Lulu: The Seventies Era.
Dennis Lee Cleven | Madison, WI | 03/27/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lulu's recordings in the 1970s were rather spotty but there is enough material on this two albums on one disc to find real gold. A highlight is her two recordings with David Bowie which brought about the UK hit "Man Who Sold the World" and "Watch That Man". Bowie is audible on back up on the latter. Other gems include "Easy Evil", "Could It Be Forever", "Do Right Woman,Do Right Man". These tracks harken back to her soulful recordings while she was with Atco/Atlantic. Lulu's second Chelsea album has some disco-flavoured tracks which sound dated now. Nevertheless, "Heaven and Earth and the Stars" remains one of my favourite heartfelt songs by Lulu. It is a true gem along with "Baby I Don't Care". Lulu is a truly great singer and this CD contains 21 tracks. If you like Lulu, how can you go wrong with that many songs? I highly recommend this CD which has been remasterd and the sound is superb and Lulu sounds exquisite. Go for it! You will be glad you did. I'd never part with my copy!
Note: Check out her 90s material. It is excellent and her new album entitled "Back On Track" surpasses anything she has done before. Still, don't ignore her material from the 70s."
Well Worth Hearing - Lulu in the Mid-70's
gassy goon | 01/26/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A great CD that pairs together Lulu's 2 US albums for Chelsea Records in 1973 and 1976. It's well worth having for the many bright spots and good music among all these tracks. It boasts the 2 rockin songs written & produced by DAVID BOWIE - THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD and WATCH THAT MAN, which really rocks hard with Lu really wailing on this one! MICK RONSON is playing guitar on these songs too. Plus THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD from the James Bond film, Lulu's first self-written song BABY I DON'T CARE [ a nice pop ballad ], and many other quality written & produced songs.
The 1973 LULU album produced by Wes Farrell is a bit soulful, pop and middle of the road. Best numbers on here include COULD IT BE FOREVER, I WISH, EASY EVIL and MAKE BELIEVE WORLD - all ballads. There are a number of remakes which drag things down somewhat, like the 2 Rascals songs, which can't compare to the original versions. Not very many upbeat tunes on here, with the most rocking being HELP ME HELP YOU. Not one of her best albums but worth having. The 1976 album HEAVEN AND EARTH AND THE STARS I like better, with some catchy pop and light dance tunes like BOY MEETS GIRL, TAKE YOUR MAMA FOR A RIDE and the sassy HONEY YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK. Plus it has the Bowie & Bond tunes that made it a great collection.
You can't go wrong with this CD. It fills in the gaps of Lulu's discography by having both her Chelsea label albums on one CD. Plus, some good liner notes & picture sleeve artwork included too. Now we need her Rocket & Alfa albums on CD."
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1