Customer Reviews

Indigo Women Of Song

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

With a stunning vocal performance, Olivia Newton-John once again proves her lasting style with a sophisticated tribute to women in music. From the dreamy vocals of "How Insensitive" to the freshly drawn "Alfie," the singer's depth and range has rarely sounded better. Soft and whimsical, then heartfelt and gutteral, "How Glad I Am" is a standout, bringing to mind Petula Clark AND Alicia Keys. Newton-John has been criticized for playing it safe and sounding whitebread. But here she once again breaks the mold, delivering emotion-packed phrasing that serves each lyric in intimate, sponteneous ways. A wonderful collection for any ONJ fan, new or old.

Having been a fan of Olivia for years and years and having also seen her recently in concert where she previewed four songs from this album (How Insensitive, Anyone Who Had A Heart, Alfie & Cry Me A River), I knew this album would be an easy listening soulful gem! It sure is and delivers on every track! The production is simple and mostly using piano and some strings........but what it brings out is what we all want........HER VOICE! Buy this cd and see what a wonderful talent she still is and give the woman her props! Love ya!

A great risk is run when an artist decides to record her rendition of a famous song. Comparisons are bound to arise, and music lovers' opinions can be sharp as knives. But when that artist is Olivia Newton John, the result can only be outstanding.

Her voice sounds better than ever in this album. It is at the same time rich, fresh, deep, ethereal. It's not only her perfect pitch or strength, she's able to portray a wide range of emotions that no newcomer can even imagine.

She sounds so unlike herself, as if she were portraying different characters. Songs as How insensitive, Cry me a river and Summertime contain a fascinating mix of lust and disappointment. Olivia creates a unique interpretation from the overly recorded Send in the clowns. Hers is a heart felt confession, stripped from any edulcorated orchestration, honest and fragile. How glad I am and Alfie show her impressive vocal capabilities. Her own sunny side comes through in songs like Lovin' you and Rainy days and Mondays.

With this CD you can close your eyes and be transported to different places, different atmospheres: a New Orleans bar, a concert hall, a rose garden.

Phil Ramone's production work is immaculate. He gives these diverse songs unity. Randy Waldmans's arrangements are in perfect balance with Olivia's artistry, serving at times as a backdrop and others as an interlocutor.

Olivia's life and artistic experience can be felt throughout the record. She speaks to us boldly, never afraid to show the scars, displaying a marvelous ability to express such subtle emotions at ease.

We can only hope she'll make a second part.

Just as good wines, Olivia is better with time.

I have been a faithful fan of Olivia Newton-John for over 25 years and she never ceases to amaze me with her ability to adapt her style to fit her audience. Yeah, she and her target audience have grown 25 years older since she skipped across the silver screen in smokin' spandex. And the ever-evolving maturity of her sound is evident on "Indigo".

I thought she sounded great in 2002 on her duets CD "2", but this record showcases her voice in ways I never thought possible, largely due to the talents of legendary producer Phil Ramone.

All of the tracks are outstanding. The songs serve as tributes to the women that Olivia considers her major influences. But as others have pointed out, she manages to transcend the "cover" stigma by incorporating a healthy dose of that ONJ magic into each and every tune.

"How Insensitive" is a masterpiece of smoldering sensuality set to an irresistible bossa nova arrangement.

"Anyone Who Had a Heart" proves once again that Olivia was born to sing Bacharach.

"How Glad I Am" and "Summertime" provide the biggest departures for ONJ and she's up for the challenge.

The 70's classics "Rainy Days & Mondays" and "Lovin' You" are lovingly re-created in bittersweet memory of the original artists, who were both good friends of Olivia's.

This album is a treasure.

Wow. I drove 50 miles in bad weather to pick up this cd. It was well worth the trip and I would make many more for this type of music. I have loved Miss Newton-John since she started in the country music scene. I feel she is too underappreciated and anyone who listens to this cd will agree. She ain't 19 anymore and it shows. Her voice ages like a fine wine and her ability to hit the high notes remains in tact. From the beginning notes of How Insensitive to the final notes of Alfie, I was mesmerized. Send in the Clowns has never been one of my favorite songs but her version is simply irresistable. How Insensitive is purely magical and is my favorite cut on the cd. How Glad I Am is stunning and her version of Rainy Days and Mondays would make Karen proud. Although, I would have picked a different Dionne Warwick song, Alfie is done superbly. Miss Newton-John needs to record several more of these types of cds for our listening pleasure. One each year would be fantastic!

This is grammy winning due to the lush production and the fabulous song list to Olivia's beatiful voice interpreting each song as if it were her own.

If you love Olivia and love the standards (even though not all are standards) buy this cd. You will not be disappointed, in fact, you will be overjoyed with delight. The best $23.00 I have ever spent, honestly. (I honestly love it!)

Olivia Newton-John has recorded the definitive work of her astoundingly successful career. "Indigo: Women Of Song", finds Olivia celebrating the songs and singers who inspired her from a young age. She certainly pays homage, while raising the wonderful material to even more lofty heights.

