Physical (Deluxe 2 CD/DVD)
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': "Maybe this project was rushed, maybe no one proofed the final edits.. we’ll never know.\n\nStarting with track 1 (Landslide) the first 24 seconds are out of balance, then suddenly in balance.\nTrack 8 (Carried Away) they got a bit overboard bringing the Barry Gibb background vocal in at one point.\nFor some reason, they added the botched mix of (Livin’ in) Desperate Times from the CD release of the TOAK soundtrack and called it an ‘alternate soundtrack’ version. Really?\n\nThese are just the obvious things.\n\nThe Olivia - Physical video album volume is way too low and looks like it was transferred from an old VHS tape.\nThe Olivia in Concert on the DVD is much too dark, although the sound is great (except where it gets out of sync during You're the One That I Want.\nWhen you get to the end of both videos, there is loud screeching at the end that can blow out some speakers.\n\nThey went through the trouble of bringing the 4 songs from the above-mentioned TOAK soundtrack and her Greatest Hits Vol 2.. but not the videos?\n\nI was really looking forward to this release as I’ve been a lifelong fan. This could have been so much better had someone had better attention to detail or at least had some quality control.\n\nOne last thing, the sticker on the package says ‘limited edition’, but guess what… it isn’t. Apparently a mistake.\n\nThe person that apparently was in charge of this will quickly say.. well, the masters are 40 years old. There have been other 'remasters' of this album done in previous years that blow this out of the water.\n\nAs far as the remastered videos? I'll just say I am glad I still have my Laserdiscs of those releases. They could have simply transferred the content from those and would have had a better version.\n\nI really hope that future re-releases have some quality control over the project. Primary Wave should be embarrassed that such a high-profile project went out the way this did."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'This reissue/remaster really does have it all!! It\'s not just ONJ\'s 1981 album "Physical" either...it covers 1981 to 1984, by throwing in the exclusive songs from her "Greatest Hits Vol. 2" & the soundtrack to dud movie "Two Of A Kind", along with 12" & single mixes!! AND her duet with Bee Gee Barry Gibb from his solo album "Now Voyager"!! Talk about thorough!!\n\nOn top of that, you have a DVD with 2 programs, the VHS/laserdisc-only "Physical" video album & a 1982 concert in Utah filled with hits & at her prime!! The packaging is stunning too, with all the eye-popping photography, with water & dolphins, respectful of the original LP\'s gatefold packaging, transformed into a beautiful 8-panel, 3-tray, digipack & thick 28-page booklet with more photography, full lyrics (in readable font too!! No squinting of the eyes here!!), detailed credits AND 1981-1984 discography (US/UK/Japan/Australia)!! I don\'t think anyone but Vinny Vero could have done a better-researched job here, no stone left unturned or detail left out!! Only 1 quibble is that there is no essay on the making of the album, just ONJ\'s brief remembrance & thank you\'s...it\'s fine....\n\nNow, the packaging & photos are killer...how are the music & visuals?? I have to admit, I never owned the album in 1981 (40 years ago, scary!!), I knew the hits, have the amazing & almost-complete 2CD "Gold", but until now, I never heard the album in full or had a VHS tape of the "Physical" video album, so hearing this had me excited...and it\'s really good, original pop!! No, ONJ didn\'t write her own music then as much as she does now...that would be by Aussie pop genius legend John Farrar...BUT she did write penultimate atmospheric ballad "The Promise (The Dolphin Song)", which blew me away with its epic quality. Apart from that, this 10-track masterpiece is very catchy 1981 new wave-flavoured pop with a mixture of rockers & ballads. Somehow, it doesn\'t sound dated, but still fresh & fun. The 3 singles are classics...I have to admit I almost got sick of "Physical", it was everywhere, but hearing it in the context of the album, the song got back its joie-de-vivre..."Make A Move On Me" is frisky and retains it\'s killer hooks & "Landslide" should have been a bigger US hit, like it was in the UK, has an interesting violin hook throughout...aside from those 3 songs, the other 7 are great songs with some shoulda-been singles...other faves are "Silvery Rain" with it\'s futuristic new wave feel, poppy "Love Make Me Strong", the atmospheric moving ballad "Recovery" & sinewy "Stranger\'s Touch"...it\'s all good/great...and of the added songs, the catchy "Heart Attack" was almost forgotten but was a big hit in 1982 & "Twist Of Fate" I have to admit I used to not like cuz it sounded catchy but anonymous, like any pop singer could have recorded it, but now, I sorta like it, due to ONJ\'s performance...and with the 2 lesser hits, "Tied Up" is REALLY interesting, with an unusual feel & subtle hidden hooks that pop out as the song winds through your brain, haven\'t heard that song in over 30 years, it was not included on "Gold"...and "Living In Desperate Times" is a really cool song & quite overlooked, deserved a better fate, happy it\'s here...