Soul Provider

Soul Provider is the sixth studio album by American singer Michael Bolton, released on June 19, 1989 through Columbia Records/CBS. With global sales of 12,500,000 copies, Soul Provider is Bolton's second highest-selling album after Time, Love & Tenderness (1991).[1]

Soul Provider
Studio album by
Michael Bolton
ReleasedJune 19, 1989 (1989-06-19)
Recorded1988–1989
Studio
Various
Genre
Length42:30
Label
Producer
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: March 1990
  4. "When I'm Back on My Feet Again"
    Released: May 1990
  5. "Georgia on My Mind"
    Released: August 1990

Containing five US Top 40 hit singles (including three that reached the Top 10), Soul Provider achieved longevity on the charts. It spent almost four years on the US Billboard 200, and peaked at number three.[2] The album was certified six-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3]

For the single version of Bolton's cover of "Georgia on My Mind", CBS edited out Michael Brecker's original saxophone solo and replaced it with a new one played by Kenny G.[4]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Robert ChristgauC−[6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[7]

Soul Provider has received generally mixed reviews from music 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".[5] 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."[6] The Rolling Stone Album Guide described it 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.[7]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Soul Provider"Michael Bolton, Andrew Goldmark4:27
2."Georgia on My Mind"Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell4:58
3."It's Only My Heart"Bolton, Diane Warren4:31
4."How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"Bolton, Doug James4:15
5."How Can We Be Lovers"Bolton, Warren, Desmond Child3:55
6."You Wouldn't Know Love"Bolton, Warren3:53
7."When I'm Back on My Feet Again"Warren3:48
8."From Now On" (Duet with Suzie Benson)Bolton, Eric Kaz4:07
9."Love Cuts Deep"Bolton, Warren, Child3:48
10."Stand Up for Love"Bolton, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil4:44
Total length:42:30

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 (2)
  • Neil Stubenhaus – bass (4, 6, 8-10), additional intro bass (7)
  • Hugh McDonald – bass (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 – tenor 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, 6-8 & 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, 6-8 & 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)
  • Mastered by Vlado Meller at CBS Records Studio (New York City, New York)
  • Art direction and design – Christopher Austopchuk
  • Photography – Glen Erler

Charts

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 and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[27] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[28] 5× Platinum 500,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[29] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[30] Gold 7,500^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[31] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[32] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] 4× Platinum 1,200,000^
United States (RIAA)[34] 6× Platinum 6,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Bolton, Michael (2013-01-29). The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life. Center Street. ISBN 978-1-4555-2366-5.
  2. "Michael Bolton on the Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  3. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Michael Bolton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  4. "The Case of the Disappearing Solo". Los Angeles Times. 5 October 1990. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  5. AllMusic review
  6. Robert Christgau Consumer Guide
  7. 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.
  8. "Australiancharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  9. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  10. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 1242". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  11. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  12. 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.
  13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  14. "Charts.nz – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  15. "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  16. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  17. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  18. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  19. "Michael Bolton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  20. "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1990". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  21. "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1990". RPM. December 12, 1994. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  22. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1990". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  23. "Top Selling Albums of 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  24. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  25. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  26. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  27. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  28. "Canadian album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Music Canada. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  29. "Dutch album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 12, 2019. Enter Soul Provider in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1991 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  30. "New Zealand album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  31. Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990 (in Spanish). Iberautor Promociones Culturales. ISBN 8480486392.
  32. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  33. "British album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 12, 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.
  34. "American album certifications – Michael Bolton – Soul Provider". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
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