McCartney Times

It’s 58 years since “Britain’s answer to Elvis Presley” had his first top 10 hit and now he’s back, and back to his roots, with a new CD, Just… Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll, released by Sony with whom, at the grand old age of 76, he has signed a lucrative new contract. And don’t mock. It’s a terrific album: 15 classic songs including a “duet” with Elvis Presley, without whom.Recorded at the Blackbird Studio in Nashville, where the likes of Dolly Parton, Sheryl Crow, Hank Williams Jr, Taylor Swift and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers have worked, it’s produced by Steve Mandile of country quintet. Sixwire, who also plays guitar alongside bandmates Robb Houston (guitar), John Howard (bass) and Chuck Tilley (drums and percussion). Add Max Abrams, sax player with the Mavericks, into a mix that also includes seasoned bassist Alison Prestwood and Dane Bryant on keyboards and it’s all pretty cool. Cliff’s voice is everywhere: way out front in the mix and multi-tracked on all the backing vocals. And what’s remarkable is how little it’s aged, even on the falsetto ooohs which have long defeated Paul McCartney.

Source: CD: Cliff Richard – Just… Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll | reviews, news & interviews | The Arts Desk