\n\nLastly, the video...that "Physical" video is both fun & beautiful, with a mixture of fun poppy energetic band clips (love "Make A Move On Me", who is that goofy keyboard guy?? Reminds me of Ron Mael from Sparks!! And I love ONJ\'s energy & flexibility!! The whole band is cool & love the 2 girl singers too)...story & concept clips ("The Promise" with the dolphins is stunning, what lovely creatures), & I love how 3 other songs are included..."Magic", "A Little More Love" & "Hopelessly Devoted To You" from Grease...and the concert from Utah is an amazing hits set circa 1982, a total peak...\n\nOverall, GREAT...content (music & visual), packaging & value for money!! 10 stars if I could!! Question is, what is next??'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': "I'm thrilled to finally have a deluxe edition of this great album. Added bonus in having the Physical Video Album and Olivia in Concert though I wish there was a blu-ray option. Be forewarned that at least on my DVD copy that the final 4-5 seconds right after the end credits in both videos there's a very loud audio screech!!! Scared me to death. Hopefully it's not a widespread problem."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "I never thought this perfect album could sound better but I was completely floored. Sound quality is superb. The extra tracks are a dream come true for every Olivia fun. Don't walk but run to get this. One of the best releases this year."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': "Was skeptical with the Primary Wave CD release and re-master but gave it a chance Upon first listen, it's clear the MCAD or earlier Japanese (rare) releases sound far superior. Wasn't interested in Disc 2 or DVD, rather an opportunity to hear any potential improvement from an original master source, whatever tape have been used. Immediate fail out of the gate: first 20+ seconds of Track 1 has tape dropout in the right channel. Repeated minor tape dropouts continue throughout the entirety of the album. Other issues: moments of distortion, excess compression (i.e. The Promise) and other tracks, audible wow & flutter, and possibly even a subtle mix discrep I seemed to notice on (Carried Away) compared to previous available releases. I did like the fact I can hear tape and the soundstage is slightly more open, but to my ear sounds like a master plugin applied and, at times, is simply too much.\n\nI also question the source - given the amount of noticeable dropouts, it's hard to know what source was used. If this was in fact the 1stG master, then it should have been avoided as there's too much degradation. Perhaps this was a different prod master, or similar.\n\nThere were a few moments of brilliance - but sadly - the best sounding I have are the older releases. They sound more pure and preserved."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "I have been a fan since I was a kid, probably 11 years old when I heard my first Olivia Newton-John song, 'If Not For You'. I have been captivated ever since and have done my very best to purchase her music.\n\nIt's Olivia Newton-John and that means PERFECTION. It's 1981 and I am out driving about, listening to the radio, and this song, Physical is playing. I remember it like yesterday and quite frankly, I was blown away. LOVED IT!\n\nI purchased the vinyl and cassette immediately and played them over and over and over again. They are quite worn out.\n\nThe remastered Physical collection is a must have for any fan. Not only does this collection include the original music, but there are some added surprises: Heart Attack and Tied Up from Greatest Hits Volume 2, Twist of Fate, (Livin' in) Desperate Times, and Take a Chance from Two of a Kind, and a few live songs.\n\nAdditionally the remastered Physical collection includes the video disc which is a must have for any fan.\n\nFor me, I was so happy to relive the 1982 Physical North American Tour which I experienced at the Oakland Coliseum on October 1, 1982 -- best night ever.