Olivia Newton-John "The Rumour (US 12″ Single & Video, MCA Records, MCA-23890)"

"The Rumour" is a song recorded by Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John for her thirteenth studio album of the same name (1988). It was released as the album's lead single in April 1988 through Mercury Records. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and it features backing vocals and piano by John.

Billboard commented that the single was "benefiting from aggressive pop production and songwriting aid from label mate John, the distinctive songstress is set for a comeback." A reviewer from Cash Box said that "The Rumour" is "the snappiest tune that Olivia's done in a long stretch and she rises to the occasion delivering a heartfelt performance." Jonh Wilde from Melody Maker wrote, "Okay, I'm not trying to suggest that she's The Monkees or anything, but when she gets rocking like this, it's 23 skidoo and away before you know it. Stars like this are not going cheap. We have to give in. It's our duty. I'm entirely serious about all this. Boom, boom, boom. That's me humming the second verse."

Olivia Newton-John "Soul Kiss (US 12'' Single & Video, MCA Records, MCA-23593)"

"Soul Kiss" is a song recorded by English-born Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for her twelfth studio album, Soul Kiss (1985). It was released as the lead single from the album on 25 September 1985 by MCA Records. The song was produced by John Farrar and written by Mark Goldenberg.

Olivia Newton-John "Soul Kiss (2013 Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Paper Sleeve, SHM-CD, Japan, Universal Music, UICY-94717)"

Soul Kiss is the twelfth studio album by English-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John, released on 25 October 1985 by Mercury Records in Europe, by Festival Records in Australia, and by MCA Records in the United States. It reached No. 11 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and No. 29 on the United States Billboard 200. The album was produced by long-time associate John Farrar, who also co-wrote four tracks; the cover art features photography of Newton-John by Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts.

The album's title track was released as a single and reached No. 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as No. 20 on the Australian Kent Music Report singles chart, and Number One in Norway. It is Newton-John's most recent US top-40 pop single and her second-to-last in Canada. The single reached No. 100 on the UK Singles Chart. It was also remixed into a 12-inch single mix, which featured a new Carib-influenced percussion overdub.

The follow-up single, "Toughen Up" (written for Tina Turner but rejected by her), failed to chart, except for a top-70 placement in Australia. A remix by Jellybean Benitez was released as a 12-inch single in 1986.

Writing for Rolling Stone, Davitt Sigerson gave the album a mixed review. "After a long period of corporate fine tuning, MCA released Olivia's Soul Kiss with a kinky Helmut Newton cover, a lean John Farrar production and a fun single, the album's title track. Originally (and wisely) passed on by Tina Turner, 'Soul Kiss' is just right for Newton-John. She proves once again that she is the best pure pop singer working today. Check her out live sometime, mark her for range, pitch, phrasing, energy, ballsiness and, yes, commitment to the songs, and see if you don't agree. Too bad the rest of the material doesn't match up. There are good songs, but no other bull's-eyes, and a pair of embarrassments." Sigerson would go on to produce Newton-John's next studio album, The Rumour in 1988.

In their review of the album, Billboard commented that "the pop diva returns with sophisticated production and a mixed bag of soft rockers and ballads. Beautifully packaged and well crafted, the collection should more than satisfy her faithful followers, although there's little here that promises to expand that following."

Cashbox stated that "Olivia Newton-John’s commercial track record is undeniable, and Soul Kiss should be another retail and radio coup for the vocalist. With fast movers like the title track and biting cuts like “Queen Of The Publication," Newton spreads her musical wings a bit, and with help from musicians like Lee Ritenour, Tom Scott and Steve Lukather, look for the highly polished “Soul Kiss” to be a hot seller during the Christmas rush."

AllMusic editor Joe Viglione retrospectively found that Soul Kiss "seems a bit contrived...Olivia seems to have abandoned her strongholds, adult contemporary and country, her superstar status not worthy of this temporary image, a transition which needed stronger material for this big a change." He also called the album "as a whole, [...] one of the weaker links in Olivia's remarkable chain.

At the time of the album's release, Newton-John was pregnant and not available for any in-person promotion of the album or its lead single. Although the album was not as commercially successful as her previous efforts, it peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It charted at No. 5 in Japan; and peaked at No. 11 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart.

Track listing

All tracks produced by John Farrar.

