Olivia concert review at Spokane Coliseum
By EDWARD W. COKER JR. Spokesman-Review staff writer
“I don’t care if she doesn’t even sing - I just came to see her,” one avid Olivia Newton-John fan enthused at Monday’s concert in the Coliseum.
Fortunately-although it probably wouldn’t have been necessary as far as most of Olivia’s 8,000 fans were concerned -Ms. Newton-John did sing, and sing, and sing.
And in between all that singing she conversed with the audience in her Australian accent and beamed her heart-warming smile on everyone.
Included in her repertoire were all her hits, such as “Let Me Be There,” “I Honestly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “Please. Mister, Please.”
In addition, Ms. Newton-John gave a soulful rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” Ms. Parton is one of her favorites among country singers, Ms. Newton-John said.
Ms. Newton-John also showed her versatility as a singer with performances of “The Air That I Breathe” and “He Ain’t Heavy. He’s My Brother.”
Besides a variety of singing styles, Olivia also exhibited a voice strong enough to fill the barnlike Coliseum with melodious sound. In this respect she has much in common with her fellow Australian crooner, Helen Reddy.
Playing the second bill at Monday night’s concert was Paul Williams, singer and songwriter. Williams, the composer of the two giant hits by the Carpenters, “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.” sang both of these tunes plus a few more.
His performance also was strong and warmed the large audience, which because of its size delayed the concert’s beginning 15 minutes.