Simply Red - Picture Book

I was first exposed to SIMPLY RED in the mid 1980's when under "deprived" circumstances (okay, when in prison, if you must know!) A Black inmate gave me a copied cassette tape. As a long time soul music lover, I was "whacked." Whoever came up with "Blue Eyed Soul" must have been looking at Red! But with release AND switching from Cassettes to CD's Red's stuff dropped into obscurity.Fast forward nearly 20 years and when I again accidently bumped into "Red" watching a you-tube video, I was gobsmacked!NOw having some money, I bought not only PICTURE BOOK but some of his later CD's - totaling about four. And while the others do have their great tunes - here and there - none of them matches the raw, youthful passion and creative brilliance of PICTURE BOOK.I listen to a lot of music and there just ain't nobody out there who sounds at all like Mick Hucknall. Listening to his stuff is like eating a marshmallow you've toasted on a camp fire to intentionally let burn: an intense raunchy high pitched voice which wants to curdle your ears (the burned part of the 'mallow) while at the same time you get a smooth sweetness (the lush instrumental backings.) Taken together, it's sensory overload!As I note, Red's later releases, some of them very tuneful with a wider commercial appeal, for me cannot replicate the raw intensity and striking originality of this first, most youthful offering (Picture Book.)The first cut, "Come To My Aid" has always been a bit TOO frenetic for my personal taste, but the Jazzy SAD OLD RED, the ironic HEAVEN, and the struttin' high-heels funky RED BOX remain timeless classics. But sitting by itself as a pinnacle piece of music remains HOLDING BACK THE YEARS. Lush, melodic and anguished - how do you beat that?Beware! Succumb to this and you will have it singing inside your head, endlessly (for awhile, at least.)Buy this CD for that gem alone, and enjoy all the other fine cuts, as "icing on your cake."

Great

I had not heard this Simply Red album in quite a while, but it is just as good and soulful as I remembered.This purchase was also for a used album listed as "very good" and I was not disappointed at the quality. Just started occasionally purchasing some older albums as used and the quality has never disappointed.

I originally had this as a 78 album back in the late 60’s or early 70’s. Over the years LP’s became obsolete so I got rid of my collection. Recently I heard some new Simple Red music and I decided to try to find this in Disc format. Sure brought back some great memories!

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.

All good on this first Simply Red record. Nearly 40 years later they remain both musically and vocally excellent.❣️

Very good music

Very impressed with the quick delivery and excellent condition of CD . Thank you.

This was simply red first lp with more to come

Excelente álbum!

Tutto okay

Toujours agréable de se retremper dans les années 80.

最高です！