Through the Storm is the thirty-second studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was released mid 1989 on the Arista Records label.
The title track (a duet with Elton John) was released as the album's second single, reaching number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Despite its success, the album was ultimately unsuccessful, peaking at number 55 on the Billboard 200, after spending 18 weeks on the chart.
The follow-up single, "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be", (a duet with Whitney Houston), failed to reach the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 41.
The album's final single, "Gimme Your Love" (a duet with James Brown) was poorly received, failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and only managing a peak of number 48 on the R&B Songs chart.
Other guest artists on the album include The Four Tops and Kenny G.
The album was remastered and re-released as an "Expanded Edition" in December 2014 by Funky Town Grooves, with bonus tracks and a second CD of remixes.
Track listing
Personnel
Musicians Aretha Franklin – vocals, acoustic piano (3) Walter Afanasieff – keyboards (1, 4, 5), synth bass (1), synthesizers (2, 4, 5), bass (2, 4, 5), drum programming (2, 4, 5) Ren Klyce – Fairlight CMI (1, 2, 4, 5) Robbie Kondor – synthesizers (3), acoustic piano (6), additional synthesizers (6) Joe Mardin – programming (6), sequencing (6), horn arrangements and conductor (6) David Foster – electric piano (7), synthesizers (7) David Paich – acoustic piano (7) Aaron Zigman – keyboards (8) Corrado Rustici – guitars (1), rhythm guitar (5) Steve Khan – guitars (3) Doc Powell – guitars (3) Reggie Griffin – guitars (6) Louis Johnson – bass (3, 7) Jerry Knight – bass (8) "Bongo" Bob Smith – drum programming (1) Narada Michael Walden – drums (1), Simmons pads (1), additional synthesizers (2), additional drums (2), rhythm arrangements (2) Yogi Horton – drums (3) Sammy Merendino – additional drum samples (6) Jeff Porcaro – drums (7) John Robinson – drums (8) Gigi Gonaway – Paiste cymbals (2) Steve Kroon – percussion (3) George Devens – percussion (7) Marc Russo – saxophone solo (1, 2) Kenneth Hitchcock – baritone saxophone (6) Andy Snitzer – tenor saxophone (6) Kenny G – saxophone solo (8) Mike Davis – trombone (6) Chris Botti – trumpet (6) Kent Smith – trumpet (6)
Background and Guest vocalists James Brown – vocals (1) Liz Jackson – backing vocals (1) Skyler Jett – backing vocals (1, 5) Kitty Beethoven – backing vocals (2, 4, 5) Siedah Garrett – backing vocals (2) Whitney Houston – vocals (4) Melisa Kary – backing vocals (4, 5) Elton John – vocals (5) Claytoven Richardson – backing vocals (5) Margaret Branch – backing vocals (6) Brenda Corbett – backing vocals (6) Aretha Franklin – backing vocals (6) Edie Lehmann – backing vocals (7) Myrna Matthews – backing vocals (7) Marti McCall – backing vocals (7) Four Tops – vocals (8): Levi Stubbs – lead vocal Duke Fakir – first tenor vocal Lawrence Payton – second tenor and second lead vocals Renaldo "Obie" Benson – baritone and bass vocals
Production Narada Michael Walden – producer (1, 2, 4, 5), arrangements (1, 2, 4, 5) Aretha Franklin – producer (3) Arif Mardin – producer (6, 7), arrangements (7) Joe Mardin – producer (6), arrangements (6) Jerry Knight – producer (8) Aaron Zigman – producer (8) Peter Max – front and back cover art Marlene Cohen – art direction Norman Parkinson – photography Hand Design – hand lettering Richard Sassin – liner notes
Technical credits David Frazer – recording (1, 2, 4, 5), mixing (1–5) Rod Hui – recording (6), mixing (6) Joe Mardin – recording (6), mixing (6) Jeremy Smith – recording (7) Lew Hahn – remixing (7), additional engineer (7) Arif Mardin – remixing (7) Gene Paul – remixing (7) Darren Klein – engineer (8), mixing (8) Lincoln Clapp – additional engineer for Aretha Franklin's vocals (1, 2, 4, 5) Dana Jon Chappelle – assistant engineer (1, 2, 4, 5) David Glover – additional assistant engineer (1, 2, 4, 5) Mike Iacopelli – additional assistant engineer (1, 2, 4, 5) recording (3), vocal recording (6) James McGee – assistant engineer (6) Steve Scalcione – assistant engineer (6) Chris Shaw – assistant engineer (6) Matt Tritto – assistant engineer (6) Michael O'Reilly – assistant engineer (7) Stewart Whitmore – assistant engineer (7)
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Through the Storm Chart (1989) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 86 European Albums (Music & Media) 62 Italian Albums (Musica e dischi) Select "Album" in the "Tipo" field, type "Through the Storm" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca". 12
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for Through the Storm Chart (1989) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 32
References