I admit, there was a time when I was mildly obsessed with finding some YouTube clips of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John performing together again. Their chemistry in 1978′s Grease was one of the best in musicals of that era, not to mention the chemistry and fun of the case, and both of course went on to be superstars, and then settle into pretty successful careers later in life. Even if Travolta’s name was someone associated with some bizarre headlines from time to time, in the back of your mind fans of the movie tend to hope in their heart that a little Sandy and Danny lived on in Olivia and John after all the years.
I was even happier to hear that the two had reunited this year to release This Christmas – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (iTunes Links) (Amazon Link). It’s a collection of Christmas favorites such as “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” to “Deck the Halls”. There’s also a new track called “I Think You Might Like It” that is sort of the metaphysical sequel to “You’re the One That I Want”.
I’ll be honest–a lot of critics have panned the album and good. But most of those are young whippersnappers to whom things like gas lines, cold wars, and bellbottom shorts are alien concepts. For the rest of us who were born in 60′s and earlier, chances are you’re going to enjoy it, if only as a way to smile that Danny and Sandy live on in some way.
All proceeds from the album are going to the Jett Travolta Foundation, honoring Travolta’s late son by assisting and providing relief to children with vision, hearing, mobility, communication, behavior learning impairments or other special medical, environmental, health or educational needs; and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center which provides world-class cancer clinical care, the latest technology, and access to leading health professionals to Newton’s home of Melbourne, Australia
