I know that Phil is not necessarily the most fashionable person in the world. He's balding, used to have a beard so large that you could hide a badger in it (Thanks, Blackadder), and he dumped his wife by fax.
But so what? More than any other pop star, he's always been one of us. An ordinary bloke, who just happens to be able to play almost any instrument going, writes fantastic music, and has earned more money than some countries over the last 30 years.
And, in my view, he has not bettered this album. "But Seriously" came close (and was the first album I ever bought on CD), but "No Jacket Required" has everything. From the exuberance of "Sussudio", to the gentle heartbreak of "One More Night", all human emotions are here. However, for me, the top track is "Take Me Home"; a gentle start, building to an emotional crescendo, before dying back down again. Backing singers include Sting & Peter Gabriel; but try picking their voices out in the amazingly complex harmonies.
Now, maybe I still love this album because I remember what a happy time of my life was going on around it (oh, to be 16 again!), but every time I put it on, I want to dance, sing, laugh and cry. Fantastic. If you are looking for a slice of 80s pop which still sounds as fresh today, 20 years on (where DID that time go?), then this album is for you.
(P.S. If you can find an album called 12"ers, buy it; I think it's an inspired set of re-workings of some of the best songs on this album; "Take me Home" in particular is outstanding).