CILLA BLACK -- 1963-1973: THE ABBEY ROAD DECADE (EMI ZONOPHONE/UK IMPORT) (7/26/99) In the Brian Epstein stable of talent that included the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer, Cilla Black was really out of sync. She wasn't a rock 'n' roller, but a pop stylist. Her producer, George Martin, who recognized the right material for the Beatles, did the same thing for Cilla, which gave her a long string of hits. Starting with a Lennon and McCartney song, "Love of the Loved," Cilla became a well-known presence on the pop charts. Though it's not surprising that she recorded several Lennon and McCartney songs and had hits with a few ("Step Inside Love", "It's For You"), she did just as well with non-LMc tunes. Her version of "Alfie" is more well known outside of the U.S. as the definitive version of the song. (The 1998 Abbey Road Studios documentary includes footage of composer Burt Bacharach pushing her to perfection during the recording session.) This wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable three-disc set is the most comprehensive review of her career. It includes both sides of all her singles, plus plenty of early recordings and rarities. Of special interest to Beatle fans, it features covers of "Love of the Loved," "It's For You," "Yesterday" and "For No One," plus four versions of "Step Inside Love": the original demo with Paul McCartney on acoustic guitar and backup (he's heard humming in the background), the first recorded take, the master take and a version in Italian. The set really serves two purposes: It gives a great overview of Cilla's career as a pop singer, and evidence that George Martin's was a master of more than rock 'n' roll music (but then, we all knew that). Today, Cilla remains a big name in the U.K. In 1997, she was recognized officially with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Entertainment and an Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II. These recordings, however, stand as what will be her legacy. And a great one it is. (July '99)