Dave Clark's TIME : The Musical (1986)

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"TIME" was an eighties musical developed by English musician, songwriter and record producer Dave Clark, leader and drummer of the group The Dave Clark Five who scored several hits alongside The Beatles.
With a massive production and modern stage production including a big steel set with hydraulic lift and filmed holographics, "Time" debuted in april of 1986 at London’s Dominion Theatre with great success.
However, "Time" never received an original London Cast Recording with Clark opting instead to release the show’s score as a star-filled, two-LP studio concept album prior to the London opening. The 'who’s who' from the rock&pop field of those years were enlisted; Cliff Richard, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Leo Sayer, Julian Lennon, Chris Thompson and Dionne Warwick among others.

"Time" tells the story of the Rock Star named Chris Wilder (Cliff Richard) who has been transported with his band from one of their concerts on Earth to the 'High Court of the Universe' in the Andromeda Galaxy. There they face three judges to defend the Earth in the case of the 'Time Lord vs. the people of the planet Earth', to demonstrate why the Earth should be allowed to continue it's existence. But in fact, it's a beautiful, deep philosophical understanding of life told through a Rock fable.
Apart from the interesting story, the music and performances are truly great. Ranging from rockers to commercial rock&pop tunes, you'll be surprised by these artists showing a different side from what they are mostly known. There's really good vocal appearances by Richard, Mercury, Julian Lennon but also less famous names as Leo Sayer, Jimmy Helms or John Christie, all delivering a superb output.
The tracks are constructed in a 'song format', while some spoken parts in between by actor Sir Laurence Olivier (excellent) carries the concept of the story. Production is top notch, with a typical mid-eighties glossy treatment.


Unfortunately, "Time" never was released on CD. Apparently Dave Clark hates compact disc having refused every offer to bring this monster project to the format over the years. Anyway, celebrating the musical's 25th anniversary last year, he put a reissue in digital format exclusively on iTunes featuring new edits and several alternate mixes.
This in NOT that version, this is my own rip from the original analog release which has come out pretty decent.
Added as bonuses are Freddie Mercury's main theme "Time" and "In My Defence" (both top 40 in the UK Singles Chart) in two different versions appeared later on CD in 'The Freddie Mercury Album' and 'The Very Best Of Freddie Mercury Solo'. Very close friends, Dave Clark was the only person present aside his bed when Freddie died in 1991.
"TIME" is a fantastic piece of music suitable for all audiences. I'm sure all the lovers of the good sounds following this blog will enjoy this music with infinite pleasure.


ACT I
01 - Cliff Richard - Born To Rock 'n' Roll
02 - Ashford & Simpson - Time Talkin'
03 - Freddie Mercury - Time
04 - Laurence Olivier - Music Of The Spheres
05 - The Judges - Law Of The Universe
06 - John Christie - Time Lord Theme
07 - John Christie - The Charge
08 - Leo Sayer - One Human Family
09 - Dionne Warwick - What On Earth
10 - Leo Sayer - I Know, I Know
11 - Jimmy Helms - Your Brother In Soul
12 - John Christie - Case For The Prosecution
13 - Ashford & Simpson - Star Maker
14 - Julian Lennon - Time Will Teach Us All (feat. Stevie Wonder)
15 - John Christie - I Object
16 - Freddie Mercury - In My Defense

TIME - ACT I



ACT II
01 - Dionne Warwick - Within My World
02 - Julian Lennon - Because
03 - Jimmy Helms - Move The Judge
04 - Cliff Richard - She's So Beautiful (feat. Stevie Wonder)
05 - Laurence Olivier - Beauty, Truth, Love, Freedom, Peace
06 - Julian Lennon - If You Only Knew
07 - Murray Head - We're The UFO
08 - Laurence Olivier - The Theme From "Time"
09 - John Christie - Harmony
10 - Freddie Mercury - The Return (Time reprise)
11 - Cliff Richard - It's In Every One Of Us
EXTRAS:
Freddie Mercury - Time (acoustic guitar single version)
Freddie Mercury - In My Defence (single version)
Freddie Mercury - Time (original single version)
Freddie Mercury - In My Defence (2000 Remix)

TIME - ACT II


The Earth Group: Cliff Richard, Freddie Mercury, Julian Lennon, Leo Sayer, Jimmy Helms, Ashford & Simpson
Louise: Dionne Warwick
Akash, the Ultimate Word in Truth: Laurence Olivier
Melchisedic, The Time Lord: John Christie
The Judges: Murray Head, Ashford & Simpson, Chris Thompson, Miriam Stockley, Michael Mullins



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