Love Songs of the '70s

Donny Osmond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000MNOXIU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,631 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Musically speaking, children of the '70s subscribe to a tribe mentality: At first glance, former Stooges fanatics may have little in common with onetime discomaniacs, but get them together and odds are they'll bond over a mutual belief that Cliff Richard's "We Don't Talk Anymore" was, for its time, one hot track. Which is why Donny Osmond did himself a favor by recording this batch of retreads--what he loses in nostalgia points for making a disc without Marie (all these years later, there's still an element that prefers a little bit of country with its little bit of rock'n'roll), he makes up for in timeless material that, not incidentally, is very well sung. It's possible to hear Dan Hill's ever-tender "Sometimes When We Touch" here without missing Hill for a second, for instance. And because Donny's nice-guy reputation precedes him by decades, he's a natural at putting his own sunshiny spin on Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now." If Love Songs disappoints even a sliver, it's because the title limits the song selection to disallow tracks that could have formed an equally enjoyable record: Goofy Songs of the 70s. Suffice it to say that Leo Sayer's "When I Need You" leaves a listener with a deep hankering to hear Donny's rendition of "You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'," too. --Tammy La Gorce

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Product Description

There were some nights during his triumphant starring run as the villainous Gaston in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast when Donny Osmond's mind was racing. No, he wasn't trying to remember his next line; rather, he was thinking about the album he was in the process of recording. Backstage. In his dressing room. "It was totally bizarre" he laughs. "I would perform my role onstage, and then I would run back to my dressing room and fix a vocal I didn't like. Sometimes it was just a word; other times it was an entire verse or chorus.

The album is called Love Songs of the 70s, and once you hear it, you'll know why. Donny gave it his all -- he could perform vocals to completed musical tracks in his dressing room whenever he liked, a ritual he followed each afternoon -- and, as it so happened, some nights as well. Describing himself as a "Type-A perfectionist," Donny admits his that work habits might have confounded his co-stars. "But when a record means as much as this one, you do whatever it takes to make it special."

True to its title, Love Songs of the 70s is a collection of some of the most memorable romantic pop and R&B ballads of a golden, multi-platinum era. Just a casual glance at some of the songs will transport listeners back to a special place in their lives: "Laughter in the Rain," "Oh, Girl," "If," "Let's Stay Together," "How Deep Is Your Love," "You Are So Beautiful," -- these are some of the priceless selections Donny has chosen for this remarkable set. "That's what's so amazing about these songs," says Donny. "They're time capsules, capable of moving you in so many powerful ways. What's more, if a song is truly a classic, as these certainly are, their importance grows through the decades because of what you, the listener, bring to them. I've always loved hearing these songs, and I especially love singing them."

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wait, i'm so confused...I thought I hated Donny Osmond., April 24, 2007

By 

J. Niss (Western Mass) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Love Songs of the '70s (Audio CD)

This should be a guilty pleasure but it is so good I can't feel bad about listening to it. This is so much fun to hear!

Songs I've always found way too "schmaltzy" are so cleanly presented, with such an absence of histrionics, that I am finding them very enjoyable. These renditions clear the mind of the many awful versions that these and similar songs have suffered elsewhere, including on American Idol. Not a hint of any singer except Donny Osmond here - no copying or mimicing the originals - but respect and taste are on display as he captures the essential subtleties that made the songs memorable (and adds many of his own seemingly effortlessly).

If you had told me that Donny Osmond would sing crystal clear covers of "you are so beautiful to me" and "lets stay together" that I would like, I would have said you were crasy. So I guess Mr. Osmond has gotten me to do what George Michael was unable to inspire in me: to listen without prejudice. OK Donny, you have a new fan, one of many in response to this I suspect. Your hard work and attention to every note have paid off beautifully!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars outstanding compilation of '70s love songs, May 12, 2008

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Love Songs of the '70s (Audio CD)

Love Songs of the '70s is a fine CD by Donny Osmond containing classic love songs from the 1970s. These tunes are sure to bring back memories for those of us who first heard these songs on the radio! I know they bring back great memories for me even if Donny didn't sing them originally. The sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.

"I Can See Clearly Now" gets the royal treatment that would make Johnny Nash proud! Donny sings this with lots of positive energy; and the backup chorus works wonders to enhance even further the natural beauty of this optimistic number. Donny's voice is in excellent form, too--he never skips a beat! In addition, "Sometimes When We Touch" features Donny performing this ballad with great sensitivity; and this impresses me greatly. Donny sings with all his heart and soul; and just one listen proves it!

Neil Sedaka's "Laughter In The Rain" easily rivals the original version; and when Donny sings this the number takes off like a jet! Donny's excellent diction and his uncanny sense of timing make this a very special number. "Laughter In The Rain" is clearly a major highlight of this album. "When I Need You" by Leo Sayer shines like silver and gold combined when Donny performs this with panache; and the music that accompanies him is elegant without ever drowning him out.

"You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker is very moving; this always tugs at my heartstrings and Donny gives this all his heart and soul. The strings enhance the beauty of the number and the guitar arrangement is very well done as well. Listen also for "How Deep Is Your Love" originally by The Bee Gees; Donny truly was born to sing numbers just like this one! Donny handles the subtle tempo changes like the pro he was and still remains; and the chorus backs him up very nicely to make "How Deep Is Your Love" a very solid number.

Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again Naturally" is very pretty when Donny Osmond sings it; and he infuses so much genuine feeling into this ballad that it truly amazes me. The musical arrangement complements his singing to perfection. The CD ends strong with Donny Osmond performing "If" by Bread. "If" is a number that stuns me with its beauty and Donny does great justice to this number.

Donny Osmond can really sing out a tune; what a modern day crooner he truly is! This is wonderful for Donny Osmond fans; and people who like love songs from the 1970s will want this album also.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars first class, March 11, 2007

By 

sally sparks (somerset england) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Love Songs of the '70s (Audio CD)

enjoyed every song, some really lovely songs of the seventies and again donny sings them to perfection, if you purchase this cd you will not regret it, every penny is worth it