Ann-Margret (album)

Ann-Margret
Studio album by
Released1980
GenreDisco
LabelMCA
ProducerPaul Sabu
Ann-Margret chronology
The Cowboy and the Lady
(1969)
Ann-Margret
(1980)
God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions
(2002)
Singles from Ann-Margret
  1. "Love Rush"
    Released: 1979
  2. "Midnight Message"
    Released: 1980

Ann-Margret is a disco album by Swedish-American actress and singer Ann-Margret released by MCA Records in 1980. It was her first album in over a decade. The album was written, arranged and produced by Paul Sabu. The album was re-released digitally as Love Rush in 2007.

Two singles were lifted from the album, "Love Rush", which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Disco chart in 1979.[1] The follow-up single, "Midnight Message", peaked at No. 12 in 1980.[2] Ann-Margret and Sabu collaborated on an additional single, "Everybody Needs Somebody Sometimes" in 1981, which peaked at No. 22 on the Disco chart.

Critical reviews

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

In their review of the album, Billboard stated that "the veteran siren sounds like she's having a ball on steamy numbers like 'What I Do to Men' and 'Love Rush'...the album is fun, succeeding comically as much as musically."[4]

AllMusic noted that the album "isn't half bad ... Ann-Margret oozes sex, her breathy voice proving an ideal fit with disco's erotic sensibilities. Sabu's conga rhythms and funky guitar are no less critical to the end result -- it's a novelty record, sure, but a damn good one."[5]

Record World complemented the singer's "whispery vocals" and Sabu's production "a thundering foundation of instrumentation", highlighting "Midnight Message" as a "disco-ish standout." [6]

In their review of "Love Rush", Cashbox noted "a whirlwind-paced disco beat, led by congas and a variety of percussion effects, is augmented by a battery of strings, electric piano and horn flourishes to provide a sonically scintillating background for Ann-Margret's aggressively sexy vocal stylings. An auspicious introduction to dance music for the actress/singer, the clubs will hop on this, as will disco and pop lists."[7]

Track listing

  1. "Midnight Message" - 6:53
  2. "What I Do To Men" - 6:07
  3. "Love Rush" - 6:06
  4. "Never Gonna Let You Go" - 5:03
  5. "For You" - 4.50

Personnel

  • Ann-Margret – vocals
  • Paul Sabu - production, arrangement, guitar
  • Rick Bozzo - bass
  • Dan Homes - drums
  • Sara Kane - backing vocals
  • Pat Henderson - backing vocals
  • Billie Barnum - backing vocals

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-89820-156-7.
  2. ^ "Ann-Margret Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  3. ^ Ann-Margret – Ann-Margret: Reviews at AllMusic. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Billboard Recommended LP's" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. No. 22 March 1980. p. 78. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Ann-Margret - Ann-Margret [EP] Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  6. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 15, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. No. 13 October 1979. p. 19. Retrieved July 25, 2024.