| Artist | Michael Bolton |
|---|---|
| Cover | Soul-provider-michael-bolton-album-cover.jpg |
| Released | June 26, 1989 |
| Recorded | 1987–89 |
| Studio |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 47:04 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Producer | |
| Prev year | 1987 |
| Next year | 1991 |
Soul Provider is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. The album was released on June 26, 1989, by Columbia Records/CBS.[1] The album has sold 12.5 million copies worldwide.[2]
Containing 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.[3] It was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4]
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.[5]
Reception
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".[6] 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."[7] 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.[8]
Personnel
Musicians
- Michael Bolton – vocals, backing vocals (5, 6, 10, 11)
- Robbie Buchanan – keyboards (1, 8, 9)
- Brad Cole – keyboards (1, 9)
- Richard Tee – keyboards (2)
- Eric Rehl – additional synthesizers (2), synthesizers (5)
- Michael Omartian – keyboards (3, 4, 11), drums (3), synthesizers (10), backing vocals (10), drum programming (11)
- Gregg Mangiafico – keyboards (5)
- Walter Afanasieff – additional keyboards (5, 7), percussion (5), bass (7), drums (7)
- Phillip Ashley – keyboards (6), additional keyboards (8)
- Guy Roche – additional keyboards (6), arrangements (7)
- Diane Warren – keyboards (7)
- Barry Mann – keyboards (10)
- Dann Huff – guitars (1, 9)
- Steve Lukather – guitars (3, 11), guitar solo (11)
- Michael Landau – guitars (4, 8, 10), additional guitars (7, 11), lead guitar (6)
- John McCurry – electric guitar (5), acoustic guitar (5), rhythm guitar (6)
- Chris Camozzi – guitars (7)
- Schuyler Deale – bass (2)
- Neil Stubenhaus – bass (4, 6, 8–10), additional 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 – 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 – vocals (8)
- Jeanette Hawes - backing vocals (9)
- Wanda Vaughn – backing vocals (9)
- Syreeta Wright – backing vocals (9)
Production
- Janet Hinde – production coordination (3, 4)
- Steve Savitt – production manager (5)
- Doreen Dorian – production coordination (7)
- Christopher Austopchuk – art direction
- Glen Erler – photography
- Louis Levin – direction, management
Technical
- Vlado Meller – mastering at CBS Records Studio (New York City, New York)
- Daren Klein – recording (1, 9)
- Mick Guzauski – mixing (1, 7, 8), remix engineer (4)
- Rick Kerr – engineer (2), mixing (2)
- David Albert – engineer (3, 4, 10, 11)
- Terry Christian – engineer (3, 4, 6–8, 10, 11), mixing (3, 4, 10, 11)
- Sir Arthur Payson – recording (5), mixing (5)
- David Frazer – remixing (5)
- Jay Healy – engineer (6, 8)
- David Thoener – mixing (6)
- Richard Piatt – engineer (7)
- Guy Roche – engineer (7)
- Arne Frager – remixing (7)
- Jeff Balding – additional recording (1, 9)
- Gerry E. Brown – additional recording (1, 9), mixing (9)
- Mark Ettel – additional recording (1, 9)
- Gary Wagner – additional recording (1, 9)
- Bryant Arnett – assistant engineer (1, 9)
- Laura Livingston – assistant engineer (1, 9)
- Richard McKernon – assistant engineer (1, 9)
- Marnie Riley – assistant engineer (1, 8, 9)
- Steve Satkowski – assistant engineer (1, 9)
- Tim Leitner – assistant engineer (2)
- Paul Logus – assistant engineer (2)
- Tony Van Horn – assistant engineer (2)
- Michael White – assistant engineer (2)
- Kevin Becka – second engineer (3, 4, 10, 11), assistant engineer (6, 7), additional engineer (8)
- Doug Carlton – second engineer (3, 4, 10, 11)
- Keith Goldstein – assistant engineer (5)
- Roy Hendrickson – assistant engineer (5)
- Mike Krowiak – assistant engineer (5)
- Danny Mormando – assistant engineer (5)
- Joe Pirrera – assistant engineer (5)
- John Herman – assistant mix engineer (5)
- Dary Sulich – assistant engineer (6, 8)
- Rich Travali – assistant engineer (6, 8)
- Tony Friedman – assistant engineer (7)
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[9] | 32 |
| Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[10] | 15 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1990) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] | 10 |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[12] | 18 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[13] | 56 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[14] | 14 |
| US Billboard 200[15] | 3 |
| Chart (1991) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[16] | 53 |
| Chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[17] | 89 |
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 |
References
- ^ "FMQB". Worldradiohistory.com. p. 60.
- ^ Bolton, Michael (2013-01-29). The Soul of It All: My Music, My Life. Center Street. ISBN 978-1-4555-2366-5.
- ^ "Michael Bolton on the Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
- ^ "RIAA – Searchable Database: Michael Bolton". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
- ^ "The Case of the Disappearing Solo". Los Angeles Times. 5 October 1990. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ [ AllMusic review], AllMusic
- ^ "Robert Christgau: CG: michael bolton". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st ed. Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1990". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1990". RPM. December 12, 1994. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1990". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
