Search - Paul Young :: Essential

Definitive single disc Paul Young collection

B-MAN | Earth, occasionally. Until I get bored. | 08/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"British pop/soul singer Paul Young has a few compilations in his catalog so "Essential" may not totally be necessary at this point, but if you have none of his recordings in your collection and are looking for a comprehensive single disc with all of the hits, then this fits the bill. It's also the largest collection of his on one CD (totaling 18 tracks), unless you count Sony's release compiling his first two and best albums: No Parlez (1983) and Secret of Association (1985). Young's first two albums do represent his peak, but that collection is obviously not career spanning so several gems are left out that are included here. A total of 8 tracks come from his first two albums and start off the disc. Of course the lead off track is "Everytime You Go Away" (used to great effect in the John Hughes film: Trains, Planes & Automobiles) as it should be. Amazingly, a previous Paul Young collection, Simply the Best (2000) didn't include this song which is ludicrous considering it's his staple tune. Essential includes some tracks that didn't appear on Young's proper albums like "Senza Una Donna" and his take of "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" (from the "Fried Green Tomatoes" soundtrack). Three of the four songs from the "What made Otis Blue" single are included as well as a few interesting covers like Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" and Dusty Springfield's "I close my eyes & count to ten" (live version). Perhaps the most interesting cover of the collection is the closing track, Joy Division's immortal "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (First appearing in studio form on Young's debut, No Parlez). The song is represented here also in a live version which may not totally matter to you unless you're like me and like to have all studio versions of songs in a collection. Obviously Young adds his pop/soul flavor to the song and as expected, it can't touch the original Ian Curtis classic, but it's still interesting to hear the different take on it and it does sound good. Then again, Joy Division created such a beautiful song there that any take on it might be worthy of a listen. Bottom line: Essential covers all the territory of anyone who seeks Paul Young's best in a neat package and doesn't need to have all of his albums. *****"

Have an 80's flashback

Andrew Bauer | Durham, NC | 03/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Young's name may not ring a bell with you, but his music will if you were old enough to remember the 80's. Hits like "Everytime You Go Away", "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)", "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" and "Oh Girl" will have you reminiscing about better days. This particular album has all of Young's best hits on one CD, making it easier to get them all without buying several albums. He may not be the most famous 80's singer, but he certainly can sing, and he'll have you singing along in no time."