Product Description
A message from Olivia…
“I am very proud to introduce you to my latest CD, Grace and Gratitude, so named for my appreciation of this incredible gift of life I have been blessed with! I hope these songs will help you to take time out of your busy life for relaxation or meditation. As a long-term cancer survivor, I have learned how important it is to take care of both my physical and emotional health. In my recovery, I became even more aware of the power of music. I… More >>
GRACE AND GRATITUDE is many things–but “dynamic,” “riveting” and “electrifying” do not describe it. So it’s hard to compare it to Olivia’s other albums of pop/rock, country/folk, easy listening.
Here we have music that is not only reflective and placating but almost crafted for a coma-like catatonia. Artistically and creatively it doesn’t quite compete to her other CD’s. It is, however, a nice one to do yoga to, a nice one to fall asleep to, a nice one to watch the “birds on a chain” with.
While the musical arc of STRONGER THAN BEFORE balanced a lot of things–strength and sentimentality, vocal presence with instrument orchestration, philosophy and melody–GRACE AND GRATITUDE is a little overly simplified in comparison. Too many of the titles on G & G read like bumper stickers: They are tantamount to “You Can Do It (If You Put Your Mind To It),” “You Go Girl,” “Onward and Upward, My Son.”
There is a tendency to err on the the vapid, vacuous side here: the ethereal taken to a Zen summit perhaps but also to a certain void, Astaticism, dullness, reflection without reason. You may find lightning or spaceships way up in the stratosphere; on GRACE AND GRATITUDE you stay pretty much throughout on the same plane of uncertainty and wispy woefulness. This is of course subjective as some people believe more in mysticism than others.
The liner notes indicate that the album was inspired by her love for Patrick. But doesn’t she feel any anger toward him? When people are “abandoned,” whether intentionally or not, there typically is anger, not just sorrow. So I kind of think one of the many phases of wounding and recovery has been left out here. I kept wanting at least one tune that was more like “Hate of Magnitude” (instead of “Grace and Gratitude”).
Some of you are probably going to point out that G & G is not intented to be a commercial triumph. It is designed as a tool for people who are healing from illness, going to a sauna, getting a massage. And the album works well enough for these purposes.
Amy Sky’s tunes are soothing and comforting, and the muscial orchestration here is quite commendable. The listener can tell a lot of time and effort was taken to provide a deep, spiritual tonality to the piece with lovely piano playing, harmonious flutes, etc. Olivia Newton-John’s voice is also superbly produced by Sky (who is herself obviously a skilled performer).
Newton-John has perhaps never sounded better. She is well-known for a light, lilting, quavering high voice. But here, to match the deep-breathing feel of the set, her mouthpiece is not only pitched low for the songs but also has a lower timbre. She is making use of the diaphragmatic technique–and it is relaxing, warm, welcoming. While retaining her trademark purity, this device adds a certain resonance, precision and power, especially on high notes. She is not wobbly and wavering. I would again give credit to Amy Sky for this–who, it appears, prefers for Olivia to perform this way. The song “Winter Angel” (from the B-side of “The Rumour”) was co-written by Sky, and Newton-John has a similar style of singing there.
The CD is not without its charm. The title cut is really well-sculpted. “I Will Lift Up My Eyes” is a little haunting, and I find myself singing along to “The Power of Now.” In addition, the prayer “Instrument of Peace” is cleverly given a new life here. We have been given the glossy architecture of a cathedral here, but there must be more painful, raw emotions going on inside Olivia’s heart.
Rating: 2 / 5
I absolutely loved this cd. You also have to see and hear her on Deepak’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Her beautiful singing on there made me want her CD.
Rating: 5 / 5
1. Shekhinah (interlude)
2. Pearls on a chain
3. Yesod (interlude)
4. To be wanted
5. Hod (interlude)
6. Learn to love yourself
7. Nezah (interlude)
8. Grace and gratitude
9. Tiferet (interlude)
10. Love is letting go of fear
11. Hesed-gevurah (interlude)
12. Gate gate
13. Tala al badru alayna (interlude)
14. Let go let god.
15. Binah (interlude)
16. I will lift up my eyes
17. Hochmah (interlude)
18. The power of now
19. Keter (interlude)
20. Instrument of peace
Rating: 5 / 5
This is probably the most magical album I’ve ever heard.
Magical on a few counts.
First off, we have the structure. The first thing you’ll notice are the interludes. They give the CD a smooth and flowing feel allowing you time to absorb the elegance of each track before moving on. These transitions give this album a meditative feel that can carry you into clouds of bliss.
Next, we have the vocals. Instead reading about them, HEAR them, you need to know for yourself — listen to a few of the samples and you’ll understand.
Lastly, the magic of this album is apparent when you notice just how deeply she sings from the heart. Listening to this CD will leave you inspired long after you’ve put away the headphones. Not just inspired to act, but to live and love. This CD simply makes you want to be a better person.
Buy this album. You’ll enjoy it’s timeless beauty for years to come.
Rating: 5 / 5
I was very satisfied with this cd, it is really relaxing and beautiful music. I am very glad that I ordered it, and I will continue to order my cd’s from amazon.
Rating: 5 / 5