Back To Basics review

thanks to Kay

Olivia Newton-John To Basics: The Essential Collection 1971-1992

The first thing that crossed my mind when I saw Olivia Newton-John’s Back To Basics: The Essential Collection 1971-1992 sitting on the shelf at City Lights was, “I MUST HAVE IT.” The first thing I said after I ran home and played it was “Love in the most perfectly sweetest melody.”

Olivia’s voice sounds like a cheesy Sinead O’Connor prior to 1980. Only instead of having an Irish accent, Olivia’s got an Aussie one. For a voice that has a lot of potential, the newer cuts off this compact disc, just don’t cut it.

The new tunes’ themes are very lovey-dovey, but there’s just no power behind them.

Regardless, there are the good ‘ole oldies, which anyone would recognize. Ranging from her early country hits such as, “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” to duets with John Travolta from the Grease soundtrack, practically everyone would find one decent tune to sing along with.

I was a little disappointed that this greatest hits compilation lacked one of the greatest roller disco songs. “Xanadu’s” absence just didn’t make up for the first four new songs.

But I guess if you get it on compact disc, you can just program skip to cut number five, and hear all the goodies from there.

By Mimi Pajo