Customer Reviews

Jane Olivor - Safe Return

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jane Olivor has finally done it! Releasing a concert dvd. This has to be a stroke of genius on her part. Olivor's live shows are a true event! I've seen Ms. Olivor at least 20 times from 1979 to 2003. Each show is unique, and better than the last. When she disappeared in 1983, she left behind a legion of bewildered and saddened fans, myself included. Over the years I've managed to acquire several bootleg video concerts of the vintage Ms. Olivor. I've played them so much, they're almost worn out. But now, us fans have a permanent record of "the voice" that will last forever.

I managed to receive an advance copy of this dvd. Well, it has never left my dvd player. I remember choosing the on-camera interview first. Jane tells of her humble beginnings, her family's influence, how she started singing, and what made her leave the music scene so abruptly. The interview is frank and insightful. I found it very informative. For most of us fans, we know how rare it is for Jane to talk about herself. So, this portion of the dvd is a real treat. She is articulate, at ease, and very funny, as she shares anecdotes about her career.

So, after the interview, I'm ready to see the concert portion. I'm really psyched for Jane, she's come so far since her comeback. The concert starts with "You" from the Chasing Rainbows cd. She comes out with a big smile, and looks fantastic. Jane still has the same effect on me she had in 1979. The little hairs on the back of my neck stand when I hear her sing. She then eases into "Warm" "Let's Make Some Memories" which now has an updated spin "Let's Make New Memories," a clever lyric change, which now seems fitting. Jane then moves into "Annie's Song" She makes you forget that John Denver wrote it, and she steals it right away from him. Jane then goes into banter about her and Johnny Mathis, and then sings "The Last Time I Felt Like This" from the film "Same Time, Next Year".

Jane Olivor has included most of her signature songs, and a few new ones, which are destined to become classics in her catalog. For instance, she does a version of "How are Things in Glocca Mora" from Finian's Rainbow, and cleverly incorporates the song from the film Rob Roy, "Ailein Duinn" with it. WOW!! what a great combination! it will give you goosebumps. The song "Safe Return" is another new one, with a beautiful melody and touching lyrics, Jane's trademark!! "I Believe" is another classic suited to her unique vocal style.

The official release of this dvd is April 27th. I highly recommend it!! It's a definite keeper. With her voice sounding better than ever, I'm confident that this dvd will give Jane Olivor the acclaim that has unfairly eluded her.

As a loving fan of this truly gifted artist, I was amazed and enthralled upon seeing this fantastic DVD. She's Back, she's Fantastic, she's older and filled with Confidence, Wisdom and Elegance. She is also Beautiful!!!! Every track is an absolute treasure. My favorites are "Stay the Night, Daydreams, Brooklyn Roads, Run For The Roses, Annie's Song, L'Important C'est la Rose"--- in actuality
every single track is flawless, beautiful Jane Olivor in all her brillance. I cannot imagine anyone finding fault with this amazing concert. One of the great aspects of Jane Olivor is that she is, mysteriously, not well known by all. Those of us who have loved her for so, so many years have yet another wonderful veichle to appreciate her emense talent and legendary career.

I've purchased several copies of this DVD for holiday gifts because I'm convinced that anyone who experiences Jane Olivor's voice will claim to be her number one fan. Never has a singer so beautifully wrapped a voice around every single word of a song. Streisand and Midler should only sing backup for this extraordinary artist. The song "Safe Return" alone is worth more than the price of the DVD or CD.

I was about just a teenager when "first night" came out. I am not even sure WHY I bought it..I think because she sang "better days" and I loved Melissa Manchester. In any event, I brought home "First Night" and fell in love with Jane Olivor's voice and style. Jane brings to her fans "crowded Island" for the time as well as "Safe Return", a beautiful cover of "Brooklyn Roads" as well as "Sipping wine" a song she often performed in the 70's but never shared with us on record. For any fan of Jane Olivor's Music, they will totally love this dvd.

I was a little apprehensive about this dvd, having not heard much of Jane Olivor's music before. But I'm soooo glad I bought it, because it is truly wonderful. Another reviewer called it magical, and that is the perfect word for it. She has so much passion in her music, and is so endearing to watch, I'm hooked forever, and I think you will be, too.

I have never had the privilege and luck to be in the right place at the right time to see and hear Jane Olivor in concert. So it is such a pleasure to own this DVD concert produced at the acoustically-perfect theatre at Berklee School of Music. It's an emotional ride right there in your living room, as you're held captive by Jane's presence on stage, backed by a very competent trio of musicians. I almost felt as though I were a member of that live audience...there was so much energy and love in that packed house. Jane sounded sublime with every note, every nuance. I've never understood why she didn't become a megastar in popular music, but I'm glad I found her in the 70's, and even more glad she's come back into my life in the past two years with new releases. She's a wonderful artist, a national treasure. This low-priced yet high-quality DVD is a bargain and a must for every Jane Olivor fan.

