Soul Provider

Soul Provider is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. The album was released on June 19, 1989 by Columbia Records/CBS.

Soul Provider
Studio album by
Michael Bolton
ReleasedJune 19, 1989 (1989-06-19)
RecordedMarch 1987–March 1989
StudioAlpha Studios (Burbank, California); Lion Share Recording, Bunny Hop, Ground Control Studios, Lighthouse Studios and Studio Masters (Los Angeles, California); Criterion Studios and Conway Recording Studios (Hollywood, California); The Hit Factory, Right Track Recording, The Power Station, RPM Studios, Automated Sound Studios and Paradise Studios (New York City, New York); Homeland Studio (London, UK)
GenreAOR, pop rock, soft rock
adult contemporary
Length47:04
LabelColumbia
ProducerPeter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff (tracks 1 & 9); Michael Bolton (tracks 2, 5-8 & 10); Desmond Child (track 5); Barry Mann (track 10); Guy Roche (track 7); Michael Omartian (tracks 3, 4 & 10); Susan Hamilton (track 2); Walter Afanasieff (track 7)
Michael Bolton chronology
The Hunger
(1987)		 Soul Provider
(1989)		 Time, Love & Tenderness
(1991)
Singles from Soul Provider
  1. "Soul Provider"
    Released: June 1989
  2. "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"
    Released: October 1989
  3. "How Can We Be Lovers?"
    Released: January 1990
  4. "When I'm Back on My Feet Again"
    Released: April 1990
  5. "Georgia on My Mind"
    Released: July 1990

Supported by five US top 40 hits (including three that reached the top 10), Soul Provider achieved longevity on the charts. The album spent almost four years on the Billboard 200 and peaked at number 3.[1] It was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2]

For the single version of "Georgia on My Mind", CBS edited out Michael Brecker's saxophone solo and replaced it with one by Kenny G.[3]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Robert ChristgauC−[5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[6]

Soul Provider has received generally mixed reviews from critics. AllMusic retrospectively described it as "more of the same", but noted that due to this album, Bolton "was now stoking the romantic fires in bedrooms across America".[4] Robert Christgau gave the album a negative review, declaring Bolton to be "indistinguishable from pop metal except in the wattage of his guitar parts and the shamelessness of his song doctors."[5] The Rolling Stone Album Guide described the album as the beginning of Bolton's descent into overdone and disrespectful covers, though they added that some of the self-penned performances on the album showed potential.[6]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Soul Provider"Michael Bolton, Andrew Goldmark4:28
2."Georgia on My Mind" (Originally recorded by Hoagy Carmichael)Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell4:58
3."It's Only My Heart"Bolton, Diane Warren4:33
4."How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" (Originally recorded by Laura Branigan)Bolton, Doug James4:49
5."How Can We Be Lovers?"Bolton, Warren, Desmond Child3:55
6."You Wouldn't Know Love" (Originally recorded by Cher)Bolton, Warren3:54
7."When I'm Back on My Feet Again"Warren3:47
8."From Now On" (featuring Suzie Benson)Bolton, Dean Pitchford, Eric Kaz4:07
9."Love Cuts Deep"Bolton, Warren, Child3:49
10."Stand Up for Love"Bolton, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil4:44
11."Forever Eyes" (bonus track)Bolton, Bob Dylan, Bob Halligan Jr.4:23
Total length:47:04

Personnel
  • Michael Bolton – lead vocals, backing vocals (5, 6, 10)
  • Robbie Buchanan – keyboards (1, 8, 9)
  • Brad Cole – keyboards (1, 9)
  • Richard Tee – keyboards (2)
  • Eric Rehl – additional synthesizer (2), synthesizers (5)
  • Michael Omartian – keyboards (3, 4), drums (3), synthesizers (10), backing vocals (10)
  • Walter Afanasieff – additional keyboards (5, 7), percussion (5), synthesizers (7), drums (7)
  • Gregg Mangiafico – keyboards (5)
  • Phillip Ashley – keyboards (6), additional keyboards (8)
  • Guy Roche – additional keyboards (6), arrangements (7)
  • Diane Warren – keyboards (7)
  • Louis Biancaniello – additional keyboard programming (7)
  • Ren Klyce – additional synthesizer programming (7)
  • Dan Shea – additional synthesizer programming (7)
  • Barry Mann – keyboards (10)
  • Dann Huff – guitar (1, 9)
  • Steve Lukather – guitar (3)
  • Michael Landau – guitar (4, 6, 8, 10), additional guitar (7)
  • John McCurry – electric guitar (5), acoustic guitar (5), additional guitar (6)
  • Chris Camozzi – guitar (7)
  • Schuyler Deale – bass guitar (2)
  • Neil Stubenhaus – bass guitar (4, 6, 8-10), additional intro bass (7)
  • Hugh McDonald – bass guitar (5)
  • Peter Bunetta – drum programming (1)
  • Chris Parker – drums (2)
  • John Keane – drums (4, 6, 8, 10)
  • Bobby Chouinard – drums (5)
  • John Robinson – drums (9)
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion (9)
  • Kenny G – saxophone solo (1)
  • Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone (2)
  • Jerry Peterson – saxophone solo (9)
  • Jeff Pescetto – backing vocals (1)
  • Sharon Robinson – backing vocals (1)
  • Leslie Smith – backing vocals (1)
  • Terry Brock – backing vocals (2)
  • Jocelyn Brown – backing vocals (2)
  • Robin Clark – backing vocals (2)
  • Milt Grayson – backing vocals (2)
  • Vicki Sue Robinson – backing vocals (2)
  • Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals (2)
  • Richard Marx – backing vocals (3)
  • Joe Turano – backing vocals (3, 6)
  • Kyf Brewer – backing vocals (5)
  • Joe Cerisano – backing vocals (5)
  • Desmond Child – backing vocals (5)
  • Patricia Darcy – backing vocals (5)
  • John Fiore – backing vocals (5, 6)
  • Kate McGunnigle – backing vocals (5)
  • Lou Merlino – backing vocals (5)
  • Bernie Shanahan – backing vocals (5)
  • Myriam Naomi Valle – backing vocals (5, 6)
  • Suzie Benson – lead vocals (8)
  • Jeanette Hawes - backing vocals (9)
  • Wanda Vaughn – backing vocals (9)
  • Syreeta Wright – backing vocals (9)

