Come On Over is worth the listen
By J. Brian Lihan, Kernel Staff Writer
Every so often an album comes out from which you really don’t expect much but after a listen, you know you got a bargain. When Olivia Newton-John releases an album it is usually a bargain just for the cover, but her new album “Come On Over” is also worth the listen.
Having four gold and two platinum albums to her credit, this Australian beauty has out-done herself with her new LP. Doing songs written by the Bee Gees, Dolly Parton, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Newton-John gives each song her own touch. The song could be the country flavored “Jolene” or the classic “Long and Winding Road” yet a smooth easy flowing pace is the trademark.
The best cuts on the album are the pop ballads which Newton-John seems to handle best. The title cut, “Don’t Throw It All Way” and “It’ll Be Me” are the best songs. All three are smooth love ballads that have brought her much fame over the past few years.
Her beautiful arrangement of the traditional “Greensleeves” is a pleasant surprise. The song is usually an instrumental, but the orchestration, backup vocals and Newton-John’s dulcet voice make for a nice vocal adaptation.
She does a commendable rendition of Willie Nelson’s hit “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” for which Nelson won a Grammy.
The album overall is possibly Newton-John’s best. She couples love ballads with country classics and her version of the last Beatles hit “Long And Winding Road” are strictly Olivia. Whether you buy the album for the cover or for the record inside, you have definitely bought a pleasant one.