Olivia joins Barry Gibb on his UK number one album for Rest Your Love On Me. Olivia had previously recorded this duet with Barry's younger brother, Andy Gibb, for his After Dark album, this is in memory of Andy who sadly died in 1988. The song was written by Barry and first recorded by the Bee Gees for the B side of their hit Too Much Heaven.
Olivia and Barry take the song back to its country roots with Olivia sounding natural and, as many have commented, grittier. The wonderful bridge where Olivia lets rip, found on the Andy and Olivia version, is missing but this wouldn't really be in keeping with the album's country genre. Take a listen to both versions and they both add something special to Olivia's musical catalogue.
Barry had this to say about the duet - The Australian streak running through Gibb’s album is further enhanced by an assured performance from Olivia Newton-John on Rest Your Love On Me, which she once sang with Andy Gibb. Olivia and I have been acquaintances since we were about 16. We met again in London on Carnaby Street of all places.
Despite her recent worrying health issues, Gibb is happy to report that Olivia nailed the song instantly
. She’d done it before with Andy, which was wonderful, so there was a lot of nostalgia involved. She really brought a good vibe and I think she’s coming out on top. It’s amazing how tough she’s been,
says the man who wrote the title song Grease for that film. The Sun newspaper, 14 Jan 2021
Songs:
- I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You with Keith Urban
- Words Of A Fool with Jason Isbell
- Run To Me with Brandi Carlile
- Too Much Heaven with Alison Krauss
- Lonely Days with Little Big Town
- Words with Dolly Parton
- Jive Talkin' with Miranda Lambert and Jay Buchanan
- How Deep Is Your Love with Little Big Town and Tommy Emmanuel
- How Can You Mend A Broken Heart with Sheryl Crow
- To Love Somebody with Jay Buchanan
- Rest Your Love On Me with Olivia Newton-John
- Butterfly with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Original Release
- Format: CD
- Date: 8 January 2021
- Country: UK
- Label: Capitol Records
- Catalog: 00602435138855