Customer Reviews

Open Your Heart: A Love Song Collection

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was very surprised that my local store that specializes in Oldie CDs had this new Petula Clark surprise this past Friday (based on CCM's own release). Representing more of Pet's 70s material that has been in the vaults, plus two new recordings from 2008, added with an unreleased track from those sessions for 2009 covers a lot of ground. I am so delighted that the compilation producer, Mr. Pierson found some English versions of French songs recorded in the 70s. SWISS VALLEY and THANK YOU MY LOVE were issued on the AZ label in France in 1974 (the latter song as "Thank You My Lord"). Hearing both in English for the first time is a joy. The new remasters of Wedding Song, a longer unreleased Serenade Of Love, an alternate vocal on C'est Ca Ma Chanson, and remaster of the delightful Silver Spoon are real treats. Though I've differed with the producer's work in the past, this delightful set is a must for every Petula fan. Mr. Pierson's other great accomplishment was getting issued the track "Fly Away" from the 1981 film "Never Never Land" on Pet's 2000 Anthology on Hip-O. If a second issue of Love Songs comes along via CCM, I hope it will include "Fly Away", several 80s Scotti Brothers tracks that have not made CD yet (Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, After Glow) and the one remaining duet track with Sasha Distel of "Taking It On" released on Polydor in 1973. It's A-side (Lead Me On) is on DUETS, but need the B-side, which is the better song. We can only hope for more, and you will enjoy this 21 track serenade.

"Open Your Heart" is a marvelous gift from Collectors' Choice Music. Often when we get a collection of previously unreleased material, we quickly discover why it was not released in the first instance. Not the case here. Fully nine of the selections on this CD rank with the top tier of Clark's work during her commercial peak. As this CD and others indicate Clark continued to do excellent work long after her commercial peak had passed. Everything on this CD (with the possible exception of "Super Loving Lady" for stylistic reasons) would seamlessly fit into the best of Clark's albums from the 1960s and early 70s. This is a delight to have and any Petula Clark fan will greatly enjoy it. The cover picture of Clark is quite lovely. Also recommended: "The Sound of Petula Clark" on Spectrum Music, a similar collection (but different songs) of 70s material from Clark that had become obscure and/or lost.

One thing that has been great about being a Petula Clark fan is just how much of her recordings were stuck in the vaults for many years, and thanfully (most due to Jim Pierson)have seen the light of day. I Am happy to say that most of these recordings have held up just fine and it is a pleasure to hear so many different songs recorded (In the case of this collections 70's and 80's with a couple BRAND new tracks)If anything is sad is just how wonderful it had been to have had all these tracks "back in the day" but better late than never and as for the new songs what a great pleasure it is to hear Petula sound as great as ever.

This collection of twenty-one love songs is a mix of previously recorded but never released material, songs released in the UK but not the US, singles from Clark's brief stint with MGM, and new tunes, one making its debut here. Although known primarily as a pop singer, Clark never was one to shy away from other musical genres, so there's a bit of gospel ("Open Your Heart"), disco ("Good Things Don't Last Forever"), light jazz ("In the City") , and country ("Fixing to Live") here as well. The standout track is Clark's own composition, "It's OK (I Believe in You)," with "A Song for You," the Leon Russell classic recorded live during a 1974 Royal Albert Hall concert, running a close second. And wait until you hear Clark reinterpret the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons hit "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" - her smoldering rendition is guaranteed to raise the temperature in the room several degrees.

It's natural to expect to hear a distinct difference between the songs recorded in the 1970s and 80s and those recorded last year, but this is not the case. Amazingly, Clark's voice is as rich as it was thirty years ago. The two recent tracks on this CD sound as if they were recorded in the same era as the nineteen that precede them. This is a welcome addition to the collections of both dedicated and casual Clark fans and all lovers of good music.

I love this collection. It has several unreleased/new recordings and several known only to a few collectors that were available on obscure 45's from the 70's. I love every song, but 'Super Loving Lady', penned by the lady herself is outstanding for me. It's a great collection, that shows again what a talent this lady is. Buy this CD - you will NOT be disappointed.

Back when record companies had more dictatorial control over "their" artists, many excellent recordings were shelved out of spite and/or legal disputes. This album SHOULD have been one of Petula's biggest sellers, and contains several cuts which would have been hits. The selections and arrangements are outstanding (as usual for Ms. Clark). This is one of those previously-"lost" albums which I'm VERY glad was re-discovered!

I wish every household in America had a copy of this CD in their home... it's that good. What an enjoyable list of songs to listen to from one of the greatest singers in recording history. This is one of those few CD's that one purchases that you play over and over again. You simply can not tire of it.

Petula Clark has a wonderful, haunting voice but you'd never know it from this collection of stinkers. It's billed as a collection of love songs but the only thing I loved about this collection was the end. If you're a fan of Petula Clark as I am, this will be a big disappointment. Move on to some of her other CD's.