Customer Reviews

Pages

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When Mr. Mister burst on the scene in 1985 with their chart-topping hit, "Broken Wings," they were heralded as the best new group on the radio. Funny thing was, Richard Page and keyboardist Steve George were anything but an overnight success. The two had previously collaborated in a group called Pages, which issued its first album back in 1978.

The first self-titled Pages album is one of the best examples of soft-rock/pop-fusion made during the late '70s. Mr. Mister fans looking for a sound similar to "Welcome To The Real World" will be disappointed, but not for long. Although this cross-genre approach made the album commercially invisible, it was a star-studded masterpiece. Lovingly produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears veteran Bobby Colomby, the album has a very soft, soothing feel to it, blended with intricate, jazzy instrumentals and bluesy chord progressions. "Cleary Kim" leads off the album with funky chords and guitar work reminiscent of some of the popular Bee Gees hits of the day. "This Is For The Girls" is a slow but captivating tune with compelling vocal harmonizing (with Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire). There are some straightforward pop-oriented songs, like "Listen For The Love" and "If I Saw You Again", but even these have a very fine texture. "Room At The Top" is an early effort by Page and George to show their somewhat harder-edged rock side later so prominent in Mr. Mister. The album is accented by the beautiful string arrangement work by Dave Grusin on tracks like "Interlude" and "Love Dance." The standout track, and the single originally released from the album, was the closing number, "I Get It From You," highlighted by the intimate and intricate instrumentation and Richard Page's moving vocals.

Pages -- the album -- is the kind of album you play on a night when you're relaxed with the lights turned down low, preferably with the rain falling outside. It's a true mood-setting masterpiece. It's a hard one to find, but it's well worth the effort to find it. Also look for the other two Pages albums: Future Street (1979), and Pages (1981).

"If even this one doesn't get noticed we might as well stop", Richard Page and Steve George must have thought. Catchy songs packed with good ideas & variation. Perfectly played as you can expect from these studio tigers, but: was anybody out there listening?

My favorites are "O.C.O.E." and "Tell me" (complex and experimental) and "You need a hero", "Come on home", "Only a dreamer" and "Fearless" (these ballads are a strong point when you have Richard Page as a singer), while the uptempo "Sesatia" and "Automatic" add variation but do sound a bit dated.

A true alltime favorite. And the global succes of Mr. Mister brought the recognition after all...

This is the Japanese CD that has been auctioned for as much as $300.00 due to the very limited press that was done back in 1990 on Toshiba EMI (Japan).

It has now been re-released and will be a collectors item for all Pages and Mr. Mister fans!

I just got mine and am very happy to have this as part of my Westcoast music collection.

Jay Graydon on guitar rocks!!!

Before attaining huge commercial success with Mr. Mister, session cats Richard Page and Steve George made three albums as members of the group Pages. This album, originally released in 1981, is the last of the three.

This album is flat-out late '70s/ early '80s style West Coast pop-rock--think Toto, Doobie Brothers, etc.--and it's flawlessly professional in terms of the performances, which are very tight, and the musicianship is extremely accomplished. Unfortunately, the songwriting is inconsistent. Plus, overly slick vocals tend to crop up, as on the choruses of "Tell Me" and "Only A Dreamer", which frustratingly hinders the album's emotional impact.

There are some irresistible songs here. The album-opening "You Need A Hero", which has an ingenious chorus bass line, is a terrific blue-eyed-soul pop-rocker that sounds exactly like then-contemporary Ambrosia--imagine a cross between "Biggest Part Of Me" and "You're The Only Woman" with Joe Puerta, instead of David Pack, on lead vocals. "O.C.O.E. (Official Cat of the Eighties)" is a slightly corny, but amusingly clever song that's rhythmically infectious and ultra-catchy. And although it's rather sappy, "Come On Home" is an engagingly tuneful ballad with an arrestingly elegant atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the album as a whole doesn't live up to the standard of its best tracks. The galloping "Sesatia" is weighed down by lame lyrics, and it has an out-of-place sickly-sweet chorus. The fast-paced rocker "Automatic" sounds like a feeble Cars imitation, bordering on tuneless. Also, the album closing ballad "Midnight Angel" is tedious and sappy.

Ultimately, this album does yield some rewards if you're a fan of that West Coast sound, so it's worth picking up if you see an inexpensive vinyl copy in nice condition.

People who love this album (I am one of them) believe it is one of the top 10 pop albums ever made. Everything clicks, from the choice of rhythm sections to the arrangements to the solos, and the songs are complex and intriguing. I have had this album (first on vinyl) for almost 25 years, and if I were stuck on an island and could only choose one album, I think this would be it.

Anyone who followed groove-oriented AOR/Pop/Jazz from '76 on knows this is the pinnacle of invention for that sound:amazing vocals and harmonies,the best of session-players,thick and substantial arrangements by Pages and the incomparable Jay Graydon,and one of the most haunting ballads I know-"Midnight Angel",with Al Jarreau doing this beautiful Vocoder thing(he might just be singing through a tube into an ARP2600-I'm not sure,but the effect is something).I thought also mention that I purchased this same re-master through CDQuest for $22.00

I first heard a friend's copy of this album on vinyl (remember vinyl?) in the 80's. It was already out of print by then so after trying to find a copy in the second hand shops and trying to get a copy directly from the record company (I'll never try THAT again!) I made a tape copy and literally wore it out over the years. I also didn't get the last song on the tape which was a nice surprise when I finally got the CD.

I waited for YEARS for this to be rereleased and happliy paid the 30.00+ dollars for the import without a moment's hesitation. Songs like Sessatia and You Need a Hero and Only a Dreamer will stay with you. A MUST for any collector of great american popular music.

Without a doubt, one of the 10 most essential West Coast albums of all time! While the mainstream didn't take notice of Pages until they morphed into Mr. Mister, a couple us were digging on them from this debut album.

"I Get It From You" fit quite nicely in the weekly playlist between the likes of Toto, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Little Feat and Fleetwood Mac.

A very even and well crafted album.....and if you were lucky enough to score one of the promo copies with passes to their debut gig at L.A's Roxy....very collectible too!

For any true fan of the West Coast genre: All three PAGES albums are "must have's" for your collection. Grooves like "You Need A Hero" and "Tell Me" will always draw you back for another listen. While there may no longer be any sleepy coastal radio stations in Southern California to carry this format - thank goodness that there is an overseas movement dedicated to reissuing albums like these.

I have seen a few reviews of this first effort by Pages that describe it as a soft SteelyDan type album. I disagree. The first 2 Pages albums are chocked full of rock and jazz arrangements, great vocals and wonderful production. My sister lived in Philly and told me they were popular there. In a nutshell, if you like good music with versatile arrangements and top musicianship buy this and the second album by Pages. There is is a third album that I feel is more of an attempt to get more radio play but still good.