If You Love Me Let Me Know album review
Olivia’s latest album If You Love Me Let Me Know currently in the Billboard Top Five, offers some explanations for the Newton-John phenomenon. Her success is primarily based upon the extreme professionalism with which she and her producers, Bruce Welch and John Farrar, exploit her cuteness, both visually and vocally.
Olivia’s voice is not great but somehow charming and - there is no better word to describe it cute. The vocals are tailor-made for the easy listening material which was obviously carefully selected including Gerry Rafferty’s Mary Skeffington, Barbara Keith’s Free The People, and the old Beach Boys’ classic God only knows. Thanks to the careful selection, the album includes a variety of musical styles ranging from straight pop to country, folk and even a few touches of gospel.
All cuts are extremely commercial and potential hit singles like the title song or Olivia’s current hit I love you, I honestly love you.
There is very little wrong with If You Love Me Let Me Know if you regard it as a simple pop album aimed at providing a few hours of easy listening pleasure. If you like this type of music, the album is worth its money. Watch out, however, that your saccharine level does not rise too much.
One last warning, if you consider buying the record. The sound quality and surface noise of some copies are sub-standard.
P.S. I understand that there are even some Emerson, Lake and Palmer freaks who dig Olivia’s records in between Emerson’s piano solos.