Olivia Newton-John, Not Just Feminine Fluff
By Sue Leonard
An enchanting bit of femininity, fair-haired Olivia Newton-John could easily have charmed the male members of an audience in University of Illinois assembly hall, Champaign Sunday night, into believing she was a great vocalist even if she didn’t sing a single note.
However, the entire audience found itself caught up in a spell cast by the petite singer as she displayed her vocal talents that made “best sellers” of her opening numbers, “Let Me Be There” and “Please, Mister, Please”.
Calling herself an “Aussie girl”, the mixture of Miss Newton-John’s background is evident as she talks with a delightful but mixed accent. Born in England, she was reared in Australia and professed, in addressing the audience, “a love for Nashville music”. Thirty-eight persons on a bus trip sponsored by the Streator Family Y, were among the audience filling the assembly hall for the single performance.
She drew heavy applause when she not only sang to the audience seated in front of and on the sides of the stage but turned to the group lodged in the rear area of the platform. Miss Newton-John made it a point to do this in every song.
Especially moving was her rendition of “The Air That I Breathe”. She told of a selection included on her upcoming new album, “Jolene”, borrowed from “my friend, Dolly Parton”. Her rendition greatly differed from that of Miss Parton, who made it a hit song. Yet, it was highly pleasing, especially at the end when Miss Newton-John sang notes with the eerie quality of a train whistle.
She gained audience participation with the singing of “The River’s Too Wide”. Her backup group included piano, electric organ, guitars, drums and vocal trio.
Introduced as “my new record, and I hope you’ll like it” was a Bee Gee’s selection, “Come on over”,. “I Honestly Love You” and “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” were popular offerings.
Unique was a rendition of “Pony Ride” and a description of a fall from her own horse a couple of weeks after the record was made. “I still love horses, though”, she emphasized.
A standing ovation was accorded the performer.
Prior to her appearance, Miss Newton-John preceded by Paul Williams, singer-songwriter. He sang songs that he had written, including “The Family Of Man”, “Just An Old-Fashioned Love Song”, “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays”.