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Branigan (album)

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Branigan
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 8, 1982 (1982-03-08)
Recorded1981–1982
StudioRusk Sound (Hollywood, California)
Length34:08
LabelAtlantic
ProducerJack White
Laura Branigan chronology
Branigan
(1982)
Branigan 2
(1983)
Singles from Branigan
  1. "All Night with Me"
    Released: March 1982
  2. "Gloria"
    Released: May 1982
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Branigan is the debut studio album by American singer Laura Branigan, released in March 1982 by Atlantic Records. The album's lead single, "All Night with Me", reached number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while the second single, an English version of Italian singer Umberto Tozzi's song "Gloria", was a commercial success, propelling Branigan to international prominence.[1][2]

The album was certified Gold in both the United States and Canada. Her Eurodisco version of "Gloria" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female in 1983.

A remastered and expanded edition of the album was released on July 7, 2014, by Gold Legion. Included is the extended 12″ version of "Gloria" and several hard to find tracks from the album sessions, all but one of which were released as singles or B-sides prior to the release of the final album.[3]

Reception

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Billboard praised the album, stating "don't be taken by Branigan's pretty yet dainty image she exudes on the cover art. This lady has a set of chops that she puts to maximum effectiveness on this collection of hot rockers and some mellower fare. Supported by studio hotshots like Steve Lukather, Lee Sklar, Michael Boddicker, Bob Glaub and others, Branigan's voice explodes with a fury, making it clear that she's in the same league as her competition."[4]

Allmusic were more mixed in their review, commenting that "this album, despite being worth checking out simply for Branigan's powerful voice, is middling at best. Though she finds nuances in lyrics and melodies that are not up to her talent, the production often bogs the album down, especially on the ballads."[5]

Track listing

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Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."All Night with Me"Chris Montan3:52
2."Gloria"4:50
3."Lovin' You Baby"
  • Adrian John Loveridge
  • John Wonderling
4:34
4."Living a Lie"
  • Dick St. Nicklaus
  • Sue Neal
3:41
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."If You Loved Me"
3:15
6."Please Stay, Go Away"
  • Loveridge
  • Wonderling
3:33
7."I Wish We Could Be Alone"Laura Branigan3:18
8."Down Like a Rock"Randy VanWarmer3:34
9."Maybe I Love You"
3:31
Total length:34:08
2014 expanded edition bonus tracks[6]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Looking Out for Number One" (Midnight mix)
5:33
11."Fool's Affair"3:42
12."Tell Him"Bert Berns2:38
13."Love Me Tonight"Robbie Seidman3:33
14."When"Branigan2:45
15."Looking Out for Number One" (single version)
  • Tempchin
  • Bodine
3:57
16."Gloria" (12″ mix)
  • Tozzi
  • Bigazzi
  • Veitch
5:54
Total length:62:10

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Branigan.[7]

Musicians

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Technical

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  • Jürgen Koppers – recording, mixing[a]
  • John Kovarek – recording
  • Brian Gardner – mastering[b]
  • Jack White – production
  • Greg Mathieson – co-production

Artwork

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  • Jim Houghton – photography
  • Bob Defrin – art direction

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for Branigan
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[13] Gold 20,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[14] Gold 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

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  1. ^ Mixed at Rusk Sound Studios (Hollywood, California)
  2. ^ Mastered at Allen Zentz Mastering (Hollywood, California)

References

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  1. ^ a b Buss, Bryan. "Branigan – Laura Branigan". AllMusic. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Holden, Stephen (September 18, 1984). "Branigan's Top-40 Style At Avery Fisher Hall". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  3. ^ "Laura Branigan – Branigan (Expanded)". Gold Legion. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  4. ^ "Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard Music Week. No. 20 March 1982. p. 69. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Branigan - Laura Branigan | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  6. ^ "Branigan – Laura Branigan (CD – Gold Legion #562382)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  7. ^ Branigan (liner notes). Laura Branigan. Atlantic Records. 1982. SD 19289.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 45. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6181a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  10. ^ "Laura Branigan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  11. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Albums". Cash Box. Vol. XLIV, no. 33. January 15, 1983. p. 31. ISSN 0008-7289.
  12. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1983". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "New Faces to Watch". Cash Box. Vol. XLV, no. 11. August 13, 1983. p. NF-7. ISSN 0008-7289.
  14. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Laura Branigan – Branigan". Music Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "American album certifications – Laura Branigan – Branigan". Recording Industry Association of America. August 2, 1984. Retrieved August 20, 2018.