Everybody's Crazy

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Everybody's Crazy
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 15, 1985
RecordedAugust–December 1984
GenreGlam metal, hard rock
Length37:12
LabelColumbia
ProducerNeil Kernon
Randy Goodrum (track 6 only)
Michael Bolton chronology
Michael Bolton
(1983)
Everybody's Crazy
(1985)
The Hunger
(1987)

Everybody's Crazy is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. The album was released in 1985 by Columbia Records.

The lead guitarist on the album is Bruce Kulick, later of KISS fame. After Bruce left to join KISS in late 1984, Kevin Reye/Reyes (Black Sheep, Fortress, White Lie/TRIIX, Martial Law, Network, Power Sqaudron, Zodiac) replaced him on guitar for post album support and performed in CBS/Columbia MTV video of the title track, produced & directed by Wayne Isham & Curt Marvis of the New Company. The title track was a minor hit on hard rock radio stations, and the MTV video of the title track was also featured in the 1986 Rodney Dangerfield movie Back to School. It was reissued overseas in the mid-1990s with a then-current photo on the cover. The album was reissued on February 25, 2008 by Rock Candy Records, UK on CD with a 12-page full colour booklet with original and new artwork.

Given the contrast in musical style between this album and the majority of Bolton's later (and more successful) musical output, songs from the album rarely appear on Bolton compilations. However, the title track was included on Bolton's entry in the Playlist series of Greatest Hits compilations.[1]

Background[edit]

Producer Neil Kernon described how he became involved with the album: "Well, I got a call from Michael's manager asking me if I'd be interested. I'd heard "Fools Game" [from his previous album, Michael Bolton] and liked that, so we met and hit it off straight away. Michael was one of the funniest people I've ever met." Kernon also said that later on, Bolton did not want to re-release Everybody's Crazy or his self titled 1983 album on CD for fear of confusing and alienating fans of his later adult contemporary music.[2]

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

In their retrospective review, AllMusic criticized Everybody's Crazy for muting Bolton's distinctive vocals, remarking that "much of the time he seemed to be fighting to be heard, and when he was, all he had was a mouthful of cliches to offer."[3]

The album has an average rating of 88/100 on the hard rock/AOR database Heavy Harmonies.[4]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Save Our Love"Michael Bolton, Mark Mangold4:05
2."Everybody's Crazy"Bolton4:42
3."Can't Turn It Off"Bolton, Mangold3:58
4."Call My Name"Bolton, Mark Radice4:14
5."Everytime"Bolton, Mangold3:45
6."Desperate Heart"Bolton, Randy Goodrum3:59
7."Start Breaking My Heart"Bolton, Radice4:34
8."You Don't Want Me Bad Enough"Bolton3:49
9."Don't Tell Me It's Over"Bolton, Jan Mullaney4:00
Total length:37:12

Personnel[edit]

  • Michael Bolton – lead vocals, backing vocals, additional guitar, arrangements (1, 3, 5)
  • Bruce Kulick – lead guitar (1-5, 7, 8, 9)
  • Dennis Feldman – bass, backing vocals
  • Lloyd Landesman – keyboards
  • Mark Mangold – keyboards, arrangements (1, 3, 5)
  • Jan Mullaney – keyboards
  • Mark Radice – keyboards
  • Allan St. John – keyboards
  • Chuck Burgi – drums (uncredited on the original release, but credited in the reissue)
  • Mark Rivera – saxophone
  • Larry Fast – synthesizer programming
  • Schuyler Deale – additional bass
  • Doug Katsaros – additional keyboards
  • Neil Kernon – additional keyboards
  • Terry Brock – backing vocals
  • Peppy Castro – backing vocals
  • Joe Cerisano – backing vocals
  • Randy Goodrum – keyboards, synthesizer programming, drum programming, backing vocals (all on 6 only)
  • Kevin Dukes – guitar (6)
  • Paul Pesco – additional guitar (6)

Production[edit]

  • Producers – Neil Kernon (Tracks 1–5, 7, 8 & 9); Randy Goodrum (Track 6)
  • Co-Producer – Michael Bolton (Tracks 1–5, 7, 8 & 9)
  • Executive Producer – Louis Levin
  • Engineers – John Abbey, Bruce Buchalter, Bobby Cohen, John Davenport, Neil Kernon, Bruce Lampcov, Andrew Milano and Malcolm Pollack.
  • Additional Engineer on Track 6 – Larold Rebhun
  • Assistant Engineers on Track 6 – Michael Sommers-Abbott and Paul Ericksen.
  • Recorded at The Power Station, Electric Lady Studios and Delta Recording Studios (New York, NY).
  • Additional Overdubs on Track 6 engineered by Jay Graydon at Garden Rake Studios (Sherman Oaks, CA).
  • Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 & 9 mixed by Neil Kernon.
  • Track 4 mixed by Bobby Cohen, Jan Mullaney and Michael Bolton at The Hit Factory (New York, NY).
  • Track 6 mixed by Elliot Scheiner at Soundcastle (Los Angeles, CA).
  • Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk (New York, NY).
  • Studio Maintenance – Bruce Friedman
  • Direction – Louis Levin, in association with David Krebs and Steve Leber for Contemporary Communications Corporation
  • Photography – Randee St. Nicholas
  • Stylist – Fleur Thiemeyer

Music videos[edit]

Year Video Director Producer Production Company Label Personnel Featured In
1985 "Everybody's Crazy"(Michael Bolton) Wayne Isham Curt Marvis The New Company CBS/Columbia Michael Bolton (vocals), Kevin Reyes (guitar), (bass), (drums) MTV standard rotation 1985–1987, Rodney Dangerfield's 1986 movie 'Back to School', and MTV's Beavis & Butthead Episode 142 "Green Thumbs" October 11, 1995

Cover versions[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]