Customer Reviews

Secret of Association

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Paul Young was one of the better singers to come from the 1980's. Although he will best be remembered in America for his two hits "Come Back And Stay" and "Everytime You Go Away", he was much more. His 1985 cd The Secret of Association is probably his best. His debut as a solo artist, 1983's No Parlez is also very good, but I think it lacks the maturity of The Secret of Association. There are so many great songs on this cd like "Everytime You Go Away (by Daryl Hall)", "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down", "Standing On The Edge", "Soldier's Things (by Tom Waits)", "Hot Fun", "One Step Forward" and "Everything Must Change." Paul was at his very best here. This is a must have for any rock collector.

Oftentimes reviewers try to make a case why a record is "important" or "relevant". Well, not me on this record. This is unabashedly just plain perfect pop. Well-crafted melodies, varied arrangements, some great musicianship (Pino Palladino!!!); in other words, simply enjoying the sound and not having to worry about anything for 45 minutes. Do the lyrics mean anything deep? What is the place of this record in pop history? Who cares if the music is this perfect.

This album is great. Soldier's Things still blows my mind and I wore out the vinyl years ago. Fun, serious, soul, techno...there's a bit of everything and Mr. Young pulls it all off with panache!

I suppose there are two types of folks ending up on this page; those looking for this album/artist and those ending up here in a more roundabout way, say through a "related items" link.

For fans, you simply must buy this! The sound quality is about as good as it gets, and those who remember this seminal album will be very happy indeed. For those of us who never heard the remixes, they're a nice addition. It's well worth the price.

For others not so familiar with this album, you simply must buy this! Paul received a best male vocal Grammy for this album and for good reason. His vocals show a great range and soulfulness.

As for the songs themselves, only one really falls a little to deeply into 80's bubblegum pop (Hot Fun). Otherwise it's a fantastic example of how 80's pop can be done very, very right. Most are mid-tempo or slow, although the word "ballad" doesn't really fit any except maybe "Every Time You Go Away." That may sound boring, but the songs are so musically inventive and so eloquently sung that boring is never a word that comes to mind. And "Tear Your Playhouse Down" is a real jumper that is so catchy, and musically interesting, that you simply must crank it up.

Although it's easy to dismiss most 80's pop as trash and one hit wonders, this is an album that clearly rises above the stereotypes. It's great music that really engages the ear, lyrics that make you want to listen, and soulful singing that brings it all together in a masterful way.

Although I knew Paul Young prior to The Secret of Association, when "Everything Must Change" made it to the American Top 40, everyone else began to recognize Paul. With a super soulful voice, and some great melodies, this CD captured 1985 for me. Although the hits were "Everything..." and "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," highlights for me were "Tomb of Memories" and "One Step Forward." If I didn't already pay full price for it back in 1985, it would be mine at this price for sure.

This is the quintessential 80's Paul Young album. The only time I've been able to attend one of his concerts was the Secret of Association World Tour. This album is full of the sould associated with that voice. Everytime You Go Away is enduring, I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down is strong, powerful. I really like Everything Must Change and Tomb of Memories. His voice is so wonderfully scratchy in Hot Fun.

This album defined Paul Young to us Americans. Now...if only we could get easier access to his more recent releases.

Look for his self-titled album released in 1997. That is classic.

I'm giving this cd 4 1/2 stars; because, The extended Version of "Everytime You Go Away" is not in this two disc collection. The 7" version that was placed on a 12" single is what you get here. Heaven only knows why they did not add The 7 minute version on this collection. There was more than enough room to for it on the bonus disc.

However, The two disc set is amazing. The album never sounded any better. I have been waiting for album to be remastered for years. I would stongly suggest you buy it before it goes out of print. The remixes are classics and sound awesome. You will not be disapointed!

Ladies and gentlemen, I implore you, don't listen to one BAD review on this CD. Paul Young is a fabulous singer/songwriter and though this particular recording may not be up to today's standards with regards to recording quality and "popish" writing, it is, without a doubt one of the most influential recordings of it's time. Pino Palladino (a moment of silence please) is the true virtuoso on this recording. But you don't have to be a bass player (as I am) to "feel" his music. Anything this guy touches turns to gold. By and far one of THEE greatest bassists of our time. I hope one day that I can record music with someone and be responsible for the recording being "THAT GOOD".

Following on from the sucess of "Come Back And Stay", "Love Will Tear Us Apart", "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" and "Love Of The Common People", Paul Young recorded "The Secret Of Association" in 1985.

Aided by the soppy hit "Every Time You Go Away", the album, despite following singles failing to replicate the success, still managed to win plaudits from such critics as Robert Christgau. However, today the album really does sound awful with the dubious techno beats on the oddly catchy but still awful "Everything Must Change" (the second most successful single) and "Tomb Of Memories".

On both those songs, and indeed throughout "The Secret Of Association", the dense production of electronic drums just serves to show, rather than disguise, the fact that the album possessed not one gram of substance and solidity. Much of "The Secret Of Association" actually sounded awful to me even before I moved away from commercial music of the 1980s.

Even though the album did not consist of remixed songs like No Parlez largely did, that fails to make it in any way an improvement. Proper mixing might make the songs sould like songs, but it never did make "The Secret Of Association" any less destined to age in the most graceless manner than No Parlez.

Avoid this. I feel better for doing so, anyway.

Paul Young's voice ranks among my favorites and this album where he solidified his place in UK pop is given the opportunity for the ardent fans to experience it anew. The remastering is wonderful and the remixes and rarities on disc two offer us a chance to rediscover 12" single mixes we once had on vinyl, alongside rare cuts that were completely new to me.

Remember and redisover!