This LP was released as Olivia Newton-John in the UK by Pye, and, with a slightly wider shot of the same cover picture as If Not For You in Australia and the United States. In her autobiography Olivia recalls her debut album after its US/Australian title. A lovely debut LP, this album features Olivia's first successful single, If Not For You with some gentle folk songs. Olivia didn't at first care for the Bob Dylan song If Not For You, but trusted the judgement of her producers, John Farrar, who was to go on to produce many of Olivia's 1970s albums, and Bruce Welch. Olivia's interpreted more along the lines of George Harrison's take of the song from All Things Must Pass than Dylan's.
Banks of the Ohio was the second single, getting into the Top Ten in the UK charts, though not emulating the success of If Not For You on the American charts.
Some copies of the Australian 1998 remastered CD escaped without the first track on the disc (though it was listed on the label).
Olivia's debut solo album was re-realeased for its 50th anniversary in 2022 on CD and vinyl. The CD release contained a bonus disc featuring unreleased tracks and B sides.
Songs:
- Me And Bobby McGee
- If
- Banks Of The Ohio
- In A Station
- Love Song
- Help Me Make It Through The Night
- If Not For You
- Where Are You Going To My Love
- Lullaby
- If You Could Read My Mind
- If I Gotta Leave
- No Regrets
Original Release
- Format: LP
- Date: November 1971
- Country: UK
- Label: Pye
- Catalog: NSPL 28155