1. Sleeping 3:41
Written By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Published By Cruz Music And Warner Chappell
Produced By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Lead Vocal, Programming, Keyboards, Backing Vocals: Rick Astley
Keyboards, Guitars, Backing Vocals: Chris Braide
Guitars: Mark Jaimes
Recorded And Mixed By Dan Frampton
Review
Rick's first single release in almost 8 years starts with an atmospheric vocal fade-in that moves quickly onto the intro, complete with more phasing vocal effects and an up-tempo beat. All the way through this track there are some really nice guitar effects and the vocoder treatment in the bridge is well hidden but worth finding. Background vocals are provided by Chris Braide and they blend well with Rick's smooth vocals.
2. Wanna Believe You 3:42
Written By Rick Astley
Published By Cruz Music
Produced By Rick Astley And Sound Proof
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals: Rick Astley
Programming/Keyboards, Sound Proof Bass: Ernie Mckone
Guitar: Greg Bone
Backing Vocals: Hazel Fernandes
Recorded By Sound Proof
Mixed By Wayne Wilkins
Review
After an interesting introduction with strings and stereo effects, “Wanna believe you” kicks into action with a really groovy bassline reminiscent of Level 42's Mark King - foot tapping stuff without a doubt! With a hugely catchy chorus, you know this fast and upbeat number would go down well on the dance-floor. By the time Rick's into the verse, you're dancing! . It totally uplifts you, Rick's voice stamping a patent on it; no-one could sing it better. Look out for a few more good vocal effects throughout this song.
3. What You See Is What You Don't Get 3:24
Written By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Published By Cruz Music And Warner Chappel
Produced By Rick Astley And Wayne Wilkins
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals, Guitar: Rick Astley
Programming, Keyboards: Wayne Wilkins
Backing Vocals, Keyboards: Chris Braide
Bass: Winston Blisset
Recorded And Mixed By Wayne Wilkins
Review
Rick & Chris Braide team up again on this classic dance track filled with explosive energy and electronic vocal effects. The backing vocal harmonies and string accompaniment are really effective during the verses and worth listening out for are Rick on guitar and the Morse code-like effects in the chorus. This song heralds an amazing new sound for the return of Rick Astley and this is definitely not just an album filler but possibly the 3rd single.
4. Breathe 4:00
Written By Rick Astley, Bob Dipero And Angela Lupino
Published By Cruz Music And EMI
Produced By Rick Astley And Wayne Wilkins
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar: Rick Astley
Programming, Keyboards: Wayne Wilkins
Backing Vocals: Beverly Skeet
Recorded And Mixed By Wayne Wilkins
Review
With its light and airy feel "Breathe" turns out to be a breath of fresh air. A song about unrequited love, Rick delivers a smooth yet warbly performance that draws you in and makes you hurt right along with him. Worth listening out for are the backing “whispers” that speak during the chorus. Backed by the tinkling of ivories and cymbals and the strain of a
muffled guitar Rick hits probably the highest notes of his career.
5. One Night Stand 4:09
Written By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Published By Cruz Music And Warner Chappell
Produced By Rick Astley And Wayne Wilkins
Lead Vocal: Rick Astley
Programming, Keyboards: Wayne Wilkins
Backing Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards: Chris Braide
Recorded By Wayne Wilkins And Rick Astley
Mixed By Wayne Wilkins
Review
An unexpected slow collaboration with Chris Braide for this track. Singing from his soul, there is a deeper sound than we are used to here. A ballad of "love gone right", one night stand features very little in the way of instrumental backing, with the keyboard and drums playing second fiddle to Rick's vocals. Rick's partner can be heard talking during the instrumental break which adds to the personal feel of this track. One night stand is a song which emotes the strong feelings that Rick obviously had when writing it.
6. Don't Ask 4:14
Written By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Published By Cruz Music And Warner Chappell
Produced By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals: Rick Astley
Drums: Simon Hill
Backing Vocals, All Instruments: Chris Braide
Recorded And Mixed By Dan Frampton
Review
Similar in feel to “Hold me in your arms” this powerful mid-tempo ballad starts with just a simple string and guitar intro which melts into the first verse with the help of a hypnotic pulse like percussion loop. Echo effects are inserted at the most opportune of moments all the way through this track and the piano accompaniment is well hidden but forces its way to the front whenever it can. This would make an excellent Christmas single for 2002.
