Simply Red
Picture Book
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1985 US original Allie pressing with Elektra company inner sleeve. Features The Massive Hit "Holding Back The Years," "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" And More. "Picture Book" is the debut album by British band Simply Red, released in 1985. The band was formed by lead vocalist Mick Hucknall in 1984, and they quickly gained popularity with their soulful blend of pop, jazz, and R&B.

The album features hits such as "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)", a cover of the Valentine Brothers' song, and "Holding Back the Years", a ballad written by Hucknall about his estranged father. "Holding Back the Years" went on to top the charts in the US and the UK.

The album was produced by Stewart Levine, who had previously worked with artists such as Joe Cocker and Minnie Riperton. It was recorded at Power Station Studios in New York City and mixed at Abbey Road Studios in London.

"Picture Book" was a critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and earning double platinum certification in the UK. It also reached the top 20 in several other countries, including the US.

The album has been praised for its eclectic mix of genres and Hucknall's soulful vocals. It has since become a classic of 1980s pop music and a defining moment in Simply Red's career.