Prisoner (album)

Infobox Album | Name = Prisoner
Type = Album
Artist = Cher

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Released = October 22 1979
Recorded = 1979
Genre = Disco/New Wave
Length = 37:09
Label = Casablanca Records
Reviews = Allmusic (Rating|1|5) [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:bmfjzfshehok]
Producer = Bob Esty
Last album = "Take Me Home"
(1979)
This album = "Prisoner"
(1979)
Next album = "Black Rose"
(1980)
Misc = Singles
Name = Prisoner
Type = studio
single 1 = Hell On Wheels
single 2 = Holdin Out For Love

"Prisoner" is the sixteenth studio album by American singer-actress Cher, released on October 22 1979 by Casablanca Records. "Prisoner" had a more moderate success and was very danced in nightclubs. Worldwide, the album has sold 1.800,000 copies.

Album information

"Prisoner" (initially planned to be released under the title "Mirror Image") was Cher's second album of 1979, and was released shortly after Take Me Home.

This was the last album of Cher's to date to be produced by Bob Esty, with Esty and Michelle Aller contributing several of the songs. Compared to the disco style of "Take Me Home", "Prisoner" featured a relatively new wave sound. "Prisoner" also marked the first time that Cher released an album which featured songs that were written exclusively for her.

Cher appeared on the album's cover virtually naked and draped in chains, spurring controversy among some women's rights groups for her perceived "sex slave" image.

"Prisoner" was released on CD with "Take Me Home", on a single disc entitled, "The Casablanca Years".

Promotion

To promote the release of the album, Cher recorded an exclusive show called ""Cher...and Other Fantasies", featuring sketches, unreleased tracks (Like a Number), as well as the music video for "Hell on Wheels".

Track listing

ingles

Two single where released for promoted the album, the first "Hell on Wheels" was charted 59#, but the second single "Holdin Out For Love" didn't enter in the charts.

Album Credits

Personnel

*Main Vocals: Cher
*B-3 Organ: Richard Tee
*Drums: Jeff Porcaro
*Drums: Rich Scholsser
*Drums: Alvin Taylor
*Drums: Mike Baird
*Flutes & Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft
*Bass: John Pierce
*Guitar: David Williams
*Guitar: Robbie Krieger
*Guitar: Ira Newborn
*Guitar: Joey Brasler
*Keyboards: Tom Snow
*Piano: David Paich
*Piano and Organ: John Hobbs
*Piano, Synthesizer, Strings Arranged and Background Vocals: Bob Esty
*Percussion: Larry Emerine
*Percussion: Alan Estes, Oliver C. Brown
*Trumpets: Jerry Hey
*Trumpets: Gary Grant
*Tympani & Tambourine: Victor Feldman
*Trombones: Bill Reichenbach
*Saxophones: Gary Herbig
*Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft
*Synthesizer programming: Dan Wyman, Sound Arts
*Strings: Sid Sharp, concertmaster
*Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
*Horns arranged by: Jerry Hey
*Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
*Background Vocals: Michele Aller
*Guitar Solo: Steve Lukather
*Piano and Cash Register in "Shoppin'": Bob Esty
*Background Vocals in "Shoppin'": Arnold McCuller, Luther Van Dross, Bob Esty
*Shoppers: J.C.Gaynor, Kenny (Claude Sasha), Darryl Peck, Debra Paull, Alan Trugman, Billy Sammith, Michele Aller
*Voice Bag in "Mirror Image" played by: Robbie Kreiger
*"Hell on Wheels" assisted by: Richard Bowles, Jim Luenz
*Background Vocals in "Holy Smoke": "The Bob Seger-ettes": Laura Creamer, Ginger Blacke, Linda Dillard
*Also featuring in "Holy Smoke": Miss Mavis Vegas Davis "Praise N' Save Us!"
*Background Vocals in "Outrageus": Michele Aller, Bob Esty Supporting Cast, Friends, Female Impersonators, "Slaves" & "Snorklers": J.C. Gaynor, Kenny (Claude Sasha), Darryl Peck, Debra Paull, Alan Trugman, Billy Sammith, Michele Aller, Suzy Frank

Production

*Producer: Bob Esty

Design

*Photography: Harry Langdon

References

* [http://www.everythingcher.com/pages/79prisoner.htm Info about the album]

External links

* [http://www.cher.com Official Cher site]
* [http://www.casablanca-music.com Casablanca official site]