Good to Be Back
{{Short description|1989 studio album by Natalie Cole}}
{{About||the 2013 Iranian film|Good to Be Back (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Good to Be Back
| type = studio
| artist = Natalie Cole
| cover = Natalie Cole - Good To Be Back (small).png
| alt =
| released = May 8, 1989{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/2604-3125-2|title=BPI}}
| recorded =
| studio = Ocean Way Recording, Westlake Audio, Hitsville U.S.A., Larrabee Sound Studios (Hollywood, California); Devonshire Sound Studios (Burbank, California); O'Henry Sound Studios (Toluca Lake, California); Cove City Sound Studios (Long Island, New York)
| genre = R&B
| length = 46:34
| label =
| producer =
- Dennis Lambert
- André Fischer
- Michael Masser
- Narada Michael Walden
- Lee Curreri
- Ric Wake For Wake Productions
- Eddie Cole
| prev_title = The Natalie Cole Collection
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = Unforgettable... with Love
| next_year = 1991
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r4298|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]
| rev2 = Hi-Fi News & Record Review
| rev2score = A:1{{cite news|last=|first=|authorlink=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Hi-Fi-News/80s/Hi-Fi-News-1989-08.pdf|title=Review: Natalie Cole — Good to Be Back|work=Hi-Fi News & Record Review|type=magazine|date=August 1989|volume=34|issue=8|access-date=2 September 2021|page=113|location=Croydon|publisher=Link House Magazines Ltd|via=World Radio History|issn=0142-6230|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902075515/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Hi-Fi-News/80s/Hi-Fi-News-1989-08.pdf|archive-date=2 September 2021}}
| rev3 = Number One
| rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|first=Colin|last=Irwin|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/46341669825/in/album-72157679080756598/|title=Albums|magazine=Number One|date=17 May 1989|page=43|access-date=12 March 2023}}
| rev4 = Record Mirror
| rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Masters|first=Steve|authorlink=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/89/Record-Mirror-1989-05-13.pdf|title=Review: Natalie Cole — Good to Be Back|magazine=Record Mirror|date=13 May 1989|access-date=27 January 2022|page=32|location=London|publisher=Spotlight Publications Ltd.|via=World Radio History|issn=0144-5804|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006165742/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/89/Record-Mirror-1989-05-13.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2021}}
| noprose = yes
}}
Good to Be Back is the twelfth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. Released in May 1989 by EMI USA, it contains the hit singles "Miss You Like Crazy" and "I Do".
Reception
The first single "Miss You Like Crazy" peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary and Hot R&B Songs charts in 1989.{{cite web |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=natalie cole|chart=all}} | title="Miss You Like Crazy" entry at billboard.com, Billboard Hot 100 Tracks|accessdate=August 16, 2009}} It reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her biggest chart hit single there, and number 13 in the Netherlands.[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/natalie%20cole/ "Natalie Cole"] at Official Charts.
The single "I Do" with Freddie Jackson hit the top 10 on US R&B Songs and the top 20 on US Dance Songs chart. The album's third and fourth singles were "The Rest of the Night" (UK #56) and "Starting Over Again" (#5 on US Adult Contemporary and #56 in the UK).
Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = {{duration|m=46|s=34}}
| title1 = Safe
| length1 = 3:46
| writer1 = {{hlist|Franne Golde|Dennis Lambert}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Dennis Lambert}}
| title2 = As a Matter of Fact
| length2 = 3:57
| writer2 = {{hlist|Don Boyette|Siedah Garrett}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|André Fischer}}
| title3 = The Rest of the Night
| length3 = 4:33
| writer3 = {{hlist|Glen Ballard|Randy Goodrum}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Lambert}}
| title4 = Miss You Like Crazy
| length4 = 3:53
| writer4 = {{hlist|Preston Glass|Gerry Goffin|Michael Masser}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Masser}}
| title5 = I Do
| note5 = duet with Freddie Jackson
| length5 = 3:56
| writer5 = Frank Wildhorn
| extra5 = {{hlist|Narada Michael Walden}}
| title6 = Good to Be Back
| length6 = 4:19
| writer6 = {{hlist|Pam Reswick|Steve Werfel}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Lambert}}
| title7 = Gonna Make You Mine
| length7 = 4:34
| writer7 = {{hlist|Garry Glenn}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Fischer}}
| title8 = Starting Over Again
| length8 = 4:13
| writer8 = {{hlist|Gerry Goffin|Michael Masser}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Masser}}
| title9 = Don't Mention My Heartache
| length9 = 4:44
| writer9 = {{hlist|Clydene Jackson|Catherine Wilmore}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Lee Curreri}}
| title10 = I Can't Cry
| length10 = 4:17
| writer10 = {{hlist|Shelly Peiken}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Ric Wake}}
| title11 = Someone's Rockin' My Dreamboat
| length11 = 4:05
| writer11 = {{hlist|Leon René|Otis René}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|Eddie Cole}}
}}
1990 UK & Europe reissue includes "Wild Women Do" (Power Mix with Rap) as Track 1 (12 tracks total) from the original motion picture soundtrack Pretty Woman.{{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/release/5568373-Natalie-Cole-Good-To-Be-Back | title=Natalie Cole - Good to be Back | website=Discogs }} Written by Greg Prestopino, Sam Lorber and Matthew Wilder and produced by André Fischer.
The LP track length (4:18) and CD track length (4:29). The track was also noted to have been produced in 1990 rather than 1989 so this was probably a later issue of the album as the copyright notice was for 1990. The song is not listed on various 1991 USA reissues for this album in either Allmusic or Discogs listings, but had been released in various mixes on 7", 12" vinyl and CD singles in 1990.{{cite AV media notes |title=Wild Women Do |others=Natalie Cole |date=1990 |type=7-inch Vinyl Single |location =UK|publisher=EMI USA |id=MTX-81}}
Personnel
{{Div col}}
- Natalie Cole – lead vocals, backing vocals (1-3, 6, 7, 9), vocal arrangements (1, 3, 7)
- Claude Gaudette – keyboards (1, 3, 6), synthesizers (1, 3), arrangements (1, 3, 6)
- Don Boyette – keyboards (2), synthesizers (2), bass (2), arrangements (2)
- Roman Johnson – synthesizers (2, 7), keyboards (7)
- Steve Lindsey – synthesizer programming (2), sounds (2)
- Sam Ward – synthesizer programming (2, 7), sounds (2, 7)
- Robbie Buchanan – acoustic piano (4, 8), Fender Rhodes (4, 8), rhythm track arrangements (4, 8), string arrangements (8)
- Walter Afanasieff – keyboards (5), synthesizers (5), bass (5), drum programming (5)
- Ren Klyce – E-mu Emulator II (5), Fairlight CMI (5)
- Jeff Scott – Fender Rhodes (9), acoustic piano (9)
- Lee Curreri – keyboards (9), acoustic piano (9), synthesizer programming (9), arrangements (9)
- Jeff Rona – synthesizer programming (9)
- Phil Shenale (John Philip Shenale) – synthesizer programming (9)
- Booker T. Jones – Hammond B3 organ (9)
- Rich Tancredi – keyboards (10), arrangements (10)
- Charles Floyd – acoustic piano (11), synthesizers (11)
- Teddy Castellucci – guitars (1)
- Paul Jackson Jr. – guitars (3, 4, 6, 8)
- Dean Parks – guitars (4)
- Michael Thompson – guitars (7)
- Bob Cadway – guitars (10)
- Neil Stubenhaus – bass (3, 6, 9)
- Paul Robinson – bass (4)
- Mike Porcaro – bass (8)
- Jimmy Johnson – bass (11)
- John Robinson – drums (3)
- Jeff Porcaro – drums (4, 7, 8), percussion (7)
- Joey Franco – drums (10)
- Ric Wake – drums (10), arrangements (10)
- Armand Grimaldi – drums (11)
