Cliff Richard announces 100th album

It all began with Cliff and was soon followed by albums including Cliff Sings, Listen to Cliff! 32 Minutes and 17 Seconds with Cliff Richard, Cliff’s Hit Album and More Hits by Cliff. But that was just the first six years.

After that we had Cliff in Japan, The Best of Cliff (volumes 1 and 2), Together with Cliff Richard, Cliff Richard at the Movies 1959-1974 and Cliff at Christmas. There was also Don’t Stop Me Now! in 1967… and no one ever did. The singer announced on Tuesday details of what will be his 100th album.

The 72-year-old said he had recorded a studio album in Nashville, Tennessee, which he felt was taking his career full circle. Called The Fabulous Rock ‘N’ Roll Songbook, it will include new versions of classics such as Teddy Bear (Elvis), Rip It Up (Little Richard), Rave On (Buddy Holly) and Wake Up Little Susie (Everly Brothers).

Richard said it brought back memories of the 1950s, recording with The Shadows in Studio 2 at Abbey Road. “This was my chance to pay tribute not only to – in my humble opinion – one of the greatest advances in musical history, but also to the artists who took rock ‘n’ roll to the top of the charts worldwide.”

Whatever critics think of Richard – his songs in recent years have failed to make the Radio 2 and Absolute 60s playlists – the 100-album mark is remarkable. It includes 47 studio albums, seven film soundtracks, 35 compilations and 11 live albums. Only Richards’ hero Elvis Presley has had more released.

Is that it for the singer who divides his time between a palatial villa in Barbados, a vineyard in Portugal and a luxury flat in Berkshire?

No. “I had so much fun making this album. Singing and performing rock’n’roll is just so invigorating. It’s always exciting and inspiring to be in a recording studio and I think there is much more to come from me over the next few years. I’d like also like to think that there will be a volume 2 of The Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Songbook. I’m definitely not ready to retire yet.”

Source: The Guardian