If You Love Me Let Me Know review
“If You Love Me, Let Me Know”
Olivia Newton-John
MCA/MCA-411
Copyright 1974
John, Dee, Denny. It is not their fault, but they should be angry...
The recurring case of the sometimes “too appealing” album cover exists for Olivia Newton-John on her latest “If You Love Me, Let Me Know.” Granted, the album will sell because of the cover (as the Ronstadt album did), whether the music is good or not. Sexism often lifts itself over other concepts in album packaging, leaving the artist with an attractive but stereotyped image.
Olivia Newton-John’s latest album is a collage of touching pop numbers arranged impressively to suit the average MOR radio listener.
She differs greatly from the style of Kiki Dee in that the country feel is much more vivid and accessible, especially in tunes like the title track and “Country Girl.” Her singing style is simple: a combination of standard singing conventions destined for an uplift in appeal.
An album such as this, almost always excites and refreshes the soul (with the exception of Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows,” which only the Beach Boys do better). It’s basic foundations of pop roots in music.
There’s no beating around the bush the music stands up on its own without relying on too-strong a vocal quality, a quality which Newton-John is seldom guilty of.
In fellow colleagues Kiki Dee and Olivia Newton-John, there certainly is more room for outgoingness and aggressive singing. Dee and Newton-John are products of a commercial attempt to place beauty over musical talent.
It is not their fault, but they should be angered over their record companies’ attitudes. All three women are equally talented, with each individual possessing a certain “special” characteristic separating her from the others.
The women, Kiki Dee, Olivia Newton-John and Sandy Denny are truly fine singing talents which sure talents which need attention, and deserve infinite praise.
By Greg Lee