Production
  • Producers – Peter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff (Tracks 1 & 9); Michael Bolton (Tracks 2, 6, 7, 8 & 10); Susan Hamilton (Track 2); Michael Omartian (Tracks 3, 4 & 10); Desmond Child (Track 5); Guy Roche (Track 7); Barry Mann (Track 10)
  • Assistant producer on Track 7 – Walter Afanasieff
  • Production coordination on Tracks 3 & 4 – Janet Hinde
  • Production manager on Track 5 – Steve Savitt
  • Production coordination on Track 7 – Doreen Dorian
  • Engineers – Daren Klien (Tracks 1 & 9); Rick Kerr (Track 2); David Albert (Tracks 3, 4 & 10); Terry Christian (Track 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 10); Doug Carlton (Tracks 3, 4 & 10); Kevin Becka (Tracks 3, 4 & 10); Sir Arthur Payson (Track 5); Jay Healy (Tracks 6 & 8); Guy Roche (Track 7); Richard Piatt (Track 7)
  • Additional recording – Jeff Balding, Gerry E. Brown, Mark Ettel and Gary Wagner (Tracks 1 & 9); Kevin Becka (Track 8)
  • Assistant engineers – Bryant Arnett (Tracks 1 & 9), Laura Livingston (Tracks 1 & 9), Richard McKernon (Tracks 1 & 9), Marnie Riley (Tracks 1, 8 & 9), Steve Satkowski (Tracks 1 & 9); Tim Leitner, Paul Logus, Tony Van Horn and Michaek White (Track 2); Keith Goldstein, Roy Hendrickson, John Herman, Mike Krowiak, Danny Mormando and Joe Pirrera (Track 5); Kevin Becka (Tracks 6 & 7), Dary Sulich (Tracks 6 & 8), Rich Travali (Tracks 6 & 8), Tony Friedman (Track 7)
  • Mixing – Mick Guzauski (Tracks 1, 7 & 8); Rick Kerr (Track 2); Terry Christian (Tracks 3, 4 & 10); Sir Arthur Payson (Track 5); David Thoener (Track 6); Gerry E. Brown (Track 9)
  • Remix – Mick Guzauski (Track 4); David Frazer (Track 5); Arne Frager (Track 7)
  • Mixed at Conway Studios (Hollywood, CA); Right Track Recording, The Hit Factory and Record Plant (New York City, New York)
  • Remixed at The Plant (Sausalito, California)
  • Mastering – Vlado Meller at CBS Records Studio (New York City, New York)
  • Art direction and design – Christopher Austopchuk
  • Photography – Glen Erler

Chart positions

Album
Chart performance for Soul Provider
Chart (1989–1990) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] 1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[8] 25
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[9] 5
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[10] 32
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[11] 22
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[12] 6
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[13] 1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 9
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 25
UK Albums (OCC)[16] 4
US Billboard 200[17] 3

Singles
Release date Title US Hot 100 US AC
June 1989 "Soul Provider" 17 3
October 1989 "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" 1 1
March 1990 "How Can We Be Lovers" 3 3
May 1990 "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" 7 1
August 1990 "Georgia on My Mind" 36 6

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[19] 5× Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[20] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21] Gold 7,500^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[22] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[23] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] 4× Platinum 1,200,000^
United States (RIAA)[25] 6× Platinum 6,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Michael Bolton on the Billboard 200". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  2. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Michael Bolton". Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  3. "The Case of the Disappearing Solo". Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  4. AllMusic review
  5. Robert Christgau Consumer Guide
  6. 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.
  7. "Australiancharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  8. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  9. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  10. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 105. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  11. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  12. "Charts.nz – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  13. "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  14. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  15. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  16. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  17. "Michael Bolton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  18. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  19. "Canadian album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Music Canada. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  20. "Dutch album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 12 July 2019. Enter Soul Provider in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  21. "New Zealand album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  22. "Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990" (in Spanish). Iberautor Promociones Culturales. ISBN 8480486392.
  23. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  24. "British album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 July 2019. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Soul Provider in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  25. "American album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 July 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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