Michael Bolton (album)

Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton
Studio album by Michael Bolton
Released	April 1983
Recorded	1982–83
Studio	Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Power Station, New York City, New York;
Genre	Rock; arena rock; R&B;
Length	33:19
Label	Columbia
Producer	Michael Bolton, Gerry Block
Michael Bolton chronology
Singles from Michael Bolton
	"Fool's Game"; Released: 1983;

Michael Bolton is the third studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. Released in 1983, it was Bolton's first record to be released on Columbia Records. This was also the first time that Bolton recorded under his stage name as his previous two albums had been released under his given name, Michael Bolotin.

It features then future Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, rotating with Bolton himself. Future Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Savatage/Megadeth guitarist Al Pitrelli replaced Kulick on the tour supporting the single, "Fool's Game", though the tour was cancelled after four shows.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	^[3]

The Rolling Stone Album Guide said the album was "better balanced and more pop-savvy [than the rest of Bolton's first four albums], but falters when he attempts an over-burdened rendition of the Supremes' 'Back in My Arms Again'."^[3]

AllMusic gave the album a generally negative retrospective review, saying that it was dominated by arena rock cliches, but acknowledged that "Bolton was an undeniably involving singer, and songs like 'Fools Game,' the lead-off track and chart single, were satisfying pop efforts".^[2]

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Fool's Game"	Michael Bolton, Craig Brooks, Mark Mangold	3:56
2.	"She Did the Same Thing"	Bolton	3:52
3.	"Hometown Hero"	Bolton, Scott Zito	3:41
4.	"Can't Hold On, Can't Let Go"	Bolton	3:22
5.	"Fighting for My Life"	Bolton	3:28

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Paradise"	Bolton, Zito	4:00
2.	"Back in My Arms Again" (Originally recorded by The Supremes)	Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland	3:14
3.	"Carrie"	Bolton	3:51
4.	"I Almost Believed You"	Bolton, Patrick Henderson	4:05

Personnel

Musicians

Michael Bolton – lead and backing vocals, guitar solo (1, 3), lead guitar (5)
Mark Mangold – synthesizers (1), backing vocals (1)
Jan Mullaney – acoustic piano (1, 2, 3, 8), synthesizers (2-5, 8), Hammond organ (7)
Scott Zito – backing vocals (2, 6), acoustic piano (6), synthesizers (6), lead guitar (6), rhythm guitar (6), bass (6)
Aldo Nova – synthesizers (4), guitar solo (7)
George Clinton – synthesizers (9), backing vocals (9)
Doug Katsaros – acoustic piano (9)
Craig Brooks – rhythm guitar (1), backing vocals (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
Bob Kulick – rhythm guitar (2-5, 7, 8, 9)
Bruce Kulick – lead guitar (2), guitar solo (4)
Mark Clarke – bass (1-5, 7, 8, 9)
Michael Braun – drums (1)
Chuck Burgi – drums (2-9)
Lloyd Landesman – backing vocals (2, 4, 5, 7)

Technical personnel

Produced by Gerry Block and Michael Bolton
Associate producer – Jan Mullaney
Executive producer – Louis Levin
Engineered by Carla Bandini, Gerry Block and John Convertino.
Assistant engineers – Barry Bongiovi, Jeffry Hendrickson, Linda Randazzo, Garry Rindfuss, Glenn Rosenstein and Jimmy Santis.
Additional recording by Tony Bongiovi
Mixed by Tony Bongiovi (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8); Gerry Block (tracks 2, 6 & 9).
Recorded and mixed at Sigma Sound Studios (Philadelphia, PA) and The Power Station (New York, NY).
Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk (New York, NY).
Drum and sound technician – John Potoker
Creative direction – Louis Levin, David Krebs and Steve Leber.
Design – Design
Photography – David Kennedy

Cover versions

Eric Martin covered "Can't Hold On, Can't Let Go" on his 1985 album Eric Martin.
René Froger covered "I Almost Believed You" on his 1990 album Midnight Man.
Axel Rudi Pell covered "Fools Game" on his 2007 covers album Diamonds Unlocked.
Last Autumn's Dream covered "Fools Game" on their 2010 album Yes.

Charts

Chart performance for *Michael Bolton*
Chart (1983)	Peak position
US Billboard 200^[4]	89

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[5]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

Liner Notes; Michael Bolton CD (1983, Columbia/CBS Records)

^ ^a ^b Considine, J.D.; Coleman, Mark; Evans, Paul; McGee, David (1992). "Michael Bolton". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Random House. p. 41.
^ ^a ^b ^c Michael Bolton at AllMusic
^ ^a ^b Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 90. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone michael bolton album guide.
^ "Michael Bolton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
^ "American album certifications – Michael Bolton – Michael Bolton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

[RSguide-1] Considine, J.D.; Coleman, Mark; Evans, Paul; McGee, David (1992). "Michael Bolton". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Random House. p. 41.

[allmusic-2] Michael Bolton at AllMusic

[albguide-3] Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 90. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone michael bolton album guide.

[ac_Billboard200_Michael_Bolton-4] "Michael Bolton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[United_StatesMichael_BoltonMichael_BoltonalbumCertRef-5] "American album certifications – Michael Bolton – Michael Bolton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

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