The name of the Osmonds’ new album, "I Can’t Get There Without You," seems fitting.
"It was a reunion," said Jay Osmond.
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The original performing Osmond family members
Alan Osmond, 63
Wayne Osmond, 61
Merrill Osmond, 59
Jay Osmond, 57
Donny Osmond, 54
Marie Osmond, 52
Jimmy Osmond, 49
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"This one has magic on it," said Merrill Osmond.
"We’re stronger together," said Jimmy Osmond.
The album, released in late September, marks 50 years since the very first Osmond album, and 12 years since the singers’ last studio album.
According to Jay Osmond, because it might be the final album from the current Osmond Brothers lineup (Jay, Merrill and Jimmy), it also features guest vocals from Donny, Marie, Alan, Wayne and even Sophia Osmond, Jimmy’s daughter.
"It made this album not another Osmond album," said Jimmy, at 49 the youngest member of the famous Utah musical siblings who first sang together to raise money for hearing aids for their older, nonsinging brothers, Virl and Tom. With Alan and Wayne largely retired because of health issues, "I Can’t Get There Without You" marks "the last time all seven of us will be there on a project," Jimmy Osmond said.
That would mean the end of an era for a family of singers who have collectively sold more than 100 million albums, earning some 59 gold and platinum records along the way.
The impetus for the album came from the Osmond Brothers’ U.K. tour earlier this year — their largest tour of Great Britain ever, with 50 sold-out shows in two months. It initially was planned to be a solo album for Jimmy, but the brothers got together to record something new for British fans during the tour. The U.S. release came about after all those sold-out shows.
The successful tour reminded Merrill of something Elvis Presley told him long ago: "When your fans bring their kids, you’ve passed the generation gap."
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So when it came time to finalize the U.S. version of the album, Merrill was reminded of what Paul McCartney had once told him: "The key is to stand firm and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it."
As a result, the album is a little bit country, but a lot more pop and rock ’n’ roll. Recorded at London’s Britannia Row Studios, where Pink Floyd recorded part of "The Wall," the record is an eclectic mix of what Jay called "fun" music.
"Usually for nostalgia acts, people usually don’t want new songs," Jimmy said. But fans in the U.K. were enthralled by the new tracks, which showed off an experimental side the Osmonds aren’t usually known for. "We’ve never been afraid to try new things," Jimmy said.
Twitter: @davidburger
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