Maps of Music

Soul Provider (1989)

Where the lyrics of Soul Provider take you, and where it was really made.

On the single version of 'Georgia on My Mind', CBS cut Michael Brecker's saxophone solo and put in a solo by Kenny G.

Key places

Burbank recording credit (1989)

Recording site The Enterprise (Burbank) — The album credits list Alpha Studios and Ground Control Studios in Burbank among its recording places. The pin uses the city centre, not the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Lion Share Studios recording credit (1989)

Recording site Lion Share — Lion Share Studios in Los Angeles is one of the studios listed in the album's recording credits. The pin marks the studio's own location. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood (1989)

Recording site Conway Recording Studios — Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood appears in the album's recording credits. The album's recording credits name it alongside Criterion Studios and The Bunny Hop. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Plant in Sausalito (1989)

Recording site Plant Recording (Sausalito) — The Plant in Sausalito, California is listed among the album's recording places. The pin uses the city centre, not the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Right Track Recording in New York (1989)

Recording site MSR Studios — Right Track Recording in New York City is one of the studios named in the album's recording credits. The pin marks the studio's address on West 48th Street. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Power Station in New York (1989)

Recording site Power Station Studio — The Power Station in New York City is one of the studios named in the album's recording credits. It appears in the same list as Right Track Recording and The Hit Factory. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Soul Provider is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton.
• Released in 1989 by Columbia Records (CBS).
• The album has sold 12.5 million copies worldwide.
• It contains five US top 40 hits, three of which reached the top 10.
• The album spent almost four years on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number 3.
• It was certified 6× Platinum by the RIAA.
• The release is packaged in a standard jewel case with a black tray and an 8-page booklet.

Background

• The album is Michael Bolton's sixth studio album, and the Portuguese Wikipedia article says it made him internationally known.
• The album reached number one in Australia for three weeks and in Norway for two weeks.
• Columbia and CBS are the label and distributor credited for the release.
• The album includes 'How Am I Supposed to Live Without You', which won a Grammy in the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance category in 1989.

Recording

• Recording credits list Alpha Studios and Ground Control Studios in Burbank, California.
• Other credited studios are in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Sausalito and New York City.
• Mastering was done by Vlado Meller at CBS Records Studio in New York City.

Cover

• Photography is credited to Glen Erler and art direction to Christopher Austopchuk.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Michael Bolotin on February 26, 1953, in New Haven, Connecticut.
• At age 14 he formed the group the Nomads, which was signed to a singles contract by Epic Records when he was 16.
• Began recording in 1975 at The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under his original family name Bolotin.
• Early career focused on hard rock; his band Blackjack once opened for Ozzy Osbourne on tour.

Career

• Anglicized his name to Bolton and gained his first major hit as a songwriter, co-writing "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" for Laura Branigan.
• Recorded his own version of "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" in 1988, reaching number one on the Hot 100.
• Achieved peak success as a pop ballad singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s with songwriters such as Diane Warren and Desmond Child.
• Covered Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" (1987) and Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman," a Grammy-winning cover on the 1991 album Time, Love & Tenderness.
• Faced a plagiarism suit from the Isley Brothers over "Love Is a Wonderful Thing," settled with a $4.2 million payment.
• Has sold more than 75 million records, with eight top 10 albums and two Billboard number-one singles.
• Later worked in television and film, appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and produced the documentary American Dream: Detroit.

Reception

At release

• Robert Christgau gave the album a negative review, saying Bolton was indistinguishable from pop metal except in the wattage of his guitar parts and the shamelessness of his song doctors.
• Critics gave the album generally mixed reviews.

Reappraisal

• AllMusic retrospectively described the album as more of the same.
• AllMusic noted that, because of this album, Bolton was now stoking the romantic fires in bedrooms across America.
• The Rolling Stone Album Guide described the album as the beginning of Bolton's descent into overdone and disrespectful covers.
• The Rolling Stone Album Guide added that some of the self-penned performances on the album showed potential.

Records

• The album contains five US top 40 hits, three of which reached the top 10.
• It spent almost four years on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number 3.
• It was certified 6× Platinum by the RIAA.
• It has sold 12.5 million copies worldwide.
• It reached number one in Australia for three weeks and in Norway for two weeks.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• For the single version of 'Georgia on My Mind', CBS removed Michael Brecker's saxophone solo and replaced it with Kenny G's.
• The Portuguese Wikipedia article says 'How Am I Supposed to Live Without You' won the 1989 Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
• The Italian Wikipedia article says the album reached number one in Australia for three weeks and in Norway for two weeks.
• The Spanish Wikipedia article says four singles came from the album, including a cover of a Laura Branigan song.
• The Spanish Wikipedia article says Cher also recorded 'You Wouldn't Know Love' for her album Heart of Stone.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

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