Apart from his cover of "Everytime You Go Away," and songs like "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" and "Some People," I didn't know much of Paul Young. However, upon further research and examining this album, noticed that his mainstay was as an interpreter (read: doing cover versions) of other songs. It's a wonder he made as much as he did given his vocal problems over the years.

The single that broke Young in the US was his cover of Hall and Oates' "Everytime You Go Away." There doesn't seem to be much variation between his version and the original, but given the fact that both are different variants of white soul, not surprising. One of his best, coming as it did from his UK #1 album The Secret Of Association.

"Come Back And Stay" is an upbeat original song from No Parlez, having a more pop sound that would make George Michael popular during his solo years, given the synths.

The Isely Brothers-type soul of "I'm Only Foolin' Myself" is one of the three new songs here. Paul Carrack of Squeeze and Mike+the Mechanics does Hammond organ here. The horn section adds to the 70's-type soul.

Young gets the funk up with "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" which features slashing synth sounds. In contrast, there's the strings and keyboards of the sad "Broken Man", where Young's soaring vocals tells of a broken man who almost died of a broken heart.

"Everything Must Change" is another ballad from Secret Of Association, with heavily produced synths.

"Senza Una Donna," Italian for "Without A Woman" is a ballad duet with Italian rocker Zucchero, who has a gritty Joe Cocker/Michael Bolton type voice, which contrasts Young's smooth soulful vocals. The benefits of the title? "No more pain and no sorrow/Senza Una Donna/I'll make it through tomorrow."

I was most surprised when he did Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over", which he originally recorded at the Free Nelson Mandela concert, and the lines "there is freedom within, there is freedom without" and "hey, you know, they won't win" take on a new meaning. He is joined by Paul Carrack on vocals.

"Love Of The Common People" is an early cover of a Nicky Thomas tune that has a slight reggaeish influence. Also from his hit No Parlez album.

His rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)," was his first big hit in the UK following two flops after his departure from Q-Tips. As a result, his first album No Parlez was a UK #1 and stayed in the charts for two years.

The Hugh Padgam-produced "Some People" sports a horn section and pop beat comparable to Glass Tiger, and it's a bit of a departure from his early soul sound. It's clear why this tanked on the Billboard singles chart.

He also does decent covers of the Chi-Lites' "Oh Girl" and Congretation's "Softly Saying I Love You", taken from his Other Voices album.

A great collection, but it would've been nice to have his cover of the Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." Then again, this collection is already skewed in favour of No Parlez, so... What's clear is that Young's heyday was in the early 80's, comprising the hits from No Parlez and The Secret Of Association.

Before I had become acquainted with Amazon.com, I found this album in a London music stores for £2:99, instead of the usual inflated price of about .... If I didn't like all of the tracks, it's would not have been too much of a risk.

However, there is not a single duff track on this album - so an hour of good soulful singing from a guy who really should be having hit records still! The songs are all well known and very easy to sing along to, but perhaps we should let the master do the singing.

He has always chosen songs well and this album is just one of the best collection of songs you could possibly find. The musicianship is excellent and the reditions of others' material are truly superb.

Another plus point is that he lives about a mile away and we have had bumped into each other in the shops (well, he's a regular guy), so I am biased.

If anyone wants to know what he's doing when he's not shopping, I guess he does the 80's tours amongst which are popular these days. He still sounds and looks good.

This CD collects some of Paul Young's most beautiful songs: it's a must-have for any Paul's true fan. Moreover, it's very long: you can play it for an entire night and won't get bored (especially with your partner!)

i first became aware of Paul Young in 85 with the great remake of Hall&oats's everytime you go away.i dug the vocals.it had a soulful feel to it.other songs i dig by him are i'm gonna tear your playhouse down and a solid remake of the great Marvin Gaye's whereever i lay my hat(that's my home.Michael Bolten should take notes.Paul Young didn't have to brag about singing soulful cuz he can unlike strain Man Bolten.this is a good solid disc.

This album contains some neat gems of the blues-rock kind, which you listen to just to get in touch with your romantic side. The cool "Whereever I lay my hat" tells the story of a guy who knows he's handsome and thus can't commit to love even if he wants to. "Come back and stay" is a straight out love cry and makes from some great listening! The rest of the album, including "I'm gonna tear your playhouse down" and "Senz una donna" are songs which are perfect for a stormy wednesday evening with a warm cuppa chai!