Album Review
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – This Christmas
There’s a comfortable familiarity to Christmas albums – the same tracks every year giving us that special feeling that only comes once a year, even if they are starting to belt it out in Asda mid-way through October.
This offering from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John will probably strike most as an easy cash in, but there’s something oddly charming about this kitsch collection of Christmas classics. The karaoke-backing-track-esque production that permeates most of the tracks somehow adds to the tongue in cheek appeal of this release, and maybe it’s a matter of personal preference, but the whole album drags you kicking and screaming into the Festive season whether you like it or not.
Some listeners are bound to be put off by the admittedly cringe-worthy scripted sections on tracks like ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’, but those who don’t mind a bit of cheese will actually find some very well crafted covers here. There’s also a wealth of cameos from huge names like Barbra Streisland, Kenny G, Cliff Richard and Tony Bennett who all help to add to the Hollywood glitz and glamour surrounding this release from the former Grease stars.
Newton-John sounds in fine voice throughout the whole album and Travolta manages to keep his end up for the most part, admittedly carried heavily in places. The chemistry that made them so electric in Grease still seems evident even via audio recording and there’s a playful sense of fun threading through tracks like ‘Rockin Around The Christmas Tree’ which balances nicely with some classic swing and lounge arrangements on ‘Silent Night’ and ‘The Christmas Waltz’.
If you’re not afraid of a bit of Hollywood pomp and still get excited about the festive season this album won’t disappoint. If you don’t – bah, humbug!
Venue: This Christmas
Support Band: Universal UMC