The Rumour review
THE RUMOR. Olivia Newton-John, MCA MCAD-6245
At the risk of making enemies, I admit right away that I have always loved Olivia, at least since her Totally Hot of the 1970s, a charming album with unsuspected energy, which transformed a simple country girl into an international pop star.
Since then, and despite a brief and unfortunate film career, her popularity has never waned, reaching its peak in 1982 with the bomb Physical. It must be said that she has everything going for her, Olivia: a most seductive look, timeless, accommodating all genres and all styles, and then this incomparable voice, alternately tender and powerful, with pure and crystalline sounds, which more than one must envy.
The record completed after three long years of absence, determined to make or forget this musical miscarriage that was Soul Kiss, with this convincing and oh so realistic Rumor, gradually abandoning artifice in favour of essential values.
Decidedly, the star has matured and, from the outset, shuts up those who have always accused her of singing only nonsense, paying the duo Elton John / Bernie Taupin for the title song, worrying about AIDS (Love And Let Live), women’s rights (Get Out), war and the future (Big And Strong, Let’s Talk About Tomorrow).
Not to mention - something new - that she herself wrote in many cases (It’s Not Heaven, one of the most beautiful texts she has ever interpreted). The whole thing ends on a burlesque note with a light hearted adaptation of - surprise! Tutta La Vita by Lucio Dalla.
The Rumor is confirmed as a real success. Finally! After all, don’t they say that life begins at 40?
4 stars.