March 10, 2015

Colin James Hay - Looking For Jack (1987)

Colin James Hay (born 29 June 1953) is a Scottish Australian musician and actor who made his mark during the 1980s as lead vocalist of the Australian band Men at Work, and later as a solo artist.
“Looking for Jack” is his solo debut solo album, released in 1987. Upon the demise of the mega-successful group Men at Work in 1985, Colin Hay ventured forth with his first solo album in 1987. Hay's distinctive voice was the most recognizable component of Men at Work, and as such it cuts through the sometimes over-ambitious arrangements on this album. A big drum sound and big rock arrangements threaten at times to overshadow Hay's songwriting and singing. Elsewhere, songs such as the smooth, relaxed title song and "Circles Erratica" rank with the best output of his career. Unfortunately, the album went virtually unnoticed, ensuring Hay's status as a cult artist. His subsequent work, though, has been by and large excellent. Hay's music has been frequently used by actor and director Zach Braff in his work, subsequently leading to a career rebirth in the mid-2000s. Commenting on his younger fanbase, Hay noted, "Most of them have an idea about Men at Work, but that's the subplot. They picked up on me since Scrubs, they're young enough they never heard of Men at Work. But I've found if people discover you they discover everything about you."
Regarding his solo career, Hay stated, in 2011: "I feel like it's been building for the last fifteen or so years that I’ve been touring. It's slow and steady. It's been word-of-mouth. People see the show, like it, and tell their friends. It feels very organic."

Track listing

01. "Hold Me"  - 4:09
02. "Can I Hold You?"  - 3:35
03. "Looking for Jack"  (Alsop, Hay)  - 4:10
04. "Master of Crime"  - 4:57
05. "These Are Our Finest Days"  - 4:07
06. "Puerto Rico"  - 4:28
07. "Ways of the World"  - 4:05
08. "I Don't Need You Anymore"  - 3:04
09. "Circles Erratica"  - 4:02
10. "Fisherman's Friend"  - 5:31

All songs written by Colin Hay, except where noted.
"Nature of the Beast" (4:50), written by Hay and Alsop, is listed as the track #6 for the editions of the album released outside USA.

Credits
Colin Hay - acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, vocals, 12 string guitar, Synclavier
Jeremy Alsop - bass, keyboards, synthesizer guitar
David Bitelli - baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone
Mike Brittain - double bass
Raul d'Oliveira - trumpet
Herbie Hancock - piano
Ginya Joseph - vocals
Chris Laurence - double bass
Joe Legwabe - vocals
Dee Lewis - vocals
Linda Lewis - vocals
Helen Liebmann - cello
Martin Loveday - cello
Ashley Maher - vocals
Noel McCalla - vocals
Russell Hitchcock - vocals
Robbie McIntosh - guitar, electric guitar
Morris Michael - vocals
Robin Millar - keyboards
Nicky Payne - tenor saxophone
Nick Pentelow - tenor saxophone
Rufus Sefothoma - vocals
Steve Sidwell - trumpet
Richard Taylor - trombone
Rick Taylor - trombone
Chad Wackerman - percussion, drums
Paul "Wix" Wickens - organ, Hammond organ

Production
Producer: Robin Millar
Engineer: Tim Kramer
Assistant engineers: Dave Anderson (engineer), Phil Legg, Nick Sykes
Arranger: Robin Millar
Photography: David P. Bailey
Studio artwork: Bill Smith

Notes
Genre: Pop rock
Length: 42:08
Label:  Columbia Records

© 1987

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