Track Listing

1. Trust Yourself
2. No Matter What You Do
3. No Other Love
4. Pegasus
5. Why Me
6. Don't Cut Me Down
7. Gaia
8. Do You Feel
9. I Never Knew Love
10. Silent Ruin
11. Not Gonna Give In To It
12. The Way Of Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #215715 in Music
• Released on: 2002-05-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Amazon.com
Pop stars never tread on more dangerous turf than when they mount the soapbox of their popularity to assuage their own regrets about fame, express some burning personal issue, or, worse, take a political stand. What are folksingers for, anyway? This 1994 album by Australian singer Olivia Newton-John, one of the most successful pop icon-sex symbols of the '70s and early '80s, was a Top 10 hit in her homeland, but has long been considered a "lost" album by Newton-John's American fans; this marks its Stateside debut. Inspired by the cruel, dueling fates of her father's death and being diagnosed with breast cancer at virtually the same moment, Newton-John claims this self-penned and self-produced album, which ranges across topics from romance to the environment ("Gaia" represents the Spirit of Mother Earth), represents the "first time" she's expressed her true feelings--which may come as a shock to admirers of "I Honestly Love You." Perhaps ironically, the breathy, fragile voice of her pop prime convincingly wraps itself around these confessionals with determination and occasional muscle. Rife with melodic echoes from her easy-listening country past ("No Other Love," "Why Me," "I Never Knew Love"), Gaia is variously infused with mildly exotic touches, from the metaphysical "Pegasus," South American-flavored "Not Gonna Give In to It," and Hindi undercurrents in "The Way of Love" to the rainforest ambience of "Ruin" and the title track. Fans and casual listeners alike will find the album more than just a reassuring return to form; it's a bold and often surprising attempt to recast her pop legacy. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

At Long Last The US Release of ONJ's Most Personal Recording
While "Gaia: One Woman's Journey" has long been available as an import, Universal has finally released it in the US, which is cause for celebration. This is the artist's most unique and personal collection of songs, an impressive mix of self-penned tracks that testify to her struggles with breast cancer, as well as other topical issues like the environment. From the powerful opening number - "Trust Yourself" (which also shows up on the "Sordid Lives" soundtrack) to the incomparable "Not Gonna Give in To It" this is a terrific album from start to finish. Throughout, the singer is in fine voice, singing more powerfully than perhaps at any time in her 30 year career about death, pain, and other serious life challenges. "Don't Cut Me Down" is as much about overcoming life's obstacles as it is about de-forestation, while the latin-infused "Not Gonna Give Into It" ranks as one of ONJ's best efforts ever...a truly unforgettable percolating dance ditty with a passionate message of hope.

"One Woman's Journey" reminds the listener of why Olivia Newton-John is and always will be a true legend and survivor. She sings here with passion, never remote or cute, but inspired by forces that we can all relate to - the passing of one's parent, the challenges of daily life, and the fears we confront when coping with diseases like cancer and AIDS. This is a landmark album for it allows Olivia a new-found freedom of expression that is generally missing in the rest of her recorded arsenal. Here, she sings for all it's worth - as if these tracks are her last chance to show the world her depth and humanity. The listener is drawn inside Olivia's personal journey, and in doing so, connects to the artist in an unexpected, exhuberant way. "Gaia" is much more than "Physical" or mellow...it's a life lesson captured in song, by a truly remarkable artist who is at once struggling with life's follies and curveballs, while enjoying whatever time is left on the planet. If Deepak Chopra (one of ONJ's personal friends and gurus) were an album, he'd be this collection. "Gaia: One Woman's Journey" is worth its weight in gold...and surely deserves widespread acceptance in the US now that it has finally been released here.

I heartily recommend this fine collection of new material from one of the 20th Century's best artists. Amazon would do well to include this in its arsaenal of ESSENTIAL recordings.

An incredible journey
In the span of a few years, Olivia Newton-John suffered breast cancer, the death of her father, the death of her best friend's child to cancer, a divorce, a failed business (Koala Blue clothing stores), near bankruptcy, legal battles with her record company, among many other hardships. The result of this anguish? Olivia wrote several songs of higher spirituality in the aftermath, and put them all on an album titled Gaia.
She was forced to face her mortality and fear, and defeated it. Gone is the fluff pop Olivia is best known for. In it's place is an album that searches the soul. Every song on the album was written by Olivia herself. You wouldn't expect an album of this calibar from the pop princess. This album was not a mainstream release. Olivia produced the album entirely in the middle of the Australian outback, in an independent studio. It is an inspirational masterpiece. Many fans, as well as critics, praise this album as Olivia's finest work EVER. I whole heartedly agree with them. If you have fond memories of Olivia singing "Have You Never Been Mellow" or "Magic", you will do yourself a favor by revisiting her beautiful voice. You will recognize the voice, but with a strengthened character. If it is true that from hardship and ruin will rise a Phoenix of renewed strength, this album proves it.

"her voice makes me sad and happy at the same time"
One can only admire the strength of this lady, after her surgery from breast cancer. She is definitely a survivor and a one-of-a-kind individual. From the beginning "TRUST YOURSELF", opens doors to what needs to be said, lyrics pour from the heart ~ "NO OTHER LOVE", contemporary vibes with a wedding solo surfacing, perfect for the one you love ~ "DON'T CUT ME DOWN", beautiful ballad with tears of another chance in life ~ "GAIA", loving this planet and the environment the way I do, this song hits very close to home ~ "I NEVER KNEW LOVE", what would this album be without some country-western flavor, and Olivia brings joy with each note ~ "NOT GONNA GIVE IN TO IT", latin rhythms prevail and the sing-song round takes you away to a peaceful unaware ~ "THE WAY OF LOVE", you have the right to choose, and this release from Hip-O is the right choice, gotta love it!

Total Time: 54:23 on 12 Tracks ~ Hip-O Records 440-017-759-2 ~ (1994/2002)