Search - Cliff Richard :: Stronger

Beautiful and classy.

Louise Lacaille | Amersham, UK | 05/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Stronger" is an inspired collection of some of the cream of 80s pop songs; its sound is perfection; its musicianship and production pure genius. Cliff Richard, honey-sweet-voiced on this album, is the great chameleon of pop/rock music and can make contemporary hit records in any style and in any era. And it shows on this album.The vocals are warm, smooth, flowing and very pure; Cliff's phrasing is very rounded and classy; the songs, though often beautifully mellow and intimate, almost ethereal, mostly have funky, upbeat dance-floor beats and make you want to boogey! The mixes are irresistable. Real instruments blend perfectly with the electronics. The strength of the songwriting never wavers either. They all, without being simplistic, have an irresistable catchy melodic quality. No duff tracks or fillers here. Several of the songs are authored by producer Alan Tarney; but other writers such as Chris Eaton are very successfully brought in and the songs blend together to create a rare glowing sensuality and feel-good warmth. "Stronger Than That" is stunning; "Who's In Love" luscious; "The Best Of Me" is sparkling; "Clear Blue Skies" uplifting (and seriously groovy). "Lean On You" is delicately intimate. "Forever You Will Be Mine" carries you away. "Better Day" is soaring and quite intense. These are in no way the mushy ballads ignorant critics associate with eighties Cliff. The lyrics are loving, caring and have real depth. You will feel like you are living a beautiful dream. The dancefloor anthem "Just Don't Have The Heart" shows the strength and versatility of Cliff and the brilliance of the songwriting trio Stock, Aitken, Waterman. A stupendous effort and a deserved big hit! Ignore the critics, SAW mightn't have sparked any revolutions, but they wrote fun songs that connected with ordinary people young and old and have now become classics.Bonus tracks can be barrel-scrapings so if they're good, it is a bonus. The five on here though are SUPERB. "Wide Open Space" is endearingly melancholy; "Lindsay Jane" atmospheric...and watch out for the moving heavy rocker "Marmaduke". It's a real opus. You don't need to be a Cliff fan to buy this cd. If you like contemporary groovy sounds like Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey, you will LOVE "Stronger".Sound quality is crystalline sharp; packaging attractive and glossy, and liner notes interesting and informative. Buy it or miss a great treat!"