Olivia Newton-John - Rumour
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Free Music Notes for Rumour
Free Music Review: A Strong Cd
Hit: 5 Stars
The Rumour is a strong release from Olivia, the first single the catchy 'The Rumour' is a fun song written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, this cd has great production and solid vocals from Olivia, if you're building a Olivia collection make sure this one is included.Free Music Review: walk through fire for this!
Hit: 5 Stars
A very strong release - a fan must have. Great production....all the songs are great and there is much variety in mood and content. She sounds awesome as always. Plus it's a bargain - you can't lose!Free Music Review: There Was A Rumour That Olivia Was Back
Hit: 4 Stars
This album was released in 1988 at a time when the singer was at a personal crossroads. She previously was coming off a series of "failed" projects...her album "Soul Kiss" trying to be too MTV started out as a hit but went dead upon arrival...her movie career faltered with "Two Of A Kind" as she unsuccessfully reunited with John Travolta...she even had a very moderate hit with producer and record mogul David Foster called "The Best Of Me," that stalled at #80 on the charts!On a personal front, Newton-John was more focused on motherhood and in the process began becoming more personally aware of her environment and her surroundings. This resulted in what was to become her comeback album called "The Rumour." She penned 4 of the 10 songs on this album, that reflects her new found awareness and for the first time her art reflected a social substance first and foremost, over the imaging and packaging that seemed to be evident in her professional singing career of the 1970's and early 1980's.
The album's title track was a bouncy, uplifting track written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It's fun, livvy, most reminiscent of her early 80's hits like "Physical" and "Twist of Fate." The album and the title track stalled in the 60's on the charts mainly because the pop culture was embracing a new formula of dance music (Janet Jackson, Jody Watley, Paula Abdul). New teenage superstars like (Tiffany and Debbie Gibson) were beginning to flourish and Olivia was simply placed in the bargin bin because pop culture labeled her as "too old."
This is not to say that this is not an excellent album. It is a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience throughout. (It just didn't coincide with where popular music was at during this time.)
The songs on the collection address many social issues: AIDS ("Love And Let Live") in which Newton-John espouses the importance of getting to know your partner longer before having sex. It is almost the antithesis to her megahit "Physical." It has a great beat with a hard rock edge.
She also embraces the joy of approaching middle age (She turned 40 years old that year), with "Tutta La Vita." This sense of optimism is a wonderful way for the diva to close the album.
"It's Not Heaven," is a poignant ballad concerning children's attitudes concerning divorce and the challenges of becoming a single parent. This song is highly reminiscent of "Changes" which appeared on her 1974 album ("If You Love Me...Let Me Know.")
"Let's Talk About Tomorrow" is an upbeat tune reflecting social conscience and a foreshadowing of Olivia's responsiblity to make this planet a better place for herself and her newborn daughter, Chloe. There is a significant sense of urgency in her vocal intonation as she addresses her plea to combat pollution and social corruption.
"Can't We Talk It Over In Bed" is a saccharine ballad in which she is more vocally expressive involving the importance of communication with her partner.
"Car Games" is a fun jazzy romp, very different from other Olivia tunes from the past.
"Get Out" is a newfound personal expression of freedom and marked the first time Olivia had recorded a folk/country tinged song. It works well with the diversity within this collection.
"Walk Thru Fire" is the best ballad on the album. Written by hitmakers David and David and showcases Olivia's pristine voice quite well.
"Big And Strong" finds Olivia belting out some of the highest and longest notes in her 17 year career at that time. It is apparent that her voice (along with her songwritting abilities) are beginning to evolve.
At the time of release, Olivia made a videotape of the album titled "Down Under," which tied into Austrlia's bicentenial celebration. The video was extremely entertaining and contained bonus tracks that never made it to the album, ("Winter Angel"/"Old Fashioned Man/"Click Go The Shears.") The special was aired on HBO and the videotape was released.
Overall, this is a very strong album that marked a crossroads in which Olivia began to move from the pop culture market towards experimenting with different styles and different producers with excellent results. Buy this album and you will find yourself singing and humming along with many of the tracks.
Free Music Review: Considered one of her best by her fans
Hit: 4 Stars
Unfortunately this CD didn't get the attention it deserved. It was released near the end of the 80's and by that time the spotlight had shifted to other female singers (ie Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, etc.). Although not near as popular as "Soul Kiss" or "Physical" the songs on this CD are more compelling. One of my favorites is the song "Big & Strong" which would have been a great fit for Kurt Russell's movie Soldier. If you ever wanted to hear her belt out a note and hold it forever (diva style) this is the song. Also, I liked the song "Car Games". It's a clever song that she helped to co-write. It has a definite jazz feel to it and sounds more like something Sade would have released. Hands down the funnest song has to be "Tutta La Vita". All but guaranteed to put a smile on your face it has a party atmosphere to it. In fact, towards the end of the song it sounds like she invited the cast from Grease to help her out. About the only song I find myself skipping over is her version of "Can't We Talk It Over In Bed". It's a bit lackluster but otherwise than that it's a great CD.Free Music Review: What if I gave a party and no one showed up?
Hit: 4 Stars
ONJ tried to comeback. She did come back strong. No one cared. Elton John all but handed her a hit with the title track and she couldn't break the top 40 with it.This CD was Livvy's last chance to prover herself. The trouble is at this point in her life she should've been out promoting the product, excellent as it was, she had driven off so many fans with bombs like "Two of a Kind" and "Soul Kiss," what she failed to realize is if you go away others come along to replace you.The CD is quite excellent. Some of it is a bit preachy but "Walk Through Fire" is a breakthrough song where Livvy finally shows she is now in the older (AKA Middle age) set and beautifully can deal with it. "Tuta La Vita" also says this but in a fun way.This CD is outstanding. Too bad ONJ doesn't have anyone telling her what she is doing wrong with her career/