If Not For You [LP]

by Olivia Newton-John

Overview

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. ~ Joe Viglione

Product Details

Release Date:	09/09/2022
Label:	Primary Wave
UPC:	0792755903438
Rank:	68291

Tracks

1. Me and Bobby McGee
2. If
3. Banks of the Ohio
4. In a Station
5. Love Song
6. Help Me Make It Through the Night
7. If Not for You
8. Where Are You Going to My Love?
9. Lullaby
10. If You Could Read My Mind
11. If I Gotta Leave
12. No Regrets

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Olivia Newton-John   Primary Artist,Vocals
Cliff Richard   Primary Artist
Toomorrow   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Paul Curtis   Composer
Jackie DeShannon   Composer
Fred Foster   Composer
Ritchie Adams   Composer,Producer
David Gates   Composer
John Farrar   Composer,Producer
John Rostill   Composer
John Kongos   Composer
Lesley Duncan   Composer
Mark Barkan   Composer,Producer
Roger Cook   Composer
Roger Greenaway   Composer
Richard Manuel   Composer
Freddie Allen   Composer
Alan Hawkshaw   Composer
Tom Rush   Composer
Norrie Paramor   Producer
Gordon Lightfoot   Composer
Tony Hiller   Composer
Kris Kristofferson   Composer
Miriam Frances   Composer
Billy Day   Composer
John Goodison   Composer
Mike Leslie   Composer
Bruce Welch   Composer,Producer
Valerie Avon   Composer
Ray Cameron   Composer
Ian Clyne   Composer
Brian Peacock   Composer
Petrina Lordan   Composer
Harold Spiro   Composer
Robert Lovett   Composer
Jimmy Bowien   Producer