Australia Sends Sweet Songbird
By Gerry Barker
The world of music owes a debt of thanks to Australia.
That land where the kangaroos and koala bear’s play has given us the sweetest songbird this side of Japan, and certainly the loveliest none other than Olivia Newton John.
After she won a talent contest that gained her a trip to London, Miss Newton-John wasted little time in becoming one of Britain’s most popular female vocalists, a success that eventually spread to the United States with the hit song “If Not For You,” in 1971.
Her career really rocketed with the release of “Let Me Be There,” a giant smash in America, along with an album that hit the top of country music charts.
Her success was culminated last year by being named Best Female Country Vocalist in the Grammy Awards, the first time a British singer had ever won that distinction.
This year Olivia has a new single and album of the same name, “If You Love Me, Let Me Know,” on MCA Records. and this LP will only serve to enlarge her reputation even more.
It’s a mix of country and pop ballads that sparkle with the scintillating vocal work of Miss Newton-John, whose voice is sweet enough to coax winter into spring.
My own favorites include “Country Girl,” as fresh and charming as Olivia herself, the uptempo “Free the People,” a very catchy “The River’s Too Wide” and the Beach Boys’ old hit, “God Only Knows.”
As she prepares to host her BBC network, it looks like superstardom could be just around the corner for Miss Newton-John.