"The Return Of Bruno" is the debut album by actor Bruce Willis. Released by Motown in 1987, this album is an eclectic gatheringof R&B music sung by Willis, with backing musicians including Booker T. Jones, Ruth Pointer and The Temptations.
At the height of Moonlighting mania and after the Seagram's wine cooler commercials showcased his vocal skills, Motown asked Bruce Willis to record a full album of blues, R&B, and soul hence, "The Return Of Bruno". Willis has more vocal talent than, say, Cybill Shepherd, but he doesn't quite have the conviction or skill of the Blues Brothers. Often, it's difficult to hear him strain for notes on familiar items like "Under the Boardwalk," "Young Blood," and "Respect Yourself," but that same limited talent makes the ready-made originals "Jackpot," "Down in Hollywood," and "Flirting with Disaster" appealing kitsch. And, really, "The Return of Bruno" isn't anything more than a kitsch artifact Willis may deeply believe he has vocal talent, but the album stands more as a testament to the excesses of Reagan-era celebrity and baby-boomer nostalgia than as a piece of music.
Track listing
01. Comin' Right Up (Brock Walsh) - 3:30
02. Respect Yourself (Luther Ingram, Mack Rice) - 3:53
03. Down in Hollywood
04. Young Blood (Jerry Lieber, Doc Pomus, Mike Stoller) - 4:08
05. Under the Boardwalk (Kenny Young, Arthur Resnick) - 3:03
06. Secret Agent Man / James Bond Is Back (Steve Barri, P.F. Sloan, John Barry) - 4:48
07. Jackpot (Bruno's Bop) (Robert Kraft, Bruce Willis) - 4:12
08. Fun Time (Allen Toussaint) - 3:38
09. Lose Myself (Larry John McNally, Jon Lind) - 3:56
10. Flirting with Disaster (Brock Walsh, Jeff Lorber) - 4:33
Released: January 20, 1987
Genre: R&B, Pop
Length: 40:34
Label: Motown Records
Producer: Robert Kraft
Personnel
Bruce Willis - vocals
Booker "T" Jones - Hammond B-3 organ
Greg Philinganes - keyboards
Jeff Lorber - keyboards, programming
Backgroud Vocals - Siedah Garrett, Alexis England, Shari Dub, Lynn Davis, Jon Lind, Philip Ingram, Darryl Phinnessee, Robert Craft, The Temptations
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