Jumble Sale--Rarities And Obscurities Review

07/13/2005 6:22 AM, AMG


This two-disc set is absolutely for fanatics only, but it's no mere barrel scrapings. Disc one consists of two very early Petula Clark albums, 1959's Petula Clark in Hollywood and 1962's In Other Words. Both recorded before her partnership with songwriter and producer Tony Hatch, they're fairly typical non-rock pop albums of their era, except that Clark (or possibly her producers) show a rather unexpected jazz bent in the song selection. Tunes include "Darn That Dream" (most associated with Miles Davis' landmark Birth of the Cool), and the arrangements run from small combo cool to big band swing. Highlights include a sassy rendition of Cole Porter's "Too Darn Hot" and a vampy take on the standard "I Get Along Without You Very Well." Disc two, as the title implies, is random tracks from throughout her career, largely without order or logic. There are a few small gems, especially the swinging "Whistlin' for the Moon," but for the most part, these tracks tend to be obscure for a reason. Disc one is most illuminating, though, especially for those who think Clark emerged full-blown with "Downtown." ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide