THE HELEN SHAPIRO FRIENDS CLUB

*MONO

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(1995) Nothing But The Best ICC Records ICCD13530 (CD) ICC13520 (cassette) B6743 ICCD 13530/M1284 1.We being many (Duet with Cliff Richard) 2.Nothing but the best 3.Be thou my people 4.Water on stone 5.Jerusalem 6.king of Kings 7.Search me and know me 8.Father in heaven 9.Oh Lord, our Lord 10.You are my salvation 11.God will provide a lamb 12.Fall apon us now 13.There is someone

(1995) The Uncollected Helen Shapiro-Sensational! RPM Records Ltd RPM151

(Reissued 19/05/2003)

S SRT 95 CD 4206 01

1.A teenager sings the blues 2.Blues in the night 3.Are you lonesome tonight 4.Tearaway Johnny 5.Without your love 6.Aren't you the lucky one 7.Every one but the right one 8.It's alright with me 9.Lookin' for my heart 10.Basin Street blues 11.You must be readin' my mind 12.Til I hear the truth from you 13.Sensational 14.Easy come easy go 15.Remember me 16.The end of the world 17.It might as well rain until September 18.*Here in your. arms 19.*Only once 20.*Just a line 21.*Forget about the bad things 22.*Wait a little longer 23.*In my calendar 24.*Empty house

This excellent review of 'Sensational' was found on the 101 CD website:

Reviews

What we Think

This is a chance for both new and 'old' Shapiro fans to discover or re-discover the girl who, at 16, could sing the Blues in the Night with all the aplomb and subtle nuances of an Ella Fitzgerald classic. A Teenager sings the Blues, though somewhat of an anachronism today where teens are allowed to express their feelings of loss in any manner they choose - with no fear of censorship, or being pigeon-holed. However, on closer listening, we hear the angst of the teenager of the 60's, and the blues licks that come so easily to Shapiro, putting her in a much higher class than contemporaries such as Petula Clark and Sandie Shaw. The range of Shapiro's voice is still as staggeringly unbelievable today as it was when she shocked Norrie Paramor into signing her up on the strength of an 'a capella' rendition of St Louis Blues in his office, as a 14 year old. Her blues accomplishments on this eclectic compilation of songs culminates in the earthy Basin Street Blues. Her handling of cover songs is 'lovingly' and respectfully handled - as in Are you Lonesome Tonight, an identifiably Elvis Presley song. Only a 16 year old with the talent and versatility of Shapiro could touch the heartstrings of her listeners, and make this song her own. The other song which, to my mind, is covered and tinged with that lonesome sadness, not just of youth, is The End of the World. The songs from the Nashville sessions are tastfully constructed and very easy on the ear. Some of them are difficult to 'get out of the head' - such as Til I Hear the Truth from You and the title track, Sensational. I found myself humming these two songs on and off for weeks, and kept coming back to them. Here in your Arms, Just a Line and In my Calendar are later songs that have eluded me for many years, having lost contact for a while. Not surprisingly, they are up to the same standard that I've come to expect from Shapiro. The soft, sweet In my Calendaris one of the stand-outs for me, but how does one select just one? That is the beauty and talent of Shapiro - her voice gives class to all she sings. Even when there have been later recriminations about some of the songs she has sung over the years, being the consummate professional that she is - the listener cannot find any of her misgivings in any of the tracks on this highly reccommended compilation. Having listened to this one, you will understand how greatly undervalued Helen Shapiro has always been. Is Helen Shapiro a has-been at 16? The answer is right here on this CD - and it is a resounding - NO!!!