Cliff & The Shadows "Michelle"

[Teflon]

I've always had a huge soft spot for the early Cliff & Shads numbers, and thought I'd heard all of them (and got most of them in one format or another). However, I stumbled over this little number on Youtube earlier today, which I've never heard before :



Does anyone here know anything about it? I'm guessing it's from around 1960 or so. Was it ever released? Can't believe it passed me by, and I'm now wondering what else I've missed. To my ears, it sounds like something that may have been intended for the "Me & My Shadows" album, or possibly "Listen to Cliff", but was perhaps not considered strong enough for either.

Cliff

[UlrichS]

On Youtube:

“Michelle” – Cliff Richard & The Shadows

Composer Unknown
Recorded September, 1960
Produced by Norrie Paramor

From the 2012 album, “The Early Years” which was
part of the 2008 box set for Sir Cliff’s 50th anniversary

Previously unreleased

Jet Harris MBE – bass guitar
Hank Marvin – lead guitar
Tony Meehan – drums, percussion
Bruce Welch OBE – rhythm guitar

[MeBHank]

What a sound! Hank at his early best. Just listen to the musicality and maturity in his playing. Fantastic sound all-round from the Shads, in fact, and wonderfully recorded.

Thank you for sharing this find, Cliff; this one had slipped past me.

[iefje]

It was recorded on September the 20th, 1960 at Abbey Road Studios and released in September, 2008 on the 8 CD/78 rpm single "1958-2008...And They Said It Wouldn't Last! – My 50 Years In Music". I remember buying this set brand new very shortly after its release, only to find that the replica of Cliff Richard & The Drifters' 78 rpm vinyl single "Schoolboy Crush"/"Move It" wasn't included! Fortunately, the seller was able to provide me with one afterwards.
I truly great release by EMI Records this was (and still is), as it featured a wealth of previously unreleased material, rare B-sides and EP tracks which appeared on CD for the first time, first stereo issues of certain tracks and Cliff's set from the 1973 Japanese double LP "Cliff 'Live' In Japan '72", which includes Marvin & Farrar's "Backscratcher".

[MikeAB]

Available on iTunes 'The Early Years (2010 remaster)'

[JimN]

I'm hearing the sound of Peace Pipe and Lessons In Love there...

[MeBHank]

I'm hearing the sound of Peace Pipe and Lessons In Love there...

Likewise, Jim. Also Mustang. I find this an extremely interesting piece; there are features/techniques that I hadn't expected to hear on such an early track.

[GoldenStreet]

I'm hearing the sound of Peace Pipe and Lessons In Love there...

Likewise, Jim. Also Mustang. I find this an extremely interesting piece; there are features/techniques that I hadn't expected to hear on such an early track.

Mustang was recorded at the same session.

Bill

[Teflon]

What a sound! Hank at his early best. Just listen to the musicality and maturity in his playing. Fantastic sound all-round from the Shads, in fact, and wonderfully recorded..........

I know just what you mean. I have always LOVED this era of Cliff & The Shads - they really had a unique, distinctive sound and style. The "Me & My Shadows" album, and the tracks featuring The Shadows on the "Listen To Cliff" LP represent the highpoint of their recordings for me. One of the reasons I was so pleased to stumble over this track, and surprised that I had'nt heard it before

It was recorded on September the 20th, 1960 at Abbey Road Studios ..............

So 62 years and 2 days before I posted. Wish I'd found it a couple of days earlier now!

Cliff