Paul Young ushered in the sound that dominated the second half of the 80s with the eclectic No Parlez, which spanned soul, New Wave, Bowiesque art-pop and even boasted a controversial Joy Division cover. Now celebrated with a new expanded edition, we hear how the album was created from Paul, producer Laurie Latham, bassist Pino Palladino and backing vocalists The Fabulous Wealthy Tarts.
JOHN EARLS
“When people think of ‘The 80s’, it’s usually categorised as New Romantic, because of bands like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet becoming so iconic. No Parlez was a more soul-based departure from what was going on at the time. It really stands up, and it was influential. With its backing vocals, the Simmons drums and, yes, my fretless bass, it’s an album with a strong identity. I still can’t think of an album that sounds quite like it. Paul and his music deserve to be remembered more than they are.”
So says bass legend Pino Palladino of Paul Young’s solo debut album. He’s right, too. No Parlez has become such a staple, and the artists like Simply Red, Wet Wet Wet and Go West who followed in Paul’s wake became so huge throughout the rest of the decade, it’s easy to forget just how radical the album’s sumptuously smooth hits Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home), Love Of The Common People and Come Back And Stay seemed when they landed, while the chart landscape was all about synth-pop and futurism.
By the time the album was released in July 1983, Paul was finally a star. No Parlez promptly sold two million in Britain, second only to Thriller as the year’s best-selling LP. But the idea of someone regarded as a jobbing retro soul turn becoming massive was a mighty gamble when Sony imprint CBS offered Paul a solo deal away from his band, Stax-influenced brass botherers Q-Tips.
“Being offered a solo deal came as a surprise,” admits Young. “We wanted a new deal for Q-Tips, I wasn’t looking to go solo. But what I ended up with was a solo offer on the table. What I had in my favour was a pocketful of ideas and a confidence in my ability. Q-Tips had played up and down the country for years, so I knew I could hold a stage. And I’d listened to lots of different music, which you can hear in the album’s diversity.
“Coming out of a vintage band like Q-Tips, I thought it was time to embrace technolog
