This album has always been neglected when Olivis'a career has come under review. I can sum it all up in a few sentences. A friend of mine who recently came to America from Chile overheard me playing "Over The Rainbow" and fell into some kind of trance. He said as a child in Chile he remembers that song and it was what inspired him and his family to come to America. When I played Livvy's version he was near tears saying he has NEVER heard it sung so beautifully. He promptly went out and bought copies for all his brothers. Olivia is now their favorite musician. He has discovered Back To Basics,Grease, and Xanadu(now his fave song).They use to hear "Xanadu" in Chile as children but never knew who sang it. Olivia's voice never sounded better than Warm and Tender. This album also introduced me (a twentysomething) to some classics like The 12th of Never and my favorite You'll Never Walk Alone.Of all my Olivia cd's this one gets the most play, it is so relaxing, her voice can cast a strange calming effect on my animals too. BOTTOM LINE:forget Judy Garland and Dionne WArwick's original versions of these remakes, Olivia's exceed them, also Olivia wrote the title track.

This album is my daughter's favorite. I have memorized "Jenny Rebecca", the first song on the album, and sing it to my daughter using her name Mary Kamisha. It is now her song. "Warm and Tender" and "Flower that Shattered the Stone" are wonderful. It is truly refreshing to hear such lovely music sung by such a beautiful voice. This is a must have for new parents. You'll love it! Every new parent friend of mine will receive a copy.

Warm and Tender and Breathtaking would be a good title for this album. I close my eyes and Olivia sounds as though she is inside my head, singing to me. Especially "The Twelfth of Never". The quality of Olivia's voice, and the music of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra make this one of, if not the, best albums of Olivia's I have heard. Another truly great CD with a good mix of music styles is "Gaia".

This album found Olivia ending the 1980's, a newfound mother and a concerned environmentalist. The CD booklet is printed on recycled paper and includes excellent tips on becoming socially aware and responsible for the environment. Clearly, her priorities had changed as she was veering away from popular market. The record label were expecting a new rock album from her, yet she lobbied to create a collection of soft selections and lullibies for parents and children alike to enjoy together. It works! This makes for a pleasant and inviting listening experience. It brings her "back to basics" and reflects the adult comtemporary pop stylings she was singing in the early 1970's, way before she was getting "physical."

Olivia's voice has always worked better with simple, spare arrangements and this album is a beautiful reflection of actually how remarkable her crystalline voice is. Standouts include: "The Flower That Shattered The Stone," a track that John Denver included in his repetoire before his untimely passing. Her rendition of "Over The Rainbow" is simplistic and out of all of the versions of that song floating around, is not overblown or overly orchestrated. "Warm And Tender" is an ONJ original she penned for her daughter Chloe that shows her capabilites as a competent songwriter. Olivia also arranged the majority of the selections on the consummate collection.

She shines on every track from it's opener "Jenny Rebecca" to it's conclusion with her version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Reach Out For Me," the only commercial release, that is enveloped with soft and pleasant Olivia harmonies with a Brahms Lullaby Into and Reprise.

VH-1 embraced the project and aired a special of Olivia's trip to the rainforest, along with special video clips from the album. For those who like their music soft and sweet, this collection for you!

With the current release of music for the diaper set like Celine Dion's "Miracle", it is plain to see how progressive Olivia's insight was back in 1989, even though she recorded this album for her daughter Chloe.

There are of course standard lullabies like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Rock A Bye Baby", but it is the way they are produced (by John Farrar) and interpreted by Olivia that catapults these traditional standards into the stratosphere! Nestled in between are such gems as "The Flower That Shattered The Stone", "The Twelfeth of Never" and "Reach Out for Me", which is worthy of a Top 10 spot on the Adult Contemporary Chart. There are moments like "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Over the Rainbow" that are at times a bit too Disneyish, but the kiddies like them and remember them from their favorite movies.

The title track sums up this record nicely, leaving the listener (and the little listener) feeling very "Warm and Tender."