Newest Recording Find, On Her Way
By BOB KEATON Entertainment Writer
Olivia Newton-John, MCA Records latest find, seems to have quite a blossoming career ahead of her with her recent hit recording of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You” and now with her album of the same title which is gaining popularity.
Olivia is the girl British pop singer Cliff Richard chose to join him on his first duet record and the girl Harry Saltzman chose for the starring part in his film, “Toomorrow”.
She’s now venturing on her solo singing career with the album, “If Not For You” on MCA’s Uni label (Stereo 73117), which includes songs from such writers as Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Rush, Kris Kristofferson and Leslie Duncan.
The attractive British female has a soft vocal style and texture which is excellent for such songs as “If Not For You” and “Love Song” but she’s equally at home when betting out “Me and Bobby McGee”.
Columbia has just released “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II (KG Steres 21120) containing many of his own compositions which you have heard other artists sing, now performed by Dylan in his own individualistic bluesy, folk style. Here’s Dylan doing such songs as “If Not For You,” “Lay Lady Lay,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and “All I Really Want To Do”.