What becomes apparent to the listener is that Olivia's voice just gets better with age, something that cannot be said of many of her contemporaries. While maintaining her glorious soprano, which remains strong, clear, and ever supple, her lower register is rich, deep, and resonant...clearly evident on "How Glad I Am." Beginning in a seductive, smoky alto, Olivia then soars effortlessly through to her gorgeous soprano within only a few measures...just amazing. Her cover of "Lovin' You" is as emotional and heartfelt as Minnie Ripperton's original. Wanting to remain faithful to the material, while bringing her own style to each of the tracks, Olivia steers clear of Minnie's histrionics, thus keeping in tact both of their inimitable approaches to the same song. American Idol pundits need listen to Olivia's interpretation of "Summertime," presented here in a sultry, sexy style...Fantasia...take note, sweetie. "Send In The Clowns" will have you pondering "Judy who" or "Barbra who", while "Alfie" forces the listener, for the very first time, to actually contemplate the poignant Bacharach lyric, Olivia's vocal remaining the centerpiece throughout. Phil Ramone's genius production perfectly suits Olivia, bringing beauty to the instrumentation, while leaving Olivia's voice at the forefront - the true "masterpiece" that this album showcases so genuinely and brilliantly.

At 56, with awards and #1s aplenty, Olivia Newton-John has earned the right to record the material she chooses. "Indigo" is a brilliant, shining example that her choices are always spot-on. Purchase with confidence. The Best Album of 2004, bar none.

No ill meant to Rod Stewart ...but why is that he has a NUMBER 1 cd and Olivia Newton John can't get a deal in the US???

It seems that Olivia Newton-John doesn't get older, she gets better. This is her best singing to date. Soulful, passionate and beautiful. The arrangements are exquisite from start to finish and Phil Ramone's producing is top notch.

Olivia Newton-John shows once again why she is such a strong song interpreter with this collection of covers originally sung by other famous female singers.

The stand-out tracks are several including:

A plaintiff cover of Minnie Ripperton's "Lovin' You", which works surprisingly well, considering it's a pretty gutsy move to cover such a recognized classic. Olivia doesn't try to imitate Ripperton's 4 octave range glass breakin' style, but instead, she brings a knowing sensitivity that takes the song in a new direction, but really works.

"Rainy Days and Mondays", which of course, is forever identified with Karen Carpenter, Olivia covers with an earnestness and soulfulness I've never heard her reach before. Amazing!

"Where Have All The Flowers Gone?", is another powerful vocal performance from Olivia, although this particular version of the lyrics is not the typical one chosen and somehow confuses the message of the song. In the liner notes, Olivia credits Joan Baez for the song, but to me, I always think of Marlene Dietrich and her night club act of the late 60s, when she spoke-sung this song so wonderfully. Olivia manages to bring a wonderful depth to the material, and this would be the best track on the CD if it weren't for the confusing version of the lyrics.

The other tracks seem pretty standard cover stuff to me, and while none stands out as having its own original inprint, Olivia does get closest at making her own mark with a wonderful version of Dionne Warwick's "Anyone Who Had A Heart".

While this CD is not perfect, it does showcase Olivia is an excellent light and shows how she has still retained her voice and how her interpretive skills continue to grow.

It's truly a shame that this album has not yet received a US release, while other less artistically strong cover CDs, like Rod Stewart's are atop the US charts.

So, let's help Olivia out and buy this CD! Maybe US record companies will finally get a clue and give her a record deal!

Oh, how truly sad it is that music like this continues to escape the reaches of radio today. With the continuous bombardment of "noise" from teeny-bopper wannabes, I believe that most people in the modern world have no idea what real music sounds like.

This is real music--from a real talent. Olivia needs no over-the-top production to cover up vocal flaws--which is so common with today's "singers" (and I use that term very loosely). Olivia's voice has always been pure and gorgeous--and it only continues to sweeten with time. In fact, Olivia's voice has now developed a warm, rich tone that clearly issues forth from her soul. It enters your ears and fills your heart, mind and soul.

What is especially interesting about this new album, is that in many ways, it is reminiscent of her early 70's work--such as "Come On Over" and "Clearly Love". Here we are, some 30 years after these albums--and Olivia's voice sounds very much as it does on those much earlier albums. Even the choice of songs is very similar. It's almost like Olivia has come full circle in her career--only now, in addition to the sweetness of her voice, there is also a rich, deep maturity to it.

On "Anyone Who Had A Heart", she sings with such desperation that her voice actually breaks. However, it does not detract from the song--but actually enhances the message of it. Also, her interpretation of "Loving You" actually brings me to tears.

Olivia sings these songs with feeling, emotion and conviction. My only complaint is that I had to purchase it as an import--which means much of the US will (again) be unaware of her glory--and miss out on yet another glorious release from her (just as they missed "2").

Oh well, at least I can feel blessed that I am one of the lucky ones who is aware of her.