Donna Summer Album: “Christmas Spirit”

This CD is perhaps Donna's finest work, and one of the strongest Christmas Albums ever. This is for that matter a CHRISTMAS Album, as opposed to a Holiday Album. Despite her deep rooted faith, Donna has never recorded a Gospel Album, and although this review is being written by an Athiest, I love to hear Donna sing about her faith, as it is some of her most stunning work.

The secular side of Christmas is not lost here either, and the readings of "The Christmas Song", "I'll Be Home For Christmas, and her own "Chritmas Is Here", celebrate the common "feel good" side of Chrsitmas that unites us all. The lush full orchestral sounds backing up "Oh Come All Ye Faithfulll", A Medley of "What Child Is This", "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "Joy To The World" and her own composition "Lamb of God", add a sensation to these songs that canb truly make you feel an emotional high.

The most interesting track is her own song "Christmas Spirit", while this track is about the faith based meaning of Christmas, it also calls upon the yearning of someone looking for that "Christmas Spirit", and perhaps still not finding it.

This is a fine, fine CD, that SHOULD be a Christmas Essential.

Why oh why did this album not receive wider distribution and coverage. It is one of Donna's finest works. She pours her heart and soul into her interpretations of Seasonal favourites including; White Christmas, The Christmas Song and an awe inspiring version of Oh Holy Night where Ms Summers vocals send tingles down the spine. Produced by Michael Omartion (who also produced She Works Hard For The Money and Cats Without Claws) this cd is one of the finest Christmas CD's around. It should have been properly promoted - as it is whenever I play it it draws gasps and solicits questions such as " who is singing and what an incredible voice".

A minor gripe is the rather cheap looking cover - surely Polygram and Donna could have come up with something better at the time.

Thankfully it is now getting a wider distribution under the 'Universal Master Series'

Do not hesitate buy it now, a timeless masterpiece.

Back in 1994 when I heard that Donna Summer was releasing a Christmas CD, I rushed to the store to buy it immediately. Not really knowing what to expect, I put it in my CD player and was hooked. I have a very large collection of Christmas music, but this selection is always at the top of my playing list. As a previous reviewer noted, it is truly sad that a CD of this quality did not get the promotion or attention that it truly deserved. Like so many of the divas in this day and time, Donna, too, continues to be overlooked for screeching, conceited "diva-wannabes" like Mariah Carey, et. al. All I can say is, if you love Christmas music and you missed out on this CD, you should be ashamed of yourself.

When I first heard that Donna Summer had recorded a Christmas album, I have to admit my first reaction was, "you've got to be kidding...." Well, if you're looking for "disco Christmas", (which was what I was fully expecting), you'd best look elsewhere. Gone are the thumping backbeats and re-mixed dance tracks. Instead, this is an amazingly stirring album, tastefully arranged, and wonderfully performed with full orchestras and choirs. Donna has never sounded better or more joyful, and proves that you don't have to use an endless array of "vocal gymnastics" to sell a song. (Hint: Mariah? Whitney?) Donna also contributes three original songs to the mix of familiar favorites, with great results. ("Christmas is Here", "Lamb of God", (which is especially powerful), and the title track.) The only downside to this record is the apparent lack of promotion it received, a terrible oversight on the part of Polygram. It's certainly worth seeking out. Everyone who I have introduced to this record, is sold on it.

This is a classic, sure to stand the test of time. No dance beats or wailing synthesizers anywhere in sight, just lush strings, angelic choirs, and the powerful voice of Summer.

'O holy night' has never sounded better. Donna gives it a gospel treatment and makes it all hers. It starts out with gentle with just a piano and her vocals, and builds up to an awesome chorale finale with Donna belting out ferociously. Awesome!

Other standouts include 'White christmas' (with strings that will make your hairs stand on end), 'The Christmas song', 'O come all ye faithful' (with a hymnal reading, like she's singing it in church), the stunning 'Christmas medley' (comprising `What child is this', `Do you hear what I hear' and `Joy to the world'), the jolly sounding 'Christmas is here' replete with bells (written by Summer but already sounds like a classic Christmas song), the forlorn sounding 'I'll be home for Christmas', 'Breath of heaven', the anthemic 'Lamb of God' (penned by Summer) and the title track (penned by Summer).

Her singing is in top form, matchless, crisp and clear, and you do feel the 'Christmas spirit'.

If there is only one Christmas CD you should own, look no further.