Product Description American Soul sees Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall handpick twelve of his personal favourites for a helping of classic American soul and an insight into the music that has inspired him throughout his career. Produced by Andy Wright, tracks include Etta James's "I’d Rather Go Blind", The Flamingos’ fireside burner "I Only Have Eyes For You" as well as "Hope There’s Someone" and "Baby What Do You Want Me To Do". Review Whatever you think of Mick Hucknall, or more pertinently of his previous output, you can never doubt his integrity as a performer. And Hucknall has always been a devoted enthusiast of music.However sniffy one wants to be, certain audiences would never have heard of Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, Gregory Isaacs or the Valentine Brothers were it not for Simply Red’s committed cover versions of their material. Hucknall’s first solo album was 2008’s respectful yet gritty Tribute to Bobby, where he homaged the work of Bobby "Blue" Bland.American Soul is Hucknall’s first release since Simply Red disbanded in 2010. Its 12 tracks have been handpicked and all have a deep resonance with him. That’s How Strong My Love Is demonstrates his ability, and setting Otis Redding’s great ballad in a smooth wash of radio-friendly soul carries on where Hucknall’s old group left off.Tyrone Davis’ Turn Back the Hands of Time highlights Hucknall’s ability to take a lesser-known song outside of the soul cognoscenti and make it available for people who would not normally know where to start. Even an old warhorse like Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood is added to.His take on the Perry Como standard, It’s Impossible – a song that Hucknall learned when he was a waiter in a working man’s club – stops you in your tracks. For those of a certain age, it’s one of those songs that’s been heard so many times you never want to hear it again. But then Hucknall does that occasionally remarkable thing of his and ensnares you with just how great his voice is. The 38 minutes of American Soul zip by. Of course, the originals are better, and Hucknall is no Otis Redding (as he’d probably be the first to admit). But he is genuinely enthralled by the beauty and the influence of these records, and gives a bravura performance throughout. Hearing these songs in any format is a tremendous pleasure, and Hucknall here does them credit. --Daryl EasleaFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
H**E
If you enjoy the art of musical interpretation, then this won't disapoint.
I was somewhat slow to buy this CD as I didn't feelthe song selection had enough tracks in it to carrythe album. I was wrong. Listening to it as a soul collection,it remains tasteful, relaxing and enjoyable throughout.After listening a few times (four) I am impressed andhooked. I find that album is not over produced, it is freeof gimmicks and could be replicated live. This is Mick'sstrength and his great voice of course. His interpretationsare mostly sublime and understated.My favourites are: I'd rather go blind (that screaming organ,backing vocals and conviction in Mick's voice are great) ;Lonely Avenue (while it has a marching beat, the vocals area balance between raw and fragile and the lyric raises aninteresting and novel dilemma)I only have eyes for you (I would be one of those that wouldsay only Art Garfunkel could carry this off. Again I was wrong.Listen to this version, it more than compares) My favouritetrack is the, Tell It Like It Is (This take me back a good fewdecades and reminds me how good music could be then too.Mick's use of a little falsetto and slow timing works well) ; Thegirl that radiates that charm (will get any audience moving witha brass section that punctuates in all the right places)Maybe the vocal that surprised me the most was Let Me downEasy (Loads of emotion without melodrama, the guitar work andstrings are a subtle touch) Well known songs like Don't let me bemisunderstood ; Its Impossible and Hope There's Someone arealso well done.Overall there isn't a badly performed or arranged song on the albumand it has a rich quality throughout. If like me, you listen to it a fewtimes you may begin to like it more than you would have erstwhilebelieved or care to admit.The thing about Mick on this album, is he really can interpret songswell and sings extremely well. More importantly, he really loves thesetunes and it shows. I recommend this CD for those who are preparedto ease into it slowly. Enjoy.PS: My reason for giving this four stars is that it is an collection ofcovers, so much of the creativity remains with the arrangements andsuperb vocals. If you enjoy the art of musical interpretation, then thiswon't disappoint.
A**A
Great addition to any fans collection
Ok this review won't be perfect as I never review music, here goes.I got it for my mum whose loved his music all her life, I too enjoyed hearing the album. It's true to his usual style he's got such an amazing voice, it's truly unique. I'd recommend it to blues fans, based on the style of the singing not the tone of voice. I'd definitely recommend it to any of his fans. I was even happier to get her it as she was disappointed to hear of Simply Reds' split and had not heard of this album so it was a smashing surprise. It's a shame its been out months now and has not lowered in price, but you pay good money for good quality I guess :).Its a great album and I'd recommend anyone to try his music at least once it's nothing like what I listen to normally, but I really enjoy hearing his songs whenever they're played."I'm just a soul whose intentions are good...." is my favourite song I've forgotten the name! :)
F**Y
THE SOUL OF HUCKNALL
four years on from the excellent "Tribute to Bobby" Mick hucknell returns with another tribute to soul,his voice is still largely intact,listen to the download of two live tracks on the download for an example of how great his voice still is.1......That's how strong my love is.....3.20 ......Great version of this Otis Redding classic,Mick also sounds strangely like Steve Marriott in some places.2......Turn back the hands of time.....2.32.......There is a great Motown bassline in this,one of the lesser known soul classics3......I'd rather go blind....4.24.....A sterling performance of the old Christine Perfect hit.4......Lonely Avenue......2.47.....This Doc Pomus song still sounds so good.5.....I only have eyes for you......3.08.....the quality control drops herea dreary version of a putrid song.6.....Tell it like it is......3.09......back on fom again.7.....Baby what you want me to do.....2.02.....Great version of the classic.8.......The girl that radiates that charm.....3.00.....This sounds like John Lennon in his "Rock'n'roll" phase.9......Let me down easy......2.58......another fine performance10.....Don't let me be misunderstood.......3.21.....a great version of this sixties favourite,good vocals on this .11.....It's impossible......3.05.....Sadly the standard drops again,truly awful.12.....Hope there's someone......3.38 ......another return to form,a beautiful song well performedAll in all, a good album with a couple of weak spots,but all tracks are sung wonderfully,and Micl looks alittle like Robert Plant on thr cover!DOWNLOAD1.......Don't let me be misunderstood(Live).....4.012......Tell it like it is (Live)......3.42CD.....37.34DOWNLOAD.....7.43MICK HUCKNALL.....VOCALSRELEASED IN 2012ATCO/SIMPLYRED.COMBEST TRACKS......THAT'S HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS,I'D RATHER GO BLIND,TELL IT LIKE IT IS(BOTH VERSIONS)DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD(BOTH VERSIONS0,HOPE THERE'S SOMEONEPACKAGING......JEWEL CASE WITH BOOKLET.VALUE FOR MONEY.....£££PRODUCTION......GOOD
M**G
Mick Hucknall - American Soul
This was a birthday present for my husband as we both loved Simply Red. I love Mich Hucknall's voice and quite often recently he sounds like Rod Stewart. Most of the tracks are great and its a good easy listening CD and would be good to listen to driving a long distance. I'm a big fan of soulful music and love the tracks: That's how strong my love is, I'd rather go blind, Tell it like it is, and Let me down easy. I was surprised to see It's impossible even though he sings it to his usual standard. Overall a good CD but I think he could've chosen some better songs.
S**E
Fabuolus
I LOVE this album.It raises the bar.Eat your heart out rod Stewart and and any others who have tried to revive this kind of music. This is the best. I have listen to this album all summer .I was never keen on Mike Hucknall but he has captured every song on this album and brought them to life .nobody does it better.Highly recommend this album.
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