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's "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.
Olivia Newton-John dipping into the Big Pink songbook was a stroke of genius. Labelmate
Elton John released Leslie Duncan's "Love Song" on his Here and There live album, but that version doesn't have the sensitivity of this spiritual reading. Both
Kris Kristofferson tunes, "Me and Bobby McGee" and "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 and
the Osmonds, but finds its niche here, as does the superb version of Duncan's "Lullaby."
Tom Rush's "No Regrets" and
Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind" are well done, but it is
Olivia Newton-John's cover of
Bob Dylan by way of George Harrison's 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,
John Farrar, 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.