No Jacket Required (Deluxe Edition)

Well, this might be a surprise, or maybe not, but of all of Phil Collins 80s solo records, this has never been my particular favorite. I am aware that it was Phil’s mega-hit album, with three or four big singles, but compared to his first two solo outings, there was something that was lost. The album always felt too heavy handed with the synths and drum machines, and the arrangements felt too forced. This is even more evident with the second half of the record, what was lost was the interplay with the musicians on a number of tracks, and what was lost was the organic feel that could be found on ‘Face Value’, and ‘Hello, I Must Be Going’. It was as if someone told Phil in order to be commercial you have to sound heavy, and while that’s fine in small doses, good songs were sabotaged in the process.

Context is pretty important, in 1983, Phil had a hit with the soundtrack ballad “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)”, the status of that single seem to move Phil’s solo career to a new level. By 1984, Phil worked with Philip Bailey on his solo record ‘Chinese Wall’, and the single “Easy Lover” a duet with Phil Collins took things to a new level with it’s up tempo, and a little more rock / pop edge. I suspect there was a conversation to repeat the formula, but it only half way works.

Actually “Sussudio” starts out fine, it’s a fun track, and an obvious nod to Prince at his height, but what could have been an aberration becomes too much of the norm. Many of Phil’s regular players can be found in doses, The Phenix Horns, Daryl Steurmer, bassist Lee Sklar, and horn player Don Myrick. A hint of the problem lies with the arrangement of “Only You Know and I Know”, but the rest of side one manages to be pretty eclectic. The moody and introspective “Long Long Way To Go”, brilliantly segway’s into the up tempo number “I Don’t Wanna Know”, a favorite track and a real showcase for Daryl Steurmer. In fact, Steurmur would record an instrumental version of the track on his ‘Steppin’ Out’ album that is just as great. Of course, the first half closes with the ballad single “One More Night”.

Side two’s third single “Don’t Lose My Number” is a fun up tempo narrative number, as I previously stated about something being done in small doses. But “Who Said I Would” is simply too heavy handed. “Doesn’t Anybody Stay Together Anymore” could have been a good ballad, but the heavy handed opening arrangement sort of sabotages it. “Inside Out” has an R&B element to it that again seems sabotaged by the arrangement. “Take Me Home” works best as far as its use of a drum machine and synth textures, and another perennial single. The closing bonus track, “We Said Hello Goodbye” is one of the strongest tracks as a final ballad, with a moving message about opening and closing doors, it remains a favorite.

Let’s address the bonus disc which validates what should have happened with the studio sessions. The live “Sussudio, Don’t Lose My Number,” and “Who said I Would?” have a slightly different feel with the live band, the live “Long, Long Way To Go” has a more stripped down feel with just piano and vocal. The live “Doesn’t Anybody Stay Together Anymore” is better with a more simple feel that builds up. The live “Easy Lover, Inside Out, One More Night,” and “Take Me Home” cover similar ground. The demos "Only You Know And I Know, One More Night" and "Take Me Home" are not that different from the studio tracks, just stripped down. The new package is nice with new re-mastering from Nick Davis, credits, full Lyrics, a reproduction of the sleeve photo, and the new Phil photo, which I remain mixed over the gimmick of the idea, the original photos should have been reproduced somewhere in the package. Phil’s liner notes are fun, and with a good nature jest behind them. Phil would soon learn some lessons from the music politics of this period with his next album. Well done, just not a favorite.

Like all the other recent remasters of Phil Collins' catalog, the 2nd disc is a major disappointment. However, I'm still giving this 5 stars just because the original album is so incredible. I haven't listened to No Jacket Required in awhile just because the disc was so outdated in its sound. But the remastering is amazing on this re-release. Of course, the hits are here sounding better than ever. One More Night, Sussidio, Don't Lose My Number, and Take Me Home brings your right back to 1985.

And now it's a pure joy to listen to the album tracks like Only You Know And I Know, Long Long Way To Go, Who Said I Would, and my favorite - Inside Out. And despite what some websites stated as being omitted, We Said Hello, Goodbye is on the 1st cd just like it was originally. Amazing album and now amazing sound. Now if only Collins had taken advantage of the 2nd disc and put some REAL bonus material on it.

I had forgotten how "punchy" this album is since I hadn't listened to it in many years. Sure...the hits were way overplayed on the radio or MTV in their time. But we also get PC gems or deep tracks such as, "Long Long Way to Go," "Inside and Out," and "We Said Hello Goodbye." Who can argue with Daryl Stuermer on searing guitar, The Phenix horn section (from Earth, Wing & Fire), and both Sting and Peter Gabriel on backing vocals? The live stuff on the bonus disc shows what a powerful performer PC is too. (Then again this reviewer is a huge fan of Genesis in both the Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins eras!) These PC solo album reissues were long overdue but worth the wait in my opinion as they simply couldn't sound any better!

Love him or hate him one thing can be sure... Phil Collins was the 80s. Phil Collins was the 80s and "No Jacket Required" was a culmination of everything that was good about that eras pop-music. Everybody and I mean everybody, has at least one or two favorite Phil Collins songs. His music was something that Fathers and Sons were listening to as well as die-hard vintage Rock Fans (please see Genesis) and THIS album is full of the energy and a dynamic spirit, that was completely designed by a man who had earned that right (and Artistry level) after years and years of hard work. Phil Collins was everywhere and he was doing everything right at the right time. Sometimes even in two different time zones, on the same day. His songs were hits, his videos were hits, his band (both of them) were great and selling out shows worldwide for a decade!...I don't know about England and I don't know about the controversies and honestly I don't care. (Americans can be a little more forgiving that way) Even after reading his book, I can tell you that Phil Collins no matter who people think he IS or even who HE thinks he is: is still a man that makes and made great music and the 80s were better for him because of that. PERIOD. End of story. Everything he touched and pretty much everybody that he worked with, turned to platinum, silver or gold. Sometimes even his songs were better than the movies that they were associated with. And sometimes he was actually IN the movie himself. Phil Collins gets a bad rap because he may have been "Overexposed" but that's only because we wanted more of him and we kept buying his records and listening to his music and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Call him a "sell-out" or "smarmy" but you can not deny that this man worked his ass off in the 80s and EVERYONE was the better for it. (Phillip Bailey, Robert Plant, Adam Ant, Stephan Bishop, Eric Clapton, Miami Vice and Genesis) Genesis FINALLY received their FIRST Number One Album/Song due to Phil taking over for Peter Gabriel. Most bands NEVER survive a lead singer change...But they did and that was all due to Collin's ability to write for the masses and "No Jacket Required" is the apex of this ability! ....This album is an incredible representation of every single artist at their best and should NOT be looked over.