“These Are The Good Times: The Complete Capitol Recordings reveals Donna to be an extraordinary vocalist creating Spectorian-like wonder with some of the finest talent in Hollywood during the golden era of pop. Participants include Wrecking Crew members as well as legendary producers David Axelrod, Steve Douglas, and arrangers Jack Nitzsche, Billy Strange, and H.B. Barnum. Even the Beau Brummels appear on a track (‘It’s Gotta Be’), along with Glen Campbell. In addition to her album - presented from the original MONO masters for the first time on CD - all 5 of her original Capitol singles circa 1964–1965, are also here. Rounding out the collection are 8 previously unreleased tracks that will leave you baffled as to why they were left in the can! The deluxe, full-color booklet also includes rare, unpublished photos and extensive liner notes penned by three-time Grammy nominee Sheryl Farber that feature the participation of Donna herself. Mastered by Alan Brownstein from the Original Master Tapes.”
Donna’s crush on Elvis has manifested into a sensual serenade. This intimate virtual romance with The King is a portrayal of four of his early classic songs. Her love for both Hawaii and The King was made possible with help from the masterful Hawaiian and Los Angeles musicians that you will hear on this EP, most notably slack-key guitar legend Sonny Lim, Grammy-Award winner Charles Brotman on ukulele and Maurice Gainen wailing on his vintage Selmer saxophone. "Merry Christmas Baby" was released as a single and charted at #41 on the FMQB AC chart for week of 12/7/10.
A tasty selection of original compositions along with classic rock standards like Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”, Neil Young’s “Old Man” and Randy Newman’s “Last Night I Had a Dream”. This is a very personal story-telling through music. She expresses herself now, not only through singing, but songwriting and music production as well. She even adds a bit of her own musicality on keyboard and percussion. Other collaborators include legendary “Wrecking Crew” bassist Carol Kaye, (they worked together on many of her records in the sixties), celebrity bassist, Bob Glaub and Jamieson Trotter on keyboards. The single, Love It Away (Remix) charted at #15 on the FMQB AC chart for the week of 7/13/10 and finished at #40 on the 2010 Year-End chart. Produced by Donna Loren.
This is a “Best of” Donna's 80's recordings. In 1980, she teamed with pianist John Thomas and legendary guitarist James Burton to record a plethora of songs over a two year span. Most of the music was recorded at Amigo Studios in Burbank, California. Two of the songs, Wishin’ and Hopin’ and Somewhere Down the Road were released by Warner Bros Records in 1982. She performed the latter on the Merv Griffin Show in 1984 and in February, 1985 she performed Hard to Believe in Tokyo at an International Ballroom Dancing event. Sedona and Simply Loving You were released in 1982 on Donna's own Royalty Records label. All of the other tracks have never before been heard by the public. On Sedona, James Burton, whom Donna had worked with since childhood, orchestrated a reunion of his former Elvis (TCB) band to play back-up: Ronnie Tutt on drums, Jerry Scheff on bass, Glen D. Hardin on piano, himself on guitar and special guest Chris Hillman (Flying Burrito Bros) on mandolin. Wishin’ and Hopin’ was recorded in Nashville with musicians David Hungate (Toto) on guitar and John Thomas on piano. The CD includes a Bonus Video of the Tokyo Performance of "Hard To Believe".
Originally released on vinyl in 1965, this collection of 10 songs from the popular movie plus 9 bonus tracks is a real collector’s item for both Donna Loren fans and collectors of 60’s surf and Beach Party music. All 19 songs were released on Capitol Records from 1964-1966. Included is an informative 8-page fold-out containing photos of Donna from her 60’s career as a singer, actress and model.
The Best of Donna Loren (CD)
Year: 1998 Label: Missing Records Number: 001
Unofficial European release comprised of 26 tracks from Donna’s early career, including the songs from the 1965 AIP film, “Beach Blanket Bingo”.
Beach Blanket Bingo (LP)
Year: 1965 Label: Capitol Number: 2323
Donna was rushed into the Capitol Records recording studio after “Beach Blanket Bingo” opened in theaters as an immediate box office hit. H.B. Barnum was assigned to arrange and conduct with David Axelrod producing. This 10-song LP of songs from the movie was Donna’s first and only vinyl long-player and was completed in 14-hours! The musicians that played on the album were all members of the now infamous “Wrecking Crew”.
Year: 2009 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
Donna, with guitarist Drew Saber, celebrity bassist Bob Glaub and engineer Maurice Gainen renovate and rejuvenate her signature song "It Only Hurts When I Cry" into a sultry, grown-up 21st century pop tune. The song was written by Guy Hemric and Jerry Styner. Produced by Donna Loren.
Year: 2009 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
In 1995 Donna fell in love in Sedona, AZ and wrote this song. “It was a privilege to collaborate with Grammy-Award winning guitarist and Palm Records founder, Charles Michael Brotman. His masterful guitar playing and my stacked vocals is a wonderful marriage of West Coast meets Polynesia.”
Written and produced by Donna Loren; all vocals by Donna Loren, recorded 2009.
Year: 2010 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
This dance version of "Love It Away" is contrasted with a more world-music rendition on Donna's newest CD, also entitled "Love It Away". Guitar and arrangement by Grammy-winner Charles Michael Brotman. Charted at #15 on the FMQB AC chart for the week of 7/13/10 and finished at #52 on the year-end chart. Produced by Donna Loren.
Year: 2010 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
Classic Beach Party Movie songs originally sung by Donna in the 60s, now reinvented by her in 2010 with contemporary style. Donna was inspired to go back into the studio with Grammy-Award winning guitarist/producer/engineer Charles Brotman to re-energize five songs she sang in the Beach Party movies, most notably, Beach Blanket Bingo. Donna's popular duet with Dick Dale singing Muscle Bustle (Muscle Beach Party), co-written by Brian Wilson, is now a solo performance. Also included are such favorites as It Only Hurts When I Cry and Beach Blanket Bingo from the film Beach Blanket Bingo, Among The Young from Pajama Party and Love's A Secret Weapon from Bikini Beach. Produced by Donna Loren.
Year: 2010 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
Originally recorded in 1965 as part of her "Beach Blanket Bingo" LP on Capitol Records, this new 2010 performance features lead vocals and ooh-la-la background voices by Donna with surf guitar by Grammy-winner Charles Michael Brotman. Recorded at Lava Tracks Studios on the Big Island of Hawaii in May, 2010 and produced by Donna.
Year: 2010 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
This vivacious new solo performance was originally performed as a duet in the 60’s by Donna Loren and Dick Dale in the Beach Party classic film, “Muscle Beach Party”. Produced by Donna Loren.
Year: 2010 Label: Swinging Sixties Digital Download
Originally written by Johnny Moore and Lou Baxter and released in 1947 by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, this well-known classic was not only recorded by The King, Elvis Presley, but also by The Queen, Etta James, as well as 23 other artists. For Holiday 2010, this tune was once again re-interpreted for the Holidays by Donna in a very sensual rhythm and blues arrangement featuring piano ala Leon Russell and Dr. John and saxophone by Maurice Gainen that takes you back to the roots of rock and roll. Produced by Donna Loren.
