Olivia Newton-John - Gold
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Free Music Notes for Gold
Free Music Review: Great Compilation, but more is needed...
Hit: 4 Stars
Olivia Newton-John has suddenly (no pun intended) become the most underrated songstress of her generation... Why? She definitely had the sales in the 70's & 80's, as well as success in the movies "Grease" and "Xanadu," to merit longevity. Many of today's top female performers note her influence on their music. Yet, Olivia's once well-reguarded stance as the top selling female artist of the 70's has tarnished, and most of Olivia's classic albums are long out of print in America. Which makes this collection a very welcome site - 40 of Olivia's biggest hits on two discs, nearly 2-1/2 hours of classic Olivia. Unfortunately, for the true fan, such a collection (until we get that much-promised box set) can never be complete, and there are a couple of jarring exclusions here (most notably her #12 duet with Andy Gibb, "I Can't Help It," and her #2 A/C hit duet wth John Travolta, "Take A Chance"); but for the average fan, this is the most complete set of hits on the market, and it does feature a couple of decent non-hits and the classic b-side from "Xanadu," "Fool Country," to appease us hardcore ONJ fans. What is truly needed is a complete overhaul of Olivia's catalog. Many of Olivia's 70's recordngs have never been released in America in their original form (her early albums in England were much different than her American releases "Let Me Be There" and "If You Love Me, Let Me Know," which were basically compilations of the more country-sounding selections). Also, Olivia's recent recordings "2" and "Indigo," as well as the long-delayed "Gaia" (which was released several years after it was released internationally), have totally been neglected in America and truly deserve a full release. What kills me most is that Olivia is out there touring and making the rounds, she's just not getting the attention she deserves. For the past five years, Olivia has hit the scene touring with a fantastic stage show, and "Grease" is perenially a hit on television every time it is broadcast, so why is her career in such a slump??? It still baffels...I also had a very hard time finding this cd in record stores, and I live in Chicago - a major metropolitian area! I went to three Best Buys - nothing! Went to a Coconuts - nada. Barnes & Noble had ONE copy, for 23.99 - which I ultimately paid. Gone are the days when her albums filled the bins. There is NO REASON - she truly could be a HUGE artist again at the drop of a dime - just listen for her new song "Best of My Love," a dance colaboration she recorded with her nephew, Brett Goldsmith - it is truly the best dance song since Cher's comeback "Believe," and could easily place Livvy back at #1. Now if only her management would see that potential and get her out there on the main circuit, and get her classic albums and market her story. She truly could be big again. Now, about this compilation - liked the liner notes and chart info, enjoyed the pics (though they were mostly just her album covers), think the selection is decent for anyone looking for an ultimate hits collection, but feel that it is missing too many key album tracks and rarites for the diehard fan. I was disappointed that the few singles that were different mixes as singles were not included in their single mix ("Totally Hot" in particular, which is a good 30 seconds longer and features an extra guitar solo on the single, and "Livin' In Desperate Times," which includes an extra bridge with Olivia singing "open up your eyes and watch me run..."), and key album tracks and b-side hits "He Aint Heavy... He's My Brother," "Fly Away" with John Denver, "Jolene," "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," "I Can't Help It," "Toughen Up," "Face to Face" with Barry Gibb, "Take A Chance," "Falling" with the Raybon Brothers, and "Love Is a Gift," among others, are missing, making this collection too incomplete to be truly definitive. Great sound quality on what is there, though. Overall - for the casual fan, a four-star collection.Free Music Review: ARTIST REVIEW: Oliva Newton-John [Cambridge, England].
Hit: 4 Stars
I reserve my 5 star ratings for my personal favorite CDs so don't be slighted by my 4 star ratings.
I picked up this 2 CD set today and I told the casher with a tongue-in-cheek remark 'Don't tell anyone that I bought it'.
CONFESSION: When I started reviewing her I had an attitude of a macho man that was brought up in a rock/punk/garage world and didn't expect much from her.
But after listening and refining my ratings she won me over. I guess I'm a softy after all. LOL.
What you get is 40 songs, 2:26:56 total time of music.
