Review of Olivia album
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: “Olivia” (Pye).
An album for an artiste like Olivia Newton-John means a showcase. She has to show off, let people in on her talents and capabilities, because those pop singles by her tell you little, except that somebody is hoping to make some bread.
As a result of those releases a large proportion of the buying public, say in the 13-to-25 age bracket, don’t want to know about her. And have established an anti-Olivia mechanism in their minds. But, as this set proves, she does have talents many of us could find appealing.
Though if you’re down-the-line rock and roll, boogie and soul person, then you’re not likely to get off on this collection. Mainly because it’s not aimed in that direction, but more towards the children, mums and dads.
Her version of David Gates’s (Bread) “Everything I Own”, with acoustic guitars and a sprinkling piano, is sensitive and refreshing.
Sadly. on Gerry Rafferty’s “Mary Skeffington” - surely destined to become a popular number for covering speeds the pace, and a lot of the lyrical aesthetic value is lost. But there’s no holding her on the powerful “Angel Of The Morning”.
Olivia is a pretty and competent little singer, and the arrangements here vary from rock, to country, and then have the whole impact of a large string section.
By Tony Stewart.