Something To Shout About

Reissue of a 1965 LP, with many bonus tracks. In the U.K., Lulu first reached stardom as a gutsy belter of R&B tunes, delivered with a maturity and soulfulness that belied her teenage years. This 20-song compilation of material from 1964 to 1966 is the best CD reissue of her early work, although it's missing some of her better cuts. It includes her two mid-'60s British Top Ten hits, a cover of the Isley Brothers' "Shout" and the mid-tempo pop/soul tune "Leave a Little Love." Elsewhere, you get the spunky "I'll Come Running Over," which features Jimmy Page on guitar, and a raunchy cover of the obscure Rolling Stones song "Surprise Surprise" (also featuring Page). Most intriguing of all is the original version of "Here Comes the Night," later a hit for Them. Lulu performs it as an overwrought, pull-out-the-stops orchestral ballad; it's not nearly as successful as Van Morrison's rendition, but it's worth hearing. Unfortunately, this compilation doesn't include her surprisingly superb cover of "Heat Wave" from the same era. ~ Richie Unterberger|