Cliff Richard

Pop singer Cliff Richard never achieved the superstar status in the United States that he enjoyed at home in England, but he did have a handful of memorable hits. Two of those hits, "Dreaming" and "A Little in Love," came from 1980's I'm No Hero. Producer/arranger/bass guitarist Alan Tarney wrote most of the songs on I'm No Hero, a pleasant pop album. The Top Ten single "Dreaming" -- co-written by Tarney and '70s pop star Leo Sayer -- is a brilliantly catchy song with a great chorus and passionately aching vocals from Richard throughout. "A Little in Love" is more easygoing but no less enjoyable. "Take Another Look" and "In the Night" are winners too. Richard and Tarney stretch pop's elasticity with interesting arrangements on "I'm No Hero" (with hints of rockabilly, ska, and new wave) and the ballad "A Heart Will Break Tonight." The cover of the original U.S. I'm No Hero album features a shadowy photograph of Richard, whereas the U.K. CD reissue uses a silly illustration picturing Richard as a boxer. This U.K. CD also includes the B-sides "Dynamite" and "Keep On Looking" as bonus tracks. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide