Cliff Richard - And They Said It Wouldn’t Last (My Fifty Years In Music)

He must be nearly famous by now…

An 8-CD box set that comes with a 52-page photo book, commemorative coin and replica 78rpm of Move It, which should delight hardcore fans, making purchase essential.

The eight CDs cover separate concepts, rather than a chronological trip of musical reinvention through the decades (the sleevenotes provide that in buckets): The Early Years, Rare B-sides 1963-1989, Rare EP Tracks 1961-1991, Stage & Screen, Number Ones Around The World, Faith & Inspiration, Live In Japan ’72 and Lost & Found (From The Archives). Each would be an attractive release in its own right. With 187 tracks most fans will be pleased with obvious key inclusions, and the rarer EPs and B-sides are helpful. The EP collection particularly shows how sparse Richards’ backing tracks could be, making way for the immediacy of his voice when he had that particular effect on young women.

Previously unreleased tracks from 1965-74 include sunshine pop with Love Is Like A Crescendo and two strong country-rockish tracks, Run For Shelter and Sweet Lovin’ Ways. Sadly, however, they’ve found no room for the rare and fine a cappella version of Miss You Nights. Cliff always went his own way, and he really should be proud of this set.

EMI | 2165922 (8-CD)

Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
<< Back to Issue 356