Picture Book (Simply Red album)

In The Village Voice, Robert Christgau wrote that there were essentially "only two songs on this album", "Money's Too Tight (to Mention)" and "Heaven", but that Hucknall and the band carry off the album "on mood and groove alone". Reviewing the 1996 re-release for Q, Nick Duerden described Picture Book as "the most accomplished debut of its year". He said of Hucknall, "With the most prodigious voice this side of Motown and a burning socialist heart, here he infuses everything with a passion that he's rarely matched since." In the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, Andy Robbins attributed the record's commercial success in both America and the UK to "Holding Back the Years", which he feels is Hucknall's best vocal performance. Robbins noted rock and jazz sounds, along with soul influences. ==Commercial performance==

The album was commercially successful, appearing in the top 30 album charts of twelve countries, and achieving platinum certification sales in four countries, including the United States and United Kingdom. ==Track listing==

All tracks written by Mick Hucknall, except where noted. 2008 Collector's Edition bonus tracks Disc two, DVD: Live at Montreux Jazz Festival (8 July 1986) • "Grandma's Hands" (Bill Withers) • "Sad Old Red" • "Open Up the Red Box" • "The Right Thing" • "No Direction" (Hucknall, Fryman) • "I Won't Give Up" • "Holding Back the Years" (Hucknall, Neil Moss) • "Picture Book" (Hucknall, Fritz McIntyre) • "Love Fire" (Bunny Wailer) • "Jericho" • "I Won't Feel Bad" (Hucknall, McIntyre, Tim Kellett, Chris Joyce, Tony Bowers, Sylvan Richardson) • "Suffer" (Hucknall, Lamont Dozier) • "Infidelity" (Hucknall, Dozier) • "Money's Too Tight (to Mention)" (John Valentine, William Valentine) • "Come to My Aid" (Hucknall, McIntyre) • "Jericho" [Instrumental] • "Heaven" (Byrne, Harrison) • "Move on Out" • "Look at You Now" ==Personnel==

Simply Red • Mick Hucknall – lead and backing vocals, acoustic piano • Fritz McIntyre – keyboards, backing vocals • Tim Kellett – keyboards, trumpet, live backing vocals • Sylvan Richardson – guitars • Tony Bowers – bass • Chris Joyce – drums, percussion Guest Musicians • David Fryman – guitars (8), backing vocals (8) • Ronnie Ross – baritone saxophone (2, 4, 5) • Ian Dickson – tenor saxophone (2, 4, 5) • Francis Foster – congas (1, 3) Production • Producer – Stewart Levine • Engineered and mixed by Femi Jiya • Assistant engineer – Chris Dickie • Mastered by Arun Chakraverty at Master Room (London, England) • CD mastering – Barry Diament • Sleeve design – Peter Barrett • Front cover photo – Simon Fowler • Back cover photo – Malcolm Heywood ==Charts==

Weekly charts Year-end charts ==Certifications and sales==