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Olivia Newton-John - Christmas Collection Audio CD

A fair review of the Olivia Newton-John "Christmas Collection" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Olivia Newton-John reviews here, or go back to the Olivia Newton-John tabs.

Olivia Newton-John Band: Olivia Newton-John
Title: Christmas Collection
Rating:
Release Date: 2001-10-30
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Christmas Never Felt Like This Before 2: The First Noel 3: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 4: Silver Bells 5: (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays 6: What Child Is This? 7: Away In A Manger 8: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! 9: O Holy Night 10: White Christmas 11: Ave Maria 12: Silent Night

Not Bad...
Olivia at the time of this release never recorded a complete Christmas album and as the reviews state, it's a patchwork collection comprised of her appearances on television and outside studio work, the bulk from a Hallmark collection. Unfortunately this and the re-package 20th Century Masters are both out of print. The previously unreleased "The First Noel" has a cold feel to it, the instrumental backing is keyboard with a pop tempo and Olivia's voice simply overdubbed. For me the standout track is "Ave Maria" with the London Symphony providing the lush strings and Olivia's fragile lead supported but not overwhelmed by full choir backing. Had an entire album been recorded with this same quality Olivia would have had a resurgence in her career and this album would have remained in print. .


a big disappointment
it seems to be a collection of her various guest appearances in other artists albums and even the delivery of the songs were not that impressive. though i've been a ONJ fan since she made it in the USA in the early 70's i have to be truthful that this cd is a huge disappointment. honestly i was not moved despite the well chosen holiday songs. there just was no spark and i disliked all those duets w/ various artists.
wasn't what i expected for her first xmas cd after her long career. i really thought they were all recorded specially for her album and not a collection of her guest appearances.
a big big disappointment from a ONJ fan.


Olivia gets the benefit of a fairly large doubt
One is almost inclined to say that's too kind, it's as lazy as anything, with this record containing the grand total of 0 new songs. The Amazon reviewer labels this a 'patchwork-quilt' album, sourcing from various places Christmas tunes Olivia has graced with her vocals over the years. That said, Olivia is on the tailend of her career and hasn't had a big hit in about fifteen years - it should come as a blessing to have these sorts of releases at all.

Festival Records have done a bit of an injustice with the cover art, using a picture which was already three years old when this album came out. The music contained within however has a few standouts, namely the 1996 pop ballad 'Christmas Never Felt Like This' (quite a treat!) and an uptempo pop reworking of 'The First Noel'. Likewise, the songs lifted from Kenny Loggins' TV special 'December' (namely 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!', 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and 'White Christmas') are prime examples of why those American-ised carols make us feel so good - they're just SO darn loveable!!

Like a lot of Olivia's recent work, there's a 'hit and miss' element here. Her cover of 'Ave Maria' was ill-advised and Olivia struggles a little with 'O Holy Night'. For the most part this CD is enjoyable, and one can't blame Olivia entirely as the majority of Christmas releases are the same no matter who releases them. At least Olivia does offer up one tune of her own and a fantastic reworking of 'The First Noel' into the mix. 'The Christmas Collection' is uninspired to say the least, but it serves its function. And at any rate, I'd much rather spent my Christmas with Olivia than the likes of Charlotte Church.


A Christmas album you shouldn't miss
I don't regret having done it one bit. I am not very fond of Christmas albums, so I bought Olivia's with some hesitation. I have never heard ONJ sound better in her life. Her voice improves as years go by. Not only it keeps that ethereal quality which has made her so remarkably unique, it has now a strength, a solidity it didn't have before. Her previous incursion with an orchestra - the "Warm and tender" album- showed how well she could sound, but the Christmas Collection is way superior. The music arrangements are just fantastic and she blends just perfectly with the music without losing her presence and personal signature. "Ave Maria" is definitely the jewel of the crown. Instead of going for high notes, she explores deeper tones, giving her rendition an earthy, warm feeling. Interpreting a classical piece is a far cry from what she had done before, but she knows what her possibilities are and she exploits them to the maximum without any pretentiousness. She has made a well balanced album in which all songs fit together. A beautiful album that has dignity and avoids the very common mistake of making of Christmas music something commercial or corny.


The Christmas Collection
Excellent, as have her other songs and soundtracks been.


You can see a complete list of all Olivia Newton-John discography, or go back to the Olivia Newton-John tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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