The Gambler (album)
| The Gambler | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Kenny Rogers | ||||
| Released | December 1978 | |||
| Recorded | 1978 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 39:44 | |||
| Label | United Artists Group | |||
| Producer | Larry Butler | |||
| Kenny Rogers chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
The Gambler is the sixth studio album by Kenny Rogers, released by United Artists in December 1978. One of his most popular, it has established Rogers' status as one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and 1980s. The album reached many markets around the world, such as the Far East and Jamaica, with Rogers later commenting "When I go to Korea or Hong Kong people say 'Ah, the gambler!'" (as per the sleeve notes to the 1998 released box set "Through the Years" on Capitol Records). The album has sold over 35 million copies.[1][2]
The title track "The Gambler" was written by Don Schlitz, who was the first to record it. It was also covered by several other artists, but it was Kenny Rogers' adaptation of the tale that went on to top the country charts and win a Song of the Year Grammy, later becoming Rogers' signature song. Although Johnny Cash recorded the song first, Kenny Rogers's version was released first. Both this song and "She Believes in Me" became pop music hits, helping Rogers become well-known beyond country music circles. Although largely compiled from songs by some of the music business's top songwriters, such as Alex Harvey, Mickey Newbury, and Steve Gibb, Rogers continued to show his own talent for songwriting with "Morgana Jones". The album was produced by Larry Butler.
Its popularity has led to many releases over the years. After United Artists was absorbed into EMI/Capitol in 1980, "The Gambler" was reissued on vinyl and cassette on the Liberty Records label. Several years later, Liberty issued an abridged version of the album, removing the track "Morgana Jones". EMI Manhattan Records released "The Gambler" on CD in the 1980s.[3] An 'Original Master Recording' from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs was released on vinyl (audiophile edition vinyl).[4] Finally, "The Gambler" was released on Rogers' own Dreamcatcher Records in 2001 as part of the Kenny Rogers "Original Masters Series."
In Britain, both the title cut and the album did very well in the country market, but both failed to reach the top 40 of the pop charts. In the 1980s the single of "The Gambler" was re-issued and made the top 100 sales list, but again charted outside the top 40. It wasn't until the song was re-issued in 2007 when the song was adopted by the England Rugby Team at the Rugby World Cup that it charted at its #22 peak.
Additionally, "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again" was later a single in 1986 for T. Graham Brown, whose version went to #3 on the country charts.
Track listing
| Side one | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "The Gambler" | Don Schlitz | 3:34 |
| 2. | "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again" | Rafe VanHoy, Don Cook, Curly Putman | 2:55 |
| 3. | "King of Oak Street" | Alex Harvey | 4:55 |
| 4. | "Makin' Music for Money" | Alex Harvey | 3:10 |
| 5. | "Hoodooin' of Miss Fannie Deberry" | Alex Harvey | 4:44 |
| Side two | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "She Believes in Me" | Steve Gibb | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Tennessee Bottle" | Jim Ritchey | 3:59 |
| 3. | "Sleep Tight, Goodnight Man" | Sam Lorber, Jeff Silbar | 2:52 |
| 4. | "Little More Like Me (The Crucifixion)" | Sonny Throckmorton | 2:47 |
| 5. | "San Francisco Mabel Joy" | Mickey Newbury | 3:36 |
| 6. | "Morgana Jones" | Kenny Rogers | 3:03 |
Personnel
- Eddy Anderson – drums, percussion
- Tommy Allsup – bass guitar
- Byron Bach – strings
- George Brinkley – strings
- Thomas Cain – keyboards
- Jimmy Capps – guitars
- Jerry Carrigan – drums, percussion
- Marvin Chantry – strings
- Roy Christensen – strings
- Bobby Daniels – drums, percussion, background vocals
- Randy Dorman – guitars, background vocals
- Pete Drake – steel guitar
- Ray Edenton – guitars
- Steve Glassmeyer – keyboards, soprano saxophone, background vocals
- Gene Golden – keyboards, background vocals
- Carl Gorodetzky – strings
- Lennie Haight – strings
- Rick Harper – guitars
- The Jordanaires – background vocals
- Bill Justis – string arrangements
- Sheldon Kurland – strings
- Bill Medley – background vocals
- Byron Metcalf – drums, percussion
- Bob Moore – upright bass
- Mickey Newbury – background vocals
- Hargus "Pig" Robbins – keyboards
- Billy Sanford – guitars
- Jerry Shook – guitars
- Steven Smith – strings
- Edgar Struble – ARP synthesizer, clavinet, congas, background vocals
- Gary Vanosdale – strings
- Pamela Vanosdale – strings
- Tony Joe White – guitars
- Dennis Wilson – upright bass
- Reggie Young – guitars
- Dottie West – background vocal on "The Gambler"
Producer
- Producer – Larry Butler
- Engineer – Billy Sherrill
- Recorded at Jack Clements Recording Studios (Nashville, TN).
- Mastered by Bob Sowell at Master Control (Nashville, TN).
- Art Direction and Design – Bill Burks
- Photography – Reid Miles
- Management – Ken Kragen
Chart performance
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 12 |
| Canadian RPM Country Albums | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Albums | 6 |
References
- ↑ "The Year in Rock: 1978". Popdose. 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
- ↑ Jonathan Hoenig (2006-02-13). "An Ace That You Can Keep". SmartMoney.com. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
- ↑ Staff. "Kenny Rogers The Gambler". Discogs.com.
- ↑ "Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
