Customer Reviews

Move Over Darling: the Complete Stiff Recordings

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Sub-titled the complete Stiff recordings, this collection contains all the tracks from Tracey's two albums, plus any tracks from the A sides and B sides of her singles that weren't on those albums. It also contains extended versions of three tracks. One UK reviewer pointed out that other extended versions of other tracks exist too, and therefore the sub-title is wrong. Another UK reviewer suggests that an extended mix is not actually a different recording, so the sub-title is correct. Whatever the argument, most people will be happy to have every song that Tracey ever recorded for Stiff in one package. As it appears that Tracey has not recorded any music before or since her time with Stiff, this double CD contains everything except those extra remixes.

I remember that at the time of its original release, I particularly enjoyed Tracey's debut album (You broke my heart in 17 places, the first 13 tracks of CD 1 here). It was an obvious throwback to an earlier era, yet the sound was updated just enough to appeal to a younger audience while retaining enough of the original spirit to draw in some older fans too. Tracey`s second album (You caught me out, the first 18 tracks of CD 2 here) didn`t excite me in the same way at the time of its release, but over the years I have come to appreciate it. I think maybe the first album was of such a high standard that I expected too much of the follow-up at the time.

Tracey first achieved fame in her native Britain as a comedienne, then had a brief career as a pop singer before moving to America, where she resumed her career as a comedienne. The public are always suspicious of established celebrities becoming pop singers, but make no mistake, Tracey can sing. She knew her limitations and worked within them effectively and well. It may also have helped that success in pop music wasn't that important to her, so she just enjoyed it while it held her interest.

Tracey's biggest hit, They don't know, was a cover of a song by the brilliant Kirsty MacColl, whose own version of the song had mysteriously flopped. Tracey took the song to number two in the UK and number eight in the USA. It went to number one in Norway and several other countries. After that Kirsty supplied Tracey with other songs - You broke my heart in 17 places, Terry and You caught me out.

Tracey had other hits in the UK, all covers. Breakaway (Jackie De Shannon) peaked at four. Move over darling peaked at eight in Britain just as Doris Day's original had done although neither made the USA charts. Sunglasses was first recorded by Skeeter Davis but was quickly covered by Sandy Posey. My guy was originally written and recorded by Madness as My girl. The minor hit Helpless is a Motown song originally recorded by Kim Weston.

Tracey recorded many other covers of songs from the late fifties to the early eighties including Long live love (Sandie Shaw), I close my eyes and count to ten (Dusty Springfield), Bobby's girl (a top three hit in the USA for Marcie Blaine and in the UK for Susan Maughan), Shattered (Sandy Posey), Where the boys are (Connie Francis), Life is a rock but the radio rolled me (Reunion), I'm always touched by your presence dear (Blondie), Give him a great big kiss (Shangri Las), I don't want our loving to die (the Herd), Bad motorcycle (Storey sisters), I know what boys want (Waitresses), If I had you (Korgis) and Falling in and out of love (Sinceros).
The only previously unreleased track, Little Red Riding Hood, is based on the classic children's story and is certainly different from anything else here. It apparently began as a sketch in the TV series Three of a kind, in which the three co-stars were Tracey Ullman, Lenny Henry and David Copperfield.

Tracey also co-wrote some of the songs here, though I admit that I prefer to hear her sing covers. Tracey's music is upbeat, fun, music not to be taken too seriously but Tracey is no mere novelty singer. This is great party music but can be enjoyed in any setting.

First off, know that the first disc in this set is the same as the 2007 version of "You Broke My Heart in 17 Places". (The only difference is the artwork.) If you have that CD, you already own half this boxed set. Of course, the clincher here is the first-ever CD release of Tracey Ullman's second (and final) album, the underperforming "You Caught Me Out" -- complete with bonus tracks, which include a previously unreleased song. While the second disc cannot stack against the first in terms of overall awesomeness, it's a worthy addition to anyone's Tracey Ullman music collection. The packaging is quite nice also, with lots of color photos of Ullman and a big booklet packed with information. This is the only Tracey Ullman collection you'll need because it contains all her music.