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 Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, rotating with Bolton himself. Al Pitrelli was lead guitarist on the album's supporting tour.
Reception
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'."
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".
Track listing
Personnel
Musicians Michael Bolton – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar solo (1, 3), lead guitar (5) Lloyd Landesman – Prophet-5 synthesizer programming, backing vocals (2, 4, 5, 7) Mark Mangold – synthesizers (1), backing vocals (1) Jan Mullaney – acoustic piano (1–3, 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), lead guitar (7) George S. Clinton – synthesizers (9), backing vocals (9) Doug Katsaros – acoustic piano (9) Craig Brooks – rhythm guitar (1), backing vocals (1, 3–5, 7–9) Bob Kulick – rhythm guitar (2–5, 7–9) Bruce Kulick – lead guitar (2, 4) Mark Clarke – bass (1–5, 7–9) Michael Braun – drums (1) Chuck Burgi – drums (2–9)
Production and Technical Louis Levin – executive producer, direction Gerry Block – producer, engineer, mixing (2, 6, 9) Michael Bolton – producer Jan Mullaney – associate producer Carla Bandini – engineer John Convertino – engineer Barry Bongiovi – assistant engineer Jeffrey Hendrickson – assistant engineer Linda Randazzo – assistant engineer Garry Rindfuss – assistant engineer Glenn Rosenstein – assistant engineer Jimmy Santis – assistant engineer Tony Bongiovi – mixing (1, 3–5, 7, 8), additional recording Bob Ludwig – mastering at Masterdisk (New York, NY) John Potoker – drum sound technician Allen Weinberg – design David Michael Kennedy – photography David Krebs – direction Steve Leber – direction
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 BoltonChart (1983)Peakposition
Certifications
References Liner Notes; Michael Bolton CD (1983, Columbia/CBS Records)