\n\nMy only wish for this collection would have been for a digital download of the live concert or a live album -- that would have been the frosting on the cake.\n\nHowever, as previously noted, it's Olivia Newton-John. It's PERFECTION. Let's get Physical."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-3 review-rating', 'review_body': 'If you\'re familiar with this album, you know it needs no introduction, so I\'ll get right to the point. What you\'re looking at is a very carefully planned project that unfortunately, suffers greatly from a lack of quality control.\n\n1) 5-stars for content! This deluxe edition extensively covers the "Physical" album and all the singles, videos, and related materials from this time period. In particular, I love that they had the foresight to include all those hard-to-find tracks from the "Two of a Kind" soundtrack, as well as including the ground-breaking, full-length video album... more on that later.\n\n2) 3-stars for flimsy digipak packaging. The layout is nicely done and includes the full length cover art when opened, similar in nature to the original gatefold LP. But the materials used are cheaply made and won\'t hold up to repeated use. (Note: See Tina Turner\'s recent 2021 anniversary edition of "Foreign Affair" to see how a box set should be done.)\n\n3) 2-stars for mastering (???) and disc quality. Not only were two of the three discs scratched from new (discs made in Mexico), but the DVD mastering is a joke. THERE WAS NO REMASTERING... AT ALL... PERIOD! And anyone that tells you otherwise is either lying or should be fired on the spot! It\'s so horrendous, the content is barely watchable! I still own the 1982 Laserdisc release by Pioneer Artists - Yes, from 4 decades ago, and that disc will blow this so-called "remaster" away. In fact, you can find better video quality versions on YouTube, that\'s how awful this is. In addition, if you choose the concert version from the menu before watching the video album, there is absolutely no way to return to the main menu (or pop-up) to switch programs without physically ejecting the disc and starting over.\n\nThat said, you\'ve been warned. I just hope the next round of remasters from ONJ will consist of a team that know what they\'re doing.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "Feel like I am on cloud ☁️ 9 again. I love Olivia Newton-John and her music, she's my medicine. I'm am enjoying this very much."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2022', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "The cds are a great addition. You get the physical album on cd 1 along with two tracks from Olivia's greatest hits (heart attack and tied up) plus from Two of a kind soundtrack (twist of fate and livin in desperate times and take a chance) and a edit of landslide. CD 2 has tied up, shaking you, and face to face along with alternate, extended, live, different mixes. Then dvd 1 has the physical tv special and the H.B.O. concert from the 1980s never before available on dvd. For those two alone it is worth the price. I found quality to be good on cds and dvd. There is a loud noise at the end of the two shows on the dvd. But dvd quality is the best you will get for how old these shows are. Way better than my old VHS versions. It was great to see the concert again in such good quality and the tv show had extra videos not broadcast in the original tv version. So glad to get this. Now if they will only do the same for many of the other HBO concerts still not available on dvd."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2021', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "This cd and dvd reissue was such a pleasant surprise. I originally bought Physical on the day of its release at TOWER RECORDS in Sacramento Ca. I loved the album then and I really love it now. While I am not a techno geek I can can certainly all the hard work that went into remastering this album. The sound is clear and sharp and you can really appreciate ONJ'S voice and that of the musicians. The dvd is a remastered concert that she gave in the Fall of 1982 at Davis University and yes I was in attendance. The picture and sound are superb. Do yourself a favor and treat your self to some wonderful music now even better than before. A nice bonus is that the proceeds are going to fight cancer and come up with ways to aid cancer patients with Cannabis and other plant based medicines at The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Hospital and Foundation. This purchase is a win win for everyone."}]