Olivia's fans, They honestly love her

MUSIC REVIEW

By John D. Gonzalez, The Grand Rapid Press

You have to give her credit.

More than half of the seats at Van Andel arena were vacant Thursday night, yet singer Olivia Newton-John never flinched in putting on a memorable show.

The 5,000 fans who turned out for the benefit concert witnessed a two-hour set full nostalgia, fun and fine sentiment.

Still, the singer made sure patrons knew early in the set that music was only a portion of the concert; it was also about trying to raise money in boost the National Bone Marrow Donor registration and to help families living with cancer.

Through the Miracle Match Foundation, a local charity spearheaded by former tennis star Bill Przybysz, Newton-John gladly gave of herself earlier in the day at DeVos Children’s Hospital.

She thanked Przybysz for “doing something so special and then dedicated “Precious Love,” a song off her current release “Back With a Heart, to the staff and children at the hospital.

“I saw so much (love) at the hospital today,” said Newton-John, who seven years ago battled breast cancer.

Though the night’s audience didn’t seem wildly out of control, It was filled with enthusiastic admirers young and old, male and female.

That was surprising since there was plenty to cheer about.

First the good stuff:

At 50, Newton-John looked great. One costume change helped spice up her show, as well as some dancing, especially during the much-anticipated “Grease” songs.

The singer still has a sweet and powerful set of pipes. On the second set’s opening song, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, Newton-John left little doubt (if there was any), that she still sings as well as she did 20 years ago.

And her eight-piece band was tight and obviously well-rehearsed from all of the gigs on this tour.

Now the not-so-good-stuff: Olivia needs to move the “Grease” medley earlier into the show. It came during the second half, but by then people were antsy.

Not being an environmentalist, I squirmed a bit during Newton-John’s “Don’t Cut Me Down,” which is a song about saving the rain forests. The lyrics were just too hokey.

The singer made sure to include most of the hits, including “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Xanadu” the show openers, “Magic,” “Have You Ever Been Mellow” and “Summer Nights,” a “Grease” song that really helped energize the audience.

OLIVIA: FOR A CAUSE</h2> A disappointingly small crowd showed up Thursday night at Van Andel Arena to hear Olivia Newton-John deliver the hits, and that’s what she did. The concert was a benefit for the Miracle Match Foundation, the guys who brought you the John McEnroe and Bjorn Borgtannis match earlier this year.

The Act: Olivia Newton-John
Length of Concert: 2 hours
Fan’s Perspectives: “Her voice hasn’t changed a bit. I’m amazed (with the show). The band was incredible,” said Kirk Lepine 41, of Wyoming.
Stage Quip: “You may not know this, but my career in America began in country music,” said the Australian-raised singer going into “Please Mister Please”
Serious Moment: Before singing The Carpenters “Close to You,” Newton-John introduced the song by saying: “This woman had the voice of angel. She was a good friend and I miss her”
Light (Yet Rehearsed) Moments: Olivia asks a male vocalist in her act to help her take off her leather jacket after “Summer Nights.” and the male singer says: Is there anything else I can take off?
Encore: “I Honestly Love You” [“Physical” was the last song of the second set)
Attendance: 5,000, according to organizer Bil Przybysz. (But it seemed a lot less, considering the arena accommodates 11.000 plus)
Souvenirs: $27 for a concert T-shirt: $29 for a XIIL, $5 for a color photo
Final grade: B+