LP Review: Lady of the Night
Released: 1974
LP Charts: nada
Donna Summer’s debut album was only released in the Netherlands. So other European countries technically never got a release of this thing at the time, let alone the USA. Despite not getting much traction on either side of the Atlantic, one can vaguely hear a tiny ounce of the sonic greatness that would mark her more commercially successful albums and singles.
“Lady of the Night” is the first, but certainly not the last, Summer song to champion working women and prostitutes. The music itself is some euro-pop filled out with stomping odes to the orchestrated ‘60s pop of Golden Age Motown and Phil Spector. Producers and writers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte also show off some of their quirkier side already thanks to a brief unannounced foray into synthesizer boogieing at the one-minute mark.
However, if you think you’ll be getting a lot of signs pointing toward Summer & Co.’s disco success, you’ll be disappointed. This album veers hard toward ‘60s pop-rock.
The decent “Born to Die” and “Sing Along (Sad Song)” go for folksy rock. “Friends” sounds right at home on a Lovin’ Spoonful album. “Domino” has prominent acoustic guitar. “Little Miss Fit” delivers baroque pop. “Let’s Work Together” is the obligatory cheesy message song for the flower children.
“The Hostage” is really just a showtune. Not surprising given Summer’s acting background. That song and the better “Wounded” both do lay the groundwork for some of Summer’s more theatrical disco tracks, though.
ALBUM GRADE: D+
Only a couple of songs actually stand on their two feet. The rest are merely curiosities for those wondering where, when, and how the Queen of Disco got started. Hell, I know I wouldn’t think twice about this album if it weren’t made by Summer.
Anyhoo, although disco was already a (modest, but distinct) commercial force in 1974, this album had practically nothing here presaging Summer’s mighty reign. That would change quickly by the next album.
Song Scores
Lady of the Night: 7/10
Born to Die: 6/10
Friends: 5/10
Domino: 6/10
The Hostage: 4/10
Wounded: 5/10
Little Miss Fit: 4/10
Let’s Work Together: 4/10
Sing Along (Sad Song): 5/10