Search - Olivia Newton-John :: Gaia

Olivia's Spirit Soars To The Greatest Heights

DP | Pompano Beach, FL USA | 11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Gaia" is Olivia's most accomplished album to date. It is her therapeutic statement penned, co-produced and sung by ONJ which was inspired by a myriad of personal challenges the singer has faced in the past, most notably her bout with breast cancer. The 12 songs beautifully showcase the singer's evolution. It is her best album in her 23 year recording career.The album opens with "Trust Yourself," a self empowering anthum in which Olivia espouses the importance of relying on one's inner knowingness and guidence. From the opening line of the album "I need to tell the truth..." it is obvious that she is more inclined to live a more honest and truthful existence on this plane. The song starts out slow and builds to the one of the most powerful of climaxes. The song was utilized in his most recent independent film "Sordid Lives," in the ending credits."No Matter What You Do" is a straightforward pop ditty in which Olivia showcases her non-judgmental approach to loving others, despite their actions. It is Olivia at her compasssionate best. The song was slated to be a single, but unfortunately was never released worldwide. (Surprisingly, this album was never officially released in the US but can be found on this website or www.ebay.com/It is well worth the import price). "No Other Love" is a song she wrote and dedicated to her then husband of 10 years, Matt Lattanski and her daughter Chloe. This song is reflective of the trademark signature ballads that she has sung so beautifully the past several decades."Pegasus" has a dreamlike and ethereal quality. Olivia penned the song as a result of an early morning meditation, in which she questions the purpose of this mythological presence in her space. The song has a new age feel to it, and includes the strong presence of flute and the casio (played by Olivia herself); instruments that were seldom heard on her previous recordings."Why Me" finds the songstress asking the eternal question that many of us are faced with in attempting to find a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. She then clearly negates the question-Why not me, and explores the importance of embracing every moment as if it were your very last, because ultimately we truly don't know when we are destined to leave this planet. It is a highly introspective and evolved song from the singer/songwriter who is expanding her horisons, fully living and embracing the questions."Don't Cut Me Down" contains a magnificient vocal that showcases Olivia's growing concern for her environment and her world. It was written and abandoned in the late 1980's, when Olivia decided to write an album of lullabies for her daughter and children and parents to enjoy together. This song takes off where the album "Warm And Tender"(1989) left off. An interesting songwriting twist is employed in which Olivia sings the song from the perspective of a tree! It is her musical plea to save the depleting rainforests. It is laced with one of the most beautiful vocals of her entire career. A classic track on this landmark album, not to be missed. Olivia featured this song in the end credits to her 1995 ensemble film, "It's My Party."Like "Pegasus," the title track also is adorned with a rather ethereal and surreal nature to it. In this song, Olivia is channeling the spirit of mother earth, herself, urging that human nature take notice and provide whatever means necessary to protect, respect, and love the planet. This album also includes some unique instrumentation, never used on Olivia's albums before: the presence of the Erhu, Bamboo Flute, and Didgeredoo are heard on this socially conscious track."Do You Feel" is a song in which the singer is searching for people's reactions to their environment. She is questioning whether or not others are consciously aware and engaged in the complexes of this intricate, yet intriging matrix we call life. It is adorned with a beguilling vocal."I Never Knew Love" is a country tinged song that is highly reminiscent of her early 1970's hit records. On this bouncy tune, Olivia recognizes and realizes that her heart is open to embracing the holy spirit as the lifeforce guiding her existence. It is apparent that she has expanded her awareness to ask the universe for assistance, and without judgment, be open to receiving the gifts from the universe, however they present themselves."Silent Ruin" is the first song Olivia was ever asked to write. It appears in the documentary, "The Last Whale." This is her social statement to rid the human race of the ignorance that is involved in the unnnecessary slaugher of the whales. This song is a counterpart to "The Promise," her classic song on 1981's "Physical" that addresses her love for the intelligent dolphins. As the latter is sung ever so sweetly and lovingly, "Silent Ruin" serves as a lament sung in a sad tone of desperation, urging the preservation of the endangered species.This segues in the upbeat and saucy,"Not Gonna Give Into It." This song contains a cross hybrid of african american rhythms and latin pulsating disco beats. It is by far the most internationally flavored song that ONJ has recorded in her entire career. The song can be likened to any that Gloria Estefan would grace on her albums. There is even a spanish chorus of the title included! This track aggressively displays the singer's perserverance in not letting her disease get the best of her. It is a profound statement of faith, courage, and inspiration that has become a regular staple in her live repetoire. An enduring and resillent highlight."The Way Of Love" ends the album on an upbeat, optimistic note. Olivia maintains that we are all products of different backgrounds and different belief systems and regardless of this, all of our choices and beliefs have equal merit. Her daughter's high school choir is heard singing on this track. Olivia openly and with great acceptance is allowing everyone to experience their own personal journey, however it unfolds in their life."Gaia-One Woman's Journey" is a saga of a woman who has lived a myriad of experiences and has reached a certain openess and acceptance of self that emanates on this highly personal and introspective chronicle.Earlier in her career, Olivia's aspirations and motivations were more focused on the material and physical plane (ie..success/fame/chart position). This was clearly reflected in her projects at the time (hence, the title of her 1981 classic "Physical!")She has in the past several years had her share of personal challenges that have shaped her experiences tenfold. Her clothing business, Koala Blue, folded and she went bankrupt. Her celebrity profile and chart performance greatly declined. Her marriage of 10 years ended in divorce. She has also suffered many personal losses (Chloe's best friend, and her father, who died the very same day she was diagnosed with breast cancer!)The final result is that the singer has emerged victorous over her bout with her illness with a newfound acceptance and love for herself and her life that shines on "Gaia." She has clearly moved beyond the "Physical," and this album could conceivably be named "Spiritual!" Or even more appropriate title would be "Back To Basics-The Essential Collection!"This is the one Olivia Newton-John album to own. Written, co-produced, and sung by Livvy herself, this album is a triumph and a jewel in any collection. The artwork is photographed in a brillant rainbow color of Peter Erskine's solar environmental art work "Secrets Of The Sun," the inner contents print the deep, personal, introspective lyrics of an enlightened soul traversing the path of life. Novices and long time ONJ fans take note. This album is an absolute must!!!"