Customer Reviews

Soul Alone

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like a JFK moment, this album immediately brings to mind exactly the period in time in my life that coincides with the time I got it; it's indelibly marked in my mind and I'll never forget the Winter of 1993 when I was at Notre Dame and going through a very tough time in my life and the tracks on this album helped me through and I found them very emotionally therapeutic indeed. Having been a Hall and Oates fan since 1979, I have had to endure some very poor solo efforts by Daryl such as "Sacred Songs" and even "3 Hearts...Machine" but this album is an underrated masterpiece. There is a distinct mood that's consistent throughout the album that I've never ever heard since in any other album that's almost hypnotic and addictive and makes you feel real regret when it's over. All the tracks speak to me on so many levels and my favourites were "Stop Loving Me, Stop Loving You" where at times it almost seemed as if Marvin Gaye himself was singing it, "Borderline" with that great segue way into "Stop...", "Wildfire" and "Written In Stone" and yet all the tracks are great here. The sound quality if also very good although it would be good to have a Japanese style mini-lp sleeve remastered version of this released at some point to make it perfect for me. This for me is definitely among my top 10 favourite albums of all time. A must have if you are a Daryl Hall fan and try also "Can't Stop Dreaming" which is also good although I'd say isn't quite as good and this album.

Some of Daryl's best work is on this album, "Wildfire" is a sweet & passionate love song (danced to it at my wedding), and "Send Me"...well, let's just say it sends me.

I was able to catch Daryl's solo concert to promote "Soul Alone", and let me tell you, you haven't heard soul til you've heard "Philly Mood" live!

There are no duds here, every song has something to offer. Note: "Written in Stone" is the last song written with Janna Allen before her passing, and if you listen to the lyrics, you can tell. The sadness is evident in Daryl's voice and makes a poignant song even more so.

Other plum picks: "Love Revelation", "Stop Loving Me, Stop Loving You", and "Money Changes Everything", but they are all great.

When this great album was released it was clear Daryl Hall arrived in stellar form as one of the most gifted singer/songwriters of our time and this classic work should have done the same for Daryl Hall that "What's Going On" did for Marvin Gaye! Here is an artist equal to Marvin Gaye and Al Green but for some strange reason with zero radio support Daryl Hall is not given the recognition he clearly deserves. For his large fan base who are real music lovers this is a great mystery and it would be interesting to know the reason behind this gross injustice and why was "Soul Alone" kept from the airwaves? "Power Of Seduction" opens this great collection finding Daryl at his seductive soulful best in a song that has "#1 hit" written all over it...rhythm and then that voice are totally awesome and can't imagine anyone with an ounce of soul in their being not getting off on this riveting classic! Hot rhythm speeds along "This Time" and pounding passion explode in "Love Revelation" another that would have gone to #1 with any exposure at all...one would have to be in a coma not to be moved by this rocking classic! "I'm In A Philly Mood" gets inspiration from great Philly soul of the past and Daryl's tribute becomes a new soul smooth soulful classic in the process. "Borderline" brings together two masters and this sophisicated flowing masterpiece with a sterling vocal from Daryl complete with fluid scatting and sublime keyboards...six plus minutes of bliss flow into Marvin Gaye's "When Did You Stop Loving Me, Stop Loving You" and Daryl does Marvin proud with a deeply soulful vocal that is mesmerizing and hypnotic! Sublime ballad follows and "Help Me Find A Way To Your Heart" is gorgeous soaring to glorious heights then "Send Me" is a romantic jazz influenced rhythm cooker that is another mesmerizing gem. "Wildfire" is passionate great followed by the cooking and funky "Money Changes Everything" pulsates and rocks your soul another cooker that should have been a huge hit clearly by now in a collection that is a "Unsung" masterpiece! Magnificent finale "Written In Stone" is brilliantly sung with so much passion that it is clear this guy is a legendary master unlike anyone else...so many are praised but Daryl Hall is the real deal & greatest of the blue eyed soulful singers so do not miss this classic...timeless & memorable!

