Customer Reviews

Picture Book

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cd is one of the very best first recordings by any artist and it is issued here in this amazing Collector's Edition. Simply Red has always been underrated here in the US. They have had the random huge single but overall successs here has not happened. Such a loss. This is quality r@b, jazz and pop in its purest form. Mike Hucknall has very emotive vocals and a very intense range.

Sadly, Simply Red has said that they shall be recording no more new sets. A great loss but these excelent collector's editions of their best albums helps ease the pain. This, their first album, is presented here digitally remastered for superior sound quality. It also introduces us to the group with hits such as MONEY'S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION, HOLDING BACK THE YEARS and HEAVEN. There are also some other excellent cuts such as SAD OLD RED and LOOK AT YOU NOW. The cd also contains 5 bonus tracks which are remixes of the albums top cuts. Quality music and an excellent introduction to the group.

But this is not all. There is also a dvd of Simply Red performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1986. It's an amazing dvd with 19 cuts. The sound and picture are amazing and Simply red are even better live. This collector's edition is a must have for any Simply Red fan or fan of quality jazz/r@b.

Highly recommend.

This is what I think of as a great album from an underrated band. Maybe not their best, but well worth a listen. Included is the wonderful and moving "Holding Back The Years", one of their best songs ever, and probably most popular. "Money's Too Tight (to mention)" is another well known song, and rather upbeat. I also really enjoy the cover of "Heaven", as it's one of my favorite Talking Heads songs. The rest holds up well, and is still a good listen after all this time. If you're looking for more than the "Greatest Hits", give it a try.

Since my dad died early this year, I've, without thinking, gravitated towards a lot of 1980s music. I hated a lot of this on release--was listening to 1960s music--and when I hear Loverboy or Poison, or Micheal Jackson, no, I was not missing much.

Simply Red is a band that DOES require reexamination, up tip top with Scriti Politi or Prefab Sprout. or, as I'm enthusiastically discovering, Prince.

Playing Picture Book, you almost immediately stop thinking of this as "80s music" and start hearing a great synergy of pop--that's melody and incredibly aligned chord progressions, not schoolgirl hairpuff fluff--and soul. Listen, for example, to the almost gospel backup on "Out Of My Head," a fantastic hook for soul of any era.

This is a 1980s album with unmistakably 80s production, and if that is the kick of it for listeners, that's great. I did not have a great time as a disabled person in high school, but if you had a blast and this music blasts you back, bonus points for you. The soul moves here are highlighted particularly well here with the periods bell clear, then new digital production.

Music, nostalgia, reexamination, we listen to all kinds of music for all kinds of reasons, and bring these reasons to the music before the music begins. But whatever you bring to Picture Book, this music will enhance those reasons to listen, and give you many more.

I don't understand what the story about a deadbeat dad and raising his kid has to do with this album, but hey.

"Jericho" and "Look at You Now" are just as worthy of praise as this album's more famous hit singles. The former of these I truly missed during Simply Red's last European tour, though Mick's great stage presence and repertoire surely made up for it.

I was just 14 or 15 when this first came out.
A neighbour of mine kept playing it really loud. It reminds me of my teenage years.
Love all the songs, especially " Holding back the years" and " Come to my aid"
Essential late night music!

This CD flows so well!! This is one of those CDs you put on and kick back with the one that you love. My favorite track is "Moneys Too Tight (to mention). I also love "Holding Back the years" and "No Direction". A true must have. Simply great!!

I'll admit, I bought this LP to get Holding Back The Years,but I was surprised to find this band does so many different styles of music. I became an instant fan. Because each song is so completely different, it had the most variety of any album since SgtPepper. It had Funk/Disco (Moneys Too Tight/Come To My Aid)-Disco songs with deep lyrics? It had 40's niteclub jazz-Sad Old Red. The title track was gothic with reggae drums. Open Up The Red Box is like James Brown. Heaven is straight blues. No Direction and Look At You Now are straight ahead rockers. Nevertheless, if you like albums that take you on a journey, this is one.They never did a complete album this good again, but songs like Fairground and Hillside Avenue from the 1995 cd LIFE come close in originality.

I happened upon this album when my sister loaned it to me for a cross country drive. Within 3000 miles it was worn out. One of the most exciting blends of music from one band I've ever come across. You'll love it!

Needless to say, this is the first album by an act which has rarely been paralleled in popular music, Simply Red. Though it didn't begin this way, the group has proven to be the main vehicle for a truly unique talent, Mick Hucknall. Picture Book is a no-frills, seamless 1985 R&B record. Certainly worthy of any accolades it received either in the US or the UK, especially as it includes one of Simply Red's most identifiable singles, "Holding Back the Years."

I've got to say though, when I first heard Mick's singing, I did not think he was a male, British readhead. I thought he was an African American woman like Aretha Franklin or Big Mama Thornton. In fact, the only song on which he sounded to me like what he is was "Holding Back the Years." This is by no means a criticism, but I consider it just one example of how good a singer/musician he is.

This is just a great album. I had a copy from LP, cassette and now CD. I've made a copy of the CD and play that so the orignal doesn't get scratched.