First off, I have to agree with one of the other reviews that
criticizes the sound mix. I don't have a multi-speaker setup,
or DTS capability, just a great sounding SONY TV. Watching the
DVD on just the TV, the sound is strange. The keyboards are up
way too high in the mix, sometimes almost drowning Jane out in
the uptempo songs if you use the 5.1 mix. If you switch to
"Dolby Stereo", it's much better and clearer. But on the song
"You Don't Know How Beautiful You Are", her voice is completely
obscured by her keyboard player's vocals on the chorus. This is
the first DVD I've had this problem on.
HOWEVER, and this is a BIG however, if you are a fan, this DVD
is absolutely essential. On most of the songs, where the voice
is front and center, Jane is absolutely spellbinding. I was a
big fan back in her early years, but kind of lost interest due
to some of the shall we say "corny" choice of material. To tell
you the truth, I hadn't really paid a lot of attention after her
third album until the last year or so. I must say that Jane's
singing is warmer and more amazing than ever. You can tell that
her range is slightly lower, but that's natural with the passing
of time. It is more than made up for by her still-gorgeous tone,
her wise phrasing and her surprisingly welcoming stage presence.
I saw her Carnegie Hall debut in 1977 (78?) and she kind of left
me cold. The Jane Olivor on this DVD is full of warmth and good
humor, and you can tell she is loving every minute of the show.
My favorite performances are "Pretty Girl", "Some Enchanted
Evening", "How Are Things In Glocca Morra", "Stay The Night"
and a (for her) jazzy version of "I Got The Sun In The Morning".
It's a wonderful show, and her voice sounds as beautiful and
delicate at the end of the show as it did at the beginning.
Welcome Back, Jane!
One quibble: Don't people get dressed up to go ANYWHERE these
days? Jane is dressed to the nines in a very flattering outfit,
and half the audience is in T-shirts and sneakers! Whatever.....

Of course, this DVD is essential for anyone who is a Jane Olivor fan. More importantly, it belongs in the library of someone who is not yet a fan. Once they see her, they will be totally entranced by her range of material, her interpretations and her delivery. She is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and gifted singers of our time.

The musicians who accompany her are also talented. They listen to one another and work together flawlessly.

If this DVD were a piece of clothing in my closet, it would be a tattered, worn-out mess. I have had this disc only a few days, but have played it over and over. Each time I see it, something new appears, a vocal takes on new meaning, or another delicious nuance of her performance comes through.

Jane looks comfortable and confident, and she seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself. This is wonderful. I sincerely hope she has overcome her stage fright. It sure looks as if she has, for her performance on this disc is positively breathtaking.

There is only one thing that bothers me, and it has nothing to do with the production, the performance or the venue. I would not have been able to pinpoint it without the help of one of the other online reviewers. When Jane goes into the audience on Carousel of Love, you will see it. Don't Bostonians know how to dress? One would think these people were going bowling instead of to a fabulous concert. Their insensitive attire of blue jeans, sneakers and farm suspenders is an embarrassment to Boston society.

I'VE BEEN A FAN OF JANE SINCE THE 70'S. I MUST HAVE PLAYER HER ORIGINAL 5 CD'S A MILLION TIMES AND SAW HER IN CONCERT MANY TINES AND NEVER GOT TIRED OF LISTENING TO THIS MAGICAL VOICE. I WAS THRILLED WHEN AFTER SO MANY YEARS LOVE DECIDES WAS RELEASED AND NOW I CAN SEE HER IN CONCERT ON A DVD, AND WHAT A CONCERT. SHE IS BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE. HER VOICE IS PURE AND BEAUTIFUL. WHEN SHE SINGS, SHE CREAPS INTO YOUR SOUL. I WAS HAPPY THAT SHE SANG A LOT OF NEW SONGS, AND OF COURSE HER STANDARDS. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE WASN'T A BAND PLAYING INSTEAD OF JUST THE KEYBOARDS AND THE BASS. HER BALLADS WERE WONDERFUL, BUT THE UPTEMPO SONGS DIDN'T WORK WELL. SONGS LIKE LET'S MAKE THE MEMORIES AND THE BIG PARADE NEEDED A BAND. WHEN SHE SINGS PRETTY GIRL OR SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, YOU MELT.
SO, IF YOU NEVER HEARD JANE OLIVOR SING OR NEVER SAW HER IN CONCERT, NOWS YOUR BIG CHANCE. GET OUT THERE AND BUY THIS WONDERFUL DVD AND OR THE CD AND YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED.

I have heard of Jane Olivor for years, but she is one of those "70s Vocalists" that I never checked out before. Frankly, I thought she was a folk singer and that genre is not my favorite.

Well, a friend lent me this DVD and I must admit I am still thinking about it, even several days later.

First of all, I'm a sucker for "come backs". I sincerely recommend playing the interview (included in the DVD's "bonus" material) before watching the concert. Hearing about Olivor's personal story and why she left the stage for so long before seeing her perform may help "color" the concert for you.

Also, Olivor's persona as an interview subject is very different than her on-stage persona. In the interview, she is warm, funny, bright-eyed and a little ethnic! On stage, she seems very serious. Interesting dichotomy.

For the first time hearing/seeing Olivor perform, I was very pleased. She has a great voice, with a solid middle-range. Some of her falsettos and higher notes are beautiful. She has bright, shiny eyes when she performs.

I must admit that I am not a fan of the majority of her song selections. I do not know who writes the songs she sings (does she use a variety of songwriters in her repertoire?), but most of the ones I've never heard didn't appeal to me. For the most part those songs had treacley lyrics that really turned me off. Also, after one song she said, "Rock and Roll!" --- um, it didn't sound a thing like rock and roll to me.

However, I was stunned by her rendition/arrangement of "Some Enchanted Evening." Simply amazing. Like hearing the song for the first time. I also enjoyed her medley of "How Are Things in Glocca Mora" and the Celtic song. Also, "I Got the Sun in the Morning".

Olivor has a way of making standards sound entirely different. I like that.