Customer Reviews

One Woman's Live Journey

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you wanted a greatest hits and a live recording of Olivia Newton-John's music in one CD, then this is a must buy for you. For over 25 years, Olivia has released countless hits, but always lacked a live CD to her repertoire. This is a must buy for any Olivia Newton-John fan. There is a renewed emotional strength to her songs, especially in "Don't Cut Me Down," and "Precious Love." She sings all of her classic movie hits, like "Xanadu," "Magic," and "Hopelessly Devoted To You" as if she hasn't aged in twenty years, except the words seem to mean much more to her. Just to hear Olivia still hit those high notes at the end of "Jolene" will make you applaud with the rest of the crowd. You're instantly transported back 20 years when she breaks out into "Physical." I think the crown jewel of the CD is the fact that Olivia is still here, chatting with the crowd about her journey in life, and gracing the world with her beautiful gift of song. And after listening to this CD, I can say that I still "honestly love" her.

I attended the Chicago concert during this recent tour, and it was a dream come true for me and many audience members. I had been waiting twenty years to see her live and it was worth it. First of all, she still looks incredible and her voice is crystal clear and strong. She sang all the hits plus some new ones from her cd's "Back with a Heart" and "Gaia" (both worth having by the way), and she was as energetic as ever! She made an effort to talk to the audience and to greet everyone that came near the stage to give her flowers and presents (many, many, people did this). The night was magic and this cd captures the core of it all, get it! Olivia will always be one of a kind...

One would be hardpressed to decipher the difference between Olivia Newton John's recorded voice and her live singing. That is a welcome relief for those of us who like to hear concerts sounding exactly like the performances on record and if you are one of those people then this album is for you. Culled from a 2000 concert in Las Vegas most of the songs are easily recognisable- all are sung with the pure and at times surprisingly versatile voice of this songbird. Shockingly she opens the show with Xanadu and although it's interpretation has left some of the disco beats of ELO behind it is still a welcome opener. Her takes on Magic, Don't stop Believing, Please Mr. Please, Hopelessly Devoted to you, The flower and Over the Rainbow are perfect but what takes the cake is the subtle reworking of 'I honestly Love you' It sounds heartfelt, genuine and technically perfect. There are only two low points on the cd- one is the less than stelar voice of her male duet partner on the otherwise great 'Suddenly' and on the two Grease duets. It is a pity for Olivia's parts are song perfectly. Another dissapointment is that there is not much re-interpretation of the original music and almost no stage banter- one does not get a sense of Olivia on this album which is a pity for that is one of the benefits of live albums. But i simply Nit-Pic..buy this album and rediscover some great tunes but a sorely underrated songstress.

I have been waiting years to see Olivia live and this CD is taken from her last tour in the states. If you saw the show you KNOW how amazing it was and this CD is a testiment to that! She sings all of her biggest hits and some not so well known hits from her "Gaia" CD, which are wonderful. She does a kind of jazzy rendition of Over the Rainbow and her remake version of I Honestly Love You. If You have ever loved Olivia then you NEED this recording. You will listen to it over and over and over again! ENJOY!

I was a bit skeptical about DVD Audio. Could it REALLY be that much better than CD--enough to cost more? Well, if this recording is any indication, the answer is YES. LIke others have said already, Olivia is in fine form. I used to have a television special with Olivia and remembered how much I liked her singing live. Here she blows me away again--20+ years later.
I am amazed by how CLEAR this recording is. Every instrument is distinct and brilliant. In surround sound, I swear it sounds like you're sitting on the edge of the stage. I have the "Back to Basics" CD with many of these songs on it, but I think this recording is TONS better.

Now, if only I could get a DVD VIDEO of this concert!

Olivia always had the power to take all her listeners through emotion. And this special and so awaited cd is a lovely journey through the past, present and future. I've been a great Livvy's fan since 1976, but when I heard this cd for the first time, Olivia tooke me to introspection, crying, laughing, singing... and this is what a true singer does. Olivia's voice is as always: sweet and strong. How I wish I had been at this show! Try this journey, you won't regret. Olivia is the best!

I was fortunate to see her 2 times on this tour, and once on the 2000 tour and I've got to say this was the missing link of her discography. This live CD highlights all moments of her 30 plus year career and anyone who loves Olivia nust have this CD. It is fantastic and she is one of those performers who sounds absolutely perfect live. Personally I love how "Xanadu" which was never one of my favorite songs by her, sounds live. I also thought "Don't Stop Believing" and "Have You Never Been Mellow" were fantastic. OK the whole CD is wonderful, you won't be disappointed!

I was one of the fortunate many who saw Olivia during her tour last year, and I was amazed by her strength, integrity, and incredible voice. This CD perfectly captures the magic of how it was to see her in concert and to experience the incredible clarity of her voice. Anyone who is not "wowed" by this performance needs to have his/her pulse checked. This is what musical integrity is all about. It is not about silly, half-dressed teens bouncing around on stage, lip-synching to mindless lyrics and robotically rythmic beats. Olivia's music has always been honest and simple because she is one of the few "singers" who truly have talent.

Olivia has never sounded better in her 30 years as a performer and seldom does an artist sound this good when it comes to live recordings. Here, she performs her classics like PHYSICAL, XANADU, HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU, I HONESTLY LOVE YOU, SUDDENLY, LET ME BE THERE, HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN MELLOW, MAGIC, PLEASE MR PLEASE, YOUR'E THE ONE THAT I WANT, IF YOU LOVE ME LET ME KNOW, SAM, DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' and SUMMER NIGHTS to name a few........and as the say, the song remembers when.....Olivia takes you back with this collection of gems!

Many fans have waited years for Olivia to record a "live" album. She did so recently, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Her voice is stronger, yet sweeter, than ever. The selection of songs is supurb; including most of her hits, and a few songs you may not of heard her sing previously. This is a must for avid and casual fans alike!