Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights

I didn't see this show after the date of first transmission until clips appeared on You Tube about two years ago, but I had an audio tape that I had made at that time, which I played over the following twenty years (untill the tape gave out)! Old school eh? I love this show. Coming off the back of the success of Grease, a real effort was made with high production values and new and interesting musical arrangements. Olivia's roster of guests is a roll call of the biggest stars of the time, and there is even the surprising appearance of a 'between Ike and Private Dancer' Tina Turner! Olivia gets to show off her dancing skills with the legend that was Gene Kelly (the special was shown just before the release of Xanadau) and a couple of the best numbers (e.g. Olivia singing a medley that includes Cat Stevens 'Remmember the days of the old schoolyard') are simply not available elsewhere. Another reviewer is watching it annually...does that mean its available on DVD?

Where to start on this one? I adore this special and still watch it at least once a year. Virtually all of the music is performed live, so even the most familiar big hits are markedly different on this one. (This show was actually the last Special shown on ABC's Oscar Night before the Barbara Walters Interview Specials took over the spot for good in 1980.) The performances are uniformly excellent and include: Olivia and Andy Gibb singing live on stage at an Ice Skating Rink. It is cold there because you can see their breath when they exhale. To promote "Xanadu", Olivia teams up with legendary Gene Kelly for a song and dance number and then is joined by Cliff Richards for a breathtaking live version of "Suddenly" on a sound stage. She also is part of a one-time only female singer super group the "Heartaches" that includes Tina Turner and Karen Carpenter (They sing the Eagles "Heartache Tonight", hence their name). But the absolute highlight of the show features Elton John at the piano with a solo performance of his beautiful "Little Jeannie" before Olivia joins him to sing the vocal on his "Candle in the Wind" as he plays piano. What a show, from a consummate performer with some truly special guests! Don't know if there will ever be a DVD of this, but if there is, buy it immediately, you will not be disappointed...