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.

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.

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)

The songs on this CD were written by Olivia whe she was recovering from Breast Cancer. As you look through the liner notes she adds comments of what she was experiencing when she wrote the songs. It was part of her healing process. The result is stunning. The album has a good balance of pop and rock. From the peppy "Not Gonna Give In To It" to the new age styled "Gaia" it keeps you asking for more. This is an Olivia album like no other. Now, finally released in the US, it is remastered to give you even more enjoyment. A must have for every Olivia fan and anyone who has gone through what she did. I can inspire you to keep up the fight!

I was never a strong fan of ONJ, and this is the first CD I ever bought by her. It wasn't cool when I was in High School to be a fan unless you were one of the girls who was into her hits that were breathy and sweet (ie. "I Honestly Love You", "Have You Never Been Mellow"). I did come to see that Olivia took risks as far back as the 80s and she has stuck to her principles. No dumb blonde is Ms.Olivia Newton-John! I took a risk by buying this CD and I am glad I did. The very title grabbed me and she is an adept songwriter. Every time I thought a song would turn into a predictable direction, it took a different route and worked incredibly with the lyrics. This is an album to listen to and read the lyrics at the same time. I admire the strength in this album and her vocal deliveries on each track. She has something to say and she has done a superlative job. The production is unique in the best manner possible. ONJ has courage and a sound spirituality and I recommend this album to newcomers of her work, skeptics of how good she is and to those who admire an album that speaks of the human spirit and how we all can heal ourselves and the planet. I can only wonder why it took so long for this album to get a general release in the US! Artists evolve and Olivia is one of those who has shown a deeper message to give other than "Physical" and "Xanadu". Not that she every did any bad recordings that I am aware of, but this one is important to reach out to so many people who need this kind of healing message. Kudos to Olivia Newton-John!