Petula Clark - 'Lost In You'

Petula Clark released her umpteenth album today, 'Lost In You', and (obviously) I had to buy it. Petula helped the sixties swing with her classics like 'Downtown', 'I Know A Place' and 'I Couldn't Live Without Your Love' (to name but three) and she'd already been a star in the UK and in France for a decade or two when that happened. She started off as a child star during the Second World War alongside Julie Andrews, and made films and had hits around Europe before 'Downtown' made her a global superstar.

She's always included in the list of those 60s girls like Dusty Springfield, Lulu and Sandie Shaw and all of them faltered in the 70s. Petula took to the stage and toured America in some blockbuster musicals. Throughout the decades she's kept working and still tours - I've seen her play live twice in recent years, the first time in Croydon in 2007.

Pet has been doing interviews and appearances in the last couple of months in preparation for the new record and regaling us with stories from her astonishing career. One of my favourites is how she happened to be in the same hotel as John and Yoko in 1969 and she sang on 'Give Peace A Chance'. How many trendies from the time can say that? Pet's not afraid to rock out either and has recorded a fab version of 'Pinball Wizard'.

Anyway, what's the new album like? It's a collection of new songs and a few cover versions and none of them are what you'd expect from Petula - she keeps you guessing. The record opens with 'Cut Copy Me', the sort of lead single from the album that's getting radio plays and remixes and, after three listens, I've fallen in love with. I love the line, "You're the shore line I see when I'm off course", such an unexpected line that draws you in.

Most of the songs are ballads and mid-tempo, all suited to Petula's voice now, slightly lower in tone but still an effective weapon. I love the almost country-rock of 'Never Enough', her great, measured version of 'Crazy', the tender, autobiographical 'Reflections' with Pet in great voice climbing up and down the scales. I love her version of 'Imagine' which steers well clear of being a tribute song and more a recreation of a classic song. There's something here for everyone.

And yes, Petula re-records her classic, 'Downtown'. Nothing will ever compare to her joyous, exuberant '60s song, the song that turned her global in the 60s but, you know what? Her new interpretation works and I suspect this is the version she'll be singing live in future. It's the same song but her new version is more thoughtful, almost looking back to the days of 'Downtown' in swinging London, a more gentle remembrance and no less a song for it. It's almost a wistful, 'I remember when I was downtown' rather than wanting to be downtown tonight. Give it a listen.

Anyway, take a listen to the TV ad below that features three songs and then download or buy the album. Wouldn't it be something if Petula crashed into the charts with the album or single? Go on, do it!