“A real gem of a show!”
With over 100 million record sales worldwide, Olivia Newton John remains one of the best selling music artists of all time. Four years on from her death, her enduring popularity is testament to an incredible journey from county music singer to international pop superstar.
Cannock-based singer Sarah Riches brought her heartfelt tribute show Hopelessly Devoted to Olivia to the stunning Hub at St Mary’s in Lichfield earlier this month, bringing more than just a flavour of the great lady herself.
Accompanied by a full live band, Sarah delivered on-point versions of some of Olivia’s best known songs, as well as some that may have been less familiar.
Crowd pleasers like Xanadu, Sam, Physical, Suddenly and If Not For Love reflect the impressive reinventions Olivia went through across the years, from country girl in the 1970s to pulse-raising MTV star a decade later. In between all that, she also starred in one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, Grease, wearing leather trousers that live long in the memory.
Tribute acts often go one of two ways. They either look like the star but sound nothing like them, or they sound alike but look nothing like them, despite the addition of a dodgy wig or two. This is where Miss Riches scores highly. Not only is she blessed with more than a passing resemblance to the great lady, but she sounds very much like her, too.
That slightly breathy, sweet delivery comes through effortlessly.
The show feels less like a tribute night, more a warm celebration of a much loved artist. Sarah is a self-confessed super fan, and that clearly shows as song after song comes straight from the heart.
Backed by a tight, cohesive band that includes some intricate guitar work by Hub Favourite Mark Eustace, Sarah delivers an evening to delight both the die hard Olivia fans and those who just want good songs performed well. A win-win! And you probably know more songs than you think – I thought I knew about three… turns out I knew a lot more!
A real gem of a show. Treat yourself when it comes round again.
For more information about ‘Hopelessly Devoted To Olivia’, contact info@sarahrichesmusic.co.uk.
Photography credit – Little Ninja Photography.