Customer Reviews

Safe Return

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Or at least the one to start with, if it's your first. Because, quite simply, everything you need to know is right here in this recording......

Fulfilling what was merely hinted at in her earlier 1982 IN CONCERT recording, Jane Olivor's concert recording SAFE RETURN is simply masterful, never less than wonderful and many times outright genius.

Olivor's emotive, heartfelt style on this special live night is never manufactured, but, gratefully, genuine throughout. There are so many highlights that it's hard to choose. But your heart will never remain unchanged after hearing this CD (buy the DVD too!) and, in particular, those tracks of absolute genius: a transcendent "Brooklyn Roads", an impassioned "Run For The Roses" (the earlier recording pales by comparison), a heavenly "Some Enchanted Evening", a heartrending "Pretty Girl", a kickass "One More Ride on the Merry Go Round", and, above all, the achingly gorgeous "Daydreams" by the incomparable Georges Delerue and Jason Darrow. And, by gum, that Eartha Kitt bite we heard from Olivor way back on FIRST NIGHT is back. If only someone would write a musical (about sisters, perhaps?) for Olivor and Betty Buckley to star in together, that would indeed be a sight and sound to behold.

Folks, here you have a real singer who doesn't need the punch-ins and the sweetening. In this current recording world of lousy songs, rampant multitracking, overdone melisma, bustier hype, and really bad makeup, Olivor's SAFE RETURN recording becomes even more special (like, if there was enough money to market this, it should win the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal). Kudos, though, to the classy PS Classics to release this companion CD to the concurrent DVD.

Someone should airlift and parachute thousands of this CD into the Pier 54 Dance this Gay Pride/June 2004 so that a new audience of under 40s finally will learn about Jane Olivor, who here takes her place forever in the pantheon of Piaf, Garland, and Midler, and yes, Streisand too.

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION -- a must have.

I've rushed out and bought every Jane Olivor album since I was a disc jockey in the early 1980's...in fact, for seven years running, I ended my show with "Stay the Night." You can imagine how I eagerly awaited "Safe Return!"

Initially, I was disappointed. The pacing seemed rushed; the 'telescoping' effect evident on most live recordings is very noticable. Jane seemed to 'reach' several times early on, and I remember wondering during the opening track if she'd actually make a note or not!

But the album grows on you. Her voice is just as clear - perhaps moreso - than twenty years ago, and her rapport with the audience is evident even on the CD. She still has the same emotive style, filling each song with something of herself.

I think "Love Decides" and "Stay the Night" will remain my favorite Jane Olivor albums, but I'm glad to have "Safe Return." If you have yet to experience the magic that is this wonderful woman, "Safe Return" is a good place to start.

I remember the Billboard ad from the early 1980's which read, "Run, you sensualists...run and grab every Jane Olivor album you can find." Sage advice...even twenty-odd years later!

I remember listening to Jane's "First Night" album for the first time, years ago when I was a teenager. The New York Times had given it a SPECTACULAR review, and I rushed out to buy it. Out of my speakers came a glimmering, totally unique voice, issuing from a singer whose acting and interpretive talents were beyond comparison. Surely as great as Streisand, but really nothing like her, except for their exquisite attention to melody. Jane's song choices were often obscure, but arrestingly dramatic gems. Everyone who heard her playing in my house stopped dead in their tracks and asked "Who IS that???". I stimulated so many new fans to purchase her recordings, I could have been her press agent! Jane's 4 follow-up albums were all just as magnificent as "First Night" and all just as unique in their own right, and her music formed a backdrop for my life for many years.

Then, for anyone who's unfamiliar with the story, Jane suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. She says it was for ten years, but it sure seemed longer, more like a century! There were more bizarre rumors about the reasons for her sudden absence from the music scene than there were conspiricy theories about the death of JFK and Area 51! Not knowing what had really happened to her left a gigantic hole in my heart. Corny, but true. When a new CD, "Love Decides", suddenly appeared in 2000, I almost wept with relief, and from the flood of memories that her voice, still a treasure, released in me.

