A dream come true!
Louise Lacaille | Amersham, UK | 05/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was lucky enough to be at Cliff's spellbinding, dazzling World Tour, on 12th November 2002 at the London Docklands Arena. It was the concert of dreams. I've been wishing for a live album ever since. But why only 14 tracks???? You can't pick highlights of something that was only one long highlight.But you won't easily find a live CD to match this. Cliff's voice is one of the most beautiful, rich and versatile voices ever recorded, and is backed by world-class, fabulous musicians, including the mesmerizing (very underrated) guitarist John Clark.This concert deservedly received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans. It differed from previous recent Cliff concerts in that it wasalmost completely dedicated to the classic rock n roll that Cliff fell in love with before bursting into it in 1958. The concert is funkier, sultrier, more sparkling, more energy packed. Cliff and his band pay homage to the evolution of rock n roll. The album opens with "We Don'tTalk Anymore"- soulful and sensual as ever - with vibrant jazzy guitar. "Move It", Cliff's 1958 first ever hit is next (one of the great rock n roll songs) and this version, superbly produced, is storming, ripping, boppyand funky - one of the best ever versions.The tour was initially intended to promote Cliff's then current album "Wanted", a covers' album featuring great songs Cliff wished had been his, and here follow two of these: "Like Strangers" and "All Shook Up", both fantastic, much better than the studio versions with beautiful mellifluous vocals and a much better instrumental mix. Cliff slows the pace a littlenow to pay tribute to one of his best friends, Olivia Newton John, with agorgeous, mellow, romantic version of "I Honestly Love You". Then come classic 80s Cliff pop gems "Some People" and "Dreamin'" beautiful songs,and the honey-drenched soul of the Cliff ballad voice. "Born To Rock n Roll" from Cliff's stage musical "Time" is smouldering and sexy; with a brilliant fantasy mix; this'll blow your mind. The rock nroll blisters on as Cliff dedicates two songs to his idol Elvis "Too Much/Don't Be Cruel". This works a treat as Cliff does them completelydifferent from Elvis: high and jazzy. Straight into Chuck Berry's "NoParticular Place To Go" with crunchy vocals with real bite...then into a DooWop medley that shows off Cliff's creamy croon voice that just melts you,and also makes you wanna dance and sway. Into Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lota Shakin Goin' On"...love how he holds that sexy growl...very smoky and soulful.The Neil Diamond song "Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon" was one of the mostrequested songs voted by fans online and though you wouldn't suppose anyone match the original, this probably does; it's very funky, veryupbeat, with stunning voice and arrangement. The Everly Brothers'"Claudette" will melt you at the end of the CD, no-one can sing smoochy harmonies like him.It's a shame so much fantastic stuff had to be missed out though, such asthe soulful "She's A Gypsy", the brilliant hits he had with the Shadows,and his amazing version of Gene Vincent's "Be Bop A Lula". Sigh!I saw Cliff live last month again in London's Royal Albert Hall and he is something else. I'm going again to see him play at an English castle in Kent in July. If you've not seen Cliff live you so have to - he's the greatest!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1