LP Review: Another Place and Time
Released: 1989
LP Charts: #71 R&B, #53 pop
Welcome to Donna Summer’s Rick Astley album!
But seriously, every song on Another Place and Time was written and produced by SAW, the British trio of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, who had overseen the hits of Astley and several other British pop phenoms of the mid-and-late ‘80s. Given that SAW’s British dance-pop owed much to Summer’s mega hits a decade earlier, the Queen of Disco seamlessly slips into their machine.
There was a danger, however, to this method of parachuting an established star into an established producer’s music mill. Look no further than Summer’s own woeful experience with Quincy Jones in 1982.
On the one hand, SAW didn’t specifically tailor any songs for Summer as far as I know. That could lead to faceless, perfunctory performances for all involved. The dreaded contractual obligation. On the other, Summer isn’t your average singer. So even when presented with material not tailored specifically for her, she can elevate the otherwise mundane or cookie-cutter into something special, if she still finds the music enticing.
The musical truth found on Another Place and Time is a mixture of these perspectives. The tracks here aren’t Summer’s best or most adventurous work, but it’s good work and you can dance your butt off to it. We (me) enormously welcome Summer’s full return to the dance floor after so many albums in the 1980s incorporating too much balladry and electronic clutter. The music here has your ‘80s drums and keyboards, but they’re just fresher and aren’t drowning out Summer’s voice. The music moves with her instead of being an obstacle to overcome.
We (me) also welcome that this album clocks in at a mere 37 minutes in the CD era. Praise the musical gods!
So let’s get to the the actual product here… the 10 songs on this album vary in their quality with slight dips and peaks, but it’s fairly steady overall. Some numbers (“I Don't Wanna Get Hurt”) are faster than others (“When Love Takes Over You”), but they all make you want to move to some significant degree. Except the title track. That’s an outright ballad. You’re allowed one true slow tune, I suppose. And it is pretty decent.
One that will really make you wanna boogie is “If It Makes You Feel Good” with its catchy chorus matched by an ascending keyboard line. “The Only One” is cheesy and fit for a ball room. Guilty pleasure material like many songs on this album.
Lastly, “This Time I Know It's for Real” was wisely selected as the album’s lead single. It’s not leaps and bounds better than the other songs on the album, but it’s probably the catchiest and radio friendly. Indeed, it proved to be Summer’s final hit reaching #7 on the US pop charts and #3 in the UK. And 15 years after her breakout hit, she still had the pipes.
ALBUM GRADE: B
This album is truly cotton candy delight. Is this high art? Nope. Is it breaking any new ground? Nope. Just a pop production trio and pop singer extraordinaire cranking out one solid fun song after another. I’ll gladly take it.
Bonus points to “Breakaway” for being a lowkey break up anthem and to “Love's About to Change My Heart” for finishing on a one-minute flourish evoking classic disco. Great way for Donna Summer to finish out the 1980s after having a few ups and more downs.
Song Scores
I Don't Wanna Get Hurt: 6.5/10
When Love Takes Over You: 7/10
This Time I Know It's for Real: 7.5/10
The Only One: 7/10
In Another Place and Time: 6.5/10
Sentimental: 7/10
Whatever Your Heart Desires: 6.5/10
Breakaway: 7.5/10
If It Makes You Feel Good: 7.5/10
Love's About to Change My Heart: 7/10