The importance of ‘Michael Bolton’ cannot be understated, if only for myself. I’ve heard a thousand AOR albums since, but this is definitive AOR, plus 1985’s ‘Everybody’s Crazy’, are the benchmarks for the genre.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Michael Bolton
ALBUM: Michael Bolton
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: BFC 38537-1
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Michael Bolton – vocals, guitars
Guitars: Bob Kulick, Craig Brooks, Bruce Kulick, Scott Zito * Keyboards, pianos, synthesizers – Mark Mangold, Scott Zito, Jan Mullaney, Aldo Nova, George Clinton, Doug Katsaros * Bass – Mark Clarke, Scott Zito * Drums – Chuck Burgi, Michael Braun
TRACK LISTING: 01 Fools Game * 02 She Did The Same Thing * 03 Hometown Hero * 04 Can’t Hold On, Can’t Let Go * 05 Fighting For My Life * 06 Paradise * 07 Back In My Arms Again * 08 Carrie * 09 I Almost Believed You
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Following the failure of Blackjack‘s two albums (‘Blackjack’ – 1979 and ‘World’s Apart’ – 1980), Michael Bolton decided to resurrect his career by recording his first solo album since 1976’s ‘Everyday Of My Life’. Since Blackjack had taken a melodic turn unlike his earlier albums, Bolton continued on in this direction and enlisted a crack assortment of AOR veterans.
Among them were members of Balance (Bob Kulick, Burgi and Katsaros), as well as heavyweights Aldo Nova and Mark Mangold (Touch). Easily, Bolton has created an AOR masterpiece, though with the talent on board that should have been expected. I recall the first time I heard this album. Derek Oliver had praised it in his Encyclopedia, so I gave it a spin before I bought it.
Once I heard the intro to ‘She Did The Same Thing’ I broke all speed limits to get home and hear it all. I didn’t emerge from my room for weeks. This is the album which sold me on AOR. Ignoring the cover of ‘Back In My Arms Again’, every song is perfectly crafted. Bolton had a hand in writing all of the songs, four of them just on his own.
The Songs
‘Fools Game’ is a tremendous opener, very breezy with great synths from Mangold who co-wrote the song. Bolton displays his skill on guitar with a catchy solo, proof there is no end to the mans talent. Mullaney’s synth work on ‘She Did The Same Thing’ gives that extra bit of atmosphere to the track.
The lyrics on ‘Hometown Hero’ are similar to that of the HSAS track ‘My Hometown’, but musically this one shades it, even if Schon’s solo goes for broke. Aldo Nova adds synths to ‘Can’t Hold On, Can’t Let Go’. There are some great riffs and synth tradeoffs here with Bruce Kulick adding the solo.
‘Fighting For My Life’ is as tough as it sounds. The main riff is brutish in delivery, the track being hard rock more than AOR. Bolton’s detractors may want to catch a piece of this the next time they slag him off. The guy really sounds as if he is doing what the title says! Tough vocal style indeed.
‘Paradise’ and ‘Carrie’ continue the class, vintage 80’s harmonies in both. This particular ‘Carrie’ upstaging Franke And The Knockouts ‘Carrie Why’ by a Longshot! The album ends on a dramatic note with the ballad ‘I Almost Believed You’, Bolton’s amazing voice hitting all the notes at the climax. As soon as the album ends you will be pushing the play button again.
In Summary
The importance of ‘Michael Bolton’ cannot be understated, if only for myself. I’ve heard a thousand AOR albums since, but this is definitive AOR, plus 1985’s ‘Everybody’s Crazy’, are the benchmarks for the genre. Simply my opinion. The man got it right.
He knew a good chorus and built great songs around them, using the best session musicians. Sure Bolton veered off course around 1989, but what did he have left to prove? ‘Michael Bolton’ itself would have been enough to cement his legend. That’s how good it is.
Video
Fools Game
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
