Stronger Than Before Explained

Stronger Than Before
Type:studio
Artist:Olivia Newton-John
Cover:ONJ_Stronger_than_Before_album_cover.jpeg
Released:29 August 2005
Recorded:February–June 2005
Studio:The Barn (Tarzana, California); Westlake Studios (Los Angeles, California); Bingham Bend Studio (Nashville, TN); Revolution Studios (Sydney, Australia); River Studios and Allan Eaton Studios (Melbourne, Australia); Metropolis Audio (South Melbourne, Australia); Definitive Sound (Ontario, Canada); Maison de Musique (Toronto, Canada)
Genre:New-age
Label:ONJ
Producer:
Prev Title:Gold
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:Grace and Gratitude
Next Year:2006

Stronger Than Before is the twentieth studio album by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John. It was first released by ONJ Productions and Hallmark on 29 August 2005 in the United States, where physical copies of the album were sold exclusively in Hallmark's Gold Crown Stores until 31 October 2005. This was followed by a digital and international release through ONJ and Warner Music in March 2006. An album of inspiration and encouragement to women who have dealt with cancer, Newton-John worked with Kim Bullard, Chong Lim, and Amy Sky on the ten-song collection.

Stronger Than Before is an album of inspiration and encouragement to women who have dealt with cancer (Newton-John herself survived breast cancer). The track "Phenomenal Woman" is based on Maya Angelou's 1978 poem and features vocal cameos from Patti LaBelle, Diahann Carroll, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Delta Goodrem, Amy Holland and Mindy Smith. The album also includes a new recording of her 1976 hit "Don't Stop Believin". The track "Can I Trust Your Arms" was composed by her daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi as a gift for her mother.[1] Olivia had already composed "That's All I Know for Sure" for Chloe.[2] [3]

Critical reception

In their review, Billboard praised the album, noting that "the timeless OliviaNewton-John indulges her many followers with a second album in as many years, following 2004's import Indigo, in which she reinterpreted songs by 11 powerful female singers. Stronger Than Before also has a specific aim: presenting songs of inspiration, courage and hope during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is tough picking premier tracks, because they all offer a hand to those seeking strength, whether through the fragile "Under the Skin" or the empowering "Pass It On." Newton-John, a 13 -year breast cancer survivor, givesher all to this lovely project - but then that's why she's been loved for 35 years."[4]

AllMusic editor Peter Fawthrop rated the album two stars out of five. He felt that "those who relish the profundity of gift card messages may find it deeply inspiring. Everyone else could scratch off the words to some of the songs and get a kindergartner to come up with something more meaningful."

Personnel

Performers and musicians

Strings (Tracks 1, 2 and 5–9)

Technical

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
United States29 August 2005CD[5]
Australia5 March 2006

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stronger Than Before - Olivia Newton-John . Peter Fawthro . AllMusic: Olivia Newton-John - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards . AllMusic. 6 September 2015 . In the ballad "Can I Trust Your Arms" Olivia added her own music to lyrics given to her as a Christmas gift by her daughter Chloe Lattanzi..
  2. Tim Ewbank -Olivia: The Biography of Olivia Newton-John 0748110259 2008 - It's healing for me as well as the audience and I need that. Singing has helped me to deal with the grief.' Stronger Than Before was recorded specifically as the cornerstone of Hallmark Gold Crown stores' programme in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness
  3. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/olivia-newton-johns-new-studio-album-stronger-than-before-available-exclusively-at-hallmark-gold-crown-stores-54562607.html News Release
  4. Reviews: Albums. Billboard. 13 August 2005 . 55 . August 11, 2024.
  5. Margo. Whitmire. A 'Phenomenal' Benefit. de. 15 August 2022. Billboard. 27 August 2005 .