Cilla Black Definitive Collection 2x CD + 1x DVD

[Tim Disney]

I discovered this release after reading a post over at the Mausoleum Club where I've also posted this response, but thought I'd post here too as I know that some on this board will be interested in adding this to their collection.

I've viewed the DVD that comes with this compilation this morning. What can I say? Very tastefully done and a great example of what could be achieved with the EMI / BBC co-licensing deal in the future. I was half-expecting a nasty TOTP2 type compilation but this is a lovely compilation.

1. The material has been presented in its original 4:3 ratio.
2. There are no captions over the clips at all. This includes song titles. These have all been contained in a short caption that fades up prior to each clip.
3. There's a couple of seconds of black screen and silence between each clip.

There's a nice clip of Cilla and Cliff performing together which I've never seen before. I hope we see more material like this in the future from EMI. Two CDs and a DVD for £6.98 (Amazon) is an absolute bargain. I'd love to see some compilations of other 60s artists, maybe using some of those Blue Peter performances too? If you've got the slightest interest in this title, I recommend you grab a copy and support the release.

DVD track list originally posted by Robin Smith at The Mausoluem Club:

1. You're My World (The Royal Variety Performance)
2. Don't Answer Me (The Ken Dodd Show)
3. Step Inside Love (Cilla Show)
4. Love's Just A Broken Heart (Cilla Show)
5. Where Is Tomorrow (Top of the Pops)
6. Liverpool Lullaby (Cilla Show)
7. The Look Of Love/Walk On By (Cilla Show) [This is the clip with Cliff]
8. Surround Yourself With Sorrow (Top of the Pops)
9. Yesterday (Cilla Show/Live In Berlin)
10. Goin' Out Of My Head (Cilla Show/Live In Berlin)
11. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Cilla Show)
12. I Am Woman (Cilla Show)
13. You're So Vain (Cilla Show)
14. Help Me Make It Through The Night (Cilla Show)
15. Day By Day (Cilla Show)
16. Alfie (Cilla Show)
17. Baby We Can't Go Wrong (Cilla Show)
18. When Will I See You Again (Cilla Show)
19. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (Cilla Show)
20. If I Thought You'd Ever Change Your Mind (Cilla Show)
21. Imagine (Cilla Show)
22. Something Tells Me (Cilla Show)
23. Conversations (Cilla Show)
24. Sing A Rainbow (Cilla Show)
25. You're My World (Cilla Show/Live at the Royal Albert Hall)
26. Beautiful Goodbye (Promo)

[Deleted]

We have Richard Moore to thank for this DVD. He's the chap behind all the Matt Monro CD's and DVD's in recent years and as proved by them, when Richard works on an assignment he does an exemplary job. This Cilla DVD is exactly how such vintage TV material should be treated... none of your TOTP2 caption nonsense, cropping to widescreen and other irritating factors that sometimes appear with DVD's of this nature.

I just hope that EMI decide to do their own Hollies collection. "The Dutch Collection" was OK but wouldn't it be wonderful to have the 1969 "Hollies In Concert", the colour 1968 "Bobbie Gentry" show performances and if still playable, the 1970 Julie Felix Show material on one DVD along with all existing TOTP clips and whatever else there is in the BBC archive?

[Richard Moore]

Thanks for that. When I work on DVD such as this I do try and treat the material with respect.

I have suggested a Hollies at the BBC to EMI there should be plenty of TV & radio material available for it, but we'll have to wait and see if they go with it. Hopefully this set will sell well enough to make other artists sets worthwhile.

Richard

[Bob Savage (robstar)]

What with this and the four dvd relases that include the "small faces" "Dusty" Hermans Hermits" and "Gerry & Pacemakers" things are looking a lot more positive regarding Music Dvd's of long over looked artists! I reckon a lot of this reappraisal is credited to the excellent BR Music releases a few years back which might have proved that there is a market out there worth exploring!

[Tim Disney]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for your work on this compilation. I believe this is a model example of how to present archive music television material in a way that lets the performances speak for themselves. Good luck with this release. I hope EMI go with your future projects. I'll certainly try to support as many as possible.

Bob, I've just ordered the boxset of the Dusty / Gerry / Herman's / Small Faces releases from ITV DVD. I'm particularly looking forward to the first proper Small Faces DVD release. I understand that the non-boxset copies are already out there. Has anyone bought it who can give us a quick rundown on the quality?

[Peter Stirling]

Sounds a great piece of work.


Now if only Cilla Black could sing. it would be the icing on the cake.

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2009 21:55:01 GMT Peter Stirling said:

Now if only Cilla Black could sing. it would be the icing on the cake.

There is no denying that Cilla's voice tends to provoke strong reactions, but whether one likes it or not, she was incredibly successful and though her voice is not always to my liking, she got to sing some phenomenal songs, and with George Martin behind the desk, she did some great powerful records.

I wouldn't say I'm a fan of Cilla, but I can and do enjoy some of her work.

[Tom McPhillips]

Sept 8, 2009 21:55:01 GMT Peter Stirling said:

Sounds a great piece of work.


Now if only Cilla Black could sing. it would be the icing on the cake.

My wife was of a similar opinion but I played her disc 2 of the set (album tracks & covers) and even she admitted that when Cilla doesn't "belt it out" she could be a superb interpreter of songs. I too look forward to EMI following this up with some other similar releases. I'd like to see some of The Seekers video material be made officially available.

[Tim Disney]

Hi Tom,

I have to agree with you. I always felt Cilla has two voices. The one that she thinks is really strong, but is just shouty and strangulated and the lovely soft one. Obviously I prefer the soft one :-)