TAKE ME HOME.
Richard Baczkowski | Lake Zurich, IL United States | 03/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a 2003 compilation by The rajon Music Group, UK Ltd of 20 of Olivia Newton-John's more important work from 1971 to 1975. These are timeless classics done very well by a lovely young woman. "If We Only Have Love" the Jacques Brel classic found on track 18 of this recording makes its stand along any of todays pleas for love, hope, peace or help. This collection of Olivia Newton-John's early success is a tribute to her talents, it is also a mirror into the dreams, hopes and desires of her audience, a spiritual record of our early seventies. In these songs Olivia has captured and preserved for posterity an era in our lives before AIDS, Watergate, Disco and after Vietnam and the ghost's of the flower children which still haunt many of us.
The compilation begins with "If Not For You", Olivia's first hit single from her debut album, IF NOT FOR YOU released by UNI.
in 1971. It is Olivia Newton-John's cover of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You" which got her a number one adult contemporary and Top 25 hit record. It also won her The Country Music Award Grammy For Best Female Singer of 1973. It is the song that introduced Olivia Newton-John's talents to the world.
This compilation includes several covers from that same first album. Second to achieve world recognition is a haunting rendition of an old folk classic "Banks Of The Ohio". Noone does that song quite like Olivia Newton-John; "Me And Bobby Mcgee" and "Help Me Make It Through The Night", both Kris Kristofferson tunes bring brand new life to tired, old barroom favorites. Tom Rush's "No Regrets" and Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind" might as well be new releases once you hear them sung by Olivia Newton-John. Bread's "If" and "Love Song" are similarly enchanting, hypnotic and charming.
OLIVIA, released by Festival in 1972 is Olivia Newton-John's second album. After 2 hit singles from her first album, this album becomes even more promising. There are important songs here that attest to her personal being and musical growth, with sweeping ballads and tear-filled country that are certain to inspire as well as just entertain. Olivia's cover of George Harrison's "What Is Life" proves that she is more than a monotone belly-button with blond hair. She is an accomplished world class singer."Angel Of The Morning" is passionate, forceful and even gutteral as compared to Juice Newton's version.
Her cover of Bread's "Everything I Own" is tender, sweet and sad. With these songs Olivia displays an impressive range of voice. "If We Only Have Love" is something I did not expect from Olivia Newton-John. However, and with all due respect, her delivery of the words is perfect.
In 1973 MCA re-released most of this first album, included Olivia's new hit single, "Let Me Be There", and added a cover of John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads" the old Merilee Rush classic, and re-invented a new album known as LET ME BE THERE, and added a new cover of seductive blue ink shadowing Olivia's Beautiful face with her name "Olivia" splashed across the top.
In May and August of 1974, Olivia Newton-John added more hits to her accomplishments with "I Honestly Love You" and "If You Love Me, Let Me Know".
These new releases confused the issues even more. Pye released a 1971 record entitled Olivia Newton-John with most of these same songs. EMI released two different titles in 1974, CRYSTAL LADY and FIRST IMPRESSIONS also containing much the same songs.
With George Harrison's "What is Life" mixed with other favorites, Olivia was bound to make a great FIRST IMPRESSION, a 1974 album release. "Amoureuse" will get you thinking, "Where have I heard this before". The lyrics are changed but its still Helen Reddy's "Emotion". It must be mardi gra's with "Long Live Live". "Winterwood" is a classical ballad that Olivia is particularly well suited for. She does have the voice, and she certainly looks the part.
Olivia never sounded so good, and she never looked better. She has a voice like an angels, on occasion she can may you think. What is a song, if not a lyrical connection between music and the mind?
Olivia Newton-John's voice is a gift from heavon itself to us. She can sing, she is getting older. She sings of love, about love, new love, old love, strained and heartbreak love.This is early Olivia Newton-John, she still remains innocent. Just listening to her was a delight...I still just love her."
Early Olivia - Rerecorded for the Ages
Jose R. Perez | Yonkers, NY USA | 05/25/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was skeptical of this purchase, as I'd heard little about Olivia going back into a recording studio to re-record early classics like "If we Only Have Love." All I can say now is WOW -Olivia's depth as a singer has grown in the thirty years since she first recorded these tracks, and the emotional impact of these songs is stronger than ever. A classic set from a classic artist. You'll be pleasantly surprised."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1