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One to One

Howard Jones - One to One Audio CD

A fair review of the Howard Jones "One to One" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Howard Jones reviews here, or go back to the Howard Jones tabs.

Band: Howard Jones
Title: One to One
Rating:

Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: You Know I Love You...Don't You? 2: Balance of Love (Give and Take) 3: All I Want 4: Where Are We Going? 5: Don't Want to Fight Anymore 6: Step into These Shoes 7: Will You Still Be There? 8: Good Luck, Bad Luck 9: Give Me Strength 10: Little Bit of Snow 11: No One Is to Blame

A Gem Almost Forgotten
One to One picks up where Dream Into Action left off and gives you an even tighter cut of tracks than before. Howard Jones distinguished himself from all the other 80's synth pop artists with his unique and talenting musical talents and thought-provoking lyrics. The only thing that you will notice pretty different is Howard's synth style is slowly taking a back seat on this particular album. That's not to say you don't get some killer songs. Just Mr. New Song isn't coming out to play much on this one.

One to One also starts Howards contemporary era of music with ballads like WILL YOU STILL BE THERE and the toe tapping (literally) STEP INTO THESE SHOES. The somewhat preachy lyrics from previous albums are really downplayed here, except for the very powerful song LITTLE BIT OF SNOW. While other songs with those life lesson-styled lyrics don't make as strong an impact as that one you still get a healthy dose of good advice sung to you.

While this album was a definite hit it didn't make a strong an impact as his first two albums. The thing is Howard is still going on strong with this one and continued to do so years after. If you are a Howard Jones fan this album should be part of your collection. If you are a fan of moving and poignant music you should get this one just for LITTLE BIT OF SNOW alone. Howard is still in high form with One to One. .

still essential Howard Jones
There are several synth?-tricks on this album I've never heard elsewhere. Howard did not have as many fast techno-dance oriented tracks on this one, but the technology still shows up masterfully. He uses horns wonderfully on the firsts track "You know. . " and the songwriting is still masterful and original. No two songs sound alike. Catchy hooks, great use of musical bridges and shifting moods and textures (in a modern music way), this is still an essential disc if you are exploring HoJo music. Should have gotten more credit and I wish it was remastered.

What Happened?
What I got, was what I think, is his most disappointing album. After "Human's Lib" and "Dream Into Action:, I was all fired up to hear what HoJo had in store for us the next go around. "You Know I Love You" somewhat sounds like HoJo was trying to re-visit "Things Can Only Get Better" but it didn't work. "No One Is To Blame" was originaly on "Dream Into Action". This new version was produced by Phil Collins. The two songs that I really do like on this album are "Will You Still Be There?" and "Give Me Strength". I think HoJo spent a lot of time arranging this album, and trying new ideas and concepts. The songs seem well produced but lack the warmth and infectiousness of his previous works. Which is ironic since he began to use live musicians more on this album than on his previous two.

You Know I Love Howard's Music...Don't You?
This is by far my fave album from HoJO!

"You Know I Love You. . Don't You" is a fast rhythm pacer with a bunch of sexy similees like "i'm the steam engine and you are the tracks. . . roll over me I'll be rolling right back!".

"Give & Take (Balance of Love)" is sung with backup singer Caron Wheeler I believe which creeps its way into a duet with Howard and Caron sparring really well together! This so should have been a single!

"All I Want" is a penultimate HoJo lovesong. Predating "Everlasting Love" this song became the second single from the album. This is really a sweet invitation to spend a lifetime together as only Howard can deliver.

"Where Are We Going?" has this neat little vocal sample loop that forms a sorta beat pattern. A song about refusing to conforming to others expectations and using your full potential. Very HoJo to slide in some issues here!

"Don't Want To Fight Anymore" Howard gets down and boogies! Backup singers, fast loud ranting just makes this a great song!!

""Step Into These Shoes" is a busy song with phone bells and horns which settles around the chorus'. "Step into these shoes and feel this heart. . . ".

"Will You Still Be There" is an achy song that Howard sings so sweetly. Released as a fourth single this song went nowhere. (Meanwhile so did Howard as he went to NYC to open his veggie bistro "NOWHERE"!). Still this is such a beautiful song it remains a fan favorite.

"Good Luck Bad Luck" sparkles with synth! Howard is a bit of Taoist and you can compare this one to "Is There a Difference" on the DREAM INTO ACTION album.

"Give Me Strength" is so cool! It's as if Howard has saved the best for the later part of the album! Reggae rhythm, rapper style delivery, and a neat processed vocal sample that jumps from speaker to speaker!

"Little Bit of Snow" is the only antidrug song that could make rocks cry. Rather than preach the ill effects of drugs, Howard just basically says he wants you let people help you. "Please give you to us. . . don't destroy yourself in a little bit of snow".
Acoustic piano, strings and vibraphone make this musically one of his prettiest tunes. This was the third single, released only in the UK. (Around this time I believe there was a controversial article in one of the London papers that explained how crack was made which outraged many people. This song would later be put on an Antidrug Benefit record along with Bananamrama's "Hooked on love". )

"No One is To Blame" is a remade version originally from the DREAM INTO ACTION album. More synth, backup vocals and Phil Collins, this became HoJo's biggest hit! But to be honest, it's so overplayed they should have put "Roll Over", an unbelievable omission from ONE TO ONE that became a b-side later on.

This was a turning point in Howard's career where he cared less about looking kooky and focused on being a great songwriter. So. . . what are you doing? Go buy it!.

An enjoyable disc
The material is in a pop musical direction. One to One--Howard Jones' third full-length album--was released in 1986 and is composed of 11 tracks. Overall, the songwriting is solid, the musicianship is skilled, and the sound quality is polished. Jones does well with the vocals and keyboard playing. Some of the songs contain brass instrumentation, female background vocals, and minimal guitar work. Four ballads are included--"Where Are We Going?," "Will You Still Be There?," "Little Bit of Snow," and "No One Is to Blame. " Examples of compositions I like are the catchy and bouncy "The Balance of Love (Give and Take)," the attractive "All I Want," the pretty "Where Are We Going?," "Little Bit of Snow," which has a string arrangement, and the closing piece "No One Is to Blame. " The original version of "No One Is to Blame" is on Jones' second full-length album, 1985's Dream into Action. The second rendition included here features Phil Collins on drums and backing vocals. I find both versions to be pleasing. The song lyrics and a black-and-white photo of Jones are in the CD booklet. The disc is almost 50 minutes. I recommend One to One.

You can see a complete list of all Howard Jones discography, or go back to the Howard Jones tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.