Search - Cliff Bennett :: Got to Get/Branches Out

"Got to get him into your CD collection!"

G. Pye | UK | 01/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Despite possessing a gritty soulful voice to die for, always being in the company of highly accomplished musicians and a knack for choosing interesting and spirited material Cliff Bennett's career has been hamstrung by poor timing (in the superficial sense of wrong place, wrong time) and an obvious lack of original material. By the time these albums came out, 67/68 many of the original versions of the tracks covered by Bennett & the RR's were becoming much more accesible to the UK soul fan. For a time it was hard to justify Bennett's faithful reproductions when Joe Tex, Sam & Dave, Marvin Gaye and Wilson Pickett records were available at local record shops. This contributed to the Rebel Rousers demise and Cliff was never able to get his career back into the quite same momentum again. A shame. But with hindsight we can hear the quality of Bennett's vocal and the punch of his sidemen with fresh appreciation on this re-release. He was a real talent and barnstroming versions of "Takin care of woman...", "It's a wonder", The Easybeats "Good times" also show off the calibre of his musicians. The track everyone associated him with was the almost Motownesque version of "Got to you into my life" which was co-produced by Paul McCartney and is featured on this set as well. You never know, if you like these albums then you might catch him on tour early this year with another magnificent UK voice, Chris Farlowe."