the album. Another amazing ballad.

FRED ASTAIRE

When I first listened to this song, I immeditely took to the song because I have always been a Fred Astaire fan. This is a great song.

SAY A LITTLE PRAYER

Great song.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

The album's awesome title track. This is a great track.

WHAT IS IT YOU WANT

Okay song.

LET THERE BE PEACE

Great song.

This is an album that I really enjoy hearing. It is an amazing album and none of you will be disappointed when you buy a copy for yourselves: that is if you haven't already.