Search - Petula Clark :: Anthology: Downtown to Sunset Boulevard

She's The One

Harry N. Cohen | New Haven, Ct. USA | 07/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are numerous Petula Clark compilations available; some good,some not quite so good. This 2cd 41 cut collection is by far the best. Emphasis is on Petula's American career. All 15 of her top 40 hits(Downtown,A Sign Of The Times,Don't Sleep In The Subway,etc) are included. Also here are rare cuts such as 1971's On the Road,arranged by Michel Legrand and Pet's recent Sunset Boulevard recordings with the BBC Orchestra.You'll come away after listening to this collection in awe of this singer's ability to make any type of song hers and hers alone.Best of all, Petula herself contributed comments on each cut.You can't miss with this one...some great photos,too!"

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

MIKE | NYC | 02/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best and most successful of the female pop stars who invaded our shores as part of the 60s British invasion, Petula Clark hit the top of the charts with her first U.S. release - "Downtown" - and continued with a string of hits that earned her critical acclaim and two Grammy Awards. Included here are her 15 familiar Top 40 hits, together with songs from various film and stage performances, plus a number of previously unreleased tracks that showcase her ability to successfully explore diverse music genres. In 1975, she reunited with Tony Hatch, composer of most of her 60s catalog, for sessions that produced "You Are My Song" and "Didn't I Say I Love You?", both intended for an album that was never completed, heard here for the first time, as is "Fly Away", from her 1980 film "Never Never Land". "Two Lives", from a 1991 L.A. session, is a techno-charged number that allows Petula to harmonize with herself in addition to supplying the background vocals, and the result is stunning. "Tell Me It's Not True", from "Blood Brothers", is a studio version recorded in NYC while Petula was starring in the Broadway show, and is dramatically different from but no less effective than the cast album recording. In addition to terrific photographs, the included 28-page booklet includes Petula's comments about each of the tracks on the two CDs. An absolute must for long-time fans, and a worthwhile investment for anyone who remembers the "Downtown" days and is interested in hearing the eclectic sounds that evolved throughout the 36 years since."

PROBABLY THE BEST PETULA ANTHOLOGY EVER!

W. Budris | Rosedale, NY | 02/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having probably 99% of all the material Petula Clark ever recorded, I am truly amazed and surprised at this package. It covers so much territory, and it is a definitive package for a Pet novice, who wants to get a taste of what Petula Clark is all about from all aspects of her career in America, and for the devoted fan, collecting from what I am told the first time ever that Warner masters were used for the hits on Disc 1, plus all the unreleased treasures and first-time US release of various gems. For the US debut, I AM YOUR SONG, is a particular suprise, as this extended version with bridge to the original fade out far surpasses the original British Polygram single release. I am absolutely grateful to those who got the superb FLY AWAY from the 1980 film, NEVER NEVER LAND finally on CD where it belongs. This is one of my all-time favorite Petula songs other than her hits. I've already practically worn out (if that is possible) this portion of Disc 2. The first play of DIDN'T I SAY I LOVE YOU?, when it came to the chorus sounded very retisant of Dusty Springfield, which is the first time I've ever heard this resemblance in a Petula Clark record, though the song is a Hatch-Trent collaboration, makers of the many 60's Petula hits. My suggestion to the readers who are hesitant, take the initiative and buy this one. You won't be disappointed!"