Audio CD review:
Olivia Newton-John - Olivia

Olivia Newton-John - Olivia

Band: Olivia Newton-John Title: Olivia Rating: Release Date: 05 October, 1995 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Angel of the Morning 2: Just a Little Too Much 3: If We Only Have Love 4: Winterwood 5: My Old Man's Got a Gun 6: Changes 7: I'm a Small and Lonely Light 8: Why Don't You Write Me 9: Mary Skeffington 10: Behind That Locked Door 11: What Is Life 12: Everything I Own 13: Living in Harmony 14: I Will Touch You

Customer Reviews One song worth price of entire CD It's her rendition of the Jacques Brel "If We Only Have Love. There is one song here that perhaps may very well be one of the best things she's ever done. " The words alone capture the absolutely essential persona of Olivia Newton-John. It is a deeply affecting, poignant song which implores for world peace, and end to hatred, an end to cultural strife, an end to the fearful barriers which afflict human nature. Olivia begins the piece very quietly, gravely. The voice is conversely tender, imploring, sincere, and overlaid with a tragically "aware," sweet irony imparted to its words; the implicit belief in what she is singing carries itself over to the listener in a magically communicative way. Midway, she opens the voice up in an impassioned pouring-out of the tone on "Oh, if we only have love, with our arms open wide. " Olivia builds the urgency up to a mighty wallop of a climax on "We will drink from a dram," giving out so much, the voice is just a hair from cracking with feverish emotion, but sustaining its magisterial power beautifully. She follows with her glowing intoning of "To be born, once again," which brilliantly suggests the promise of enlightenment, of having reached the ultimate state-of-being. She finishes off with the tenderest, most forlorn plea, using the most bittersweet of tones as she repeats "If we only have. . . love. " Recorded as it was, in the early Seventies, it is redolent of its time, during Vietnam, tumultuous world changes, and the continued clashes between cultures. Olivia, the activist, environmentalist, ambassador for good will, is encapsulated in the message of this song, and her approach defines her exactly as she is, then, and as now. "If We Only Have Love" represents the definitive Olivia Newton-John. It is worth the price for it alone in a fascinating collection. . Second Australian album continues folk pop sound It opens with the classic Angel of the morning, a sixties song that became a huge hit for Juice Newton many years after Olivia recorded it, and contains several other fine covers, including Just a little too much (Johnny Burnette), If we only have love (Jacques Brel), Winterwood (Don MacLean), Mary Skeffington (Gerry Rafferty), Everything I own (Bread) and What is life (George Harrison). The follow-up to Olivia's debut, If not for you, is in a similar style. Even more interesting are some of the original songs. My old man's got a gun suggests an extreme reaction to the problem of stalking, but it's a lot of fun as long as you don't take it seriously. Changes is about the consequences of divorce. With the exception of Behind a locked door and I will touch you. all these tracks were included on the British compilation 48 original tracks, although you may want this CD anyway for the even better sound quality. Classic ONJ She has the most beautiful singing voices I've ever heard and it is put on flattering display here on the incredible 14 songs which constitute this album. Hands down this is my favorite album by Olivia Newton-John's. Songs like "My Old Man's Got A Gun" and "I'm A Small And Lonely Light" have such intricate musicianship and provide vital and strong backing behind ONJ's glorious vocals. Her one composition on this album, "Changes," is a great song, tenderly and intelligently talking about the emotions a parent experiences when going through a divorce. While the song was never a radio staple for her, it showcases Olivia's talent as a songwriter. The covers on this album are interesting and diverse Juice Newton to Paul Simon to George Harrison and she does well with each. The country rocker "Just A Little Too Much" is the most fun song on the record and you can picture Olivia smiling as she sings the song. The touching closing ballad "I Will Touch You" has the perfect early 70s feel. Throughout the 14 songs ONJ displays an impressive emotive vocal range. While "If We Only Had Love" may seem a little treacly to some, ONJ's delivery of the lyric is not. It's spot on perfect. ONJ's 70s albums are her best and, in my opinion, OLIVIA (her 2nd) is the best of them all. . You can see a complete list of all Olivia Newton-John discography, or go back to the Olivia Newton-John tabs