Andy Pratt - Resolution The Collection (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

As Fresh As The Day We Bought It

Larry White | AdultPop.com | 12/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Resolution was released in July,1976, Rolling Stone Magazine made it the lead review. The fervent rave included the statement "Pratt has forever changed the face of rock". Now these words are in Landau re: Springsteen territory ("I've seen the future of rock&roll"), so, naturally, we went out and immediately bought it. Everyone else must have been on vacation when that review came out though, because the album sold like coldcakes. Nevertheless, though it did not apparently change the face of rock, it is, indeed, a magnificent work. It was rereleased as a CD a couple of years back with 3 superb additional cuts, one that begins the CD-- the amazing novelty song "Avenging Annie" which, as great as it is, detracts from the flow of what is to follow-- and the 2 final cuts from Pratt's follow-up to Resolution, which have the same producer, the reknowned Arif Mardin. Mardin did a remarkable job. He matched the heavyweights of NY session musicians with Pratt's voice and piano. What we are left with are soaring, orchestral arrangements of Pratt's richly textured melodies; witty, heartfelt, inspiritional, touchingly profound lyrics; and his passionate and powerful singing, akin to a vulnerable Mick Jagger. Unlike the majority of records 25 years old or more, this album remains as fresh and unique as the day we bought it. What has become of Andy? We've heard rumors that he's now a social worker, a missionary, an ex-patriot, a busker back on the streets of Boston. Wherever he is, he has left a legacy. One of our favorite albums of all time."

Pratt's the way I like it....

E. Grieze | Reno ,NV USA | 08/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If I was told I would be on a deserted island for one year, and I was allowed to take only 10 albums with me for the duration, "Resolution" would make my top 5....EASILY! A truly beautiful masterpiece filled with emotion, and some melodic creshendos that make my blood rush. Pratt's song writing in this album is superb and the music blend is candy to my ears.

I was very fortunate to see Andy play "live" at the Boarding House in San Francisco when this album came out. During a short pause after one of the earlier songs, he had this boyish grin on his face, and he said "I got me a band !" And man, he sure did. Clean and dynamic... just what you would hope for after hearing the album.

Sadly, amidst the brief attention this album did get, Pratt just sort of faded away. Never heard anything about him after that. I just chalked it up to the same fate that the band "City Boy" met. Amazingly talented... but maybe mismanaged, maybe ignored by an idiot record label exec, or maybe intentionally overlooked by a negligent and trite pop scene. But I'm just guessing. Maybe Pratt just did a "stage left" on his own and retired from public attention all together. I don't know. A shame in any event. All my friends and I were really looking forward to more post-Resolution.

But I DO KNOW that it is a crime that this album is not more readily-available on CD. I burned my old 33 wax copy to CD, but I still have to put up with hearing some occassional (irritating) vinyl popcorn. It would be nice to hear the album remastered on CD. In the meantime, I recently ordered some of his later work (which emerged from somewhere I don't know about). Looking forward to that. Sunny days!"

Pratt joins beautiful music to meaningful lyrics

Larry White | 10/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard Andy Pratt on the radio with Avenging Annie, it blew me away. The perfectly expressive piano and the insightful and exciting lyrics brought to life a modern woman--and a man wrote the song! I was not quite ready for his other compositions, as I was only 15. When I recently bought Resolution, I was more than ready. Thoughtful, intricate, and beautiful songs in every way. Bravo, Mr. Pratt! What a beautiful album."

Excellence.

Jack | Cummington, MA | 04/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a shame that Andy Pratt's self-titled Columbia recording from 1973 remains unreleased. We used to drive around Lowell, MA in the mid-70s, as teenagers, with the 8-track, and knew all the words to all the songs. Those truly were the days. Years later, another lp, 'Resolution,' and we all travelled to Boston to see Andy play live at City Hall Plaza, then at UMass/Amherst. Andy's music remains in a warm part of the heart. I heard "Avenging Annie" the other day on the radio, and it brought tears to the eyes. Thanks, Andy."

Available cheaper elsewhere!

Elliot Knapp | Seattle, Washington United States | 02/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yep, that's right. All of Andy Pratt's catalog is available for (legal) download and purchase as professional-produced CDs at itsaboutmusic-dot-com (sorry for the spelling, don't want it to be edited out), including this rare and often expensive album (can you believe they want at least $30 for a single CD?). This version of Resolution does have a few extra tracks, but some of them are on Andy's second, self-titled album (also worth getting), so there's not really much need to shell out an exorbitant fee for this. While you're looking, though, I might as well tell you about the album.

Is it worth getting? Absolutely! It stands next to his second album as classic exercises in mid-70's pop rock. Yes, Rolling Stone said it changed the face of music forever. I'm not so sure about that, but Resolution has some excellent songs, great performing by Pratt, and some of the rawest emotion I've ever heard in pop rock to date. Andy Pratt obviously went through some serious personal changes to produce such a nakedly emotional album, and the results are certainly classic.

Some standout tracks, in my opinion include the opener "Resolution," which sets the tone of optimism and personal growth, along with Pratt's unique, falsetto voice and some characteristically catchy piano hooks. "If You Could See Yourself Through My Eyes" is another great track that combines a slinky sense of melody with an upbeat, R&B style of rock. Pratt also busts out some excellent ballads, like "Can't Stop My Love For You," and the slightly more upbeat "That's When Miracles Occur." Although some of the record has a sound that might be considered lite-pop today, you have to remember that, at the time, combining saxophone with a tender melody wasn't considered cliche. Give it a chance--despite what the production connotes this day and age, Pratt wrote some great songs, melodies, and lyrics that vibrantly support this music.

Resolution, although it may not have actually changed the face of music forever, is a great album--it's chock full of hooks and songwriting that resonates with listeners on a really personal level (just check out the other reviews). It's too bad such a good album is so hard to track down, but hopefully the word will get around about the availability of his catalog on itsaboutmusic-dot-com. Hope you enjoy (re)discovering this great lost album!"

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