The Hunger (Michael Bolton album)

The Hunger
The Hunger
Studio album by Michael Bolton
Released	September 22, 1987
Recorded	August–December 1986
Studio	Various Unique Recording Studios, Soundtrack Studios, Clinton Recording Studio, Sigma Sound, The Hit Factory and The Power Station (New York, NY); Master Sound Productions (Franklin Square, NY); Fantasy Studios (Berkeley, CA); Ocean Way Recording, Record Plant and Mad Hatter Studios (Los Angeles, CA); Soundcastle and Ground Control (Santa Monica, CA); Starlite (Richmond, CA), Vertigo Studio;
Genre	Pop rock
Length	37:21
Label	Columbia; 40473
Producer	Jonathan Cain, Keith Diamond, Susan Hamilton
Michael Bolton chronology

The Hunger is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. It was released in 1987 by Columbia Records, his third for the label. It became Bolton's breakthrough album, producing his first two Top 40 hits in the United States, the ballad "That's What Love Is All About" and the Otis Redding cover "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay".

Zelma Redding, the widow of Otis Redding, said Bolton's performance of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" moved her so much "that it brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me so much of my husband that I know if he heard it, he would feel the same."^[1] In a framed letter that hangs on the wall of Bolton's office, she called the record "my all-time favorite version of my husband's classic."^[2]

The album marks a transition from the hard rock and arena rock stylings of his previous work into a softer more pop oriented direction, a transition which would be continued and furthered on his subsequent studio albums.

Several songs from this album feature Journey members Jonathan Cain on keyboards, Neal Schon on guitar, and previous member from their Raised on Radio 1986-87 tour Randy Jackson (of American Idol fame) on bass, with Cain also producing several tracks. During this time, there were rumors that Bolton might have been in the running as Journey's new lead singer after Steve Perry's initial departure from the band in early 1987. Also featured on certain tracks is Bolton's former band-mate and then-current Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick.

Despite only reaching No. 46 on the US Billboard 200, the album achieved stability in the charts. After two years, it was certified Gold in the US (Bolton's first certification of his career), and would subsequently be certified Double Platinum there. In 1990, three years after its initial release, the album entered the UK Albums Chart for the first time and reached its peak of No. 44, following the success of the album Soul Provider.^[3]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	link
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	^[4]

^ "People Are Talking About . . ". Jet. January 18, 1988. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
^ "Michael Bolton: 'How Black Music Changed My Life'". Ebony. December 1995. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
^ "MICHAEL BOLTON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.
^ 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.

[1] "People Are Talking About . . ". Jet. January 18, 1988. Retrieved September 19, 2015.

[2] "Michael Bolton: 'How Black Music Changed My Life'". Ebony. December 1995. Retrieved 19 September 2015.

[3] "MICHAEL BOLTON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com.

[4] 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.

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