Blasts from the ’60s: Rod Stewart, Cliff Richard, DC5

Rise Up by Cliff Richard. This is the latest album of new studio recordings by Cliff. The British rock and roll idol is now 79 years old. He has been performing since he was 16 years old. But he still rocks and his vocals sound fantastic. Younger singers having problems with their singing should check out what Sir Cliff does to keep that voice in top form. Maybe they can also check out what his physical regimen is, because he still cuts quite a figure in jeans. Just think he has already lined up a tour to celebrate his 80th birthday come October. 

Rise Up features songs that have a positive message. These are meant to inspire and help listeners through difficult times.  Cliff decided on this concept after he won a case against the South Yorkshire Police for the search conducted in his home and against the BBC for covering and airing the operation. It was said that a blackmailer whom Cliff refused to pay tipped off the police who decided to tip off the BBC and they all got burned having to issue apologies and shell out lots of cash in the end. 

Anyway, Rise Up more than makes up for the effects of that upsetting incident. It is certainly one of Cliff’s best and isn’t it great that he has not changed his style at all. Trends come and go but his music stays the same. Included are Rise Up, Reborn, Everybody’s Someone, a duet with Olivia Newton-John, Gonna Be Alright, Stardust, Dancing into Nightfall, River Flow, Wide Deep and High, There’s One, That’s What the Night is For, Everything That I Am and The Miracle of Love.

Then there are four extra cuts, hits by Cliff from the past but which now come with orchestral accompaniment by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The Minute You’re Gone, Miss You Nights, Devil Woman and Some People.

All The Hits by the Dave Clark Five. The Dave Clark Five (DC5) was big. The group was almost like the Beatles back in the ’60s during the fabled British Invasion. In fact, the UK band has sold over a hundred million records, which are still selling more now that DC5 music is available on streaming.

This is only to be expected as the group made great music, too, most of them fun rockers and uptempo ballads. Even today’s kids find it hard to resist the beat of Glad All Over and romantic souls of all ages do get all gooey-eyed over the charming Because. “It’s right that I should care about you…” sigh, sigh, sigh.

The album is touted to be the best DC5 compilation of all time with all of the big selling tracks and with tracks said to have been chosen and remastered by Dave Clark himself. 

Included are Do You Love Me, Glad All Over, Bits and Pieces, Can’t You See That She’s Mine, Everybody Knows, Any Way You Want It, Wild Weekend, Catch Us If You Can, Because, I Like It Like That, Over and Over, Come Home, You Got What It Takes, Try Too Hard, Reelin’ and Rockin’ and Universal Love.

You’re In My Heart by Rod Stewart. Is there anything that Rod cannot do? Nothing. From his days as Rod the Mod during the ’60s with the Jeff Beck group to his bluesy, rock and rolling solo turns and then later while immersing himself wonderfully in the great American songbook, he has had a truly storied career. Now 75 years old, and after 120 million records sold, he is still at it, making music for us to love.

Rod’s latest release and also his latest No. 1 selling album is You’re In My Heart where he sings his biggest hits with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The songs included are mostly his bluesy soulful ballads now turned into classic melodies with the orchestra in the background. It is a beautiful collection and his fans, whose music tastes have probably mellowed along with the years, will love it very much.

Highlight is a duet of It Takes Two with Robbie Williams and a new ballad, Stop Loving Her Today. Then, there are Maggie May, Sailing, Reason to Believe, Handbags and Gladrags, Tonight’s The Night, I Don’t Want to Talk About It, The First Cut is the Deepest, You’re In my Heart, I Was Only Joking, Young Turks, Forever Young and Rhythm of My Heart.