Way back on July 26, The Second Disc reported on the rumored news that Collectors' Choice Music was planning an expansive two-CD collection which would feature all of Petula Clark's Warner Bros. singles recorded between 1964 and 1970. These plans were confirmed on September 13.
After prominent placement in the label's September and October catalogues displaying the finalized artwork and track listing, the Clark release disappeared from Collectors' Choice's website.
Your humble correspondent is disappointed to now bring the news that Petula Clark: The Complete Warner Bros. Singles has officially been cancelled. Collectors' Choice's Senior VP and GM Gordon Anderson was kind enough to confirm to The Second Disc that "at the eleventh hour, Petula's management decided that they did not want the project to come out."
The label's similar projects for the Warner Bros. catalogues of Shelby Flint, Joanie Sommers and Connie Stevens are still scheduled for release and available for pre-ordering at the above links. The Second Disc will continue to report on Collectors' Choice's exciting plans for catalogue fans, both on the main label and imprints including the burgeoning made-to-order Tartare division. It should be noted that free standard shipping is still available on all of the label's products through October 10.
Sean Anglum says
News of this cancellation is such a shame! My collection is littered with some sketchy compilations of Pet's hits, including that atrocious Buddah release from a few years back.... I was really looking forward to this new release not only for Pet's magnificent voice, but relive the groundbreaking and inventive arrangements from Tony Hatch. Damn. Hope they reconsider at some point.
Joe Marchese says
Well said, Sean. I know that CCM is as disappointed as we are; I simply can't fathom why Petula (or her "people") would put a stop to a celebration of some of her finest work, especially in this current music biz climate where so many worthy titles aren't even considered for reissue. The Clark/Hatch partnership was one of pop's finest, and much of their work together is now out-of-print. I, too, hope the project might be reactivated at some point.
Tom says
I, too, am disappointed. I ordered it but when I received no response, I knew something was up.
I find it odd that this collection, which would encompass all of Clark's WB singles, is cancelled considering the plethora of Clark collections out there. This one would have raised the bar.
Brian says
Why don't we all email Petula and ask her to reconsider this decision? You can contact her through LaurieZ@PetulaClark.net.
In addition, why don't we register on Petula's website bulletin board on PetulaClark.net and post about it there?