Customer Reviews

Hold Me in Your Arms

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Looking at the cover to Hold Me in Your Arms, you can see how similar this 1988 follow up release is to Rick Astley's phenomenally successful debut Whenever You Need Somebody - a similar shot of Rick with his name in a box and a relatively long title. And upon listening, you easily find further similarities - this is another fun, addictive Stock Aitken Waterman production that picks up where the last album left off.

"She Wants to Dance with Me" starts the album off in familiar territory - a catchy, dancey pop tune that was a top 10 hit. "Take Me to Your Heart" is an equally happy and up-tempo song that continues the Rick euphoria. Still fun and pop-ish, "I Don't Want to Lose Her" is more shallow and not as anthemic as the first two songs. "Giving Up on Love" switches to more of a groove, but again there is a lack of depth that even Rick's great voice can't fill. "Ain't to Proud to Beg" is Rick's remake for this release. While I hate it when artists mess with classics, Rick does a good job by updating the song slightly and giving it that classic Rick feel and depth. The next song, "Till Then (Time Stands Still)," returns to the happy, up-beat pop formula that had worked so well for Rick. The sugar high continues with the happy yet trite "Dial My Number." The lyrics "Just pick up the phone and dial my number" always bothered me for some reason - Rick can do better. "I'll Never Let You Down" is a strong, flowing song, but it lacks a little depth on the orchestration that Rick's voice almost fills. With a funky r&b groove, "I Don't Want to be Your Lover" gets back to the formula and is a fun, danceable attitude song. The album concludes on a strong note with the title track "Hold Me in Your Arms," this release's version of "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man." It is a fantastic, beautiful song that really showcases Rick's talent; this should have been another huge hit.

An enjoyable release, I give Hold Me in Your Arms 4 stars. It is very easy to compare this release to Rick's first release since the sound is so similar (Stock Aitken Waterman strike again). I love the sound, but it didn't progress or take further advantage of Rick's talent. Furthermore, the content and style starts wearing a bit thin, resulting in more songs that miss the mark slightly. However, there are a lot of strong songs on this release. And despite my criticisms, it is still a fun, head-boppin' kind of album that has me singing along every time.

If you are new to Rick Astley, and you are interested because of his light rock radio standards, I would first recommend Rick's debut album Whenever You Need Somebody. If you love that release and it leaves you wanting more of the same, then definitely buy Hold Me in Your Arms - it is well worth the money.

[Please note that, without a track listing shown here, I am assuming this import version has the same 10 songs as the original 1988 US release.]

Thank you Edsel for bringing together what is, as far as I know, EVERY mix of all the SAW/Rick Astley productions on the reissues of his first two albums, including classic non-album tracks like "My Arms Keep Missing You." It's great to see that several labels are seriously digging into the SAW archives and releasing many of these 12 mixes on CD for the first time ever--but Edsel has gone above and beyond, leaving no stone unturned, where as many of the other recent SAW releases have not been as thorough. Track listing for this 2-CD set is:

CD1

1-01 She Wants To Dance With Me 3:14
1-02 Take Me To Your Heart 3:27
1-03 I Don't Want To Lose Her 3:31
1-04 Giving Up On Love 4:01
1-05 Ain't Too Proud To Beg / Put Yourself In My Place 4:19
1-06 Till Then (Time Stands Still) 3:14
1-07 Dial My Number 4:09
1-08 I'll Never Let You Down 3:55
1-09 I Don't Want To Be Your Lover 3:58
1-10 Hold Me In Your Arms 4:32
1-11 My Arms Keep Missing You 3:14
1-12 I'll Be Fine 3:44
1-13 She Wants To Dance With Me (Extended Mix) 7:14
1-14 Take Me To Your Heart (Autumn Leaves Mix) 6:38
1-15 My Arms Keep Missing You (The No L Mix) 6:46
1-16 Hold Me In Your Arms (Extended Mix) 7:37
1-17 Rick's Hit Mix (Megamix) 5:49

CD2

2-01 My Arms Keep Missing You (The "Where's Harry?" Remix) 3:15
2-02 Giving Up On Love (7" R&B Mix) 4:07
2-03 She Wants To Dance With Me (Bordering On A Collie Mix) 6:04
2-04 Take Me To Your Heart (The Dick Dastardly Mix) 6:59
2-05 Hold Me In Your Arms (Hold Me In Your Prayers Mix) 6:53
2-06 Giving Up On Love (12" R&B Extended Mix) 7:08
2-07 My Arms Keep Missing You (Bruno's Mix) 6:15
2-08 She Wants To Dance With Me (US Remix) 5:42
2-09 Giving Up On Love (12" Pop Extended Mix) 7:18
2-10 She Wants To Dance With Me (Dave Ford Remix) 5:00
2-11 My Arms Keep Missing You (Dub) 4:54
2-12 Giving Up On Love (12" Dub Mix) 5:00
2-13 She Wants To Dance With Me (Instrumental) 4:53
2-14 Take Me To Your Heart (Instrumental) 3:27

Rick never lost any of his punch with his second album, "Hold me in your arms". The first single of this album "ain't to proud to beg" went top 3 in October 1988, on the AMS top 20, and also scored modestly on the ARIA charts. This album also contains "take me to your heart" and "She wants to dance with me", which both come across with heavily infectious dance grooves. Other monster album tracks include, "Dial my number" and "Giving up on love", both good upbeat multi harmony sounding songs. Other tracks worth mentioning are "hold me in your arms", "Till then (time stands still", and "I don't wanna loose you"

This disc comes across with a good consistency of dance hits and love ballads.

Rick Astley is AWESOME!!! All of his music is Great! This album is no exception.

This collection contains some of Ricks greatest hits, it also includes bonus tracks, rare extended mixes and instrumentals. Non-album B side songs and remixes never released to album can only be found on this 2 CD edition. Digitally remasterd and has AWESOME sound that should not be missed!!! Don't forget to check out Tom Parkers booklet that features full annotation as well as the single sleeves photos!! Rick and Edsel Records have put together a fantastic collection of old and new memories not to be missed! This 2 CD set well is worth the import price and should be in your collection!!!

'Saw the Brit a couple of days ago on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; thus, I decided to "revisit" the two albums of his in collection: this one and his debut album, mentioned in the title.

"Hold Me in Your Arms" retreads the same format as Astley's debut: driving rhythms, soulful instrumentations, and the singer's great baritone. Though not quite as strong as his first, the songs are still representative of the era and provide a nostalgic trip back to the 80's, the last decade of pretty good pop music.

The surprising cut is Astley's cover of The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." It gives an idea of what the singer could do with an all-covers album, so popular now with the the likes of Michael McDonald and Barry Manilow doing the same.

"She wants to dance with me" written by Rick and "I don't wanna lose her" are great songs. I also like the two other SAW songs ("Take me to your heart" & "Till then"). Other songs written by Rick are quite poor.

Some great fun dance music! on this one, Rick's strong vocals delivers on this one.

"Apart from 'She Wants to Dance With Me,' Astley's second album didn't have songs as strong as those on his debut. Most of the album was pleasant dance-pop filler, showing the weaknesses of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman production team. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide" [refers to Album Release Date: 1989 Label: RCA/PWL]

I love this CD, owned the tape long time ago. Its pure pop with a touch of soul. Rick Astley has a really profound voice songs like, "Hold me in your arms", "I'll never let you down", "She wants to Dance with me" and "Ain't to proud to beg" remain my favourites from this CD. A real feel good album to listen to, give it a try.