Electric Light Orchestra / Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu (Japanese Pressing)

Super Rare Japanese Pressing of this classic.

Back in early 1980, rumors swirled about a movie soundtrack that would team Oliva Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra. ELO was coming off their big seller “Discovery”, in 1979, which produced 4 top 40 hits. Jeff Lynne said he wanted to do a movie soundtrack, but in hindsight it probably hurt the band overall as their record sales went steadily down after this soundtrack. Lynne wrote some catchy tunes in “The Fall”, should of been a single, I think it would of gone top 20 for sure. “I’m Alive”, #16, the first single of the album, a little too much tinkering with noises, but 35 years later it still holds up, compared to what we have for pop music today. “Don’t Walk Away”, a solid album track, but it did hit in the U.K.. “All Over The World”, #13, a great Lynne number, Bev Bevan plays excellent drums on this track and “Xanadu”, #8 and #1 in the U.K., perfect pop number with Oliva singing the lead and Jeff and Kelly on background vocals. On Oliva’s side she did good. I was never much of an ONJ fan , but i’ve liked some of her stuff, she did o.k. on 4 of the 5 numbers here. “Magic”, #1, is a very solid pop number, Cliff Richard helps out on “Suddenly”, #20, a good duet for 1980, “Dancin'”, with The Tubes is a great track with the mishmash of 40’s swing and 80’s rock, very underrated number, doesn’t get enough respect. The mellow “Suspended In Time”, is a very good MOR tune, the only weak track on the album was her duet with Gene Kelly on “Whenever You’re Away From Me”. “Xanadu”, hit #4, sold a solid 2 1/2 million copies, but the movie just stunk it up big time!