Tracey Ullman Albums (2)
What The Critics Say
The second album follows the same formula as the first; You Caught Me Out is a well-chosen collection of covers from obscure oldies to contemporary favorites (Madness' "My Girl" -- retitled here as "My Guy") and even another stab at a Kirsty MacColl song ("Terry") -- all done in the classic '60s girl group sound. Though it failed to produce the smash hits of the debut, "My Guy" and "Sunglasses" were minor hits in the U.K., and the album is nearly as much fun. [JVC Victor reissued the album on CD in 2006 with six bonus tracks.] ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
'You Broke My Heart in 17 Places'
Release Date 1/1/1983
Tracks 11
Label Stiff
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Although comic actress Tracey Ullman is these days entirely dismissive of her early-'80s sideline career as a chart-topping pop singer, that's an unfair assessment. There is nothing much of lasting import on Ullman's 1983 debut, You Broke My Heart in 17 Places, but it's kitschy pop fluff at its best. The twin highlights are the title track and "They Don't Know," both written by the indescribably talented Kirsty MacColl. (Indeed, Ullman's "They Don't Know" is merely the backing track of MacColl's original 1979 single with Ullman's voice on top, with MacColl's Spector-like multiply-overdubbed harmonies actually mixed higher than Ullman's lead vocal. That's MacColl singing the climactic "BAY-bee!," too.) However, the other tracks, almost all covers of '60s and '70s pop classics, are pretty terrific as well. Jackie DeShannon's "Breakway," Doris Day's "Move Over Darling," and Blondie's brilliant new wave torch song "I'm Always Touched by Your Presence Dear" are great songs given good to great readings, and even the lesser material, like Reunion's horrid "Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)," is delivered with a nod and a wink that makes it palatable. This is highly recommended to bubblegum fans. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
