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She finished the 80's exactly the opposite of how she started them. I shot off to get it and was immediately cheered by John Farrar returning to production duties. The album has many good reviews here. Ditto the eventual UK single, 'When You Wish Upon A Star', noted for a bizarre whistling kettle impression towards the end.
Olivia was never given extensive coverage in the UK but this was the first time I knew nothing about her latest LP until it hit the streets.My local record store phoned me and said they had 'Olivia's new album'. as best I could. There was a TV special and interviews aplenty. It was yet another WTF moment in O's career, they were becoming more frequent, as I realised that I'd struggle to listen to it ever again.
It's an ode to her daughter and is clearly from the heart. I couldn't wait to play it.Apparently, Olivia promoted the album quite well in America. She said the reason she'd decided to make a album of lullabies and standards was because her daughter Chloe, then 3, didn't sleep well and she thought this might soothe her. She also claimed that the first time she heard it, Chloe wept. In December of 1989 when this was released, I had been an Olivia fan for 14 years and had always kept up to press with her records and TV shows (it was much harder pre-internet).
The heavy orchestral production drained the album of any life and the songs were geared to the quavery top end of Olivia's voice, which can be nice in small doses, but not 15 tracks worth.Horrid simpering versions of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', 'The Twelfth Of Never' and 'Over The Rainbow', the latter one of the worst renditions of the song I've ever heard, sap your will to live while nursery rhymes like 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' (yes, honestly). and 'Rock A Bye Baby', no less annoying, are at least mercifully brief.Olivia co-wrote the title track with John Farrar. I shouldn't be mean, but it's quite dreadful, what had gotten into her.There was a US single, Lord knows why. Olivia's take on 'Reach Out For Me', it's one of the best tracks, but there was no way it would ever be a hit. For Olivia, with 2 under-achieving albums before this one, it definitely wasn't. I was a little suspicious but still thrilled nonetheless. O had lost it, big time.20 years on, I've braved it again, and I'm still not charmed.
I know how she felt.The thing with vanity projects like this is that the timing has to be right. I can sort of see why she did it and it may have worked had she been at the peak of her career, but sadly 'Warm And Tender' became her first album not to reach the top 100.Back to my initial reaction. I have to say her voice is beautifully pure (though still too much whimpering) here and free of the vocal troubles she was to endure a few years down the line, but it's just not something I enjoy listening to.'Warm And Tender' continued Olivia's fall from grace, chartwise. Some people dearly love it, but for me it was a peculiar choice of album at this stage of her career and remains, for me, her worst album after (2).
My daughter still listens to it every night and had to make backup copies so we could have it whereever we went (camping, traveling, sleepover at Aunt's house). Over 18 years ago I bought this CD for my niece who fell in love with it. So now I have another niece who was just born and am getting her the CD as well. It is great bedtime music. I had my daughter 7 years ago and thought I would listen to Olivia's music while she was in my womb so that she could be comforted by it later. I hope that it will be as special to her as it has been to her cousins through the years. It's a must buy
They own two of Liv's earrings (Olivia herself has one set; we have the other sets). I have twin girls, now almost 12. Catherine Grace and Olivia Joy listened to this CD every night for the first year of their life--and have seen many, many of Liv's concerts. Nothing like getting a cell call from her secretary or an honor or letters or a call during church choir. Hooray.
Heartfelt and sincere. I've been waiting for a long time to hear Olivia sing some classic standards and she does it with such grace and artistry. Her rendition of YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE is one of the best I've ever heard. WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR has never sounded better. This is a gorgeous CD with lush arrangements and Olivia has never sounded better.
Though intended to be a "lullaby" album, which it completely succeeds at being, one wishes Olivia would have dropped such songs as the child friendly Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for more pop classics. With her flawless, crystal clear voice full of emotion Olivia delivers one of her most beautiful, though under-rated, projects of her stellar career. Stunningly arranged, orchestrated, and sung this album presents timeless standards such as The Way You Look Tonight, Twelfth of Never, and an exquisite version of Over the Rainbow. Other stand-out selections are You'll Never Walk Alone, Jenny Rebecca, When You Wish Upon a Star, and the adult contemporary Reach Out For Me. Olivia closes the set with just a tease of the Brahms Lullaby which will make you take a deep breath, close your eyes and wish for more, more, more.a lovely, stunning collection of songs sung by a truly great singer.
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