The Hunger (Michael Bolton album)

The Hunger
Studio album by Michael Bolton
Released	September 22, 1987
Recorded	1986
Genre	Pop rock, adult contemporary
Length	37:21
Label	Columbia 40473
Producer	Jonathan Cain, Keith Diamond, Susan Hamilton
Michael Bolton chronology
Everybody's Crazy (1985) The Hunger (1987) Soul Provider (1989)

The Hunger is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. It was released in 1987 by Columbia Records. This was his breakthrough album, with the hits "That's What Love Is All About" and the Otis Redding cover "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay".

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. 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.

Despite only reaching #46 on the charts the album had achieved stability in the charts. After several weeks on the charts the album was certified double Platinum in the US (Bolton's first certification of his career). Worldwide, the album has shipped four million copies over the years.

Also along for this album on certain tracks was then-current Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	link
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Hot Love"	Michael Bolton, Martin Briley	3:47
2.	"Wait on Love"	Bolton, Jonathan Cain	4:27
3.	"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (Originally recorded by Otis Redding)	Otis Redding, Steve Cropper	3:51
4.	"Gina"	Bolton, Bob Halligan, Jr., Keith Diamond	4:07
5.	"That's What Love Is All About"	Bolton, Eric Kaz	3:58

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Hunger"	Bolton, Cain	4:18
2.	"You're All That I Need"	Bolton, Cain, Neal Schon	4:18
3.	"Take a Look at My Face"	Bolton, Briley	4:00
4.	"Walk Away"	Bolton, Diane Warren	4:12

Production

• Producers: Jonathan Cain, Keith Diamond, Susan Hamilton
• Engineers: Wally Buck, Jonathan Cain, Bob Missbach, Paul Lani, Jeffey Norman, Larry Hines, Tom Anderson, Jamie Bridges, Michael Rosen, Acar S. Key, (Ken) K.C. Collins, George Karras, Peter Robbins, J.C. Convertino, Don Peterkofsky, Ed Bruder, Mark Cobrin, Jay Healy, Dave Dachinger, Bob Broockman, Tom Vercillo, Scott James, Jon Smith, Jon Wolfson, Jackie Brown, Debi Cornish
• Second Engineers: Rob Beaton, Jim Champagne, "Bino"
• Additional Engineering & Pre-Production: Dave Dale
• Mixing: Keith Diamond, Bob Rosa, Ron St. Germain, Kevin Elson
• Mastering: Bob Ludwig

Personnel

• Drums, Percussion: Michael Baird, Mugs Cain, Chris Parker, Keith Diamond
• Bass: Timmy Allen, Randy Jackson, Will Lee, Doug Wimbish, Keith Diamond
• Keyboards: Skip Anderson, Jeff Bova, Jonathan Cain, Keith Diamond, Rob Mounsey, Steve Rimland
• Programming: Mugs Cain, Dr, Bob Khozouri, Jeff Neilblum
• Guitars: Bob Halligan, Bruce Kulick, Danny Merlin, Paul Pesco, Neal Schon, Ira Siegel
• Saxophone: Danny Hull, V. Jeffrey Smith
• Horns: Jerry Jumonville, Steve Madaio, R.A. Martin, Thomas R. Peterson
• Violin: Karen Dreyfus, Katsuko Esaki, Richard Hendrickson, Harold Kohon, Anthony Posk, Rebecca Young
• Cello: Jesse Levy
• Flute: Alex Foster
• Reeds: Lenny Pickett
• Backing Vocals: Michael Bolton, Joe Cerisano, Bob Halligan, Joe Lynn Turner, David Glen Eisley, Dennis Feldman, Hawkins Singers, James Ingram, Eric Martin, Jeanie Tracy

Cover versions

• Sunstorm, who are fronted by Joe Lynn Turner (Who sang backing vocals on "Hot Love" and "Gina"), covered "Gina" for their 2012 album Emotional Fire.