Son of Albert
| Son of Albert | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Studio album by Andrew Ridgeley | ||
| Released | May 22, 1990 | |
| Recorded | 1989–1990 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 46:22 | |
| Label |
Columbia CK-46188 | |
| Producer |
Andrew Ridgeley, Gary Bromham and Martyn "Max" Heyes | |
| Singles from Son of Albert | ||
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Son of Albert is the debut and only solo album of Andrew Ridgeley. Originally released in May 1990, Ridgeley's effort was a sharp turn away from his former pop image with Wham! years earlier. Focusing more on guitars and drums, the critical reaction to Ridgeley’s attempt at a solo record was mixed. After rather unimpressive revenue sales from 'Son of Albert', Ridgeley gradually quit playing music professionally.
In addition, two singles from the album, "Red Dress" and "Shake", were released in 1990 with little success. Another song, "Mexico", was scheduled to be released as the album's third single, but was dropped for reasons unknown.[1]
Ridgeley's album is named after himself, as the Son of Albert Ridgeley.[2]
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Entertainment Weekly | (C+)[3] |
Entertainment Weekly praised the instrumental "verve" of the songs, but criticized for lacking conviction: "Ridgeley seems to have redefined himself as a kick-in-the-pants rock & roller, but his songs still come out sounding like manufactured pop."[3]
Track listing
All songs arranged and produced by Andrew Ridgeley and Gary Bromham, unless noted otherwise.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Red Dress" | Bromham, Ridgeley | 4:09 | |
| 2. | "Shake" | David Austin, Ridgeley | 3:29 | |
| 3. | "The Price of Love" (The Everly Brothers cover from the album In Our Image (1966)) | Don & Phil Everly | 4:08 | |
| 4. | "Flame" | Austin, Ridgeley | 4:58 | |
| 5. | "Hangin'" | Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers | 3:21 | |
| 6. | "Mexico" | Bromham, Cummings, Ridgeley | 5:46 | |
| 7. | "Big Machine" | Bromham, Ridgeley | 4:24 | |
| 8. | "Kiss Me" | Burns, Ridgeley | 4:30 | |
| 9. | "Baby Jane" | Cozzi, Ridgeley | 5:09 | |
| 10. | "Shake (Hardcore)" | Ridgeley, Bromham, Martyn "Max" Heyes | 6:03 | |
Total length: |
46:29 | |||
Chart performance
- Album
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | 130 |
- "Shake" single
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Top 75 | 58 |
| Billboard Hot 100 | 77 |
Personnel
- Lead vocals: Andrew Ridgeley
- Additional vocals: Andrew Ridgeley, Mary Cassidy, Lauren Fownes, Brie Howard, Miss Johnny, George Michael (on "Red Dress" only), Tessa Niles
- Spanish vocals on "Mexico": Andrew Ridgeley, Gary Bromham, Danny Cummings, Dan McAfferty, Mark "Bobby" Robinson
- Guitars: Robert Ahwai, Tony Barnard, Gary Bromham, Hugh Burns, Mike Cozzi, Phil Palmer
- Electric guitars: Tony Barnard, Mike Cozzi
- Spanish guitar on "Mexico": Hugh Burns
- Keyboards: Gary Masters
- Harmonica: Mark Felthan
- Bass guitars: Graham Edwards, Deon Estus, David Faragher, Jerry Ferguson, Paul Gray, Danny Thompson
- Double bass: Danny Thompson
- Drums: Gary Bromham, Pat Torpey, Ridgeley
- Horns: Laurence Cottell, David O'Higgins, Paul Spong
- Percussion: Danny Cummings
- Voice box: Andrew Ridgeley, Richard Gibbs
Production
- Engineered by Harvey Birrell, Jacques Erhardt, Gordon Fordyce, Paul Gomersall, Martyn "Max" Heyes, Russell Leahy and Gary Wilkinson
- Mixed at Amazon Studios, Liverpool; Comforts Place, Lingfield; Mayfair Studios, London and Olympic Studios, London
- Mixed by Paul Gomersall, Martyn "Max" Heyes and Tim Weidener
- Photography by Julian Broad
- Album design by Andrew Ridgeley and Simon Halfon
- Management: Lippman Kahane Entertainment
- Recorded at Comforts Place, Lingfield; Compass Point, Nassau; Eden Studios, London, England; EMI/Pathé Studios, Paris, France; Galaxy Sound Studio, Los Angeles; Ground Control, Los Angeles; Great Linford Studios, Great Linford; Maison Rouge, London; Mayfair Studios, London; Olympic Studios, London; Terminal 24, London and Skylight Studios, London
References
- ↑ "Mexico" Song Information
- ↑ AndrewRidgeley.com (UK)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sandow, Greg (June 1, 1990). Album review, Entertainment Weekly.
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