The Gambler (album)

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The Gambler
The Gambler cover
Studio album by Kenny Rogers
Released 1978
Recorded 1978
Genre Country
Length 39:44
Label EMI
Producer Larry Butler
Professional reviews
Kenny Rogers chronology
Love or Something Like It
(1978)		 The Gambler
(1978)		 Kenny
(1979)

The Gambler is one of Kenny Rogers' most popular albums, selling in excess of 35 million copies since it was first released by United Artists in 1978 (see 1978 in country music).

The title track, "The Gambler", was written by Don Schlitz, who originally recorded it. It was also covered by several other artists, Johnny Cash among them, but neither of these versions were major hits. It was Kenny Rogers' adaptation of the tale that went on to top the country charts and win a Song of the Year Grammy, later becoming Rogers' signature song. Both this song and "She Believes in Me" became pop music hits, helping Rogers become well known beyond country music circles. Although largely compiled from songs by some of the music business's top songwriters, such as Alex Harvey, Mickey Newbury and Steve Gibb, Rogers continued to show his own talent for songwriting with "Morgana Jones". The album was produced by Larry Butler.

Its popularity has led to many releases over the years. After United Artists was absorbed into EMI/Capitol in 1980, "The Gambler" was reissued on vinyl and cassette on the Liberty Records label. Several years later, Liberty issued an abridged version of the album, removing the track "Morgana Jones", which upset some fans and critics who said this was a vital cut as it was written by Kenny Rogers himself. EMI Manhattan Records released "The Gambler" on CD in the 1980s. An 'Original Master Recording' from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs was released on vinyl (audiophile edition vinyl). Finally, "The Gambler" was released on Rogers' own Dreamcatcher Records in 2001 as part of the Kenny Rogers "Original Masters Series."

In Britain both the title cut and the album did very well in the country market, but both failed to reach the top 40 of the pop charts. In the 1980's the single of "The Gambler" was re-issued and made the top 100 sales list, but again charted outside the top 40. It wasn't until the song was re-issued in 2007 that it charted at it's #22 peak.

[edit] Miscellanea

Kenny is referenced by the Beastie Boys, in their song "Three MC's and One DJ" on the album Hello Nasty:

Fresh like a box of Krispy Kremes
Kenny Rogers' Gambler is my gambling theme
Mix Master Mike with the scratch routine

The album served as an inspiration for a string of five made-for-TV movies and a series with the same title; starring Rogers as gambler Brady Hawkes.

[edit] Track listing

  1. "The Gambler"
  2. "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again"
  3. "King of Oak Street"
  4. "Makin' Music for Money"
  5. "Hoodooin' of Miss Fannie Deberry"
  6. "She Believes in Me"
  7. "Tennessee Bottle"
  8. "Sleep Tight, Goodnight Man"
  9. "Little More Like Me (The Crucifixion)"
  10. "San Francisco Mabel Joy"
  11. "Morgana Jones"

[edit] References