Customer Reviews

Gaia

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Why on this great Mother Earth "Gaia" was never released in the USA is beyond logic!!! Truly her best recording to date. Her personal journey through good, bad, and trying times can be related by anyone who has lived life. You get the full meaning of what Olivia has experienced. Her vocals are at their top notch best. As in pure Olivia fashion, she runs the field of various musical styles. Dance favorite "No Matter What You Do" clearly states love will prevail. Reggae fans will will enjoy "Not Gonna Give in to it". Her message about saving this world we live in shine in "Gaia", "Silent Ruin" and (my favorite) "Don't Cut Me Down" [from the movie 'It's My Party' which she appears in]. The CD completes with "The Way of Love". This song gives great encouragement to anyone who's views may be different from others. If you do not have any recordings by Olivia (say it isn't so!) you must have this one. Once you have it, you'll be back for more!

It took me quite a long time to actually find a copy of this, (4 years after it's release if you want specifics) but it was definitely worth the wait. Listening to this Cd, you "feel"... pure and simple. Most of Olivia's songs don't come acrosss so emotionally empowering. This one's definitely from the heart. What touched me the most were the dedications and inspiratons for each song that preceded the lyrics in the cd jacket. Knowing why a song was written, or what it meant to her (Olivia) made it all the more thought provoking and personal. All of us have fears we have to face, and embodied in Gaia, is the inspiration to stand up and face those demons, or at least, remind us that we are not alone in feeling them. If I had to name a favorite song, I probably couldn't. Each one has been a favorite for different reasons and at different times. Which reiterates my earlier point-- listening to this cd will make you feel. You will probably find yourself relating to some facet of emotion as you listen. From the upbeat "Not Gonna Give In To It" to the heart wrenching "Don't Cut Me Down", I found myself on an emotional roller coaster. I've been a fan for a long time, and I love everything I've seen and heard to date, but I don't think anything tops Gaia: One Woman's Journey. This is definitely a MUST have.

"Gaia" is Olivia's most accomplished album to date. It is her therapeutic statement penned, co-produced and sung by ONJ which was inspired by a myriad of personal challenges the singer has faced in the past, most notably her bout with breast cancer. The 12 songs beautifully showcase the singer's evolution. It is her best album in her 23 year recording career.

The album opens with "Trust Yourself," a self empowering anthum in which Olivia espouses the importance of relying on one's inner knowingness and guidence. From the opening line of the album "I need to tell the truth..." it is obvious that she is more inclined to live a more honest and truthful existence on this plane. The song starts out slow and builds to the one of the most powerful of climaxes. The song was utilized in his most recent independent film "Sordid Lives," in the ending credits.

"No Matter What You Do" is a straightforward pop ditty in which Olivia showcases her non-judgmental approach to loving others, despite their actions. It is Olivia at her compasssionate best. The song was slated to be a single, but unfortunately was never released worldwide. (Surprisingly, this album was never officially released in the US but can be found on this website or www.ebay.com/It is well worth the import price).

"No Other Love" is a song she wrote and dedicated to her then husband of 10 years, Matt Lattanski and her daughter Chloe. This song is reflective of the trademark signature ballads that she has sung so beautifully the past several decades.

"Pegasus" has a dreamlike and ethereal quality. Olivia penned the song as a result of an early morning meditation, in which she questions the purpose of this mythological presence in her space. The song has a new age feel to it, and includes the strong presence of flute and the casio (played by Olivia herself); instruments that were seldom heard on her previous recordings.

"Why Me" finds the songstress asking the eternal question that many of us are faced with in attempting to find a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. She then clearly negates the question-Why not me, and explores the importance of embracing every moment as if it were your very last, because ultimately we truly don't know when we are destined to leave this planet. It is a highly introspective and evolved song from the singer/songwriter who is expanding her horisons, fully living and embracing the questions.

"Don't Cut Me Down" contains a magnificient vocal that showcases Olivia's growing concern for her environment and her world. It was written and abandoned in the late 1980's, when Olivia decided to write an album of lullabies for her daughter and children and parents to enjoy together. This song takes off where the album "Warm And Tender"(1989) left off. An interesting songwriting twist is employed in which Olivia sings the song from the perspective of a tree! It is her musical plea to save the depleting rainforests. It is laced with one of the most beautiful vocals of her entire career. A classic track on this landmark album, not to be missed. Olivia featured this song in the end credits to her 1995 ensemble film, "It's My Party."

Like "Pegasus," the title track also is adorned with a rather ethereal and surreal nature to it. In this song, Olivia is channeling the spirit of mother earth, herself, urging that human nature take notice and provide whatever means necessary to protect, respect, and love the planet. This album also includes some unique instrumentation, never used on Olivia's albums before: the presence of the Erhu, Bamboo Flute, and Didgeredoo are heard on this socially conscious track.

"Do You Feel" is a song in which the singer is searching for people's reactions to their environment. She is questioning whether or not others are consciously aware and engaged in the complexes of this intricate, yet intriging matrix we call life. It is adorned with a beguilling vocal.

"I Never Knew Love" is a country tinged song that is highly reminiscent of her early 1970's hit records. On this bouncy tune, Olivia recognizes and realizes that her heart is open to embracing the holy spirit as the lifeforce guiding her existence. It is apparent that she has expanded her awareness to ask the universe for assistance, and without judgment, be open to receiving the gifts from the universe, however they present themselves.

