No Jacket Required - Collins, Phil (CD)

If the expression no jacket required truly epitomizes Phil Collins philosophy in real life, then he has to be the coolest guy in music today. This casual, nonchalant attitude about being famous will help in bridging the gap between celebrity and ordinary Joe. Phil Collins is the Everyman of the pop world and nowhere does this shine through brighter than on his 1984 release, No Jacket Required .

Throughout his long career Phil Collins has managed to maintain an upbeat and down-to-earth persona, no matter where he might stand on the Billboard chart. As for my personal chart of Top 30 albums (of my lifetime at least) this album stands at a respectable #24, sandwiched between Pet Shop Boys latest Nightlife and Olivia Newton-John s Physical .

What kept this album from breaking into the Top 20, were these three less memorable songs: Inside Out , I Don t Wanna Know and Doesn t Anybody Stay Together Anymore . That last one is starting to hit home now though, with its strong and relevant message. If you care to
avoid these particular tunes, you can check out the CD of remixes entitled 12"ers that includes six of the best songs from this album. All of the best except my favorite, Long Long Way to Go , which should be re-released on a new soundtrack or something! With the back-up of fellow countryman Sting, this emotional tune has depth and is one of Phil s best kept secrets. It is certainly better than the overrated single One More Night . I was mad that one got as much attention as it did, while Long Long Way to Go had to suffer in silence.

The previously unreleased track that is included on the CD version of No Jacket is We Said Hello Goodbye . For some reason, every time I listen to this song, I hear something different. Maybe because the title suggests that it might be an upbeat tune on the level of the classic Sussudio . But no, it is a slight ballad that closes the album on a questionable note. Take Me Home seemed a more appropriate ending, but who s nitpicking? This entire album if only for the memories it provides is deserving of this recognition as being a classic. It certainly is one of the few albums around that grows old most gracefully. If anything it improves with age.

As does Phil Collins himself. He has just won an Oscar for his hit from Disney s Tarzan , You ll Be In My Heart . That song would have also had a long shelf life if it weren t so overplayed! I remember when that one came out, all I could say was Boy, the guy s still got it.
Not that I ever doubted him for a second, it s just that he hadn t been in the spotlight for quite some time.

Keyboards and drums are my two favorite instruments and on No Jacket Required , Phil makes full use of both. His previous and subsequent albums didn t have the energy that this one does. I was never all that fanatical about In the Air Tonight , nor was I thrilled with his
mellowing turn on the entire album But Seriously . Call me a stick in the mud, but so far, when it comes to Phil Collins, I am a one album man. And much like this little man with the soul of a giant, I prefer to leave my jacket at home thank you very much!