1. "Toughen Up"    Graham Lyle/Terry Britten   3:51
2. "Soul Kiss" Mark Goldenberg 4:32
3. "Queen of the Publication" John Farrar/Steve Kipner/Tom Snow   3:55
4. "Emotional Tangle"  Farrar/Billy Thorpe   4:05
5. "Culture Shock"  Kipner/Paul Bliss  3:52
6. "Moth to a Flame" Kipner/Bliss      3:46
7. "Overnight Observation"  Farrar/Snow  4:27
8. "You Were Great, How Was I?" (duet with Carl Wilson) Farrar/Snow   3:46
9. "Driving Music" Kipner/Tommy Emmanuel   3:41
10. "The Right Moment" Gerry Rafferty 3:44
11. "Electric" Keane/Landau/Gordon   3:49
12. "Soul Kiss" (Extended 12" remix version) Goldenberg 7:01

Issued in a gatefold card replica LP sleeve ('papersleeve') with folded insert and obi.

Recording information:

Recorded And Mixed At Moonee Ponds Studios

Orchestra Recorded At Ocean Way Studios

Allen Sides – recording, mixing

Tim Wilson – recording assistant, mix assistant

Larry Brown – additional recording

Rik Pekkonen – additional recording

Bernie Grundman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)

Olivia Newton-John "Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Japan, EMI, CP35-3046)"

Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (titled Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 3 in Australasia) is a greatest hits album by Olivia Newton-John released on 3 September 1982 in North America, Australasia, Scandinavia, South Africa and certain Asian and Latin American territories. It was her second greatest hits album released in North America and her third in other territories (following First Impressions and Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits).

The album compiled most singles released by Newton-John since the release of her 1977 Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits album from her following albums and soundtracks. The album included two new recordings; "Heart Attack" and "Tied Up", both of which were actually recorded during the sessions for the Physical album.

An album with similar cover art titled Olivia's Greatest Hits was released simultaneously in Europe (excluding Scandinavia) and certain Asian and Latin American territories. This compilation fully spanned Newton-John's career up to that point, starting with singles from If Not for You.

The album was certified multi-platinum in both the United States and Canada.

Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 / Vol. 3 includes songs released by the singer between 1978 and 1982. The North American edition contains ten tracks while other editions contain fourteen tracks. The two new songs ("Heart Attack" and "Tied Up") were released as singles to promote the album and reached numbers 3 and 38 on the US pop charts, respectively. "Heart Attack" was a Number One Single in France, while "Tied Up" became a surprise chart-topper in Cyprus.

Olivia's Greatest Hits (also released as 20 Grootste Hits in the Netherlands and 20 Grandes Exitos in Argentina) includes songs released by Newton-John between 1971 and 1982. "Heart Attack" and "Tied Up" were also included on this collection.

The album only climbed to No. 16 on the Billboard 200, but spent over 80 weeks on the chart and ultimately ranked as the No. 10 album of 1983. This was the longest-charting album of Newton-John's career and her first non-soundtrack album to rank in the year-end Top 10. The album was certified double platinum by the RIAA in the US.

Olivia's Greatest Hits also peaked at number 8 with a 38-week chart run in the UK and became her only platinum certified non-soundtrack album there. 150,000 copies were shipped in Canada initially. The album hit #1 in her native Australia, her third album to do so after the soundtracks to Grease and Xanadu.

The album was well received by music critics. JT Griffith from AllMusic website gave the album four out of five stars and wrote that the album "remains the best choice for casual fans who only want the roller-rink hits".

In their review, Billboard noted that "Newton-John's second hits collection reaffirms that she and John Farrar consistently make some of the best singles in the business, from silky ballads like "Magic" to frenetic workouts like "You're The One That I Want." Half of the songs here are from Newton-John's two feature films, "Grease" and "Xanadu." Also included are two new songs, the current single "Heart Attack" and a sinuous midtempo piece called "Tied Up" which Farrar cowrote with Lee Ritenour. Our only gripe is that this should have been a 12-cut LP and included the major hits "Summer Nights" and "Deeper Than The Night."

Tracklist:

1. "Heart Attack" 3:07
2. "Magic" (from the Xanadu soundtrack, 1980) 4:28
3. "Physical" (from Physical, 1981) 3:43
4. "Deeper Than the Night" (from Totally Hot, 1978)   4:16
5. "Hopelessly Devoted to You" (from the Grease soundtrack, 1978) 3:05
6. "Make a Move on Me" (from Physical, 1981)  3:17
7. "Landslide" (from Physical, 1981)    4:01
8. "A Little More Love" (from Totally Hot, 1978) 3:27
9. "You're the One That I Want" (with John Travolta, from the Grease soundtrack 1978)  2:47
10. "Tied Up" 4:27
11. "Suddenly" (with Cliff Richard, from the Xanadu soundtrack, 1980) 4:03
12. "Totally Hot" (from Totally Hot, 1978) 3:11
13. "The Promise (The Dolphin Song)" (from Physical, 1981) 4:28
14. "Xanadu" (with Electric Light Orchestra, from the Xanadu soundtrack, 1980) 3:30

Total length: 51:50

Natalie Imbruglia "Come To Life (EU, Malabar Records/Island Records, 0602527169224)"

Come to Life is the fourth studio album released by Australian singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia. It was initially released by Island Records on 2 October 2009, and later was the first album released on Imbruglia's self-funded label, Malabar Records.

