Hearsay

~ Uitgavegroep van Alexander O’Neal

Album

UitgaveArtiestType mediumNummersLand/DatumPlatenmaatschappijCatalogus#Streepjescode
Officieel
Hearsay (This release is the 11 track version.)Alexander O'NealCD11
  • US1987-07-29
Tabu Records (US disco, CBS subsidiary)724354384622724354384622
HearsayAlexander O’NealCD17
Tabu Records (US disco, CBS subsidiary)TBU 450936 25099745093625
HearsayAlexander O’NealCD17
Tabu Records (US disco, CBS subsidiary)ZK 40320
HearsayAlexander O’NealCD17
The Right Stuff (reissues; once EMI, now UMG)72435-43846-2-2
HearsayAlexander O’NealCD9
  • -2003
Tabu Records (US disco, CBS subsidiary), The Right Stuff (reissues; once EMI, now UMG), Virgin (worldwide imprint of Virgin Records Ltd. and all its subsidiaries)72435-43846-2-2724354384622
Hearsay (Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered)Alexander O’NealCD22
  • JP2019-12-04
SOLID RECORDS (Japan, ULTRA VYBE re-issue sub-label)CDSOL-5206
(onbekend)
Hearsay (Deluxe Edition)Alexander O’Neal2×CD18 + 12
  • GB2013-05-06
Tabu Records (2010s UK reissues of the Tabu catalogue)TABU 20055014797139176

Relaties

Discogs:https://www.discogs.com/master/85590 [info]
recensies:https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/wr8c [info]
Allmusic:https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000650580 [info]
Wikidata:Q5691697 [info]

Recensies op CritiqueBrainz

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Hearsay will always be Alexander O'Neal high-water mark. Arguably, it was producers' Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' as well – shiny, clunking machine-driven soul with strong melodies and a new take on traditional soul male supremacy. Having all been together in the Time and schooled as peers of Prince, Hearsay was arguably the best album the fabled group never made, as former members of the group, Jerome Benton (Prince's sidekick in Under The Cherry Moon) and Jellybean Johnson are also present.

The album, O'Neal's second, was one of the first major soul successes on CD. Its loose concept; trying to woo a lady set against the backdrop of a party – ''I say this is Alexander O'Neal's Party, and man you got to party'' – allowed Jam and Lewis to work overtime. 11 party guests chatter and there is a general level of hubbub around every track.

There is hardly any filler whatsoever. Fake, Criticize and Hearsay were all massive hits. While The Lovers and opener What Can I Say To Make You Love Me, with its initial lines, ''I didn't write the book of love, but I read from it every day'' demonstrate the album's flash and hubris.

O'Neal had it all going for him, briefly. It commenced his special relationship with the UK, where he still holds the record for an African-American performer selling out six straight nights at Wembley Arena. To underline this British support, the BBC, Tony Blackburn and legendary soul DJ Steve Walsh all get sleeve credits.

Hearsay is very much of its time, but that doesn't mean it has dated. It sounds as fresh now as it did then. Had it been 20 years earlier, Alexander O'Neal would have been compared to Otis Redding. As it was, he was dismissed by the cognoscenti but adored by the masses.