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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Former front-man of successful boy-band Take That, Gary Barlow's self-assured debut album is his attempt to be taken seriously as a credible pop talent. Barlow penned exactly half the tracks on Open Road, with a mixture of co-written, cover versions and specially commissioned tracks filling the rest of the album. His interpretations of Johnny Bristol's, "Hang On In There Baby"--produced by pop master Trevor Horn--and Shep Pettibone's "Love Won't Wait" are particularly illuminating. However, by far the best songs on this album are the ones solely composed by Gary, which highlight his ability to write addictive and emotive melodies, especially the title track, a soulful and candid account of self-discovery, and "Forever Love", a tear-jerking song of funereal magnitude. --John Galilee
Product Description
GARY BARLOW Open Road (1997 Taiwanese 12-track CD album picture sleeve with lyrics plus exclusive set of 4 colour postcards and small fold-out poster + wraparound obi-strip - still sealed in original stickered shrinkwrap)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well- I'm left pleasantly surprised with this album, and at the same time disappointed in the general reaction to it. It's a shame it ahsn't been picked up on before - most likely due to Barlow's lack of credibility and poor public image - that is his squeaky-clean boy next-door image. It's not the fact that it's terribly good - for it isn't. Only that I know of far worse singer/songwriters out there who are on the same par as old Barlow here yet are getting a lot more attention/credit for it.Still, that leaves the likes of me and other discerning customers to enjoy this album - put this album on, dim the lights and imagine you're on top of a skyscraper overlooking New York City, the twinkle of the stars and city lights lighting up the dark. Sounds romantic? (Or is that me......)
Undoubtedly the finest song on this album is track 2 - So Help Me Girl - though that might be probably due to the fact it was one of the few on this album NOT written by Barlow. Likewise track 7 - Fall so Deep - is a pleasant soul-soother. track 4 - Hang on In there Baby - is reminescent of brand New Heavies - the background beat reminding me of Midnight at the Oasis. Track 5 Everything I ever Wanted is unashamedly a love ballad that works well, yet nothing astounding. In fact it sounds like one of those chinese pop ballads translated into English - a type of classic formula that all ballad-writers employ to ensure commercial success - neither offensive nor spine-chilling.
The most abysmal sickening songs on this album would have to be his most commercially successful so far - Forever Love - no doubt bought by all those screaming teen fans out there. Contrived and overly-sentimental not to mention stomach-churning this album is worth spitting on for this track alone - however So Help Me girl redeems it (thankfully) from being cast into utter oblivion. Open Road is catchy yet nothing out of the ordinary. A pretty ordinary album made up of tried and tested ballads that are non-offensive but at the same time nothing groundbreaking either. Even Diane Warren's collaboration on Track 3 - My Commitment - is disappointing.
However So Help Me girl - I cannot recommend enough. Buy it for that track alone. Or sue me.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After Take That disbanded, I had been expecting Gary's solo album as he is the one I fancy most among the 5 lads.This was a typical Gary album,full of easy catching ballads. I was not surprised as it was as good as I expected. And the most important is that this album led me to know my very first love when I was in college.
He was standing on the stage, singing So Help Me Girl and the voice touched me. I fell in love at first sight. We'd been together for a period of time. Gary's music was our favorite topic. Though we splitted later but that was the happiest time in my life.
My fav in this album are My Commitment, Never Knew,Forever Love.
He was standing on the stage, singing So Help Me Girl and the voice touched me. I fell in love at first sight. We'd been together for a period of time. Gary's music was our favorite topic. Though we splitted later but that was the happiest time in my life.
My fav in this album are My Commitment, Never Knew,Forever Love.
Format:Audio CD
One of my favourite albums! So underated when it was originally released it's untrue. Gary is an amazing songwriter and this is clearly shown in this album. If you're a Take That or Gary fan you will love it.
If you're thinking about buying it, think no more!
If you're thinking about buying it, think no more!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gary's Best solo album !!!!
I'm a huge Take That fan but also a big fan of Gary's. I love his solo stuff so i bought this great debut album of Garys in 2009. I love it! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Frederick Collier
open road
this is 1 of the best albums out there you can see that take that would be mediocre if it wasnt for gary barlow he is 1 of the best song writers of my time
Published 12 months ago by les
Go On Then, Gary!
Open Road is the solo debut of former Take That singer Gary Barlow. Take That, a major act in the UK and Europe, only accheived one hit here in the US with a song called "Back... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2000 by yokoboy@hotmail.com
An outstanding album for the Gary Barlow fan
If you love Take That, you will love this whole album. It is typical of Gary's style and provides his fans with endless enjoyment whatever your mood
Published on 8 Feb 2000
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