7. Keep It Turned On 3:47
Written By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Published By Cruz Music And Warner Chappell
Produced By Rick Astley And Chris Braide
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals, Programming, Guitars: Rick Astley
Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Piano, Guitars: Chris Braide
Recorded By Dan Frampton And Rick Astley
Mixed By Dan Frampton
Review
Rick's second single from his new album shows you that all the tracks have been remixed with the current feel of the charts, lots of electronic vocal effects and digital sounds. “Keep it turned on” is upbeat and smooth with a tempo designed to "bop" to, Rick delivers yet another "light" yet danceable tune. The backing vocals lend an ambiance to a "club feel" as we are drawn in by his melty baritone voice.
8. Romeo Loves Juliet 3:41
For Oliver
Written By Rick Astley
Published By Cruz Music
Produced By Rick Astley
Additional Production By Wayne Wilkins
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals: Rick Astley
Keyboards, Programming: Dave West And Wayne Wilkins
Guitar: Mark Jaimes
Recorded By Dan Frampton And Wayne Wilkins
Mixed By Wayne Wilkins
Review
This modern day version of the famous story of two young lovers is a beautiful ballad that makes you feel like you are wrapped in a warm embrace with a loved one! Rick's vocals are full of strong feelings and sung with a naturalness that only he can master. It's not the just the music, but Rick's deep voice and the wonderful lyrics that make this song a truly great love song that will keep you coming back to this one track time and time again.
9. Let's Go Out Tonight 3:42
Written By Rick Astley And Dave West
Published By Cruz Music And EMI
Produced By Rick Astley
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals, Programming, Guitar: Rick Astley
Keyboards, Programming: Dave West
Backing Vocals: Andrea Harpham
Recorded By Dan Frampton And Rick Astley
Mixed By Dan Frampton
Review
This track is a real grower… A real up-tempo dance tune with a Todd Terry style percussion beat. During the chorus Rick's vocals get an “ELO - Mr Blue Sky” style electronic vocal treatment which really adds to the whole electronic feel of this song. Backing vocals are beautifully provided by Andrea Harpham and there are even spot effects in their like an ambulance and a crowded street.
10. Full Of You 4:26
Written By Rick Astley
Published By Cruz Music
Produced By Gary Stevenson
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals: Rick Astley
Keyboards, Programming: Dave West
Keyboards: Richard Cottle
Guitar, Bass: Mark Jaimes
Drums: Simon Hill
String Arranger: Julian Kershaw
Recorded And Mixed By Gary Stevenson
Review
One of the album's best tracks, ‘Full of You' is perhaps “Keep It Turned On's” most emotional song. It is very complete as the words, music and vocals play an equally important role in building a visual picture. A solo piano is first to open the piece closely followed by gentle strings. Together they compliment the lyrics magically as Rick unveils a sad story. The 2nd verse introduces some more instruments whilst the chorus takes the song in an unexpected direction adding a gospel touch but different from ‘Cry for Help'. Rick delivers his voice more powerfully, reflecting the meaning of the lyrics. Toward the end there is an excellently worked bit of suspense as we wait to see who is at the door… With the drums knocking it's all very clever. With it's tear jerking qualities, you wouldn't be surprised to hear ‘Full Of You' in an episode of Ally McBeal, although it would probably be more at home on a film soundtrack.
11. Miracle 4:20
Written By Rick Astley And Andrew Frampton
Published By Cruz Music And EMI
Produced By Rick Astley And Ben Robbins
Lead Vocal, Backing Vocal: Rick Astley
Keyboards, Programming: Ben Robbins
Guitar: Anthony Clark And Nathan King
Backing Vocals: Hazel Fernandes
Review
Miracle is one of the most "easy listening" style tracks that Rick has ever recorded. A soulful sounding guitar backing accompanies Rick's heartfelt vocals adding to the distinctive sound of this song. Miracle is a nicely tempoed, uplifting end to a truly great album.
Reviews are the personal opinions of The Rick Astley Net Team.
Album Review
HMV - December 2001
Oh irony of ironies. Just as TV show 'Pop Idol' reaches its climax, onetime pop superstar Rick Astley decides to make his comeback. Tea boy-turned millionaire, Astley sold more than fifteen million albums worldwide in the eighties - before packing in pop due to the 'pressures' of fame. Back with his first album in over eight years, 'Keep It Turned On' once again showcases his rich, deep voice, mixing it with lots of up-to-date electronic vocal effects and digital sounds. Replete with dreamy harmonies and heart stopping melodies, 'Keep It...' is a fantastic mix of up-tempo dance tunes and tearstained ballads that simply oozes panache from every groove. It's gorgeous, it's pop - what more can we say? Like he's never been away...
