Olivia Newton-John
's
If Not for You
covers
Gordon Lightfoot
,
the Band
Leslie Duncan
David Gates
Kris Kristofferson
Tom Rush
, and others. Though
"If"
is a pedestrian cover of
Bread
's song which hit this same year, it would be a mistake to think these are all mere "covers." The production and arrangements by
Bruce Welch
and
John Farrar
are innovative and worthwhile. The only song they contribute is a moving version of
"Banks of the Ohio"
; the interpretation of
Richard Manuel
"In a Station"
is respectful and intuitive.
Music from Big Pink
was only three years old when this recording was pressed, and it is one of the few albums to survive the hype and get better with age.
dipping into the
Big Pink
songbook was a stroke of genius. Labelmate
Elton John
released
"Love Song"
on his
Here and There
live album, but that version doesn't have the sensitivity of this spiritual reading. Both
tunes,
"Me and Bobby McGee"
"Help Me Make It Through the Night,"
have arrangements that bring new life to what had became
bar band
favorites in the early '70s.
"Where Are You Going to My Love?"
was covered by
the Brotherhood of Man
the Osmonds
, but finds its niche here, as does the superb version of
Duncan
"Lullaby."
"No Regrets"
"If You Could Read My Mind"
are well done, but it is
's cover of
Bob Dylan
by way of
George Harrison
All Things Must Pass
which garnered her a number one
adult contemporary
and Top 25 hit record.
"If Not for You"
brought
Olivia
the attention she deserved. The musicianship by
Lou Reed
/
David Bowie
sessionman
Herbie Flowers
along with
Dave Richmond
, and the ever present
Brian Bennett
is top notch. After all her own hit records, hearing this superstar sing so many familiar tunes, and performing them so well, is utterly charming. ~ Joe Viglione