Track Listing

1. Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music (2007
2. I Love (2007 Digital Remaster)
3. Why Me (2007 Digital Remaster)
4. I've Got News For You (2007 Digital Remaster)
5. Hey Whatcha' Say (2007 Digital Remaster)
6. I Wish We'd All Been Ready (2007 Digital Remaster)
7. Joseph (2007 Digital Remaster)
8. Good On The Sally Army (2007 Digital Remaster)
9. Goin' Home (2007 Digital Remaster)
10. Up In Canada (2007 Digital Remaster)
11. Yes He Lives (2007 Digital Remaster)
12. When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (2007 Digital Remaster)
13. More To Life (2007 Digital Remaster)
14. There's No Power In Pity (2007 Digital Remaster)
15. Peace In Our Time (Gospel Mix: 2007 Digital Remaster)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42032 in Music
• Released on: 2007-03-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

CD Description
Recorded 20 years after Cliff Richard and the Shadows' first appearance on the British pop charts (with perhaps the country's first bona-fide home-grown rock-&-roll song, "Move It"), 1978's SMALL CORNERS again reunited the band--10 years after their previous reunion album, ESTABLISHED 1958. Both Richard and the Shadows had reestablished their commercial fortunes in the 1970s after a considerable lull during the '60s, and the tracks here reflect both their artistic confidenceand, on songs like "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music", "Yes He Lives", and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", Richard's embrace of Christianity.

Customer Reviews

Stunning soulful gospel album
This long-awaited and very much appreciated re-issue is probably Cliff's greatest gospel album and benefits from vivid, passionate musicianship, played on real instruments; thought-provoking, outstanding songs and, of course, aching soulful vocals. Cliff's voice really is one of the most beautiful in the music business, though I'm not sure he realizes this. Released in 1978, the album sounds fresh in 2007 and the sound quality is crystalline. The album opens with "Why Should The Devil", a brilliant Larry Norman rocker which drives along at breakneck speed and proclaims rock music as being the ideal genre to sing to the glory of God. Cliff is singing at the top of his range for most of the song, which is stunning. "I Love" retains the frenetic pace and expresses gratitude for God's gifts. "Why Me" is softer, with smoother, luscious vocals, but with a strong drum beat. "I've Got News For You", another furious-paced rocker, is both catchy and stirring. (I love the way that Cliff can sing really fast so you can still hear every word.) "Hey Watcha Say" is a standout, and, even more than most of the songs, gives Cliff the chance to sing at full range and sing from the inner depths of his soul. At least it sounds that way! "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" is a striking, dramatic and powerful song with intensely beautiful, almost ethereal harmonies, and is a call to repentance in preparation for the Second Coming. "Joseph" again is emotionally intense and a compelling song. Although I do not like "Good On The Sally Army" as much as the others, it is very sweet, and Cliff sounds very loving as he relates of how he was moved to join the Salvation Army. "Going Home" is a gorgeous ballad, sung as only Cliff can, with sumptuous harmonies, mmmmm! "Up In Canada" is, like the other Larry Norman compositions, a standout, telling a poignant story and once more sung with fervour and conviction, which belies music journalists' supposition that only songwriters can sing with sincerity or demonstrate creativity in music. The next song, "Yes He Lives" is a classic gospel song, and is a vibrant, gripping piece of soul music. The final original track, a version of the great hymn "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" is almost sung acapella; when Cliff sings with minimal accompaniment, his voice always sounds dominating and intense; here is no exception, he could be right in the room with you. There are three bonus tracks, and although I would have preferred something more contemporaneous (they were recorded in the 90s), each is an inspirational and beautiful song, well worth having. However, there were some tracks in the same vein as those on "Small Corners" performed live in concert at around the same time (on the stunning "Christmas With Cliff" video) such as "The Rock That Doesn't Roll" and "You'll Never Get To Heaven (by Living Like Hell)" these are awe-inspiring and it would have been nice to have these remastered and included on the cd. However, this is an incredible album as it stands and is not to be missed.

At last (part 2!)
I have been keeping an eye out for this on CD ever since I first heard it from a friend's cassette tape about seven years ago. Very glad to see it has finally appeared!
If you like 70s Christian rock music, particularly Larry Norman, then you will love this album. Cliff has never been an aggressive or political rock'n'roll performer (unlike the aforementioned Larry Norman) but there is a warmth and sincerity to these songs. Cosy, but not often cheesy. Recorded pre-1980s, these are quite organic sounding songs with proper instruments. Great you like that sort of thing!
More importantly, the Christian gospel shines through on most of these songs, something Cliff seemed reluctant to do on some of his other recordings.
The best arrangement is 'I've got news for you' with a long, dramatic fade in - and out. It's different to Larry Norman's version, and possibly an improvement. Praise indeed, as most cover versions don't match the author's version.
The acapella Beach Boys style harmony is perfect for 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross'. It's a fitting, Christ-focussed end to a very uplifting Gospel album.
The three extra tracks are from the early 1990s and have been put on this album because they are 'inspirational' songs that don't seem to fit on other albums in this re-issue series. They're worth listening to, but the 1990s production jars.
Cliff was arguably never quite this outspoken about his faith on record again - a shame.

Absolutely Fantastic
I absolutely love this album and have done since I first heard it way back in the early 80's when i was still a child. Although a "Contemporary Christian" or "Gospel" album, you do not have to be particularly religious to enjoy the wide variety of songs that range from the rock 'n roll style of Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music to the almost acapella When I survey The Wonderous Cross.

This album came right in the middle of Cliff's renaissance as a recording artist and was self-produced as his then producer, Shadow Bruce Welch, refused to have anything to do with "God songs". Subjects covered include faith, hope and even nuclear war (I Wish We'd All Been Ready), in an amazingly non-preachy way.

Highlights are I Love, a cover of Kris Kristofferson's Why Me, Lord, I wish We'd All Been Ready, Why Should The Devil and my favourite, Up In Canada.

The only criticism I have of this issue is in the choice of bonus tracks. This album was recorded in 1977/78, the bonus tracks are from 1991/1992. Why?