Sunday, September 16, 2012

Olivia Newton-John concert in Palm Springs

Great times all around last night at Olivia Newton-John's concert in Palm Springs (technically Indio, but folks may not know Indio, so I'm going by Palm Springs...) at the Fantasy Springs Casino Events Center.

First of all, ONJ is in amazing voice. The entire concert was extremely well sung. I'm so used to the idea that as some singers get older, the voice often loses some flexibility and range. Completely the opposite with Olivia - her voice continues to get better and better. Some of the highlights were Olivia's high, high soprano finish to "Jolene," and her full belt ending to "Weightless."

But my personal favorites were the last two songs of the evening, "Grace and Gratitude" and "I Honestly Love You." After two hours, she was not only in fine singing form but her interpretations were art. Connected, personal, and heartfelt. Just fab.

I also loved seeing other fans of Olivia's that I've gotten to know over the years - David, Mykel, Todd, Virginia...  I can't remember every name so if I forget one it's just me being formerly blond.  But it was great seeing everyone.  Only thing I don't like about these situations is we had to get backstage after the concert so we didn't have a huge amount of time to catch up.  But glad we had time to chat with folks even if it was short :(

Backstage we caught up with not only Leeza Gibbons (who's a friend of Olivia's for many years going back to the Great Walk fundraiser in China for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre) but Lindsay Wagner, the original Bionic Woman! I'm not usually star struck but I've been a fan of Lindsay's my whole life it seems. She spent a few minutes catching up with Olivia, and I have to admit this was one photo op I wasn't missing.

I won't go on too much, but I will say: if Olivia is performing near you (this is a 30+ city tour), GO! Great music and great times. You can find her tour cities by clicking here.

Me backstage with Olivia, Michael and Lindsay Wagner

Olivia Newton-John and Lindsay Wagner backstage after Olivia's concert in Palm Springs

Me with Leeza Gibbons, her husband Steven and Michael

The casino had the new Grease slot machine located prominently :)

Another shot of the Grease slot machine





12 comments:

  1. Neutron-Bomb and the Bionic woman...what better ! Thanks for the review. Glad we have the great videos from San Francisco & others to allow us to enjoy Olivia wonderful voice ! She's just fabulous :)
    Arielle

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was a delight meeting you and Michael! It was an outstanding show. Jeff is in complete awe of ONJ. Our family friend, Jean, enjoyed every moment and was beaming from ear to ear.

    ReplyDelete
  3. William Morgan (Liam)September 16, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    I too have been a fan of Lindsay's since the first time I saw her in 1975! Both ONJ and Lindsay together, I would die.

    ReplyDelete
  4. William Morgan (Liam)September 16, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    One more thing, I was in Lindsay's fan club when I was in 6th grade and still have the autographed photo from it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. thanks to post this!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful post. :) I am so happy over the song choices on this tour, and I love seeing olivia live. I am still hoping to somehow make a show this tour!!! This looks incredible.

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos and experience. I loved Lindsay in "A Message from Holly" from the 1990s.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, Olivia and Lindsay together in one pic! Awesome!

    Thanks for sharing!!

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  8. great review and thank you for it, but more us tours come on Olivia if you get to read this have you ditched your european fans? We love you as much as the rest of the world.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Randy,
    It was great 2 see all of U as well, I love to read the way U write, Great night had by all. Glad U got 2 get that great photo w/Lindsey & that u share all the wonderful moments with us all. I will be following U 2 see what it next. BTW I may no always chime in on political stuff. but I am with U just so U know.

    best 2 U both always
    Virginia

    ReplyDelete
  10. So cool to see ONJ & Lindsay Wagner together--didn't know they had ever met prior. I've been a fan of each since the 70s and always thought they resemble each other somewhat...some of the early pics show more similarities. What a great time it must have been!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It was a great show. Yes, some elements of repeat though she has such a deep catalog not easy to make everyone happy, right?... lol

    One of the highlights was when she did a section of songs that she chose:

    * Boats Against the Current
    * Suspended in Time
    * Shakin You

    Never ever thought I'd hear some of these in concert. Plus she did "Little More Love" and "Deeper than the Night" so there were a total of ** 3 ** songs from the uber popular Totally Hot album!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Let's hope that she'll release the concert in dvd/blu-ray in the coming future...for those unfortunate us who can't witness her great performance live!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.