Complete Recordings With Clifford Brown - Dinah Washington & Clifford Brown

Advantages: Beautiful songs, sympathetic arrangements
Disadvantages: It's over too soon

...?' In case you think he wrote nothing but ballads, take a listen to the toe-tapping, marching band, fairground style "The Dubious Circus Company" (and listen carefully - you'll hear an elephant trumpeting just before the fadeout!), and the catchy "Jigsaw Girl". And how can you not smile at a songwriter who dwells on a love affair wrecked by the Open University? This is not rock'n'roll as we know it, Jim. Tragically Clifford's career was cut short by the onset of MS, and the insightful insert notes by Dave Cartwright say it all - a massive amount of potential in terms of talent has been lost. The man is a genius. Sir Cliff Richard, Justin Hayward, Art Garfunkel and the big guns at Radio 2 are all devoted fans. Treat yourself to this record, please - you will join them at once.... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful, stories put to music and sung by a wonderful voice.
Disadvantages: Some of his work isn't on CD

...Clifford T Ward Gaye and other stories. Soon after getting married we visited a friend of my husbands. I was 17 yrs old then. We sat and chatted the night away, the men drank more than they should have and a right old time was had by all. In the back ground a vinyl LP played over and over, it was Home Thoughts From Abroad by Clifford T Ward. Apparently he was topping the charts with a hit called Gaye. I asked if I could borrow the record because that night I fell in love with the stories told by this singer. It was returned soon after and we moved, actually we moved another 16 times, and lost touch. Along the way I was bought Home Thoughts and another LP called Mantle Pieces for birthday presents from my sister. I played and played these records. The children grew up with the sounds in their background. Time passed and records gave... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent crystal clear recordings. inc B sides and rarities
Disadvantages: slightly twee perhaps, not for your average rock fan

...to see You'(-a jolly, carefree tune complete with kazoo! which is not dissimilar to 'Little Lovely One' in sentiment on CD2.) Also 'She sold Blackpool Rock', Black Mourning Band', 'She Said Yes', 'Ceilings No.2' & 'For Where Have You Been.' CD2 consists of some BBC sessions (recorded before and during the 'Maggie' period) and tracks from a reunion LP 'Recital', plus some rarities. Here you hear the original lead singer, Pete Dello, singing on most of these tracks. His voice is very gentle and pure sounding. It is interesting to discover that he was (according to the inside notes) a 'kindred spirit' to one Clifford T. Ward. Certainly his voice is much the same, and the sentiments in the songs, have a tenderness and warm-heartedness that is comparable. When I listen to the song 'Jug of Water' I immediately feel like playing C.T Ward's 'The... Read review

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