Best yet, Olivia Newton-John overcomes cotton candy image
"Physical," ★★★ 3 stars, Olivia Newton-John (MCA).
Am I losing all semblance of good taste or is it that I’m mellowing with age? After years of belittling Olivia Newton-John’s musical career, I’ve run across an album of hers that doesn’t cause me to reach for the off button on my amplifier.
“Physical” is something of a breakthrough for Ms. Newton-John, who has never been the darling of music critics because of her overly sweet voice and her tendency to record dull, emotionless records. Listening to one of her records was like taking an overdose of sugar. One music critic described her style: “If white bread could sing.
Olivia doesn’t have the voice of a Bonnie Raitt or Linda Ronstadt to belt out a rock ‘n’ roll song, but on “Physical,” she seems to have learned how to live with her vocal limitations. Some credit should go to producer John Farrar for assembling a group of musicians who do not detract from her vocals and keep things interesting when Olivia’s singing becomes too sweet and breathy.
The title track may be too provocative for some folks but is a good indicator of what Olivia and Farrar are doing right. Olivia’s double-tracked voice mixed with whirling synthesizers, toned-down horns and a funky rhythm section is one of the best hooks of the year.
On “Landslide” and “Stranger’s Touch,” Olivia’s voice is tinged with raw-edged emotion that I’ve never heard on any of her previous records. Unfortunately, she slips back into her old ways on Barry Gibb’s “Carried Away” and Hank Marvin’s “Silvery Rain.” Olivia still could use a producer like Richard Perry or Peter Asher as far as helping her find good material to record.
By Andrew Clarke, Sun Reporter