"Xanadu" is the soundtrack of the 1980 musical film of the same name, featuring the Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and the British group Electric Light Orchestra.
The original album release featured on side one the songs of Newton-John, and on side two the songs of ELO.
Although the film was a critical and commercial disappointment, the soundtrack was a worldwide success and received positive reviews from music critics.
This soundtrack is fluff stuff to be sure, but some pearls float amongst the mire. Lead-off "Magic" remains a fine single. "Suddenly," a duet Olivia Newton-John ekes out with British luminary Cliff Richard, seems better than most love themes. The sudden appearance of the Tubes almost saves the doomed swing/rock hybrid "Dancin," but the two styles should never meet. The second half glows from the Electric Light Orchestra, soaring at its commercial height, escaping this crippling fairy tale fairly untarnished with three more hit bits: "I'm Alive," "All Over the World," and the Olivia Neutron Bomb showcase title track. "Don't Walk Away" and "The Fall" stand as two of Jeff Lynne's finest, thus the flip nukes the front which should stay stuck to the theater floor. Listening to this soundtrack may beat watching the actual film, but know that if you didn't dig "Xanadu" when it came out, the platter gains nothing through time.
Track listing
Side One (Olivia Newton-John)
01. Magic (John Farrar) - 4:31
02. Suddenly (with Cliff Richard) (John Farrar) - 4:02
03. Dancin' (with The Tubes) (John Farrar) - 5:17
04. Suspended in Time (John Farrar) - 3:55
05. Whenever You're Away from Me (with Gene Kelly) (John Farrar) - 4:22
Side Two (Electric Light Orchestra)
01. I'm Alive (Jeff Lynne) - 3:46
02. The Fall (Jeff Lynne) - 3:34
03. Don't Walk Away (Jeff Lynne) - 4:48
04. All Over the World (Jeff Lynne) - 4:04
05. Xanadu (with Olivia Newton-John) (Jeff Lynne) - 3:28
Released: August 1980
Label: Jet Records
Genre: Pop, Disco
Length: 41:34
Producer: Jeff Lynne, John Farrar
Personnel
Olivia Newton-John - Vocals
Jeff Lynne - Lead vocals, backing vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, keyboards,synthesizers
Bev Bevan - Drums, percussion, Tympani
Richard Tandy - Pianos, synthesizers, all other keyboards
Kelly Groucutt - Bass guitar, backing vocals
Louis Clark - Strings conducted
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