Somewhere Down The Road

Donna Loren’s latest musical endeavor includes 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 and it illustrates the woman Donna has now become. “The little girl with a big voice” has matured since her efforts as a recording artist for Capitol and Reprise in the sixties. 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) and celebrity bassist, Bob Glaub, who literally took time off from a world tour with Crosby, Stills and Nash to add his beautiful sounds. On keyboard you’ll hear a young musician, Jamieson Trotter; truly a treasure. Living in Hawaii has not limited her ability to record. There’s a world-class studio nearby run by Grammy-winner Charles Michael Brotman. And, Skype technology allowed Donna to work from Hawaii and also continue to produce at Maurice Gainen’s Los Angeles studio. A twist of fate united Donna with famed photographer Mark Arbeit where, at her home and world-renowned Mauna Kea beach, he captured her essence in the sensual photos used for this exquisite album. Produced by Donna Loren.

“This confessional work is reminiscent of great concept albums like Jackson Browne’s ‘The Pretender’ (her haunting interpretation of Browne's ‘Live Nude Cabaret’ done brilliantly here) or the heartbreaking sentiments present on Brian Wilson's masterwork ‘Pet Sounds’ from 1966, when Donna was winning our hearts  singing on tv's best rock show, Shindig, playing Susie to The Joker on Batman, or singing in the beach party movies. Donna has opened her heart to us and shows her vulnerability as well as her strengths. Listen to her cover of Neil Young's ‘Old Man’ and her original compositions ‘Only Love’, ‘OK’ and the title track ‘Love It Away’.”   -Hal Lifson, Entertainment Journalist

Love It Away (Remix)

Classic Beach Party Movie songs originally sung by Donna Loren in the 60’s, now reinvented by her in 2010 with contemporary style. 60's Pop Icon Donna Loren was inspired to go back into the studio with Grammy-Award winning guitarist/producer Charles Brotman to re-energize five songs she sang in several of 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. Added to the mix are elements of the tropics such as Jamaican steel drums. This makes for great party music.  Envision a back-yard BBQ in your favorite Hawaiian shirt; this music will make your burgers taste better. BTW, be sure to add a Dr Pepper to the mix!


Beach Party Movie Medley

Positive affirmation 'Electro Go-Go' Dance Track.

Something different for Donna, this ‘electro go-go’ dance track is a message of respect. Donna was inspired when she was at a Music Festival with 75,000 peaceful souls.

Vocals by Donna Loren. Written and Produced by Donna Loren. Photograph © Neil Tepper.

Eloquent

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.

Moonlight Kisses

Donna Loren, with guitarist Drew Saber and engineer Maurice Gainen, renovates and rejuvenates her signature song "It Only Hurts When I Cry" into a sultry, grown-up 21st century pop tune. Originally performed by Donna as a teenager in the 1965 AIP film "Beach Blanket Bingo" and again recorded for the LP of the same name, she has now reinterpreted the song as an adult, with style and intimacy; it sounds like a classic now. 

It Only Hurts When I Cry (2009)

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. Now in 2010, “Merry Christmas Baby” is once again re-interpreted for the Holidays by Donna Loren in a very sensual rhythm and blues arrangement featuring piano ala Leon Russell and Dr. John and saxophone that takes you back to the roots of rock and roll. If you think you might be hearing Darlene Love singing background, those harmonies were also performed by Ms. Loren.

Merry Christmas Baby

Loving You

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

One Night

The early eighties proved to be an exploratory period for Donna Loren's music. After her retirement in 1968, she fully devoted herself to being a wife and mother of three children. In 1980, she developed a rapport with pianist John Thomas and legendary guitarist James Burton, to produce 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 and the video performance is included as a BONUS on the full CD.  Sedona and Simply Loving You were released in 1982 on Donna's own Royalty Records label. All of the other tracks and the Bonus Video have never before been seen or heard by the public. On Sedona, James Burton, whom Donna worked with since childhood, orchestrated a reunion of his former Elvis 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. A host of other musicians organized by either David or John have contributed to this gem.



Could This Be Magic

Wishin' and Hopin'

Donna has updated her original 1965 performance of the title track from the Beach Party classic film "Beach Blanket Bingo". 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 entirely at Lava Tracks Studios on the Big Island of Hawaii in May, 2010.  

Beach Blanket Bingo

Updated favorite from AIP's cult classic film "Muscle Beach Party". Originally performed as a duet in the 60’s by Donna Loren and Dick Dale from the Beach Party classic film, “Muscle Beach Party”. Listen to Donna's vivacious new solo performance along with Charles Brotman’s Grammy-Award winning guitar (ala The Ventures) on this tune co-written by Brian Wilson. Unexpected longevity has occurred from the original 60's ditty which has showed up on multiple compilations since 2000. After the success of “Muscle Beach Party”, Donna released a solo 45 of this song on Challenge Records in 1963. 

Muscle Bustle

On March 7, 1947, a 1960’s pop icon was born. A multi-dimensional star, excelling at the 3M’s of Hollywood-music, movies, and modeling-Donna Loren’s name is synonymous with the Swinging 60’s era of music, motion pictures, television & fashion. She began her singing career at the early age of 5, when she won 2nd prize on an amateur show. By 9, she had cut her first record and by the age of 10, she appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club.  At age 16 she was selected to be the first and only “Dr Pepper Girl.”  She successfully promoted the soft-drink on radio, billboards, magazines and personal appearances. Her big break catapulted her to bigger screens, namely prominent singing/acting roles in the popular Beach Party movies alongside Frankie & Annette. Donna also appeared on iconic TV shows like Batman, The Monkees, Red Skelton, Gomer Pyle & Dr. Kildare. She was the featured female vocalist on ABC’s Shindig and a regular on The Milton Berle Show.  By the end of the 60s, Donna had released 20 singles & the LP soundtrack from “Beach Blanket Bingo”. At the height of her career, she decided to retire from show business and devote her energies to raising a family. In 2009, she chose to re-emerge into the world of music with a new CD of previously unreleased tracks (MAGIC-The 80s Collection) she recorded in the 80’s with James Burton & the Elvis Band. Her first all-new CD was also released in 2009, entitled “Love It Away”, it is a tasty collection of 15 original compositions and classic rock standards. She has since released an EP tribute to Elvis and a new 29-track compilation of all of her work on Capitol Records: "These Are The Good Times: The Complete Capitol Recordings". Her new book, "Pop Sixties", a photo journal of her career, was released in 2017.

Popular tracks by Donna Loren