Olivia Newton-John - Magic: The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John
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Free Music Notes for Magic: The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John
Free Music Review: THE Essential Collection
Hit: 5 Stars
In 1992 Geffen Records put out "Back To Basics: The Essential Collection 1971-1992" which was a rather odd title for the collection as the earliest track on the album was from 1974!!! It did contain four new tracks, thus allowing the 1992 date to ring true. Much was omitted from that collection, therefore it wasn't all that essential. This has been rectified with "Magic The Very Best Of Olivia Newton-John" which kicks off with "Let Me Be There" from 1973 ("If Not For You" her #1 A/C hit from 1971 is not included the only gripe about the collection). From there you get all the hits you remember from Newton-John. You also get to witness the transformation she went thru that was perfectly depicted in "Grease" (as well as in the selections from that soundtrack) from innocent country/folk singer ("I Honestly Love You", "Have You Never Been Mellow") to the more seductive pop/rock artist ("A Little More Love", "Deeper Than The Night"). "Xanadu", "Suddenly", "Make A Move On Me" and "Heart Attack" are included (all of which were missing from the previous "essential" collection). Her megahit "Physical" is of course included (and my one of my least favorite songs by anyone!). Finally included as a bonus track is the "Grease Megamix" which recieved some airplay during the flims 20th anniversary in 1998. All in all a nice collection of Olivia's best work.Free Music Review: Another Olivia Lover from Fredericksburg, VA
Hit: 5 Stars
I am giving this CD 5 stars only because it does contain excellent music. However, as much as I do adore and love Olivia Newton-John, I have to agree with my fellow Fredericksburg reviewer. How many more times are record companies going to keep re-releasing and re-packaging all these old tunes from Olivia's hey-day? How many copies of Olivia's Greatest Hits collections does one person need? Apparently, however, there are still people out there who are willing to buy this stuff because record companies keep coming up with new "greatest hit" collections for ONJ. I have all these songs, already--several copies of them, in fact. But I have reached a point where "enough is enough". It is time for ONJ to do something new and different. Her last country-pop album was brilliant--but unfortunately, she made the grave error of introducing the album with the remade "I Honestly Love You". Since the new version was so similar to the original, when most people heard it, they assumed it was just an oldie-but-goodie being played on the radio. It certainly did not make people run out to the CD store to pick up a copy of a song they had already heard constantly for the last 25 years. So, the other great songs on the CD never had a chance to get airplay. Basically, the CD went "down under" before it had a chance.
Olivia's voice is still in top form. Her live concert CD from 1999 is proof positive of this. It's just that she needs to do something new with it.
Free Music Review: "this album is so perfect, it's almost...Magic"
Hit: 5 Stars
With songs like ~ "I HONESTLY LOVE YOU" (an early favorite of mine), "LET ME BE THERE" and "HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW", still give me chills when I hear them...as a popular vocalist in the '70s and '80s, nothing could compare to her pure innocence to a song. Now comes the diverse entertainer with ~ "YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT" (with John Travolta)..."HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU"..."SUMMER NIGHTS" (With John Travolta), all from the musical "Grease", which I might add still holds up pretty well by today's standards (in other words a "classic").
Next, are three selections from "Xanadu", starring Olivia and the late Gene Kelly, the songs are haunting, almost trance-like...just listen to "MAGIC", the title tells it all..."XANADU" (Electric Light Orchestra - better known as "ELO")..."SUDDENLY", one of my favorite duets in the world, with Cliff Richard, exceptional performance with screen animation added to complete the picture, if you remember this film sequence.
Hats off to UTV Records and Mike Ragogna (compilation producer)...entire album is a trip down memory lane, the final track is a bonus "THE GREASE MEGAMIX - WITH JOHN TRAVOLTA", this my music-loving-friends, will knock your socks off!
Total Time: 75:01 on 21 Tracks ~ UTV Records 314-585-233-2 ~ (2001)
Free Music Review: I think I can answer everyone's question
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been reading a lot of the reviews of this album & I agree a lot of songs were omitted from this collection. The reason is from 1973-83 were considered her "Peak Years" from her first Top Ten hit "Let Me Be There" in 1973 to her last Top Ten hit "Twist Of Fate" in early 1984. Yes, a lot of you have all said that a lot of you wished more of her songs were on this collection like "Let It Shine", "I Can't Help It"(duet with the late Andy Gibb, "Tied Up", "Livin' In Desperate Times", "Soul Kiss", "The Rumor"; but, a lot of you all forgot "Take A Chance"(duet with John Travolta, "The Best Of Me"(duet with David Foster,the Emmy award-winning never-released single "Love Is A Gift", "Deeper Than The River" & "Not Gonna Be The One". Hopefully, those omitted songs will be included in her boxed set due out next year along with her album "Dance" her first album in 4yrs. Still, a good collection & I will end by saying I'm glad they included the nearly forgotten never played "Don't Stop Believin'" The liner notes are good too & for those you still have that CD, hold on to it TIGHT because the error in crediting Steve Kipner as a producer of "Twist Of Fate" instead of David Foster maybe a collector's item someday.Free Music Review: Pure Magic, With Some Key Omissions and a Lousy Release Date
Hit: 5 Stars
"Magic" stands as the best collection of ONJ's illustrous career yet released, and therefore warrants its 5 star rating. That said, a combination of omissions and bad timing fail to make this a truly definitive set. The timing problem is obvious - with a release date of September 11th - a Tuesday that will go down in history as possibly the worst release date possible - this set never got the chance to make an impact on the charts. Like Barry Manilow's recent chart topper - "Ultimate Manilow" - fans are starved for legendary singers from the best era of pop music that ONJ and Manilow both represent. However, perhaps another release of ONJ material will include a more comprehensive mix of tracks. This year, she celebrates 30 years of Pop stardom, so let's hope the next Best of includes her first US hit - "If not For You" and other key tracks that are missing here - like "Something Better to Do" and "Let it Shine." ONJ fans are craving a boxed set to commemorate her long wonderful career, and new material that will show new legions of fans why this singer ranks among the best female vocalists of our generation. Forget Brittney Spears and Christina Aguilera - Olivia is an artist that transcends generations! Still and all, for the best release to date of ONJ's chart hits, "Magic" is the collection worth owning!