Search - Pages :: First

A must-have for soft rock fans!!

John Corbett | Summerland, California United States | 07/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Mr. Mister burst on the scene in 1985 with their chart-topping hit, "Broken Wings," they were heralded as the best new group on the radio. Funny thing was, Richard Page and keyboardist Steve George were anything but an overnight success. The two had previously collaborated in a group called Pages, which issued its first album back in 1978.The first self-titled Pages album is one of the best examples of soft-rock/pop-fusion made during the late '70s. Mr. Mister fans looking for a sound similar to "Welcome To The Real World" will be disappointed, but not for long. Although this cross-genre approach made the album commercially invisible, it was a star-studded masterpiece. Lovingly produced by Blood, Sweat & Tears veteran Bobby Colomby, the album has a very soft, soothing feel to it, blended with intricate, jazzy instrumentals and bluesy chord progressions. "Cleary Kim" leads off the album with funky chords and guitar work reminiscent of some of the popular Bee Gees hits of the day. "This Is For The Girls" is a slow but captivating tune with compelling vocal harmonizing (with Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire). There are some straightforward pop-oriented songs, like "Listen For The Love" and "If I Saw You Again", but even these have a very fine texture. "Room At The Top" is an early effort by Page and George to show their somewhat harder-edged rock side later so prominent in Mr. Mister. The album is accented by the beautiful string arrangement work by Dave Grusin on tracks like "Interlude" and "Love Dance." The standout track, and the single originally released from the album, was the closing number, "I Get It From You," highlighted by the intimate and intricate instrumentation and Richard Page's moving vocals.Pages -- the album -- is the kind of album you play on a night when you're relaxed with the lights turned down low, preferably with the rain falling outside. It's a true mood-setting masterpiece. It's a hard one to find, but it's well worth the effort to find it. Also look for the other two Pages albums: Future Street (1979), and Pages (1981)."

A True Desert Island Disc

Jeffrey L. Abrams | Philadelphia, PA United States | 11/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"People who love this album (I am one of them) believe it is one of the top 10 pop albums ever made. Everything clicks, from the choice of rhythm sections to the arrangements to the solos, and the songs are complex and intriguing. I have had this album (first on vinyl) for almost 25 years, and if I were stuck on an island and could only choose one album, I think this would be it."

A yet to be discovered musical treasure

Dave van der Spank | Utrecht Netherlands | 03/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""If even this one doesn't get noticed we might as well stop", Richard Page and Steve George must have thought. Catchy songs packed with good ideas & variation. Perfectly played as you can expect from these studio tigers, but: was anybody out there listening?



My favorites are "O.C.O.E." and "Tell me" (complex and experimental) and "You need a hero", "Come on home", "Only a dreamer" and "Fearless" (these ballads are a strong point when you have Richard Page as a singer), while the uptempo "Sesatia" and "Automatic" add variation but do sound a bit dated.



A true alltime favorite. And the global succes of Mr. Mister brought the recognition after all..."