Customer Reviews

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Had not heard Cilla's name for 30 years when I heard "You're My World" on an oldies channel. It reminded me of how I missed her talent and her immense enthustiasm for her music. I took a chance and bought this album.

Cilla is a refreshing change from the shrieking, scrawny female singers of today, where good looks and anything near high C makes you a star. Here is a voice with power and, more importantly, feeling.

Her huge hits, "You're My World" and "Alfie" are as moving as I remembered. But the real joy of this album is the songs not released in the U.S.A. over the years. I can't believe I enjoy her version of "Going Out of My Head" as much as Little Anthony's original. She's the only female artist I've heard pour the required emotion into "Lovin' Feeling", and her rousing rendition of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" is the best anywhere.

If, like me, you've just been reminded of Cilla after many years of not hearing her - do yourself a favor and buy this album. Good memories, good voice, and emotion.

This collection of songs from Britain's Cilla Black is a treasure! Who could forget this songstress from the 60's with that bright red hair and rich powerful voice???

Cilla's energetic vocal on "Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me" is a pleasure! "Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart" is wonderful song full of tenderness as well as passion. "Goin' Out Of My Head" is a powerhouse performance!! "It's For You" was one of Cilla's major hits in the U.S. It is still rich and soulful today. The arrangement is unique and sophisticated. Cilla sounds wonderful on the 60's uptempo number "Something Tells Me". "I Don't Know How To Love Him" is a beautiful tribute to "Jesus Christ, Superstar". "Step Inside Love" is a hot number!!! Who could ever forget Cilla's hit song "You're My World"??? This is the singer to end them all when she cuts loose on this number!!! "Conversations" is a great ballad with emotion. Cilla was always perfect on Barharach songs, as she is on "Anyone Who Had A Heart". "What Good Am I" is a riveting number full of soul!!

Had Cilla Black had the right management after Brian Epstein's death, she could have gone on to be a huge international star. As it was, she was introduced to hosting variety television in the U.K. and did quite well in spite of the turn of events. Thankfully, we have these songs to fall back on.

I have to say out of all the Cilla collections out on the market this Australian budget release has to be THE most shameful!!

Why I hear you ask? Well all the recordings have NOT beeen remastered and sound as their worst. The first time I heard this CD I remember thinking "oh my goodness they've used vinyl recordings". I was totally shocked by how bad all these wonderful songs could sound.

So disgusted that the ONLY CD available to Cilla's fans down-under was this sub-standard one I contacted EMI Australia and persuaded them to work with me to release a fully remastered 2CD set ("The Essential Cilla Black"). Sadly this set has recently gone "out of print" but don't fear as I am gonna leave you with a couple alternative CD suggestions.

To any newbie Cilla fan may I suggest the budget CD re-issue of Cilla's "TOP 20" 1968 album "The Best of Cilla Black (1968 Edition)" or Cilla in the 60's. If you fancy pushing the boat out and believe me it is well worth the money do try these two 3CD sets which come with extensive picture booklets and contain some of THE most amazing recordings: The Abbey Road Decade 1963-1973 & The Best of 1963-1978.

"Something Tells Me" you'll have a lorra, lorra fun discovering Cilla.

Hearing Cilla sing "You're My World" brought back such a flood of memories.. Memories of a bygone era.. An era when female singers really had voices that could pull at your heartstrings and didn't need to be seen half naked and gyrating like kooch dancers in a sideshow while on stage.. Thank you for allowing me to feel young and in love for the first time, once again..

Just must say that Cilla Black, though well known and respected throughout the world, is still rather unknown here in the USA. A solid soul and pop singer in the best 60s tradition, her voice should be heard by any fan of soul or pop. Her renditions of many fine songs, especially "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", are as good as anyone's. And the expert arrangements fit her, and my ear, to a T. Good stuff. Please check her out if you haven't already. Now if I could just hear a collection of songs by other Loss Leaders (e.g. Ruby Andrews!).