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|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
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 Cut the guy a break! Jul 19, 2009
So it's a different style than his 80s stuff. He hardly survived the era, so if he ventured a comeback it would have certainly been in a different style. I find the interpretations informed by experience and his voice in terrific shape. Nice rep choices, and a really enjoyable venture. Sorry it never went anywhere. He was always a special artist.
 Stop being so harsh! Jan 25, 2008
As a person who loves all these standards but also someone who's heard them all done the same way for ever this was an interesting idea. Perfectly executed? God, no. About 5 years too late? Yes. But it is so much more than just another dreadful cover album (see Tina Arena for that one). And unlike the shocker photo on the album - it's not over cooked.
I own almost every cover of Mclean's "And I Love You So" and it is so refreshing to hear someone brave enough to not do a re-hash. It's almost upbeat!
Unfortunately it just misses the mark for any commercial success whatsoever. It's not going to please the traditionalists and it's just not cool enough for the kids to enjoy it. But as a 30 something I haven't been this interested in a stock cover album stocking filler in eons.
Give it a try!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Definitely not his best Feb 03, 2007
Just like a lot of people I was a little disappointed by this album. I thought it was gonna blow me away like the Keep It Turned On album, but sadly it didn't. There were a couple of songs on here I did like a little bit like Cry Me A River and What The World Needs Now. Rick's voice is amazing... he can sing the phonebook and I would be happy. I think the problem is that the fans really wanted to hear some new material written by him instead of remakes. Portrait is just a little too mellow for my taste. I am grateful that he still came out with new album... it's better than nothing at all. I'm still trying to let is grow on me though. I support Rick's music no matter what, that's what being a real fan is all about.
1 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Rick Astley review Nov 10, 2006
His voice is still good, but different. More mature and sounds like a jazz lounge act now. Preferred his old sound although disco is dead.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Not a Great Production, Song Arrangement of great classics could be Hard to Swallow Jul 05, 2006
I bought this album yesterday and was so looking forward to put it into my CD player with great anticipation and excitement with all the great song choice seen on the back cover. I grew up in the 80's and have lots of fond memories in high-school and Rick Astley songs. I was disappointed however with this album.
Firstly, the "counry-pop" and "soft-rock" arrangement of great classics such as 'Vincent', 'And I Loved You So' and 'Close To You' are very insulting to listen too. I couldn't stop saying, in shock "Oh my god! oh my god!" and skipped to the next track; hoping very hard that it will go uphill from next track onwards.
Unfortunately not. The "hip-hop" treatment to 'Where Do I Begin' and 'What the World Needs Now' is also very hard to swallow.
The "street guitar strumming busking" style of Ms Streisand's "Somewhere" reminded me of the busking entertainment at Sydney Central train station (especially the first 4 bars intro using same chord); not '... peace and quiet and open air...'.
I liked the Bossanova version of "These Foolish Things" and "Nature Boy".
I asked myself, why Jamie Cullum's re-arrangement of "I could have danced all night" and "Singing in the Rain" worked perfectly, but not Rick Astley's attempt? The arranger of all these tracks have a lot to answer.
The acid test, perhaps is to send this album to the idol judge Simon Cowell for an overall verdict to see what would come out from his mouth; to Ms Barbara Streisand to listen to track "Somewhere", and to Ms Dionne Warwick to review "What the World Needs Now'.
That would be an interesting exercise.
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