Smothers Brothers Are Back (with ONJ)
Olivia Newton-John wound up her set with her latest recording, “I Honestly Love You,” which has been getting a lot of radio play in the Bay Area, although it apparently has yet to be released nationally.
Like a lot of British singers, the Welsh-born Olivia sounds British when she talks, but distinctly Nashville when she sings, at least on certain songs. There was a historic connection between the Welsh and the early people of Appalachia the miners but perhaps the vocal phenomenon is more the result of listening to a lot of Chuck Berry records in early childhood. Whatever, it’s fascinating.
The audience at the Circle Star liked Olivia’s “Love Song,” which, she notes, was her biggest recorded flop. Her “If” was beautiful, and “Brotherly Love” got the audience clapping. Another crowd pleaser was “If You Love Me Let Me Know.”
While the Smothers Brothers took the time to introduce David Carroll, their conductor for the past 19 years, and Jimmy Ed Norman, their back-up guitarist, Olivia failed to introduce her group. Which was too bad, particularly in the case of her bass singer-musician, because he really contributes to her act.