Cliff Richard: the brilliant singer-songwriter
Louise Lacaille | Amersham, UK | 09/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album showcases a lesser known side of Cliff's career: songs that he has written or co-written himself. I was surprised not at how fantastic a songwriter he is...I knew that anyway...I was surprised at how well 19 so different songs (dating from 1961 to 1993) actually gelled together on one CD.
"Without You" (from "21 Today" album 1961) - lyrics are maybe a bit juvenile but it's got this oily-smooth, rich vocal and this wonderful scratchy Shadows guitar sound.
"Bachelor Boy" (from "Summer Holiday" soundtrack 1963 and a #1 hit - a great song - a twangy, catchy chord structure and such creamy vocals. On The Beach" is funky and great to dance (twist) to with great harmonies. "Don't Talk To Him" (1964) has a haunting melody (beautiful, crystal clear vocals from Cliff plus the genius of the Shadows) - wonderfully catchy -never realized it before. "I'll Love You Forever Today" (from the film "Two A Penny" 1968) is very deep and rich and mature sounding and is a nice refreshing take on the love song theme. "31st of February Street", "Nothing To Remind Me" and "Fireside Song" are from an obscure album entitled "31st of February Street" (1975) which preceded his 1976 comeback with "I'm Nearly Famous". The album did not sell well, but is very highly regarded among Cliff collectors. The three songs featured have unusual, laid-back acoustic arrangements. A lot of percussion was used These songs carry you away and feel like a hazy dream or fantasy. "Love On (Shine On)" (the b-side of 1976 smash "Devil Woman" 1976), which follows, blends in beautifully...it is so warm, intimate, delicate and the vocal flows in and out of the music. Really ethereal. Then "Nothing Left For Me To Say" (a 1977 b-side)...brilliantly structured song...catchy guitar riff...moving blend of instruments...Cliff's intimate vocals weave into it and it leaves you with a profound feeling of melancholy. It should've been put on the 1977 album "Every Face Tells A Story". "Rock n Roll Juvenile" (the title track from the superb 1979 album)- exciting song with hilarious lyrics and whoever's playing guitar on it is brilliant...Cliff's got a real cutting-edge energy in his higher range voice that seems to come from somewhere inside of him. "La Gonave" -(from the 1984 album "The Rock Connection" and featured also on a Tearfund video) clicked with me the moment I heard it. Just a brilliant rock/dance song with lots of re-mix potential; they could dance to it in Ibiza clubs. really hard-hitting and stunning. I think this would've made a very strong Tearfund single. "Over You" (also from "The Rock C...not one of my favourites, but a very touching rocker. "Love Ya"...(the B-side of 1987 single "My Pretty One") again, never an absolute fave, but spontaneous, exciting and fun. Think it would sound better with more guitar and less keyboards. "Lindsay Jane".(b-side of "The Best Of Me" but shouldn't have been left off the "Stronger" album... imaginative, sentimental, and very evocative. You reallyfeel that song. Everybody's felt that way about someone or something we can't have or be with forever. "The Winner" (a gospel favourite)...love this one...it has a great funky mix, again interesting and unusual... a brilliant dance record. "Where You Are" (featured on the fantastic 1990 Christmas #1 "Saviour's Day"...this beautiful gospel song is definitely in my Cliff top 10. I was completely mesmerized and spellbound with this when I first heard it on a live video some time ago...it's like living a dream. It has poetic, gorgeous lyrics and has a hauntingly beautiful melody. "Bulange Downpour"...he's big on water noises...but another richly atmospheric song...could be extended to make a great epic soundtrack for a film set in this part of the world. And then "Hold Us Together"...great fusion of smooth jazz and soul. Funny thing is with this song and a lot of others from "The Album" (1993)...Cliff is singing higher than his voice is meant to and pouring intense emotion into every syllable and the result is absolute perfection.
The music industry, and Cliff himself, have primarily regarded him as the interpreter of others' songs; and he has literally hundreds and hundreds of beautiful records to his name. But he has written songs that stand up very well against the big hits of his time. Many of these songs are worthy of people like Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel and Paul McCartney."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1