Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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."

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.

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

Olivia Newton-John proves time and time again that she is one of the greatest vocalists of all time, but like many veteran artists, her CD releases have become weak at best. Only a few bright spots light up this dull collection. The CD is certainly pleasant, but it has the tendancy to play out as one long song.

As I understand it, this album is a benefit production for cancer research. It is a quite well-done collection of folk/ballad duets with a variety of artists. The prize goes to the opening cut with Delta Goodrem ["Right Here With You"], but the entire project is worthy of praise, with "The Water Is Wide" being especially good.

Olivia is certainly NOT an unknown quantity; she has given us a rather massive selection of records over the years. I'm still in love with her character in "Grease"...and, if the cover photo is accurate, she's the hottest 60 year old I ever saw. She's not to everybody's taste [no singer is], but if you like her, you'll like this.

This is a must have in anyone's music collection. If you are Olivia's Fan you need to get this beautiful duets cd.

Can she do it better? Yes, she can but even though this is a very good duet album. Highlights: the duets with Delta Goodrem, Cliff Richard, Barry Gibb, Jann Arden and Sun. On July 29, 2008 Emi Records is releasing a world wide version with a much nicer cover. My favourites until now are: Right Here with you (w Delta Goodrem), great vocals from both of them and a nice melody; Find a little faith (w. Cliff Richard) this two really sing well together; The Heart Knows (w. Barry Gibb)...well they should do an entire CD together, their styles blend so well; Jann Arden, great song with edgy sound.

This is the third release and third unique cover for this CD. I have to keep rechecking the collection for this item to make sure I have it. Please stop re-releasing this album with different covers. It's misleading. Better yet, release something that is actually new. That would be nice!

1. A portion of the proceeds goes to Olivia's cancer organization.

2. Beautiful picture

3. Beautiful songs

4. Trustworthy and Dependable

5. Wonderful cause

These are Olivia's newest songs and with some very talented artists! The Heart Knows with Andy Gibb, Never Far Away with Richard Marx, Find a Little Faith with Cliff Richard, and Sunburned Cowbow with Keith Urban. The blend of music, instrumentals, accoustics, and lyrics are superb!

These songs are inspirational, uplifting, and bringing joy to my heart and will to yours. Why not get this CD, help support the cancer cause, and listen to some great music by the best of the best? You'll be glad you did:)

Beautiful Thing is dedicated to Belinda Emmett: 12 Apr 74 to 11 Nov 2006

Emmett was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, aged 24. This is a most beautiful and tender song.

She took a break from her role as Rebecca Fisher/Nash on Home and Away (during which time the part was played by Megan Connolly) and underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumour, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy. She left the cast of Home and Away the following year and went on to appear in nine episodes of All Saints as Jodi Horner between 2000 and 2001.

In September 2001, on the set of the Australian film The Nugget in which she co-starred as Cheryl with Eric Bana, Emmett began to experience intense back pain. Further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to her bones.

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre will provide world-class research for all types of cancer, the best of patient care and treatment to help heal the whole person - body, mind and spirit.

I'm in. Hopelessly devoted to you.

Olivia has outdone herself with this CD. The duets are awesome and her voice has never sounded better. It should not amaze me that after all these years she still sings like an angel. The duet partners are extremely worthy. Most of these songs roll over you as soft as butter. There are some that are not as melodious (Sunburned Country), but that does not make them any less fun to listen to. I have such admiration for the spirit of Olivia Newton John. A cancer survivor a hopeful person, a beautiful person inside and out. I highly recommend this offering if you want music to lift your spirit and encourage your soul. What more can you ask for from music than that?