This is one of my favorite albums of all time - the songs are GREAT and Mr. Hall's performances are stunning! THIS TIME is infectious, PHILLY MOOD is incredible, BORDERLINE is hypnotic and STOP LOVING YOU, STOP LOVING ME is heartbreaking - and that's only the first half! I originally got this in cassette format and loved it so much I HAD to shell out the extra $ to get a CD - and back in 1993, for me, that was a sacrifice! These tracks are a little bottom-heavy, to accommodate dance-driven programmers, but it's a terrific example of how Daryl Hall can sing the pants off of ANY other pop/R&B singer!

When I bought this album, it just came out. I just knew that "Philly Mood" was going to hit the charts. But for some reason they didn't play it on the radio. I called several radio stations and they told me "We can't play it, it's not on our play list." This was one of the greatest Daryl Hall records I had ever heard. I told my friends "It's about time, he started singing real R&B!" "Help me find a way to your Heart", is my favorite song on this album. When Daryl says "Baby open the door" Oh, boy I get weak in the knees. "This Time" is a great dance song and I always wondered why they never released it. "Love Revelation" has the best harmonies in it. "Send Me" is too cool for me to even get under! When he says "Send me an ounce of style" I had to laugh, because you know Daryl doesn't need anybody to do that! This album was looked over and I couldn't tell you why. I think if he put some real tight boom drops in some of these songs now, he could have a number one hit! BUY THIS ALBUM, YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Daryl Hall's brief departure from the Hall and Oates duo in a British recording studio was musically dynamic. Most of the songs on this work were penned by Daryl. The musical brilliance warms the soul in these lyrics and arrangements. Daryl's vocals are beyond "blue-eyed" soul.

"This Time" is bursting with musical variations. "Love Revelation" goes beyond the boundaries of expectation. This is a complex mix of vocals accompanied by driving percussion and bass guitar. "Stop Lovin Me, Stop Loving You" is a soulful love anthem full of strings and orchestrations. "Send Me" is my favorite due to Daryl's vocal arrangement having an interesting diversity (both tonally and in timing) plus the chord changes in the arrangement. "Wildfire" is a passionate ballad. "Money Changes Everything" is a fabulous and funky number. This track will scorch your cd player when Daryl reaches vocal heights that are extraordinary. And then when you hear the smoldering finale of "Written In Stone", you will find warmth within it.

Daryl Hall's music has bridged an appreciation that is found in many generations of music lovers. Just go to one of the Hall & Oates concerts and you will understand that this is true. This solo departure for Daryl was obviously the proof that his muscial genius needed to continue to create, even during the hiatus of his Hall & Oates collaborations. Obviously, for a Daryl Hall fan this is a must-have cd. However, for those who love the Hall & Oates songs: ditto!!

I can't wax poetic enough about this guy, or this album, for that matter. You wanna bob your head? The first two tracks have got you covered. You wanna sink your teeth into something smoother? The next three tracks are there for you. Wanna get funkefied? "Send Me" has got your number! And the intro to "Money Changes Everything" will get you to invent your own dance, I promise. Ready to wave your lighter in the air? "Wildfire" might get you to do so. Oh, yes...let's not forget the swooning wedding-song material song. Yes, "Written in Stone" will warm you right up. I LOVE this album!

Peter Lord and V Jefferey Smith (formerly of The Family Stand) did an excellent job of providing the the tracks and producing while Daryl provided perhaps his strongest vocals. Written in Stone ranks as one of the smoothest ballads I've ever heard, and Power of Seduction is a NICE up-tempo jam. This CD, in my mind has a very high "Nod Factor" I don't have time or the space to recap every track (They all are bumpin'), but in short This is a must buy!!

I love this album so much. The music on this album speak on so many levels. I grew up listening to so much music and he is one of the reasons that I love music so much. I get up every mornin' and turn on my cd and get ready to make my day worth livin'. Daryl Hall's album Soul Alone has been part of my families libary since my mother brought it home in 93 and we listened to it every time needed a little of soul in our lives. Christianna

What can i say about Daryl Hall? The hair ??? The body? The voice? The talent? I am bowled over by his sexiness and mind-blowing talent. All of the songs transport you to BLISS. I don't know how he does it. How does he think up this music and the way he performs !! I am besotted to the max. I can't get enough. When I think one is my favorite and he can't top it HE DOES with the next song. Genius. I never knew and am so happy that at last am discovering this fabulous talent but dismayed that it has taken me so long. I am furious that I missed Hall and Oates at the Troubador in Los Angeles.