Olivia returns with some changes (Totally Hot review)
By Louis Marroquin, Special Writer
Olivia Newton-John has made some changes.
For years, she was considered the queen of mellow music in the record industry. Then, she seemed to disappear suddenly from the public eye, with only minor successes on the radio. Perhaps she disappeared because of over exposure to the public. Perhaps the public grew tired of her quiet sweetness. Whatever the reason, it seemed Olivia’s ride to superstardom had come to a screeching halt.
Then, in 1978, she made her motion picture debut in “Grease,” an instant blockbuster which would further establish John Travolta as the male star of the year. A single recorded by Travolta and Olivia in “Grease” shot to No. 1 on the charts. Suddenly Olivia was again on top, appearing on television, T-shirts, and posters. But how could she follow this sudden re-emergence? Could she be assured that the popularity would last?
A HIT RECORDING must have seemed to be the logical answer. Then she released an album entitled “Totally Hot.”
“A Little More Love,” a song from the album, was an instant No. 1 success. It used a ’50s beat to cash in on the popularity of “Grease.”
Another single recently released from “Totally Hot” is “Deeper than the Night.” From the looks of things, Olivia can probably chalk-up another hit song.
However, these singles are not the only drawing power of the new album. The cover clearly depicts a new Olivia. Gone are the images of the Cheshire smile and country girl sweetness. Instead, she looks seductively at the camera. Her windblown hair outlines an excessively made-up face, and she is clad in skin-tight leather.
The cover will not deceive the buyer. The contents truly provide a new sound for Olivia. She still sings of love, but the innocence is gone.
Record
The songs depict the pains of love rather than the joys.
Her voice has improved with experience. The wide variety of tunes provided on the album display a range not expected from her usual soft whispers.
The album opens with “Please Don’t Keep Me Waiting,” which appears to be an experiment in voice. Olivia’s hidden versatility abounds in this song. She resorts to screeching at one point, which is a bit distracting. but interesting.
“DANCIN’ ‘ROUND and “Round” is a return to basic Olivia, with a touch of country-western. The vocal is clear and pleasing. It seems a certain hit in the mellow music market.
Side 2 provides Olivia at both extremes sweet and raunchy. For those who like their music quiet, there are two outstanding selections with Olivia at her mellow best.
In the title cut, “Totally Hot,” Olivia lets loose. The sound is good. but will ruin some people’s idea of the sweet Australian, “Gimme what you got, ready or not. Our love is totally hot/ I’m burnin’ up, and if mama could read my mind she’d lock me up.”
And as a finale, Olivia Newton-John jams. The subtle sensuality of “I Honestly Love You” is erased by this explicit raunch. The vocals are scratchy and throaty, sounding more like Bonnie Tyler, who had a hit-recording with “It’s a Heartache.” When she begins screaming, “Gimme some lovin’” over and over, she transforms into a love-starved nymphomaniac. This is an unfortunate entry.
Olivia’s new album is not totally hot, but it’s extremely warm. The gritty finale mars an otherwise enjoyable album.
Listeners of Olivia Newton-John’s music should be pleased to know she is more than just a pretty face who sings gentle love songs.