Search - Petula Clark :: Warm & Tender

PETULA CLARK'S LAST RELEASE ON WARNERS IS WONDERFUL

MIKE | NYC | 09/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was Clark's last effort for the Warner Brothers label, and a dramatic departure from the "Downtown" sound she had created and nurtured with songwriter/arranger Tony Hatch. Delving into different musical genres, she came up with a mixed bag of lush, symphonic melodies ("The Song of My Life"), simple folk tunes (Joni Mitchell's "For Free"), rockin' soul ("Cry Like a Baby"), and contemporary pop (Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed", Carole King's "Beautiful"). Add to these tunes by Bacharach/David, Laura Nyro, and a lilting oddity by Australian Rolf Harris (plus four other tracks), and the end result is a stunning end to Clark's days with Warner and a sign of the experimentation that was to come. Definitely worth a listen."

SUBLIME & SOULFUL~BRAVO PETULA!!!

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 03/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Petula Clark went to the famed Criteria Studios in Miami recording this masterful collection of soulful performances on the same level as "Dusty In Memphis" masterpiece, Carmen McRae's "Just A Little Lovin'" and Aretha Franklin's classic Atlantic Records recordings...amazing lp's recorded with same great group of musicians with legendary producer Arif Mardin at the helm. By the early 70's when this amazing album was released, a corny trend developed that only singer-songwriters were played on the American Radio airwaves and great works like this stellar release were sadly ignored. If only this engrossing & mesmerizing classic had any promotion & airplay it easily would have been the tremendous success it deserved to be with numerous top 40 hits and a few well deserved Grammy Awards! Opening gorgeous and romantic with "Let Me Be The One", one can tell Petula is in a deeply soulful groove unlike anything before and if this mesmerizing performance would have been released in the great musical sixties instead of tired 70's bland singer/songwriter period it would have been a huge success and made Petula Clark the Superstar that she deserved to be in America...material & performances top her sixties wave of hit songs. "Loss Of Love" is moody and haunting while hot rocking "Cry Like A Baby" matches original hit version and would have been a hit all over again by Petula. A Bacharach classic "Don't Say I Didn't Tell You So" is engrossing & given new life while Joni Mitchell's "For Free" takes one on a wondrous musical journey & tops the original without a doubt & would have easily been a chart-topper! Released as a single "Maybe I'm Amazed" would have changed the course of Miss Clark's career as this incredible performance showing Petula can rock out with the best of them is the stunning definitive version and "Maybe I'm Amazed" would have been a chart-topper easily going to #1 in a flash...what were they thinking? Carole King's "Beautiful" is a soulful masterpiece as Petula tops all other versions and Petula's take on the Laura Nyro classic "Time And Love" easily beats out the tired formula 5th Dimension bubble-gum hit version! "I've Got My Eyes On You" a sultry hauntingly gorgeous classic is a magnificent performance as is the riveting "Couldn't Sleep" both showing Petula Clark equal to Dusty and Aretha!!! An unusual strong driving rhythm showcases a tremendous Petula vocal making "I Just Can't Wait To Hold You" wildly fascinating while "The Song Of My Life" sweeping romantic grandeur is one of Petula Clark's most stunning and spectacular vocals ever! Bonus tracks are terrific with the Peter, Paul and Mary "The Song Is Love" a moving stand-out..."Warm And Tender" (more accurately "Fiery And Soulful") is a must have for anyone who loves great singers at their peak...Bravo Petula!!!"