Although recording for the album began in 2007, during promotion for the release of Glorious: The Singles 1997–2007, tracks "Scars" and "My God" were rumoured to have been recorded in 2006. The album took nearly three years to complete. In February 2009, The Sun newspaper rumoured that Imbruglia was collaborating with Chris Martin from Coldplay, and it was later confirmed by Martin himself and people involved in the recording process that he had worked with Imbruglia on a "string of tracks".

Chris Martin wrote the song "Fun" for Natalie. "When he sang it to me, I almost did one of those ugly cries. But I held it together. That's the crazy thing - he wrote it, not me. Who knows what Chris was thinking, you would have to ask him about that. But I thought it was a stunning, beautiful love song". The song "Lukas", produced by Brian Eno and Rik Simpson, was confirmed as an out-take from the recording sessions of Coldplay's fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. Martin also worked with Imbruglia on "Want", with his voice echoing at the end of the song. "Coldplay write so much material it's quite ridiculous how many songs they have, some of which never get finished because Chris Martin is a bit of a mad genius," Imbruglia explained.

In April 2009, Imbruglia stated the following in an interview: "I get frustrated because I’d like to produce more work... It’s something that bugs me about myself, but I don’t really know any other way. And I’m not motivated by money, so I need to get things done right. I feel the same creative buzz I felt when I first started my career... It's just fun and artistic and creative and all the things it should be. There's still a lot of depth to the songs... It just sounds fresher to me. I've tried different things - there's more electronic stuff in there, and that's different for me, more dance beats. There's a freedom overall, and a sense of confidence. It's slightly less introspective..." The album "combines dark, driving beats and gorgeously wistful ballads".

The album was first released via on Island Records on 2 October 2009 in Australia. It was announced that the release of the album in the United Kingdom would be delayed so that Imbruglia could concentrate on her duties as a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor franchise. The album was eventually made available in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2010 by Amazon. In 2020, the album became available for streaming in its entirety on Spotify and its tracks were made available on YouTube by Universal Music.

Tracklist:

1. My God 4:03
2. Lukas 3:50
3. Fun 4:22
4. Twenty 3:56
5. Scars 3:31
6. Want 4:19
7. What You're Up To 3:19
8. Cameo 3:12
9. All The Roses 3:28
10. Wild About It 4:07

Natalie Imbruglia "Counting Down The Days (EU, Brightside Recordings, 82876679672)"

Counting Down the Days is the third studio album by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia. It was released by Brightside Recordings on 4 April 2005 in the United Kingdom. Her debut with the label, Imbruglia reteamed with Gary Clark to work on her next project, but also consulted a wider range of producers to collaborate with her, including Eg White, Martin Harrington, Ben Hillier, Ash Howes, Daniel Johns, David Kosten, Stephen Lipson, Paul Mac, and Ian Stanley. The album's lead single, "Shiver" (2005), was a commercial hit, particularly in the UK, and officially became the UK’s most broadcast song of 2005 according to PPL.

Musically, unlike White Lilies Island which was predominantly darker and moodier, Counting Down the Days saw Imbruglia's return to radio-friendly pop songs. The album received generally favorable reviews, to which compliment was given for having a handful of genuinely great songs, even though critics were disappointed of its play-it-safe attitude that undid some of the good works and risk taker provided by its predecessor, White Lilies Island.

Upon release, Counting Down the Days debuted atop the UK Album Chart for one week, becoming her first and her only number one album in the UK to date. However, despite the new milestone for Imbruglia in the UK market, the album was less successful in her home country, Australia where it only charted within top twenty, the album also didn’t get an official release in North America until 2010, particularly due to her departure from RCA Records, and collaboration with a newly-founded record label that promoted the album only in selected regions, primarily focusing promotion on the UK market.

To support the album, Imbruglia went on a small European concert tour from October to November 2005 with 21 shows across Europe, including eight shows in the UK alone.

Counting Down the Days has sold over 204,000 copies in the UK and an estimated 600,000 copies worldwide.

Track listing

1. "Starting Today" 2:54
2. "Shiver" 3:42
3. "Satisfied" 3:28
4. "Counting Down the Days" 4:09
5. "I Won't Be Lost" 3:51
6. "Slow Down" 3:30
7. "Sanctuary"  3:07
8. "Perfectly"  3:22
9. "On the Run" 3:37
10. "Come On Home" 3:55
11. "When You're Sleeping" 3:04
12. "Honeycomb Child" 4:12