Portrait [Import]

Rick Astley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Bmg Europe
• ASIN: B000B8TOTE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,188 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vincent

2. And I Love You So

3. Portrait Of My Love

4. Where Do I Begin

5. These Foolish Things

6. Cry Me A River

7. Nature Boy

8. Close To You

9. You Belong To Me

10. Make It Easy On Yourself

11. Somewhere

12. Can't Help Falling In Love

13. What The World Needs Now

Editorial Reviews

He was the man who defined a generation with his soulful voice and boy next door good looks. Now multi-million selling boy wonder Rick Astley is back with his incredible album, Portrait - a distinguished collection of classic songs sung to perfection by a voice that is once heard, never forgotten. The album boasts a well thought out selection of beautiful, timeless songs, including Don McLean’s 'Vincent', The Walker Brothers’ 'Make It Easy On Yourself' and the inimitable theme from Love Story, 'Where Do I Begin'. Sony BMG. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, Outstanding, Artistic, December 7, 2009

By 

Bill Anthony "billjbfan" (North Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Portrait (Audio CD)

Rick and his producer have created a wonderful album, with an amazing mix
of classic tunes from various eras. Mostly simple instrumentation, but very
original and interesting. Rick sings beautifully and with loads of soul.
Where Do I Begin (Love Story), These Foolish Things, and Vincent are standouts.

Also check out his fantastic "comeback" album from 2001, "Keep It Turned On",
which unfortunately is out of print and very hard to find.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a Great Production, Song Arrangement of great classics could be Hard to Swallow, July 4, 2006

By 

Leonard Lau (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Portrait (Audio CD)

I bought this album yesterday and was so looking forward to put it into my CD player with great anticipation and excitement with all the great song choice seen on the back cover. I grew up in the 80's and have lots of fond memories in high-school and Rick Astley songs. I was disappointed however with this album.

Firstly, the "counry-pop" and "soft-rock" arrangement of great classics such as 'Vincent', 'And I Loved You So' and 'Close To You' are very insulting to listen too. I couldn't stop saying, in shock "Oh my god! oh my god!" and skipped to the next track; hoping very hard that it will go uphill from next track onwards.

Unfortunately not. The "hip-hop" treatment to 'Where Do I Begin' and 'What the World Needs Now' is also very hard to swallow.

The "street guitar strumming busking" style of Ms Streisand's "Somewhere" reminded me of the busking entertainment at Sydney Central train station (especially the first 4 bars intro using same chord); not '... peace and quiet and open air...'.

I liked the Bossanova version of "These Foolish Things" and "Nature Boy".

I asked myself, why Jamie Cullum's re-arrangement of "I could have danced all night" and "Singing in the Rain" worked perfectly, but not Rick Astley's attempt? The arranger of all these tracks have a lot to answer.

The acid test, perhaps is to send this album to the idol judge Simon Cowell for an overall verdict to see what would come out from his mouth; to Ms Barbara Streisand to listen to track "Somewhere", and to Ms Dionne Warwick to review "What the World Needs Now'.

That would be an interesting exercise.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Whyyyy Rick ? Whyyyyyyyy ???, January 19, 2006

By 

L. garrett - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Portrait (Audio CD)

This cd should come with a warning "DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY WHILE LISTENING". This collection has about as
much sizzle as a seven day old open can of pop. At first listen i could hardly tell where "vincent" ended and "Love you so" began!, mainly due to the sparse acoustic production style which
falls way flat. I found my ears straining for other instruments to join in. And If you expect to hear his bold and firey baritone vocals here...forget it. Rick is singing in his sleep
on this one. This is such a dissapointment while knowing what great things he can do with that voice when paired with the right production. Recall "Body and Soul","Waiting for the bell to Ring", "Hoplessly","Cry for Help". These beautifully astounding songs proved Astley had branched successfully beyond his earlier dance artist fame. This collection however takes him and many of his fans nowhere fast.