- Luis Conte – percussion (1, 3, 6)
- Gigi Gonaway – cymbals (5)
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion (9)
- Tom Scott – alto saxophone (9)
- David Woodford – baritone saxophone (9)
- Jimmy Roberts – tenor saxophone (9)
- Garrett Adkins – trombone (9)
- Rick Braun – trumpet (9)
- André Fischer – arrangements (2), brush overdubs (11)
- Michael Masser – rhythm arrangements (8), string arrangements (8)
- Steve Skinner – arrangements (10)
- Dennis Lambert – vocal arrangements (1, 3, 6)
- Penny Ford – vocal arrangements (7)
- Eddie Cole – backing vocals (1), arrangements (11), finger snaps (11)
- David Joyce – backing vocals (1), synthesizers (11), arrangements (11)
- Katrina Perkins – backing vocals (1, 7)
- Sandra Simmons – backing vocals (1)
- Freddie Jackson – lead vocals (5)
- Jamillah Muhammad – backing vocals (10)
- Shelly Peiken – backing vocals (10)
- Billy T. Scott – backing vocals (10)
{{div col end}}
=Production=
{{Div col}}
- Dan Cleary – executive producer
- Natalie Cole – executive producer
- Dennis Lambert – producer (1, 3, 6)
- André Fischer – producer (2, 7), mixing (2, 9, 11)
- Don Boyette – associate producer (2)
- Michael Masser – producer (4, 8)
- Narada Michael Walden – producer (5)
- Roman Johnson – associate producer (7)
- Lee Curreri – producer (9)
- Ric Wake – producer (10)
- Eddie Cole – producer (11), mixing (11)
- Doug Rider – recording (1, 3, 6)
- Mick Guzauski – recording (2, 7), mixing (2, 7, 9, 11)
- Richard McKernan – recording (2, 7), assistant engineer (3, 6)
- Calvin Harris – recording (4, 8), mixing (4, 8)
- Russ Terrana – engineer (4)
- David Frazer – recording (5), mixing (5)
- John Carter – engineer (9)
- Jimmy Hoyson – engineer (9), assistant engineer (9)
- John Beverly Jones – engineer (9)
- Rick McCormick – engineer (9)
- Bob Cadway – recording (10), mixing (10)
- Craig Burbidge – engineer (11)
- Dave Bianco – additional recording (1, 3, 6)
- Brian Malouf – additional recording (1, 6), mixing (1, 3, 6)
- Gabe Veltri – additional recording (1, 3, 6)
- Claudio Ordenas – assistant engineer (3, 6)
- Jeff Poe – assistant engineer (3, 6)
- Toby Wright – assistant engineer (3, 6)
- Steve James – assistant engineer (4, 8), production coordinator (4, 8)
- Dana Jon Chappelle – assistant engineer (5)
- Rick Butz – assistant engineer (7)
- Jim McCaan – assistant engineer (7)
- Marnie Riley – assistant engineer (7)
- Bill Dooley – assistant engineer (8)
- Mark Hagen – assistant engineer (8)
- Joe Schiff – assistant engineer (8)
- Paul Wertheimer – assistant engineer (8)
- Chris Fuhrman – assistant engineer (9)
- Craig Johnson – assistant engineer (9)
- Bernie Grundman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, CA)
- Henry Marquez – art direction
- LuAnn Graffeo – design
- Matthew Rolston – photography
{{div col end}}
Singles
- "Miss You Like Crazy" – Released: March 15, 1989
- "I Do" (duet with Freddie Jackson) – Released: June 10, 1989
- "The Rest of the Night" – Released: September 4, 1989
- "As A Matter Of Fact" – Released: October 30, 1989
- "Good to Be Back" - Released: November 26, 1989
- "Starting Over Again" – Released: January 1, 1990
- "Wild Women Do" (Power Mix with Rap) – Released: 1990
Charts
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Chart (1989) !scope="col"|Peak |
scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/ok9q9kw| title=Natalie Cole ARIA Chart history (1988 to 2024)|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date=July 28, 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
| style="text-align:center;"| 87 |
---|
{{album chart|UK2|10|date=19850514|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2021}} |
{{album chart|Billboard200|59|artist=Natalie Cole|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2021}} |
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|21|artist=Natalie Cole|rowheader=true|access-date=May 8, 2021}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Natalie Cole|title=Good to Be Back|award=Gold|certyear=1989|relyear=1989|access-date=January 13, 2023|id=2604-3125-2}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Natalie Cole}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Good To Be Back}}
Category:Albums produced by Michael Masser
Category:Albums produced by Narada Michael Walden