"Silent Ruin" is the first song Olivia was ever asked to write. It appears in the documentary, "The Last Whale." This is her social statement to rid the human race of the ignorance that is involved in the unnnecessary slaugher of the whales. This song is a counterpart to "The Promise," her classic song on 1981's "Physical" that addresses her love for the intelligent dolphins. As the latter is sung ever so sweetly and lovingly, "Silent Ruin" serves as a lament sung in a sad tone of desperation, urging the preservation of the endangered species.

This segues in the upbeat and saucy,"Not Gonna Give Into It." This song contains a cross hybrid of african american rhythms and latin pulsating disco beats. It is by far the most internationally flavored song that ONJ has recorded in her entire career. The song can be likened to any that Gloria Estefan would grace on her albums. There is even a spanish chorus of the title included! This track aggressively displays the singer's perserverance in not letting her disease get the best of her. It is a profound statement of faith, courage, and inspiration that has become a regular staple in her live repetoire. An enduring and resillent highlight.

"The Way Of Love" ends the album on an upbeat, optimistic note. Olivia maintains that we are all products of different backgrounds and different belief systems and regardless of this, all of our choices and beliefs have equal merit. Her daughter's high school choir is heard singing on this track. Olivia openly and with great acceptance is allowing everyone to experience their own personal journey, however it unfolds in their life.

"Gaia-One Woman's Journey" is a saga of a woman who has lived a myriad of experiences and has reached a certain openess and acceptance of self that emanates on this highly personal and introspective chronicle.

Earlier in her career, Olivia's aspirations and motivations were more focused on the material and physical plane (ie..success/fame/chart position). This was clearly reflected in her projects at the time (hence, the title of her 1981 classic "Physical!")

She has in the past several years had her share of personal challenges that have shaped her experiences tenfold. Her clothing business, Koala Blue, folded and she went bankrupt. Her celebrity profile and chart performance greatly declined. Her marriage of 10 years ended in divorce. She has also suffered many personal losses (Chloe's best friend, and her father, who died the very same day she was diagnosed with breast cancer!)

The final result is that the singer has emerged victorous over her bout with her illness with a newfound acceptance and love for herself and her life that shines on "Gaia." She has clearly moved beyond the "Physical," and this album could conceivably be named "Spiritual!" Or even more appropriate title would be "Back To Basics-The Essential Collection!"

This is the one Olivia Newton-John album to own. Written, co-produced, and sung by Livvy herself, this album is a triumph and a jewel in any collection. The artwork is photographed in a brillant rainbow color of Peter Erskine's solar environmental art work "Secrets Of The Sun," the inner contents print the deep, personal, introspective lyrics of an enlightened soul traversing the path of life. Novices and long time ONJ fans take note. This album is an absolute must!!!

Olivia performed a couple of tracks at her concert in Chicago - I immediately searched for the CD - found it and it was everything I expected - very inspirational - the woman is a special person and I will pass on her inspired song writing to a friend facing similiar problems.

I have to agree with every other review on this page. I searched high and low for YEARS for this CD, until a co-worker picked it up for me in Hungary. I, too, was perplexed as to why this CD was never formally released in the US. It is a masterpiece and is her most personal work to date. What makes this CD even richer and more meaningful, is that Olivia produced and wrote every song on the CD--proving that her true talent extends far beyond her angelic voice. For anyone who likes Olivia's music, this CD is an absolute must-have!

Music is food for the soul, and this album/CD personifies just that. Her words could only have been written by one who has travelled this journey before me.

HERE IS THE "SPIRITUAL OLIVIA" AS OPPOSED TO THE POP ARTISTE OR PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINER, HERE IS THE SINGER PERSONALISING THE SONGS IN A WAY OTHER ALBUMS DON'T CUT IT, THE LADY SINGS WITH HEART'N SOUL AS ALWAYS BUT THESE SONGS THE LISTENER CAN TELL, "OLIVIA" CLEARLY BELIEVES IN, IT'S A MUSICAL VOYAGE OF THE LADY'S FAITH AND BELIEF IN LIFE!!

There are few female vocalists whose commercial successes were based on true talent. Olivia Newton-John is definitely one of them. And I would add to that short list, Ella Fitzgerald, Elaine Paige, Celine Dion, Nina Simone, and Shirley Bassey. In this album, she shares with us her thoughts and feelings about life, her experiences, and the difficulties she had to face in this world; the songs awaken our conscience for life, and stimulates our own thoughts about the many subjects we encounter in life. After all isn't this the true object of art: to generate pathos in us for the betterment of our own lives? The songs also have an ethereal quality, a lush production and instrumentation, and almost all of them feature various exotic instruments that help create this spiritual, haunting mood. Among the many exceptional qualities of ONJ, I would like to note the fact that she kept herself out of the public scrutiny, scandal, and gossip despite her successful career and managed to keep her poise, unlike many other commercially successful pop artists. This aspect can also be appreciated from all the works she produced in her professional career.

Simply a must! If you dont have this CD, you should.

Its the first release after her battle with cancer and many songs are what she thought and went through during and after her treatment.

I found it to be one of her best releases and listen to it often.

This is Olivia's best album of her career. These songs are intricate, deep, multi-dimensional, complex, and superbly crafted. While the sound quality is not up that of her more recent "Back With a Heart," it is still an incredible CD. I would bet there's at least one song on this album that will come so close to your own soul that you'd swear Olivia wrote it for you. She has to keep writing and producing her own stuff; this album is a masterpiece. It's a shame many people only know her for Physical and Grease... because Olivia is more than that as this CD proves. You won't be dissapointed.