Whew! Now for "Safe Return" and the accompanying DVD of her live performance at Berklee College of Music. To tell the truth, I did not expect that she could be, after all these years, as good as she had been, and she isn't. She is better, light years better, and that is not an exaggeration. Most notably, Ms. Olivor seems to be totally at ease and full of joy in front of her audience (I remember shaking hands with Jane during a sweltering outdoor performance in July years ago when her hand was ICE-cold from nerves). A lot of her new material is quite playful, and her audience patter is charming and fascinating. Most importantly, although she humbly excuses the loss of a few high notes in the DVD interview, those notes are DEFINITELY still there, floating and gorgeous as ever. And it's a L-O-N-G set of songs that would exhaust anybody else, but Jane navigates through to the very last song as buoyantly as if it were the first. Remarkable.

As good as the CD is, the DVD IS better: amazing sound quality in 5.1 or dts options; a GREAT, funny interview; and she looks mah-velous. I will say that Jane appears to have a different nose than she did years ago, and I much prefer the regal, original one that God gave her. Whatever she may have had altered, I'd like to think was a physical neccessity as opposed to a vanity decision, but either way, it has not affected her vocal quality at all.

If you've never heard or heard of Jane Olivor before, and you're thinking of delving into an extraordinary new musical experience, you'll love "Safe Return" or any of Jane's other recordings. Guaranteed.

And Janie, if you're reading this, a million thank-you's for all the respect and utter pleasure you've given your fans over the years. You have been as loyal to us as we've been to you, and a million years would not be too long to wait to see and hear you again.

I have loved Jane Olivor as a singer since I stumbled upon her "First Night" Lp when I was about 13 years old. *(I had odd taste for teen) any new music by jane is welcomed! There are a few gems she has done over the past 10 years missing from this collection (Most notable is "Unknown solider" a MASTERPEICE written by Bob Stien. However there is plenty on hand to celebrate here...at long last we get "Sipping Away" an Olivor concert staple in the late 70's and more recent Stephen Schwartz classic "Crowded Island". I have not had this cd or dvd out of the player for long since it's April release. Pop/Carbet at it's best.

Jane Olivor has come full circle. From her paralyzing stage fright which resulted in a 18 year hiatus from the stage and recording studio to joining in the technological revolution by simultaneously releasing "Safe Return " in both video and DVD this week.
My Olivor addiction was late, I missed the stunning buzz and excitement her 1976 debut LP "First Night" garnered. Over the years she openly acknowledged how Un prepared she was deal with business side of being a performer. Her exquisite debut (arguably her most haunting work) resulted in her being surrounded by ruthless and exploitive management- she found herself on the stage night after but the rewards of standing room only houses did little for her bank account She slowly became bitter and disenchanted. However a legion of die hards was born with the Lps release. Luckily contractual obligations prevented her from fleeing the scene for another 6 years.
On " Safe" she takes us back to her first release through "Carousel of Love" , "One More Ride On the Merry Go-Round", and the signature song from the release (the finale of "Safe")," L' Important Chest la Rose" On "Carousel", she captures the hopeful yearning of love, albeit without the nuance of her first interpretation. While giving "One More Round on the Merry Go-Around" a pleading feeling that I could not help but feel was related to her devastation following her husband's death from cancer.
Her decision to take us back to her follow-up Lp "Chasing Rainbows" (1977) with" The Big Parade" , to me , was somewhat disappointing. To pass up the multitudes of gems that showcased her brilliance ("You Want to Be Loved", Come In From the Rain" "Beautiful Sadness") was one of the few blunders this go around.
By 1978 her star had fully exploded - it was here-with "Stay the Night" that I found her. I owned a small record store and regular of mine walked in one day and grabbed the album and told me she had to share her with me. She ripped the album open and insisted I put it on. The love affair had its genesis.
I was young and never had a track captured the longing but exciting emotional feeling of falling in love. "Stay The Night" captured both the ambivalence and confusion of new love. The track is this releases strongest audience response cut. . And for me, Olivor continues, years later, to capture all the rapture of knowing you're falling for someone and there is not one thing you're going to be able to do about it!! On "Safe" Olivor's delivery is faster, but the track remains captivating.She gives "The Right Garden" a rendition faithful to her original interpretation..
Interestingly, she altered one of my favorites from the LP, "Lets Make Some Memories", but it's an interesting and joyous reinterpretation- I liked it. I wanted to use this track, back then, for my sisters wedding and she liked the idea but we did not pull it off.
Her burnout in 1980 appears represented here in that she completely skips over 1980's "The Best Side of Goodbye". I have seen her live 6 times and in each of those wonderful experiences she never touched any of this material much of which is actually quite strong.
Back then, sadly, she gave us a preview of the dry spell we all were to endure. Nothing happened for 2 years before "In Concert" hit the shelves. It was almost as if she resembled a fine wine, in that absence made her reemergence more significant. "In Concert" was released to thunderous reviews. The LP featured 8 new tracks 4 of which are featured on this release.

