A 1992 CD compilation titled for Cliff Richard's 1977 hit single, My Kinda Life is an intriguing mix of post mid-'70s recordings, heavy on the hits (of course) but also dipping into album tracks as well, to provide a well-rounded portrait of the man's second coming. Prior to this period, after all, Richard was in serious danger of disappearing into a sea of syrupy MOR meaninglessness; he had, in fact, already disappeared from any credible gauge of relevance. But "Devil Woman" reawakened his own understanding of his musical worth -- as the opening song says, he was "Born to Rock 'n' Roll," and from that point forward, "My Kinda Life," "We Don't Talk Anymore," "Hotshot," and "Carrie" illustrate the strength with which he carried on. Too many key hits are absent for this to stand as any kind of definitive testament to Richard's later years, but anybody seeking a helpful introduction to the era -- and maybe some understanding of how he's kept going for so long -- could do worse than pick up this 14-song set.
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