1997 Gary Barlow – Open Road

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Open Road is the debut solo album by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. It was released by BMG and RCA Records on 26 May 1997.
Following the break-up of Take That, Barlow went straight into the recording studio and began recording a solo album. On 5 July 1996, the album’s lead single, “Forever Love”, was released, peaking at number one on the UK Singles Chart. A second single, “Love Won’t Wait”, was released in April 1997, also peaking at number one.On 26 May 1997, the album was subsequently released, peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart on the week of release. The album was certified platinum. Following the album’s release, a further two singles, “So Help Me Girl” and “Open Road” were released, which charted at 11 and 7 respectively with the third single becoming Barlow’s first solo material to chart in America

Tracks

1  Love Won’t Wait (Madonna; Shep Pettibone) 04:16
2  So Help Me Girl (Howard Perdew; Andy Spooner) 04:29
3  My Commitment (Gary Barlow; Diane Warren) 04:47
4  Hang On In There, Baby (Johnny Bristol) 03:38
5  Are You Ready Now (Gary Barlow) 04:19
6  Everything I Ever Wanted (Gary Barlow) 03:31
7  I Fall So Deep (Larry Loftin; Amy Powers) 04:02
8  Lay Down For Love (Richard Stannard; Matt Rowbottom) 05:32
9  Forever Love (Gary Barlow; Nik Kershaw) 04:52
10  Never Knew (Gary Barlow) 03:50
11  Open Road (Gary Barlow) 04:23
12  Always (Gary Barlow) 03:32

Musicians

2 So Help Me Girl

GuitarMichael Thompson
KeyboardsDavid Foster
SynclavierSimon Franglen
ProgrammingSimon Franglen
Background VocalsJoey Diggs
Background VocalsWill Wheaton


3 My Commitment

BassWalter Afanasieff
Drums (programming)Walter Afanasieff
GuitarMichael Thompson
KeyboardsWalter Afanasieff
KeyboardsDan Shea
OrganWalter Afanasieff
SynthesizerWalter Afanasieff
ProgrammingDan Shea
Background VocalsClaytoven Richardson
Background VocalsJeanie Tracy
Background VocalsPhillip Ingram
Background VocalsSandy Griffith


4 Hang On In There, Baby

ProgrammingMike Higham
Background VocalsDee Lewis


6 Everything I Ever Wanted

GuitarMilton McDonald
PianoGary Barlow


7 I Fall So Deep

GuitarDean Parks
KeyboardsDavid Foster
SynclavierSimon Franglen
ProgrammingSimon Franglen


9 Forever Love

BassChris Cameron
DrumsAndy Duncan
PianoGary Barlow
PianoChris Cameron
StringsChris Cameron


10 Never Knew

BassWalter Afanasieff
Drums (programming)Walter Afanasieff
GuitarMichael Thompson
KeyboardsWalter Afanasieff
KeyboardsDan Shea
OrganWalter Afanasieff
SynthesizerWalter Afanasieff
ProgrammingDan Shea
SaxMarc Russo
Background VocalsClaytoven Richardson
Background VocalsJeanie Tracy
Background VocalsPhillip Ingram
Background VocalsSandy Griffith


11 Open Road

BassPaul Turner
DrumsAndy Duncan
GuitarPhil Palmer
KeyboardsChris Cameron
KeyboardsGary Barlow
Background VocalsJay Henry
Background VocalsLance Ellington
Background VocalsRay Ruffin
Background VocalsTommy Blaize


12 Always

BassChris Cameron
DrumsAndy Duncan
KeyboardsDave Clayton
KeyboardsGary Barlow

Liner Notes

Producer – Stephen Lipson (Track 1)
Producer – David Foster (Tracks 2, 7)
Producer – Walter Afanasieff (Tracks 3, 10)
Producer – Trevor Horn (Track 4)
Gary Barlow – (Tracks 5, 8, 9, 11, 12)
Producer – Grant Mitchell (Tracks 5, 8)
Producer – Absolute (Tracks 6, 11)
Producer – Chris Porter (Tracks 9, 11, 12)
Producer (Executive) – Clive Davis
Arranged By – David Foster (Tracks 2, 7)
Arranged By – Walter Afanasieff (Tracks 3, 10)
Arranged By – Grant Mitchell (Track 5)
Arranged By (Strings) – Anne Dudley (Track 4)
Engineer – Heff Moraes (Track 1)
Engineer – Felipe Elgueta (Track 2)
Engineer – Tim Weidner (Track 4)
Engineer – Dana Jon Chappelle (Track 3)
Engineer – Ren Swan (Tracks 5, 8)
Engineer – Dana Jon Chappelle (Track 10)
Engineer (Additional) – David Gleeson (Tracks 3, 10)
Engineer (Assistant) – Jeff Griffin (Tracks 3, 10)
Engineer (Assistant) – Tom Elmhirst (Track 4)
Engineer (Assistant) – Judy Kirschner, Mike Scott (Track 10)
Engineer (Assistant) – Steve McNichol (Tracks 11, 12)
Engineer (Recording) – Simon Coxworth (Track 6)
Engineer (Mix) – Yan Memmi (Track 6)
Engineer (Mix) – Jeremy Wheatley (Track 11)
Mixed By – Stephen Lipson (Track 1)
Mixed By – Mick Guzauski (Tracks 2, 7, 10)
Mixed By – Dana Jon Chappelle (Track 3)
Mixed By – Tim Weidner (Track 4)
Mixed By – Dave Way (Tracks 5, 8)
Mixed By – Absolute (Tracks 6, 11)
Mixed By (Assistant) – Marnie Riley (Tracks 2, 7)
Programmed By – Grant Mitchell (Tracks 4, 5, 8)
Programmed By – Steve McNichol (Tracks 9, 11, 12)
Programmed By (Assistant) – Robert Cattermole (Tracks 9, 11, 12)

Photography By – Nathaniel Goldberg, Norman Watson

Phonographic Copyright (p) BMG Entertainment International UK & Ireland Ltd
Copyright (c) BMG Entertainment International UK & Ireland Ltd