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Review: Evelyn O’Connell
YES boys and girls, I don’t know about you but I can hardly
contain my excitement, oh no sorry I got that wrong … I’m
writing about Hall & Oates.
Some of you may be thinking, 'Oh gosh, everyone is getting on
that ‘80’s comeback bandwagon', but I’m afraid
I’d have to correct you. It appears that Daryl Hall and
John Oates have actually been recording and releasing albums all
the while, although I’m unsure how this CD made its way
onto my desk.
Our Kind Of Soul is a collection of soul/Motown covers
updated for the here and now and three new original tracks by
Hall & Oates.
"The concept was to treat these songs as if they were written
today," John Oates explains. "When you strip away the
original production, which inevitably represents the musical style
and attitudes of the era when these songs were first popular,
you appreciate the material purely on the basis of the song writing
itself."
Covers include I’ll Be Around by The Spinners,
Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) originally
sung by Gladys Knight and The Pips, Barry White’s Can’t
Get Enough Of Your Love and You Are Everything by
The Stylistics.
"This is an album that reflects our past, but it’s
very much about the present," says Daryl Hall. "This
isn’t about nostalgia – we’re singing these
songs here and now, and doing them our way."
"This music is like an old friend, one for whom you will
always feel a kinship and closeness," explains Oates. "When
people hear this recording, they will understand more clearly
the roots of our original songs and perhaps have a bit more insight
into where they really come from."
I’m not into soul music, it’s just not my thing,
but it was nice to be able to recognise some of the songs. But
I’m no fan of Hall & Oates and didn’t enjoy their
earlier hits, so I have to say (and I really can’t believe
I’m about to say this) I think I’d rather hear the
original tracks.
So if you’re into your soul music and Motown covers then
I’m sure you’ll enjoy this album, and if you like
Easy Listening FM or something similar you may find yourself tapping
your toes and nodding your head.
Personally, I’d rather listen to that damn Crazy Frog ring
tone.
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