Search - Alexander O'Neal :: Hearsay

"Hearsay" - Reissued and Remastered.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 03/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's about time Alexander O'Neal's "Hearsay" got remastered and reissued. Featuring on-point production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, "Hearsay" is undisputedly one of the great r&b albums of the 1980s, and it should have never been out-of-print in the first place. Though he was a star in his own right a few years before this album, it features his breakthrough Top Ten hit, "Fake" which is just as scathing as it was back in the day. The followup single, "Criticize," finds O'Neal trying to shake off a nagging girlfriend (who CAN'T relate to that?), while Cherrelle shares the spotlight for the excellent duet "Never Knew Love Like This." If there's anything bad to say about "Hearsay," I can't think of it. It's a great album that gives me fond teenage memories, and it comes from one of the most respected male singers on the r&b scene. Hopefully this reissue will reignite an interest in O'Neal, and he'll jump back into the spotlight where he rightfully belongs."

A Buried Treasure, Rediscovered At Last!

Dave Howard | Leesburg, Virginia United States | 06/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the 80's, a slow, subtle force impressed itself upon the music scene. That force was 'The Minneapolis Sound', and it manifested itself in many ways (Force MD's, The S.O.S. Band, Cherelle, New Edition, Janet, Herb, and even The Human League for goodness sakes!). That sound, ingeniously crafted by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, has its most glorious achievement in the album "Hearsay" by Alexander O'Neal. My introduction to this album came as a part of a frantic search to find out who sang this beautiful, haunting ballad called "Sunshine". Once I got my hands on the CD, it rarely left my player. This 'party within a party' album is Jam and Lewis at their finest, and every R&B album could take a lesson from its construction. Just like any other party, all of the Intros happen at the beginning, as does all of the energy in the party. There we find all of the up-tempo songs like Hearsay, '(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me', 'Fake' and 'Criticize'. But to me, to hear the album working at its best, start with Track Number 5 (an INTRO) which leads right into 'The Lovers'. The funky, hook-driven beat of that song gets me through my drive home (even today!). Then, as every party progresses and people start to groove on each other, you move into the more sultry songs. The duet with Cherelle on 'Never Knew Love Like This' is an R&B classic, and the songs 'Crying Overtime' and 'When The Party's Over' wrap up the party nicely, but the song 'Sunshine' is possibly the best love ballad ever written. I tend to ramble a bit (I'm a BIG fan of Jam and Lewis), but I don't think there will ever be another R&B album that is this tight from start to finish. It's a shame that Alex slipped out of the hearts and minds of the oh-so-fickle U.S. music scene, but I'm glad to know I can get another copy of this CD now (my first one is so scratched up, I don't know if it will last!). If you are a fan of ANYTHING Jam and Lewis, you have to add this CD to the collection. And if you are a fan of great, classic 80's R&B, you MUST add this CD to your collection."

Its Nothing But Hearsay

V. Ryan | London Uk | 05/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, after years of waiting Alexander O'Neals biggest selling album has been brought back for people to once again enjoy. If You looking to party or to chill out - this album has it all.
Hearsay was first released in 1986 and is the follow up to the self titled Debut album.
This album gave O'Neal 1 top 10 hit and 3 top 30's.
Produced by the duo of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the sound of the 80's was captured on this one album which led to O'Neal selling out 8 straight nights at Wembley.The Album kicks off with the first of 4 top 30 hits - What Can I Say to you love me - its a song which really gets the body moving and O'Neals voice shows us that he can sing as well on the funky numbers as on the ballads.
The song "Hearsay" is next with Alex venting his feelings about lies being told in a relationship and people trying to mess things up.
"The Lovers" is track 3. This another top tune.
Track 4 is the dancefloor smash - Fake. This is O'Neal at his best telling a woman how false she is.
It would now seem hard to follow "Fake up" but he does, with the top 5 hit - Criticize. "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is critize" Lyrics from O'Neals anthem. His voice is top notch here and this album is good enough to buy on that song alone!The second half of the album mellows out, and O'Neal shows the world that his music is the music of love.
Cherrelle duets on "Never Knew Love Like this" and then "Sunshine" Hits us. Fella's if you want words to write in a card for your loved one - this is the song to nick them from. "I cant go a day without my sunshine".And if someone you love has left you "Crying Overtime" will be suitable for your emotions.The Last Track is rightly named "When The Party's Over"
A Track which is suitable for this album.
One big party - slow dances and all!If you like Soul Music - Get this album.
If your in love - get this album
If You Like the sound of the 80;s - get this album.If you like music - get this album.As the record lable. Tabu (which o'neal was on)motto told us
"The Earth has music for those who listen"Breathtaking."