Olivia You'll Honestly Love Her Singing, Diplomat Resort concert review
In the record business they give a gold record for being a success, and a platinum record when you have a smash hit. If there were a similar system in night clubs, we would be ready to certify Olivia Newton-John, currently playing the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywond-By-The Sea, instant platinum.
Almost unknown two years ago, the beautiful blonde Australian singer has hurst upon the American music scene with five gold and one platinum records, plus nearly a sweep of the annual music awards including a Grammy as Best Female Pop Vocalist of the Year. Why? Be cause where some sing from the head and others from the gut, Oliv ia Newton-John wears her emotions on her sleeve and sings straight from the heart.
She has a gentleness of soul that creates an aura of youthful inno-cence and charm that is tremendously attractive to men who want to become her lover and women who want to become her friend. In a slow, easy song like “Nevertheless” she radiates a coquettishness that is at once enchanting and seducing.
Swinging through her chain of mellow hits Olivia delights with renditions of her first big hits, “Let Me Be There” and “If Not for You,” before flowing into a hot, saucy “Honey Pie” and the gentle sound of “The Air That I Breathe”
Prettier than we had anticipated. Olivia Newton-John obviously en oys singing and is well-psyched with her high-test musical accompaniment. In her hit “Have You Never Been Mellow” she shows a depth of soul as well, singing the new message that external growth at the price of the environment must stop and inner-growth for interior happiness must be our new goal, It is an inner-beauty she obviously radiates.
With a breathless voice like whiskey splashing on hot rocks, Olivia lets her lyrics rise and expand like a cloud of steam filling the air with lively music and engrossing mood. Both her voice and the staging are simple, leaving clear-cut talent to provide the color and excitement. Part nymph, part schoolgirl and all sweet music, Olivia Newton-John will be a great star for years to come because she has an honesty that is practically visible as she closes with her hig hit. “I Honestly Love You.”
Kudos to Irv and Marge Cowan as well for taking a chance and booking Olivia Newton-John months ago. Although she had never played South Florida, and hardly ever plavs a nightclub, the booking is a brilliant coup (and incidentally almost already a sell out). The Cowans, who recently be came parents of a new baby, close their Cafe Crystal season with style and success.
COMIC FRED SMOOT was a delightful surprise as well, providing an enjoyable 40 minutes of innovative visual comedy.
From his beginning impressions of toothpaste and birth control pills to his impression of braggart Joe Bigshot on his first roller-coaster ride, Smoot is a fountain of sometimes silly, almost always delightful surprises.
One of his funniest bits is an Paul Revere and “The British Are Coming”. Each time he knocks on a door to give his warning, he finds someone or something more bizarre than the last to defer him from his mission. It is longwinded intellectual comedy in some ways, but it is fast, physical and funny as well. Like living radio (thoroughly updated), Smoot is verbally intriguing and clever.
If you can get reservations, the Olivia Newton-John and Fred Smoot Show at the Diplomat is delightful family entertainment perfect for the Easter Week rush. The Cowans have a special discount pricing policy for this show, based on where you are seated, with tickets from $7.50 to $15. For info in Miami call 940-2442 (or in Broward 023-8111)
Diplomat Resort, Hollywood, FL, US, March 28 to April 5 1975.