Olivia pleases physical fans
by Paul Budin
From the opening autobiographical film flashed above the stage, Olivia Newton-John was presented as some kind of living legend Friday night when she appeared in concert at the Assembly Hall.
And why not? She’s had enough platinum albums to buy Detroit, and in the process, she’s conquered the AM radio world on a number of levels. Her appeal reaches from the youngest to oldest music lovers - which was apparent in the composition of the Assembly Hall audience.
What could she do wrong Friday night? From the audience response she received the whole show, she could have stood on her head, recited Rod McKuen poetry and still have left the crowd fully pleased.
She didn’t do that, thank God.
But she did give a highly Las Vegasy, professional show (as opposed to the typical rock “concert”). Olivia’s show was basically a greatest hits package with some new songs performed in the now famous “physical” style (this is her Physical Tour).
Her band-loosely conducted by master horn player Tom Scott - was flawless in technique, but couldn’t pull off all the off-the-record interpretations they strived for. The opening for “Hopelessly Devoted to You” was pretty lame, although guitarists Buzzy Feiten and Michael Landau have to be credited for trying to emulate the pedal-steel guitar on the recorded version.
The best part of her band had to be the background vocals, which were right-on most of the night. Illinois native Dennis Tufano came out to play Cliff Richards and John Travolta on the respective duets, “Suddenly” and “You’re the One I Want.” Unfortunately, Tufano blended in better in the background than in the foreground (all else considered, the guy had two prestigious personas to fill in for).
But Olivia’s voice was the main attraction, and it was in fine form most of the night, although she couldn’t reach all the high notes on some of her older hits like “Have You Never Been Mellow?”
Nevertheless, her voice was vibrant enough to show why she is one of the most successful female vocalists in pop music. After running around stage and getting extremely physical for about 10 minutes, she delivered a touching version of “I Honestly Love You” which exhibited not only the true beauty of her voice, but its endurance as well.
The most “physical” part of the show came near the end and really ignited the crowd, especially the main floor. After seeing Olivia sing her bittersweet love ballads of the ’70s, it was hard to believe she was the same person singing “Make a Move on Me” and doing some very sexual exercise-dance routines in “Let’s Get Physical.’
All of her outfit changes (four in all-from black and red glitter dresses and a pink top with black pants to the athletic costume of an Illinois sweat-shirt, gym shorts and gym shoes) were obviously operated as transitions for the various changes in her career.
After seeing her progress from her early country-western style to her current overheated brand of hormonally excited rock, the reason for the transition became clearer. After mastering one musical style, why not try to conquer another area? If Olivia hadn’t, she probably would have become bored with herself and then her music itself would become boring.
She certainly didn’t seem disinterested Friday night and had a very amiable stage presence. Since she has announced this tour as probably her last, this one is likely more of a joy and less of a chore than others.
To her fans, it would seem she has certainly done it all in her career and done it all well. It must be nice to be ready to wind down your career at age 34.
Photos: Olivia Newton-John shows her award-winning form during her concert Friday night at the Assembly hall
Back-up singer Dennis Tufano joins Olivia Newton John for a duet reminiscent of Grease during her Physical Tour Friday night. (photos by Karlis Ulmanis)