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Wonderfully nostagic

lindasmith@ns.sympatico.ca | Nova Scotia Canada; ex:-British | 06/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a must for both die hard Cliff fans and all those who are yet to be. Cliff has never had the recognition he deserves in N. America. If this album had been released earlier, he likely would have. He has voice, personality, charm and good looks, and this album is a compilation of the best of the best."

Cliff AND the London Philharmonic!

lindasmith@ns.sympatico.ca | 03/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You would not go wrong buying this one if only for the handsome portrait on the cover. It's almost like being inside the Royal Albert Hall, where it was recorded in 1982,with the fine engineering of Colin Norfield and John James. Tickets have long been sold out and you're front row. Side One gets you going with Alan Tarney's "Green Light" leading into his original 1979 version of the chart topper "We Don't Talk Anymore." Buddy Holly's beautiful "True Love Ways" (released as a single in April 1983) is followed by "Softly As I Leave You" (which is inCliff's 40th anniversary repertoire back on stage at the RAH and around the world in 1998 and 1999). Who can forget Terry Britten and B.A. Robertson's "Carrie" and the mystery surroundingher in 1980? Cliff's fave remains 1976' "Miss You Nights" and it seemsthe fans agree if lit torches duringthis November 23, 1982 (or any) performance of it is any indication of their appreciation for this rendering (although we don't ever hear any credit given to its author).Side Two and it's shades of "The Hobbit" or at least its "Galadriel (Spirit of Starlight)," a hauntinglylovely ballad (Hank Marvin and John Farrar composed it), with a few cymbal clashes and audience applausethrown in for Cliff's 87th B-side. "Maybe Someday" features the horn section in this hopeful tune. "Thief in the Night" is done solo (it becomes one in a trilogy inlater concerts, both secular and rockspell). "Up in the World" brings in lots of strings and gorgeous Cliff Ward words like halcyon. "Treasure of Love" featureslong-time backing vocalists Tony Rivers, John Perry, Tony Harding andStuart Calver. The late Graham Jarvis is on drums with Dave Cooke on synthesiser, Mark Griffiths on base, and Steve Gray on piano and Fender Rhodes, at their peak for "Devil Woman," perhaps Richard's best-known US hit and a 70's classic. No one can tell a story in song better than Cliff (no matter how you translate Britten's lyrics).Conductor/ arranger Richard Hewson at his personal best."