PAUL YOUNG - review added 1st April 2011
Album Review: Chronicles (2011)
For fans of: Soft Rock
Singer Paul Young, who sadly passed away just over a decade ago, was best know as one of the front men for ultra-superb soft rock/pop outfit Mike And The Mechanics. Although their other singer Paul Carrack stole most of the headlines, Young still recorded the excellent 'All I Need Is a Miracle' and more. Before joining MATM, Paul was also the vocalist with 1970s hitmakers Sad Café, famed for their track 'Every Day Hurts'.
"Chronicles" is a compilation of unreleased material Paul recorded before his untimely death. The sound is very much in the vein of his best-known work, meaning soft rock and pop with a beautifully chilled vibe. It's a wonder it has taken until now to release this material, as there really are a load of superb tracks here. It's going to be too mellow for some, but look beyond the easy listening veneer and there's plenty of passion of sing-along brilliance bubbling away.
Best tracks are hard to pick because it's all good. Paul's serene voice is so moorish it's all too easy to get lost in the album's ambience. However, if pushed I'd go for the slow building opener 'House Of Many Nations', the duet with Paul Carack 'Grace of God', the rocking 'Two Wrongs', and the stripped back 'Water Now The Seed'. Be in no doubt though, this is all top end stuff.
In Summation:
It feels criminal these songs weren't released sooner as this is some of the best work Paul ever did. The soft nature means "Chronicles" won't appeal to everyone, but the quieter end of rock doesn't get a lot better than this.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. House Of Many Nations
02. Your shoes
03. Grace of God (duet with Paul Carack)
04. Loss of innocence
05. Frozen Heart
06. Two wrongs
07. Water now the seed
08. Here comes the future
09. Everything
10. One heart
11. We did nothing wrong
12. I'm in heaven again
13. Everyday Hurts (Live with Mike and The Mechanics - bonus track)
Band/Performers:
Guitars:
Mike Rutherford (Mike & The Mechanics)
Graham Gouldman (10cc)
Eric Stewart (10cc)
Martin Kronlund (Salute / Gypsy Rose)
Victor Emerson (Sade Café)
Michael byron Hehir
Keyboards:
Ian Wilson (Sade Café)
Paul Carrack (Mike & The Mechanics)
Eric Stewart (10cc)
Alistair Gordon (Radio Silence)
Victor Emerson, Steve Pigott, Per Aronson
Bass:
Des Tong (Sade Cafe)
Graham Gouldman (10cc)
Martin Kronlund (Salute / Gypsy Rose)
Drums:
Dave Irving (Sade Café)
Backing Vocals:
Alistair Gordon
Carl Davis
Ian Wilson
Steve Butler
Sue Quin
Mark Menzies
Graham Gouldman
Saxophone:
Lenni
Programming:
Steve Pigott
Label: Escape Music
Artist's website(s): Paul Young
