His best album.
bobby morrow | United Kingdom | 09/06/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"David Soul's self-titled album, released at the end of 1976, caught everyone by surprise. As the star of TV's 'Starsky And Hutch', he was already very successful and something of a heart-throb, so an album could only increase his star power.
Thing is, 'David Soul' wasn't much cop (no pun intended). It was basically a collection of below-par self-written songs mixed with a few uninspired covers. His UK record label, Private Stock, saw the problem and songwriter Tony Macaulay was called upon to deliver a hit. This he did with what became Soul's best known song, 'Don't Give Up On Us'. Unfortunately, it was recorded too late to be included on the UK edition of the album (though I believe it was on the US version) but still went to #1 and the album sold well off the back of it.
Skip forward to September 1977 and it was time for a second LP. 'Playing To An Audience Of One' didn't make the same mistake his first album did. Macaulay was heavily involved contributing Soul's second UK #1, the excellent 'Silver Lady' along with many of the other better tracks.
Soul's self-penned tracks were, again, perhaps the weakest selections here though 'I Wish I Was' is pretty and 'Rider' has a nice country feel. He covers 'The Tattler' (OK, but not as good as Linda Ronstadt's version) and 'Nobody But A Fool Or A Preacher' but for me it's the Macaulay tracks that stand out.
This UK CD is good value featuring Soul's last 2 UK hits, 'Let's Have A Quiet Night In' and 'It Sure Brings Out The Love In Your Eyes' but isn't mastered too well. It's loud enough but many of Soul's vocals have a 'thick' sound to them. Indeed, the quality of 'Going In With My Eyes Open' is so rough I began to wonder if it was taken from vinyl (something 7ts and parent label Cherry Red aren't averse too) and 'Don't Give Up On Us' has a really shaky drop-out ridden start which I've never heard on other CD issues of the song. A shame more care wasn't taken.
Still, PTAAOO is worth your money , it's packaged nicely, too, and I'd recommend getting it soon (despite the sound niggles) as I wouldn't imagine it will be around too long
"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1