Rover's Return (album)
| Rover's Return | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Studio | Right Track Recording, The Hit Factory and The Power Station (New York, NY); Carnage House Studios (Stamford, CT). | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 40:26 | |||
| Label | EMI America Records | |||
| Producer | Frank Filipetti, John Waite (all tracks) Desmond Child (track 1) Rick Nowels (tracks 6 & 7). | |||
| John Waite chronology | ||||
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Rover's Return is the fourth studio album from English musician John Waite, which was released by EMI in 1987.
Background[]
Rover's Return reached No. 77 on the US Billboard 200 and remained in the charts for twelve weeks.[1] Two singles were released from the album, "These Times Are Hard for Lovers", co-written with Desmond Child, and "Don't Lose Any Sleep", written by Diane Warren. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Don't Lose Any Sleep" reached No. 81.[2]
Recording[]
The album was largely recorded and mixed at Right Track Studios in New York City, with additional recording at The Hit Factory, The Power Station and Carriage House Studios.[3]
During the sessions for Rover's Return, Waite recorded a version of the Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly song "I Drove All Night". but decided not to release it. The song was also recorded by Roy Orbison in 1987 but his was not released until 1992, by which time Cyndi Lauper had her hit version in 1989.[4] In 2001, Waite's recording was released on the One Way Records release Live & Rare Tracks.[5]
Release[]
Rover's Return was released via EMI America on vinyl, cassette and CD. It was released in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe.[6] On 25 June 2012, the British label BGO Records digitally remastered the album and re-issued it in the UK.[7]
Critical reception[]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote, "Rover's Return is an attempt to bring Waite back to the top of the charts that just doesn't work. That's not to say that the record is a complete failure, because there are portions that work quite well - the surging opener "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" is good radio rock, and Waite's voice always sounds good in this polished setting. Still, it's a little stiff and predictable, never quite reaching a level that's interesting, either as a period artifact or a piece of professional craft."[8]
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" | Desmond Child, John Waite | 4:12 |
| 2. | "Act of Love" | Waite | 4:27 |
| 3. | "Encircled" | Waite, John McCurry, John Regan | 4:23 |
| 4. | "Woman's Touch" | Waite | 3:50 |
| 5. | "Wild One" | Waite | 3:50 |
| 6. | "Don't Lose Any Sleep" | Diane Warren | 3:45 |
| 7. | "Sometimes" | Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight | 4:55 |
| 8. | "She's the One" | Waite, Ivan Kral | 5:47 |
| 9. | "Big Time for Love" | Waite, Rick Nowels | 4:56 |
Personnel[]
- John Waite – lead vocals
- Desmond Child, Diana Grasselli, Diane Warren, Elaine Caswell, Ellen Shipley, Joe Lynn Turner, Louie Marlino, Maria Vidal, Myriam Valle, Patty Forbes – backing vocals
- John McCurry – guitar, acoustic guitar
- Gary Myrick – guitar (track 9)
- Arthur Stead, Chuck Kentis, Greg Mangiafico, Tommy Mandel – keyboards, synthesizer
- John K., John Regan – bass
- Anton Fig, Mike Braun, Thommy Price – drums
- Jimmy Bralower – drum programming
Production
- John Waite – producer (tracks 1–9)
- Frank Filipetti – producer, recording, mixing (tracks 1–9)
- Desmond Child – producer (track 1)
- Rick Nowels – producer (tracks 6–7)
- Paul D. Spriggs – coordinator producer
- Arthur Payson, Billy Miranda, Bradshaw Leigh, Dave Dale, Mike Frondelli, Phil Magnotti, Tom Lord Alge – additional engineers
- Billy Miranda, Craig Vogel, Dan Mormando, Debi Cornish, Don Rodenbach, Jay Healy, Mark Cobrin, Peter Hefter, Scott Mabuchi, Tim Kramer, Tim Leitner – assistant engineers
Other
- Trevor Key – photography
- Henry Marquez, Norman Moore – art direction
- Richard Duardo – artwork (silkscreen print)
Charts[]
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] | 99 |
| Swedish Albums Chart[10] | 30 |
| US (Billboard 200)[2] | 77 |
References[]
- ^ "John Waite - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Rover's Return - John Waite : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "Images for John Waite - Rover's Return". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "Recording: I Drove All Night - John Waite". Second Hand Songs. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William (2001-09-11). "Live & Rare Tracks - John Waite : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "John Waite - Rover's Return at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ "Rover's Return: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Thomas, Stephen. "Rover's Return - John Waite : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 331. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Steffen Hung. "John Waite - Rover's Return". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
- 1987 albums
- EMI America Records albums
- John Waite albums
- Albums produced by Rick Nowels