I Honestly Love Olivia Newton-John

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I was simply in love with Olivia. My first celebrity crush, started in grade school when I first saw her sing “I Honestly Love You” on a TV special.  During high school, I treasured an original Grease movie poster that I hung in my parent’s basement, where I spent many days dreaming of my own “Sandy.” I wrote to her, got an original photo, and watched Xanadu in the theatre so many times I could recite the dialog. But teenage dreams don’t last forever and we all grow up. Sadly, cancer has attacked Olivia, and despite her best efforts would not let go of her.

If you imagined what an angel’s singing sounds like, it was the voice of Olivia Newton-John. Winning numerous awards in country music early in her career, she hit it big with her star turn in Grease and never looked back. Moving from country to pop to soft rock, in my opinion, her peak was 1978’s Totally Hot and then teaming up with ELO’s Jeff Lynne for the movie and soundtrack to Xanadu in 1980.

By the time she did Physical in 1981, she was a pop-culture phenomenon. It was a slow glide moving from there as a legacy performer, having fun appearing on TV shows like Glee and other pursuits. She never lost her focus and refused to let cancer dictate her life. In fact, she used the experience to gain greater self-awareness and became a positive inspiration to millions of people battling cancer.  Listen to her on Spotify and she never goes away.

Tributes: Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend and Pop Aid for Ukraine

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Jem Records Celebrates

Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend”

The third “JEM Records Celebrates” compilation focuses on The Who’s Pete Townshend. Pete not only coined the term ‘Power Pop’ but inspired countless rockers with his bombastic chords and timeless songwriting. JEM artists contributing include The Weeklings, The Grip Weeds, The Anderson Council, The Gold Needles, Nick Piunti, Lisa Mychols & Super 8, The Airport 77’s, Johnathan Pushkar, The Midnight Callers, and Richard Barone.

These artists do truly original interpretations of Pete’s best-known songs. It’s tough to call out a single song that standout out here, as all the artists do such a great job. My favorites included Lisa Mychols & Super 8’s version of “Baba O’Riley” and “Can’t Explain,” The Midnight Callers’ “Let My Love Open The Door,” The Anderson Council’s “Mary Ann with the Shaky Hand,” and Airport 77’s combination of “Substitute” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” But even the more traditional approaches of The Grip Weeds’ “I’m Free” and The Weeklings’ “I Can See For Miles” bring real power to their versions. Not a weak track here and it’s highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Real Sickies

Assorted Artists “POP AID – A Power Pop Compilation to Benefit the Citizens of Ukraine”

This massive 63-track, 3CD collection was put together by Kool Kat Musik to benefit the citizens of war-torn Ukraine.  100% of all profits from sales of the collection will go to World Central Kitchen, a renowned organization founded by chef Jose Andres whose mission statement is “To serve hot, nutritious meals to people who need them most.”

An amazing array of artists from around the world have provided previously unreleased tracks that you won’t find anywhere else. Many songs were recorded specifically for this collection. The 63 artists contributing power pop favorites on this compilation include Arvidson & Butterflies, Jim Basnight, Terry Carolan (with Al Chan & Tommy Dunbar), Chris Church, Cloud Eleven (with Rick Hromadka), Dave Cope and The Sass, The Embryos, Flashcubes, Nick Frater, The Glad Machine, Jeremy (with Ken Stringfellow), The Junior League, Joey Molland (Badfinger) and many more familiar names.

Kool Kat Musik is to be commended for their heroic efforts in getting this done so quickly. There are too many great songs here for me to even call out favorites, just know that out of the 63 tracks you will find many, many fresh favorites. Highly recommended and all for a very worthy cause, so get it now!

Kool Kat Musik

Early August singles and premieres: Kerosene Stars, Lily Frost, Vegas With Randolph, Matt Steele, Sharp Class, Phil Thornalley, Late Cambrian

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Kerosene Stars

It’s the World Premiere of Kerosene Stars’ single “Stay Low” a rich anthemic slice of rock with a marching rhythm that builds with each verse, as grand as anything Oasis has ever done. This is followed by the impressive “Don’t Follow Me,” a dense guitar texture is met by echoing vocals and distortion, and even a Dick Dale-styled interlude!

Toronto singer/songwriter Lily Frost releases “Seagull,” from her upcoming LP Decompression, and it’s impossible to ignore with its driving beat and layered harmonies. Power pop favorites Vegas With Randolph is back with the compelling “Shake The Cage” and love those horn flourishes! Matt Steele has a deceptively catchy bedroom pop hit here with “Vintage Photo Filter,” which just grows on you with each chorus. Nottingham blokes Sharp Class kicks some ass with “Tales of A Teenage Mind,” as it marries the buzzsaw riffs with Oliver Orton’s cheeky punk vocals. And we have some neat video singles too; Phil Thornalley‘s “Fast Car” is a loving homage to Jeff Lynne’s style that sticks in your head, and Late Cambrian is back with a skater’s perfect theme “The Last Wave” is off the upcoming LP, Future Snacks. Mmm, Tasty!





The Power Popaholic Interview: Charles Hanson (Gymnasium)

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Charles Hanson (Gymnasium)

I had a chat with Charles Hanson of the Boston-based band Gymnasium and their latest album Hansen’s Pop ‘n’ Rock ‘22 distributed on Red on Red Records. So much Boston talent on a single record: Jonathan Screnci, Peter Moore, Anthony Kaczynski, John Sheeran, Mike Gent, Ed Valauskas, Chris Cote, Jim Janota, Natalie Flanagan, Kevin Barry, Ohan Heghinian, Joe McMahon, Rodrigo van Stoli, Chris Blue, John Powhida, Marc Pinansky, David Fredette, Melissa Gibbs, Jim Haggerty, and Duke Levine.