Cliff Richard's new CD gives props to rock 'n' rollers

Cliff Richard, the UK's all-time greatest hit-maker, releases his 100th* album The Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll Songbook on Feb. 25.

This new studio album was recorded live at the Blackbird Studio and The Parlor in Nashville, Tennessee, and is Cliff Richard's tribute to those who inspired and influenced him, such as Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. It will be available on CD from Friday Music and as a digital download from Rhino. 

One of the UK's first great rock 'n' rollers, Richard comes full circle and by singing new versions of "Teddy Bear" (Elvis Presley), "Rave On" (Buddy Holly), "Johnny B Goode" (Chuck Berry), "Rip It Up", (Little Richard), "Dream Lover" (Bobby Darin), "Wake Up Little Susie" (Everly Brothers) and "Dream Lover" (Bobby Darin). His 100th album release also features a brand new track "One More Sunny Day."

Cliff Richard said about recording the album: "It was like being back in the 50's with The Shadows in Studio 2 at Abbey Road - only it wasn't The Shadows, and it wasn't Studio 2 and it wasn't the 50's. I was in Nashville, Tennessee at the Blackbird Studio with five great Nashville musicians and we were recording....LIVE." 

He also said: "This was my chance to pay tribute not only to (in my humble opinion) one of the greatest advances in musical history, but also the artists who took Rock 'n' Roll to the top of the charts worldwide. As with all great art forms Rock 'n' Roll did not stand still and there have been some phenomenal changes, bringing it to where we are now. All I know is that "in the beginning" what kicked the whole thing off was The Fabulous Rock and Roll Songbook. That whole period was new and unbelievably exciting, and to think that I was there!!  Saving up my pocket money for weeks so that I could buy Elvis's first album - borrowing someone else's collection of Little Richard (my name in part, was a tribute to him) and skipping school so as to get seats to see Bill Haley play live."

Track Listing

1.     Rip It Up
2.     Wake Up Little Susie
3.     Poetry In Motion
4.     Sealed With a Kiss
5.     Stood Up
6.     Such a Night
7.     School Days
8.     Teddy Bear & Too Much (medley)
9.     Don't Let Go
10.   Dream Lover
11.   Stuck on You
12.   Fabulous
13.   Rave On
14.   Johnny B. Goode
15.   One More Sunny Day

* Cliff Richard released his debut album Cliff in April 1959. He has since released 46 studio albums, 7 soundtracks, 35 compilations and 11 live albums.