What I got was 29 songs, 1:46:35 total time of above average music with 8 songs that stand out.
When she first started out she had a Country-Pop sound not unlike Linda Ronstadt and if you liked that you will like Oliva's early stuff.
In iTunes I always add a lot of information to make compilations easy to do and the below HIGHLIGHTS from this set is representative of it. What's not showing is where she came from:
I Honestly Love You - Newton-John, Olivia - No.01 for 2 weeks on 8/24/1974. 10 weeks Top 40 - "Gold hit. AMG Pick. #1 Adult Contemporary hit (3 weeks). Las Vegas performer Peter Allen hooks up with Brill Building legend Jeff Barry to create a slow and moody masterpiece for Olivia Newton-John."
Have You Never Been Mellow - Newton-John, Olivia - No.01 on 2/8/1975. 11 weeks Top 40 - "Gold hit. AMG Pick. #1 Adult Contemporary hit (1 week). Even hard rockers who may have found Olivia Newton-John a bit too slick for their tastes approved of the perfect melody, impeccable production."
Hopelessly Devoted To You - Newton-John, Olivia - No.03 on 7/22/1978. 15 weeks Top 40 - "Gold hit. AMG Pick. From the movie Grease starring Newton-John and John Travolta. Is put together in such a lovely way that it is instantly irresistable and one of Newton-John's finest moments."
You're The One That I Want - Newton-John, Olivia & John Travolta - No.01 on 4/8/1978. 16 weeks Top 40 - "Platinum hit. AMG Pick. From the movie Grease starring Newton-John and John Travolta. It was an "instant oldie" and holds up as such decades after it was recorded."
A Little More Love - Newton-John, Olivia - No.03 on 12/9/1978+. 17 weeks Top 40 - "Gold hit. AMG Pick. Some deep bass guitar riffs."
Magic - Newton-John, Olivia - No.01 for 4 weeks on 6/14/1980. 16 weeks Top 40 - "Gold hit. AMG Pick. #1 Adult Contemporary hit (5 weeks). From the movie Zanadu starring Newton-John."
Physical - Newton-John, Olivia - No.01 for 10 weeks on 10/17/1981. 21 weeks Top 40 - "Platinum hit. AMG Pick. 'Physical' became such a monster hit -- not just a hit, but a pop-culture phenomenon that was impossible to escape."
Make A Move On Me - Newton-John, Olivia - No.05 on 2/27/1982. 10 weeks Top 40 - "Gold hit. AMG Pick. At her most SULTRY. What most guys want to hear. LOL."
Free Music Review: comprehensive
Hit: 4 Stars
i found out about this cd here at amazon.com. so far, it hasn't been available where i live. compiled this year, this is a comprehensive selection of olivia's hits, covering her early country hits all the way up to her last nashville cd, back with a heart.
however, this cd has its shortcomings, even though it includes the rare track fool country from the movie xanadu. it's a pity that it left out tracks like i need love (from back to basics), and her cds gaia (which featured the beautiful songs - no matter what you do & don't cut me down), one woman's live journey (not gonna give into it), back with a heart (the title track & precious love), and her duets & indigo cds.
still, overall, this is a must-have cd. enjoy olivia's smooth and light vocals, emphasising the lyrics of her songs. you don't get singers like her anymore these days.
Free Music Review: I love her songs
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm a middle of the road Livvie fan. I love her songs, but she doesn't have the strongest or best voice out there. Sometimes it's a little weak. Having said that, I love the majority of these songs. I think the best are the mid to late 80's ones like Physical or Magic or Xanadu. She is an icon and she's continuing to do new material. This is a very good album that does so many of all the hit songs we know and love. It only lost a star because of her voice, but her music and the ballads are Magic.Free Music Review: Nice Collection
Hit: 4 Stars
This CD is basically a good overview of Olivia's career. It includes the hard to find "If Not For You". It 's fun to listen to....brings back memories of a nicer time and lots of personal memories listening to these hits. The CD also includes all hits though Olivia's "Country Music Phase" And the hits from the more pop oriented "Totally Hot" and "Physical" albums. Hits from "Grease" are also here.....I really recommend to anyone from the fan and the casual listener !