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Critic's Review
Greg Adams, All Music Guide
Herein is the reason why Wayne Newton is such a popular entertainer. Wayne Newton in Person is a fun, energetic, old-time romp through classic songs, in which Newton hams it up and generally puts on a tremendous show. He gets serious at times ("What Kind of Fool Am I," "I Wish You Love"), but most of his performance is a hoot, combining his assured vocals and over the top lounge lizard mannerisms with frantically strummed banjos, big-band pizzazz, and fabulous background vocal arrangements (particularly on "Bill Bailey," which is genuinely exciting). It isn't weird enough to alienate the old-timers, but has enough daring and smirky moments to disarm the most skeptical hipsters. The album followed hot on the heels of "Danke Schöen" and its accompanying long-player, and includes a live version of that hit. Unaccountably, Wayne Newton in Person was not a big seller, which is unfortunate since it contains the most entertaining recordings he made in his big band style. [The album was later reissued by the Pickwick budget label with the title Live Hollywood Concert. In 2004 it was reissued on the EMI imprint DRG with three previously unreleased bonus tracks.]
