Olivia Rocks U of I Concert review of Sept 17 1982 Assembly Hall, IL
Olivia Rocks U of I
After an evening of “getting physical” with Olivia Newton-John, one could never guess she was two-thirds into an exhausting 50 city American concert tour.
Olivia’s clear voice and stage presences captivated a near sell-out crowd at the University of Illinois’ Assembly Hall last Friday night.
Tom Scott, musical director of the Olivia Newton-John Band opened the evening with selections from his Desire album.
For this tour Newton-John has been using her own specially designed stage. At the back of the stage, a screen was set up and slides of Olivia were shown just prior to her appearance.
Olivia then entered the stage through the screen opening with “Deeper Than The Night.” The acoustics were near perfect although someone could have turned the volume up a little more for my taste.
Olivia then sang some selections from her older, country-sounding albums. Some of the songs included “If Not For You,” “Please Mister Please,” “Have You Never Been Mellow” and “If You Love Me, Let Me Know”.
This is Newton-John’s first concert swing in five years and the audience were appreciative, but not terribly enthusiastic. Certainly Olivia would have received better response had more people in the upper reaches of the Assembly Hall been more willing to put their binoculars down for a moment.
Three songs from Xanadu - the title track, “Magic” and “Suddenly” were followed by a video of the “Dolphin Song.”
After a costume change and an excellent rendition of “Silvery Rain” from her Physical album, Olivia showcased a new single “Heart Attack.” For once audience response was strong.
Newton-John kept the momentum with “Make A Move On Me” and two songs from the movie Grease “Hopelessly Devoted To You” and “You’re The One That I Want.”
Olivia also announced that she is going to begin another film later this year, probably a romantic comedy with John Travolta. And for those unable to see her in concert, Olivia’s tour had been filmed for a fall TV special.
Finally, the audience got what it wanted. Clad in a University of Illinois jersey and a pair of shorts, Olivia belted out her recently platinum single “Physical”.
Later dimming the lights, Olivia beautifully closed the evening with the tender “I Honestly Love You.”
By Rich Gargas