Olivia Newton-John – Come On Over (1976/2011) [SACD / Universal (Japan) – UIGY-9078]
Title: Olivia Newton-John – Come On Over (1976) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2011]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
Olivia Newton-John’s Come on Over is a 2011 DSD-mastered SHM-SACD reissue, transferred from analog tapes by Masaru Takagi. The album blends country, folk, and pop, featuring Newton-John’s haunting arrangement of “Greensleeves.” Her tenth Top 40 hit, the Bee Gees-penned title track “Come on Over” topped the adult contemporary charts. Country covers like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Jolene” frame the album’s first side. “Pony Ride,” a piano ballad, bridges the album’s Western and pop elements. John Farrar’s understated production elevates Newton-John’s heartfelt vocals, especially on the title track. Despite a solid cover of “The Long and Winding Road,” the title track overshadows other performances. “It’ll Be Me,” a Hank Marvin/John Farrar composition, is a highlight, tied to Newton-John’s Shadows connection. Farrar’s production on tracks like “Small Talk and Pride” and “Wrap Me in Your Arms” is elegant and underrated. Come on Over is a pop classic, showcasing Newton-John’s superstar status and Farrar’s masterful grasp of pop.