Olivia Newton-John & Friends...A Celebration In Song

Olivia Newton-John | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: July 29, 2008
• Release Date: July 29, 2008
• Label: EMI America Records
• Copyright: (C) 2008 ONJ Productions Inc., under exclusive license to EMI Music Canada
• Total Length: 47:59
• Genres:
• ASIN: B001EDDWM0
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,254 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Newton-John's Worthwhile "Celebration", June 4, 2008

By 

Timothy Yap "thy4568" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Celebration in Song: Olivia Newton-John and Friends (Audio CD)

Prime Cuts: Right Here with You (with Delta Goodrem), Everything Love Is (with Jimmy Barnes), Never Far Away (with Richard Marx)

Duets have been second nature to Livvy. Prodigious collaborations have littered her extensive career. Nothing tops her duet with John Travolta, even to this day, "You're the One I Want" is still one of the most requested karaoke songs. However, it was not until 2002 when she released her first full- fledged duets CD creatively entitled "2." "Celebration in Song" is the follow-up. Reflecting her larger than life personality and influence, her singing partners come from all over the world. From the US (Barry Gibb, Richard Marx and John Farrar) to Asia (Sun Ho) to Canada (RyanDan, Jann Arden and Amy Sky) to her native Australia (Keith Urban, Delta Goodrem, Jimmy Barnes and Melinda Schneider) to Europe (Cliff Richard), this is an all-star international phenom. And just like her duet partners, these songs transcend all genres, although most of them could easily fall under the rubric of easy listening with a slight hint of country.

Standout among the bunch is the lead single "Right Here with You." "Right Here with You," a duet with Australian divalet Delta Goodrem, puts together music and message together to create an inspirational homily with encouraging lines that ought to give a boost those defeated by life. "Right Here with Here" seamlessly segues into another inspirational ballad "Find a Little Faith" with Cliff Richard. Don't expect another "Suddenly," "Find a Little Faith" borders on a non-descript melodic line and lacks the punch of the Xanadu hit. Further, Sir Cliff Richard sounds tired and weak. Much better is the piano-led "Everything Love Is" -this ballad's heartwarming message gives definition to love is made even more poignant by the contrasting voices of angelic performance of Livvy and the gravel voice of rocker Jimmy Barnes. Calling to mind Marx's own "Now and Forever," "Never Far Away" (which first appeared on Livvy's "2") is a tour de force duet of romantic proportions.

The most upbeat song in this ballad heavy CD is Keith Urban's duet "Sunburned Country" (also from "2"). Ferocious guitars by Urban himself and a pulsating beat undergirds this very Australian-themed swagger "Sunburned Country." The rest of the CD which are mostly ballads, but they suffer from a lack of edginess and piquancy. Partly responsible for such a dirge comes from Amy Sky's pretty bland production. Jann Arden, one of the most intriguing Canadian voices out there, is let down with the offer of the rather pedestrian "Angel in the Wings"-- a rather vanilla inspirational number that founders on some fluff-filled New Age lyrics. Similarly RyanDan who has an expressive tenor is tapered off with a rather understated rendition of the classic "The Water is Wide."

After associating with Amy Sky, the last few Newton-John albums have been very ballad heavy. Nothing wrong with that; However, Amy Sky's songwriting and production chores tend to lack the verve and the magic touch of say a David Foster. Nevertheless, there are duets here that are still a knock out of the park. Further, part of the album's proceeds goes to breast cancer research: such a worthy cause and such a star-studded event are reasons worthy enough to join Livvy in her "Celebration."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, October 18, 2008

By 

K. Stame (LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Celebration in Song (Audio CD)

This CD provides inspiration for anyone who is facing cancer or is supporting someone who is fighting cancer. I have several friends who are dealing with Cancer right now in their lives and I gave a copy of this CD to give them strength. My Friend's mom listens to it as she is getting chemo each week. I have always enjoyed Olivia's music but these songs speak to the heart.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OLIVIA - PLEASE TEAM UP WITH JOHN FARRAH ONCE MORE!, February 4, 2011

By 

James Buss "Producer/Music Critic" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Celebration In Song (Audio CD)

I have had my 15 year fill of celebration, love, peace, growth and spirituality out of ONJ. I enjoyed and still listen to Gaia and Grace and Gratitude but you can only listen to so much. Back With A Heart was a great return and the mistake was releasing I Honestly Love You rather than Back With A Heart as the single. HUGE MISTAKE that killed the album right off the shelf.

If she would just step up her music - enough of this drippy Amy Sky music and lyrics. Produce an album with John Farrah, even if it sounds like the 80s, I think it would make a much bigger mark than her past attempts of recycled tunes spewed onto discs sold as a "new" Olivia album. I am starting to feel like her fans are being treated like idiots who will buy anything new from her.

Its time for a change - Reckless is the best sounding song I have heard in two decades and wonder why it was never put on Physical (in place of Love Make Me Strong). I wonder what else was passed up at that time. I miss those upbeat, wonderfully harmonized songs like Recovery, etc.

Come on Olivia - once more for your hardcore fans!

peace and love