If you've never seen Jane Olivor in concert before, this CD may bother you a bit because you're used to hearing her flawless studio recordings. But having seen her in concert, this CD brings back how funny and personable she is on stage. She connects with her audience and you can hear her doing that on this CD and that makes this very special. With the exception of "Let's Make Some Memories", I loved every song on this CD and wanted more. (I didn't care for the few changes she made to the lyrics on that song). If you love Jane, buy this CD-you'll be glad you did!

I love this CD !!!! The talent of her artistry and the emotional resonance of her gifted voice really shines through on this CD. I have been a huge fan of hers throughout the years and it's great to
see her grow and evolve and change; but all the while, staying true to what she is GREAT at: singing a beautiful song with passion and presense and talent--- so rare these days.
I hope she will continue to perform and record. All of her recordings are amazing, and this is no exception. Buy it, appreciate her talent, and wish her continued happiness and success.

I discovered her from the beginning and I seen her in person
many times and than she was gone. Not from our hearts or from
our ears. For those of us love the beauty and expression and
feelings that a singer can give us, I encourage you to "renew"
or "discover". This woman is a class act. She caresses each note
and word like rain kisses a flower until it blossoms and all of
it there for you to enjoy. Don't miss the experience!!!!

Jane Olivor's mellifluous voice is timeless and captivating and angelically majestic; unfortunately the production value of her live recording tracks of her 'cabaret' standards as well as some of her new songs incorporated in SAFE RETURN are disappointing. Why? For a gifted and unique singer as Ms. Olivor, I am surprised that a major investment firm or an extremely wealthy "benefactor" hadn't offered their support by investing/producing this particular live recording production CD by hiring a full orchestra such as The Chicago Symphony Orchestra or The Boston Symphony Orchestra, or whomever - to give Ms. Olivor a well deserved "icing on the cake" sound and quality that Ms. Olivor so richly deserves (Hint... Mr. David Foster? Mr. Richard Carpenter? - are you reading this?) Ms. Olivor deserves the best in production values because she is still in top notch vocal form along with an inherent centering of security and maturity to let us know that the show goes on - no matter what, and knows that we - her fans - will always adore her - no matter what.
I had the pleasure of attending her live concert with my cousin at The Henry Ford Theatre in Los Angeles a couple of years ago and it was superb - though again, limited in her orchestral arrangements and musicians.
Ms. Olivor - if I had the wealth as many of our fellow "artists" and "industry" people have who work within the entertainment industry (and they know who they are), I would have gladly supported your efforts with this CD. The help that we - fellow `cabaret' musicians and singers know about - such as investing in orchestral music charts including charts for real string players - all to enrich this particular "live" recording CD project that would have adequately complimented your gorgeous voice a hundred times more. Let's hope that some "heavyweight industry people" who are reading this will wake-up and know that another future "live" recording with a full orchestral production complimenting your voice will be a gamble well worth the effort with an excellent financial "payday" return for their investment as well as for you. Perhaps, these "heavyweight industry people" could also utilyze savy marketing techniques by including your future recordings within various television and motion picture feature film productions, etc.?

From the honest yearning in Jane's and Russell Walden's "Safe Return" to the spirit and fun of Stephen Schwartz's and Gloria Nissenson's "Sippin' Wine" to the melting joy of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Some Enchanted Evening", and all the other wonderful songs on this CD, Jane touches the heart on every level and in every corner.
Thank you, Jane, for your great interpretive talent. Your voice is richer than ever. You've been gone too long but thank goodness you're back. Congratulations on your "Safe Return"