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Rover's Return (album)

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Rover's Return
Studio album by
John Waite
Released1987
GenrePop rock
Length40:26
LabelEMI America Records
ProducerFrank Fillipetti, John Waite (all tracks)
Desmond Child (track one)
Rick Nowels (track six, seven)
John Waite chronology
Mask of Smiles
(1985) 		Rover's Return
(1987) 		Temple Bar
(1992)

Rover's Return is the fourth solo studio album from native English musician John Waite, released in 1987.

Background

Rover's Return is the last and most recent solo studio album released by Waite to chart on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums chart, where it peaked at #77.[1] When compared to the incredible success experienced by Waite just a few years earlier, this album was considered a commercial failure with creativity missing in most parts. It lasted 12 weeks in the chart.[2] A total of two singles were released from the album; "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" and "Don't Lose Any Sleep", the latter written by American songwriter Diane Warren. "These Times Are Hard for Lovers" peaked at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #77 in the UK,[3] whilst "Don't Lose Any Sleep" peaked at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4]

All nine tracks were produced by Waite and Frank Fillipetti, although American songwriter and producer Desmond Child received a production credit for "These Times are Hard for Lovers" which Child also co-wrote, whilst American Grammy/Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter/producer Rick Nowels received production credit for "Don't Lose Any Sleep" and "Sometimes". He also co-wrote "Big Time for Love". "Sometimes" was written by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight.[5]

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.[6]

While recording tracks for Rover's Return during 1987, 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 not released until 1992, which by that point, Cyndi Lauper had released her Top Ten hit version in 1989.[7] In 2001, Waite's version of the song was released on the One Way Records release Live & Rare Tracks.[8]

Release

The album was released via EMI America on vinyl, cassette and CD. It was released in the US, UK, Europe and Canada.[9] On 25 June 2012, the British label BGO Records digitally remastered the album and re-issued it in the UK.[10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."These Times are Hard for Lovers"Desmond Child, John Waite4:12
2."Act of Love"Waite4:27
3."Encircled"Waite, John McCurry, John Regan4:23
4."Woman's Touch"Waite3:50
5."Wild One"Waite3:50
6."Don't Lose Any Sleep"Diane Warren3:45
7."Sometimes"Dan Hartman, Charlie Midnight4:55
8."She's the One"Waite, Ivan Kral5:47
9."Big Time for Love"Waite, Rick Nowels4:56

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[11]
New Straits Timesunfavourable[12]
The Midlands Rocksfavourable[13]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic's retrospective review gave the album two out of five stars and stated "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." Erlewine also noted the "Act of Love" song by highlighted it as an album standout by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.[11]

On "The Sound Page" of the New Straits Times of September 13, 1987, a review of the album stated "Rover's Return offers songs in the "Missing You" mould. Which is a shame because his voice is quite good. It is rather thin but it has a passionate edge to it. The most listenable track is "These Times are Hard for Lovers". It may make it to the charts if he comes up with a good video..."[12]

In the Billboard magazine issue of December 26, 1987, under the section of "1987 The Year in Music & Video", various critics published a list of their favourite music from the year. Steve Gett, under "Essential Albums - on CD, as always", listed Rover's Return along with 10 other albums.[14]

Chart performance

Chart (1987) Peak
position
Swedish Albums Chart[15] 30
U.S. Billboard 200 Chart[4] 77

Personnel

  • Lead Vocals, Producer - John Waite
  • Backing Vocals – Desmond Child, Diana Grasselli, Diane Warren, Elaine Caswell, Ellen Shipley, Joe Lynn Turner, Louie Marlino, Maria Vidal, Myriam Valle, Patty Forbes
  • Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – John McCurry
  • Guest Guitar on "Big Time for Love" - Gary Myrick
  • Keyboards, Synthesizer – Arthur Stead, Chuck Kentis, Greg Mangiafico, Tommy Mandel
  • Bass – John K., John Regan
  • Drums – Anton Fig, Mike Braun, Thommy Price
  • Drum Programming – Jimmy Bralower
  • Producer, Recorded By, Mixing – Frank Fillipetti
  • Producer on "These Times are Hard for Lovers" - Desmond Child
  • Producer on "Don't Lose Any Sleep" and "Sometimes" - Rick Nowels
  • Coordinator Producer – Paul D. Spriggs
  • Additional Engineer – Arthur Payson, Billy Miranda, Bradshaw Leigh, Dave Dale, Mike Frondelli, Phil Magnotti, Tom Lord Alge
  • Assistant Engineer – Billy Miranda, Craig Vogel, Dan Mormando, Debi Cornish, Don Rodenbach, Jay Healy, Mark Cobrin, Peter Hefter, Scott Mabuchi, Tim Kramer, Tim Leitner
  • Photography – Trevor Key
  • Art Direction – Henry Marquez, Norman Moore
  • Artwork (Silkscreen Print) – Richard Duardo

References

  1. ^ John Waite (1955-07-04). "John Waite - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  2. ^ "John Waite - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  3. ^ "The Official Charts Company - These Times Are Hard For Lovers by John Waite Search". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Rover's Return - John Waite : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  5. ^ "John Waite - Rover's Return (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  6. ^ "Images for John Waite - Rover's Return". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  7. ^ "Recording: I Drove All Night - John Waite". Second Hand Songs. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  8. ^ Ruhlmann, William (2001-09-11). "Live & Rare Tracks - John Waite : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  9. ^ "John Waite - Rover's Return at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  10. ^ "Rover's Return: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  11. ^ a b Thomas, Stephen. "Rover's Return - John Waite : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  12. ^ a b https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b2NPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DZADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5344,2671276&dq=john+waite+rover%27s+return&hl=en
  13. ^ "John Waite - Rovers Return". The Midlands Rocks. 2011-10-22. Archived from the original on 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2013-05-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". Books.google.co.uk. 1987-12-26. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
  15. ^ Steffen Hung. "John Waite - Rover's Return". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
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