Olivia Newton-John and Friends - A Celebration in Song: Olivia Newton-John and Friends

Australian pressing of the 2008 album from Olivia featuring new and previously released duets with many of her 'friends' including Keith Urban, Cliff Richard, Delta Goodrem, Barry Gibb, Jimmy Barnes, Richard Marx and many others. Since recovering from breast cancer in 1993, Olivia Newton-John has been committed to finding new cancer cures; she has also been a strong vice for attention to the person, not just the cancer. Her 2008 three week walk along the great wall of China and this album are intended to raise awareness and help fund her Cancer & Wellness center in Melbourne, Australia. WME. Album Description

Had The First One

Since I had the first one by Olivia Newton-John and Friends well i knew i couldn't go wrong with the second one so if you loved the first one than you will loved the second one.

Rondall Banks July 6, 2008

Good duets album by a great singer

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. July 5, 2008

Not Recommended

This flat album from mid-1970's icon Olivia Newton-John is certainly not terrible, but there's nothing here that asks to be played a second time. Newt's vocals are on the now-accepted level of recent albums, but the choice of duet partners is, for me, what kills the album. I am dismayed to imagine that there are no other performers eager to record with her. The mind reels, to consider who may have provided more spark to the project- certainly, a reunion with John Travolta is the most obvious thrill. My personal choice would be a duet with Cher (also a 70's icon who's enjoyed more success each decade.) Male vocalist Sam Harris would have been a brilliant choice. David Cassidy would have been superb.One could pick and choose for hours...The project seems even more unfortunate, because Newt has released several albums in recent years, it's obvious she intends to continue her career into it's golden years, yet her album projects have all been avoidable mistakes. One wonders, if only she'd consult some objective fans, could she again have hit albums? I am aware of her hardcore fanbase who refuse to see any fault, yet, I honestly find myself wishing for more exciting albums that I could enjoy listening to again and again. This just isn't one of them. June 16, 2008

Some really fine album cuts here!

I have loved Olivia's past few studio albums, "Grace and Gratitude" and "Stronger Than Before", but neither were commercial enough for mass-consumption. Each was targeted to a special niche. This CD, however, contains some very good Top 40 and Adult Contemporary tracks that would certainly hit the charts if there were released here in the US.

I particularly enjoyed "Find a Little Faith" with Sir Cliff Richard. While the lyrics of this song have a Christian slant, it doesn't get "preachy" and the production has a true pop flavor.

Another track that is single-worthy is "Isn't it Amazing" with Sun. The harmonies are really good and their voices are very much suited for each other.

"Sunburned Country," co-written and performed with Keith Urban, is very good and should have been released as a single back in 2002 when her "2" CD was originally released in Australia. It has a strong country-rock feel.

There's only one real disappointment on this CD: "Reckless" with John Farrar. Farrar was Olivia's long-time producer and he wrote many (or MOST) of her hits. I was really looking forward to this track before the CD was released. I expected something great - almost magical. I was disappointed when I heard it. It sounded like something recorded at least 20 years ago, maybe 30. I have since learned it originally appeared on Farrar's solo album released in 1980. Olivia's vocals appear to have been added to Farrar's original recording. He's still very much alive and working, so why this particular song was chosen for this CD is beyond me. Don't get me wrong, sometimes duets using old recordings work, like Olivia with Peter Allen on her "2" CD, but Allen is no longer with us and it was a sentimental tribute that worked. It would have been preferable to have an modern track from Farrar and Olivia. It could have been something really special. June 7, 2008

Newton-John's Worthwhile "Celebration"

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."
June 5, 2008

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